Asher stood there, watching the figure curled up on the sofa.
Reason told him he should just go to his room and rest.
But his feet wouldn't obey, carrying him step by step toward the couch.
He crouched down in front of Noah, studying his sleeping face.
Noah was deep in sleep, brow slightly furrowed, lips parted, breathing soft and shallow.
Asher reached out, his fingertips brushing lightly against Noah's cheek.
The skin was cool.
Something in his chest stirred a small but unmistakable warmth spreading through him.
Asher's brow creased.
He didn't like this feeling.
Too unfamiliar. Too soft.
Yet he couldn't suppress it.
Ever since Noah had entered his life, everything had begun veering off its original track.
He'd never cared about anyone before.
No he hadn't even known what "caring" meant.
But now...
Here he was at four in the morning, crouching in front of someone, watching them sleep.
Here he was, looking at the way Noah had curled up and thinking he might be cold.
This wasn't like him.
Asher rose, walked to his room, and took a blanket from the closet.
He returned to the living room and draped it gently over Noah.
The moment the blanket settled, Noah let out a soft sound, his body shifting slightly. As if sensing the warmth, his brow relaxed, and he sank deeper into sleep.
Asher's gaze lingered on his face for a long time.
Then he turned and went back to his room.
---
Morning.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright patches across the floor.
Ring ring ring
The alarm dragged Noah from sleep.
He opened his eyes groggily and found a blanket covering him.
Noah blinked.
A blanket?
He hadn't had anything over him when he fell asleep last night.
He sat up, looking down at the blanket, his fingertips brushing absently over the soft fabric.
Was it him?
It had to be.
A strange feeling welled up inside Noah. He couldn't quite name it.
He picked up his phone, silenced the alarm, and checked the time.
Seven-thirty.
The script reading was at nine. He needed to get ready.
Noah stood up from the sofa and stretched.
For the first time in days, he'd actually slept well.
---
Warm water cascaded over his body, washing away the last traces of sleep.
After his shower, he stood before the mirror, toweling his hair dry.
His reflection showed his neck still marked with faint red spots.
From last night.
Noah's face flushed. He quickly looked away.
He walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.
Opening the closet, he found it filled with clothes.
All new.
Noah stared at them in silence for a few seconds.
He'd be living here for three months.
But he still needed to go back to his own apartment to pack up some things.
His clothes, daily necessities, and a few important items they were all still there.
Noah sighed and pulled out an outfit to change into.
Should he tell Asher about this?
His stomach growled.
Instinctively, he walked toward the kitchen and opened the refrigerator...
Empty.
Right. He'd forgotten this refrigerator had nothing in it.
"Hungry?"
A low voice came from behind him.
Noah startled and spun around.
Asher stood there in dark pajamas, his hair slightly disheveled clearly just woken up as well.
When had he come out?
Noah hadn't heard a sound.
He nodded. "Yeah."
Asher turned and walked to the dining table, sitting down.
"Breakfast will be here soon."
Noah hesitated for a few seconds, then followed and sat across from him.
The two sat in silence.
The atmosphere felt strange.
Noah stole a glance at Asher.
Asher was looking down at his phone, expression indifferent, emotions unreadable.
Noah withdrew his gaze and stared at the empty table in front of him.
Ding
The sound of the elevator doors opening.
The butler pushed a service cart inside.
"Good morning."
He arranged the food from the cart onto the table.
Just as lavish as before.
"Please enjoy." Vincent said, then wheeled the cart away.
Noah picked up his knife and fork and began eating.
After a few bites, he spoke. "I need to go home today. To pack some things."
Asher looked up at him.
"Go home?"
"Yeah." Noah said. "To get my stuff."
Asher set down his utensils.
"We'll discuss it after the reading."
Noah frowned.
"I'll go after the reading ends today."
Asher set down his knife and fork, watching him.
Those eyes were deep, their emotions impossible to read.
"I said, we'll discuss it after the reading."
Noah felt a spark of irritation.
He was informing Asher, not asking for permission.
Why should Asher get to decide when he could go back to his own home?
"I'm going to my own apartment to get my own things." Noah met his gaze. "I don't need your approval."
Asher was silent for a few seconds.
Then he picked up his utensils and continued eating, as if the conversation were over.
Noah watched him, even more exasperated.
What was wrong with this man? He should've just kept his mouth shut.
He was going after the reading, whether Asher agreed or not.
The two continued eating in silence.
Neither spoke again.
---
Nine in the morning.
Onyx Entertainment, conference room.
Noah, Vivian, and Asher arrived together, walking into the room one after another.
Several people were already seated inside.
The conference room was spacious, dominated by a long table in the center.
