- 5.
<
444
Ethan didn’t show up for lunch. Instead, I got a call from a notorious paparazzo, offering photos and videos of Ethan and Sarah. He clearly didn’t dare approach Ethan directly. I had no interest in the photos, but I figured I should
inform Ethan. He didn’t answer. I called his assistant, who stammered, “Mr. Stone… he’s…..” Sarah’s assistant’s voice cut in, sharp and triumphant. “Sarah and Mr. Stone are taking a nap. They’re not to be disturbed.” I hung up. Shortly after, a text from Sarah arrived. “Ethan’s exhausted, he’s asleep. Tell me what you need, and I’ll let him know when he wakes up.” Attached was a photo of Ethan asleep on the trailer bed, tie loose, expression relaxed. He seemed deeply asleep, yet his hand was intertwined with Sarah’s.
I put away my phone, and with it, the last vestiges of hope. I followed the crew to the set. Half an hour later, a deafening explosion rocked the studio, followed by the wail of sirens. Ethan, in Sarah’s trailer, barely registered the sound. He checked his watch. “Sarah, Amelia’s spoiled,
く
she doesn’t understand. Consider this movie my
apology. She has that explosion scene this
afternoon, and I’m worried. I need to check on
her.”
As Sarah started to protest, his assistant
pounded on the door, his voice frantic. “Mr.
Stone! There’s been an accident! Mrs. Stone…
the explosion…”
Ethan was stunned. He stared at his watch,
bewildered. “The schedule said 3 PM. Not now.”
His assistant, panicked, explained, “They moved it up… Mrs. Stone was waiting for you for lunch. You didn’t come, so she… she went back to set early…”
Ethan exploded. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?!” He grabbed his phone, seeing a string of missed calls. He turned to Sarah, his face grim.
“Did you put my phone on silent?”
Sarah lookeded. “Ethan, you were so tired. I
just wanted you to rest…”
The assistant couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
“Mrs. Stone called, sir. It was Ms. White’s
assistant who wouldn’t let us wake you. She
く
said you and Ms. White were… resting and not
to be disturbed.”
Sarah tried to deflect, blaming her assistant,
but Ethan was in no mood for excuses. He
stormed out.
