Chapter 49: I Won't

After partying into the early hours of Halloween night, Simon drove Sandra back to her apartment in West Hollywood before taking the two women back to Montana area.

It was late at night, and the villa's assortment of pumpkin lanterns was still lit. Simon parked the SUV, and both women got out from the back seat.

Catherine and Janet's cars were parked nearby. However, Janet clung to Catherine's arm after disembarking and gazed eagerly at Simon, showing no signs of heading back to Malibu.

Smiling, Simon went along with Janet's wishes, looking at Catherine and saying, "It's quite late, Catherine. If you don't mind, you're welcome to stay over tonight."

Catherine looked hesitant, but Janet had already pulled her toward the door, saying, "Kate, we'll sleep in the same room tonight. I bought a new large bed," then she suddenly remembered something and turned to Simon, "Hey, kid, I think I forgot to prepare toiletries. Could you go buy some? Also, shower gel, shampoo, oh, and a few towels."

Watching Catherine being dragged into the villa by Janet, Simon shrugged and reopened his car door.

He hurried to a nearby 24-hour convenience store, purchased a pile of daily necessities, and after handing them over to the women and freshening up himself, quickly settled down for the night.

In another bedroom of the villa.

Catherine, having taken a shower, was tidying her freshly dried hair. Seeing Janet clutching a pillow and staring intently at the door, she asked curiously, "What's up?"

Janet adjusted the soft pillow in her arms, looking earnestly at Catherine, and said, "Kate, if that little rascal tries to sneak in here tonight, I'll block him, and you must run away fast."

Catherine couldn't help but laugh, asking, "Should I call the police?"

Janet immediately shook her head, "Of course not."

Catherine sat down on the bed, pulling back the covers, "Alright, Janet, it's really late, let's sleep. Simon won't come sneaking in."

"Hmm…" Janet flopped down on the bed with a troubled face, then snuggled up beside Catherine, "I'm just worried, what if he doesn't try to sneak in?"

Catherine smoothed Janet's somewhat disheveled blonde hair, her face still smiling, "Then you'll just have to go to him."

"Actually," Janet nuzzled into Catherine and murmured, "I already went to check; the little rascal locked his bedroom door from the inside."

Catherine lightly stroked Janet's cheek, saying, "Janet, you've been chasing Simon quite persistently. If you keep this up, you might scare him away."

"It's hard enough to fall for a man; of course, I have to keep a close eye," Janet replied, then added, "Alright, I'll let him off tonight."

Catherine turned off the room's lights and slipped off her bathrobe to lie down on the bed, "Then, let's sleep."

Janet rustled a bit before settling under the covers.

Then continued to rustle.

After a moment, a small hand reached out toward Catherine.

Catherine grabbed Janet's restless arm, asking, "What is it now?"

In the darkness, Janet whispered, "Kate, hold my hand for a moment."

Catherine, puzzled but complying, gave Janet's wrist a light squeeze, saying, "There, I don't have Simon's strength though."

"Mmm-hmm."

Despite the gentle touch, Janet cooed comfortably, seemingly very content, then finally quieted down.

Catherine, seeing Janet fall silent, found herself suddenly devoid of sleepiness.

Though.

But.

If.

If he really did barge in, would she really have to run away?

But.

What if he caught her first?

With such a strong man, she surely couldn't escape, right?

What then?

Her thoughts fluttered chaotically, leaving Catherine even less inclined to sleep. Janet probably hadn't locked her bedroom door, so should she get up and lock it?

Should she?

Or should she not?

Unbeknownst to her, a small hand reached out again, startling Catherine who was lost in thought.

Janet spoke first this time: "Kate, you can't sleep either, can you?"

Catherine feigned annoyance, "I was almost asleep until you started messing around."

"Hehe," Janet chuckled softly, her voice growing softer, "Kate, actually, I can tell that the little rascal likes you."

Catherine's thoughts scattered further, "Stop talking nonsense. You two might still have a chance, but I, Simon and I are absolutely impossible."

Catherine had studied at the San Francisco Art Institute before moving to New York, working a few years, and then re-enrolling at Columbia University for a master's in film. She

 met Janet at Columbia when Janet had just started her undergraduate degree.

