This wasn’t on the same scale as
We were facing a crowded field at the theaters. Last week’s releases were
It seemed to me that
“Who are you taking to lunch?” Haru asked.
“Would you go to lunch with me?” I asked.
I’d talked to my new mentor, Mr. Nomura, before the meeting, and he suggested that this would be the week to ask her. It might have to be Saturday, but I would get it in this week.
◊◊◊
We were going nonstop today. Our director was determined to get all my scenes shot before the day was done. Since I was the reason, I didn’t complain. When we finally got a break, Lexi hurried on set and handed me my phone.
“You need to get home right now,” she said, looking worried.
Lexi never seemed to get ruffled, so it was worrisome to see her in such a state.
“What’s up?”
“Call Teresa,” was all she said.
I had no idea why I would need to go home for Teresa. I decided to call her before I rushed off without a good reason.
“Hey, it’s David.”
“My mom has gone over to your house to lay out again. I suspect she plans to seduce your girlfriend’s father,” she warned.
“F-me! You can’t be serious,” I said.
“I’m sorry.”
I found Mr. Otsuki and explained that I would be back in thirty minutes. Lexi had Manaia waiting with the car when I walked out the front door. It was lucky for me that we were only a few minutes from the house. I sent a text to Brook to find out where she was. It seemed she was with the moms, and they were on the way back from shopping. I told her to delay them.
We pulled in, and I jumped out of the car. I ran inside in search of Ian. At first, I couldn’t find him, and then I heard laughter coming from upstairs. In the hall, I found Paulina’s swimsuit. That didn’t bode well. I came to Ian and Ava’s bedroom door, and I could hear them, so I knocked.
Sudden silence.
“Ian, I know you’re in there with Paulina. Your wife and daughter are minutes away. You better wrap this up right now,” I warned.
“Shit!” Ian said.
“Where’s my swimsuit?” Paulina asked.
“It’s in the hall,” I offered.
The door cracked open.
“Give it to me,” Ian said with his hand held out.
I heard the front door open. I decided I wasn’t going to help him cover this up. All I’d managed to prevent was Ava walking in on it. I grabbed the swimsuit and tossed it to him, turned around, and trudged downstairs.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were working,” Mom said.
“I got a call that Ian had a house guest,” I replied. Then I turned to Brook and Ava. “I’m so sorry you had to walk in on this.”
“Walk in on what?” Mom asked.
Ian rushed down the stairs.
“I’ll let him explain,” I said and started for the front door.
Brook grabbed my arm, and I could tell she wanted answers.
“Just come with me. I have to get back on set,” I said, and she followed me out to the car.
“What’s going on?” she asked as we pulled away from the house.
“Your dad spent the afternoon with one of the neighbors,” I said.
Brook rocked back into her seat in stunned silence. I had a nervous laugh bubble up; that earned me a glare.
“Sorry. I was just thinking this is worse than a soap opera. You really should have stayed to see my mom and yours in action. Without either of us there as witnesses, we might not find their bodies,” I explained.
I could tell Brook wanted to get mad at me so she could vent. Then she seemed to deflate.
“My dad really cheated on my mom?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
“I don’t want to go back.”
“That’s fine. You can hang out on the set with Lexi and Hana while I work,” I suggested.
When I walked in, I was sent straight in to do the next scene. I nailed it. It was either that or Mr. Otsuki’s one-shot rule. No matter; we moved on. I didn’t get a break until dinnertime.
◊◊◊
