Chapter 16 - 16: A Cozy OfferChapter 16: A Cozy Offer

    "You mean... you want me to stay... here? But, there''s only one bed?" Jennifer''s eyes widened as she glanced at the trailer''s single large bed.

    Martin met her gaze with an innocent, "who-me?" look and replied, "What, did you think you''d do something to me?"

    "No, of course not!"

    "Or maybe," Martin continued, his eyes widening in mock horror, "you''re worried I''d do something to you?"

    "Um... no, not that either. I just meant—"

    Jennifer hesitated, suddenly forgetting what she was so flustered about. Wait, what was I even worried about? She shook her head, a bit thrown off. Curse it, I''ve let this kid get me all mixed up!

    Gathering her composure, she added, "It''s just... we''re alone, and there''s only one bed. It''s not exactly proper. You''re still underage, and the last thing I want is anyone thinking I''m some... cradle-snatcher! Imagine someone spotting me sneaking out of your trailer in the morning. I''d never live it down!"

    Martin''s eyes went wide. "Jennifer, who ever said I''d have you sleep in my bed?"

    Jennifer blinked, realizing her mistake. "Didn''t you...?"

    After replaying their conversation in her mind, she felt her cheeks burn. Martin had never actually suggested they share the bed.

    "Oh, I... uh... well, what did you mean, then?"

    Her face was flushed a bright red, like a ripe apple.

    "I meant that our crew has rented out some of the park''s cabins. I can talk to the director and see if she can arrange for you to bunk with the makeup artist for the night." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Really? Is that possible?"

    "Shouldn''t be a problem at all."

    ...

    Later that night, Jennifer lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

    She finally admitted to herself that Martin had pulled one over on her—again. That little rascal had led her on, maneuvering the conversation just so. Where on earth does he learn these lines?

    She scowled at the memory, but then softened as her thoughts wandered. But he is kind of handsome for his age... definitely going to grow into a looker. Smart, too—brilliant, even, to have written that story...

    Her mood lightened as she thought about him. If only he were older, I wouldn''t mind a romance with someone like him...

    Martin was tall for his age, and clearly strong, with those striking blue eyes...

    What if I had stayed in his trailer... what would have happened?

    The more she thought about it, the warmer she felt. She sneaked a look at the makeup artist asleep beside her and then turned over, giving herself a little massage to calm down. Nothing else, of course!

    ...

    The next morning, the film crew was up early, busy preparing to leave the scenic area.

    "Hey, Jennifer, did you sleep well?" Martin asked with a knowing smile.

    "Oh, yes... very well. Good... goodbye, Martin. I have to go now!" Jennifer stammered, practically fleeing the scene.

    Martin watched her go with a suspicious look. Odd?

    Just last night, he''d sensed waves of... well, desire, coming from her. What exactly did she do? He chuckled, reflecting on how humans were practically a perfect supply source for a succubus, their desires endless and diverse.

    ...

    With the camp scenes wrapped, it was time to move on to the farm scenes.

    The crew rented a small farm on the outskirts of Los Angeles for the shoot. At only about sixty acres, it had cherry trees, cornfields, walnut trees, and a small vegetable patch.

    This farm actually belonged to Martin''s family, a property his father, Grant, had bought five years ago as a vacation retreat.

    Nancy had chosen to use the family farm for practical reasons and, as she''d put it, "to keep the benefits in the family."

    For Martin, being back on the farm felt like coming home. Between takes, he even had the farmhands grill some beef, lamb, potatoes, and corn for the crew.

    Naturally, the crew paid for the meal, and the farmworkers made a tidy little sum in tips.

    "Martin," Nancy teased, giving his nose a playful flick, "you know, I think you''re better suited to being a businessman like your dad rather than an actor. You''re both equally money-minded!"

    Martin grinned. "It''s a win-win, Aunt Nancy. The farm makes some money, and the crew gets good food. Who could complain?"

    "Fine, fine. You''ve got a point," she conceded with a smile.

    ...

    "Jennifer, could you send these pages to Random House for me?" Martin asked, handing over a thick stack of manuscript pages.

    He had finally finished Ready Player One, complete with multiple copies for safekeeping.

    Jennifer wrinkled her nose, playfully eyeing him with mock disdain. "Martin, I''m your tutor, not your secretary."

    "You could be both!" he replied with a grin.

    With a little huff, Jennifer accepted the manuscript. "I''ll do it. Consider it my early payment for getting to read the whole story."

    After a pause, she looked at him with a trace of concern. "Martin, do you really think Random House will accept it? Will they publish it? Actually, it''s too good not to! I mean, unless those editors are blind... But maybe you should send it to a few publishers, just to be safe?"

    Unaware that Martin had already published Kung Fu Panda through Random House, Jennifer was far more anxious than he was about the manuscript''s fate.

    Martin, instead of answering directly, asked, "Jennifer, have you read Kung Fu Panda?"

    "Kung Fu Panda? No, I haven''t! Why?"

    "Oh, just curious. It''s a good book. Now, go send off the manuscript, my lovely secretary."

    Watching Jennifer''s little figure as she walked away, Martin stroked his chin thoughtfully. It seems Random House hasn''t pushed Kung Fu Panda enough. Sales are probably low. I''ll have to wait for the pre-movie promo push. Let''s hope the ''11-year-old prodigy author and actor'' angle draws attention.

    ...

    When Benjamin at Random House received Martin''s latest manuscript, he was thrilled.

    "Look, Sheena! Our young author has sent us something new!"

    "That kid''s really full of inspiration and energy!" Sheena remarked, shaking her head with an amused smile.

    "Just finished Kung Fu Panda, and now he''s completed another book. Let me see... Ready Player One."

    "Alright, Sheena, no interruptions—I need to dive into this new work from our ''genius young author.''"

    Sheena only rolled her eyes but stayed silent, amused.

    Martin had underestimated his debut book''s success. While Kung Fu Panda hadn''t received a major promotional push from Random House, its mix of childlike charm and Eastern themes had led to steady sales of about three hundred copies daily, with the numbers gradually increasing.

    At this pace, the initial print run of two hundred thousand copies would likely sell out within two years.

    For a newcomer, this was impressive.

    This growing enthusiasm for Martin''s work only heightened Benjamin''s anticipation for Martin''s follow-up manuscript.

    [??———?———?———?]

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