Director Marcus sat at one end, with Sarah and several screenwriters beside him. Actors for various roles lined both sides of the table, each with a thick script in front of them.
Asher had already taken his seat across from Marcus the spot reserved for the male lead.
Greetings were exchanged around the room.
"Noah, over here." Vivian pointed to the seat across from Asher.
Noah walked over and sat down.
Directly facing Asher.
Noah kept his head down, staring at his script, trying not to look in Asher's direction.
But he could feel a gaze resting on him.
Like something gently scratching at his heart.
He couldn't help raising his head and stealing a glance toward Asher.
Their eyes met.
Those deep, dark eyes watched him quietly.
Noah's heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked down again.
"Alright, everyone's here." Marcus clapped his hands. "Let's begin."
Noah exhaled in relief.
The script reading officially started.
Marcus first introduced the creative team and cast, letting everyone get acquainted.
Then he began explaining the script.
"Desire Kiss tells the story of two men who are separated by misunderstanding and circumstance." Marcus said. "They think it's all in the past, that they've each moved on, only to discover neither has gone very far. After everything, they circle back to each other."
He paused, then continued. "The core of this story is about missing each other and reuniting. About the obsessions we can't let go of, the feelings we can't sever. From meeting, to falling in love, to separation, to reunion step by step they unravel the misunderstandings and find their way back together."
Noah listened attentively, occasionally jotting notes in his script.
Marcus spent some time outlining the overall framework and tone, then began leading the group through scene-by-scene analysis.
"Let's start with the first scene." Marcus flipped open his script. "Lin decides to leave. Akk" he nodded toward Asher "doesn't want him to go. The focus of this scene is emotion."
He looked at Noah and Asher. "Begin."
Noah took a deep breath, glanced down at the dialogue in his script.
Then he raised his head and spoke:
"I'm leaving."
Asher picked up the thread, his voice low. "Where are you going?"
Noah: "Away from here."
Asher: "Why?"
Noah: "You know why."
Silence for a few seconds.
Asher's voice dropped suddenly, carrying a thread of suppressed emotion. "You can't leave."
Noah felt something tug gently at his heart.
They were only reading lines, but Asher's voice was too compelling.
That "You can't leave" sounded like he truly meant it.
"I..."
"Hold." Marcus interrupted them. "Noah, you need to bring out Lin's conflict here wanting to leave but unable to let go."
"Continue."
The reading went on.
Everyone gathered around the table, analyzing scenes, discussing character interpretations, line delivery, emotional expression...
The atmosphere was lively.
Marcus would pause periodically to let the actors share their thoughts.
"Noah, what do you think is at the core of Lin as a character?" Marcus asked.
Noah considered for a moment. "He can't let go."
"Can't let go?" Marcus gestured for him to elaborate.
"On the surface, Lin seems cold, like he's moved on." Noah said. "But really, he never has. He's been running, afraid to face his own feelings. It's only through Akk's persistence that he realizes some people, some things, can't be escaped."
Marcus nodded, approval in his eyes. "Well said. You understand the character very well."
Noah smiled slightly.
As he spoke those words, for some reason, his mind had drifted to himself and Asher.
Noah shook his head, clearing out those tangled thoughts.
The reading continued.
Halfway through the discussion, someone raised a question.
"Director Marcus, the role of Lin's older brother has it been announced who's playing him?"
Marcus smiled and glanced at Sarah.
Sarah winked mysteriously. "That's a secret for now."
"A secret?" The person looked curious. "That mysterious?"
"Pretty mysterious." Sarah said, a sly smile on her face. "But you'll find out soon enough."
Another actor frowned. "If he's not at the reading, will he be able to handle the role? The part may not have many scenes, but they're all important, right?"
Sarah smiled. "Don't worry. He'll be fine. His acting you won't need to worry about that."
Speculation rippled through the room.
"Someone from Onyx maybe?"
"That would make sense."
"Who could it be? I'm so curious."
Hearing this, Noah grew curious too.
Lin's older brother.
The character was indeed crucial to the story a complex figure.
Limited screen time, but every scene was pivotal.
Who would play him?
Why all the secrecy?
Noah couldn't help stealing another glance at Asher.
Asher was looking down at his script, expression neutral.
He seemed completely uninterested in the topic.
"Alright, alright, enough guessing." Marcus clapped his hands. "Let's continue. The casting for that role will be announced in due time."
Everyone reined in their curiosity and returned to discussing the script.
Time flew by.
Everyone was deeply engaged, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.
"That's all for today." Marcus checked the time. "Go home and digest what we've covered. We'll continue tomorrow."
People began standing, gathering their things, preparing to leave.