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

book down and glanced at Nigel, who was taking a nap with Queenie nestled in

if Julian was the only one who had a good night’s

bout of turbulence and Jessie was startled awake. In her fright, her hands scrambled to grab onto something and ended

Everything’s fine. It’s just a bit of

Jessie couldn’t overcome her fear just yet. She squeezed her eyes shut and started gasping

and asked Jessie, “Are you

nodded. She was paralyzed with fear right now and couldn’t calm down despite knowing that nothing

reached out and held her shoulders.

froze in shock, but the turbulence started getting stronger. Terrified, she wrapped her arms around him shyly and closed her eyes as she buried her head against his chest. The scent of him that she took in with every breath seemed

comforting Jessie, Nigel opened his eyes and saw the two of them

I think about it, it’d be great if

four of them would

curved into a small smile. Looks like I’ll have to try my hand at

from Julian feeling slightly embarrassed. She

pang when the warmth in his arms disappeared. He shook his head and

call from Brandon asking where she was

in the house and not go anywhere, okay? I’ll be right

the important matter that you mentioned?” Brandon asked

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

to live in an orphanage on the poorer side of

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

gone home, so it was only the

home. Although Maggie was glad to be

the Silverstein couple had given their youngest daughter, but now that the imposter had used that

our youngest daughter comes back

wondered, When will our youngest daughter

Maggie choked up. “How many more years do we have? Ten? Twenty? What if we never

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

to relieve her aching soul, yet

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

back at last! I wonder what’s the important thing that she insisted on

the engagement,” Maggie suggested.

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

was trying to do and

the car and stared at the couple in front of her. She did her best to

you rush us to come back as soon as possible? Hurry up and tell us what’s going on. You’ve made us so anxious!” Maggie grumbled as she

when did your hair get so long? When did you dye it black?” Brandon noticed the

and exclaimed, “How did your hair grow so fast? Also, why did you lose so

side. Queenie stepped out and called out,

identical young women standing in front of

stared at Jessie. Tears welled up inside his eyes

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.

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

His eyes grew a little misty at the sight

must have suffered a 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 trafficking as her heart would

in the same way. Thus, now that her long-lost daughter had been found, she wanted

eyes were red. She shook her head and assured Maggie, “I didn’t have to suffer at all. I grew up in an orphanage. Everything’s good in

The thought of the imposter pretending to

and asked frantically, “Queenie, how did you

Dad. Let’s talk inside. Jessie’s home now. She’s right here. She

two days. Brandon and Maggie cried tears of joy as they couldn’t believe that fate had brought their daughter back to

have to thank Mr. Gilmore,” Maggie declared gratefully. “We need to take him out for

of mine. I’ll invite him out for a meal with all of us sometime soon!” Nigel agreed

a kind, motherly figure who treated Jessie well. Although the orphanage was poor, Jessie’s childhood had been filled

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

while as if she was making up for the lost time. Jessie could

life. She felt a weight lifted

wait to refurbish a room for Jessie. The one that Bonnie

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

Queenie filled Jessie in

her ears. Someone pretended to be me and leeched off the family?

She was back now. No one could use her

It was as if the long nightmare had ended and

had truly

It’s a lovely name,”

From now on,

been to see both our daughters marry and start

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

was the

much with her, so she wore one of Queenie’s dresses. When she came downstairs,

blinked and chuckled.

sorry! Miss Jessie, you and Miss Queenie are so similar.

smiled. She

had to stare for a few moments before recognizing that she

over here, Jessie,” Maggie called out

to her right away. Maggie admired her daughter’s radiant beauty under

your mother and I have discussed things and we want to hold a dinner party. We want to invite all of our family and friends to come and get

to

then. We’ll hold it tomorrow night,”

and confirmed that she and her family were going

sure to invite Mr. Gilmore. We need to thank him properly,” Maggie reminded Queenie without noticing that her youngest daughter was blushing hard. Mom, do you know that Mr. Gilmore is the biggest celebrity in the industry? It’s hard

invite him,” Queenie assured with a smile. She was

the mall.” Queenie wanted to go shopping with

dinner party tomorrow, so take Jessie to the

linked arms with Jessie. “Come on! Let’s

was thrilled to go shopping with her sister, and their parents were grinning ear to ear to see their gorgeous girls heading out

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

Brandon and Maggie’s ears. Now that Queenie had found her life partner, they looked forward to Jessie meeting

guts to step into these sorts of boutiques. It was her first time today, and Queenie kept getting her to try on all of the dresses she had

an eye, the two assistants who came out with the

don’t need

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,

all. She could tell that Jessie liked

day, Jessie would reach the pinnacle of success, and she would be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Julian as a highly acclaimed actress

and she

it her all to doll Jessie

Brandon and Maggie started tearing up

Dad, we’re ready,”

“Great. Let’s go!”

drove off happily with Brandon in the driver’s seat, Maggie in

who had a relatively simple life outside of filming. He was a gifted actor who spent most of his free time playing video games with Nigel, tending to his garden, and staying

a big deal out of thanking me? I didn’t do

be holed up at home anyway, so you might as well have dinner with

true that Julian enjoyed hanging

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

He parked the car beside Nigel’s

immediately recognized which one of them was Queenie, and Julian did the same with Jessie as well.

same age, Queenie gave off an air of

window earlier. She secretly tried to calm her pounding heart as she didn’t want her parents to notice her reaction. In 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 with him, and

that made

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

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

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

us find Jessie, Julian. Who knows when we would’ve reunited with her if it hadn’t been for you?” Brandon was immensely

all. I met Miss Silverstein by coincidence too.” Julian didn’t dare to take credit for it as he