"Hollywood Hookups and Hustle."

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"Mm."

...Mm??

Margaret stared speechlessly at David's calm face. This guy was great in every way, except he was way too chill.

I mean, I'm a total bombshell with a killer body, and I'm about to leave. Even if you don't want a sweet little romance with me,at least leave your number, right? We could still hook up now and then, just for the fun of it.

Seriously—so damn heartless!

With a dramatic wiggle of her hips, Margaret shoved David aside and gritted her teeth. "You're gonna miss me, right?"

"Huh? Oh… yeah, yeah, of course."

"Damn, you're such a trashy guy!"

Margaret rolled her eyes and snatched David's phone. After tapping away for a moment, she handed it back.

"That's my number. Call me when you've got time. And here—this is some new clothes I got you. When a guy's out and about, he should at least look decent."

David raised an eyebrow. "You treating me like a kept man now? Trying to sponsor me?"

Margaret rolled her eyes again. "Please. I'm no sugar mommy. Just wanted to leave an impression so you don't forget me."

"Until I find someone I'd settle down with, I'll keep myself just for you. If you ever decide to stop messing around, come find me."

After spending some time together, Margaret had genuinely started to like David.

It wasn't just his sense of humor—his flirty lines flowed like water, non-stop, like he had an endless supply.

He gave her a full-on romance experience.

And the guy was built like a tank—like, what was his body made of, stone? Crazy strong.

Fit, skilled, and... well, you get the idea.

What girl wouldn't fall for that?

David grinned. "Alright, if I ever decide to settle down, I'll definitely consider you."

"Hmph, whatever. One last thing—David, you absolute bastard!"

David beamed proudly. "Thanks for the compliment."

Margaret flipped him the finger, grabbed her suitcase, and turned to leave.

After taking a couple steps, she couldn't resist turning back. "Call me, okay?"

David stood up and pulled her into a hug.

"Sure, I'll call you right now."

"Quit it, I'm gonna miss my flight!"

"Change it then."

"You... mmph!"

The next morning, Margaret left for real.

David picked up his phone and saw the contact name she'd saved herself under.

[36E]

"Damn, she really gets me. That's definitely gonna keep me thinking about her…"

If she'd saved her name as "wifey" or "girlfriend," David would've just laughed it off.

But that note? That one hit him right in the feels.

A real pro move.

Time flew by like water under a bridge—two months passed in a blink.

David, Jennifer, and Barbara had become buddies from smoking together so often.

"Man, I'm so fed up with this crew," Jennifer grumbled. "If I'd known it'd be like this, I wouldn't have taken the role."

Barbara glanced around before saying, "Your female lead was locked in from the start, but she still keeps trying to get more scenes."

Jennifer shrugged. "What can I do? She's got people backing her. I can't be bothered to fight."

David chimed in, "Bro, that attitude won't get you anywhere. You wanna move up in this industry, you gotta fight for it. If some newbie drags you down one day, that's gonna be real embarrassing."

Jennifer laughed. "True, harsh but fair. But I don't have the connections she does. And if a big production like this falls apart, it's bad for all of us."

David nodded. "This set's full of drama. Lucky I'm just here to build my resume—not my problem."

Barbara chuckled. "Yeah, you've got it easy. Always sneaking off to that "Skywind Studios" set next door. What are you doing over there anyway?"

David raised an eyebrow. "Top secret."

"Top secret my ass!"

Jennifer gave him a look like he was pure scumbag.

"You're totally out there picking up chicks! Over at "Skywind Studios", there's Sage, Dorothy, Sophia, Snow… you've flirted with every single one of them. Who haven't you scored yet?"

David waved it off, acting all cool. "Hey, hey, let's keep it low-key."

Barbara's eyes lit up like she just hit the gossip jackpot.

"How'd you find out? I haven't heard a word!"

"Director Victor from "Skywind Studios" came storming over to cuss him out. I overheard it outside Director Wiliam's office. The guy's a real beast—he even went after Sister Jessica."

Barbara's jaw dropped. "Damn!"

"Jessica…? You really went for her too?"

Her eyes burned with gossip flames.

David raised an eyebrow.

So what if she's older? You normies don't know how amazing mature women can be.

It's not like it's some big romance—we're just having fun.

And back in the day, Jessica was a total stunner.

This was just him living out a childhood fantasy.

"I'll wrap filming in a few days. What about you, David? Got any plans?"

David shrugged. "No big plans yet. Maybe find some investors and shoot a movie? I studied directing, after all."

Jennifer rolled his eyes. "You haven't even graduated. Who's gonna invest in you?"

After all this time hanging out, both Jennifer and Barbara had gotten to know David better.

A talented newbie, fresh in the industry.

But talent was everywhere in this business—very few actually made it.

Especially directors. Only a handful became famous in recent years.

The competition was just as brutal as it was for actors.

"Well, I don't need you to worry about it. Wanna pitch in, though? I won't ask for much. Just a few million each."

Barbara shut that down fast. "A few million? What, you think that money grows on trees? I don't have that kind of cash lying around."

A few million wasn't exactly pocket change for her. Being friendly with David was one thing.

Investing? That was a whole different ball game.

"Why don't you come back with me to Marvel Stadios? Maybe I can hook you up with some investors. Worst case, I'll get you a role. You're too damn handsome to not be on screen. I'll back you up."

Jennifer tried to throw an arm around David's shoulders, only to realize he was too short—David was 187 cm tall.

He awkwardly slapped his average chest to save face.

David stroked his chin. "I'll think about it."

Think about it, my ass!

Jennifer gave him a look. "You should focus on figuring out your next gig first. Filmmaking takes time."

Barbara nodded. "David, he's right. Marvel Stadios's the biggest media company in the country right now. Backing like that makes everything easier. Even if you get investors for your movie, you still need a distributor, right?"

"Alright, alright. But hey—being this good-looking, you think those two big bosses at Marvel Stadios are gonna try to sleep with me? I've got principles, y'know. I don't bottom."

"With how shameless you are? More like you'll be the one seducing them."

Jennifer shot him a middle finger.

David flipped one right back—and made it clear his was bigger.

Jennifer was left speechless.

"....."