Chapter 281: Chapter 1371-1380

“I saw it too. The crew posted a few photos, though. Julian gave everyone presents, not her alone. I can’t believe she’d bluff like that.”

Jessie was surprised. Hey, I’m riding on his coattails, too. I wonder if the public is also gossiping about me.

“The only one who can match Julian now is Jessie. Nobody else can.”

“That’s right! The only female celebrity he treats nicely in private is Jessie. Nobody else.” The assistants kept praising Jessie as they ate their cakes.

Jessie blushed hard at their words.

Back on the island, Queenie was enjoying the beautiful morning view. Every day she woke up, she would have something to look forward to, and life never felt better. She loved this feeling, though, for three days, she didn’t manage to see the sunrise as she had overslept. Every day, she was woken up by Nigel’s kiss, not the sun. Still, it felt good.

She had decided to hold their wedding on this island. The view was perfect, and the villas were aplenty.

The island looked like something straight out of a portrait. It was just right for a romantic wedding.

The wedding planners came soon after. They talked about how they should set up the wedding, and the couple finally had something to do, which was planning the wedding. It was an important task for them.

“Alright. Then, we’ll be going to Flor. It’s a quiet place, and it’s nearing autumn after our wedding. We can ski then. I stayed there for six months once. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Sure. Let’s go to Flor, then.” Queenie was looking forward to it. She didn’t mind the place. As long as she was with him, it was fine.

Stardom’s PR department had been busy marketing Jessie and raising her fame. Since she used to work in many films before, they got a lot of info on her. A bunch of indie directors and actors had praised her for her professionalism as well.

She started out being hated, but now fans were starting to know her. And the photos that were released finally showed her true beauty; she looked innocent in them.

Though, of course, there were also female celebrities who were jealous of her. Some even started slandering her.

Fortunately, the PR department cut down on the slanders as soon as they showed up. Everyone soon realized Jessie was not someone whom they could bully and for them to go against Stardom was a foolish move on its own.

The two actresses who tried to slander her even lost all the work they had, including dramas, films, and product ambassadorship. They realized all too late this was the price for slandering Jessie. At the same time, they wondered who Jessie’s backer was. They were too powerful.

“You think Julian would fall for a nobody like you? His tastes are better than this.”

Jessie kept ignoring her. A grey sports car was parked outside. Just as she was about to call her driver, the sports car came over to her. Someone rolled the window down, and a male’s voice came from inside. “Get in, Jessie.”

She looked inside the car, and the sight of Julian shocked her. Why is he picking me up?

Xandra came out just in time to see that, and her eyes went wide with envy. Julian came to pick her up himself? Impossible! I must be seeing things. However, she wouldn’t mistake Julian for anyone else.

Not only did he come to pick Jessie up, he even buckled her up. That was something only a boyfriend would do.

Jessie was aware Xandra was watching, but she rolled the window up anyway. Julian drove off into the streets, leaving Xandra alone.

Annoyed, Xandra stomped her foot.

Jessie did nothing, but Xandra felt like she just ate her words.

A while later, Jessie asked, “Where are we going?”

“To meet someone. I’m introducing you to the director and crew,” he answered.

Julian held her hand and asked everyone, “So, what do you think about her?”

Everyone’s eyes were on their joined hands, and they felt like laughing. Sir, you’re holding her hand.

How do you expect us to comment? If we say anything bad, we’d be getting on your wrong side.

“Jessie fits the description for the lead I have in my mind. Her looks and personality are a perfect fit,”

Vincent commented.

It was a true comment. Everyone else heaved a sigh of relief. Julian does have an eye for talent.

Jessie was prettier in real life, and she felt a lot more innocent than most people they met. The look in her eyes was as clear as water.

Jessie blushed a little. She had no idea what to do, and she didn’t even hear what they said. However, she did feel courage brimming within her, and she was certain that it came from Julian. “Mr. Cooper, I’d like to have a go. I’ll try my best to play the role well,” she pleaded.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should let you play the role at first, but now that I’ve seen you, I know you’re perfect for the job. You’ll do,” Vincent agreed readily.

Everyone agreed as well. “Don’t worry, Jessie. You’re alright.”

She could feel everyone’s friendliness, but she knew this was only possible thanks to Julian.

Jessie was listening to the music and enjoying the view. The question came out of nowhere, and it made her blush. “Will the scene get really intimate?”

“For you, yes.” Julian looked at her.

Her heart skipped a beat. So, there’s going to be something more intimate than a kiss? But I’m going to act with him anyway, so… She decided to go all in. “I’m fine. I’m ready.”

The man beside her stayed silent. Does she have to ready herself even when she’s acting with me? Is she that reluctant?

“Just asking, but whenever you have any intimate scenes, do you shoot it yourself, or do you use a stand-in?” She looked at him. He used to have a few kissing scenes in his works. Most of his works were heavily story-based, but kissing scenes were unavoidable.

Julian was speechless. Why is she asking that? Is she jealous, or is she just curious?

I guess he’s not answering that. She then smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. Just asking. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Stand-ins,” he answered.

Jessie blinked. Really? Well, it looks like I’ll have to watch his films again. Carefully this time. I’d like to see if he actually had stand-ins to do those scenes.

“I’m a clean freak. Sort of. So, all intimate scenes are done by stand-ins,” he answered seriously.

