Chapter 33
here? Rachel stared at the man kneeling before her, bewildered. How did Rocco end up
A wave of regret washed over her. She hadn’t checked the cast list for the day’s shoot at Elysium Media before leaving. Had she known Rocco would be here, she never would have come
Seeing him kneel, as if to beg her for something, his hanils reaching for her as though he were desperate to cling to her, made Rachel recoil with disgust. She took a step back.
“Rocco, if you come any closer, believe me, I’ll break your arm
Rocco froze in place. His outstretched hand hung in the air, and he felt a familiar pain in his wrist.
It was a quiet, unspoken warning that made his heart race. She wasn’t joking–he’d learned that the hard way in the past, when she’d once disincated his arm with a single blow. The memory of that day made him instinctively flinch when he met her guze
“Rachel Rocco sand, his voice full of emotion. “How could you be here! Are you here for me! I’m really moved. Back then, with Gracie… it was her who seduced me. I regretted it right after I swear, I still care about you.”
The mention of Gracie’s name made Rachel feel a physical reaction–nausea, a twisted feeling in her stomach. She fought to suppress it, not wanting to let her disgust show.
“T’m not here for you. Rocco, Rachel said, her voice flat. “This is just a coincidence. You should get up. We’re not in high school anymore”
Rocco didn’t believe her. He looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. “No way. Oh, I get it now, You’re still so stubborn, so shy that you can’t even admit it. You’re here for me, but you don’t want to admit it, huh?”
Rachel couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Is this really Rocco!!
The staff members who had gathered around whispered among themselves. “Rocco actually dated this woman?
“I thought he said he never had a girlfriend.”
“Wait a minute, how could someone with Rocco’s fan base even look at someone like her?”
Sybil still in shock, watched as Rocco clung to Rachel, his words growing more desperate. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, a burning mix of jealousy and humiliation.
Rachel had completely lost her patience. She turned and began to walk away, wanting nothing more than to escape the scene,
But Rocco immediately scrambled to his feet, calling after h her, “Rachel, don’t go
Just then. Herb stepped up, blocking Rocco’s path with a cold, unbothered look.
Rocco, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Herbs, took a step back, visibly trembling
The memory of his past encounter with Herb–when Herb had nearly beaten him to a pulp after discovering he was cheating–flashed through his mind. He remembered how close he’d come to losing his career, his face barely recognizable after the brutal confrontation. That was a lesson Rocco had never forgotten.
Now, faced with the same man, he hesitated, no longer daring to pursue Rachel Herb snorted dismissively and turned to follow Rachel
Sybel, still confused and furious, wanted to chase after Rocco, but as she glanced at his face, she saw nothing but defeat. With a heavy sigh, Rocco turned and walked away.
Ive lost the one I love today. Rocco mumbled in a voice filled with surrow. “Ti too heartbroken to keep shooting. Don’t schedule anything for me. I’m leaving now”
His assistant, awkward and embarrassed, looked helplessly at Syfalas Rocco made his quick exit.
“What?” Sybail stomped her fout in frustration, her face red with anger.
“Sybal” one of her friends, who had been starling by, asked with raised eyebrows, “What’s going on Wasn’t Rachel your brother’s ex?”
“Yeah,” another added, “How is the involved with Rocco too! What kind of woman is the, that she’s been with both your brother and Rocco! Isn’t that kind of a big deal? Korra’s a potential Best Actor nominer.”
Ts temper Bared. She could barely hold back her initation. “Enought I don’t know why so many people like that kind of woman who sells herself. Probally because of this — they can hook up with inen?
With a final glane, Sybill stormed off, her anger bubbling over.
1/2
Chapter At
orge, who had been watching the
sole scene unfold, overbrand Mortimer’s voice behind him.
che was with Rocco? That a some.
some serious gossip, don’t you think?”
George looked perplexed I don’t want to know about her personal life
“Really” Mortimer smirked. “Because you seemed pretty interested back there”
Mortimer immediately shut up, but not before adding, “I just find it strange–how did she get to know theone he Roccet Also did you see how Herb stood by her! He even convinced the higher ups at Sarrattop Group not to work with us,
ause of Rachel. That s some serious influence “
orge frowned. “He’s just the assistant. Its the new CEO who calls the shots. The reception tonight is a good opportunity to talk with him.”
what you mean” Mortimer agreed. “But still that project it’s not just about business now. It’s about honor.”
ge clenched his fists, eyes darkening. “We can’t let them have it. Elysium Media is ours
Mortimer nodded seeing the underlying tension in George’s words. It wasn’t just about the project anymore–it had become a matter of pride.
As they walked toward the exit. Herb caught up with Rachel, who was already heading out
“W by are you rushing?” he asked gently.
Rachel glanced at him an eyebrow raised. “Isn’t it obvious? Im trying to get away from the dog chasing me.”
Herb chuckled. “I thought you’d still care about that mess with Rocco. If you want, I can go drag him back out and beat him up again”
“Dont be ridiculous Rachel sighed. “We were never even really together. We were just flirting, and then he went off and got with Gracie. He even spread rumors about us?
Herbs expression softened. “Yeah. I get it. Back then, you were young. And now? You’d never let Gracie get close to your man, right?”
Rachel nodded, but the bitterness still lingered. “I was an idiot. I knew they liked each other, and I still sent her to work for him as his assistant.”
Herb let out a low whistle. That’s rough”
Rachel waved it off. “I doesn’t matter now. What matters is the Elysium Media project. That’s our f
our focusTM
The two of them firully arrived home, and just as Rachel was about to relax, her phone buzzed.
“Mi. Sarratt,” the voice on the other end said. “you’ve made the trending list”
Rachel opened the phone and saw the headline Rocco Flowers Kneels Before Rachel Fox. Though the photo only showed her side profile, anyone
ho knew Rachel could unmediately recognize her
“Who is this woman?” one comment read “Why would Rocco kneel to her?”
“Isn’t she just average–looking! How does she get Rocco to do this?”
