I spared at glance at my stunt double as she did a backflip to escape her ‘enemies’I was in luck today, because the rehearsal didn’t require any emotional acting from us today. Just for the actors to find their groove with the doubles.All I could think about was my sister and mum and Genevieve…Jeremy nudged my shoulder. “You okay?”I forced a smile to my face. “Yeah.”“It’s last days of rehearsals she’s probably worried about it.” Bianca concluded on my behalf. “From next week we start the real thing.” She bounced on the spot. “And we make possible movie history.” Jace added, stopping beside us. He hoisted himself up the speakers we were sitting on, his arms sheened with sweat. While the rest of us had stunt doubles at ATLEAST one point of the film, Jace had opted to do his own stunts. I thought of O’Malley’s admission the last time we spoke. He was counting on this movie being a part of movie history. “Okay people, great job so far. That will be all for today, see you next week
“Nahh, that’s something that takes years of practice.” I argued. “You don’t just wake up one day and think you can perform stunts, this shit isn’t parkour.”Bianca burst into hearty laughter, while Jeremy grinned.“I’m just saying, Take Jace for example, he doesn’t have any training and he’s doing great.” Jeremy argued back.“I’ve always suspected that fucker of secretly being a government spy. That would explain a lot.” My friends laughed. “But I bet, if they needed a scene where he had to act fast, like protect his head from getting hit while, making it look like he did. He would get seriously hurt. Even stunt doubles get hurt.”“Whatever wound he gets would match the next scenes.”“Yeah but they have to be gone in record time. Did you forget we’re quick healing wolves?” Bianca added, waving her hand mystically.“Boy would I kill for that type of skill in real life. It would save me from a lot of dance injuries.”“You dance?” Bianca and I asked simultaneously.I remembered the fril
I watched O’Malley with a worried expression as he was escorted offset by Rhonda. He had managed the whole day without incident, but his body had definitely reached its limit. “This is the best first day ever. We did pretty well today.” Jeremy said with a grin. He did not have any scenes today but O’Malley said it was fine for him to show up. I had swung my bag over my shoulder before Tami in a black blazer and cargo pants jogged into the set. Lucky me, for the entire day, I had no personal interactions with her. But throughout my scenes I could feel her eyes burning into my back. But of course they would, she was the assistant director. She had to watch our every moves. If I kept up with my paranoia, I would turn into my mother. I recalled my conversation with Lily where she asked about of being crazy like mum. “Okay people!” Tami clapped her hands to get our attention. “O’Malley thinks there’s time for us to shoot one more scene before you leave. We’re gonna need M
“There’s no way you want us to eat here.” I started as I climbed out of the car.As the rest of them piled out I took a good look at the restaurant.Even from the exterior, I could tell this was a high class restaurant, with waiters in tuxedos. They probably handed out caviar as a ‘thank you for coming’ gift. I was exaggerating on the last part, but still.“What’s wrong?” Bianca asked before her attention was turned to the building in front of us. “Oh.”“I thought we were gonna get burgers or something.” Jeremy added. We all turned to look at Sophia.“Oh this is so much better. Mr Sakhrani’s daughter and I were friends since highschool, so I get to eat here whenever I want-although Kashvi’s in college across the globe now, but he doesn’t mind.”“I’m pretty sure the problem is more than getting a table here.” Bianca said mildly.Yeah, the freaking cost. A couple walked into the restaurant holding hands. She had on a sparkly evening dress with matching heels and her partner in a tailore
His mother glanced up at him, while his father’s frown deepened. For a minute I forgot we were in the middle of a restaurant. The child garbled happily unaware of the tension around him. Connor’s hand slipped uncomfortably higher up my jacket. I tried to step away but it only pushed his hand further against my side.“Connor…” Pierce growled.“She’s working under Tami Baker.” He said smoothly and air whooshed out of me. I don’t know who looked more relieved between me and Mrs. Blackwood. “You know the new gig she got as an assistant director for Gavin O’Malley? they’re are on the same project.” Connor finished. Pierce’s mother smiled at me for the first time that evening.“You work with Tami? I know she’s just wonderful at her job. Did you hear that Pierce? We should invite her for dinner tomorrow, I haven’t seen her in a while.”“Of course mother, I’ll call her as soon as we’re through with this dinner.”“Oh! We’re keeping your grandfather waiting, let’s join him, shall we?”She spun
I sat outside the studio with an iced-filled drink when my phone pinged with a text message. We were on a filming break and I wanted to spend it alone. I had been feeling very moody quite recently and was certain that my friends would benefit from time away from me, even though they didn’t say it. I removed another ice block from my cup and chewed as I opened the message. ‘Can we talk honey, you’ve made it very difficult to reach you’The text was from an unknown number but I knew who it was. Once in a while, I would feel bad for blocking Adams but I knew it had to be done. We needed space from each other. I did not think I could look him in the face after his last display. Him reaching out to me with a new number was not helping his case.A person slipped into the bench opposite me, souring my mood. There was a dozen benches around, probably empty, why couldn’t they use one of those?Maybe because this bench wasn’t my property? I let out a weary sigh. I could not wait till my m
