[Chapter 33: Eat Up]
Jennifer Lopez's no-bake chocolate cake really did taste amazing.
That was because she hadn't made it herself.
She actually bought it from outside -- the signature dessert from a top-rated Latin pastry shop with a Michelin-star reputation.
They were in the elevator when she mentioned this.
By then, Orlando already knew.
After all, there wasn't a soul in this world who could lie to Orlando without him finding out.
When she brought the cake over for Orlando to try, there were only two people in the spacious apartment living room.
One was a dazzlingly beautiful Latina woman.
The other was a strong, well-built guy who'd been holding back for nearly half a month.
The Latina was fully focused on charming and flattering him.
Whether in outward behavior or her active inner thoughts, she totally looked like one of those young people grinding to make it in the business.
With telepathic ability on his side, and their breaths close enough to hear between them, Orlando couldn't resist. That night, everything that was bound to happen -- did.
---
"...You don't have to go to that Broadway job anymore. From now on, stick by my side, be my assistant for a while, just help answer some calls, and when you have time, take vocal lessons. In a little while, I'll get you a record deal!"
The next day, Orlando didn't get up early for work. He lay on the mattress, arranging work for Jennifer.
"I'll do whatever you say, darling. No problem, nothing's a problem!" the Latina woman said excitedly and went in for a kiss.
"Did you brush your teeth?"
"Of course!"
Only after she answered that did Orlando accept her move.
Because no matter how beautiful or fit a person was, as long as they were mortal, mornings always came with some morning breath.
Orlando knew Jennifer was just like Madonna in a way -- not one to make people worry.
But Madonna was already a superstar, with way more status than Orlando had at that moment.
Jennifer, on the other hand, still hadn't made anything happen.
She was naturally obedient.
She was just a young woman chasing her dreams.
Yet Orlando hadn't forgotten some of the news he'd read about Jennifer in his previous life.
In that parallel timeline, she hadn't gotten many breaks in New York.
A couple of years later, she shifted to Los Angeles to pursue her career. Not long after that, she was noticed by Puff Daddy now rising in fame, just like Orlando. She became his girlfriend, got into the hip-hop scene, and really took off.
People with strong moral compasses might look down on her for dating a scumbag like that in that life, but, Orlando wouldn't.
Because although everyone despised that Puff Daddy, how many secretly wished they were in his shoes?
Plus, in this timeline, she met Orlando first.
Good figure, pretty face, could sing, act, make money, and provide for herself.
There was no way Orlando would let her go.
---
After enjoying the night and part of the morning, Orlando decided to head to work in the afternoon.
He was fully aware that his good fortune -- aside from the lucky chance with Daisy -- Madonna, Jennifer, and his status, he knew how all this came about.
Orlando first made a call, asking Diana to send over a set of women's clothing and to order takeout from a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Then he and Jennifer ate lunch while watching Jennifer's favorite CBS daytime gossip show.
[...I support those two being together. Madonna might not be the perfect match, but at least she adds some fashion sense to Orlando. Look at him -- always in T-shirts, button-downs, jackets, and jeans, looking like a poor kid.]
The female guest on the show joked.
Though the "Madonna & Orlando romance" was cooling off as Warner cut back on the press releases, because Madonna remained active, the story still carried some buzz.
The gossip media kept a keen interest in them.
[In my opinion, Orlando is still too young. He has no clue how wealthy Madonna is! If it were me, I would have gone after her long ago -- a pop queen and a freshly divorced multi-millionaire!]
A male host in his thirties clicked his tongue.
[Pierce, you don't get it,] another male guest waved a hand, [my friends in the record company say Orlando launched his own label as soon as he debuted. With his single selling out, he's way richer than you think!]
[Whoa? Wasn't he just some poor Bronx kid before?] the female guest's eyes widened, the show really amping up the drama.
[Damn! I just remembered, his debut was on Good Morning America!]
The host slapped his thigh, [That's Good Morning America, whose ratings now beat The Today Show! I think the whole 'poor kid' bit is probably a persona! Making your debut on Good Morning America... you know what I mean?]
"Fuck!" Orlando, having just finished a bite of steak, couldn't help but curse at the TV, "These shows are all the same, huh?"
"Pretty much," Jennifer smiled and poured him a glass of milk. "You're just way too hot right now. And since viewers love this kind of stuff, the shows naturally focus on it."
Orlando shook his head in disbelief.
On the screen, the program continued.
[...But I gotta say, Orlando must be doing pretty well with Madonna, right? She's so captivating. I have no idea how many men have wasted their energy over her latest photo book.]
The male guest put forth another opinion, and the others nodded.
[Thinking about Madonna's ex Sean Penn! Word is, Sean's 'skills' were extraordinary. If Orlando has Madonna hooked, he must be impressive!] The female guest immediately changed her angle.
Orlando nearly spat out his milk, "What?! Fuck that, I'm not watching anymore."
"Ha ha..." Jennifer laughed, obediently reaching for the remote to change the channel.
When the screen switched to a family-friendly Disney show, she glanced back at Orlando with a flirtatious wink.
"But they're not wrong, babe. You really are something else in that department!"
What she said was innocent enough, but her tone, expression, and her gorgeous figure added a full-on seductive vibe.
That's the kind of flavor you just get from a Latina, huh?
It made Orlando want to try out some new moves right there at the dinner table.
But since he planned to head to the company later to quickly record his new song, and with the two bodyguards and the assistant also present, he thought it wouldn't be right to say, "Hey guys, the boss needs some private time -- why don't you just go out for a bit?"
After all, he'd just become a businessman; he wasn't that blunt yet.
Orlando held back.
Before leaving, he instructed Diana, "Diana, find the best cleaning crew and have them thoroughly deep-clean and sanitize the whole place, top quality, understand?"
"Got it."
"Once that's done, get Jennifer a hotel room -- something very private and luxurious."
"Boss, do you have connections with any luxury hotels?"
"No, just arrange whatever you think is best."
*****
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