The next morning.
Noah went to the practice room.
He danced as usual, practiced as usual.
Sweat soaked through his clothes, music pounding in his ears. Noah finished a complete routine, gasping for breath, and walked to the wall to grab his water bottle. He took a long drink.
His phone suddenly rang.
Noah set down the bottle, walked over, and saw it was his manager calling.
He answered. "Hello?"
"Noah!" His manager's voice was so excited it nearly pierced his eardrum. "Congratulations! You got it!"
Noah froze completely, the water bottle nearly slipping from his hand.
"What?"
"The role in Desire Kiss! You got it! The director's assistant just called to confirm!"
His manager paused, voice growing even more animated. "And you know what? Asher personally recommended you! Asher! Noah, this is huge!"
Noah gripped his phone tighter, heart racing abnormally fast.
He'd succeeded.
He'd actually gotten the role.
But a question simultaneously surfaced in his mind
Why had Asher recommended him?
He and Asher had no connection. Before the audition, they'd never even spoken.
Why would Asher recommend a complete newcomer with no ties to him?
"Noah? Why aren't you saying anything?" His manager laughed. "Are you too happy to speak?"
Noah came back to himself, voice slightly trembling. "I... I just can't quite believe it."
"Believe it! It's real!" His manager took a deep breath, tone regaining some composure. "Though... there's one more thing."
Noah's heart jumped. "What?"
"Asher wants to meet with you again. Probably for final confirmation after all, he recommended you."
Noah fell silent for a few seconds.
Asher wanted to see him.
A surge of complex emotions rose in his chest.
Nervousness, anticipation, and a hint of unreality.
This was Asher.
"Noah?" His manager called his name.
"When?" Noah asked, voice steadier than before.
"Tonight at six. The assistant will send you the address." His manager paused. "Prepare well. This is a rare opportunity. Get on Asher's good side it'll make your career much easier."
"I understand."
"Oh, and dress formally. Make a good impression."
"Okay."
The call ended.
Noah stood there, staring at his phone.
He'd gotten the role.
And Asher had recommended him.
And he had to meet Asher alone.
He should be happy.
So why...
Why was there an inexplicable unease alongside the anticipation?
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
[Mr. Noah, I'm Mr. Asher's assistant. Tonight at 6 PM, the restaurant at Ravenhurst Manor Hotel. Mr. Asher will be waiting.]
Noah stared at the screen, taking a deep breath.
And an indescribable anticipation.
He was going to see Asher again.
---
At four in the afternoon, Noah returned home, showered, and changed clothes.
He stood before his closet. This time, he didn't hesitate long.
A deep blue shirt with black casual pants.
Simple, clean, formal but not overly deliberate.
At five, Noah left.
---
Ravenhurst Manor Hotel was in the city center, its facade dark glass reflecting the city lights in the evening.
Noah entered the lobby. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, marble floors polished to a gleaming shine every step echoed.
He approached the front desk and gave Asher's name.
The receptionist immediately offered a professional smile. "Sir, please follow me."
She led Noah to a private elevator that went directly to the top floor.
The elevator rose slowly. Noah stared at his blurred reflection in the doors.
His heart raced nervous yet expectant.
The elevator stopped at the top floor.
The doors opened to reveal an elegant restaurant entrance, lights amber and warm.
A server guided him inside, through a corridor decorated with abstract paintings, stopping at a door at the end.
"Sir, please go in."
The server pushed the door open.
It was a private room not large, but exquisitely appointed. Floor-to-ceiling windows occupied an entire wall, overlooking the city's night view. Darkness had fully fallen, lights spreading below like stars.
The room contained only one table, two chairs.
Asher was already seated.
He wore a dark gray suit, the top two buttons of his white shirt undone.
Seeing Noah enter, he looked up, gaze sweeping over him.
"Punctual. Sit."
Noah sat across from him.
A server offered menus, poured two glasses of water, then withdrew, gently closing the door.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Asher leaned back in his chair, studying Noah, and suddenly smiled.
"Nervous?"
Noah nodded, not denying it.
Asher's smile deepened. "Relax. I'm not going to eat you."
Noah took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
But his heart still raced.
Not just nervousness.
Also an indescribable excitement.
He was actually having dinner with Asher. This was a scene he couldn't have dreamed of.
Asher picked up the wine list, glanced at it. "Do you drink?"
"I can." Noah's voice was tight.
Asher pressed the bell on the table. A server entered promptly.
"A bottle of red wine, your best."
The server nodded and withdrew.
Minutes later, the wine arrived. The server opened the bottle, poured two glasses, then stepped aside.
Asher raised his glass, looking at Noah. "To Desire Kiss."
Noah raised his glass as well, clinking it against Asher's.
The wine was slightly astringent but rich.
Asher set down his glass, eyes on the menu. "What would you like? The black truffle pasta here is excellent."
"You order," Noah said.
Asher ordered several dishes and handed the menu to the server.
After the server left, silence settled over the table for a few seconds.
Asher spoke. "Happy about getting the role?"
Noah nodded. "Very happy."
He paused, unable to help asking, "Why... did you recommend me?"
Asher raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the question.
"Why couldn't it be me?"
"We..." Noah hesitated. "We had no prior connection."
"The audition doesn't count?" Asher smiled.
