Iris froze, looking worriedly at Theo, not knowing whether it would be a crazy fan or a journalist outside the door. Theo lightly patted Iris' shoulder, softly comforting, "It's my assistant bringing the food. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
He then asked her to stand in a position where she couldn't be seen from the door. Theo then opened the door to get the food and closed the door quickly without saying a word.
"..." Aden, Theo's assistant, was so confused that he rolled his eyes. Why was Theo so nervous? That wasn't his style; he became famous in his teens after all. 'Then it must be related to the woman hiding in the room with him,' thought Aden.
Theo arranged the food and wine on the table, looked at Iris who was standing there, and said with a smile, "Come and have a snack. Don't worry, my treat."
Iris frowned, feeling that it was too casual. They didn't even know each other!
Theo jokingly said, "I heard your stomach growling."
Iris's face instantly flushed with embarrassment.
"And I'm just trying to lighten the mood." Theo shrugged. "You've had a bad day, after all. You need someone to relieve that sadness."
"I'm not sad," Iris retorted. "I'm just too tired."
"Not sad? Then why is your makeup a mess, and why were you wandering helplessly in the snow?" Theo's tone became serious.
Iris didn't deny his observation. She felt that the man did not have ill intentions. Sometimes, his tone and actions even revealed a sense of compassion— perhaps it was her misconception. But she was truly in pain. The pressure and torment were overwhelming. If she didn't vent, she would go crazy.
"And we definitely can't go out tonight. Keeping silent all night would be torture," Theo added, seemingly understanding that she needed to vent immediately.
"Okay," Iris walked up to him and stressed, "We're just drinking to vent and release my emotions. Nothing will happen between us."
Theo chuckled, "I'm not going to think otherwise unless you change your mind."
He casually picked up a bottle of wine and asked, "How strong do you want it?"
"Give me the strongest," Iris replied without hesitation.
Theo grinned. "It seems like you really want to get drunk." Aden was indeed a good assistant. The wine he brought ranged from high to low alcohol content.
Theo skillfully opened a bottle with the highest alcohol content and handed it to Iris.
"Let's get drunk together tonight and forget about the unhappy things."
Iris took the wine and hesitated for a moment. She knew that getting drunk with a stranger was not a good choice, especially since she has a low alcohol tolerance. But the man's gaze made her feel at ease. She believed she was safe and that things would be fine when tomorrow comes.
Iris took the bottle and took a big gulp of the alcohol. The pungent sensation spread through her throat, and it took her a few seconds to recover. Feeling the lingering taste of the alcohol, she took another sip.
' This is really good wine,' Iris thought as she relaxed on the couch, starting to enjoy the pleasant effects of the alcohol.
Observing Iris becoming more at ease, Theo also picked up the bottle and took a few sips, imitating Iris as he slouched on the couch.
"Don't stop now. This little amount of alcohol isn't enough for us to share our inner struggles," Theo said, leaning towards Iris.
Although Iris hadn't consumed much, the alcohol was starting to take effect. Her fair complexion turned slightly flushed, and her gaze started to linger on Theo.
His tall and well-built frame, with a few buttons of his shirt undone, revealed his sturdy chest— it sparked her imagination.
'Oh my, I can't believe I wasted so many years on Lucas when men like this exist in this world,' Iris lamented softly.
Theo noticed her gaze and his gaze became heated as well. Caught off guard, Iris felt a sense of embarrassment. Hastily, she lifted the bottle and took another big gulp, causing a slight cough. Her beautiful face now had a more obvious rosy blush, making her even more captivating.
Sitting beside Iris, Theo gently patted her back, looking at her beautiful face. He spoke slowly, "Take it easy on the drinking. We have plenty of time tonight. You can indulge in as many drinks as you need to get drunk."
As Iris regained her composure, she leaned back on the couch, and Theo sat next to her. Her eyes started to show drunkenness. It seemed like nothing had changed. She was still terrible at handling alcohol.
Iris looked at the man, who was still leisurely drinking, silently. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Who are you, really?"
"Don't you already know? I'm Theo," the man casually replied.
"You know that's not what I'm asking." Iris rolled her eyes. "I mean, why are the journalists swarming around, preventing us from leaving the room?"
"I can leave anytime." Theo leaned back on the couch, holding the bottle, and stared at Iris with a mysterious look. He added, "But if I leave, they'll immediately know that there's someone else in the room, and they'll go crazy trying to dig up information about that person – which is you – and you'll end up making the headlines."
Theo paused for a moment, gazing directly at Iris, his eyes filled with a sly smile. "You'll become known as my anonymous lover or girlfriend."
Iris was in shock. She didn't want to end up in the headlines for such a ridiculous reason. But if this man was a celebrity, it meant he had to be mindful of his words and not spread gossip about others. Iris felt a sense of relief.
'His public persona doesn't allow him to speak recklessly. So, tonight's conversation can be trusted,' she thought.
She didn't really care who this man was. Iris was just curious about what the night might bring. After all, their paths would split after tonight and it was unlike she would ever see him again. To top it all off, she wasn't interested about anything in the entertainment circle.
It was entirely possible that this man, with his fit physique and handsome face, could have a place in the entertainment industry. Besides, if he wasn't a star, would he attract such attention?
"Alright," Iris said, "Thank you for stopping me from rushing out. Even though all of this is your doing."
Theo found it funny. This woman was truly domineering— she was the one who wanted to get in his car in the first place. However, he didn't argue and changed the subject.
"Is it a man who broke your heart? Why did you have a fight?"
Iris was surprised. How did he know that she had a fight with her lover? But then again, it made sense. Any normal person would think that way. Going out at late night in the heavy snow wasn't the result of anything other than a heated argument.
But she wasn't impulsive.
"To be precise, it wasn't a fight." Iris stared into the eyes of this unfamiliar man. Those eyes were comforting and trustworthy.
'Alright, I can confide in him,' she thought.
She lifted the bottle and took another sip, took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and spoke slowly, "I caught him in bed with my best friend."