Chapter 4Managing Assets

I woke up at 2 PM.

My phone was blown up. My agent: [Julian walked off set.]

I had no appetite. I floored the Aston Martin to the production site.

Julian got in, his face a thundercloud. He was waiting for an apology.

I gave him one. "Are you an idiot? A-lister ego, D-list talent. You're my employee. You're embarrassing my brand. You want to quit? Fine. Pay the fifty-million-dollar breach-of-contract fee, kiss the director's ass, and get the hell out of my sight."

He was stunned. "Aren't you going to explain last night?"

"Explain what? To you? Who are you?"

His eyes were burning. "Fine, Seraphina. You don't care about me at all."

I lit a slim cigarette. "I care about my assets. You're an adult, Julian. Stop being so childish."

He snapped. He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me, hard. It was all anger and frustration and the smell of expensive cologne.

I just let him. The one who loses their cool is the one who loses.

He finally pulled back, breathing hard, his eyes red. "He's just more obedient, isn't he?"

I took a drag. "At least his value is clear. I'll see you on set."

He went back. The show was fine.

My agent told me Julian was a robot when I was gone, but the second I was on set, he turned into the world's most devoted lover for the cameras.

Leo, hearing I was "suffering" with set catering, started bringing me gourmet meals.

He'd feed me a pomegranate seed. On camera, Julian would feed his co-star a bite of pear.

Leo would drape his coat over my shoulders. Julian would get on his knees and tie his co-star's shoe.

"Sister," Leo whispered, "he's so... performative. I could never be that familiar with another woman."

He smelled so good. I smiled.

Julian saw it.

His co-star's heel broke. He swept her up into his arms and carried her, his eyes boring into me as he passed the monitors.

I just turned to the director. "That was great footage. Make sure you get that in the final cut."

That night, he dragged me into a janitor's closet, pressing me against the wall.

"Why aren't you jealous? Hm?"

I put my hand on his throat. "Monogamy is a man's best quality, Julian. If you're not... exclusive... you're worthless. Why would I fight over something worthless?

"Don't try to use other women to raise your own stock price. I'll fight for a diamond. Not a piece of meat."

He looked... wrecked. "You... you're comparing me to meat?"

I just smiled and walked away.

I went home to my good boy, who had dinner, a fruit platter, and a hot bath waiting.

A woman works this hard... for this.