A Night of Secrets and Revelations

"Hey guys, dinner will be ready in a few minutes!" Johnson shouted from the kitchen. He was preparing vegetable salad and buffalo wings with garlic butter sauce. He also made a fresh fruit beverage, blending it in the kitchen.

The mention of food made Alice's mouth water instantly. She realized they hadn’t eaten anything during their shopping trip. She left the room and decided to help Johnson with dinner. She set out plates on the table and sat on the dining chair, watching her friend cook the buffalo wings.

"It smells delicious!" Odette exclaimed as she came out of her room and headed straight into the kitchen. "What are you cooking?" she asked.

"It's for me to know and for you to find out!" Johnson smirked.

He knew that whatever he cooked would be delicious. It was like an inborn talent for him. He could whip up meals from scratch that tasted like something from a fine dining restaurant.

"Hmm, I can’t wait. Let me have an appetizer first," Odette said, trying to sip the spicy chicken broth Alice had prepared. It was still hot, but she didn’t mind. "It tastes like heaven," she added.

"Alright, let’s eat now because this little girl looks so hungry she forgot about her diet," Johnson laughed.

"It happens to be my cheat week since last night," Odette said proudly. "I've been working hard to get this perfect body, so I decided to reward myself and give in to my cravings!"

"I’ve heard of cheat days, but a cheat week? That’s new!" Alice chuckled.

Alice couldn’t help but think it was unfair how women had to diet, while men could eat whatever they wanted and still not care about their bodies. Society seemed to pressure women into having the perfect figure while men judged them based on appearance.

"I’ll be free tomorrow. Can I be your P.A.?" Odette asked eagerly. She had heard that one of her favorite actors was going to be cast in Alice's movie.

"Umm, you don’t have to be my P.A. You can just come and watch during the taping. My actual P.A. might skin you alive if she knows you’re eyeing her job!" Alice teased.

"That would be amazing! I really want to see Corey Ward, and maybe we can even have a chat!" Odette’s eyes lit up.

Corey Ward, known for his bad-boy roles, was cast as the villain in Alice's upcoming movie. His character would eventually kill Alice in the middle of the story, even though they were lovers earlier on.

"Here we go again. Are you planning to seduce Corey Ward like you did to Scott James?" Johnson rolled his eyes. Scott James, a promising young actor, had met Odette when Alice played opposite him in a famous fantasy movie.

"Ugh, stop talking about him. He’s so famous now he’s completely forgotten about me!" Odette said, her face falling with disappointment.

"It was just a fling that lasted less than a week during Alice’s shoot!" Johnson laughed. "Besides, you’re the one who initiated it!"

Alice smiled, remembering how Odette had been head-over-heels for Scott, and now she was already eyeing Corey.

"Just be yourself when you come tomorrow. No need to flatter the actors—they’re just ordinary people like us," Alice advised.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Odette saluted playfully.

"I’ll wash the dishes so you can rest and be ready for tomorrow’s taping," Odette offered.

"I’ll just take a walk in the yard. I’m so full," Johnson said, grabbing his phone as he headed outside. He responded to a message before stepping out.

"Are you okay? I’m going back to my room," Alice asked.

"I’m fine. Don’t worry," Odette replied.

Back in her room, Alice went out onto the balcony, holding a pair of earrings. She decided to activate her "powers" to get a reading. Looking up at the sky, she focused on the feeling of the earrings in her hand. The vision came suddenly.

She saw a young woman of mixed Spanish and American heritage staring into a mirror, wearing a pair of earrings identical to the ones Alice held. The woman was pregnant and glowing with happiness.

In the next scene, the woman tied the earrings on a string around a young girl’s neck. The child looked frightened as her mother spoke to her.

"When I’m gone, remember to say a little prayer for me every day. You’ll sleep in this box tonight, and I’ll come get you in the morning. Be a good girl and don’t make any noise, no matter what you hear," the mother instructed. Despite the calm tone, Alice felt the woman’s inner panic.

The girl nodded obediently and closed her eyes as her mother touched her forehead. She fell asleep instantly, and her mother closed the box, hiding her in the basement filled with supplies.

Suddenly, the vision shifted. The girl ran out of the house, blinded by tears, terrified. She reached the garden, where she saw her husband, brother, parents, and servants—all dead or dying.

Japanese soldiers were laughing as they stabbed her husband with a bayonet.

"You beasts!" the woman screamed. "You’ll die!" She pointed her finger at the soldier, and he immediately collapsed, dead from a heart attack. She rushed to her husband, but he was already dying.

"Why... did... you... come... out?" he whispered with his final breath.

The other soldiers, shocked by their comrade’s sudden death, turned to the woman. Their leader slapped her hard. "How did you do that, you witch?" he demanded, pointing to the dead soldier.

In response, she cursed him, and he too began vomiting blood and collapsing in pain. But before she could act again, the assistant leader broke her wrist, ordering his men to cut off her fingers and tongue. Then, they brutally raped her. As she died, her last thought was, "Fate can be changed if you go back to the past..."

Alice snapped out of the vision, feeling shaken. Just then, there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she called. Johnson entered and sat beside her.

"I feel distressed," he said. Alice, still sensitive from using her powers, knew why. Kimmy had called Johnson, expressing her feelings for him and hinting that she wanted more than friendship.

"Kimmy called me earlier," Johnson explained. "She was so straightforward about liking me. I felt like I was being courted!" He sighed.

"Maybe you’ll grow to like her," Alice suggested.

"I gave her an honest answer," Johnson said, looking at Alice meaningfully.

"Oh?" Alice replied, pretending to be surprised.

"I feel so stupid. I gave her our address when she asked for it. She said she wanted to be friends with you and Odette," Johnson continued, feeling unsure.

"You’re not stupid. You didn’t know she’d confess her feelings so soon," Alice reassured him.

"What confession?" Odette asked, walking in just as Johnson finished.

"It’s Kimmy," Johnson replied, explaining the situation.

"I knew it! The way she looked at you at the mall!" Odette exclaimed.

"It’s normal for girls to fall for you. With your looks and character, they’re bound to be drawn to you," Alice said casually, but Johnson’s heart raced at her words.

"Good thing we’re immune to your charm," Odette teased. "To me, you’re still just a baboon!"

"Oh really?" Johnson playfully lunged at her.

"Oops! Don’t you dare bully a helpless girl!" Odette laughed, retreating.

"It’s getting cold out here. Let’s go inside," Alice suggested.

The three of them went back inside. Alice sat at her study table and pulled out the script her manager had sent. Sometimes, she practiced scenes with her friends, so the manager always sent two copies.

Odette and Johnson naturally grabbed the extra script.

"Didn’t you say you’d be playing Danica Colton in this movie?" Johnson asked, frowning as he skimmed the pages.

"Looks like there will be some romantic scenes," Odette said, grinning.

"My manager gave me a heads-up. Since I’ll be eighteen during filming, he accepted the role. It’s just a little hugging and a kiss—not anything too torrid," Alice said nonchalantly.

Johnson frowned at the thought, while Odette practically bounced with excitement. "Maybe I can audition for a role too!" she said.

Alice barely glanced at the script before understanding its contents.

"I need to go to bed early. I want to look fresh and pretty for Corey tomorrow!" Odette declared.

"Sweet dreams," Alice said as Odette left the room.

"I don’t have much to do tomorrow. I’ll help you practice," Johnson offered.

"Thanks. Let’s practice now so we can rest after," Alice said.

They began practicing, and when it came to the romantic scenes, Alice felt a bit awkward at first. Hugging and cheek kisses were fine, but the thought of kissing Johnson, whom she had always thought of as a brother, made her pause.