I dumped what was left of my beverage into the bin before I entered the building and headed to the basement where the pool was. At the last second I changed my mind. I decided to make a pit stop at the cafeteria. Maybe I could get a bag of ice to snack on before O’Malley returned. I slid into the elevator and watched the doors close before Tami held it.She smirked softly and slid in beside me. “Shouldn’t you be heading down?” She asked.“I need to grab something upstairs. You?”“I’m making last minute arrangements for the set.” I nodded. “So, you and Connor…” she started, “interesting.” I ignored her. “He has just as much money as Pierce does, you’ve got a good eye.”“Whatever you’re thinking is wrong. I have nothing to do with him.” The man was filth. “Are you certain? You looked really cozied up with him.”“If you must know, he came to proposition me.” “Really?”“He wanted my help…in taking Pierce down. He thought Pierce was REALLY close to me and trusted me enough to be com
I was in the wrong part of the tunnels, I discovered with dread. I now had to retrace my steps with the guidance of the dim underwater lights. Luckily there was still air space at the top.“Trent!” I called and pushed against the tarp. It was of no use. I could not hear them underneath and I was sure they would not hear me either. Sticking to the surface, of the water I swam back following the tunnel I had entered through. The sign was still pointed in that direction, that meant I had made the right turn. Why could I not find the exit? Suddenly the lights went off leaving me in complete darkness. This wasn’t good. But I needed to stay calm. The crew would have noticed by now that I took the wrong turn and would be finding ways to get me out. I just needed to relax and breathe-A solid object brushed past my leg, stunning me, and then more.The cave was falling apart! Before I could gather my thoughts the heavy tarp dip into the water, pushing me under without warning. More rocks
Later that night Pierce curled up against me. I pressed my back into him and shut my eyes. After I left the art room, he had stayed a while before moving into his office where he stayed the rest of the day. I, on the other hand, gathered the snacks Angie had given me, and spent the rest of the day curled up in bed reading- that was until I started drifting off and Pierce joined me. “Finished your book yet?” He asked in my ear. “Not yet. Reading isn’t one of my strong suits. Especially self help books. But I’m pushing through, thanks for asking.” “What have you learnt so far?” I rooted in my mind for a non traumatizing fact I could remember. “It’s better to have the baby squatting than on my back. But most hospitals insist on laying down so…”-I shrugged- “doesn’t really matter.” “We’ll see about that.” “How was your painting?” “Turns out it was a vagina-ish drawing.” I giggled. “I like it anyway, so I added a couple other flowers, painted and called it a day.” “We both did good
It didn’t come as a shock that when I woke up he was gone. I wondered if he was still in the house, or had left for work. I went from hating when he was home to hating when he wasn’t, and I wasn’t sure when that change had happened. I stood up with the intention to look for him but changed my mind and decided to shower and brush instead. When I was through, I curled up in bed cradling my new book with a weird sense of excitement. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t notice when Pierce entered the room, till he snatched it from my hands.“Hey!” I squealed. “The mama natural... cool.”He was wearing gym shorts and a tank top, and his body glistened with sweat. Pierce had a wonderful physique but his body appeared a little more toned of recent. He gave me back my book and I stopped ogling him.“Is there a dad version of that?” He asked casually, as he moved towards the bathroom. “I donno. Angie gave it to me.” I bragged, “and then she hugged me.” His brows furrowed, “I’m not big
I took my first step forward and felt an arm pull me in the opposite direction. “Hey little lady.” Pierce called. “Let’s not go that way.”“But my mum, she’s calling me.” Why was everywhere so freaking dark??“Open you eyes, love.” Open my- ohI did as I was told. To find Pierce looking at me, white as a ghost. My shoulder’s sagged, “I was sleepwalking again.” I could faintly remember my mum calling me. But she was in a hospital far away, and probably alone. “I have a favor to ask.” I started when Pierce led me back to the room.“Tell me.”“My mum, she’s alone there and I don’t want her to get hurt.”“I know Myra. I assigned security details to her room. She is safe.” I sighed in relief and climbed back into bed. “You in the other hand are a tough nut. I might have to tie a bell around your leg. You were very quiet today.”“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to wake anyone up?” That’s what was going through my head. “Maybe a house arrest collar would be more dignified-what are you doing?”“
