Chapter 81 - Without Any Scruples
He had never had someone who could tell him these things when he started to doubt himself. He led a life where he was constantly surrounded by beautiful people who all wanted to one-up him in some way or the other. It was all about who sold the most tickets, who got paid the most. And here he was, talking to her, telling her how insecure he was. And what surprised him the most was how innocently she answered every question without pushing for details. When asked why she never asked, she would always say that he would reveal everything when he was ready. That just like she wasn't revealing her face yet because she was not ready to take that step, he also had boundaries that he needed to work on before revealing himself.
Most surprisingly of all, she was willing to wait for such a day to come.
"Are you saying that you will run away if I fail?" he asked in amusement, but there was a deep, lingering fear in him that she would if such a day came that she lost love for one of him or his superstar personality. What would he be left with then?
"There is no way I am running. I am almost scared that you will run for the hills when you meet me. I am a little hard to handle." She snickered. And just like that, the insecurities in his mind were soothed for the moment.
"I'll handle you just fine." The smirk was evident in his voice. "Your turn! What would you like to know?"
There was a long silence as she thought about her answer. She mulled over the question for a long time before she finally began to speak.
"I don't want to know any truth about myself."
"There is nothing you want to know?" he asked, surprised.
"No. I don't believe in divination and think that they are just a thing of the myths meant to make people who aren't strong enough gain some confidence in their futures or themselves. I am scared of what it will say and how it will affect me in the long run. I don't trust myself to not believe the sayings and suddenly find myself questioning my worth. I don't stand for confusing myself when the life I am leading is already so good."
"That makes sense," he breathes. "Is this why the mention of psychics makes you so awkward? I have noticed it before." She laughed in response.
"You caught me. I do feel awkward when the topic comes up, but it's because I don't want to offend someone who is a true believer," she said thoughtfully.
'She's just so nice,' he gushed in his head.
"And what would you do if I were a believer? Won't you worry about me being offended?"
"I know you are level-headed and won't judge me on the basis of what I believe. This is why I can have such a conversation with you without any scruples."
Their conversation went on for some time, with Cage ratting out his staff and how they made him work harder than was necessary. Katherine snitched about the editor who called and asked for changes in a cover she had liked because it wasn't quite right. Katherine was pissed because she was the one with a sense of art, not the editor. Anyway, she did as she was told and spend the day grumbling.
They felt a lot better after having spoken so freely. They bid farewell, too tired to be naughty.
- - -
Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?
"The last few months have been so difficult for me that I want to get as far away from civilisation as possible and just rest for some time." Indeed, his time had been bad for the past few months and he didn't know how he was still sane at that point.
"I always wanted to drive to the mountains and spend some quality time with nature, doing absolutely nothing but vegging out." She said softly, admitting to her own little dreams. Their needs sounded so similar…
"Do you want to go together?" he asked, longing evident in his voice.
"Would you be willing to show yourself to me?" she asked, surprised by the sudden change in attitude.
He thought for a bit. He had been impulsive when he had said that he wanted to meet and he had been thinking with his dick, but this time, he genuinely wanted to meet 'her.' It didn't matter what they did; he just wanted to be in the same space as her, hold her and speak his mind to her like they always did.
He was ready to reveal himself.
"I would. I don't mind anymore, love," he whispered, making her shiver.
"You're not lying?" she squeaked. He laughed in reply, sensing her nervousness.
"Do you want to drive five hundred miles from the city to the mountains and just enjoy our time together?" he offered timidly, hoping that she would take up the offer. They would have to meet before that, or else it would be one awkward mess of a trip.
"How do I know you are not a serial killer who takes months to lure victims?" she asked jokingly.
"Don't joke about it. It could be true. I would love to take you out, but I don't want you to feel pressured into going," he said softly. He was concerned for her. "A girl leaving for somewhere far along with a single man is not advisable. I think you should bring a friend."
"Is this a plan for a threesome?" she gasped. "I don't share." He choked on his saliva, making a noise that amused her to no end.
"No, love. I was going to bring a friend, too. This is about safety and comfort. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable at any point and being unable to get yourself out of the situation."
"Why are you so good to me?" she groaned, hiding her face in her palms.
"I'm not being good to you. I am just being a decent human being. I know… it's uncommon these days, but I really care about you." The last words were said with a tinge of shyness.
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