Chapter 161 - Getting A Wife

Days had passed and before they knew it, the premiere of the movie Devon took part in months ago had finally arrived. The red carpet was crowded with fans of the stars who starred in the heavily budgeted movie, which everyone assumed to be the movie of the year. 

Who wouldn't think like that if, from the main stars down to the cameo roles, were filled with veteran actresses and actors, rising stars, and even popular artists?

Screams of the fans rang inside the mall as each artist started walking down the red carpet. Even Bella, who only had a five-minute screen time in total, also attended the event. She was dazzling, owning that red carpet walk in a plain chiffon pleated dress.

The epitome of simplicity and elegance, sophistication and grace. 

Bella waved at her fans modestly with a half-smile. She was like a real star that was impossible to reach, and yet, she only accepted this cameo because of friendship. Her fans were very much aware of that as the director of the movie had spilled more tea while promoting it.

Once Bella did some poses for the photographers and fans, she walked inside and the other artists behind her did as she did..

Devon, who had a minor role, managed to dodge the red carpet thanks to Dion's connection. Well, this was her debut movie, and she was quite anxious just thinking about the attention. So, Dion helped out a bit.

Devon was someone who was indecisive about this path, after all. Surely, not everyone was like Bella, who knew that she wanted to become famous since her childhood days. A lot of people in this world were like Devon; undecided about which career they would pursue.

And that was totally alright.

Dion looked around the theater as the seats were slowly being filled with celebrities, directors, investors, and all-important guests. Unlike him, who was observing everything, Devon was just staring ahead blankly.

"Sis, don't you want to be here?" asked Dion when he turned his head to her. "You've been zoning out so much lately. Are you worried?"

She blinked and glanced at him. "No. I just feel like... I don't know?"

He assessed her side profile as she looked away. A sigh escaped his nostrils as he leaned back comfortably. 

"Did you wish my brother will be here with you instead of me?" he inquired with a pout, feeling a little jealous that his angel-like sister was growing bored with his company.

Devon glanced at him and shook her head. When she told him she loved him — as a brother, of course — Dion had been extra clingy. He was like a protective child towards his mother. Yes. She felt like their relationship went from brother and sister to mother and child. 

"Dion, about Julian..." she tapped her fingertips against the armrest, making Dion look at her in surprise about this sudden topic. "... how was he?"

"Second brother? Is he bothering you, sis?" he cocked his head to the side, blinking cluelessly. "Wait. Since when did you two become close? Sis, didn't you say I am your favorite brother?"

"No, no, not that. I'm just wondering since Lu had been busy."

"Ge is always busy. Second brother as well, since they were both workaholics."

Devon studied his expression, and it told her he knew nothing. Although Lewis wasn't keeping any secrets from her, she had been feeling restless lately. Too much peace while knowing Julian was lurking around had been giving her anxiety. Lewis had been reassuring her, but she was still worried.

"Sis." Dion let out a sharp exhale with closed lips. "I don't know why you look anxious whenever you mention Second brother, but he is just like that. He might be boring and intimidating, but he's just like my Ge. They don't show it or even mention what they do for us, but I always know they'd been protecting us."

A kind smile dominated Dion's face, which made her feel a little guilty. Julian had been in this world for years and grew up with them. She truly hoped that Julian changed, even just for a tiny bit, because if he didn't, it would hurt his brothers the most. 

"I know." Devon nodded and smiled subtly. 

The two of them dropped the topic and just studied the people filling up the seats. When Bella arrived, she sat beside Devon, as that was what she requested.

"Halu, halu~!" Bella greeted as soon as she plopped her butt down on the seat. "My goodness, Dev! You look so stunning, girl!"

"My sis didn't even prepare and just picked any random clothes." Dion bragged with his nose extending, proud of his future sister-in-law. He wasn't lying, though. He was confident that if Devon walked on that red carpet, her popularity would skyrocket.

"Wow... I hope I get the same hype." Bella clapped slowly, admiring Dion's support.

"I could hear your fans screaming your name even from here. What hype do you still need?" he asked while gazing at her in dismay. Devon suddenly slapped his shoulders, though. He frowned as he felt wrong.

"What did I do?" 

"Don't ask," Devon replied in a knowing tone, shifting her attention to Bella. "You are gorgeous."

