All Too Late

“Ha!” scoffed Kathleen as her scarlet lips curled with cold derision.

Spencer frowned and asked, “Do you or do you not want to proceed?”

Astrid froze in response as she took in his question.

Spencer exclaimed angrily, “Get lost if you’re not continuing with the filming! I’m warning you, don’t bother with all these useless schemes when you’re in my film crew. I don’t buy a single one of them! I don’t care who you have backing you. I’ll personally shame you on the internet if you dare to create a situation where I can’t continue with the filming!”

Astrid’s face stiffened and was stony as she returned Spencer’s gaze. He was clearly different from the other directors she had worked with and certainly commanded significant influence within the entire film crew.

She bit her lip in thought as she recognized she hadn’t achieved her objective and thus had to find a way to prevent herself from being kicked out of the film crew. With that in mind, she didn’t dare to retaliate despite being reprimanded by Spencer at length. She cradled her face and grudgingly accepted that she had taken the slap for nothing.

Later that evening, the film crew had packed up for the day and were ready to leave. Kathleen strode out and immediately caught sight of Samuel.

Why is he here?

His tone was heavy as he said, “Get in the car. I have something extremely important to tell you.”

“I’ve promised Timothy that I would have dinner with him,” replied Kathleen as she gazed at him curiously.

Samuel frowned slightly in response to her sudden announcement.

At that point, Timothy strode over and asked, “Mr. Macari? What brings you here?”

Samuel coolly replied, “I heard that you were planning on treating Kathleen to a meal. Is that right, Mr. Currah?”

“That’s right,” replied Timothy readily with a nod. He continued, “The director told us to familiarize ourselves with one another, or we would only be awkward and distant in the scenes that we acted in together. That would then impact the overall effect that the film brings to people and its success.”

A stark coldness emanated from Samuel’s gaze as he asked, “You wouldn’t mind if I joined you for your meal tonight, would you?”

“Of course not,” replied Timothy, dumbfounded.

goal is for the two of you to know each other better, I’m sure we can achieve the same outcome even with a third party

his comment.

the car,” instructed Samuel as he

“What are you

its tracks but didn’t respond to her query. Instead, he merely put on

“Seatbelt,” commanded Samuel irately.

Samuel didn’t speak another word and proceeded to drive off. He

stew

that Timothy knew Kathleen very well. Even as she sat beside Samuel, she could feel the waves of displeasure cascading off him. However, she made up her mind and decided to ignore him.

cold shoulder. Instead of

pick it up. He was infuriated beyond measure at how things had developed but also knew that

of university. Your performance was a contemporary dance that truly astounded the audience,” recalled

saw my performance?” asked

day of school. I mean, how could it not? They claimed

shyly, “To be fair, there were quite

directors who had already picked you out for parts in their productions. It’s just that

married to Samuel at that point in time. She sipped from her glass of

as he said, “It’s a pity. You

had held her back for several years and in doing so, had affected her career prospects. As he listened on, he reflected and realized he had never gone to visit Kathleen at school during her university days. He didn’t know what her university environment and experience were like either. He had only picked up from the occasional whisper here and there that she

saying all these

Timothy made his way to the counter to foot the bill. However, Samuel reacted faster and beat him to it. He pulled out his credit card and said, “Bill,

at the counter hesitated for a moment but finally accepted the card from

we agree that I would be treating for this meal?” asked Timothy

so much about Kate and her university days. This is nothing more than my way of showing my appreciation to

but

case, I’ll take you up

are you sending her home? Do you want her to appear on the headlines the next day?” asked Samuel aggressively. He continued, “Don’t you know just how

there’s nothing going on between Kate and me. We’re innocent,” stated Timothy

her home. Also, I feel that both of your acting skills are excellent. In view of that, there’s no