Chapter 142: Petty Rogue

[Chapter 142: Petty Rogue]

Link had spent three days in a Miami film crew, and after catching up on the movie's progress, he seized the opportunity to return to Los Angeles to prepare for filming his third movie, Final Destination.

The weather in Los Angeles during March and April was lovely, with clear skies and a gentle breeze that felt refreshing against his face.

In the morning, Link ran ten kilometers with his bodyguard, Wallace, in a small park near the Golden Oak Apartments. Afterward, drenched in sweat and having taken a shower, he felt invigorated and light.

He had slept alone last night.

Before that, he rarely had the chance to sleep alone. Sometimes it was Monica, other times it was Jennifer Connelly, or Renee Zellweger. There were moments of intimacy with Sofia and Lily as well.

He had lived in indulgence, enjoy every night. While his body had become conditioned from all this, he sometimes still experienced fatigue. But after a solid night's sleep and a decent morning run, he felt light and full of energy.

...

"Whoa, Link! What happened last night? You look really refreshed. Did you have two, no, three girls with you?" Chris Barnes teased as Link arrived at the office around ten.

"Cut it out, I'm not as decadent as you think," Link replied with a shake of his head.

He felt renewed after a period of abstinence, not indulgence, and Chris clearly needed a reality check.

"What's wrong with a little decadence? Doesn't Playboy say the more decadent a man is, the happier he is? If you weren't so uptight, you'd see my point. If you had muscles like mine, you wouldn't be saying this. I suggest you start working out more," Chris said, flexing his bicep, though it wasn't very obvious with his shirt on.

Link regarded Chris's muscles with indifference. After several rounds of training, his own physicality now measured up to that of a professional boxer or weightlifter. He had not only become stronger but also more enduring. Muscles built on protein powder could not compare.

"How's the props team coming along? We're set to start filming next week, so I hope there won't be any hiccups on your end," Link asked.

"Don't worry, we won't mess up. We've been making props based on your designs for three months now. We're more than eighty percent finished. I heard from Eric that the props team would never let the crew down when filming begins," Chris assured him.

"Good to hear."

Eric was the head of the props department, a seasoned designer responsible for all the props and mechanical designs used in Final Destination. Chris, an apprentice in the props department, was well-liked but slightly feared by his colleagues.

What people liked about him was that when the props team was short of funds, they would ask him for help and the production department would approve more funds. What they are afraid of was that this guy would report to Link.

...

"Good morning, Link! You look great; taking a break was definitely the right call," Daniel DeVito approached, his belly protruding under his gray suit, with a dark green tie that fluttered slightly.

He still wore black-rimmed glasses, and his balding head shone under the lights, giving him a rounder look than the previous year.

"Good morning, Daniel. You really should lose some weight. At this rate, I'm worried you'll need help to walk," Link pointed at his belly.

"Haha!" Daniel laughed heartily, patting his stomach. "Yes, I can feel it too. What can I say? I'm the type that gains weight even on vegetables! But you're right. Once work settles down, I'll sign up for a weight loss class and try to slim down."

"How's the casting call going? I need the actor list by Friday."

"No problem, we've already decided on the supporting roles. We still need to finalize six main actors. Tomorrow is the third round of auditions. I'll send you the list of actors who made it to round three later so you can take a look and see if there's anyone you like."

"Sounds good."

...

Link walked into the executive office where Lily had arrived before him and was arranging flowers in vases at the front desk.

Upon seeing him, she looked him up and down and said with a smile, "Did you take some magic potion? You look radiant."

"It's just you making me happy that shows on my face," he replied.

"Smooth talker."

Lily smiled lightly as she continued to arrange the lilies in the two crystal vases.

Today, she wore a light green knee-length dress and a new Dior blazer. Her white high heels complemented her nude stockings, and she had styled her long black hair into a neat ponytail that accentuated her smooth, glowing cheeks. The blue earrings she wore sparkled brightly in the sunlight streaming in.

Her fashion sense had improved noticeably, exuding the charm of a modern professional woman while enhancing her natural grace and beauty.

Link remembered the first time he met her a year ago. She had been alone with her four or five-year-old daughter, jobless and without a car, with only a few outfits to her name. Even though she put on a brave front, anyone who knew her could sense her anxiety and insecurity.

Her circumstances began to improve when she joined Guess Pictures. Last year, her earnings, including bonuses and incentives, had reached $200,000, aligning with high middle-class. After earning money, she purchased a BMW, indulged in designer clothes and jewelry, treated herself to high-end perfumes, and made new friends.

She even picked up dancing again, frequently worked out, did yoga, and enjoyed shopping, as if she had fully settled into her new life.

With the improvement in her quality of life, her complexion and aura also radiated positivity. She seemed rejuvenated, vibrant, and better looking than ever.

"Lily, you're looking more beautiful every day. Have you been taking some kind of magic potion?" Link jokingly asked.

"I can't afford that magic potion. It's just that nobody has bothered me lately, so my mood is good. What are you doing? Don't come any closer!" she said, holding a vase in front of her like a shield.

"Ha, stop calling for help. This is my office, and even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to your rescue. You might as well give in," Link pretended to act like a rogue, rubbing his hands together.

Lily rolled her eyes at him. "Can you be serious for once? You're a multi-millionaire featured in Forbes, a renowned director, and an accomplished writer. How can you act like a petty rogue?"

"What's wrong with being a petty rogue? At least petty rogues are genuine. They show real emotions when they see a beautiful woman, unlike someone who do bad things without giving you a chance to use your vase for protection and just pounce on you," Link countered playfully. "So, you should hope I'm a petty rogue and not the other kind."

Lily pushed him lightly on his shoulder and turned back to her flowers.

Link chuckled and hugged her waist from behind, kissing her cheek and lips gently.

It had been nearly a year, and she had grown accustomed to his blatant affection, no longer resisting when he held her close. However, she always knew how to put him in his place with just a little nudge if he crossed the line.

*****

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