Never was there a doubt in my head that I was anything but a stand in, of course towards the end of our relationship- end meaning when Tami returned-I began to think that he liked me for me.“Jealousy looks good on you.” He answered with a shrug. I furrowed my brows. He had said those exact words that night. But I didn’t pay attention to it because it rivaled everything I knew about him. Pierce didn’t do jealousy, or possessiveness. Not when he was on the receiving end of it.“You like it when I was jealous?”“That’s your fourth question, I think I’ve been charitable.” All I was left with was more questions. If he didn’t date me for Tami, it meant he dated me for me. Which was fucking annoying because I spent the majority of our time together trying to fit whatever mold she’d left in his heart. And it raised more questions on why he still insisted on keeping me around even though he was certain he was getting married to Tami! I took a deep breath, let it out, and when that wasn’t e
“Lily.” I called, going in to comfort her, but then she noticed my bloodied shirt. “What happened to you?”“Someone stabbed me when I went to the studio.”Her eyes widened, “dad?”“No, it was a woman.” She stepped out of the room and clasped me in a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”“Me too, I don’t want you going out.”“Alright.” She agreed immediately.“I’m sorry dad showed up.”“It was gonna happen sooner or later. I’m sorry about your interview.”“No harm done. Sweetie.”“I’m also sorry I didn’t do more after your nightmare. I didn’t know what to do-“I held her face with my good hand. “It’s not your job to know.” She nodded. “Do you wanna hang out with me? Pierce is ordering pizza.”“No, I think I’m gonna take a nap.”I understood she still needed time alone to process. “I’m over there. If you need me.”Pierce was back in the room when I returned, he was arranging two boxes of sweet smelling pizza and a sealed cup with mango smoothie. My heart softened at the gesture. I didn’t thi
The sound of sirens started and panic really spread among the crowd. The group scattered in different directions pushing me from side to side. While I followed with my injured arm pinned to my side and the other clutching my wound to stop the bleeding. In the chaos I saw Derek ripping people out of the way to get to me.“Shit!” He cursed when he saw all the blood. “It’s not a big wound, I just bleed a lot.” I assured him as men in uniform jogged to the area, and tackled some of the reporters. There were grunts and the sound of bodies hitting the ground around me, not to mention the moans of people who got trampled on, while trying to make their escape.I grabbed Derek with my bloodied hand to draw his attention to me. “I want to go home.” He eyed my arm again. “Please.” He nodded reluctantly and led me to the car, which was parked at the back of the building for some reason. The drive home was the most tense and quickest ride of my life, and I did not mind it one bit.“We’ll have
When I woke up the next morning to the sound of Pierce showering, I went straight down to turn on the television. My heart dropping with every channel that had my face or name written in it. Angie brought breakfast to me while I was still glued to the Tv.“What a pain that is.” Ruth said as she came to give me meds. “I never was a fan of TV, at the end of the day it’s all about the ratings isn’t it?” I didn’t give a response. “Are you still having bad morning sickness?”I shook my head.“Okay. I’ll leave you to it then.”My phone rang and I grabbed it, my eyes still glued to the television. “This is Rhonda, Myra. We need you to come in for a meeting this morning.”I chewed on my thumb and forefinger nervously. We’re they planning on recasting me because of the interview? “What time would be good?”She hesitated, “now.”I nodded, then realised it was a voice call. “Yeah, I’m on my way.”As soon as the line went dead I raced back upstairs. Pierce was slipping on a t-shirt when I got
My eyes filled with tears. “He’s the one I’ve been seeing in my nightmares okay?! The man who has me so scared that I get out of bed while sleeping just to get away from him.” His confused face morphed into concern then anger. “What did he do to you. Tell me, I’ll make him regret the day that he touched you.”“Like you did to Adams? News flash, that text you saw that night? it was from my dad, not Adams. And I don’t know what you did, but Adams is getting deported now.”His eyes changed, “It was going to happen sooner or later.”I scoffed and wiped tears from my eyes furiously. “You’re just like him.”“What?”“I said you’re a just like him! You both ruin peoples lives. Except you do it with money and he did it with his fists. Why did you do that to Adams? To protect your possession? Guess what? That’s what he thought of me, that’s what he thought of my sister. Property. Do you know how many times he tried to sell me off to his friends, I was just a thing! he could use.”“That’s not
He grinned at me as the audience below clapped. “Everyone, this is Myra Thompson’s father. We know how secretive our girl is, so what better person to give in ept to her life than her father.” Destan said jovially while my throat closed up. I glanced at the audience frantically in search of Lily or Hannah as I took a quick step back.Then back at my father. He looked unrecognizable, a far cry from the intimidating figure that loomed over my childhood. The man who had long haunted my dreams had changed; his gaunt frame had filled out, and his face was now smooth-shaven. But it was his smile that unsettled me the most - once a rare and menacing sight, now seemed cunning and deliberate, a calculated gesture that unsettled me more than his anger could.“Come on darling, won’t you give your father a hug.” His voice sounded smoother better than when he was drowning in liquor. He crushed me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “It’s a shame I have to go to such length to see you, doll.” An