[Chapter 87: The Pole Warrior]
Beverly Hills, Courtyard by Marriott.
Inside a hired-out banquet hall, the crew from Midnight Entertainment partied hard.
Megan Taylor discreetly slipped away, carrying a plate as she entered an adjoining private room, pulling out a chair to sit down across from Hawke Osment.
Hawke grabbed a wine glass and poured her a bit of red wine, asking, "Leaving so soon?"
"I'm just too visible when I'm around them," Megan said, her gaze fixed on Hawke as she scrutinized him.
Hawke wore a casual, form-fitting white shirt that hugged his muscular frame, and the definition in his arms was particularly noticeable with each movement.
Megan felt her mouth water and quickly took a sip from her wine glass.
Noticing the strange glint in her eyes, Hawke deliberately asked, "What's up?"
Megan glanced at her watch; it was still too early to leave, and said, "Someone told me that Gretchen from Ace News has been in contact with you."
Hawke saw no need to deny it, "Just normal business; she wants hot news, and I can provide it."
He turned the question back on her, "What's your relationship with her?"
Megan laughed, "Direct competitors. If Gretchen ranks first among the anchors at Channel 11 during prime time, I'll have to settle for second."
The cunning Hawke immediately responded, "Since she's your competition, I'll refuse to cooperate with her."
Megan didn't believe him, but it didn't stop her from feeling pleased to hear it, and she asked, "What's the next story you plan to produce?"
Hawke replied seriously, "I always take a serious approach to news; I only film events that actually happen."
"Let me give you a tip," Megan remembered something and added, "Miller Collins' divorce from Maria Collins is going to have a female judge, and the mediator is also female."
Hawke grasped the essence right away, "Women helping women."
Megan's eyes brightened, "That's a very fresh perspective." She continued, "Unless something unexpected happens, most of Miller Collins' wealth will be taken by his ex-wife and daughter."
Hawke recalled that Maria Collins was on Edward's list and sighed, "The Savior must have saved the earth in a past life."
Megan, with her keen sense for news, inquired, "I wonder why you're targeting Miller Collins if your goal's already achieved."
Hawke clarified, "I'm only interested in women."
Megan blinked a few times, stating, "This time, I owe you one; you nailed the key person and helped me vent some frustration."
Hawke replied, "You still need to be careful; the Dwarfs' Gang definitely has some loose ends. If any of them goes crazy and wants revenge, it could be troublesome."
Megan wholeheartedly agreed, "You're absolutely right. Last time they vandalized a car, next time they could hurt someone..."
Hawke suggested, "You should hire a bodyguard."
Megan looked at him, "It's too late for that tonight."
She glanced at her watch again, deciding to take charge: "Aren't you always working out? Could you play bodyguard just this once and take me home?"
Hawke picked up his phone from the table, "I'll drive you."
After some brief back-and-forth, the two of them left the hotel together.
...
Hawke drove his Mondeo, taking Megan out of Beverly Hills, into Westwood, and turning onto Olympic Boulevard, soon arriving at a standalone villa.
Without waiting for Hawke to park, Megan pulled out a remote and opened the electronic gate, "Go ahead."
Hawke drove into the yard, followed Megan out of the car, and walked toward the front door.
Megan walked ahead.
Hawke trailed behind, enjoying a good view of her fit figure.
Megan opened the door and stepped inside first.
Just as Hawke turned to close the door, Megan tossed aside her handbag and lunged at him.
They kissed wildly, hands roaming everywhere.
After a moment, Hawke pushed her away.
Megan sat on the living room sofa, looking at Hawke in surprise, seemingly puzzled about why he pushed her away.
Hawke moved to the window, pulled the curtains shut, and glanced at the streetlight outside.
He closed all the curtains.
Megan commented, "You're quite cautious."
"I'm not afraid," Hawke replied, pulling another curtain closed. "I'm just worried you might become the headline for another show."
Once the curtains were all drawn, Megan, in her high heels, walked toward the bedroom, beckoning Hawke with her finger as she opened the door and leaned against the frame, asking, "Why were you specifically watching the poles?"
Hawke straightforwardly explained, "I have a nickname; it's the Pole Warrior."
Megan looked at a particular hard spot in awe, remarking, "That's quite an image."
Hawke quickly moved, dragging her into the room.
...
Brentwood, outside a restaurant.
To thank Edward for spending time with Indio, Deborah treated him to dinner.
This guy always had higher IQ when it came to wooing women, as if his mind was stuffed with cotton and grew new brain cells overnight.
By the end of the day, Edward had certainly won Deborah's favor.
Deborah let Indio get in the car first and turned to Edward, saying, "I really appreciate you today; we haven't had this much fun in a while."
Edward grinned ear-to-ear, "I'm really happy being with you guys."
