Never Too Far Novel

That amused Julian. “I thought you were a thief.”

“I didn’t mean it. My friend was arguing with your fans and she shoved me by accident, so I grabbed onto you. Your bodyguards scared me, so I yanked the necklace off,” she explained sheepishly.

Julian sat down and rested his chin on his hand. He thought she was cute when she explained things. As the older sister, Queenie was calm and collected, while as the younger sister, Jessie was adorable.

“It’s alright. I don’t blame you.” He even poured some tea for her, much to her surprise.

Jessie stood up.

Just then, someone opened the door. Before Jessie could tell what was going on, someone dashed toward her and gave her a big hug. “You’re my sister, Jessie. You’re my sister!” It was Queenie. She was crying tears of joy.

Jessie’s eyes went wide with surprise. She couldn’t believe Queenie was her actual sister. “Y-You’re actually my sister?” She held Queenie’s shoulder and gave the crying Queenie a tissue.

“Yes, I’m your sister. Dad and Mom have been waiting for you to come home.” Queenie was sobbing. Words couldn’t describe how she felt. Back when her fake sister came back, she did feel happy, but it wasn’t like how she felt now. She truly felt connected to Jessie.

Jessie started crying as well. She muttered under her breath, “I finally found my family.”

The gentlemen were moved by the reunion as well, and they exchanged a look. This was one of the best things that could happen to someone.

“We’ve been searching for you. For twenty years.” Queenie found it hard to calm down. Tears were still streaming down her cheeks.

Nigel quickly helped her sit down and wiped her tears with some tissue, but Queenie was wiping off Jessie’s tears instead. “We’ll go home in a couple of days. You can see Dad and Mom.”

“Okay.” Jessie nodded through sobs. She yearned for family and familial love. Now that she knew she wasn’t abandoned, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart to know her family had always been looking for her.

Julian rested his chin on his hand. His gaze was fixed on Jessie’s face for a long time.

Queenie finally calmed down a little. Everyone must be hungry. She smiled. “Let’s eat. Don’t starve yourself.”

Before she made any order, Queenie would ask Jessie if she liked it. She wanted to know if Jessie was allergic to anything, but fortunately, Jessie was no picky eater, nor was she allergic to anything. She never came to restaurants as expensive as this one before.

“I’m fine with anything, Queenie.” Jessie was starting to get reliant on Queenie. She was her sister. Her family.

The gentlemen said nothing and let the ladies do whatever they wanted. As Nigel watched Queenie taking care of Jessie, he thought, She will be a wonderful mother. And he was relieved as well. Now that Jessie was found, Queenie would no longer have to worry about the search. We can finally hold the wedding.

A sense of achievement welled within Julian’s heart. He found Queenie’s long-lost sister. I should have seen her last night, but it was dark, and I got annoyed because I thought she was a fan. Good thing she tore my necklace off. Thanks to that, we met again this morning.

If she hadn’t done that, he would have missed her. Even though they were in the same industry, he might never see her again. She was a stuntwoman who could never show her face on camera. Even if Queenie could find her, it would take a while. For some reason, he thought fate guided him to this meeting. Of all nights he could lose his necklace, it had to be the night she showed up, and she even took it with her, which led to this meeting.

“Are you still working, Jessie? I’d like you to meet Dad and Mom as soon as possible,” Queenie asked.

Well, I crossed Mabel. I can’t be her stuntwoman anymore, so I’ll quit tomorrow. I don’t care about the money. I want to see my family. “I’ll quit my job tomorrow and go home with you,” Jessie answered.

Julian arched his eyebrow. “You don’t have to work as a stuntwoman anymore. If you like this industry, you can work with me. I’ll show you the ropes,” he said languidly.

There was excitement and gratitude in Jessie’s eyes. She nodded. “I love acting.”

Even though she had been nothing but a stuntwoman for years, she still had a passion for acting. Every time she showed up, she put her heart and soul into it. Even though all the viewers could see was her back, she would still give it her all.

