Come to Me
Chapter 25's

I've been determined that getting back to the real world doesn't suck.

We've come back from our romantic Golden Cove escape for a week, and have returned to our comfortable work routines, texting each other all day, follow the gym or yoga together and choose to be in his place or my place at night.

Tonight, we spent the night at my place and we had dinner with Anna.

"That's not how you cook pasta!"

Anna looked beautiful, as usual, she widened her eyes to my boyfriend and I grinned.

"How do you make it?" Jis was frustrated with her and I sat in the back with a glass of wine enjoying the show.

"You should add salt to the water before boiling. Everybody knows that."

"You know, you're the only one doing it. I want to be with my girlfriend." He left Anna to finish dinner and came to the table to kiss me.

"Did he fuck you?" ask me and caress his face.

"No, he just can't cook and won't listen to advice."

"I can hear you, you know." Anna glared at us and we laughed.

I love spending the night with both of them. The two of them are the world to me and I'm glad they're good friends.

"So, Jis, when's your new movie coming out?" Anna stirring pasta.

"This Friday," he responded and took a sip of wine.

"What?" myrag. I don't know!

Why didn't he tell me about this?.

"Um, my film will be released Friday."

I looked at him, dumbfounded. Anna looked back and forth at us and then muttered, "Oops."

"Why didn't you tell me?" hurt feelings.

"That didn't happen to me." He frowned and shrugged his shoulders.

"You're going to release a big movie for millions of people to watch, and you're not thinking of telling your boyfriend?" I turned around and faced him, still sitting in my chair.

Whahuh?

"I'm just doing a production I'm not starring in it or anything."

"I don't care, Jis. It's a big thing. Are you coming to the premiere?

"No, of course not." He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair.

"Why? You should go. You're part of that movie."

"No." He shook his head hard. "I don't do that anymore."

"Anyway, you should have told me. You never told me about your job, and you know all about mine."

This is something that always bothers me, and I'm grateful that Anna talks about it.

"What does a producer do?" Anna asked as she dried the paste and started making lasagna layers in the glass container.

"Depends on producer. There are various tasks. Some are on site as long as the production is done and work there. Some work behind the scenes, securing money from the studio or wooing actors and directors. There is a lot to do and there are usually several producers doing different jobs.

"Okay, so what are you doing, especially?" I asked, suddenly interested.

"I'm working behind the scenes, pre-production activities so I can work from here. Sometimes I have to go to Rainbow or The Furnace for a short meeting, but I've been doing it a lot lately. Most of them can be done by phone or email. So I coordinate with the actor or director, and sometimes I do conferences over the phone to secure project funding." He told me a story accompanied by moving his hands, so engrossed and enthusiastic, and I could see that he liked what he was doing. I smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'm proud of you."

"Why?"

"Because you're doing what you love and are great at it."

"How did you know?"

"I won't be with a shitty person." I responded with a sigh and she laughed.

"So, how much money did you secure for the movie that came out this Friday? And who's starring in it?"

Anna put the lasagna into the oven and leaned against the kitchen table listening attentively.

"The title is Rough shot starring Channing. It's an action movie, there are a lot of stunt (replacement cast) and explosions, so the budget is high. About a hundred million."

Anna and I looked around and went back to Jis.

"Sorry, did you say a hundred million dollars?" my voice shrieks. That's disturbing. Almost as annoying as it was when my girlfriend was in charge of doubling a hundred million dollars.

"Yeah." She smiled shyly. Action-adventure movies are always high-budget because a lot of cinematography is involved, CGI, and a lot of things that I don't really understand but I know that it's expensive."

I swallowed spit. Waw.

"So, it's a big box office movie then."

"Yeah, we're hoping to bring in a hundred and fifty million this week."

He shrugged his shoulders again, but I saw pride in his eyes.

"Now, I'm going to ask you something more personal, and you can say to take care of my own problems, but I'm curious because money is what I need to live for."

Anna's eyes were full of curiosity and I knew exactly what she was going to ask.

"Ok, please." Jis grinned. He knows too.

"Well, I know how much actors get paid for big budget movies. But what about the producer?"

"When everything is settled, after royalties and so on, from this movie I will probably receive around fifteen."

I close my eyes to her and bite my lips, unsure of the words that came out of her mouth.

Jis didn't look at us. He looked down at the wine.

