Chapter 28

-How? Why?...

Catherine couldn't say anything but continue to look at Jackie with astonishment.

Jackie did not respond. She did not even show an emotion. After a few minutes, she said in a calm voice.

-Apparently, the TV execs and screenwriters were not getting along for a long time. That is why they did not sign the contract right away. The negotiations were taking place in order not cancel the project…

Catherine felt Jackie's voice broke. She immediately came closer to her and hugged her.

-Shhh... It is going to be OK. It is not like the only big project you are going to have. You will have so many opportunities. It is all going to happen. If not today, then sometime later.

Catherine kissed Jackie's neck. They froze while hugging. After some time, Catherine asked a question she afraid to ask.

-Do you have plans? What are you going to do now?

Jackie freed herself from Catherine's arms and said with a caution.

-I don't know. They pay for my accommodation until Friday and then for a ticket back.

Catherine did not know whether she should go on, but she continued.

-Are you going back to LA?

Jackie stood up and started walking around the room in small and quick steps.

-Catherine, I have nothing that might make me stay.

Catherine's eyes widened. She was offended. Jackie's response did not make her wait for long.

-Look, I did not mean you... It is... I don't have a job with a regular salary that might pay for my accommodation.

-Accommodation is not a problem. Let's say, you can move in with me. Will that change your mind and make you stay here?

Jackie looked at Catherine in silence. Catherine could not stop herself from laughing nervously.

-Of course, you are not interested... Once there is no a contract, then what is the point to stay in NY.

-Look, you are wrong...

-Am I? You were willing to move to NY and be with me because you had a job opportunity here. You were willing to do it because I was your option to build a life here. Now, you are going back to LA, to your girlfriend and continue to live with her. She is another option but in LA. That is such a great plan, Jackie.

What made the situation even worse was Jackie's silence. She did not even try to neglect anything Catherine said.

-You are special to me...

-Not enough, apparently.

-What do you want me to do? I can't move to NY.

-Because there are no other jobs in NY.

-Catherine, it took me years to come close to an opportunity in NY, whereas in LA during that period I accomplished many other projects. There are at least ten times more opportunities in LA.

Catherine was walking back and forth. What Jackie was already saying was not making a sense to her.

-If I stay in NY, I will be jobless for a long time. I cannot afford it. It will affect me in both ways, financially and professionally.

-Good that you thought on how it will affect you. What about me? What did you think about me? Did you think that I will be OK with all of this shit going on?

-You can come with me to LA if you want.

-And leave my job? Why should I be the one to sacrifice my career?

-There are universities in LA.

-Jacqueline, it took me two years to find this job. Two years after you left me, I was unemployed. I wrote to every single contact of mine to find a job and was finally able to land this job. Do you know how miserable I felt during that moment?

-Stop it. Don't try to make me feel guilty. I offered you every single option I had in my head. You did not go for a relationship in distance and you did not want me to go out of closet.

-You would not go out and announce that you are dating a woman.

-I could.

-Then do it now. Go out and tell the world you are dating me. Let's work on that distance relationship of yours.

Jackie hushed.

-See? You just did not mean it.

-I am not ready to do it now. I am not in that stage of my career, where I can announce my sexual orientation.

-You would never throw yourself at danger for me.

-And you? Would you?

-I was made to resign from my workplace and had to leave the town I lived for years. And all of it because of you!

-Don't you dare to blame me for god's sake! It was going to happen with you anyway and you know it. If not me, then with some other female freshman that would catch your attention.

-Fuck you, Jackie!

Catherine took her handbag in a rage and ran away from the suite. While elevator doors were closing, she heard Jackie running towards her and calling her name. The elevator moved down and Catherine decided to move on.