Chapter 23
"Little girl, wake up, we've got to go, it's late already," I heard like a faint whisper, then felt a kiss on my lips.
I opened my eyes, it was almost evening and I felt Gerard's body embracing me. I realized we were naked, so I took one of the sheets and covered my body.
I was a little embarrassed that he saw me naked.
"I think it's time to put the embarrassment aside, Julie, I like seeing you with nothing on," he told me with a mischievous wink.
"It's just for now, as much as I'm used to it," I said shyly, my cheeks flushed.
I tried to get up from the bed, but felt a little pain.
"My little girl, are you all right? Maybe I was a little hard on you, I couldn't control myself, I wanted you so much," he said with a wink.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," I smiled. "We'd better get going, if I don't get home, my mom will be worried."
"Why don't you tell her you're with me? Tell her we'll be there tomorrow."
"What about my job?"
"I'm sure you won't mind taking an extra day," he shrugged as if nothing had happened.
"Gerard, I don't want any privileges in the company, we'd better go home," I said with a grimace.
"As you wish, little one, but first we have to eat something".
We got dressed, I did my hair and make-up, we ate at home and left Lyon. During the journey, I couldn't help but sleep a little, so tired was I.
"We arrived at your place, Julie, and I felt a light kiss that gave me butterflies in my stomach.
"Thank you Gérard, see you tomorrow.
"See you tomorrow, my dear. I'll come to pick you up to take you to work," he kissed me harder. "By the way, in a short time, you'll officially be my wife," his eyes sparkled in a particular way.
"That's true, there's not much time left before the wedding," I smiled too, excited.
I was so thrilled to think it was real between us now, I wanted to be his wife and spend the rest of my life with him.
"I was in my room and I couldn't help but think about Gérard. I missed him more and more every day.
"Good morning, Chloé! Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Why are you so happy? And why did you miss work yesterday?" she looked at me suspiciously, and I couldn't help but blush.
"Chloé, I have so much to tell you," I said excitedly.
"It's still early, tell me quickly before the boss arrives," she was eager for information.
Chloé closed the door to my office, and I told her everything that had happened with Anna and Gérard.
"That girl is a snake, my dear. Don't trust her, but I'm sure Gérard has real feelings for you."
"Chloé, I'm so happy it's real between us and not a lie."
"I knew you were meant for each other," she expressed with satisfaction.
"Miss Moreau, bad news. I need you to come to my office immediately."
"What's going on, Mr. Muller," I looked at my boss, a little worried at his words.
"The lead actor of our new film wants to leave the project.”
"What, it's not possible, we already have all the advertising printed with his face, it would be a loss for the company."
"Not to mention all the scenes already filmed with him," he said with concern.
"What happened for the actor to want to leave?" I said, grimacing.
"He had an argument with the director Edmond and decided to leave in the middle of shooting."
"Impossible, we can't delay this film, it would affect our image too much with the audience."
"Juliette, you're good at talking to people, I need you to find Edmond Rousseau, talk to him and convince him to come back," said my boss.
"How? Me talking to Edmond Rousseau, the great idol of all Italy?"
"My dear, everyone has already tried to talk to him, but he won't listen to reason."
"With all due respect, Mr. Muller, but I highly doubt he'll listen to me."
"Tomorrow, he agreed to meet us, it's our last chance, that's why I want you to talk to Edmond, you're very smart, Juliette. I trust you."
"I'll do my best, sir."
I was very nervous, in a few hours, I would see the great actor Edmond, I had to convince him to come back to work with us.
"Julie darling, please let me come in with you, please, let me see Edmond's beautiful face in person," begged my friend.
"Chloé, please, these are important moments and I can't afford any mistakes. Sorry, stay here."
"Please, my dear, I promise to stay silent, I'll just focus on serving them coffee and that's it, I promise not to make any noise," she gave me puppy eyes.
I sighed.
"Okay, Chloé, but swear to me you won't say anything, sometimes you let your emotions get the best of you and we're in crucial moments now," I warned her sternly.
"I promise, dear friend," she solemnly swore.
We arrived at the building where we were supposed to meet the great actor.
"Good evening, we have an appointment with Edmond Rousseau."
"Are you Juliette Moreau?" asked the receptionist kindly.
"That's me," I smiled.
"Please, enter the office, Mr. Rousseau is inside."
We headed straight to where she had directed us. Chloé was nervous, but she kept smiling, which gave me a little more calm.
The man in question arrived a few minutes later, with his seductive demeanor and handsome face, although not as handsome as my Gérard.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Rousseau, allow me to introduce myself: I am Juliette Moreau and this is my partner, Chloé Petit," I extended my hand and Chloé did the same.
"A pleasure, ladies, please, have a seat," the man said gallantly.
"Mr. Rousseau, you know the reason for my visit. It is very important for us that you come back to work with us, your work is exceptional," I tried to be persuasive. "Without you, our film would lose the magic of conveying all kinds of emotions to our audience."
"I see it difficult, Miss Moreau, the director Edmond and I cannot get along, it's complicated for me to work in this way," the man said, reluctant to change his mind.
"But if you withdraw from our film, there would be a breach of contract, so they would have to pay us a considerable fine, I think it's not necessary to go that far," I tried to be reasonable.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Mr. Rousseau, without you this film will not be the great success that is expected, moreover, your quality as an actor is incomparable. I can't wait to see you in this new production, I'm a big fan of yours," said Chloé in a discreet but happy voice.
"Please, I told you to stay silent," I commented discreetly.