Chapter 326: That's All I Have

[Chapter 326: That's All I Have]

Even though Eric tried to lighten the mood, the woman's mind seemed elsewhere, casting a faint air of awkwardness throughout the evening.

After dinner, Eric watched her tidy up and stood up, saying, "It's getting late, I think I should head back."

"You didn't drive here, how are you planning to get home?" she asked, her tone indifferent.

Eric cleared his throat awkwardly twice, about to say something when Joanna Pacula suddenly added, "Could you watch some TV for a while?"

Eric perked up a bit, nodded slightly, and sat back down on the couch.

The woman cleaned up the dishes and then slipped into the bathroom. The small apartment had poor sound insulation, and Eric could clearly hear the sounds of running water, stirring an unusual flutter in his chest.

After a while, she emerged from the bathroom, draped in a pink bathrobe with damp hair cascading around her shoulders. She casually turned off the lights in the living room, leaving only the flickering glow of the television.

Eric silently watched her switch off the TV, and soon after, a soft, bare figure leaned against him, hesitantly rubbing against his side. She whispered, "I've heard about you."

"Hmm?" Eric felt the atmosphere shift and instinctively asked with a hint of confusion.

"About your life," Joanna repeated, her hands moving due to her nervousness as she unbuttoned his shirt. Her tongue flickered gently on Eric's cheek, trailing down as she stammered, "I... I only have this to offer. My... my request is not too high."

Eric exhaled deeply, pulling her slender waist toward him and pressing his lips to hers in a deep kiss.

...

Sunlight squeezed through the narrow bedroom from a nearby taller building, barely filtering through the curtains into their small space. Although the bed felt a bit cramped, the faint scent of her perfume eased his discomfort.

Her light brown hair lay against his chest, and though she was quite tall, only slightly shorter than him, she curled into Eric's embrace like a little girl. He could feel her gentle breathing against his skin.

As he carefully traced her smooth back, Eric contemplated getting up, but his watch rested on the nightstand, and he hesitated, not wanting to disturb her. He had lost track of time and knew it must be late, especially after last night's wildness that had kept him up until past one.

He hadn't brought a mobile phone, despite Motorola having supplied him with several compact models during the filming of Running Out of Time. Compared to what cell phones were like in his past life, they still felt clunky to him, and he didn't care to carry one around.

He reasoned that many people were likely searching for him by now.

Joanna stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she felt herself nestled against a man. After a moment of disorientation, memories of the previous night rushed back.

"I'm sorry, Eric. What time is it?" she asked, looking up at him shyly.

Seeing her awake, Eric casually glanced at his watch on the nightstand, "It's nine forty."

"It's that late already?" She sighed lightly but made no move to get up, instead, she arched her back slightly and rested on Eric's arm, blinking her beautiful eyes at him.

"Don't want to get up?" he asked curiously.

She shook her head, "I just don't know what to do when I do."

"That's not good. Without a goal, one can easily grow old," Eric replied gently.

"Ha, I'm indeed much older than you," she said, sounding a bit downcast.

Eric soothingly stroked her back, "You look about my age, at most twenty-five."

"But still not twenty-five."

He pressed his lips against hers lightly, "Alright, let's not talk about sad things. Since we don't want to get up, let's do something meaningful instead."

"Hmm... like what?" She hadn't quite realized what was happening when Eric suddenly shifted, pinning her beneath him. She let out a short gasp and quickly wrapped her arms around his waist, her mouth slightly open as she surrendered to his movements.

...

"Yes, Allen, I'm fine. I'll be at the airport on time this afternoon. You go over to Malibu and have... someone help me gather some things... Yes, there are people there, you'll know once you get there... Also, buy an extra ticket."

After hanging up, Eric looked at the woman, who was now fully dressed. "Come with me to New York. I've had someone arrange a ticket for you."

Joanna hesitated, "You're going to film a movie. What will I do?"

"I've already thought of your role. You'll be my personal assistant."

"Personal assistant?" she echoed, contemplating it before nodding slowly, "Okay, sure, since I have nothing going on in LA. But what about my agent?"

"What do you think of your agent?" Eric asked.

"Seems okay, I suppose," she replied.

"Don't use that uncertain tone. I mean, if you think he's great, then stay. If not, let him go."

Without hesitation, Joanna quickly said, "Then I'll let him go."

"Done deal," Eric chuckled. "Call him now, tell him he's fired. Then you're free, and we can head to New York."

"But... personal assistant?"

Eric stepped closer, highlighting her waist, "What? Are you reluctant?"

"No, I just... feel a bit scared." Her eyes flickered as she spoke.

"Scared of... what?"

Joanna hesitated for a moment, then partially closed her eyes, "Scared that you might just want to toy with me and then ignore me when you're bored."

Eric feigned anger, "Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Because I don't know, I'm scared. I just want some stability. You're the big boss at Firefly Films; help me land a role in a movie to stabilize my career in Hollywood. That's not too much to ask for, right? I promise I won't bother you again. If you want... you can always come back to find me."

After Joanna finished speaking, her voice tinged with anxiety, Eric pulled her tightly into his arms. "Don't worry, that won't happen. Even if you don't believe it, I promise you will become one of Hollywood's top stars. I'll make you the lead in my next film."

*****

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