Love in the Limelight

Chapter 15
Astrid had dolled herself up a bit for an audition that day, but her outfit was nothing inappropriate. She didn’t expect these folks to
be so prejudiced against her.
Looking at the weirdos around her, Astrid felt disgusted and shouted, “Watch your mouths! So it’s a crime now to look good? If
your men are ogling me, that’s on you, not me!” “How dare you talk like that! Have you no manners?” The woman who had
accused Astrid of being a temptress was fuming and charged at her.
A fireman quickly Intervened, “Ma’am, please calm down.”
She shot back, “Are you all so smitten by her beauty that you’re taking her side?!”
The fireman was taken aback by her Irrationality and looked helpless.
When Elio walked into the old neighborhood with Roman in his arms, this was the scene he walked into. A crowd was pointing
and gossiping about her, and she stood there all alone.
His stoic eyes darkened slightly, and he turned to Carson, “Find out what happened with the fire and handle it.”
Carson nodded, “Sure, boss”
Roman started to squirm in Elio’s arms. When Elio set him down, he sprinted towards Astrid and clung to her leg.
Astrid, who was fuming, froze when she saw Roman looking up at her with worry in his eyes.
I
Tm fine,” she reassured him, her voice soft, “Roman, did you need something?”
Roman nodded and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards Elio. Astrid looked at the man not far off, her eyes darkening slightly.
Maybe Elio’s presence was just too overwhelming. Every time she saw him, she felt uneasy But there was no denying, the man
was drop–dead gorgeous, with a charisma that could drive any woman crazy.
P
Elio saw the young woman walking towards him and opened the car door, “Ms. Irvine, get in.”

Astrid hesitated, “Where to?”
Roman answered, “Home!”
Elio’s home?
That’s not appropriate. I have ID. I can stay at a hotel,” Astrid quickly declined, her whole being resisting the Idea Elio frowned at
her rejection, leaned in, and calmly asked, “Are you afraid of me?”
They were too close. Astrid instinctively wanted to back away.
But Elio’s bodyguard was behind her! She had nowhere to go!
Afraid of him? She just wasn’t used to being so close with a guy.
But this man held most of the resources in the entertainment Industry, and crossing him wouldn’t do her any good.
So, she said, “Mr. Lampard, you may have misunderstood me. It’s not that I’m afraid of you, it’s just that I’m not exactly the
trustworthy type. I’m concerned that if I stayed at your place, I might do something that could damage your reputation.”
Having said that, she thought to herself, “Now that was smart! That should do it, right?”