She would have joined the industry if not for the dark side of it. Thanks to her skills, she managed to stay around. A lot of directors loved to hire her due to her industrious attitude and cheap rates.

“We’re counting on you, Julian. Take care of her.” Nigel patted his friend’s shoulder. He was entrusting Jessie to him.

Julian nodded. “Of course.”

“Thank you, Julian. I’d love for her to be a big star.” Queenie smiled. We’ll give her the best of what we have.

Jessie blushed. She pursed her lips and answered humbly, “That’s a big dream. I’d already be happy with being able to act.”

“And you’ll get all the roles you want if you work with him. He’s the darling of the industry.” Nigel laughed.

Queenie froze for a moment. Julian was a mysterious man, and nobody knew what he did before he debuted. Now that she had the chance, Queenie asked, “So what’s his family business?”

“Stardom Corporation’s boss is his brother.”

The ladies exchanged a look of surprise. None of them expected Julian to be a part of Stardom Corporation. That was the top multinational entertainment company in the nation and one of the best entertainment companies around.

Julian smiled humbly. “My brother’s the reason Stardom got so far. I’m just an employee working for him.”

Wow. An award-winning actor calling himself an employee. “Can you get Jessie a spot in Stardom? We’d love for her to be a part of your company,” Queenie said.

Julian answered without hesitation, “Sure. She can work in Stardom.”

Jessie was still a little bemused. Whoa. I was just a stuntwoman a while ago, and now I’m a part of Stardom. Every celebrity would kill to get a spot in that place.

“Don’t worry, Jessie. You have our full support,” Queenie added. Yep. She’s my sister. I can give her everything, even if it means I have nothing. I never felt the same way with that fake.

Jessie teared up. She was moved, and it felt good to be spoiled. She nodded. “I’ll do my best.” Her phone rang, and she looked at it. “It’s the director. I need to take this call.”

Jessie left the room to take the call. As expected, her director hissed, “Mabel told me you’re too good for us now. If you want to leave, leave.”

“Sorry, sir. I can’t keep going on now, yeah.”

“Oh, someone got herself a new boss. Bigger and better, I assume?” the director remarked sarcastically.

“I’m sorry.”

“If you leave halfway through, I won’t pay you.”

“I know. I won’t be coming tomorrow, then.” She hung up and heaved a sigh of relief. From now on, I don’t have to bow down to anyone. From now on, I can confidently say no to the things I don’t want to do.

That night, Jessie checked out of the hotel and packed her stuff. Lexie was reluctant to see her go, and Jessie gave her a few gifts before she said goodbye. We can still keep in touch.

She returned to the hotel and stayed in the same room as Queenie. The ladies sat on the sofa and started chatting. Queenie wanted to know how Jessie grew up. After Jessie went missing, she was taken to an orphanage. Fortunately, it was run by a kind director. She watched over her like a mother. After she graduated high school, Jessie started working to repay her debt of gratitude.

“Madam Yancy is nice to me. Aside from the poverty and lack of college education, I grew up happily.” She smiled.

But Queenie felt a strong sense of guilt. Her heart went out to her sister. Unlike her, Jessie never had the love and wealth the Silversteins showered on Queenie. Instead of chasing her dreams, Jessie was forced to drop out of school and work. Queenie held her sister in her embrace.

Jessie leaned on her chest. She consoled, “Don’t feel sad for me, Queenie. My life was never really hard.”

There were tears in Jessie’s eyes as well, but there was also determination. The environment she grew up in sculpted her into a tough person.

“From now on, anything you want, I’ll help you with it,” Queenie promised.

“I don’t need anything. I just want to stay with you, Dad, and Mom. And I wanna take care of the orphanage and have a job that I like. That’s enough for me,” Jessie said. She was not a greedy person. That was all she wanted.

Queenie had told their parents to come home as soon as possible, and their reply finally came back. Since she said it was urgent, Brandon told her they would be flying home that night. “Dad and Mom’s coming home. I didn’t tell them about you in case they got too excited. But I’d like to take you home and surprise them.”

