Never Too Far Novel

“Oh my god. You just hugged him. What does he smell like?” Lexie happily pulled her friend away from the crowd. The raving fans were leaving the spot as well.

Jessie took Lexie to a quiet spot and held up the necklace. “I got this from him by accident. I have no idea what to do with it.”

“Whoa. How did you do that?”

“I have no idea. I don’t want him to think I stole it, though. I didn’t mean it.” She looked at the clasp and was surprised to see that it was loose. No wonder he felt nothing when I pulled it off him.

“Alright, calm down. We’ll just wait for him to come to us. Maybe we’ll get to meet him up close and personal,” Lexie gushed.

Jessie heaved a sigh. She was in a dilemma. Not once did she ever steal in her life, but now she had a necklace that belonged to someone else in her hands.

Julian had just come back to his room. Working non-stop for days had taken a toll on him. He decided to take a shower and get some sleep. Julian took his shirt off, revealing a perfectly sculpted body. He looked fine no matter what kind of shirt he wore. The guy had a perfect body.

But Mr. Greek-God-Body felt something was missing. He touched his neck and realized his prized necklace was gone. His mother gave it to him before she died, and that was a priceless piece of treasure to him. And now it’s gone? He was reminded of the fan who hugged him earlier. Could it be her?

Fury filled his eyes, and he quickly called his assistant. “I lost my necklace. Check the fan who hugged me just now.”

“The one your mother gave you?”

“Yes.” Julian seldom got angry, but now he was livid. That fan stole his necklace. It was a breach of privacy, and moreover, that was his mother’s gift. He would never let anyone touch it.

Back in her hotel, Jessie found herself in a dilemma. How should I give this back to him? Should I really wait until he calls the cops on me?

That’s embarrassing. I should just give this back to him. I didn’t mean to take it. It was just a reflex when the bodyguards were pulling me. What am I supposed to do? She closed her eyes. I need this job. The orphanage needs my money. The resources they get aren’t enough to support them.

Madam Yancy’s not getting any younger. I can’t lose this job. I’m making the most money out of the guys in my batch. They’re proud of me, and I can’t let them down. She blinked and decided to do something risky. I’m going to wait for him at the hotel tomorrow morning and give it back to him as well as apologize.

It was a sleepless night for Jessie. She woke up at six thirty in the morning and left with nothing but a backpack.

Wiley Hotel was the best five-star hotel in town. A lot of actors would stay here during work. Jessie just wanted to try her luck and see if Julian would come out early. Not long after she got to the place, she noticed a few fans staking the hotel out. Man, I am impressed. I’d rather sleep than meet the guy, but this is something I have to do.

Right after Jessie picked a spot to stand, someone mocked, “Hey, that’s the idiot who hugged Julian last night.”

“Yeah. What a sl*t. She needs to look in the mirror. I can’t believe she tainted Julian.”

“She thinks Julian’s going to fall for her because she’s pretty. Yeah, right. She’s ugly as f*ck. Dream on.”

The fans kept staring at Jessie. Even though they called her ugly, they still were jealous of her looks. Dammit. Didn’t see it last night, but this girl’s hotter than some celebs.

It stoked their flames of envy, and they only felt enmity toward Jessie.

All the mockery was getting on Jessie’s nerves. She turned around to face the stupid fans and explained, “This is a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Keep saying that.”

“I bet you think you’re really pretty.”

“I don’t.” A frown creased Jessie’s forehead.

“Julian doesn’t care. He’s just going to think you’re disgusting even if you want to sleep with him.”

“Hey, can you stop with the insults? Do you guys lose all your intelligence when you keep up with your idol’s life?” Jessie started arguing.

“Hey, you hugged him first, and you expect us not to fight you? What the f*ck?”

“And why do you have to fight me? Just keep up with your favorite idol and leave me alone.” God, they’re infuriating.

“No. You touch him, you… Oh my god, he’s here!” The fans noticed Julian coming out. Even though he had bodyguards around him, they still saw him.

Everyone stopped arguing with Jessie and tried to get the best spot to see their idol. Jessie was excited as well, but for a different reason. She whipped out the necklace and held it tight in her hand, and then she approached him.

It’s still early and there aren’t many fans around. I can get close.

“You’re so hot, Julian!”

