Noelle stepped inside.
Jace closed the door behind her.
"Sit," he said, pointing at the sofa.
She slipped off her beige trench coat and folded it neatly on the armrest. Her fingers lingered a moment, betraying her nervousness.
Jace stood by the minibar, still wearing only a towel. "Sorry about the towel," he said casually. "Just came out of the bath."
It was a lie. His hair was dry. Not a drop of water on him.
"N-No, it’s fine," Noelle said quickly. "I’m sorry for coming at a bad time."
Jace smiled faintly. "Thanks for understanding."
He took a bottle from the minibar, poured whiskey into a glass, and sipped slowly.
’I called her here, but she’s the one apologizing...’
Another sip. A dark thought followed. ’Money truly talks.’
He pointed the glass toward her. "Want one?"
She shook her head. "N-No, thank you."
His eyes stayed on her a beat too long. "As you wish."
Noelle shifted on the sofa. Her lips parted as if to speak, then closed again. Her hands twisted in her lap, fingers restless, as if searching for courage that refused to come.
Jace noticed, but said nothing. He enjoyed watching her. She looked like a nervous puppy, not knowing what to do.
By his fourth glass, she finally spoke. Her voice trembled. "Sir... why did you call me here?"
Jace set his glass aside and met her eyes. "Practice."
Her brows drew up. "P-Practice...?"
"The next episode depends heavily on chemistry and acting. Only practice will make it better."
"But Sir, you don’t need it. Your acting today was like a veteran." Her words carried awe, genuine and sincere.
"Just veteran like?" His smile stayed, but his tone sharpened.
Noelle flinched, her shoulders stiff. "N-No, Sir, I didn’t mean—"
A chill ran down her spine. His gaze pressed against her like a weight she couldn’t escape.
"S-Sir, please... forgiv—"
"What are you saying?" Jace cut in, his tone suddenly light again.
He chuckled softly. "I was just kidding. Why are you so serious?"
Noelle blinked, startled, unsure how to respond.
Jace stepped closer and asked, "So, will you help me practice?"
Noelle nodded weakly.
He leaned near her ear. "And if you do well..." His warm breath brushed her skin, making her shiver.
In a smooth, tempting tone, he said, "I may offer you the role of female lead in my next series."
Her throat tightened. Fear mixed with a spark of hope.
She had come from a not well-off family. More than five years had passed since she started acting, yet she had still failed to land a major role. Always stuck as a side character.
The offer dangled before her like a light in the dark, dangerous but impossible to ignore.
"...Okay." Her voice was soft, her eyes carrying a fragile courage.
Jace studied her for a moment, the faint smile on his lips never fading. He let the silence stretch, as if savoring her answer.
Then he pointed to the bed. "Lay there."
"You may not know, but the next shoot is a bedroom scene," he said evenly.
Noelle’s eyes widened. "P-Pardon? B-Bedroom?"
"Relax," Jace said smoothly. "For now, just pose a little... let me picture the image, so I can build my acting around it. We don’t have to act it out."
He noticed and added, "But if you don’t want to, you can quit. You don’t have to force yourself." His smile was gentle, but his eyes were not.
Her thoughts spun, tangled between fear and ambition.
Then Jace gave the final push, his voice low. "Of course... if you refuse, I’ll have to ask someone else to help me instead."
The words struck like a checkmate.
She nodded quickly. "I’ll do it."
Noelle moved to the bed and posed. Sitting at the edge, leaning back, arching her back slightly, tilting her chin. She tried shy smiles, glances over her shoulder, soft gestures with her hair.
Jace watched in silence.
After a while, he shook his head. "No. Not good."
Noelle froze. "Sir... W-What am I doing wrong?"
"Please tell me," her words came out fragile, almost pleading. "I’ll fix it."
Jace stayed silent for a moment, as if considering. Then he clapped once. "Yes. Now I see what’s missing."
Noelle straightened slightly at the sudden sound.
Kyra stepped in, calm as always.
"Bring the dress," Jace ordered.
Kyra nodded and left.
Noelle’s eyes darted between them, confused.
Minutes later, Kyra returned with a white nightgown. Thin. Almost see-through. With only a loose belt tied at the waist to hold the fabric together.
Noelle’s face turned crimson. The sight of the gown made her chest tighten, a discomfort pressing against her.
"Sir, th-that’s a bit too mu—"
"So you won’t wear it?" Jace cut her off. He tilted his head. "Should I take that as you don’t want the opportunity?"
His tone was calm, but heavy.
Her mind spun. ’If I refuse... then the chance to become a star is gone. But if I accept... will Callen understand?’
She hesitated, thoughts circling. A few long minutes passed.
Her fists clenched tight, her teeth pressed into her lip. ’Yes. I can’t lose this chance. This is just acting. And if I rise, it will help Callen too.’
She lifted her head, eyes showing a thin determination, and nodded. "...I’ll wear it."
Then she stepped into the changing room.
When she came out, Jace’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The gown clung to her frame. Sheer, thin, showing the shape of her body beneath. The loose belt at her waist barely held it together. Her hips were wide and soft under the fabric, her breasts pressing against the gown, their round outline visible. As she shifted, the faintest shape of her nipples showed through, small but firm.
Her steps were slow, careful, as if the nightgown might slip away with the slightest movement. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven.
Jace’s smile spread, slow and deliberate. "Now... we can start."
Noelle posed again. Sitting, leaning, pulling the blanket close. She shifted angles, tried smiles, but each movement felt stiff, forced.
Jace shook his head. "No. This isn’t it."
Her hands clenched the blanket. "S-Sir... what am I doing wrong now?"
"You’re posing like a model," Jace said coldly. "Not acting like a lover."
Her lips parted in shock. "L-Lover...?"
Jace stepped forward, then climbed onto the bed.
The air in the room thickened. Noelle’s pulse thudded in her ears. The mattress dipped under his weight, the shift pulling her closer into his space.
Her breath shook. "S-Sir...?"
Jace’s eyes locked on hers. He leaned closer, lifting her chin the same way he had during their shoot.
His voice dropped low.
Her eyes flickered, uncertain.
"Not as Noelle. As a woman looking at the man she loves."
She tried. Her throat tightened, but she forced her gaze to soften.
Jace studied her face for a long moment, then shook his head. "Still too stiff. If you want that role... you’ll have to go deeper."
Her heart pounded harder. "D-Deeper?"
His smile widened, slow and merciless.
He leaned in close, lips just an inch away from kissing.
"From this moment on, you’re in love with me."