“Of course.” Jessie nodded.

The sisters chatted until two in the morning. They would have kept going, but they had a flight to board the next day and health was a concern.

Jessie was lying on the soft bed, still awake. She sat up and stared at the moon outside. It had been a long time since she lost sleep. Everything that happened today felt like a dream.

They had breakfast early the next morning. Nigel’s plane was already waiting for them, and Julian would like to return to Averna for a while. He only came to this town for a little break, but now he wanted to be with his friends.

They got to the airport and boarded the flight. The ladies chatted happily at first, but their lack of sleep caught up with them and they slowly dozed off.

Queenie leaned on Nigel’s shoulder and fell asleep a while later, while Jessie was resting her head on the armrest of the sofa. The air stewardess came by and covered them with some blankets.

Julian was sitting beside Jessie. Though he was reading a book, he couldn’t help but notice the beautiful face that was just within his range of sight.

hair were scattered across her gentle, attractive features. Julian’s heart stirred

was taking a nap with Queenie nestled

if Julian was the only one who

scrambled to grab onto something and ended up grabbing onto Julian’s arm. Jessie had never gone on a plane ride before.

fine. It’s just a bit of turbulence.” Julian patted Jessie on

her fear just yet. She squeezed her eyes shut and started

the armrest between them and asked Jessie, “Are

paralyzed with fear right now and couldn’t calm down

out and held her shoulders. “Hold

she buried her head against his chest.

saw the two of them in an embrace. All of a sudden, a

great if Julian and

them

like I’ll have to try

last, the turbulence stopped and Jessie scuttled away from Julian feeling slightly embarrassed. She pulled

a pang when the warmth in his arms

asking where she was the moment she stepped

and not go anywhere, okay? I’ll

What’s the important matter that

once I get home.” Queenie evaded the question before reminding them yet again,

grown up in Averna as well, but she used to live in an orphanage

bustling city center and business district. Silverstein Residence was situated in the luxurious neighborhood

had gone home, so it was only the other three

flight and were resting at home. Although Maggie was glad to be home, her mood soured when she recalled

youngest daughter, but now that the imposter had used that name, it stung the couple even

name Bonnie anymore if our youngest daughter comes back in

nodded in agreement, but he wondered, When will our youngest daughter come

I’ll even live to see her.” Maggie choked up. “How many more years do we have? Ten? Twenty? What if we never get to see her again? I won’t be able

patted Maggie on the back to console her. “Don’t think about that. I’m

aching soul, yet no matter what she tried, she couldn’t come to

came running over. “Mr. and Mrs. Silverstein, Miss Queenie is back! I just saw Mr. Manson’s

important thing

engagement,” Maggie suggested. We should start

at the door and watched as Nigel’s car pulled into the driveway. Meanwhile, inside the car, Queenie

Queenie was trying to do

of her. She did her best to hold back all the emotions inside

up and tell us what’s

did your hair get so long? When did you

fast? Also, why did you lose so much weight? Haven’t you

the car opened on the other side. Queenie

fell out of their sockets. They stared in disbelief at the two identical young women standing in front of them. At last, it was Maggie

was trembling with emotion as he stared at Jessie. Tears welled up inside his eyes as he deduced what was

how her parents would react to the news, but she didn’t expect them to be so overwhelmed. She came over and threw her arm around Jessie’s shoulders. “Mom. Dad, I found my little sister.

she nearly fainted. She threw her arms around Jessie as she exclaimed with joy, “My

smile. His eyes grew a little misty at

lot. Where have you been all these years? Did anyone mistreat you? Quick, tell me everything.” Throughout all these years, Maggie avoided reading news of child

that her long-lost daughter had been found, she wanted

were red. She shook her head and assured Maggie, “I didn’t have to suffer

eyes off Jessie. The thought of the imposter pretending to be her

to Queenie and asked frantically, “Queenie, how did you find your sister? Tell us

into the house. “Mom. Dad. Let’s talk inside.

