by Trisha Grace
After a couple more minutes of discussion and repositioning of the people carrying the reflectors, they finally began filming. Sarah watched the kiss she’d been anticipating for the last two movies. Her eyes swept the area in front of her: the dozens of people, the cameras, the lighting, and the lack of music accompanying the kiss really did dull the moment.
She pinched her lips. “Music makes all the difference,” she whispered, and Gina grinned.
Keith and Elena repeated the scene several more times, with the director tweaking their positions. After the second time, she’d lost interest, so she grabbed Keith’s script and sat in his chair. She glanced over at Gina, then down at Elena’s chair.
Were assistants allowed to sit? She realized Gina was always standing unless they were back in the dressing room. She was about to get back on her feet when a hand rested on her shoulder.
Sarah turned to see Miriam smiling sweetly at her.
“Are you all right?” Miriam asked.
Sarah nodded slowly.
“I’m sure it’s tough to watch your boyfriend kiss someone else.”
She’d thought it would be hard. Glancing over at the set, she broke into a small smile. When Keith was in costume and standing in front of the cameras, she realized she didn’t see him as Keith. He was Ian Knight, the guy who was always there for Jane Summers—Elena’s character.
“She’s fine,” Gina said and moved closer.
Miriam shot Gina a death glare.
Instead of cowering away, Gina took another step forward. “If you have a problem watching Keith kiss someone else, then you can go back to your dressing room.”
“Who are you to talk to me like this?”
“Gina Young.” She extended her hand. “Elena’s assistant.”
Miriam rolled her eyes, then stormed away without taking Gina’s hand.
“No?” Gina dropped her hand. “How rude.”
“Thanks,” Sarah said, staring at Miriam’s back. “You didn’t have to do that. I don’t want to get you into trouble.”
Gina waved it off. “I won’t get into trouble because of her.”
Sarah glanced over in Miriam’s direction and saw her speaking to a production crew member. “What if she complains to someone and gets you fired?”
A corner of Gina’s lips curled. “That person would have to get past Elena first.”
“Elena’s really powerful in Hollywood, isn’t she?”
Gina shook her head. “She’s just a decent person—which is a rare trait in Hollywood. And because of that, lots of people have her back.”
“Is Keith a decent person?”
Gina’s head tilted as she considered her question. “I guess so. He’s pretty friendly to everyone.”
Sarah smiled. She was glad she wasn’t the only one who thought so.
Miriam marched down the hallway toward her dressing room, stewing over how rude that assistant was to her.
No one had the right to speak to her that way, least of all an assistant.
She clenched her jaws and fists, screaming in her head. All right. That’s enough. She drew a long, deep breath through her nose. She didn't have time to throw tantrums; she had to focus.
“Hey, baby.”
Miriam turned to Spencer as his arms snaked around her waist. “What do you want?”
“That’s a drastic difference in attitude.”
She rolled her eyes.
“If you’re looking for a fun time” —Spencer jerked her closer— “you know I can give that to you.”
She pushed him away. “I’m not looking for a fun time.” She took a step forward, but Spencer grabbed her hand.
“What is it with you? Why are you all crazy about Keith now that he has a girlfriend? He’s not even fun anymore.” He grinned and stepped closer. “But I still am.”
Miriam rolled her eyes again and pulled her hand from Spencer’s. “It’s none of your business.”
Spencer’s eyes narrowed. “Not looking for fun …” He sneered. “Are you thinking he’ll be your sugar daddy since he’s willing to have relationships now?” He laughed and nodded. “Poor baby, you must be so worried about being out of work. Worried you’ll have to go back to being a magician’s assistant?”
She cursed at him and turned, but Spencer grabbed her hand again.
“It isn’t going to work. You know who he’s been hanging out with. He’s a good boy now.”
“Miriam.”
They both turned to the guy standing a few steps ahead of them.
“Craig,” she said and easily shrugged off Spencer’s hand that had loosened around hers.
Craig moved toward them with a small stack of paper in his hand. “I need a minute. There are some changes in your next scene.”
“Of course. Spencer and I are done here.” She met Craig halfway, and they headed toward her dressing room.
Miriam glanced over her shoulder at Spencer and smirked. Her plan was going to work precisely because Keith had become a good boy. There was no way she’d allow herself to lose everything she’d built.
“Wow.” Sarah looked up at the three-story white house capped with a dark brown roof, almost as wide as her apartment block.
Four lights, two shining down on the front porch while another two spotlights angled outward at where they’d parked their cars, lit up the place.
“The lights around the compound are set to automatically turn on at seven,” Gina said when she saw her staring.
“Do you live here with your parents?” Sarah asked.
“She doesn’t,” Gina interrupted before Elena could answer.
Elena smiled. “It’s just me. Gina has a room here, but she doesn’t stay over often.”
“This is huge,” Sarah said to Keith.
“So is my place.”
Sarah snuggled closer. “I’m sure it is. It isn't a competition.”