Deborah felt she wanted to leave but was missing something, trying to find a topic, "I forgot to ask what you do for work."
Edward recalled the scope of the studio's business and replied earnestly, "Crisis PR consulting and business strategic planning."
Deborah, a former actress, understood this industry, saying, "That's a great job."
After a day of playing, Indio was tired and sleepy, leaning out the window, "Mom, can we go home and sleep?"
Deborah pointed at Edward, "Just a moment, I need to say goodbye to Edward."
Indio, leaning on the car window, innocently asked, "Can't we bring Edward home to sleep? We have so many rooms; I could play with him when I wake up tomorrow."
This made Deborah a bit embarrassed.
Edward took the initiative to excuse himself, "It's late; you should take Indio back."
Deborah nodded slightly.
Edward helpfully opened the driver's side door for her.
In no time, the red Bentley pulled away.
Edward got into his used minivan and headed back to East Hollywood, parking at the studio, and stepped inside.
It was getting late. He walked around the upstairs and downstairs but didn't see Hawke.
"That's weird, where's the boss? Did he discover some big news?" Edward mused as he pulled out his phone to call.
Suddenly, he remembered that Hawke had gone to Megan Taylor's party.
Edward was always bright in this regard. Tossing aside the thought of calling, he went upstairs to shower and sleep.
...
In the morning, feeling a lot lighter, Megan walked with newfound energy.
She felt like a clogged pipe had finally burst open, water gushing out, inexplicably refreshing.
So, after getting up in the morning to provide assistance, Megan specially made high-protein breakfast for Hawke, including eggs, milk and fried fish.
The two sat at the dining table together, enjoying breakfast.
After tasting the fried fish, Hawke complimented, "Not bad cooking."
Megan replied, "I usually make breakfast for myself." She looked out the window at the tall streetlight pole and asked, "Climbing those things really builds endurance in that area?"
Hawke casually remarked, "Actually, I haven't climbed them that many times."
Megan clicked her tongue in astonishment, "But you truly are the Pole Warrior."
Hawke proudly stated, "Thanks; that nickname fits well."
He then turned serious, "There's something I need to tell you."
Megan put down her utensils, worried that Hawke was about to confess, cutting him off, "Let me go first."
Hawke nodded, "You first."
Megan was very direct, "I'm busy with work and under a lot of pressure; my career is on the rise. I don't have time or energy for a relationship, but I'm an adult and naturally have physical needs."
Hawke felt relieved and replied, "That's what I wanted to say as well."
Remembering the star anchor from Channel 11 trying to woo Hawke, Megan specifically added, "It looks like we are the best partners; we think alike."
Hawke didn't engage with that remark but instead continued, "We won't enter each other's lives. If either of us has needs, we can reach out to each other."
Megan was thinking broader, "Not limited to just my place; we could meet elsewhere too."
Hawke replied, "I'm open to that."
Megan was very pleased. Although Hawke had an average face and wasn't particularly handsome, he was strong and fit.
The key point -- the Pole Warrior.
...
After breakfast, Hawke packed his stuff and prepared to leave.
Megan suddenly remembered something and called Hawke to the basement, rummaging through a storage cabinet to pull out a box and place it in front of Hawke, "This is something a sponsor gave me during an event. Since I don't run on the front lines, I have no use for it, but you might find it helpful."
Hawke quickly unwrapped the box to find a small wearable camera, perfect for shooting while on the move.
Megan added, "I noticed the LAPD has started equipping some of their officers with similar gadgets after the Dwarfs' Gang incident."
Hawke nodded, "I think they call them body cams."
Megan had specifically inquired, "Exactly."
"I've wanted to buy one but couldn't find it in any stores," Hawke put it away. "I'll take it."
Megan's intent was clear, "Use it to capture some explosive news."
Hawke glanced at the time, "You should get to work; let's go."
...
They left the house; Megan's BMW 7 was in for repairs, and she had borrowed a car left at the hotel parking lot from last night.
Hawke drove her to Fox Television Center before returning to the studio.
When Edward saw Hawke walk in, he set his sandwich down and leaned closer to sniff, "Boss, you smell familiar; let me think hard..."
He truly had a talent with women: "That's the scent of Megan Taylor!"
Hawke replied, "Correct answer; this week's paycheck is deducted."
"How can you be so cruel?" Edward cautiously asked, "So, are you two dating now?"
"Are you kidding?" Hawke sat on the sofa and stretched, "Just running partners to solve physical needs."
Edward praised, "That's my boss; never getting tied down to one tree."
Hawke noticed some empty boxes near the door and asked, "Are you moving?"
"Some stuff was left at Nicole's; she wants me to pick it up soon," Edward summarized his experience. "I won't leave my things at their places again; it's better to move in with just my bag."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.