"Hey, why did your dad jet back hall of a sudden? He was just texting my dad about grabbing beers with his college buddies from Elysium. My dad and another uncle texted him, but he ghosted them," William said with a feigned nonchalance.
Ramona pursed her lips, "He's probably swamped, you know? He's got back-to-back surgeries every day." "Have you called hlately? Chatted with your folks?" William inquired.
"Daddy says he'll ringevery weekend. Toldnot to miss them too much. Said now that I'm in school, | need to learn to stand on myself." "Next tyou talk, remind him to shoot a message to my dad, will ya?" "Sure." After wrapping up a day's shoot at the film studio, Avery took Leah to visit the set next door during his downtime. The show was a joint production with Serenity Films featuring Sammie, one of Avery's talents with a bright and handslook.
They arrived just in tto catch the catfight scene between the second and third lead actresses.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTo Avery's surprise, the role of the third lead was being played by Bonnie. He remembered that Bonnie wasn't originally cast, or he would've never cto visit, risking a paparazzo frenzy.
He adjusted the face mask sitting on the bridge of his nose and glanced at Leah, "Did you know Bonnie was in this show?" Leah whispered back, "The actress who was supposed to play the third lead twisted her ankle on a reality show, so they brought in Bonnie at the last minute. You didn't know?" Avery frowned, "If | had known, would | have come? The paparazzo will have a field day, saying I'm checking up on an ex." Leah had assumed he was there for Bonnie.
Even with his baseball cap and mask, the paparazzi with their eagle eyes soon spotted him.
"You've got a pap snapping pictures already. Maybe we should bounce?" Avery nodded, ready to leave, when a loud slap echoed across the set.
Sybil, playing the second lead, had just delivered a powerful slap to Bonnie's face.
Bonnie was stunned, her fair cheek swelling immediately with a visible red handprint.
Avery instinctively paused.
The director didn't call cut, signaling the scene to go on, but Sybil stopped herself, "Director, I'm not happy with that take. I'd like to go again." The director agreed, and Sybil slapped Bonnie once more.
It was clear as day that this was personal. An off-screen vendetta playing out in front of the cameras.
The pecking order in the showbiz was brutal. Unknown actors were often targets of bullying.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBonnie's past with Avery put her at the bottom of this pecking order. Despite her stunning figure and beautiful features, she was often relegated to supporting roles.
Fuming inside but powerless, Bonnie took it. She couldn't afford to be out of work.
Sybil paused again, wanting another take.
At the sight of Avery on the set, a crew member discreetly alerted the director.
Upon noticing Avery's concerned expression, the director guessed he might be sympathizing with his ex.
Quickly, the director waved it off, "That's enough. Why'd you have to go for real? You've swollen her face. How's she supposed to shoot after this?" Sybil, spotting Avery, couldn't make out his expression behind the mask. But Avery didn't seem pleased.
She shivered, not daring to push further.
Avery was royalty in the showbiz. No one wanted to cross him and face professional exile.
"Director, | was holding back, | swear it wasn't hard. | just wanted it to look real. Bonnie doesn't mind, right, Bonnie?" Bonnie knew Sybil was being vindictive. It all stemmed from a tongue slip during a reality show that had ticked her off. Now, Sybil was out for revenge.