With a thunderous bang, he shut the door and turned to face her. She was sprawled on a massive king-sized bed, staring at him down from across the room. Her eyes were ablaze with terror and rage. When he saw her spread out on the bed, his heart raced. Without saying anything, her eyes told him everything he needed to know. The terrified, apprehensive girl trembled as she imagined what was to come, yet her arrogance remained engraved on her face.

In a raspy voice, she snarled, "Stay away from me." It was dripping in venom. How could someone be so dangerous while also being so vulnerable? Her pearly  flawless skin drew his gaze. Her noble Grecian nose was held high even as she lay like a victim, her silken tresses, the dreamy almond eyes that gazed at him.

As she struggled to move, her neck arched. Instead, it highlighted the seductive small mole on her olive-toned skin. Her muscular legs wrenched away from him.

It was almost as if she were the predator and he were the prey. He walked towards her and was near the bed in a single stride, towering over her petite body and longing after her.
He leant down over her, almost as if in a daze. As he dropped over her, his hands imprisoned her on both sides.

"Don't you dare touch me," a shrill, enraged voice echoed throughout the audience.

He cursed her, "Damn you, Jenna."

"Cut it! That was fantastic ! " yelled the director.

 Mike sprang up from his position kneeling over a scared Merilyn. His malicious grin was replaced with a calm countenance. Marilyn, who had been afraid up until this point, relaxed and rested her elbows on the pillow. With a bored expression on her face, she gazed around at the people racing around the set. Mike walked off stage, putting on his shirt and approached the waiting girl.

"Wow! Mike, you were excellent; you looked so convincing that I couldn't believe it was you." Sydney gushed.

He flashed a cocky grin. "Thank you; this is my first time playing the antagonist. It's rather thrilling, I must say."

Marilyn, who was shaking her head and speaking haughtily to the assistant director, caught Sydney's attention. It was difficult to imagine her as a young, helpless girl who had been screaming for her life only moments before. Mike, on the other hand, played the terrible person who was going to ravish her despite her protests. The difference between what happens on stage and what happens in real life was astounding.

"So, what are you doing here?" Mike inquired as he walked towards his makeup room, Sydney trailing after him.

She grinned as she said, "I came here to ask you out on a date."

Mike abruptly came to a halt in his stride, almost colliding with Sydney.

"WHAT!" he exclaimed, his face hidden under a mask.

Sydney burst out laughing "I don't mean an actual date. I haven't seen you in a while, and I figured you were still mad at me, so I thought we might meet up for dinner and catch up. Of course, as friends, you can tell how much I've missed you." She mumbled.

His face broke into a grin "I am not angry with you; I will always back you as long as you are happy. It's only that I was concerned about your safety."

"I know you're my best friend here, so we could celebrate my new job!" Sydney chuckled.

Mike returned the smile.

"Right! So, how's everything going so far?"

Syndey had been working at Reiner towers for a week. She hadn't seen Aiden since that first encounter. She had seen him come in and out of his cabin, but he had not bothered her so far. As Sydney buried herself in work, it was a wonderful relief.

"It's been fantastic! I'll tell you everything. This amazing workstation was handed to me by the Reiner group......" Sydney spun around to see Marilyn standing right in front of her.

"Oh! Marilyn, you were fantastic today." Sydney greeted her with a smile. She was a fantastic performer, despite her nose being stuck in the air.

"Thanks, did I hear you mention the Reiner group?" Marilyn asked through her heavy glazed eyes.

Sydney said, "Yes, I've joined Reiner Group's advertising department as a digital artist."

Marilyn cocked her head, "Is that true? So, how are things going over there for you?"
She didn't show any signs of being bothered by it. Her expression was calm; after all, she was an actress.

Mike wrapped his arm around Sydney. "Sydney is a fantastic digital artist, and Mr. Reiner was so delighted that he offered her this position directly."

Sydney stiffened and stared at him, surprised; he gave her a sidelong glance and a huge toothy grin and said, "Isn't it sweetheart?"

"Yes....correct; he convinced me to join the Reiner group and has been quite encouraging, despite my lack of experience." Sydney joined in with Mike's game.