“Take care of yourself! Don’t overwork!”

“Good luck at work today, Julian!”

The girls who argued with Jessie earlier started fangirling over their idol. They kept smiling at Julian.

But then someone approached Julian once more, much to their chagrin. This woman again? How many times does she have to do this?

Jessie was running too fast. She didn’t see the step and tripped over it, causing her to fall forward. She held someone’s leg out of instinct as she screamed, and then she bumped into his crotch.

The fans almost screamed in horror. This idiot did something even worse today! She sullied the one place she shouldn’t! Die, you creep! Die! The fans wanted nothing but blood.

Once again, the bodyguard failed at his job, and he complained silently. I can’t believe someone would go that far.

Jessie’s ears were buzzing from the crash. When she snapped out of it, she noticed that she had just crashed into Julian’s crotch. She quickly knelt on one knee and showed him the necklace. Her face was red, and she stammered loudly, “This is your necklace. I pulled it off by accident last night. Here, take it back!”

Julian was annoyed by her behavior as well. That hurt. But when he saw the necklace in her hand, he froze for a few moments. Eventually, he picked it up in disgust and told the bodyguard, “What are you waiting for?”

The bodyguards wouldn’t let this fan hurt their employer again. They held her up by the arms and dragged her away.

“I’m sorry, Julian. I didn’t mean it, but the clasp was loose. You’d better get that fixed.”

Julian didn’t take a good look at her the night before, but now he turned around. She was annoying, but he still thought he should see who she was because of what she said.

Jessie was staring at him as well. Her heart fluttered the moment their eyes met. His eyes are beautiful. No wonder people call him the most innocent celeb. The look in his eyes tells me everything I need to know.

Unbeknownst to her, Julian was shocked as well. Impossible. She looks just like Queenie. He just had lunch with Queenie and Nigel the day prior when he was at work. Naturally, he was shocked to see someone who resembled Queenie so much.

The difference was Queenie had the air of a wealthy lady, while this one felt more down to earth.

“Let me go. You’re hurting me.” Dammit, it’s starting to hurt.

The bodyguard shoved her away. “I know you like him, but you have to be calm. Hurt him, and we’ll hurt you.”

The fans thought they were going crazy. Why is Julian staring at this hater? Because she’s pretty? No, please! Don’t fall for this hater, Julian. She’s hot, but you can’t fall for her!

Julian was still staring at Jessie’s face, spacing out.

Jessie was about to leave, but she felt someone staring at her, so she turned around. Their gazes met once more, and she wondered why he was staring at her. Is there something on me that shouldn’t be the? Awkwardly, she looked at herself, but there was nothing wrong with her.

Julian knew Queenie was looking for her sister. Could she be the one? They look so similar. I almost can’t differentiate them. She looked just like Queenie, at least to him.

Jessie pursed her lips. I need to leave. I have work to do.

“A minute, please,” Julian finally said. He extended an invitation to her. “Can you have breakfast with me?”

Huh?

a bombshell to the fans and they felt like they could die out

I need to work.” She too was excited, but work took precedence

name?”

Landry. I’m a stuntwoman.” She turned around

makes the search

while Julian got in his car. Only the fans were left, and

was staring at her. God, I wish I were her. I would love to

smacked her cheeks and told herself to wake up. Yeah, right. Not like that’d happen. Maybe he only invited me because I gave him his necklace back and

when Jessie returned. She rubbed her eyes and

“To return the necklace.”

“Did you see him?”

“Yeah.”

gosh. Why didn’t you wake me up?” I

having breakfast in a restaurant alone, but he gave Nigel and Queenie

Julian. Did something happen?” Nigel asked curiously. Just now, Julian had

earlier. She looks just like

much does she resemble

it this way. I thought I was looking at you when I saw her for the first time. She’s about your age and height, and her name is

to see

let’s take a

waiting.”

“Can you contact her?”

will do it right

we’ll be

At Averna.

