The two women were staring deeply into each other’s eyes trying to find any hidden trace of hostility masked with a facade. “Nice to meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Anna said, still holding onto Ivy’s hand.
“Same,” Ivy responded, retaining her smile.
“You came too early,” Director Tim interrupted their intros, “You will have to wait until the evening before you film your part.”
“I came early to get familiar with the rest of the cast and crew, before I begin,” Anna replied. Director Tim had no time to idle around, so he went back to work with Ivy. But before then, some of the rest of the crew asked for Anna’s autograph, and she willingly signed them with a friendly smile. Looking at the way certain individuals were hovering around her, it made it seem like she was the lead character, whereas Ivy appeared small before her. Some of the crew even started to gossip.
“I wonder why Anna wasn’t considered to be the lead character.”
“Yes, what’s so special about the outdated actress? There are other actresses out there better than her, like Anna.”
While they were saying all this, they were cautious so Director Tim wouldn’t pick up a sound, or there might be trouble. They only had to gossip with their hands covering their mouths.
The time came for Anna to act, Director Tim decided to film the scene with her and Ivy together so Ivy could finish the day’s filming. It wasn’t any action scene; it was some conversations between Donna and Meg, the antagonist. With the both of them dressed as high school students, they looked younger and charming.
“You look good in your costume,” Anna praised the serious-minded Ivy. “You too.”
“Alright, girls…” Director Tim brought back their attention with a clap. “Anna, a friendly conversation, but you,” he pointed at Ivy, “Act the opposite.”
They were signaled by the clapperboard to begin.
Meanwhile, George arrived on set. What caught his eyes were the two actresses in their costumes. Looking at both of them, he was quite pleased. “Two beauties, now I’m confused,” he said, with his hands on his chin while he stared at the two women. They were attractive in their own way, and he began to compare their qualities. “Hmm,” inwardly he was trying to decide the perfect one to hook up with for the time being before moving on to the next.
His personal assistant, upon seeing his facial expression, understood the exact thought going through his mind. “Should I help you decide?”
George smiled at him. “Yes, I will really appreciate your assistance.”
His personal assistant nodded; he would surely give his assistance on deciding the best one to pick so George wouldn’t get himself into trouble. That’s if he accepted the suggestion that was best for him. “I’ll advise you to pick Anna Stewart; it will save you the trouble of angering Zack Anderson.”
George wasn’t satisfied with his response; Ivy’s face still clouded his mind. “Ivy is prettier.”
“I agree, but I prefer you pick Anna Stewart,” his personal assistant insisted. It was better he nudge him in the safer direction before he offends a prominent figure that could crush him without lifting a finger.
George honestly wanted both; he would love to have Ivy first, but she wasn’t paying him attention so he opted to woo Anna before getting Ivy.
The scene ended, and George used the opportunity to approach Anna.
“Hi, pretty.”
Anna was quite pleased with his flirt. “Hi.”
“You did great out there,” George added, this time resting his body on the wall in a slope.
“Thank you,” she responded as she noticed his eyes were exploring her. “Is there something wrong with my…”
“No, nothing’s wrong; it’s just that you look stunning in the costume.” He licked his lower lip with his eyes traveling all over her. “And enchanting.” He was slowly leaking his true intentions of approaching her. Anna smiled and moved closer, so close that her breath brushed his face. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Hmm,” George loves women of her kind, active and ready unlike Ivy, who never spared him a proper courtesy. “Can we have dinner at the hotel restaurant, you and me, alone….” The word ‘alone’ carried a deeper meaning, and she understood.
“Sure, I would love that.” Her index finger stroked his chest as her eyes trailed to his lips. He loved it. In fact, he was the one blushing instead of her…
“Oh, boy, I think two love birds lost their way in the jungle,” Susan contorted her lips as she spoke in a low tone so they wouldn’t hear. She had just arrived on set to see Ivy and happened to pass by the two of them flirting with each other. It seems George has found a new attractive toy to play with; she was well aware George was a Casanova. But for Anna Stewart to pick interest in someone like him was something she refused to rack her brain for.
She walked past them, pretending not to notice what they were up to. And what they were up to would certainly reach the ears of Ivy, so she could be assured that George was off her chest. He has found a worthy partner…
“Ivy, I think George won’t bother you again,” she announced.
“I hope,” Ivy shrugged, not thinking deeply about what she said, even though George hadn’t bothered since the issue with Isabelle; she thought maybe he grew bored of her.
“He has found someone new,” Susan said as a hint, and Ivy quickly understood.
“Oh,” who else but the one in the limelight, Anna Stewart. “We should stop this gossip.”
Susan nodded, then she remembered she had something important to tell her. “…
“Ivy, you must be very thirsty; have some water.” Joan suddenly appeared, stretching a bottle of water to Ivy.
“Yes, I am thirsty.” But before she could collect the bottle of water from Joan, another bottle of water was placed in front of her. “Here, Ma’am.”
“What the…” A scowl crossed Joan’s face. Why was the blonde getting in her way? “Excuse me, didn’t you see me here?”
Edmond turned and tilted his head. “Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t see you there.”