“I’m afraid not,” Emily answers. “She had to go to an important conference today. The only good news is she took Crystal with her—so you don’t have to worry about running into her.”
Leilani nods and says, “I guess I’ll just get the cufflinks and be on my way then. I have to meet my sister in an hour.”
Gabrielle looks out the window as the car pulls through the studio gates. Despite the tall iron gates, dozens of paparazzi and fans wait around the old brick buildings and sound stages. Gabrielle watches in awe as the car pulls past a set for an Old Western, and then past a street that looks like a medieval town.
She checks her phone, feeling nervous and shy. A few days ago, she saw a headline announcing that Bryan would be starring in a new period piece. Though the film is a small independent production, there’s already a fair bit of hype about Bryan’s role. Gabrielle tucks her phone into her pocket and takes a deep breath. She wants to support Bryan—if the gossip columns are right, this film could be a breakthrough for him.
“Miss, we’re here,” the driver says.
Gabrielle looks out the window and sees that the car has stopped next to a tall white building with a black tile roof. She takes a deep breath and steps out of the car, shutting the door softly behind her. The BMW pulls away, leaving Gabrielle alone in front of the building.
For a moment, she wonders if she’s made a mistake. This is my first day off from Top Girls Club, she thinks. Maybe I should have gone somewhere else. Or I could have tried to escape. She sighs and shakes her head. No, escape would be pointless—no matter where I go, Jackson would track me down.
A golf cart speeds past, kicking up a spray of dust. The back seat is loaded with costumes and props, and Gabrielle stares at them in amazement. She follows the cart to the other side of the building and tugs on a heavy black door.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” a rough voice shouts. “This is an active set. No one’s allowed in without the right pass.”
Gabrielle turns around and comes face to face with a security guard. The man wears dark glasses and a baseball cap. His muscles bulge out of the sleeves of his tight T-shirt.
“Oh, um, I’m—” Gabrielle stammers.
She stops short when she hears a scream.
“The lead actress is coming,” a hysterical female voice screams. “Oh my god, Miss Janetta, Miss Janetta, look over here.”
The security man crosses his arms over his chest and rolls his eyes impatiently. Within seconds a crowd of paparazzi, extras, and crew have appeared outside the building. The crowd and push and point at a black car rolling down the road. Gabrielle stands on her tiptoes and tries to see what they’re looking at, but it’s hard to push past the aggressive crowd.
“Oh my god, she’s such a hard worker,” a woman nearby says. “If I were her, I wouldn’t show up to work so early.”
“I’d kill to look like her,” another woman says. “Janetta Peters has to be one of the most stunning women.”
Gabrielle blinks in shock. Did they just say, Janetta Peters? She thinks. Is my sister a movie star now? She doesn’t get another minute to wonder. The back door of the car swings open, and a black calfskin shoe appears as Bryan swings his leg out of the car.
He gets out and smiles at the crowd, brushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes. He’s wearing black jeans and a fitted black T-shirt and his signature silver jewelry. He reaches into the car, and a long white hand grabs his own. And then Janetta steps out of the car.
“Oh my god,” the woman next to Gabrielle says. “Are they seriously in the same car? So early in the morning? Do you think they’re sleeping together?”
Gabrielle’s stomach churns, and she ignores the woman next to her. Suddenly coming to see Bryan seems like a terrible idea. Gabrielle slips her phone out of her pocket and starts to dial the driver’s number. She doesn’t notice that the crowd has parted, and Janetta and Bryan are walking toward her.
“Little Miss C.o.c.keyed, is that you?” Bryan calls.
Gabrielle blushes and drops her phone. Bryan laughs, lets go of Janetta’s hand, and rushes forward to give Gabrielle a bear hug. He spins her around and beams down at her.
“I had no idea you’d be here,” he says. “It’s so good to see you.”
Gabrielle looks over Bryan’s shoulder and sees hatred and jealousy flash in her sister’s eyes. She swallows hard and steps forward to hug Janetta, but Janetta dodges her.