Queenie was hugging Nigel in excitement. “If Julian thought he was looking at me, then

to prepare the plane. We can also take the

wait to see this woman. Same age, same height, and the same face. Excitement welled up within her. She would love to

they were spacing out. They were on their way

of celebrities, but it was rare to be able to meet someone at the

going to be a rough

a

details. Even though this was the second time he saw her face, it still shocked him. She looks just like Queenie. Perhaps she is her sister. He snapped a photo of Jessie and sent it to

at the airport. Nigel was stunned for a moment when he saw the photo as well. Oh my god, she looks just like Queenie. “I got the photo, Queenie.” He quickly

started tearing up. “She’s my sister. What

one was the real deal. He thought she must be Queenie’s real sister. “We’ll know once we meet her and

just come off the stunt wire. Before she could even catch a breath, Lexie

it from?” a surprised

caller hung up before I could pick it up. You should call them back.” Lexie turned

be? She made the call while gulping down some water. I’m thirsty. And then the call went through. She asked, “Hi, may I know who you are?” She

sexy voice said, “Hi, it’s Julian

her water. Never in her wildest imagination did she expect Julian to

matter?”

was almost stammering, but then

you got your water all over

it.” Jessie covered her phone and apologized to

not look happy at all. She already disliked Jessie in the first place, and now, everyone was saying that she looked better than Mabel. Mabel had long been trying to find an excuse to sabotage her, and a perfect one just landed on her lap. “Get some tissues and wipe it off, Jessie,”

down, and quickly wiped the patch off with some tissues. “I’m sorry, Miss Cotton. I didn’t mean to do that. I was just careless.” She

fell back down. Her head hit the desk, and a thud followed. Even with the helmet on, the pain still made

sound of the knock as well. Her gasp didn’t escape

her?” Lexie came to

piece of trash sullied my dress. And this dress costs tens

you alright, Jessie?”

and then, but she remembered that the call was still on. Quickly, she picked it up. Oh, he’s still there. She

Did someone harass you?” he asked.

on a tough act and answered, “I’m

a stuntwoman. Can

time,” she answered right

me at the hotel this

a daze. That was one big surprise. Julian called

get a new job?”

hired

“Who?” Lexie blinked.

her friend to

whispered, “That was Julian. He said his team needs a

Lexie shrieked, “JU—”

covered her friend’s mouth at light speed. She’s going to shout out his name and I can’t have that

find out,

so lucky, Jessie. Julian called you? The Julian Gilmore?

him even

her head sheepishly.

head. He actually was worried about me. She felt

Jessie. Come

was Mabel’s stuntwoman, and hanging in the air while swinging the prop sword around

standing before the actor who was going to

she cross you,

with the team? Are they penniless or what? She can’t even do stunts properly.” Mabel gnashed her teeth. Just looking at Jessie made

do anything to please Mabel.

shouted action and Jessie was pulled up into the air. She did a backflip and thrust her prop

shoved a blade at Jessie. It was supposed to be a feint, but the

the prop away, but it had made a cut on

shouted, “Be

Get that bandaged later.”

to go on working with the injury. Her hand was still bleeding when she got off the stunt wire, and a medic came to bandage her wound. Jessie looked at Mabel. She was drinking a cup of

her could do nothing about it. This wasn’t the first

and Nigel emerged from the VIP passage, followed by four bodyguards and two assistants. A lot of people had their eyes on them. Some even thought they were a celebrity couple, but then they didn’t look like celebrities. To be exact, the two of them felt regal. The public figured that

man was slender and handsome while his partner was slim, fair, and innocent. They looked better than any celebrity. They got in the car at the entrance of the airport, and Queenie took out the picture to look at it again. She was very much looking forward to meeting Jessie. Every time she looked at the photo, she would get a feeling that Jessie

are the details. You should take a look.” He whipped out an iPad and enlarged the file so Queenie could see

up in an orphanage?” Queenie shouted. “Then, this settles it. She’s my sister. I’m

going

went through all the details. Her age and height are the same as mine. She stared out the window, excitement filling her eyes. I’m finally

Julian scanned Queenie from

when can she

still at work, but I told her to meet me here. She should be here

to look for Jessie herself, but

in the wind, and she

rang, he picked up his phone while

“Thanks.”

call. “Are you here,

outside the hotel. May I come

show

“Thank you.”

and called his assistant. The assistant was downstairs, and when she caught sight of Jessie, she hung

I’m about to meet Julian, the top guy in the industry. Every female celebrity would die to work with him. What’s more, he only shoots one piece of work

She had taken a shower and changed into a new set of clothes before she came to see him. Work had