Sherilyn practically rocketed off the couch and dashed into Jenna’s room, “Jenna, you awake? Mommy’s here.” Once Jenna emerged, freshly washed up, and spotted Gilbert, she instantly beamed and lunged towards him. “Uncle G!”
“Jenna!”
Gilbert scooped Jenna up, then glanced at Sherilyn, who was decidedly ignoring him. Gilbert let out a wry smile, his brother’s antics somehow entangling him once more. “Uncle G, where’s the bunny lantern?”
“Brought it with me. Let’s have dinner first, and then Uncle G and Jenna can put it together, deal?”
“Deal!”
…
After the holiday, it was back to work for Sherilyn’s film crew.
The day started with a kickoff ceremony.
At the ceremony, Sherilyn unexpectedly ran into a familiar face…
Caroline, clad in costume, stood laughing and chatting with Caleb Marshall.
“Sherilyn.” Karol sidled up to her, nodding towards Caroline, “Why’s she here? The company never mentioned anything.” Sherilyn shook her head, “No idea.”
If Karol, who belonged to the same agency as Caroline, was clueless, how would she know?
“The lead, Elizabeth, is still around. She didn’t get replaced. So, what’s Caroline doing here?”
Soon enough, they found out.
“Sherilyn.”
Caroline approached, greeting Sherilyn, “What a coincidence, I heard from Mr. Marshall you’re in his crew.”
“Yep.” Sherilyn nodded, keeping the conversation short.
“I’m here for a cameo. Just two scenes, should wrap up today.”
Caroline explained with a smile, “I’ve worked under Mr. Marshall before, even won an award. Mr. Marshall has been quite gracious to me.”
“Ms. Bennett, we need you for makeup, ready to shoot.”
A makeup artist whispered from behind.
“Got it, on my way.”
Caroline smiled at Sherilyn, waving goodbye, “Let’s catch up when we’re free.”
As soon as she left, Karol grabbed Sherilyn, bubbling with gossip, “Sherilyn, you and Caroline, you’re close? Seems like you’re pretty good friends?” “Mm.” Sherilyn nodded, then shook her head, “Close, yes… but not exactly friends.”
“Not friends?” Karol was skeptical, “Doesn’t seem like it.”
Sherilyn sighed, “Looks can be deceiving.”
Just because Caroline greeted her, she assumed they were on good terms? “Still…”
“Enough with the ‘buts.’ Go get your makeup done; it’s our turn soon.”
Sherilyn had just one scene on the first day back, wrapping up by the afternoon. But she couldn’t leave yet there was a crew dinner in the evening.
With time to kill, Sherilyn grabbed a chair to watch other actors perform. Caroline was on set, her acting immersive, conveying the character’s emotions convincingly. It was clear Caroline’s success wasn’t sotely attributed to the Johnson family’s influence.
“Good job.”
Mr. Marshall praised from the sidelines, “Caroline! Well done.”
“Really?” Caroline, eyes still red from the scene, smiled, “As long as you’re satisfied.”
The crowd began to stir.
“Mr. Johnson.”
“Mr. Johnson…”
A path cleared through the crowd as Gilbert, in a long camel coat, made his way over. The bandage on his head was gone, revealing a stight stubble of hair.
Murmurs filled the air.
“Who’s Mr. Johnson here for?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Sherilyn.”
“But Caroline’s here today.”
Gilbert’s gaze found Sherilyn in the crowd, making his way towards her.
Sherilyn clutched her stomach, turning to head for the restroom.