“Janetta, it’s so good to see you,” Gabrielle stammers. “I can’t believe it’s been so long. I had no idea you’re an actress now.”
Janetta’s nostrils flare, and her eyes narrow as she asks, “What the hell are you doing here Gabby?” She quickly looks over her shoulders and says in a louder, sweeter voice, “I mean, this is such a wonderful surprise.”
Gabrielle laughs and says, “Well, I heard that our old friend Bryan was making a film, so I thought I’d come to support him. It’s so great to see you here too.”
“Oh, does the Top Girls Club just let its s.l.u.ts run around now?” Janetta whispers. “That’s right, and Dad told me all about what you do.”
Gabrielle feels her face flame with shame. She glances over her shoulder to see if Bryan heard Janetta, but he’s busy talking to a crew member. She swallows hard and glares at Janetta.
“Oh, do you still have that cute little crush on Bryan?” Janetta asks. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if he knew his sweet little childhood friend was a filthy p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e now?”
Gabrielle digs her nails into her palm and whispers, “Don’t you dare tell him.”
“I’m sure he’ll find out eventually,” Janetta says. “But your secret is safe—for now. I don’t need all these reporters knowing that my little sister is a dirty s.l.u.t.”
Gabrielle bites her tongue and fights the urge to slap Janetta across the face.
The extras and crew members come closer, and Janetta tosses her hair and puts an arm over Gabrielle’s shoulders. Gabrielle tries to pull away, but Janetta’s long nails dig into her shoulder, and she’s forced to stay put.
Janetta raises her voice and says, “Oh, I’m so happy to see you, Gabrielle. What a wonderful surprise! But you shouldn’t have—how did you even get onto the set? Did security give you any trouble—you should have told them you’re with me.”
“I didn’t want to spoil the surprise, of course,” Gabrielle says, matching her tone to her sister’s. “Besides, I know how busy you are—I wouldn’t want to give you any problems.”
“You shouldn’t talk like that,” Janetta says, her voice sickly sweet. “We’re sisters. Nothing you do could ever be a problem for me. Anyway, have you ever been to a film set? Let me give you a tour.”
Janetta tightens her grip on Gabrielle’s shoulder and propels her away from the crowd. The crew members and extras start to wander away and return to work. Janetta keeps a huge smile plastered on her face until they’re gone.
“Look at you,” Janetta hisses. “You used to be an awkward little girl, but I see the Top Girls Club has taught you to poise. I wonder what else it’s taught you.”
“Shut up,” Gabrielle snaps back.
“Bryan, come with us,” Janetta calls. “I’m sure you and Gabrielle will want to catch up.”
Bryan shrugs and ends his conversation and walks over to join them. An awkward silence fills the air, and Gabrielle clears her throat nervously.
“So, Bryan, it’s been a while,” Gabrielle says.
“Since when do you call me Bryan?” he asks, raising a dark eyebrow. “You think you’re all grown up now, do you?”
“You have no idea just how grown,” Janetta mutters under her breath.
Gabrielle feels a blush creep up her cheeks, and she looks down at her sandals. Janetta seems determined to embarrass her in front of Bryan. And it’s clear that Bryan still sees her as a little girl. I wish he’d see me as a grown woman, she thinks. But I don’t want him to know I work at the Top Girls Club. Tears spring into her eyes, and she swallows hard.
“Miss Janetta, we need you in your trailer,” a woman calls.
Janetta lets go of Gabrielle’s arm and says, “Well, I’d love to show you around, but I have to go get my makeup done. Byran, stay with Gabrielle and show the studio. Besides, I’m sure you two have a lot to catch up on.”
Janetta flounces away toward her trailer, leaving Gabrielle alone with Bryan. Gabrielle digs her nails into her palms and watches her sister go. As soon as the trailer door shuts, she relaxes. She turns toward Bryan and sees he’s still staring at Janetta’s trailer.
“So, are you with her now?” Gabrielle blurts out.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply