Page 41 of The Sitcom Star
“Whatever you like.Doesn’t need to be anything complicated.”Maddie wasn’t picky right now; she just needed more energy so they could have sex again.
“I have leftover rice from yesterday.Fried rice?”
Her mouth started watering, and she realized it wasn’t so much that she just wanted energy; everything sounded good, as long as she’d get to eat it with him.
“Sure,” she said.
He kissed her leisurely, and she stayed cuddled against him for several more minutes before he pulled on his boxers and headed to the kitchen.“Come out whenever you’re ready.”
She didn’t get up right away.She twisted her body this way and that, groaning in pleasure at the stretch.
She wanted to keep this.Wanted to keep Adrian in her life, not just for the rest of her break—which was quickly coming to an end—but for longer, when she was back to working on her show.The thought of him leaving… It made her feel like her heart had been scooped out of her chest.
But her work-life balance had been atrocious.Sure, she wasn’t a showrunner anymore, but could she do it, when she was busy, when she had so many other things to think about?
And would Adrian even want a relationship with someone like her?
Chapter 12
Much has been written aboutChu’s Restaurantand the meteoric rise of its star and co-creator, Maddie Ng, especially since the sitcom was picked up by Netflix.I suspect the show is being praised because people feel like they aren’t allowed to criticize it, thanks to its diverse representation.
In truth, Maddie Ng is nothing special.
—Cara Thompson,On Your Screen
WhenMaddiewokeupthe next morning, it didn’t take her a minute to orient herself.No, she knew exactly where she was, and she smiled.
Adrian was still asleep.He was lying on his side, facing her, one arm tucked under his head.He looked rumpled and sexy and delicious.She stared at him for a few minutes before turning away.Though she was tempted to kiss him awake, she’d let him sleep as long as she needed.
She still had questions about her ability to handle a relationship, but they’d receded to the back of her mind.She didn’t pay them much notice, just picked up her phone…and discovered she’d been tagged countless times.All related to one particular article.She clicked on it and started reading about how she wasn’t talented or beautiful.
Being in the public eye…it washard.To have people tear you down, for one reason or another, just because you dared to exist.Some people were such assholes.She found a forum post that said she was uglier than any C-drama actress, critiquing, among other things, the shape of her eyes.
Maddie knew it was bullshit.She knew.And she could see tons of people supporting her—though some of those were men who wanted her on her knees.
It was just…
She let out a little howl of frustration before remembering that Adrian was asleep.Shit.She hoped he hadn’t noticed, but he rolled toward her and opened his eyes.
“Hey.”His voice was sleepy, but then he seemed to realize what had woken him up and jerked to a sitting position.“Maddie, what’s wrong?”
She silently handed over her phone.As he skimmed the article, she could sense something dark building inside him.Could see it in his hand, gripping the sheets in a fist.The notch between his eyebrows.
He was usually pretty chill, but now he looked utterly furious on her behalf.
Maybe she shouldn’t like it so much, but it was more reassuring than anything she’d read in support of her.
“I want to tell them—”
“Don’t,” she said.
His expression gentled as he set aside her phone and slid his fingers into her hair.“I know.I know you don’t want me to tell off people online for you.But if you ever do, or if you want me to read the comments and show you only the good ones…” He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, like he was trying to calm himself down.“You’re amazing, and there isn’t a single one of your features that I would change.”His thumb skimmed her eyebrow, the slope of her nose.“I love your show.Lots of people love it.And I’m not just saying those things because I’m sleeping with you.I’ll support you no matter what.”
There was something so earnest about him.She suddenly knew, with bone-deep certainty, that he would never use her for his own gain, would never begrudge her any success she had.And if her fame faded, he would be there, too.
“I know you know you’re amazing,” he said, “but sometimes you still have to hear it.And I know this is a hazard of your occupation, especially as a woman—a woman who isn’t white.I hate that, but I’m glad you do what you do.”
“I told you about how my sister couldn’t handle my success, but my ex couldn’t, either.He was jealous.”
