Jackson looked like a cheetah whose domain has been invaded. He walked fast to Gabrielle with a warning look, saying, "Anything?"
It scared Gabrielle so much that she almost fell on the ground of the boxing ring. It was too late to do anything.
Jackson came over with a furious look, which sent chills down Gabrielle's spine. She looked at him in horror and stared at Jackson's ears. How did his ears grow that he could hear from afar?
Gabrielle grabbed the rope, trying to deny. But she changed her mind. With a smile, she said, "The guy said he's a champion and could defeat you in the contest. So I made a bet with him."
Jackson asked, "What's the bet? Let's hear it."
Gabrielle said, "It's what you have heard. If he could beat you, I'll call him..." Gabrielle felt guilty and whispered fast, "Honey."
Honey as in the husband?
Jackson's hand knuckles rattled. There were sounds of punching in the gym, but the rattling was clear as day.
Jackson asked, "What if I win?"
Gabrielle answered, "If you win, you have to let me shoot David's film."
Jackson frowned. He figured out what Gabrielle did was for Unforgettable. He gave a casual look at the muscle man standing next to Gabrielle.
Honey as in the husband? Then he sensed an unfriendly look and became confused. He didn't ask Gabrielle to call him that.
Gabrielle winked at the muscle man as hard as he could. So he could play along and didn't give away anything in front of Jackson. For the movie, or to be precise, going to the Ancient Country, she was desperate.
Jackson reached out to cover Gabrielle's eyes, saying, "Do you want that part so much?"
Gabrielle couldn't see anything. But her hope was rekindled. She said merrily, "The leading actress they had in mind couldn't make it due to her schedules. So David asked me to fill her in."
Jackson asked, "When?"
Gabrielle answered, "A week later."
Jackson said, "No."
Hum? No?
Gabrielle wondered if she heard him right. That was nothing serious. She just wanted to go on a trip. And it wouldn't be long. Fine, she knew the movie included many love scenes. But she was doing what an actress should do. If anybody behaved like Jackson, who would contribute to the development of the entertainment business?
Gabrielle took down Jackson's hands and looked pleasing, saying, "We could ask the director to change the script, couldn't we?"
If Gabrielle didn't agree with the part, she couldn't go. Ever since she signed the contract with Jackson, he hogged her time all the time. Gabrielle didn't even have time to rest.
Gabrielle's look was eager. Ever since she signed the contract with Jackson, he hogged her time all the time.
Jackson said, "No."
Gabrielle pouted, saying, "Fine."
She was furious because she had no time of her own.
Jackson watched her face and grabbed her chin. Gabrielle was forced to look up at Jackson. He said, "If I win, I'll train you."
That was not what Gabrielle asked. She wondered what had gotten into her to sign the contract with Jackson. Could she say no?
But Jackson didn't plan to give Gabrielle the opportunity to say no. He already walked on the ring. The other man was ready, not willing to admit failure. After all, he was a champion and was confident in his skills.
Ivan Hill came back after receiving a call. Seeing Jackson was on the ring, he got worried. He said, "Sir..."
Ivan looked at Jackson and turned to Gabrielle. His phone was ringing again. He was busy.
So Ivan went outside to take the phone. He left in such a hurry that he didn't realize something fell on the floor.
Gabrielle wanted to remind Ivan. But he already went out for the phone, leaving her no time.
Out of curiosity, she looked down, picked it up, and took one peek. In seconds, Gabrielle felt a lightning strike, and she couldn't feel anything.
It was an invitation to the color of white.
Pss-
No wonder Jackson wouldn't let her go to Ancient Country. It was his engagement party a week later.
Jackson was getting engaged to someone else...
Then why would he keep her? Did he want her to give her blessing at the engagement celebration?
How was that fair?
At the same time, there were cheers from others. Two men were fighting in the boxing ring. One took a punch, and the other followed. Suddenly, Jackson punched on the head of the other man, and he fell on the floor.
The muscle man was tough. He got up using all his strength.
The fighting was fierce. But all Gabrielle heard was her volatile breathing. She wondered if she breathed too hard that her heart ached.
She knew this day would come after she left Top Girls' Club. But what she didn't expect was that she couldn't get away from Jackson.
Gabrielle held the invitation. Maybe she applied too much force that it was split into two parts.
Damn, she thought, how could she give that back to Ivan?
Gabrielle looked up. Luckily, Jackson was focused on striking, and Ivan hasn't hung up.
Gabrielle calmed herself down and stuffed the invitation before putting in her pocket. She did so fast.
Then, when none was watching, Gabrielle snuck out of the gym.
It was a starless moonlight in Ancient Country.
Ignoring Evan's carrot and stick measures, Avery finally shut the door and windows. After making sure no one could come in, she closed the dark brown curtains and turned off the lights. Then she took off her slippers, opened the quilt, and lay on the bed.
It was warm, and the pillow smelt something Avery couldn't tell.
It was intense, and Avery frowned. She couldn't go to sleep and felt hotter and hotter.
Avery flipped around for god knows how long. When she was about to sleep...
Hot...
So hot...
In and out of a daze, Avery felt someone was disturbing her sleep. It was so annoying that she couldn't make it go away.
Avery frowned. As she was shaking, her delicate nose tip bumped into something concrete. As she breathed, she smelt something burnt.
She suddenly got trembled and opened her eyes.
The man on top of Avery, bending over, was taking off her clothes.
Avery shouted, "What are you doing?"
Avery sat up in horror. She immediately noticed the room didn't feel right. The floor was messy.
The quilt was thrown on the ground. There was a burnt hole in the sheet.
Avery asked, "What's going on?" Avery was sweating from the heat. Her clothes were wet.
Evan answered, "Your quilt is on fire." Evan took off her clothes to check if Avery was burnt. He checked on her closely, asking, "Do you feel anything?"
Avery smelt the smoke. She shook her head, answering, "No. I just feel hot and smell something funny."
Avery looked at her quilt and around the room. It looked like the quilt and sheet were the only things on fire. Other things in the room remained the same.
But how could the quilt be on fire?
As she was pondering, something suddenly occurred to her. She screamed, "Is it..."