The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 559: AFTER PARTY (II)

ASTRID thought it was another person who was trying to flirt with him. Heʼs not being narcissistic, but since earlier, there had been quite a number of people who had been hitting on him. So, he thought this person was also the same. He even thought that the other must be pretty gutsy, considering that he was not only trying to flirt with him, but also with Sienna.

But when he turned towards the direction of the voice, he was surprise to find that the other was actually the actor who won the best actor award tonight.

Caleb Pretorius.

He stood tall with a sturdy figure. His dark brown, curly hair cascaded long enough for a ponytail, yet a few strands playfully escaped, framing his face. The mischief danced in his green eyes, lending a perpetual air of trouble. His skin, akin to expensive ebony, added to his striking presence.

The man was indeed very handsome. Astrid just didnʼt expect that the other would be the type to go around flirting with other actors. Then he suddenly remembered that Caleb Pretorius had quite the reputation - that he was a bit of a playboy.

It was not as bad as that of Lance Reid. Since he was not going around targeting newcomers. But thereʼs always a paparazzi photo being released every month of him interacting closely with another man or a woman.

They were not scandalous photos, just him standing close with the other person or something similar. But because he never clarified anything, people just tend to imagine what they wanted. And sometimes, it would be the worst one could think of.

Astrid never really took those kinds of gossip seriously. For one, he hadnʼt really heard anything bad about the other. And second, heʼs also an artist under Polaris. Surely, the company wouldnʼt sign anyone problematic.

Just look at Lauren. That friend of his was also embroiled in a lot of scandals. But it turned out that it was just because the other was too friendly. He thought it might be the same with Caleb Pretorius. But thinking of that cheesy pickup line he just said, maybe that wasnʼt the case?

No, Astrid should still give him the benefit of the doubt. What if thatʼs just his way of speaking? He shouldnʼt be too judgemental.

He was about to greet the other, but Sienna did it first. And in a not so conventional way at that.ƒrēe

”Oh my, I never thought Caleb thought of me as captivating.”

Although Sienna was smiling, it was not the same sweet and gentle smile she usually had. Even her words had some thorns in it.

Caleb didnʼt let himself be defeated and retorted, ”My bad. Your back is facing me, so I didnʼt actually see your face. I thought you were Miria Lane.”

The other said that with a careless smile, obviously mocking Sienna.

Astrid looked back and forth between the two. Whatʼs with this atmosphere? Was there some bad blood between them? Since both of them were from Polaris, maybe itʼs just some kind of friendly bickering?

But he obviously spoke too soon because the conversation between the two just escalated further.

”Really? Should you go to the hospital then? I didnʼt think your eyesight is that bad,” Sienna said with a worried look on her face. ”But how could that be? Donʼt you have an S class physique? Maybe you lied and youʼre actually just Z level.”

A vein on Calebʼs forehead throbbed. ”Thereʼs no Z level physique. Are your sure you finished your primary education?”

Sienna laughed. ”Sorry, I just chose the very last letter in the alphabet. Since you look so... weak.”

Astrid, who was trapped between the two, didnʼt know how to react. Should he mediate? Was this even a serious fight that needed someone to step in? It seemed like bickering between close friends, and at the same time, it also seemed like it didnʼt.

Before he could decide on what to do, someone had pulled him from behind. He looked back and saw Lauren. The other shook his head while gesturing at the two, as if silently telling him to just ignore them. And then, he was pulled by Lauren away from the two who were still bickering and didnʼt even notice that he was gone.

”Is it okay to leave those two alone?” he asked, a bit worried. ”There are reporters around. Wonʼt they get into a controversy if some reporter took a video of them?”

”Itʼs fine. Thatʼs how they had been since their rookie days at Polaris. Even their fans knew thatʼs just their way of getting along,” Lauren said with a wave of his hand. ”Since theyʼre like that and their fans didnʼt really mind that theyʼre like that, those reporters wouldnʼt even bother to make an article about it. Itʼs not considered a controversy, after all.”

”...I see.”

Thatʼs the only reaction Astrid could give. That whole conversation between Sienna and Caleb made his impression of the latter go up and down like a roller coaster. But itʼs a good thing to know that thatʼs how the two usually get along. Thatʼs definitely better than finding out that Caleb was actually just a rude asshole.

”But if you asked me,” Lauren leaned into him and whispered as if he was about to impart some great secret. ”I think those two are secretly into each other.”

That statement amused Astrid. ”Why do you think so?”

”Because they only act like that towards each other. I even bet Caleb approached the two of you on purpose because he saw Sienna alone with you,” Lauren said with a shrug. ”And thereʼs that saying, ʼThe more you tease, the more you please.ʼ Doesnʼt that perfectly apply to them?”

Astrid looked back at Sienna and Caleb, who were still bickering. ”Hmm... you do have a point.”

”Right?”

He turned to Lauren. ”They kind of remind me of you and Reas when you first met.”

As soon as he said that, Laurenʼs whole face turned red. Then the other just blurted out, most likely without thinking;

”Weʼre not into each other!”