"Cass~"
Kristen's voice came through the line, sounding even more exhausted than before and laced with a hint of apology.
"You saw the news?"
"It would be hard to miss."
Cassius walked to the window, watching the figures lurking downstairs that looked suspiciously like paparazzi.
"Sorry," Kristen apologized again. "I lost my head. It was the most direct way my team and I could think of to fight back against those malicious rumors about my sexual orientation. Denying the relationship would only make us look guiltier."
"I understand," Cassius said calmly.
Crisis PR tactics like this weren't uncommon in Hollywood; he just never expected to be one of the main characters in one.
Kristen paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully.
"Cass, I know this is asking a lot, but since things have come to this, I hope you can play along for a while. Act as my official boyfriend."
"It won't be for too long! Once this blows over, we'll find a suitable reason to break up amicably."
Cassius didn't answer immediately.
Listening to the silence on the other end, he could sense Kristen's nervousness.
This was a last resort for her, too.
Kristen continued, her speech speeding up slightly.
"We will compensate you as much as possible during this time! You can move in here. The security in Beverly Hills is better, and you can avoid most of the paparazzi."
"My team will also help connect you with some resources. While I can't guarantee specific roles, I can at least get you in front of casting directors and producers you couldn't reach before. If you need it, I can pay you a sum of—"
"No need for money," Cassius interrupted her.
He had no interest in being a paid boyfriend; that would change the nature of things entirely.
Besides, taking the money would feel wrong. It would be like selling himself.
Compared to money, he valued connections and resources far more!
Move to Beverly Hills?
Sounded pretty good!
He could access higher-level resources.
Most importantly, he could legitimately visit Kristen on set!
What level were Kristen's productions?
All big-budget blockbusters!
The actors and directors she worked with were basically A-listers!
Could the quality of the attribute orbs dropped there even be compared to student films at USC or low-budget indie flicks?
This was basically the perfect opportunity for him to unlock a high-level attribute dungeon!
"I agree," Cassius said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But I have a few conditions."
"Name them," Kristen responded immediately.
"I can move in, but I need my own private space."
"And when I have time, I might visit you on set. I hope that won't be a problem."
Kristen seemed to pause on the other end.
She probably hadn't expected Cassius to make a request like visiting the set, which sounded a bit clingy, but for a couple, it was perfectly reasonable.
"No problem! Just let my assistant know ahead of time when you're coming."
"OK!" Cassius was decisive. "It's a deal then. When do I move in?"
"The sooner the better," Kristen sighed in relief. "I'll have my assistant contact you to arrange a car and give you the address. Do you need help packing?"
"No need. I don't have much stuff."
Cassius looked around his shabby apartment. All he really had to take were some clothes and toiletries.
Hanging up the phone, Cassius stood there, the corners of his mouth tilting up slightly.
No guilt whatsoever!
Why should he feel guilty about something he earned?
If anything, he wished he could get more!
Cassius had been poor for too long!
Lee Su-yeon, who had been eavesdropping in the living room with her ears pricked up, couldn't help but lean in.
"Oppa? How did it go? What did she say?"
Cassius turned around. "Pack up. I'm moving."
"Moving? Where to?"
"Beverly Hills."
Cassius's tone was flat, as if he were saying he was going to the supermarket downstairs.
Lee Su-yeon gasped, her eyes widening into circles again.
"Mo? Beverly Hills! You're going to live with Kristen!"
Cassius facepalmed.
He almost forgot that the person in front of him was still a Kristen fangirl.
"You keep living here. I'll still pay the rent."
Cassius hadn't forgotten their camaraderie. since he was breaking the lease first, it was only right for him to cover his share.
He walked into his room and started packing efficiently.
Lee Su-yeon stood at his door, watching him stuff his few decent clothes into a suitcase, and couldn't help asking, "Oppa, you're moving in with a top Hollywood actress. Aren't you excited at all?"
Cassius zipped up the suitcase, looked up at her, his eyes clear.
"Why would I be excited about going to work?"
He patted the suitcase, a hint of anticipation in his voice that was hard to detect.
"Do you know how much I can learn on a set at her level?"
Lee Su-yeon looked at Cassius and suddenly felt that her roommate's thought process was more bizarre than a Hollywood script.
Other people would be thinking about the romance and the scandal, but he was thinking about stealing skills from her film set?
"Oppa~" Lee Su-yeon sighed sincerely. "You really are made for big things!"
Cassius smiled but didn't say anything.
He picked up his suitcase and took one last look around the small room that had housed his initial dreams and struggles.
Kristen's residence in Beverly Hills wasn't the ostentatious mega-mansion one might imagine. Instead, it was a single-story villa with excellent privacy, surrounded by tall greenery and walls.
The interior was decorated in a simple industrial style, dominated by shades of gray and white, making it feel a bit cold.
Kristen's assistant, Emma, received Cassius.
She spoke quickly and clearly, introducing Cassius to the basic layout and rules of the house.
"Miss Stewart's master bedroom is in the east wing, and your guest room is in the west wing. The two suites are independent, with their own bathrooms and entrances."
Emma pointed to a hidden door connecting the two corridors that looked like it blended seamlessly into the wall.
"This door is usually locked. Miss Stewart keeps the key."
"Considering the paparazzi are staked out, you'll need to enter the master bedroom area with Miss Stewart first, then return to your guest room through this door later."
"We want to avoid rumors about separate bedrooms as much as possible."
"Understood!"
Cassius nodded; he had no objections to this.
He was more concerned about something else.
"Does Miss Stewart have a shooting schedule coming up? I mean, when can I visit the set?"
Emma seemed a bit surprised by his professional dedication but didn't show it.
"Miss Stewart starts on set next Monday. It's pre-production rehearsals and stunt training for Snow White and the Huntsman at Universal Studios in Burbank. If you're interested, we can arrange a visit for next Wednesday afternoon."
"No problem. Wednesday afternoon it is!"
Cassius confirmed immediately, already looking forward to it.
Universal Studios lot!
That wasn't a place small productions could get into.
After the assistant left, Cassius settled into his guest room.
The room was large, with a small balcony overlooking the courtyard and fully equipped facilities—a hundred times better than his crappy apartment in Koreatown.
But he didn't spend much time admiring it. He quickly unpacked his few belongings.
In the evening, Kristen returned.
She still looked a bit tired. Seeing Cassius, she simply nodded as a greeting.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.