Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 82: The Double Agent]

In the compartment, with the back two rows of seats fully reclined, Ryan looked at Taylor and Abigail. Both had already taken off their shoes and occasionally glanced at each other, feeling a bit shy.

"This feels so weird," Abigail murmured.

To ease the awkwardness, Taylor tried to divert their attention. "My feet are longer than yours."

Natural light spilled into the compartment, revealing tiny specks of dust dancing in the air. Taylor Swift's feet were pale and rosy, with visible green veins on her soft skin. Given her height, her feet were quite petite, roughly a size 8.

Their feet touched, and since they were both wearing sandals, there wasn't any odor.

As for why they extended their feet, it was naturally Ryan's idea. At that moment, the three of them sat facing each other. Taylor grabbed Abigail's arm, stretched her foot out slowly, and smiled.

...

Night fell.

"Taylor, call me when you get home. I have something to tell you," Abigail said as she closed the car door, casting a look at Ryan, her eyes playful yet teasing.

After dropping Abigail off, Ryan drove in the direction of Taylor's house.

"What does she want to tell you?" Ryan asked.

"How would I know?" Taylor replied, a slight blush still on her cheeks. Just recently, she and Abigail had given Ryan a little "foot massage."

This was Taylor's first time being physically close to Ryan in front of someone else, and it just so happened to be Abigail.

If she felt a mix of nervousness and awkwardness earlier, now she experienced a delightful thrill, her heart racing with excitement. Today had been just a light-hearted interaction; she couldn't even imagine what would happen if they were to take things further.

...

The next morning, after saying goodbye to Taylor and Abigail, Ryan headed to a winery in Tennessee. The filming for the Wake Me Up music video officially began, as Trey found a mansion in Nashville that had vineyards resembling the montage Ryan had envisioned.

Besides Daddario arriving a day early, Irina, Elizabeth Olsen, and even Paris Hilton were scheduled to arrive in Nashville for cameo roles over the next couple of days.

"There's definitely a chance. I'll need to sort out the specifics with Scooter, as he probably has a whole series of arrangements lined up," Ryan stated as he hadn't yet had time to greet Trey before Tiesto called.

"Let's meet in Europe! I'll be waiting for you, and if you don't show up, I might just have to come to the States and drag you back," Tiesto joked, urging Ryan to come and participate in several major music festivals across Europe.

...

Ryan hung up the phone just as he noticed Daddario had already changed into her outfit, looking almost exactly like what he had pictured for the music video -- jeans, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. The traditional cowgirl attire perfectly complemented her slender frame.

This little actress gave Ryan a slight nod, while Trey, who was talking to her about the play, seemed distracted and a bit worn out. She hadn't applied makeup and looked like she hadn't had much rest.

Just as Ryan was about to ask her if everything was alright, he received another call.

"I'll have someone meet you outside..." Ryan said, glancing around and realizing most of the crew members were busy. He ended up sending the accompanying photographer Jack out to the mansion's entrance to pick someone up.

He wished he had a personal assistant like Erica. As his work got busier, answering calls alone was enough to give him a headache.

...

A little while later, Jack returned with a suitcase and a striking, dark-haired Russian woman trailing behind him. Compared to previous occasions, her outfit was even more revealing, sporting a dark bodycon dress suitable for a nightclub, adorned with accessories around her neck.

Seemingly aware of Ryan's preferences, she had chosen to wear black stiletto heels, accentuating her already long legs, with the sunlight casting a golden glow over her figure. She even sported freshly curled hair.

Upon seeing Ryan, she immediately broke into a smile and pulled out some baked goods from the plastic bag she was holding.

"I baked you a cake with very little sugar; it shouldn't make you gain weight," she said with a smile.

Ryan took the treat, placing it aside as he began conversing quietly with her.

Meanwhile, Daddario and Trey noticed the unexpected guest.

Trey scoffed, clearly dismissing her. Daddario felt hesitant to inquire what was going on.

...

A few hours later, another woman arrived on set, dressed in tight jeans and a white graphic T-shirt, with ordinary canvas shoes and a large tote bag slung over her shoulder.

Despite her casual attire, her figure was accentuated by the tight jeans. She wore minimal makeup but was as attractive as Irina, perhaps even slightly more so.

Upon entering, she didn't greet Ryan but sat quietly to the side, waiting for instructions. It was Elizabeth Olsen.

...

Daddario had already begun practicing horseback riding with guidance from the crew since she had a few riding scenes in the music video. Seeing Ryan surrounded by other women surprised her, and she silently started memorizing their looks.

...

That evening, Paris Hilton also showed up, making quite an entrance with two assistants in tow. "Ryan, when do we start shooting?" she asked, adjusting her sunglasses.

"Your scene won't be filmed until a few days from now," Ryan replied bluntly. Paris was only making a cameo with just one shot.

"Then why did you have me come so early?" Paris complained.

"You were the one who insisted on coming early; I hadn't finished speaking before you hung up," Ryan responded helplessly.

"Now it seems you owe me a favor!" Paris took her sunglasses off with a playful grin.

"I'd rather not owe you anything; you can leave anytime," Ryan said, his demeanor cooling.

Paris smiled but didn't walk away, knowing how to leverage attention as a socialite. Being part of Ryan's well-anticipated music video meant getting a glimpse of the spotlight. Even if Ryan treated her coldly, she didn't mind -- it was all part of the game.

After chatting with Ryan, she turned to leave, making sure her assistants managed her luggage in the rented mansion, which was being fully rented for the duration.

...

That night, after receiving a phone call, Daddario nervously knocked on Ryan's door.

When the door opened, she was surprised to find Irina, completely naked, at the entrance. Before she could react, Irina pulled her inside.

Upon entry, Daddario quickly noticed Ryan lying in bed, covered by a blanket.

Irina snuggled up next to Ryan, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I... I don't think I came at a good time," Daddario said, turning to leave and planning to return when Ryan was ready.

"No, you came at just the right moment," Ryan called her back.

Reluctantly, Daddario turned again, unsure where to focus her eyes, landing on the floor.

"What exactly did Taylor Swift assign you to do?" Ryan asked.

"I... I can't say," Daddario stammered, realizing after returning home that Ryan and Taylor's relationship wasn't just siblings; it was romantic. The task she agreed to take for Taylor felt like a hot potato.

"Oh, then you can leave. You're fired," Ryan said, disinterested in remaining civil.

After some intimidation and persuasion, Daddario decided to reveal the truth. "She... she asked me to spy on you."

Whoever offered her advantages received her loyalty; it just happened that she initially made the wrong choice of who to side with.

'No wonder she hadn't called me all evening; looks like she was already set up as an informant.' Ryan couldn't help but chuckle at the situation.

"Do you know what you should say?" he continued to ask.

Daddario glanced at Irina, snuggled against Ryan, and pondered, "Just say you... behaved yourself today and didn't say a word to any women."

In front of Ryan, Daddario promptly gave Taylor "a report."

"Great, and if this gets out, I don't have to tell you what your fate would be," Ryan hinted.

That fate would likely mean being discarded by both Taylor and Ryan.

Daddario sighed, knowing once a double agent, always a double agent.

...

"If you're not comfortable, I can try to guide her a bit," Irina said once Daddario departed.

From what she knew of Ryan, a guy like him would definitely have thoughts about someone so appealing, so she generously volunteered her assistance.

"Guide her how? Don't talk about strange things; I have no interest in her," out of vigilance, Ryan immediately shook his head to deny it.

*****

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