Dominate Showbiz: Media Tycoon Discovered My Talent-Chapter 76: Jealousy

When Kaija stopped right behind the front stage, Antony finally managed to pull himself together. The strangling sensation he’d felt around his throat earlier was finally leaving his body.

He could feel how damp his neck and hands had become with cold sweat, but wrapped between his fingers now was the familiar warmth he’d come to know so well.

Since when did he go from being terribly sensitive to the sight of her, to feeling addicted to having her touch on his skin? He could not tell.

"Instructor, you feeling alright now?" Kaija asked, watching the paleness gradually drain from his face.

She took a packet of tissues from her pocket, gently wiped the sweat from his neck, and pressed one into his hand. He’d become cold and clammy just like when she’d found him in the wardrobe. Now she was sure Max Kosonen had been the reason.

"I... I... I am very... sorry," Antony managed, clenching the tissue tight.

Blood started pumping back into his veins, his body slowly warming again, especially around his chest and cheeks. He’d troubled her again with the traumas still haunting all over his body, and right now, he was feeling utterly ashamed of himself.

"Don’t be," she replied. "Will you wait for me here? I’ll go find the Stage Manager and get ready for my performance."

"Yeah... of course," Antony replied quietly. His hands reached for her, pulling her flush against his chest, his voice soft and trembling against her ear. "Good luck, my superstar."

Her entire body melted in his arms. She could still feel the subtle tremor in him, and yet he’d still managed to say those words.

A content smile curved on her lips as she slid her arms around his back, leaning into his embrace and whispering softly, "Thank you, Instructor." Then she slipped off her long black coat, revealing the gorgeous light blue dress she’d been hiding since the afternoon.

Antony’s eyes widened. "Not the black dress?" he asked, though he looked more relieved than confused.

"Someone destroyed that one. Good thing I had this backup," she said, without elaborating further.

His brow tightened. "Destroyed?"

She had no time or desire to get into that now, so she simply smiled and gave his hand a final squeeze. "I’ll be back soon," she said before dashing toward the bald man wearing a headset near the stage.

The Stage Manager was scowling as he pointed at his staff, urging them to finish setting up the stage for Kaija’s upcoming performance. Seeing Kaija approaching, his face relaxed into an easy smile.

"Kaija Sepala, isn’t it?" he greeted. The girl looked just as stunning as in the photos from the contestants list.

"You were looking for me?" Kaija asked, returning it.

"Hmmm?" He scratched his head. "Why would I? Your manager guy said you were coming, no? What’s his name again... the green-haired one... oh, Esko!"

Kaija’s brow furrowed. "You didn’t send Karl Hanski to call for me?"

Before the Stage Manager could reply, a large hand clamped over his mouth, making Kaija jump.

"Of course he sent me to call for you," Karl grinned slyly at Kaija. Then he turned to the bald man, fingers pressing into his face, voice dropping to a threatening tone despite the bright smile. "You sent me to find her, right?"

The Stage Manager flinched at the menacing growl beneath Karl’s grin, nodding rapidly. Satisfied, Karl released the poor man and shooed him away.

With the Stage Manager gone, she pulled Karl into a concealed corner, away from any stray eyes and ears. "Hey, you saw the whole thing earlier, didn’t you?" she asked under a low voice. "There has to be something really, really wrong between Max Kosonen and Antony. You’ve known Antony for a long time, Karl. Do you know what happened to him earlier?"

Karl’s smile vanished instantly. How could she possibly be worried about Antony first instead of asking about him while he was the one saving the day earlier?!

And not just that, when Karl’d caught up to them, he’d nearly lunged at Antony after seeing them share such a tight embrace.

Turned out that bastard had been pretending that he hated physical contact with women all this time? So that he could lure her into dropping her guard down like that?

But the moment Kaija headed toward the Stage Manager, his heart had nearly dropped out of his chest, and he had to hurry after her instead.

"Tsk, how could I possibly know?" he snorted, removing his sunglasses so she could see how displeased he was. "That was the first time I’ve ever seen AK just dumbed out like a statue."

"Hm, so even you don’t know..." Kaija muttered, completely missing his frustration. Then another thought struck her. "What are you doing here, Karl? Aren’t you supposed to be outside?"

His scowl deepened along with his voice. "Why else would I be here? I’m here to see you."

"See me?" she blurted. "Oh... actually, I’ve been hoping to see you before my turn too, but I assumed you were busy with your judging duties."

Without warning she rose onto her toes, one hand shielding her mouth as she leaned in to whisper into his ear, careful not to let anyone else hear, "I wanted to thank you for giving me your song, Karl."

Goosebumps instantly spread across his skin, heat flaring in his ears. In one swift motion, he grabbed her waist and pressed her against the wall, trapping her in place.

"I don’t want your thanks," he growled under a ragged breath, restraint and frustration written all over his face. "I want a kiss."

"Are you out of your mind, Karl Hanski?" she hissed, keeping her voice low. "Here? Now? What if someone sees us? Antony is right outside, he’s going to—"

"Don’t mention him now!" Karl snapped, gripping her waist tighter. "You already gave him a hug, can’t I just get a kiss?" he pleaded, his voice suddenly soft and small, lips pouting as his baby face shifted into a sulking expression.

Dark lines slid down her face. Here he was again with that one trick that never failed to fill her chest with both guilt and the urge to bite those puffed-up cheeks.

"Fine," she muttered with a weary sigh. Then she grabbed the lapel of his jacket, pulled him down, and rose onto her toes until her lips pressed against his.

All the tension in his hands loosened. The kiss was soft and feather-light, her lips brushing gently over his for a few seconds before she lowered herself back onto her heels.

"Now I have to go get ready," she murmured, slipping out of his loosening grip. But before she could fully escape, he caught her waist again and pressed his lips to hers in a deeper, hungrier kiss.