Chapter 18 A Rival
Chapter 18 A Rival
The only thing Adrian could think about the entire time they rode to the restaurant was one word.
Fiancee.
How was that possible? Wasn’t Rowan already married to him? Or had he misheard?
Adrian immediately pulled the wedding band that was on his finger off and slipped it into his pocket. He’d be sure to give it back, since Rowan wanted to make a mess.
Daniel had booked a more private space this time around. He didn’t want the paparazzi taking pictures of the cast, especially with the way Rose was hanging onto Rowan like he was her life line.
He’d have a brief talk with him.
Now that everyone was looking forward to them being a pair, he shouldn’t let his relationship jeopardize it.
A sly smile filtered into Daniel’s expression.
Or he could play into it and have them film the jealous films first. With the way Adrian was glaring at them, he had no doubt he’d be able to pull it off perfectly.
Life really did imitate art.
Everyone ordered, Adrian only sticking to eggs and steak. It was his favorite, he also liked that it fit right into his diet.
“What will you have?” Rowan asked Rose.
Instead of answering right away, she traced the side of his face. “Oh, darling. You know what I always order. I need to keep this figure.”
The only reaction Rowan showed was a slight raise to his eyebrow. He ordered her a salad.
Adrian wanted to gag when Rose tightened her fingers around Rowan’s arm. Did she not know she was in public?
“Hey, do you guys mind if someone else joins us?” Daniel asked, already picking up his phone.
The atmosphere was becoming tense and awkward with what Rose was doing. But he didn’t want to be rude and ask her out.
Everyone knew Rose Beckham came from a very powerful family, to cross her would be to kiss your career a sweet goodbye.
She was an okay actress, but not the best by standard. Her family just happened to get all her roles, and no one dared to say no to her father.
Daniel called Cassian Vale, the actor that was playing Rowan’s love rival in the movie. He picked on the second ring.
“Everything okay?” Cassian asked, the sound of people shuffling around filled the background.
“Uhm, no. well…sort of. Rose is here clinging onto Rowan and Adrian looks like he’s about to explode. I need you to keep him company before this turns into a total disaster.”
Cassian chuckled, “I’m surprised those two haven’t gone for each other’s throat by now. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Adrian stood up just as Daniel came back in.
“Smoke break,” he muttered.
Rowan perked up at that, “You shouldn’t be smoking, it’s not good for your health.”
“I don’t remember asking for health tips, and you can’t tell me what I can or cannot do.” The nerve of the guy! “Let me know when it’s time to leave.”
Adrian used the backdoor, thankful when there was no one else there. He could finally have some time alone to collect his thoughts.
He put the cigarette between his lips then patted his pockets for his lighter. It wasn’t there.
“Let me help you,” was all he heard before an arm came around his shoulders and struck a lighter.
He took a drag, watching the butt of the cigarette come alive.
“You’re welcome,” the voice said.
Adrian turned to the side to see a grinning Cassian. They’d spoken a couple times during the reading and seen each other during events.
Adrian blew out a smoke, the nicotine instantly calming him. “Thank you, I always seem to leave my lighter.”
“You can have this one, I always carry an extra.” Cassian slipped inside Adrian’s pocket.
Unlike Rowan, the two of them were the same height. He had the same black hair with Rowan, but in place of grey-blue eyes, Cassian’s was a pitch black.
Looking into his eyes felt like looking into the pitch-black darkness of the sea.
“Thanks.”
It felt good to finally smoke instead of having Rowan boss him around all the time about the dangers of it.
“What are you doing here anyway? You weren’t at the interview.”
Cassian shrugged, lighting his own cigarette. “I was bored so I asked Daniel where you guys were meeting for lunch. What’s with Rose anyway? I thought they broke up months ago.”
Adrian’s mood turned sour again. “I thought the same. He better not let his relationship get in the way of our project, his fans can be really psychotic.”
Cassian tilted his head.
It seemed to him like Adrian was more worried about himself than the project.
“Have you gone through the entire script?” Cassian asked, taking another puff.
Adrian shook his head. “Why?”
“We have a kissing scene, right after Lucien says he’s not in love with Kael. I think your character was trying to make him jealous.”
“It wouldn’t be my first kiss scene.”
“You’ve kissed a guy on set before?”
“Oh…” Adrian’s cheeks turned a dark shade of pink. “I’ve never played a BL role before. But it should be fine. It doesn't matter whether it’s a man’s lips or a woman’s. They’re all the same to me.”
Cassian smiled at that.
He’d asked around about Adrian right after he got the role. He’d been interested in the guy since he bumped into him at an award show.
To the public, Adrian had never been in a relationship. Man or woman. He had a clean record, and this only fascinated Cassian.
It was a good thing Rowan was too dumb to recognize the jewel that was dropped on his lap.
“That works in my favor,” Cassian finally replied. “We should go back inside, you seem a little cold.”
Adrian shivered immediately he mentioned it, then proceeded to go in with Cassian.
Rose was still there at the table typing away at her phone.
Rowan immediately looked up when the two of them sat down. “What were you two up to?”
Cassian smirked as he poured Adrian a drink. “Nothing much, just practicing for our kissing scene.”