Thus, even though Janet was still older than Simon, the two seemed somewhat well-matched.

As for herself, Catherine sighed inwardly, a woman unwilling to compromise. Her attempts at relationships over the years had all ended without issue. Without meeting the right partner, she had remained single.

Sometimes, she even thought she might stay single forever.

Then, this year, she had met two somewhat decent men. Only, the first was married, and she had completely dismissed certain thoughts recently. As for the other, it seemed even more impossible.

It appeared she was destined to be single for life.

Pondering wistfully, Janet's words broke her reverie, "Kate, do you think that little rascal cares about these things? But it's my first time falling for a man, so please don't compete with me, okay?"

Catherine nodded, trying to keep her tone light, "Okay."

"I knew it, you're the best to me, Kate," Janet suddenly hugged her, then said, "Actually, as long as you don't compete with me, it's okay if you two sneakily do something bad behind my back."

Catherine was taken aback, responding helplessly, "Me and him, I wouldn't do that."

Janet quickly agreed, "Mmm, that's best."

The room quieted for a moment.

After a while, Catherine couldn't help but ask, "Janet, would you really tolerate your man cheating behind your back?"

Janet responded without hesitation, "Mmm-hmm."

"But, how can that be okay?"

"Why not?"

Such a strange question.

Something seemed off.

Looking into the darkness, Catherine tentatively said, "Isn't it supposed to be that a couple in love should be loyal to each other?"

"Of course," Janet nodded, then added, "But loyalty and desire are completely different things. The kind of man I'm attracted to is so outstanding, he couldn't possibly be limited to one woman. Have you ever seen a truly great man who's only had one woman in his life?"

Catherine thought about it, somewhat unsure, "There should be many, right?"

"Those you're thinking of, you either don't know about their affairs or they are just for show," Janet was quite certain, "Anyway, my man definitely won't be limited to one woman."

Hearing Janet, Catherine suddenly recalled her 'domestic violence theory' from a few days ago, and felt that she shouldn't continue this discussion with Janet, lest she be led astray.

Yet, after hesitating for a moment, Catherine still couldn't help but ask, "Then, would you tell him that you don't mind if he cheats?"

"Of course not, I'm not a fool," Janet replied immediately, "And if he does and I find out, I'd definitely act very angry."

"And then?"

"Then I'd drive away the woman I caught him with."

Catherine paused again before asking, "Janet, that's not right. Think about it, if the man you like ends up liking another woman and insists on breaking up with you, what would you do then?"

Janet's hand gently caressed Catherine, her voice low, "God will forgive him."

"Hmm?"

Janet repeated softly, "God will forgive him."

Still puzzled, Catherine asked, "And you?"

Janet's tone remained soft, "I won't."

Catherine, still full of questions, merely patted Janet lightly like an older sister, saying, "Well, I really don't understand you."

Morning light crept through the gaps in the bedroom curtains.

Perhaps because she was in an unfamiliar environment, even though she had gone to bed very late, Catherine woke up quite early.

Janet was still deep in sleep beside her. Catherine looked at her for a moment, then quietly got out of bed. After freshening up, she left the bedroom.

It was already eight o'clock in the morning.

Intending to prepare breakfast for everyone, Catherine was surprised to find Simon already sitting in the dining room, eating while flipping through a newspaper with a pencil in hand.

"Good morning, Catherine," Simon stood up when he saw her, "Want some breakfast? I've prepared it already, was just about to wake you guys up."

"Morning," Catherine gestured to Simon, "I'll get it myself."

After serving herself breakfast from the kitchen, Catherine sat down beside Simon and asked, "Are you going over to Fox Studios today?"

Simon nodded, "Yes, we should be able to get the first cut done in the next couple of days."

Catherine remarked, "You know, you could take a break, it is Halloween after all, and it's the weekend."

"Heh, once the film is done, there'll be plenty of time to rest," Simon said, picking up the pencil from the table and marking something on the newspaper in front of him.

Noticing Simon's action, Catherine curiously peered over, asking, "What are you doing?"