"Aww. Dev~ You're really my best friend~!" 

"I should've dragged Mike in here since I can never understand you girls," Dion mumbled as he crossed his arms, sulking in his seat while the two complimented each other. 

The movie didn't start immediately, so Devon and Bella conversed through whispers. Devon leaned into Bella's side.

"So, what happened?" she inquired and Bella already knew what she was asking. Her expression turned grim as she let out a sigh.

After Devon gave her advice about not settling for anything less, Bella had thought hard about it. She was very invested in Derek, but she couldn't really feel that he felt the same for her. 

"Well, I ignored his last message, and he didn't message me since then." Bella pursed her lips, stopping herself from crying in this place. If anyone caught her crying in here, it would surely make headlines and her fans would assume things. 

People, especially in social media, just make anything a big deal. Explaining her personal life was the least Bella wanted right now.

Devon exhaled faintly and patted her back. "That's alright."

She wanted to offer to talk to Derek but stopped herself just because she felt bad for Bella. They were already adults and they should settle it on their own. 

"I'll always be here for you." Devon smiled while Bella looked back at her. 

"Thanks, Dev." Bella sighed and looked down, playing with her fingers. "I feel shit. We only had one dinner and one kiss, but... it feels like I had a breakup after a decade of marriage."

There was not even "them." Still, she felt like a clown, no, an entire circus for liking a man who was emotionally unavailable. Only Devon, Mike, and Dion knew her struggles as she was her real friends after years in the industry. So, she had to keep her act in front of everyone else.

"I always attract toxic men because they think I am an easy target." Bella sighed for the umpteenth time. "I actually just forced myself to come in here. I need to distract myself."

"Girl, do you know that a divorce after a decade of marriage is not sad?" Dion chimed in as he was listening, even though he was sulking. "According to Grandpa, divorce after a decade of marriage smells freedom. So you should be --"

Dion didn't continue whatever he wanted to say when the two ladies glared daggers at him. All he could do was zip his mouth and raise both his hands. 

"This is why I don't confide in you," Bella mumbled and rolled her eyes. She couldn't say Marshall Qin had married multiple times and all his marriages failed! He was still the head of the Qin Family, after all.

"It's okay." Devon reached for her hand and squeezed it lightly. Bella smiled at her and both of them held hands until everyone was seated and the movie started.

*******

Meanwhile, in the Qin Empire CEO's office, Lewis leaned back in the swivel chair while reading a document. He ignored the knock he heard from the door, as he already knew who it was.

Derek.

"Derek, is this all you can dig up in Julian?" asked Lewis, without even looking at Derek. The latter strutted towards his desk without a word and slipped a brown envelope on the desk.

"Yes." Derek then answered when Lewis glanced at the brown envelope before raising his gaze at his assistant. "That's all I can dig up, so I asked a friend and this is what he got."

Lewis sprawled his arms towards the envelope while putting the other document to the side. The one that Derek got from Julian wasn't worth a thing. It only proved that Julian was an asset to the company.

"Is it bad?" he asked before he opened the brown envelope.

"Terrible." Derek gestured for him to see it for himself. While he watched Lewis open the envelope, he spoke once again.

"I will take three days off."

Lewis paused as his brows furrowed. He had been urging Derek to take some vacation so he could take some as well! But the man wouldn't let him off, so it was a surprise that Derek wanted to take a three-days off.

"Any reason?" he asked, although he wasn't interested. "Three days is so long, Derek. Just what will I do without my reliable assistant? But also, I am very concerned about your well-being. You haven't had a single day off since you started working for me. So why not take a week off?"

Derek's face remained poker face. Lewis couldn't even conceal his glee and stop his pretentious remarks. 

"One week then. I don't want to worry my boss." He still nodded, while a smug grin turned up on his boss' lips. 

"Yes. I worry about you — good thing you realized that. You should call it a day since I will drive to my fiance's after-party." Lewis waved, urging him to leave just in case his assistant change his mind. 

Derek let out a shallow breath and shook his head before turning around to leave. Just when he was by the door, he stopped upon hearing Lewis' inquiry.

"Derek, I haven't heard the reason you're taking a week off."

He looked back and stared at Lewis for a moment. "I will get myself a wife." That was all he said before leaving Lewis flabbergasted.