Stella made a mental note not to ever let Weston be so reckless with her body.
âWhat kind of film do you plan on directing next?â she asked Bradley, trying desperately to change the subject.
âMe?â he laughed. âI see that youâre getting bolder now, huh? You even dare to ask me about my future plans! Well, I donât mind telling you anyway.â
Stella waited for his answer enthusiastically, then she heard Bradleyâs light chuckle before he stated, âMy current plan is to have no future plans!â
Stella was speechless.
âAfter what Iâve gone through directing this movie,â he added earnestly, âI do believe Iâve earned a rest.
This movie really has taken a toll on me.â
He let out a heavy sigh, then continued, âI definitely would not be working with a demanding actress next time.â
Stella knew exactly who he was referring to and just smiled without expressing any opinions on the matter.
âAnyway,â said Bradley, âyouâre done for the day, so go home and get a nice rest. Make sure youâre ready for your last scene.â
âYes, Mr. Lane.â
âGood,â replied Bradley. âIâd better go shoot the next scene now. I wonder if Angelina is ready yet. I should go talk to her before we start.â
Stella nodded and Bradley was about to leave, but he stopped and turned around suddenly and said, âOh, by the way, thereâs something else that I forgot to tell you.â
âWhat is it?â
âYour brother came here to find you, but you werenât here, so I told him to go back to his classes and Iâd tell you he was here later.â
Stella sprang up to her feet the moment Bradley mentioned her brother.
âWhen did he come?â
âYesterday,â answered Bradley. âAre you two in some kind of a tight spot right now? Your brother looked extremely worried about you.â
âNot particularly â¦â Stella then became anxious. âWhat did he say to you? Did he tell you why he was looking for me?â
âHe didnât seem to be in any sort of trouble,â Bradley recalled. âHe said he just wanted to see you, thatâs all.â
Stella paused, then asked, âDid he⦠ask you where I live?â
âNo.â Bradley then eyed her suspiciously. âWhat exactly is going on here?â
Stella calmed herself down and in a serious tone asked Bradley, âCould you help me with something please?â
âWhat is it?â
âIf my brother comes here again and asks you where I live, could you tell him that I am staying at a place that the crew has arranged for me?â
Bradley stared straight at her without giving an answer.
Stella sighed and explained, âIâm renting a place on my own right now, but my brother is always worried about my safety. Heâs been insisting on staying with me, but Iâm afraid that it would distract him from his studies ⦠Heâll be studying abroad soon, so to put his mind at ease I told him that Iâm staying at a place that the crew has arranged for me.â
âI see⦠But why canât you just tell him the truth? Heâs an adult. Iâm sure heâll understand.â
âWe grew up together,â Stella sat down slowly. âWe worry about each other a lot. Itâs not that weâre overreacting, itâs just thatâ¦â
A bitter smile crept up on her face and she added, âWe are both each otherâs only remaining relative. I completely understand why he would be so worked up about my safety.â
If she had been in his shoes, she would be just as restless as he was, if not more.
âSo youâre going to reassure him with a white lie?â
Bradley didnât quite understand such a tight bond between a brother and a sister, but he could sympathize with Stellaâs dilemma.
âNext time he comes looking for you, Iâll cover for you.â
âThank you, Mr. Lane.â
âSo where do you actually live right now?â
Stella paused. She didnât think that heâd ask the question.
âIâm renting a place in an apartment complex just two blocks away like the other actors.â