What Separates Me and You

Chapter 21

What Separates Me and You

Chapter 21 Blocked

“What’s wrong, Lewis? Why do you look so out of it?” Sierra had been in the car for a while, but all Lewis did was sit there and smoke. He’d already gone through two

cigarettes, and yet, the car was still in the parking lot.

Giving his cigarette a final puff, Lewis chucked the butt out of the window. “Is your ankle any better?” He turned to look at Sierra.

She made a face. “I’m honored that you still remember that. Thanks for your concern, but I’m still alive and kicking,” she said sarcastically. She was still very much hung up on the incident as she had thought that she could make a big fuss out of it. How was she to know that it would be brushed aside just like that? And to make matters worse, she had yet to receive an apology from that mute!

“I’m not in the mood to sweet–talk you. What do you feel like having for dinner?” Lewis massaged his temple, a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

Sierra glanced at him in bewilderment after a brief pause. “Is anything the matter? Is it something to do with work?”

“There are some complications.” Lewis started the car and drove off.

Sierra was only a secretary in name and leeched off the payroll. Frankly speaking. she still wasn’t exactly sure what businesses the company ran, so she had no means. of helping or soothing him even if she wanted to. All she could do was to keep quiet.

Sierra whipped out her phone and started gaming as she usually did when she was. bored at work. The game was called “Descendants of the Dragon“. It was currently the trendiest game around, and she had made a lot of in–game purchases.

In fact, she had spent more than five hundred thousand dollars on it just last month, simply to ensure that she remained at the top of the leaderboard. Of course, it was Lewis‘ card that she used to make those purchases. He had given her a supplementary card which had no purchase limit. However, she would have to give him a heads–up for purchases exceeding a million dollars, which he would usually allow.

“Hey Lewis, they’re filming a festive promotional video for this game and are hosting talent castings. I’d like to go try it out.”

Lewis hummed lightly in response as he kept his hands on the steering wheel.

‘Could you contact them for me? They’d listen to you.” Sierra thought that since she enjoyed the game, it would be a great opportunity for her to be featured in the

promotional video.

Members of her guild always addressed her as “Goldy–lots“. Now, if she filmed ther promotional video for it, every player would know that not only was she rich, but she was a bombshell too. She couldn’t help snickering to herself when she imagined the looks of admiration and awe on their faces.

Lewis would never reject such a simple request from Sierra. After all, it seemed like her every wish was his command.

Most of the people in their social circle could not fathom why Lewis was so infatuated with Sierra. She wasn’t particularly smart, nor was she particularly eloquent. Furthermore, she had a foul temper, and was arrogant, lazy, and

materialistic… In short, she had her fair share of flaws. Her only plus point was her. looks, and that was pretty much it. However, she wasn’t the prettiest woman out there either, so it truly was a mystery. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Many people claimed that what Lewis and Sierra shared between them was true love, because he had set all external factors aside, and loved Sierra for who she was

-that his love for her was simple and unadulterated. However, only Sierra knew how fine a line she was treading. Lewis‘ love for her seemed genuine on the surface, but truthfully, every step she took was like walking on thin ice.

She dared not play any tricks with him–he saw through each and every one of them. Hence, she knew her place and her boundaries. Like a caged bird, she could do as she pleased and throw tantrums to her heart’s content, all as long as she stayed

within the boundaries he set for her.

Lewis was an extremely efficient person. After Sierra mentioned that she was interested in the filming of the promotional video, he gave his assistant a call and got him to arrange it for her.

However, they had already finalized their plans over at Playtime, so when they received the call from Lewis‘ assistant, they were thrown a curve ball.

“Wait, why is Lewis Alvarez meddling in this? This is such a small production.” Mr. Colson could not make head or tail of the situation.

Another female producer chuckled sardonically. “That girl, Sierra Woods–she’s at the top of the leaderboard of the international server. And she so happens to be President Alvarez’s precious girlfriend. Obviously, he’s doing this just to please her.”

A chubby man chimed in, “Well, I think that it might actually work out for us to feature Sierra in the promotional video. Since she’s already got a reputation for being at the top of the leaderboard, she might be able to draw more attention than.

Josephine.”

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any room for discussion, anyway. She’s spent millions in- game! Who would dare go against her?”

“Well, why don’t we use both of them? After all, we’ve got more than one character.”

“But Sierra demands the role of Mythinth, which just happens to be the character that we’ve arranged for Josephine. We’ve got a clash there.”

“Then we’ll have to get both of them here and see if Sierra is willing to compromise.”

The next day, Josephine received news from Avery that she was to go to Playtime to get the contract sorted out.

She hesitated. Lewis had warned her the day before that if she were to go, he might make things difficult for Avery. After giving it some thought, Josephine replied to Avery’s text.

“I’m not going, Avery.”

In under two minutes, Avery sent her a minute–long voice note. “Why not? Did Lewis say something to you? What right does he have to do that? You’re not taking his. money; so, what’s it got to do with him if you make your own money? Consider the baby, Josephine. Don’t you want a divorce? Well, think about it yourself and let me

know

your decision. If you’re still reluctant to leave him, I’ll turn Mr. Colson down right away.”

Josephine could tell from Avery’s tone that she was angry. Her heart skipped a beat. Now she’d done it. She’d got Avery mad at her too. She bit her lip, internally battling with herself. She did not want to lose Avery as a friend, but more than that, she was afraid that Lewis would trouble Avery.

She clutched her phone tightly, caught in a dilemma. Then, she replied to Avery.” He’s forbidden me from seeing you, Avery.” Josephine had a mind to explain herself, but Avery was even more infuriated when she saw her response.

Her voice note in reply was laced with fury. “Who is he to dictate who you’re meeting? On what grounds is he stopping you from seeing me? Do you think that I’m the least bit afraid of him? Josie, I’m telling you this straight out, I do not fear Lewis. Alvarez. If you are breaking off our friendship because of what he has to say, then I’m

done. That’s all.”

Josephine was flustered. She immediately sent a reply to Avery, but all she got was a jarring, red exclamation mark on her screen.

Her chest constricted. Avery had blocked her.

She sprang up from her seat and ran out of the manor, hailing a taxi on her way out

Josephine found the cafe empty when she got out of the taxi. She went straight up to the studio above and pushed open the door to find Avery in there.

Avery heard the sound of the door opening and turned around. She was stunned to see Josephine standing there in her pajamas, panting heavily.

She tossed her paintbrush aside and walked over to Josephine, a smile tugging at her lips. “Why are you here dressed like that?”

Josephine heaved, her face red as if she were about to burst into tears. Actually, she might already have cried on her way there.

“Don’t cut ties with me!” Josephine signed.