Gina punched in some numbers on a keypad and a beep sounded as a green light flashed. “Elena got it for a steal.” She pushed the door open and stepped in. “And since the whole area, including the lawn surrounding the house, is private property, paparazzi can’t come close enough to snap any photos.”
Sarah nodded. She supposed that was important for celebrities.
“So you’ll be safe here.” Elena stepped into the house and ushered the rest of them in. “Welcome.”
Sarah entered the house and smiled. “Wow. I love the color combination.” The white furniture stood out against the light blue walls. “It’s so pretty, so spacious.”
“Yeah, it is.” Gina closed the door and punched some more numbers into the keypad.
“Has someone broken into your place before?” Sarah asked Elena. Or did all celebrities have such security system in their houses?
“No. I’m just not used to having such a large space to myself. And it’s also a preventive measure.”
Gina nodded. “She does have some crazy fans. One of them tried to break in here while she was overseas. The alert came through our phones, and the guy was arrested.”
“Wow.” And she thought the whole episode she went through with Keith’s brother and sister-in-law’s neighbor was crazy.
“Come on.” Gina walked ahead and waved her over. “I’ll show you to your room.”
“Does Elena know I’ll be here for over a month?” She probably should’ve asked this question earlier.
Gina nodded, and Sarah followed her up the hardwood stairs.
“This way.” Gina walked down the hallway to the last room on that side of the house, then opened a bedroom door with a brass handle. “Here you go.”
Sarah entered the room after Gina. “Wow. This is way bigger than my room back home.” The same color combination she’d seen downstairs continued into the guest room. The white vintage furniture and light gray curtains gave the place a soft look. “This is definitely way better than a hotel.”
“Maids will come by every morning to clean the house and do the laundry. They’ll iron the clothes an
d put them back into the closet.”
And Keith had Mona to clean his house, which explained why Keith didn’t even know how to operate a washing machine.
Both Sarah and Gina suddenly jumped when Elena screamed. Sarah and Gina exchanged a confused glance before Gina bolted downstairs.
Sarah was right behind, and she could hear Keith shouting as they ran down the stairs.
“Get out of here!”
When they got back downstairs, Elena was closing the curtains while Keith entered through the main door with a camera in his hand.
“You took his camera?” Elena asked, pulling another curtain closed.
“Someone came up to the house?”
“They must’ve seen us coming into the house and thought it was too good an opportunity to miss.” Elena moved over to the couch and slumped onto it while Gina closed the remaining curtains.
Sarah was about to help Gina with the curtains when Keith walked over to her.
“Would you like a new camera?” he asked with a mischievous grin and handed the camera to her.
“You’re not returning it to the guy?”
Keith shrugged. “Let’s see if anyone dares to step forward and claim it.”
Gina grinned as she joined Elena on the couch. “You can have it. I doubt someone will risk Elena suing him for trespassing.”
Sarah turned the camera in her hand. “I don’t need a camera. I have my phone.”
“Did you get a good look at that guy’s face?” Gina asked.
“Forget it.” Elena stretched her hands over her head. “I was just caught off-guard.” She got up. “I’m going to head to bed. The remote for the TV is on the console, and please help yourself to whatever food you want in the kitchen. Gina stocked it up yesterday.”
“Yup.” Gina nodded. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, and goodnight,” Sarah said, then stood and pulled Keith off the couch.
“Where are we going?”
“You’re going home.”
“Already?”
Gina moved past them. “I’m heading home. Lock up before you go to bed.” She showed Sarah how to operate the security system, then waved and headed out of the house.
“I didn’t get to spend much time with you today,” Keith said when Gina was out of earshot.
“We had lunch together.”
“That was too short.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t want to be a bother to Elena.”
“She’s gone to bed already. We won't be a bother.” He ran his hand down her arm. “I missed you.”
She pursed her lips to stop herself from grinning like a silly schoolgirl.
“I just wanted to make sure things went all right for you at the studio,” Keith said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to spend more time with you today.”
“You’re working,” she said. “I understand. And everything’s fine. Gina and Elena made it quite clear to everyone that I shouldn’t be bothered.”
“Oh?” He frowned. “Who was bothering you? Miriam?”
She pursed and released her lips again. She wanted to talk to him about Spencer, but she was rather tired.
“What is it?”
“Your friend, Spencer. He was rather … rude.”
He straightened and his brows drew closer. “What did he say?”
She took his hand. “I’m sorry, but can we talk tomorrow? I’m rather tired.”
Keith nodded. “Right, of course. You just flew in today.”
She gave him a small smile. “I missed you, too. I enjoyed every moment I was with you today and would love to spend more time with you. But I’m exhausted.”
He reached over and stroked her hair before his lips curled into a small smile. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
It took Sarah a moment to realize she was gazing back at him without a word or reaction. It took her a moment to realize she hadn't melted from Keith’s soft, warm gaze.
How was it that he could make her feel so loved and treasured with one simple look?
Before she could make herself say anything, he leaned forward and gave her a peck on the hair. “All right. Goodnight, then.”
Leaning against the doorway, he jerked his chin forward. “Go ahead. I’ll lock up.”
