Thalia stumbled backward with a rueful chuckle, âI was just too naive. Once this movie wraps, Iâm gonna do what my mom always said â get my CPA license. No more daydreams about making it big in showbiz.â
She was usually so upbeat, a true go-getter. Sheâd genuinely wanted to be an agent, a talent scout with a Midas touch.
Margot couldnât fathom what had crushed her spirit to this extent.
Margot grabbed her arm and they shuffled to a secluded corner. Only when they were sure no one was around did they stop.
âSpill it, Thalia,â Margot said with a wary edge, weâre alone. Whatâs going on, for real? Did you find out something?â
Thalia shivered, her eyes wide with panic, vehemently shaking her head. âNo! What are you on about?
I⦠I havenât found out anything!â
Margot squinted, sensing a crack in the facade. âThen why are you acting like youâve seen a ghost?
Youâve been so distracted, and weâre tight, Thalia. Why canât you talk to me?â
A bitter smile crept onto Thaliaâs face. Margot was her only true friend on set. Despite being just a PA while Margot shone as an actress, there was never a hint of hierarchy between them.
She was like the buddy youâd meet in school, always happy to see you and grab your hand- the only person Thalia truly trusted. And thatâs precisely why she couldnât drag Margot into what sheâd discovered; it would be like throwing her to the wolves.
âOf course, I trust you, Margot. Iâd tell you anything,â Thalia said, her brow furrowed with sincerity. âBut weâre both new to this game, and itâs not as straightforward as we hoped. You get that, right? Itâs not that I donât want to share â sometimes, not knowing is a blessing.â
Margot met her gaze, and after a silent stand-off, she conceded. âAlright, keep it to yourself if you must.
But promise me youâll come to me when youâre ready to talk, okay? Donât shoulder it all alone. Iâm here for you, risks and all.â
Thalia knew Margot wasnât one for empty promises. If she offered to share the burden, she meant it.
âI promise,â Thalia said, grateful for such a steadfast friend amid the grueling film set life.
They linked pinkies â a secret pact between them.
However, no one could have anticipated that shortly after parting ways, Thalia encountered a problem.
In the hospital.
Ivy closed her eyes, attempting to rest, yet sleep eluded her. She waited for Balfour, expecting him within the hour, as promised.
A tinge of bitterness creased her brow. Was it right to be in a hospital, longing for another manâs company?
Fresh from her injury, Ivy missed Balfour acutely. The expansive VIP room felt unbearably empty without a familiar face. It had seemed bearable when Balfour was present, but with both him and Elara gone, the silence became haunting.
With a sigh, Ivy convinced herself it was time to rest. By the time she awoke, Balfour would surely be by her side.