Anna finally spoke. "Please tell me that you have a good lawyer who is an expert in the entertainment business and an accountant who is also an expert in the entertainment world with a good reputation. Because if you don't have one, I know some of them." He's really serious.

Jis nodded her head. "Yeah, everything's been handled well for years."

"Good." Anna responds.

I don't know what to say. I know he's rich, but I didn't expect it.

Finally, Jis looked at me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I whispered.

"You look a little pale." I shook my head to look away and looked towards Anna.

"Put" he said, "You are no stranger to money."

"No, I don't."

"Your parents left a legacy of twenty million dollars."

Jis blanching.

"I know."

"So, what's the problem?" he asked softly.

I scrunched my forehead. "Well, I think because there's too much to understand." I looked towards Jis and finally, I felt the need to touch her, clasping her hand. "I'm sorry, honey. About the money it's not a problem for me, you know that. I guess I was just surprised to hear my girlfriend deal with actors and movies for hundreds of millions of dollars and befriend Steven. It's an easy thing to forget because we're a long way from that life."

"Put, I'm out for a reason."

"I know."

"Don't scare me" he whispered.

I'm not scaring you." I smiled, found my balance.

"Um, can I ask you again?"

Anna raises her hand like we were in class and we laugh.

"Okay."

"May I ask for Channing's phone number?"

Our laughter exploded, and I was relieved that the tension had been lowered.

"He's married, Ann."

"Dam." He frowned. "All the good ones have been taken."

"Jis," I jumped down from the bench and stood between his thighs, stroking his arm. "I'd like to see your movie this week."

"You want to see it?" he looks really shocked.

"Yes, this is your work. I want to support you. Come to the opening night."

"I told you, I didn't go to the premiere. I'm not going to Rainbow for that." He nodded his head.

"No, what I mean here. Let's go to the opening night here at White Water."

Anna jumped up in excitement. "I want to go too! I'm sure I can get someone on a date."

"We go out for the night, we'll go on a double date, watch a movie, maybe have dinner. Let's celebrate!"

Jis smiled, a wide smile 'melted-pants-in me' and for the first time, she looked really proud and happy with her work. "You really want to do it?"

"Of course."

"Then I think we'll go. But not in the cinema. I don't want our night to break because I'm recognized and have to stand for three hours to sign."

"We'll watch it at midnight on the edge of town after dinner. You can wear a coat with a hat and sunglasses." I grinned at him and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You're the smart one that sucks."

"But you love me." I smiled sweetly.

"Oh my God, find a room there." Anna pulls the lasagna from the oven.

.

.

.

"What if I don't like it?"

"That means you're gonna lie, show your beautiful teeth and say you like it. That's what lovers do, whatever their girlfriends do."

He walked by dragging his feet into my closet looking for something to wear to watch the movie tonight.

"Who are you taking tonight?" I asked while pulling the black dress from my head and wearing my black Manolo Blahniks.

"Don't lecture me."

"Uh, okay."

"I'm taking my boss."

"Damn! I thought you didn't see him anymore." What the hell's going on?

"We didn't really meet."

"Do you sleep together?"

"No, definitely not. He's not as bad as I thought. When that shameful incident passed, well, he was a good man. So I thought why not take her." She bit her lip and put on a pair of my silver earrings.

"I hope you know what you're doing Ann."

"I'm not sure what I'm doing, but just one night. Please, just calm down, okay?"

"I am the sign of tranquility. I'm offended you said the opposite. Anyway I'm here for the night tomb too."

He smiled at me as the doorbell rang.

"One of our men arrives," I look up at the door preparing to leave. "I'll open the door."

I walked down the stairs and opened the door and found a large red rose on my face.

"Well, hello."

Jis' head emerged from behind the flowers and smiled at me.

"Hi, beautiful, this is for you."

"Thank you, my love." I buried my nose in the rose and inhaled it as he walked in and closed the door behind him. He looks amazing wearing a low-pointed blue shirt that matches his eye color and khaki-colored trousers.

"You look handsome" I muttered and kissed her lips gently.

"You're charming." He ran his fingertips down my face and I blushed.

"Come, I'll give this flower some water and then I'll watch my beloved's movie tonight."

Jis laughs. "Oh yeah? That's cool."

"I know, he's very famous, but I can't tell you who he is because we're the ones who keep privacy." I nodded my head like a wise man to her, my eyes widened.

