Chapter 2
On the day we filmed Escape Masters, I was up at 5 AM. It took three subway transfers to get there, and the wind at the stations whipped my bangs all over the place.
I stood in the gangway of the train, watching the pitch-black tunnel flash by, illuminated only by the occasional maintenance light.
As a nobody in the industry, the company didn't provide a car or an assistant.
Ethan used to go through the same struggles. He'd be up before dawn, catching the first trains and switching lines, just to make it to his gigs on time.
To stop him from entering show business, the Grant family had cut off his credit cards early on. Without backing, he was constantly getting replaced during casting.
Now, he had used the resources my foster mother gave him to snag a Best Actor nomination. He had finally proven himself to the Grants and made peace with them.
These days, he's got a private car picking him up everywhere and an assistant at his side, having long since forgotten what it was like to rough it.
When I arrived, only the crew was outside the studio adjusting the gear. I waited with them for ages until Anna, dressed to the nines, walked into the frame arm-in-arm with Ethan.
I sat hunched over on a tiny stool in the corner, clutching a notebook and pen I'd managed to scavenge from the crew.
"Well, the nobody is certainly keen," Anna remarked. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was just sharp enough for everyone nearby to hear. "I guess she really needs the exposure."
Ethan looked around until he spotted me, frowning. "We were actually going to pick you up. But we couldn't get through to your phone."
I gave him a flat, indifferent nod.
The red "On Air" light for the livestream had already flickered on. The camera behind him was pointed straight at the three of us.
For the sake of my work, for the alcohol Yvonne had endured to get me here, and for my right to even stand on this set, I couldn't afford to make a scene on camera.
I grabbed my notebook and pen and headed in the opposite direction.
Jack Harper, the A-list singer, was standing near the edge of the backdrop.
I'd wanted to sign with his agency from day one in showbiz. It took four grueling rounds of interviews before I finally landed the contract.
In the three years since, I'd only seen him once at a company gala, catching a glimpse of him through a sea of people across the hall.
"Mr. Harper," I called out.
He looked up, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes beneath the brim of his hat at being disturbed.
"Could I have your autograph?" I asked. "I grew up listening to your music."
He blinked, looking stunned.
Realizing how awkward that sounded, I rushed to clarify. "Oh, no! I mean, you debuted so early... your work was the soundtrack to my childhood..."
Jack frowned.
I panicked even more. "I wasn't calling you old, I swear..."
Despite the awkwardness, he took the pen and scribbled a stylish signature onto my notebook.
"Thank you, Mr. Harper," I said, hugging the book to my chest.
Ethan's expression turned dark. Even from all the way across the studio, I could feel his glare drilling into my back.
Logan Lake poked his head out from behind a pile of props, glancing between me and Ethan with a smirk.
"Ellie," Logan called out, his voice booming. "You've got a Best Actor standing right there. Why not grab his autograph too?"
Ethan still had his arm around Anna. "Ellie," he said, "once we're in the escape room, make sure to let Anna take the spotlight.
"She's been a scaredy-cat since she was a kid. You're both girls, so you'll look out for her, right?"
Anna looked up at the perfect moment, her face beaming with excitement.
"I'm just a bit afraid of the dark," she said. "But when it comes to logic, I've got it covered. I'm a UC Finance grad, after all."
I watched their little back-and-forth, completely fed up.
"I grew up in Southern Shores," I remarked. "Sometimes I even struggle with reading the rules in your language. I'm not sure what a 'dummy' like me could possibly do to look out for a certified genius."
As the words left my mouth, I saw Ethan's face darken another shade. Remembering the livestream was rolling, I forced a smile.
I said, "Actually, maybe Mr. Grant, you should handle Ms. Cloud's protection personally. I think the fans are dying to see you two interact."
The comments section exploded. On the studio monitors, the chat was moving so fast it was a blur.
[Is she the president of the 'Ethan-Anna' fan club? She's playing matchmaker like a pro.]
[I was literally just wondering who she was, and it turns out she's one of us.]
[OMG, I wish I could swap bodies with Ellie just to witness this ship in person.]