Alter Ego: His Sultry Lover

Chapter 236: No Blood No Foul

“We hope you like the room. The magazine editor pulled some strings to get this on a short notice, really. We wanted the best for you, considering how you have put up with us postponing the interview for months, now.” Giselle sounded extremely apologetic. Cage shook it off and pointed towards the couch.

“Do you want me there?” he asked the photographer. The man shook his head with a small smile. 

“I’ll take candid photographs for now, so maybe explore the suite a little before we settle down. We have also booked some time in the rooftop and poolside area for some photos.” 

Sure,” Cage agreed readily. He shrugged off the jacket he was wearing and placed it on the armrest of the couch. He went around to explore, loosening up. He felt pulled towards the piano, so he went towards it momentarily, caressing the keys with a smile on his face and languidly pressing on random keys until he was satisfied. It was a beautiful suite, but there was only so much he could ‘explore.’ On top of that, he didn’t have a lot of time to expend on this interview, primarily because he was tired and he really wanted to talk to Katherine before going off to sleep. 

But the suite was great. If Katherine ended up visiting him, whenever that was, he would definitely bok a couple of days in this suite. She would have so much fun with the vast balcony and outdoor furniture. The decoration seemed right up her alley. 

Soon enough, he sat down on the couch, getting comfortable. The couch was tricky. Photographs of people on the couch rarely came out well unless the actor and photographer were cautious. Cage might not have in a mood to pose, but for the sake of the long awaiting interview and the pressing need to let the world know that he was taken, he would look handsome and smile along. 

You don’t mind if I record this, right?” Giselle asked confidently. She hadn’t brought a notepad and pen with her as per usual protocol, so it was given that she would be recording the conversation. Cage had allowed a personal interview without Stephen being in the room, so he needed to protect himself, as well. He puled out his cellphone and loaded the recorder with a smirk on his face. 

“Of course, I don’t have a problem with that… if you don’t have a problem with me doing the same.” He would pass on the recording to Stephen so that he could predict the article and back up any comments with facts. 

Giselle chuckled with a shake of her head. “I’m surprised that you came prepared. Of course, that was the only reason why I am interviewing you without a chaperone.” She switched on the recorder at the same time as Cage. He tilted his head to the side and gave her a casual shrug. 

“I like to keep proof of everything I say. You know how dangerous misconstrued words can be.”

Giselle nodded, almost in understanding, her eyes twinkling at the prospect of getting some dirt on a felow journalist. “Sad to hear your words have to twisted. Would you mind elaborating on who and what they said?” she asked politely. It was a long shot, but she had to take the chance. She wouldn’t know the answer unless she asked. A little coaxing could go a long way. 

Cage wanted to roll his eyes. Giselle had a close to impeccable reputation but she, too, liked to get the juicy details. Cage would be stupid if he trashed another media outlet in front of their competitor. “No blood no foul.”

Giselle paused and gave him a cautious look. “Before we start the interview, is there anything you would like to order? Some food or drinks?” she trailed off into the question. “We’ll foot the bill, of course,” she added immediately. 

“I’m good. I have to watch what I eat, you know. I’ve been receiving special food from the hotel chefs for the past month and a half.” He smiled a bit dejectedly. After watching Katherine’s videos he would feel even worse about the food. Sure, these executive chefs at hotels knew how to make healthy food delicious, but he wanted to taste what she was tasting on a daily basis. 

“I understand,” Giselle said with a small laugh. “I saw that you are wearing a graphic t-shirt with an illustrated cat on it.” She pointed to his shirt. Her eyes were a little wide when she read the caption under the illustration. “And it says ‘Cat Cage’. Where did you get this made? Who designed it?” She gave it a look and admired the artistry. 

“Secret. My t-shirt dealer will not be revealed to the world.” He snickered. He had received it a couple of weeks into filming. The package arrived on set during the morning and he didn’t open it until later. He received Katherine’s call before he opened it, actually. She asked him how he liked it and he had no clue. Well, when he opened the box, he had to guffaw. 

Cat Cage. Katherine often called him a cat because he sometimes purred when he was cuddling. He didn’t mind. He was a clingy cat when it came to his Kitty. What a cheesy pair they made. The cherry on the top was that she had pranced around in this shirt and sent it to him smelling like her. She had a shirt of his and he could then say the same. 

“I’m jealous. I like graphic t-shirts, too,” she mentioned. “But what does it signify?” she asked casually.

“I’ve been told that I act like a cat at times.” Obviously, he wouldn’t be saying when. “Sorry to all my fans who prefer dogs over cats. I have come to realize that I prefer kitties over puppies.” He gave a smirk at that.

‘Great wordplay there, Cage.’

“Is that an innuendo?” Giselle burst out into laughter. Cage’s face was overcome with horror. 

“No!” he protested loudly. “Clearly, I didn’t think that answer true.” He waved his finger at her in warning. She raised her hand above her head in surrender. He sighed and went back to relaxing.