Was it too late to tell him she’d changed her mind? She wasn't tired anymore. She didn't want him to go.
“Go on,” he said again, and she nodded after a moment.
“Goodnight.”
Chapter Five
Sarah looked up from the book in her hand and turned to her phone that was buzzing in quick bursts. She’d been up for over an hour, even before the usual alarm she’d set for school. She’d showered, then got back into bed to read.
She wasn’t sure if Elena was up, and she didn’t want to move about the house and wake her up too.
Reaching over to the nightstand, she grabbed her phone and smiled when she saw the notifications for the text messages from Eileen, her colleague and friend. Sarah shook her head as she saw the number of texts.
Eileen was one of those who had to hit the send button after each sentence, sometimes after just a word or emoticon.
Sarah’s smile faded when she saw the contents of the messages. The first was ominous enough: I’m sorry to send you this, but I thought you should know.
What followed was a link, followed by what she assumed were screenshots of what was in the link. First came the photo of Keith and Elena in the kitchen, which Sarah ignored since she knew how that had happened. Then came photos of Keith and Spencer at a party, surrounded by women.
She didn’t really have a reason to be upset, though. He’d wanted to spend time with her, and she was the one who’d opted to get some rest instead.
But the last photo—the photo of a woman with her arms around Keith’s waist—made her explanation for Keith a moot point. There’s only so long you can keep that boy on a leash. Sarah sighed softly.
Stop it. She never got jealous when her ex-boyfriends hung out with their friends, even if they were all women. In her past relationships, she was never plagued with the thought that her boyfriend would leave her for someone else, someone better.
Even if it happened, she would trust that God closed the door for a reason.
So what was wrong with her this time? The insanely beautiful people that surrounded Keith’s daily life? The over-the-top lifestyle and behavior that the people in Hollywood led?
She scoffed. She hadn’t even truly experienced the lifestyle. Get a grip, Sarah. She’d only been here for a day and already she was questioning herself.
Lord … She thought about what she wanted to say. Lord, keep me grounded in Your words. She didn’t want to be swept away or changed just because she was in Hollywood.
And Lord … Sarah sighed. “If You choose to close this door, help me remember that You always have the best plan for me.”
She jumped when there was a soft knock on her door.
“Sarah?” came the equally soft voice.
Sarah got off the bed and opened the door. “I’m awake.”
“Right.” Elena nodded and the high messy bun she’d pulled her hair back into shook along. “Do you have plans with Keith this morning?”
Sarah turned the phone’s screen to face Elena. “I doubt it.”
Elena cringed slightly. “So you’ve seen that.” She paused, and her eyes narrowed. “Are you all right? I’m sure it was nothing.”
Sarah nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“Do you want breakfast?”
“Sure. I can make something.”
Elena’s lips curled. “I wasn’t asking you to make breakfast. I usually have smoothies for breakfast. Are you all right with that?”
“Yeah.”
Elena cocked her head to the side. “Let’s go.”
Sarah followed Elena down the hallway and the stairs, staring at her dark gray tank top and white and gray striped shorts.
“What is it?”
Elena asked when she peered over.
Sarah shook her head. “It’s just kind of weird to see how normal you are.”
“Were you expecting me to walk around in gowns all day at home?”
Sarah laughed. “I don’t know what I was expecting. Keith keeps saying that people in Hollywood behave differently.”
“Hollywood is crazy.” Elena opened the freezer compartment and pulled out packets of frozen fruit. “Which is why I like to stay home.” She turned back to Sarah. “What do you want in your smoothie? I have blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, and apples.”
“You love your berries.”
Elena grinned. “Gina just got whatever the store had on offer. If it were up to me, banana chocolate and apple cinnamon would be enough. But Gina thinks I don’t get enough nutrients from just bananas and apples.”
“She’s a great assistant.”
“She is. And—” Elena opened the fridge and bent forward, pulling out a lower compartment “—she knows how grumpy I get whenever I’m down with something. So she always does her best to keep me in good health.” She turned back around. “Sorry, I thought I had avocados.”
Sarah waved it off. “I’ll just take whatever you’re having.”
“Do you normally drink smoothies?”
Sarah shook her head.
“I’ll make banana chocolate for you then. It’s sweet enough to cover the taste of protein powder.”
“You put protein powder in your smoothies? I thought those were for people working out.”
“I don’t put in nearly as much as they do. Without the protein, you’ll be hungry in like fifteen minutes.” Elena pulled the cover off the top of the blender.
“Here, let me do it.”
Elena arched a brow. “Do you know how?”
Sarah scanned the ingredients. “You can tell me what to do.”
Elena jerked her chin toward the dining table. “Sit. It’ll be ready in a minute.”
It felt weird to let Elena serve her, but Sarah didn’t know how Elena wanted her smoothie anyway. The only healthy food she’d taken up was the overnight oat recipe that Eileen had shared with her.
“Are you all right with almond milk, kale, and mint?”
“Yes.” But it sure didn’t sound like a tasty combination. She pulled out a chair and sat. Then again, she supposed such food was what it took for Elena to stay in shape.