Chapter 444: Chapter 444

Rayna used the mirror Ella passed to her to study her features. She thought her facial features were not bad, but people with faces like hers were a dime a dozen in the entertainment industry.

She uttered in resignation, “I have so many things to do. How can I just do that? Let me take a look again.”

Moreover, she was not interested in becoming an actress.

Ella glanced at her watch and sighed. “Ms. Garland, it’s almost afternoon. You’ve already gone through the details of these celebrities, but you’ve picked none of them. It’ll be too late for me to look for other celebrities. Ms. Garland, you have to think this through properly. If you’re not going to step in, we’ll have to find another female lead and director after tonight. Also, it’s not a guarantee that we’ll find them. I’m sure we’ll have to pay them an even higher price.”

Rayna pursed her lips.

She knew that her assistant was right. Among the directors, she had picked Wilson. She might not find someone like him and within her budget.

After a few minutes of contemplation, Rayna steeled herself and said, “Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Ms. Garland, I’m glad you’ve come to this understanding,” Ella said in relief. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on the company, and I’ll call you if anything urgent pops up. I swear I won’t let you down.”

Rayna smiled. “I’m glad to have a dedicated assistant like you. I’ll give you a raise later on.”

“Why, thank you, then, Ms. Garland.”

“It’s what you deserve. Book the ticket and inform Wilson and the actor to head to Summerbank on time tomorrow.”

“Got it. I’ll work on that right away.”

After settling the most urgent matter, Rayna continued dealing with the rest of the documents. She wanted to clear off the most time-sensitive issues.

Right as she took a break and drank a few sips of water, her phone rang.

Seeing that it was from Linda, Rayna put it on speakers and asked, “Mom, what’s the matter?”

“I thought you’ve forgotten about me.”

Rayna nearly snorted at that. “Why would I? I’m just a little busy right now.”

Linda sighed, her heart aching for her daughter. “You silently went abroad to work before this, and after a few months, you’re finally back, but you’re still working. Belle, don’t just keep working all the time. You need to rest.”

“I know.” Linda’s concern warmed Rayna’s heart.

When she saw that she was almost done settling everything, she decided to visit her mother, whom she had not seen for a while.

“Mom, are you at home or at the shop? I’ll come to you in a bit.”

“I’m still at the shop.”

A few minutes later, after settling the rest of her matters, Rayna informed Ella about her departure before packing and leaving.

When she reached the shop, she noticed in surprise that the shop was rather packed with customers. Linda and the woman she hired were occupied.

Rayna had never thought that her mother’s business would go so well.

Seeing that she could not handle all of her customers by herself, Rayna greeted Linda before helping her out.

Half an hour later, the shop finally became quiet.

Linda filled a glass of water and finally gave Rayna a good look. She could barely recognize her daughter, for she froze for quite a while. “I thought you’d be losing sleep and eating lesser overseas, but Belle, you seem to have gained a lot of weight.”

Rayna said in amusement, “Even if I didn’t have a good appetite overseas, it’s been a while since I came back. I’ve been eating a lot lately, so I’ve gained weight.”

“You’re giving up on your diet?” Linda wondered out loud. “You were terrified of getting fat in the past, and you only ate half of a regular-sized meal.”

Rayna did not want to tell her mother about her pregnancy yet. She was afraid that Linda would accidentally spill the secret to others. “I don’t want to go on a diet anymore. I look good even when I’m fat.”

Linda glanced at her a few more times. “Belle, the wedding dress is made based on your previous weight of forty-five kilograms.

It’s best if you don’t eat that much, or else you’re going to be facing some troubles during your wedding.”

Linda’s words reminded Rayna of certain things, and Rayna’s gaze dimmed.

She had pleaded with her mother to tailor a wedding dress for her, thinking of having a traditional wedding when she marry Curtis.

Linda thought she had hurt Rayna, seeing that Rayna was silent. Hastily, she said, “It was just a passing remark. You can eat as much as you like. When you get married, I’ll make another dress for you.”

Rayna came back to her senses and gave her mother a small smile. “It’s fine, Mom. I don’t even know when I’m going to get married.”

Realization struck Linda, and she said, “Did you really break up with him?”

“Yeah...”

Linda took some time to digest, but once she did, she ruffled Rayna’s hair and said, “We can’t force love. Forget it. It’s fine if you can’t find your other half in the future. I’ll provide for you.”

Tears sprang to Rayna’s eyes at that, but she tried her best not to let the tears fall. Jokingly, she said, “Okay. I won’t marry in the future, then.”

“You silly girl.” Linda rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying this in case you really can’t find someone. How can you keep clinging to me and not look for someone at all?”

Rayna was speechless to hear that.

The other woman walked over with a mop. “Ms. Linda, you guys go sit outside. I’d like to mop the floor while there aren’t many customers around.”

Linda led Rayna outside and brought along two stools.

After sitting down, Linda began bombarding Rayna with questions. She first asked about the reason behind Rayna’s business trip and why it took so long. Then, she told Rayna about how Roxanne would be filming after Christmas and about Cillian accompanying her.

Finally, Linda asked tentatively, “Belle, have you been in contact with your little brother lately?”

“What’s wrong?”

“He hasn’t come back after Christmas,” Linda said with a sigh. “He wouldn’t pick up my calls either. Say, do you think he broke up with Kristie?”

Rayna took a sip of her coffee as a glint flashed past her eyes. “Mom, you’re thinking too much.”

Linda sighed again. “I can’t help it. Kristie’s pretty, and she’s Mr. Faymon’s kin. I’m sure she has a whole group of rich young men trying to court her. I’m afraid she’ll ditch James.”

“They’re doing well. It’s just that James is busy with his school, and Kristie’s busy with her filming,” Rayna reassured her, forcing the pain in her chest away as she forced a smile. “Once Kristie’s free, I’ll invite her here for a meal.”

“Are they really all right?”

“They are. Didn’t you see how sweet they were with each other previously? Don’t overthink this.”

It was only then Linda relaxed and asked, “Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll prepare dinner for you.”

Rayna was indeed a little hungry, so she said, “I’d like to have some sweet soup.”

“That’ll take quite a while to make.”

Rayna only blinked at her mother in response.

While the mother and daughter were chatting in front of the shop, someone suddenly called out Linda’s name.

Hearing the familiar voice, Rayna turned to see a woman in a light purple dress walking toward them. Even though the woman was close to fifty, she barely had any wrinkles.

“Xandra, what brought you here?” Linda asked as she quickly stood up.

Xandra answered, “Didn’t we agree to go for a facial treatment session? I had nothing to do, so I came to look for you earlier.”

“I was so busy today I nearly forgot about this,” Linda mumbled. “I can’t go, however. Belle’s back.”

Rayna had already stood up when Linda rose to her feet.

I thought she had a different name and had taken on her husband’s family name. Has she gotten a divorce from Kenneth?

Only when the two older women were done chatting did Rayna greet Xandra, “Hello.”

Xandra did not expect Rayna to be the one chatting with Linda. When she saw Rayna, she froze for a while before saying tearfully, “Did you just come back to the country? You look prettier and prettier every time I see you.”

Rayna smiled. “Yeah.”

Curtis’ mother’s the best. She didn’t even mention my weight gain. She’s completely unlike my mom, who hurt me with her words. I’ve only grown fatter because of the babies in my stomach!