Marilyn gazed at them with narrowed eyes, a perplexed expression on her face for a split second before returning to normal.

"Aiden is extremely generous. Well, it was a pleasure speaking with you. Best wishes." Marilyn sashayed away with a sparkling smile.

Sydney moved her gaze to Mike and inquired, "What was it again? Why has she become so pleasant all of a sudden?"

He smiled with a sly grin.

"I'm sure she'll be paying a visit to Aiden Reiner soon to keep an eye on him." Mike laughed.

Sydney was bewildered and asked, "I don't understand."

"Aiden and Marilyn have been rumoured to be a couple in the press and on the society pages for years, and she has been attempting to get her claws on him. I simply gave her something to be concerned about in order to keep him away from you. I could smell her enraged resentment."

"Oh," Sydney exclaimed. It was only natural that Marilyn would be one of his conquests. Sydney, on the other hand, felt an unexpected sense of jealousy.

'Why should I give a damn?' She pondered.

"Do you want to go?"

Mike said, interrupting her thought.

"Yes, absolutely! Let's get started." As they exited the theatre, Sydney replied. They both failed to notice the enraged, jealous pair of eyes following them.

***********

Sydney -

"You did what ?" As Mike related his antics, Leah burst out laughing.

"I wish I could have seen the expression on that bitch's face."

"Perhaps you might pay a visit to my office and witness her outburst for yourself." I responded with a laugh.

"Perhaps," Leah remarked as she took a sip of her beer.

It was one of the most memorable nights of my life; we ate a delicious steak supper, danced, and drank until Leah passed out and we had to drag her home.

"Thanks for tucking Leah in," I said to Mike as he assisted me in putting Leah to bed.

"It's fine; I'm just thankful she didn't puke all over me." Mike shrugged his shoulders.

"So, Mike, how about a cup of coffee?" Once we were in the living room, I asked Mike.

He said to me, "Sure, I'd love it."

"How are things between you and him?" Mike inquired while I was occupied in the small kitchen. I returned, holding our cups, and took a seat next to him. I had a feeling he was referring to Aiden.

"He hasn't troubled me at work, so it's been great. Do you think I made a mistake by taking up this job ?" I inquired.

"What makes you feel that way?" he asked.

"It's just that Aiden is unpredictable, and I'm not sure what his next move will be."

Mike wrapped his arm over my arm and stroked it.

"Don't worry, everything will be OK."

I'm not sure what happened to me; I think I drank too much and said something dumb.

"Do you like me, Mike?" I stared at him with scepticism.

He was visibly taken aback and uneasy. "Of course, Sydney, I like you."

"Do you think I'm attractive? In the sense of...you know...romantically?" I put a little more emphasis on the word 'like.'

Mike just glanced at me and didn't say anything.

"Kiss me, Mike," I asked.

"Wh...what?" He was so taken aback that he took his hand away from my shoulder.
Rather than wait for Mike to say something else, I moved in close and kissed his lips. His lips were still, unresponsive. I took a step back, stunned at my audacity.

"Mike, I am sorry. I'm not sure what's gotten into me.. That was a mistake."

I needed to get out of here as soon as possible!
My cheeks were flushed with humiliation.

"Forget about it; it never happened." I rose up and tried to dash into my room.

Mike grabbed my hand and forced me to come to a halt.

"Sydney, hold on! That's not what I was implying! It's not at all what you think..." He seemed hurried, as if he couldn't find the perfect words. He cupped his mouth while waving his hands.

"Mike, it's all right. I see your point. You like me as a friend...just a friend, I know. Please accept my apologies if I had hoped for more." I simply messed up everything.

"No, Sydney, that isn't the case..... I'm not trying to make you feel bad... Ahh!..." He stood up and looked down at my feet, his hands on his hips.

"Sydney, I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss for words. Things are a little complicated. All I can say is that I am sorry, but you will understand why.....why I am unable to return your feelings at some point. You, on the other hand, will always be a close friend of mine. You are the first girl I can really call my platonic girlfriend."

I locked my gaze on him, and several questions arose in my head, but I refrained. I didn't want to lose Mike because things were already messed up. I moved in close and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder while I sobbed my heart out. He encircled me with his hand and we stood there for a long time.