When Candace and Thea went into the house, Cody happened to walk downstairs, his hair damped after he had taken a shower earlier.
Candace spared an odd look to her brother and laughed, “You came home earlier to take a shower? We’ve been looking for you.”
Cody cleared his throat and looked away. Thea’s face went extremely red.
Candace, however, was completely unaware of the awkwardness in the air, “Have you found who did it, though? We need to find the person who did that to Thea as soon as possible. Or those bastards would harm her again.”
Cody sighed as he used a towel to rub his hair, “It won’t be that fast. We, at last, need two days to figure out the whole thing.”
“Does Thea need to continue recording the show during this time, then?” Candace asked. She didn’t want her best friend to get attacked again.
Cody locked his gaze shortly. Thea instantly realized that she shouldn’t be so spoiled if she still wanted to be successful. So she instantly said, “Of course, I’ll continue recording the show. I’ll be really careful during this time.”
“I’m glad you figured it out, Thea,” Cody said calmly, “There are certain rules in this business. You will encounter more difficult things in the future. Getting yourself prepared at any minute is the only way to succeed.”
Thea nodded, “Of course.”
Cody nodded back, “Get some good sleep tonight. I’ll take care of the rest. I trust you, Thea.”
“Okay,” Thea blushed again. She felt her mouth a bit dry as she noticed a trickle of water slide from his neck into his loose robe.
After dinner, Thea went to her bedroom to sleep. Cody told her to stop thinking about everything and focus on her competition, but it was just too difficult.
Thea couldn’t stop thinking about everything. She used to be quite carefree.
But after what happened yesterday, she suddenly realized that she didn’t want to bring Cody any trouble anymore.
Thea didn’t get much sleep. When the morning came, Thea ran downstairs immediately. Candace was enjoying her cup of coffee, startled as she heard Thea ask, “Where’s Cody? I need to talk to him.”
“His office probably… Why do you want to talk to him?” Candace asked curiously.
“Why don’t you come with me, Candace?” Thea invited, “So you will know what I want to tell him.”
Candace put her cup on the table and nodded, “Of course.”
The girls went to Cody’s office in the house.
Cody was wearing a pair of gold-wire glasses as he did his morning work. He looked a bit surprised as the girls walked in, “What’s wrong?”
Thea sucked in a deep breath, “Cody… I actually have something to tell you.”
Cody’s eyebrow jumped a bit.
Was she gonna make a love confession before Candace? He never dated his employee because if they broke up, money would be an issue. Cody would never take money lightly.
Would it be really awkward if he turned her down right now?
“Actually… The boss of HC, Derek Dawson…. is my ex-boyfriend,” Thea couldn’t stop clenching her teeth whenever she mentioned that bastard’s name.
“WHAT? Derek Dawson?” Candace’s jaw was on the floor.
Cody’s face fell as he took his glasses off, “Why are you telling me this?”
Thea sighed, “That man came to find me a couple of months ago. He said he wouldn’t allow me to get popular in showbiz unless I went back to his company. I didn’t agree. The cyber-bullying last time must also be his work. Cody, I have a really powerful enemy, and I’ll probably bring you a lot of trouble in the future. Are you sure you still want to sign me?”
“Powerful?” Cody huffed coldly, “You’re calling Derek Dawson powerful? He ain’t shit.” And then, he suddenly stopped for a beat, “Do you still love him?”
Thea didn’t hesitate as she shook her head, “I don’t feel anything for that bastard anymore. We’re completely cut off.”
“Really?” Cody sounded suspicious. “Really!” Thea nodded heavily, “I hate him so much.”
Candace was curious, “Why did you guys break up in the first place, though? I mean, if he still wants you back.”
Thea looked a bit hesitant. It was her privacy, after all. But Candace had been treating her so nicely. Thea trusted the twins.
So she sighed and told them everything.
“WHAT?! THAT BASTARD TOLD YOU TO DO WHAT?!” Candace was furious after hearing what Thea said, “He was gonna throw you into a man’s bed for a deal?! WAS HE OUT OF HIS FUCKING MIND?!” Candace was so annoyed that the veins on her temples popped out when she yelled, “You did great, Thea! Staying away from that piece of human garbage is the correct thing you’ve ever done!”
Thea smiled sadly, “Yep. But that piece of human garbage is too powerful right now. He’s threatened to take away all my resources since the first day I joined the show. That’s why I’m not sure if it will be wise for you guys to sign me in.”
Cody finally understood why this silly girl had been so fierce. She didn’t want to cause any trouble to his company, but she also wanted to be his artist. That was why she’d been battling herself. It was pretty cute, to be honest.
If other people were in the same situation, Cody would immediately cut the deal. But this was Thea, so he nodded, a shadow of a smile on his lips, “Of course, we will still sign you. Stop thinking or worrying about those things. Go back and finish your competition. When the competition results are out, we will get the contract done. You have my promise, Thea. Derek Dawson is nothing. He won’t threaten you. You’re under my protection.”
Thea’s eyes lit up the moment she heard Cody’s answer. “Thank you, Cody!” Thea almost jumps for joy, “I will work so hard, and I will earn so much money for you.” She looked so happy that Cody wanted to pull her in and kiss her.
NOPE. No dating with employees. The boss tried to contain himself, his fingers curling around the armrest tightly.
“That’s a very reasonable promise to make. Now, go back to the building and win the competition, Thea Todd,” Cody said seriously, “I have high hopes for you.”
He was still a bit disappointed that it was not a love confession. But he was also happy that Thea did this to prevent his company from getting harmed.
It at least proved that she was honest, and she probably cared about him more than he thought.
****
Tiffany pulled Thea away from a corner when she entered the dorm, “Thea, are you okay now? How are you feeling?”
Thea nodded, “I’m good.”
Tiffany didn’t care how Thea was. She only wanted to know the truth, “Who’s that guy? You know… that good-looking man who saved you on-site yesterday? Is he working in the building?”
Thea had thought about the strategy to solve the possible suspicions that would pressure her to reveal the truth about the twins. She was an actress, after all.
“I… I..” Thea pretended this was a hurtful issue that couldn’t be touched. Her tears fell off as she stuttered.
As Thea expected, Tiffany suddenly panicked, “OH MY GOSH! Thea… I’m so sorry … I didn’t mean to…”
Luna and Anna happened to drop by their dorm for a chat. They were surprised to see Thea break into tears when they came in.
“I… I didn’t do anything. I don’t know why she suddenly started to cry.” Tiffany went nervous as she met Luna’s inquiring eyes.