Chapter 175 - Hesitating Over A Girl

"Oh?" That was always good to hear. 

"The cast so far is good and the plot is captivating. The character they want you for is convincing and very complicated. It will really bring out your acting capabilities. I have great faith that you would fit in perfectly with the role." Cage raised a brow. 

"Ah, you're really pushing this on me. You never do that." He must have really liked it. He hadn't done this after Cage had become well known in the industry. That was something to take into consideration. 

"Give me the dates and the location. I also want to look at the other scripts. Considering that you only spoke of one, this one must be the cream of the crop."

"So, you have the shooting for Kevin Heart in a couple of weeks. That will go on for three months and a week. This one will be shooting about three weeks from then. So, you can take a week off before heading over to the next shooting location. Whatever you like." Only three weeks of free time. Adding in Katherine's availability and work hours... They would probably have a couple of days together at maximum. 

"I'll look at the script and let you know," Cage told him. He knew for a fact that the three months following the long weekend would be hectic. He would have to pack, make sure all his training was done and his body was in top shape. Then during shooting, he would be on the set for sixteen to twenty hours a day all week. If he only had a couple of days with her before jumping into another movie. He wouldn't get to be with her for the rest of the year. 

Cage felt al the eyes on him and looked up. "What?"

"Are you seriously hesitating about this over a girl?" Irene sounded scathing. Cage threw her a glare. The stares of the two other people in the room also bore into his skull. 

"Not exactly," he lied. He really needs to work on his pokerface or those journalists would eat him alive. "I haven't read the script yet and while I trust your judgment, I have my own thoughts." He was protesting, but what he said was true. "Sometimes, I want a little break between projects. If it means letting a project go, it's okay. I don't want to burn out."

Now, with Katherine, he really wanted to make sure that he didn't burn out. He had seen people in the industry fall down that hole and just struggling to survive. He didn't want to turn something he loved to do into a chore. It was just a plus that he made a shit tone of money from what he loved to do.

"Of course. that makes perfect sense," Demetri said. 

"I admit," he said, feeling a tad bit guilty. "Katherine is part of why I am thinking this way, but I am not saying that I won't do it. It's not just because of her. I need to see what the story is and if the schedule is something I can commit to."

"You're placing your future in the hands of a girl and emotions that can go away?" Irene was on a warpath. 

"I know you don't like the situation and you think it is too fast or whatever, but I don't care. I know what is right for me and for Katherine." He paused. This was probably a good time to let them know that she would visit him while they were shooting. "Just for your information, she will be dropping by when I shoot for Heart. If she does drop by, we will have a little more time together and I won't hesitate to take this up. But if she can't make it... yeah... I'll look for a little time off."

"That's-" Demetri didn't have words. Stephen was quite and Irene was flipping out. 

"You tell me that now? You need to tell me the exact dates! I need to make plans so that you don't get caught with her and Stephen has to schedule shooting according to when you want to meet her." That was why he was telling them, damnit. 

"Yes, I know. That's why I am telling you this now. Also, she will be staying with me if she visits." 

Stephen looked a little uncomfortable. Irene was a tough cookie who hated not being in control and Cage was throwing bombs at her like nobody's business. She would probably implode if he didn't stop. 

"Don't give me crap about it. I know Demetri and you are dating. I also know it is prohibited to date your colleague, so... don't." Demetri stared at Cage. 

Stephen too turned towards Cage and felt a sense of pride. 'Way to get control.' He crossed his fingers and hoped that Irene didn't think about revenge. That would not be a pretty picture. PR people did everything for you, but a little oopsie and they would simply tell you there was nothing they could do. He had seen it happen before. 

"Ah, so you knew..." Irene laughed. If Cage didn't know better, he would think she was being friendly. Irene really didn't have a friendly bone in her body. She was good at pretending, though. It was part of her job. "I understand. Just keep me in the loop. She's your forever?" she said with a little smile. 

"Yes." That surprised her again. Now, she would take it much more seriously.

"Okay. So what is the deal? When do you want to go public? Do you even want to do that? What do you expect of me?" Cage felt like the battle was over. Stephen too leaned back on his chair.

"We need to set the expectations so that we don't have any dereliction in duties," Demetri assured quickly. His girlfriend was a hothead and pushed back a lot when it came to her clients, but she also knew when to shut up.