down in the living room, Queenie filled her parents in on everything that happened the past two days. Brandon and Maggie cried tears of joy as they couldn’t believe that fate had brought their daughter back to

gratefully. “We need to take him out

invite him out for a meal with all of us sometime soon!” Nigel

shared briefly about her life at the orphanage. Fortunately, the director at the orphanage had been a kind, motherly

determined to thank the director at the orphanage. They were also going to

for the lost time. Jessie could sense the love her parents had for her, as well as the remorse they felt for all the years

in life. She felt

Queenie took Jessie to her room. The Silverstein couple couldn’t wait to refurbish

stay in that room either. They didn’t want their precious daughter to be tainted by the room’s previous

Maggie’s permission, Queenie filled Jessie in on everything that

hardly believe her ears. Someone pretended to be me and leeched off

She was back

were so ecstatic that they couldn’t sleep a wink. It was as if the long nightmare had ended

truly come

It’s a lovely name,” Maggie remarked

rolls right off the tongue. From now on, we have both our daughters

know! My dream has always been to see both our daughters

sisters had much to talk about too. They stayed up talking until the wee hours of

the

Queenie’s dresses. When she came downstairs,

chuckled. “It’s me,

so sorry! Miss Jessie, you and Miss

fine.” Jessie smiled. She was

she came out to the garden, Brandon and Maggie also had to stare for a few moments before

over here, Jessie,” Maggie

to her right away. Maggie admired her daughter’s radiant beauty under the sunlight and felt deeply

hold a dinner party. We want to invite all of our family and friends to come and get to know

want to meet

decided, then. We’ll hold it tomorrow night,” Maggie declared

to Nigel and confirmed that she and her family were going to

noticing that her youngest daughter was blushing hard. Mom, do you know that Mr. Gilmore is the

Nigel to invite him,” Queenie assured with a smile. She was certain that Nigel could

take Jessie to the mall.” Queenie wanted to

to the boutique and

Queenie linked arms with Jessie. “Come on! Let’s get some shopping

shopping with her sister, and their parents were grinning ear to

started praising, “You’re so fortunate, Mr. and Mrs. Silverstein! Your daughters are so beautiful. I’m sure they’ll

was music to Brandon and Maggie’s ears. Now that Queenie had found her life

her first time today, and Queenie kept getting her to

the two assistants who came out with the two sisters were weighed down

stop. We don’t need

Let’s continue.” Queenie dragged Jessie off to another boutique and the sisters spent another hour shopping before they went for lunch. After lunch, Queenie brought Jessie to a boutique to try on evening gowns, and once that was over, they stopped by the spa for some pampering before heading

hadn’t escaped Queenie’s eyes at all. She could tell that Jessie liked Julian but

day, Jessie would reach the pinnacle of success, and she would be able

would’ve proven herself, and she would be able to

all to

both Brandon and Maggie started tearing up again.

we’re ready,” Queenie

“Great. Let’s go!”

off happily with Brandon in the driver’s seat, Maggie in the front passenger seat, and the two sisters

into the car with him. No one knew that the award-winning actor was actually a homebody who had a relatively simple life outside of filming. He was a gifted actor who spent most of his

such a big deal out of

up at home anyway, so you might

that Julian enjoyed hanging

two men had arrived first but the Silversteins were soon arriving too, so the men decided

Brandon’s car pulled up to the hotel. He parked

was Queenie, and Julian did the same

air of maturity, whereas Jessie had

the past, she thought of him as the unattainable man who was way out of her league, but now, she was going to have dinner

thought of that made

was someone who would still look handsome and distinguished no matter what he wore. Tonight, he was wearing a simple black hoodie, but that was enough to make him look

had already started skipping over to Nigel. She wanted to hug him, but she held herself back since her

Gilmore! My, my! What a fine young man you are!” Maggie swiftly went forward to greet

warmth and kindness from her. He nodded and smiled. “It’s nice to

we would’ve reunited with

met Miss Silverstein by coincidence too.” Julian didn’t dare to take credit for it as he hadn’t been all that nice when they