"Are you sure I can't make you say it?"

She wrapped her arms around the middle of my body as I arranged the flowers in the vase.

"No way, my mouth is locked."

"Damn, I was hoping to take you out tonight."

He slid his face down my neck and I breathed.

"Well, I might be able to go with you later, after my other date."

Luke tickled my teeth and I screamed.

"Just boy. You are mine, baby. Get used to it."

I got into her arms and put my hands in her hair, smiling at her.

"You're the only one I want, my love."

Her eyes softened and gave me her kiss that made me flower. "So is I, baby."

"Oh my God, do you two never stop?"

Anna rolled her eyes as she arrived at the room and Jis smiled in satisfaction and kissed my cheek.

"No."

"Joking, Jonathan just sent a message, he'll be here in a few..."

Then the doorbell rang.

"He'll be here by now. I'll open the door."

He smiled and walked to the front door.

"Who is that guy?" Jis asked.

"The man who became the boss." I responded and Jis' eyebrows fused together.

"really?"

"Yeah, this might be interesting."

"Let's go in, and meet them." Anna walks into the kitchen first in front of a very attractive man wearing dark jeans and a long-sleeved, low-button black shirt.

He was tall like Jis with wide shoulders, thin lips, long hair tied up in a short ponytail model at the nape of his neck, his eyes were gray and his chin was a nice box. Yeah, he's as handsome as Anna told me before. He also had friendly eyes, and could not take his eyes off Anna's face when we were introduced to him.

He was fascinated by her.

"Jo, this is my roommate, Puput, and her boyfriend, Jis Khalifa."

Jo shook our hands and smiled at Jis.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm not a fan of the movie you starred in last year, but I love the movie you're producing right now. I've been waiting for Rough Shot to come out this month." He smiled at the two of us and retreated to embrace Anna.

"May you like it." Jis looks relaxed and breathes a sigh of relief in the heart.

"Can we go? I'm starving."

"Come on." Jis took my hand and we got into his Mercedes SUV, I sat in front with Jis and Anna with Jonathan in the back.

"Where do you want to eat?" Jis asked us.

I turned to answer and saw Jo kissing Anna's hand. What is just a friend.

I'll interrogate him later.

"How about that little restaurant you took out last week?" I gave a suggestion.

"It's quiet and they've got a nice margarita."

Anna and Jo agreed.

"The restaurant is." Jis raised my hand and kissed my knuckles and I smiled shyly at her.

The restaurant is not too crowded for Friday night. The owners knew Jis, so they guided us to a private corner near the back so we wouldn't be bothered.

After the chips and salsa were delivered, and we ordered food, we sat down and took a sip of the margarita and tried to get to know Jonathan.

"So, Jo, what's your job?" ask Jis.

"I work at the same investment firm as Julianna" she responded and smiled at Anna.

My eyebrows went up to my hairline and met Anna's eyes.

Julianna's? No one called him that.

Anna narrowed her eyes at me, telepathically telling me to shut up.

"How long have you been working?"

Jis asked, unaware of our silent conversation.

"About eight years."

We talked lightly about the good part of our meal. Jo is polite, considerate, and clearly fully impressed with Anna.

And they were completely impressed with each other.

Jis put her hand on my thigh and squeezed it and I hooked my finger into it.

"You ever sail?" Jo broke the silence.

"Have done it a few times, but haven't done it in a long time. You you?"

"Actually yes, I have a catamaran (a boat with two hulls) on the White Water City pier. Would you two like to join us during the day to get around the Sound?"

Jis saw me asking for approval and I nodded and smiled, seeing Anna nod slowly.

"That sounds fun."

The bill notes came but I took it before anyone else.

"You won't pay for this." Jis took her purse but I kept the note away from her.

"Yes I'll do it. We're celebrating your movie premiere, so I'm paying."

"No, give me that note."

"Mine." I held it in my chest while taking the card out of my wallet.

"Yes my. Put's..."

I pulled her face into my face and kissed her slowly and long.

When I pulled myself out we were both out of breath. "Let me pay. I'm proud of you, bitch."

"I can't argue with you if you do that." He was nagging and looking irritated, but I saw a funny gleam in his beautiful black eyes and I smiled complacently I gave my note and card to the waiter.

Jo observes our behavior with curiosity and ends up with a wide grin.

"Dude, you're so bad." He said to Jis.

"You never know" Jis complained.