Chapter 285


    Gracie: “How could it not be possible? The inte is buzzing that Joana got the lead role, she’s on the


    brink of stardom!”


    Astrid: “Calm down, Gracie. Let’s wait for the official announcement.”


    After hanging up the phone, Astrid logged onto Twitter, only to find it flooded with news of Joana


    People were not just singing Joana’s praises, they were also throwing shade at her.


    They wereparing the two since they had previously worked together and were now both in the


    running for the same role.


    “Astrid is the better fit, isn’t she? After all, beauty is power.”


    “I reckon Joana’s the better bet though, she may not be as striking as Astrid, but she’s got a solid body


    of work under her belt!” “I can’t wait to see Astrid in period costume!”


    After scrolling through a fewments, Astrid got bored and was about to hit the sack when a


    message popped up on her screen. Dale: “Roberson rang me, you’re confirmed for the lead in Endless


    Longing. Contract signing at 1 pm, do you need a lift?”


    Astrid: “Nah, I can make it on my own.”


    Joana was just trying to stir the pot and making a ssh. She wlways up to no good.


    When Astrid got home, Yates had already left. She set her rm and retreated back to bed.


    Half–asleep, she caught a whiff of something delicious.


    The smell grew stronger and she roused herself, only to find Elio cook in the kitchen, apron on and all.


    Astrid leaned against the kitchen doorway, askingzily, “Aren’t you supposed to be at work, Elio?”


    Without turning, Elio softly replied, “I’ve been practicing some new recipes, thought you might want to


    give them a try.”


    Astrid pursed her lips, not saying a thing.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    The soup had a medicinal smell. Though Elio’s culinary skills were far from ster, for someone who


    didn’t know how to cook at all, his progress was -impressive.


    Soon, Elio had a meal ready. Hedled some soup into a bowl for Astrid and cautioned, “This soup’s


    still hot, wait a bit before drinking.”


    Astrid didn’t respond, but she knew what medicinal herbs Elio had added to the soup.


    They were to help with her pain.


    She’d had them before, but they were bitter and she’d given up on them.


    Elio watched her intently, worried she would refuse to have it.


    She took a small sip, the bitterness instantly spreading across her tongue, “I can’t do this anymore, it’s


    too bitter.”


    Elio: “You have to.”


    Astrid gulped down water and protested, “I’m fine, I’ve been in pain so long, so I’m used to it. This


    medicine is even more bitter than my sleepwalking meds. I really can’t stomach it.”


    After downing several sses of water, Astrid felt like she was about to lose her sense of taste.


    Watching her suffer, Elio took the bowl from her.


    He stared at the soup for a moment, then took a cautious sip with his own spoon, his face contorting at


    the bitterness.


    Astrid said, “I told you it’s bitter, you…”


    Before she could finish, Elio downed a few more mouthfuls, then said, “I’ll drink it with you.”


    “No!” Astrid shook her head.


    Elio: “I’ll have three sips, you have one.”


    Astrid: “No way.”


    Elio: “I’ll drink a whole bowl, you have a sip.”


    Astrid: “No!”


    Elio fell silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and leaned in, “If you won’t drink it yourself, I’ll


    feed it to you.”


    With that, he gulped down the remaining soup, then fixed her with a stare.


    Astrid’s eyes widened.


    What?


    What is he trying to do?!