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Chapter 23
The second episode of Sweet Love ended on a high note.
Backstage, Oscar couldn’t stop grinning as he checked the viewer ratings that had skyrocketed past the first episode’s numbers. But he knew he had to address Keaton’s irritating behavior. He turned to Bobby and said, “Give Keaton a warning! I’m heading to the live studio to brief the contestants about moving into the Sweet Love apartment.”
This week was set to be packed with intense training sessions, where the contestants would have to live and eat together. They’d be streaming live from morning to night.
Over sixty gorgeous women were in front of the camera, and viewers could watch their daily lives. They might even catch them without makeup and get to know their true personalities. The idea alone was enough to get people pumped.
Plus, Oscar had secured a bunch of brand deals, which meant cash. The prospect of the potential earnings spurred him to hurry along.
When he walked into the live studio, he saw the contestants huddled together. Vivian was explaining how they would transition into the Sweet Love apartment. “You can plan your move for tomorrow or the day after. Pack your bags and get ready to settle in. If there are no other questions, let’s all take a couple of days to unwind and meet up again next Monday.”
After Vivian wrapped up, she turned and spotted Oscar.
Oscar’s smile widened, and he joked, “Vivian, you’d better hurry, Mr. Luther is waiting for you downstairs, and he’s getting restless.”
Vivian caught sight of Natalie and playfully added, “He’s usually swamped with work, but he always makes time for me. He treats me like a little kid, like I might get lost or something.”
“Mr. Luther really dotes on you; he can’t bear to be apart even for a minute.”
Vivian shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, we’re inseparable. I can’t escape him, and he can’t escape
me.”
“Alright, enough chitchat. You really need to get moving, or I might just get too sweet from all this,” Oscar replied with a smirk.
Vivian laughed and nodded a few times before quickly walking over to Darren. The two linked arms and strolled out of the live studio together.
Oscar shifted his focus and decided to head backstage to talk to Keaton.
“Hey, Oscar,” a voice called out. He turned to see Natalie smiling warmly at him. “What’s up, Ms. Xavier? Do you something?”
need
***
The vibe in the office changed a bit as Oscar stepped aside, noticing the row of bodyguards behind Natalie. His palms felt sweaty. He cautiously asked, “Is there something on your mind, Ms. Xavier?”
“Can I skip moving into the Sweet Love apartment?” Natalie asked, crossing her legs. “I just don’t think I can adjust to it.”
Oscar hesitated, “Uh… that’s part of our rules. It’s supposed to help you bond with the team better.” He was really banking on her popularity and had even started considering how to incorporate some high–end luxury ads while streaming her daily life. But now she didn’t want to live in the apartment; he wouldn’t let that happen.
“I can talk to the team just fine during training. I don’t need to stay here,” she replied.
Oscar went silent, suddenly struck with a thought. “Ms. Xavier, are you concerned about the apartment? You don’t have to
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Chapter 23
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His pride swelled as he mentioned it. He had invested heavily in renovating the Sweet Love apartment, making it lavish and dreamy—just perfect for the cameras.
Excited, he pulled out his tablet to show Natalie pictures of the apartment, brimming with enthusiasm. “We hired one of the top ten interior design firms in Greton for this. It’s super cozy, and look at this style! It’s so cute and youthful. If you have any requests, we’ll do our best to make them happen. Just let me know.”
Natalie casually raised her hand, making him fall silent, feeling an odd urge to yield to her charm.
“My request…” Natalie began, “Jack you go ahead and explain.”
A man stepped forward and bowed respectfully as he handed Oscar a thick stack of papers–about the size of a small dictionary. “Here’s the full list of furnishings, from sofas to TVs, even down to toothpaste and towels. Ms. Xavier only approves certain brands.”
He continued, “Ms. Xavier needs to wake up by six every morning, and the alarm can’t ring for more than 40 minutes.
“The optimal distance from the bed is 20 centimeters, and the floor needs to have a medium–firm carpet from Green Mountain Furniture.
“Her face wash water has to be between 98.24 and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
“All her meals are prepared by a chef who’s been honing his skills for a decade. He adjusts the menu based on her mood. “The key detail: right before bed, Ms. Xavier takes a bath with handmade essential oil. The ingredients must come from South Amelian, specifically between the 36th and 38th parallels, and they have to be picked at the first light of dawn.
“And the most crucial rule: Ms. Xavier goes to bed at nine sharp every night, so everyone must turn off the lights and keep quiet.”
After listening, Natalie glanced at Oscar and asked, “That’s about it for my requirements. Can you handle it, Oscar?”
These requests were meticulous and quite fussy. He had never encountered someone so particular. Oscar forced a smile and replied, “Ms. Xavier, you can skip the apartment, but can you at least cooperate with the live streams?”
Natalie didn’t want to stay in the apartment because she was breastfeeding; her baby needed her. Seeing how easygoing Oscar was, she added, “I’m fine with the streams.”
Outside the studio, Vivian
