Chapter 4

In my previous life, my phone, my secrets, nothing was off limits to Logan. I never put up any walls between us.

But since they wanted to put on a show, I'd play along with the two-timing pair.

Logan kept calling. Eventually, I turned my phone off completely. What better way to spend a rainy night than with a good night's sleep?

The next day, I took my time with a full face of makeup and slipped into a champagne-colored evening dress.

Studying the bold, striking woman in the mirror, I let out a soft sigh.

With my strong features, I'd always been styled as a glamorous star. It was the image my agency built for me.

So Logan had gone to all this trouble to set up this whole thing. Just to prop up Nathalie in front of Finley, with me as her backdrop.

Too bad, even in my previous life, Finley never gave her the time of day.

I remembered that dinner like it was yesterday.

Besides me playing games with Finley, the other thing that really blew up online was all about Nathalie.

Back then, I was busy taking care of Donna and just showed up bare-faced, never expecting Nathalie to roll in wearing a splendid gown, her makeup looking all effortless and classy.

Paparazzi were sneaking around, snapping candid shots that day.

Marketing accounts were flooding the internet with headlines like [Ordinary girl outshines star Ashley Larson].

Internet sleuths soon found out Nathalie had studied acting too. Comments flooded in, praising her as a hidden gem and begging her to debut.

Wave after wave of "she-outshone-the-star" press pushed Nathalie into the spotlight.

On my way to The Golden Banquet downtown, I finally switched my phone back on.

There were dozens of missed calls and over 99 unread messages, every single one from Logan, grilling me about where I'd disappeared to.

I dialed him up, making my voice sound all remorseful. "Sorry, Logan. I rear-ended someone last night while heading over to you, spent most of the night sorting it out, and my phone ran out of juice."

"A car accident?" Logan practically yelled. "Ashley, I can't believe you. My mom wants to meet you. Today at three, The Golden Banquet."

He didn't care one bit whether I was injured and just started his controlling routine. "Ashley, this is your chance to get my mom's seal of approval. I'm sending someone to drop off an outfit for you. It's exactly her style. And hey, skip the makeup today, alright? My mom hates it when women cake it on."

He had to get the last word in. "Ashley, behave yourself this time and maybe, just maybe, I'll forgive you."

"Sure thing," I chirped, deliberately sounding like I'd just won the jackpot. "I'll be home waiting for your errand boy."

Logan gave a cold snort and hung up.

*****

When I arrived at The Golden Banquet, I made a beeline for Room 307, the one my agent told me about.

A waiter was carrying in a bottle of red wine.

I paused outside the door and peered in. Nathalie stood inside wearing a delicate teal gown, her features carefully made up with soft, natural-looking makeup that gave her an air of understated elegance.

Nathalie raised her wine glass and walked up to Finley.

She said, "Finley, this toast is for you. Ashley said I should really learn from you going forward."

Logan put his arm around her, approval all over his face. "Nathalie's an acting major, actually. Ashley's always treated her like her own sister. She'd do anything to help Nathalie's career, especially if you were the one guiding her."

He threw back his glass in one gulp while Nathalie gazed expectantly at Finley.

Finley just sat there, giving no reaction.

An awkward tension filled the room.

That was when I stepped inside. "Funny, I don't remember suddenly having a sister."

Nathalie froze. When she turned and saw the evening gown I was wearing, she gasped. "Ashley! Why are you dressed like that?"

I just smiled and said, "Isn't this how I always dress?"

Finley's eyes lit up with interest. He got up and motioned for me to sit down.

I just ignored their shocked faces, took my seat, and looked right at Finley. "Finley, been hearing great things about you. Really excited to work with you. I hope I'm not late."

Finley replied, "Not at all, we're still early. I just showed up early myself. Actually, I've caught some of your performances, Ashley. You know exactly how to work the dramatic tension with your co-stars."

As soon as I showed up, Finley went straight into business mode. He told me the plot was top secret for now, but for the next six months before shooting, I'd have to commit to four days a week of seriously intensive training. He asked if I could commit to that.

Right then, Nathalie chimed in, "No way, Ashley and Logan are still totally lovestruck. Four days a week of training sounds... exhausting."

Before she could continue playing spokesperson for my life, I cut her off coldly. "If this role requires it, I'll break up with him."