Chapter 1138: I Want to See You Tonight, Anytime Is Fine
Theodore, clutching a cola and a bucket of popcorn, sat amongst his colleagues in the cinema. This was his first time attending a movie; he’d never before felt inclined to accompany a girl on a date. His past romantic interests were primarily women he met in bars; drinking and singing had been youthful passions. Now, he found himself engaging in activities typically associated with youth.
But tonight was different. He eagerly anticipated seeing Little Bunny's movie. His heart pounded; he was unnerved by the intensity of his feelings. When had he become so infatuated? The thought felt almost cliché.
The movie began, silencing the crowded theater. Word-of-mouth had been excellent, and the audience was engaged. Theodore, despite having no preconceived notions of the plot, watched with rapt attention. He’d come purely out of curiosity, yet found himself increasingly captivated by the story. Currently in the honeymoon phase of his relationship with Little Bunny, the romantic themes resonated, but watching her portray intimacy with another man—even without physical contact, limited to hugs and hand-holding—made him uncomfortable. The deep gazes between the leads were particularly unsettling. He tried to remind himself it was just acting.
Little Bunny's performance was exceptional; otherwise, so many wouldn't have wept openly. After the film, many female colleagues had red, tear-stained eyes, excitedly discussing the plot as they exited.
"Little Bunny's acting was amazing! When she looked at Addison, I burst into tears. The emotion was so intense, it still hurts my heart. How can she act so well?" one colleague exclaimed.
Walking ahead, Theodore listened to their praise. He'd previously held a cynical view of acting, considering actors, essentially, high-priced escorts, readily available for a fee. Yet, a strange sense of pride welled up at their acclaim for Little Bunny.
"Right? I didn't expect much. I've seen her TV series; better than the average, but nothing groundbreaking. A niche love story… how could it do so well? She really carried that movie!" another colleague chimed in.
Their animated conversation remained oblivious to Theodore and Little Bunny's relationship, known only to Oscar and his assistant.
"Addison was brilliant, too. He conveyed such deep love for Little Bunny. You could feel it in his eyes," another female colleague added.
"Did you read the reviews?" a colleague asked. "I did right after the movie. That love story blew me away! Everyone's saying Little Bunny and Addison must be a couple; they couldn't have acted that convincingly. I remember an interview where Addison said Little Bunny was his ideal type."
"Really?" one woman gasped, excitedly.
"I knew you guys would be interested," another said, producing her phone to show them the interview.
Meanwhile, Theodore distanced himself, his assistant, Samson, trailing close behind. Samson overheard the conversation but remained silent, aware of the political institution's general disinterest in entertainment news.
Samson had monitored Little Bunny's activities since her relationship with Theodore began, noticing her frequent appearances with Addison. The nature of their closeness remained unclear; genuine affection or a cleverly orchestrated publicity stunt?
Theodore entered his car without waiting for Samson, abruptly dismissing him before driving off alone.
"Captain, take care," Samson called.
"Let them go home early," Theodore instructed. "No negative press. Image is everything."
"Yes, sir."
Theodore instructed the driver to depart. A grim expression settled on his face.
Addison's name was ubiquitous in any discussion involving Little Bunny. He was always among the first to like and comment on her social media posts, both professional and personal, making their relationship undeniably apparent to followers. Theodore himself liked and commented on Little Bunny's posts, but she never acknowledged him, always responding to Addison instead.
Theodore took a deep breath, attempting to dismiss his anxieties. In the entertainment industry, generating buzz was crucial for maintaining relevance; coupling was the most effective method for achieving constant media attention.
He finally reached for his phone, texting Little Bunny: "I want to see you tonight, anytime is fine."
He waited, receiving no immediate reply. He knew she might not have her phone, but if she saw the message, she would respond, he was sure of it. She rarely refused him.
He wondered if it was lust, or if she anticipated their meeting as eagerly as he did.
Setting down his phone, he told the driver, "No overtime tonight. Go straight home." He wanted to be there, waiting for Little Bunny's return.