The first time with the lights on—she really couldn't handle it.
"All right." Jason was agreeable. He reached out a long arm and switched off the overhead light, leaving only the warm amber glow of the bedside lamp.
Kristen let out a quiet breath. This lighting was okay. Hair, okay. Body, okay. Clothes, okay. Judging by his reaction, the perfume was okay too.
What came next was—
Jason lay down beside her, pulled the covers over them both, and said in a low, restrained rasp, "Sleep."
*…Huh?*
Kristen: "…"
Wait—you can actually *sleep* right now?
Whether Jason could sleep or not, Kristen didn't know. But she'd taken her medicine, and even though being held wasn't entirely comfortable, once she closed her eyes, she drifted off without realizing it.
Hearing the even rhythm of her breathing, Jason's half-closed eyes slowly opened. By the amber lamplight, he gazed at her face and let out a small, helpless smile.
She slept without a care in the world.
He sat up. His palm moved downward, and his breathing grew gradually heavier.
***
The next day, Kristen woke to find Jason gone. Aunt He told her he'd left for the office at the crack of dawn.
Well—CEOs. A million things to handle.
That afternoon, Martin delivered the full script and contract. Kristen read through it carefully, confirmed everything was in order, and signed.
Martin tucked the contract away and gave her a friendly warning. "Rest for a couple more days, and as soon as you're feeling better, get to set for training. I heard the other actors are locked in and have already started physical conditioning. If you delay too long, Director Hong might have… opinions."
"I know what I'm doing," Kristen assured him. Truthfully, her body had mostly recovered—but joining the production's training still required telling Jason in person.
After all, he'd just helped her settle a very nasty score.
"Good thing you're okay. Otherwise, Grace would've snatched the role." Martin snorted. "I heard that during the two days you were missing, Grace was at Director Hong's office constantly making her presence known."
At the mention of Grace, Kristen's stomach turned. Her voice cooled. "Don't worry. She won't be hopping around much longer."
"Good to hear." Reassured by her confidence, Martin changed the subject. "I had someone clean up your apartment. If you need anything, just tell me and I'll have it delivered. Don't go running around by yourself."
"Got it." After what had happened, she wasn't about to let her guard down again.
***
Kristen planned to tell Jason about the training when he came home that evening—but by the time she fell asleep, he still hadn't returned.
For three days straight, Jason didn't come back to the villa.
Kristen didn't know what he was up to, and she didn't feel like prying into his schedule. She sent him a message on WeChat saying her body had recovered, she needed to join the production for training, but she'd still come back to rest at night.
The next morning, Leon walked in with several people in tow.
"Miss Liang, these are the bodyguards Mr. Jin had me select for you. Let me know if any of them work—otherwise, I'll make new arrangements." Leon's tone was respectful as he introduced them one by one. "This one is a veteran like Old He. These two trained in martial arts…"
Aside from the first veteran, who was a bit older, the other four were young men in their early twenties, with looks that were… not particularly appealing.
Kristen knew Old He was Jason's personal driver and bodyguard. If Old He kept following her around and they ran into Finn or the others, he'd be recognized immediately.
After what had happened last time, even if Jason hadn't arranged new security, she'd planned to hire someone herself.
This saved her money—and trouble.
"Let's go with him, then."
( End of Chapter )
Hi ✨ for access to additional chapters of
VIPERS VOWS AND VENGEENCE { 30 CHAPTER }
WHY IT NEVER END'S { 30 CHAPTER }
IN NEXT LIFE WE'LL SWITCH { 30 CHAPTER }
Join patreon.com/Imtheone14