"But that was just one audition." Noah looked at him. "There were many others auditioning."
"There were indeed many." Asher picked up his wine glass, rotating it, watching the red wine. "But you were the most suitable."
He paused, gaze settling on Noah's face. "You acted well. And your eyes are very clear perfect for Lin's character."
Noah didn't know what to say.
Hearing Asher's approval, he felt a sense of satisfaction spreading through his chest.
Asher continued. "And Sarah approved of you too. So I recommended you."
Noah relaxed, his doubts dissipating somewhat.
So that was it.
Because he suited the role.
Because Asher recognized his acting.
Noah felt a warmth inside.
Asher watched him, then suddenly changed topics, tone becoming casual. "Your current company... it's Starlight Entertainment, right?"
Noah paused. "Yes."
Asher smiled, the expression somewhat meaningful. "That company... how should I put it not great."
Noah gripped his wine glass tighter, saying nothing.
Asher continued. "What resources have they given you?"
Noah was silent for a few seconds. "Some."
"Some?" Asher raised an eyebrow. "Specifically what?"
Noah couldn't speak.
Because he knew Starlight Entertainment had given him very few resources.
Most of the time, he was waiting for opportunities, waiting for chances.
And what came was often disappointment.
Asher observed his reaction and smiled. "So indeed, not great."
He took a sip of wine, set down the glass, voice calm. "And your contract... it's about to expire, isn't it?"
Noah's entire body stiffened.
He looked up, staring at Asher. "You investigated me?"
Asher smiled slightly. "Just doing some advance research."
He leaned forward, elbows on the table, closing the distance a bit. "Three months left, right?"
Noah stared at him, throat tight.
Asher's gaze was too direct, direct enough to unsettle him.
"Noah, do you know how this industry works?"
Noah said nothing, just watched him.
Asher continued. "Talent alone isn't enough. You need resources, connections, someone to give you a push."
He paused, gaze deepening. "And Starlight can't give you these things."
Unease rose in Noah's chest, but he didn't know what to say.
Asher smiled. "I have a suggestion."
Noah looked at him, heartbeat accelerating.
"Sign with me."
Noah froze. "What?"
"Sign with me." Asher's gaze was serious. "I can give you better resources. I won't treat you as a dispensable artist like Starlight does."
Noah stared at him, mind spinning.
Sign with Asher?
This was something he'd never considered.
If he could sign with Asher...
"I..." Noah didn't know how to respond.
Asher smiled. "Don't rush. Let me finish."
He paused, voice dropping lower. "Sign with me, and you'll get more than just resources. You'll get connections, opportunities, and... protection."
Noah looked at him, throat tight. "What do you mean?"
Asher stared at him, gaze deepening.
"This industry is complicated. You should know that. Some people don't like you, they'll find ways to step on you. But if you have someone backing you..."
He paused, smiling. "No one will dare touch you."
Noah was silent for a few seconds. "You're saying... you'd back me?"
"You could understand it that way." Asher leaned back, posture relaxed. "Of course, this isn't unconditional."
The unease in Noah's chest intensified. "What conditions?"
Asher didn't answer immediately, just watched him, gaze scrutinizing.
After several seconds, he spoke, voice low:
"I want your body."
Noah's entire body went rigid.
His mind went blank.
He stared at Asher, thinking he'd misheard.
But Asher's expression was serious, not joking at all.
"You..." Noah's voice trembled. "What are you saying?"
Asher leaned back in his chair, posture relaxed, as if discussing a business deal.
"I said, I want your body."
He paused, gaze lingering on Noah's face. "You give me your body, I give you resources, roles, protection. It's a win-win transaction. Do you understand?"
Noah felt like something had slammed into his chest.
He looked at Asher
This person he'd once admired, this actor who shone brilliantly on screen, this existence who'd been like a light in his life.
Asher had once been his goal, the kind of person he wanted to become.
But now, that person sat across from him, looking at him with transactional eyes.
Speaking the filthiest words in the calmest tone.
Noah felt enormous disappointment and anger churning in his chest.
That anticipation, that excitement instantly transformed into cold disappointment.
His eyes began to burn.
"You're..." His voice shook. "You're talking about... sexual coercion?"
Asher smiled, expression tinged with amusement. "That phrase sounds too ugly."
He leaned forward. "I prefer to call it mutually beneficial cooperation. You need resources, I need you. Each gets what they want. No one owes anyone."
Noah stared at him, feeling his eyes growing hotter.
Impossible.
This couldn't be real.
How could Asher be this kind of person?
How could he say such things?
"I was wrong about you." Noah's voice was soft but carried suppressed trembling.
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Wrong about me?"
"I thought..." Noah took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions. "I thought you were an actor worthy of respect."
Asher laughed, the smile somewhat mocking. "Worthy of respect? Noah, you're too naive."
He picked up his wine glass, took a sip. "In this industry, no one is clean."
Noah stood up, voice cold:
"I won't agree to this."
Asher stared at him, expression unchanged.
"Sure about that?"
"I have my principles." Noah clenched his fists. "I won't trade my body for roles."
He turned to leave.
"Noah." Asher's voice sounded behind him.
Noah didn't stop. His hand was already on the door.
But the next second, his wrist was grabbed.