Jessie thought this was an interesting script, especially the scene when she was used as a human cannonball to shoot down the approaching Demon Lord. He was about to turn her into ash, but when he saw her face, he pulled back his attack and was hurt badly by the recoil. He held her in his arms, and they both fell into the mortal world.

The story in the mortal world was interesting as well. Jessie’s character nagged the Demon Lord like a mother, and it drove him mad. He tried to destroy her many times, but in the end, he couldn’t.

Jessie kept chuckling at the scene. She wondered what kind of face Julian would make during those scenes.

He looked like a character that came from the age of myths, so scripts like these starring him would be a hit. However, this was the first time he took up a role like this. Even Jessie was looking forward to it, let alone Julian’s fans. She started looking forward to the day of the shoot.

Just then, her phone rang. It was from Lexie. “Hey, Lexie.”

“Oh my gosh! You’re the female lead for Fallen Heaven?!” Lexie screamed excitedly.

Jessie was stunned. “How did you know?”

“Didn’t you see Vincent’s post? He had announced it.”

“Sorry, but I can’t help,” Jessie refused.

“Are you still angry at me? I’m sorry. A lot of things happened back then, so I was in a bad mood.

Please don’t be angry at me.”

“I have to sleep now, Miss Houston. Goodbye.”

“Jessie? Jessie!” Lulu didn’t want to hang up, but Jessie couldn’t care less. She hung up anyway.

She continued reading the script. Everyone was watching her, especially the role she would play. She wouldn’t let anyone down, nor would she give those haters a chance to mock her. I will play this role perfectly. I will challenge the impossible. However, not too long later, her phone rang again. It was another unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment, but she picked it up anyway.

“Who’s this?”

“Jessie? It’s me, Mabel.”

Of course, Jessie knew who Mabel was. She narrowed her eyes. “Anything you need?”

“I just heard the news, and I’m happy for you. I knew you’d get the role the moment I saw you getting along with Julian. Didn’t think Vincent approves of you as well.”

Jessie stayed quiet and let her talk. As she expected, Mabel started showing her true colors moments later.

Two weeks later, Queenie and Nigel were already back in Averna. It was a sunny morning. They first had breakfast at home, and Nigel went to work in the afternoon. He asked the Presgrave couple out for dinner at night. It had been a while since Queenie and Jessie met, so the sisters locked themselves up in their room and had a little girl’s talk.

Jessie stared at the pictures of the island, looking forward to visiting it during her sister’s wedding.

Preparations were underway, and there was only a month left before the event. Queenie had to start the preparations on her side, like testing out gowns.

“We want you and Julian to be our bridesmaid and best man,” Queenie said.

Jessie blushed, but more than that, she felt happy. And she looked forward to it as well.

In the meantime, Elliot came down with Willow in his arms. His family would have dinner with his friends later that night. Willow was in pink attire, and her hair was tied up in pigtails. She looked like a doll who was sucking on her chubby hands.

“Mommy, Mommy…” The girl wanted to see her mother, but Anastasia was nowhere to be found, and she was about to cry.

“When she falls asleep tonight, come to the master bedroom,” Elliot pleaded hoarsely. The last time he had asked Anastasia, she said yes, but she fell asleep after putting Willow to sleep and missed the date as a result.

He was left hanging the whole night and spent the next day complaining to her nonstop. It was only after she went to work with him and spent two hours in the hotel next door that he finally let her off the hook.

“We’ll see.” She didn’t say yes that readily this time, just in case she stood him up again. He would pull the same stunt on her once more if that happened.

“I don’t care. If you aren’t coming to me, then I’ll go to you.” He pressed his forehead against hers.

She had no choice but to nod. “Fine.”

And then, the humming of a car traveled across the air. Anastasia pushed him away, took two steps backward, and straightened her hair and dress. Their son was growing up, so they had to be careful not to show any intimacy in front of him.

Jared was seven years old, yet he was taller than his peers, probably because he got his father’s genes. He stood at about four feet seven, and he looked like a middle schooler when in his uniform.

And now, he would even get embarrassed when he was getting called by his nickname. He had truly grown up a lot.

Elliot carried his daughter with a smile.

Nigel felt slightly hurt, for the little one was pretty forgetful.

“Nice to see you again, Nigel.” Anastasia came out of the room with a smile. Queenie’s eyes brightened, for she thought that Mrs. Presgrave was alluring. There was no denying that she was a stunning beauty.

Although Queenie had seen many beautiful women, Anastasia was still the most charming and graceful woman she had ever come across.

“Anastasia, let me introduce her to you. She’s Queenie.” Nigel then introduced Anastasia to Queenie.

“She’s Elliot’s wife, who is also the president and chairperson of QR Jewelry Group.”

Queenie instantly had the urge to learn from her. She hoped that she would be as independent and capable as Anastasia one day.

“Nice to meet you, Anastasia. I’m Queenie.” As she spoke, she gazed at the woman with admiration.

On the other hand, Anastasia immediately took a liking to her. She supposed that they were the same kind of people, for she could tell that Queenie was a kind-hearted and friendly woman at first glance.

She was truly pleased that Nigel had found such a gentle yet determined wife.

“Please come in.” Anastasia took Queenie’s hand and shuffled into the private room. When Queenie saw a handsome young boy sitting on the couch, she was awestruck, thinking that the Presgraves were all good-looking people.

“Jared, say hi to Aunt Queenie,” Anastasia said to her son.