Chapter 1029
“So, you snapped photos of us and now you’re planning to leak them to the press- is this your way of letting us know in advance?” Julius looked at Linnea, clearly exasperated. He was starting to wonder if this acclaimed actress didn’t have a few screws loose. On screen, she was razor-sharp and brilliant; in real life, though, she seemed more than a little clueless, almost cartoonishly so.
“Of course!” Linnea said brightly, glancing from Julius to Calliope. “Unless you’re willing to explain what’s going on between you two. Because once I know, I’ll decide whether or not I should break the story p>
She fixed Julius with a determined stare.
Julius let out a sigh. “Whatever’s between us, it isn’t romantic-and frankly, it’s none of your concern. Why are you so fascinated with other people’s relationships anyway p>
“I—” Linnea sputtered, brow crumpling as she struggled and failed to form a comeback. She held her breath so long her cheeks flushed pink.
“If there’s something on your mind, just say it,” Calliope offered, her tone gentle and her smile warm. “You’re misunderstanding Julius and I are not what you think. Don’t get the wrong idea. And if you like him, that’s not a problem p>
Linnea stared at her, suspicious. “What’s with that smile? Are you encouraging me? You actually think it’s okay if I like him p>
“Absolutely. Honestly, I think you two would be a great match.” Calliope winked.
“Callie!” Julius groaned, rubbing his temples.
“Oh, so you call her ‘Callie’ so sweetly and you’re telling me there’s nothing going on?” Linnea shot back indignantly. “Don’t kid me! There’s clearly something between you two p>
“Whether or not there is, it’s still none of your business!” Julius retorted.
Linnea scowled, momentarily speechless.
Sylvia, who’d been watching quietly from the sidelines, finally interjected, “Linnea, let’s head back. This is a private matter-it’s not our place to butt in p>
“No. I need to get this straight, right here and now.” Linnea stood here ground staring fiercely at Julius: “Maybe it doesn’t concern me, but I say this: I’m interested in you. I like you, Jurus p>
need to
With that declaration, she turned to Calliope. “And since you just said we’d make a good couple, you’re not planning to compete with me for him, right? You’re not going to try to steal him away from me p>
Calliope nodded in amusement. “Nope, I’m not competing for him. In fact, I fully support you going after him p>
“Calliope!” Julius protested, throwing up his hands. “Haven’t I told you a hundred times? I’m not interested in her p>
“Nothing wrong with just being friends, is there?” Calliope smiled serenely, her calm unfazed. “Every friendship’s worth having p>
Linnea shot Calliope a speculative
look, then glanced at Julius. She
narrowed her eyes, trying to piece it together. “So… Julius likes you, but you don’t like him back? If that’s true, why are you having dinner together? Or are you just saying this because you’re afraid I’ll expose your relationship? Are you secretly together p>
Sylvia let out a weary sigh.
Calliope arched a brow, a sly grin
tugging at her lips. “You’re seriously
overthinking this. I’m already
married. And as for him”-she
glanced at Julius-“he’s my brother. We grew up together he’s basically family to me p>