* * *
After a fabulous weekend with Ethan, spending most of their time in bed and ordering Uber eats—another new experience for Ethan, Monday slapped her in the face. Ethan wasn’t on set and she missed having him around. Instead of working on his beautiful face and seeing the promise of what was to come that evening, Shaun sat scowling at her from the makeup chair.
Holly hadn’t seen him since he insulted her at the catering table and she hadn’t given him a second thought, she’d been too occupied with Ethan. Unfortunately, Holly had to get Shaun ready as Nancy was busy on set and Flora was attending to another actor.
She’d removed his makeup three times and started over because he was unsatisfied. It was his way of getting her back for the drink incident or not sleeping with him. Probably both. A woman turning down his advances was a blow to his ego.
Trying to act professional, she kept her face devoid of emotion even though frustration bubbled on the inside. “How’s that?” she asked.
He tilted his head and inspected her work. “I look like a corpse. If this is the best you can do, you’ll be out of a job as quickly as you started. With no qualifications no wonder you’re so crap. I need someone withexperiencetodome.” Holly hadn’t missed the double entendre.
“Shaun!” Nancy’s voice boomed into the room.
Holly sighed with relief, so happy to see her right now.
“Donottalk to my staff like that. Your makeup is flawless. Now get out of here, you’re wanted on set.” With her hands on hips, Nancy’s glare followed him out the door.
“I’m sorry Shaun spoke to you like that,” Nancy said.
“He’s right though, I’m not experienced or have any qualifications. I don’t think I can write ‘learned by watching YouTube videos’ on my resume.” Holly sighed, dropping onto the chair Shaun vacated. She’d enrolled in the course she was looking at, even though she hadn’t heard from her parents yet. If she hadn’t done so, she’d have to wait another year to get in and she didn’t want to wait anymore. All she needed to do was find a way to pay for it. It would take a year or more of saving up just to make the tuition. Then again, if she thought outside the box, there was one thing she could do…
“Who cares about a piece of paper when your work is incredible.”
Nancy stood behind Holly, placed her hands on her shoulders and looked at her in the reflection of the mirror. The bright bulbs highlighted Nancy’s soft features and striking green eyes. It wasn’t hard to see where Ethan got his good looks from. Nancy was still a beautiful woman. Holly wondered why she’d never found love again after the death of her husband. It wasn’t her place to ask.
“I got lucky finding work with you,” Holly said. “I’m not sure anyone else will be as understanding.”
“We’ll worry about that when the time comes.” In like ten days …I need to worry about it now.“I’m off to an appointment. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Flora’s in charge if you have any questions or need help.”
After Nancy left, the morning went from bad to worse. Without having her around to put Shaun in his place, he complained loud enough for the studio next door to hear that she’d poked him in the eye with a brush—she’d been using a sponge and working on his jaw, nowhere near his eye. One minute his foundation was too light then too dark. Next, he grumbled about the colour of his lips. The most farfetched complaint was when he accused her of standing too close and violating his personal space.
Not able to bite her tongue another second, she threw her hands in the air and stepped away. “You’re a jerk. I’ve listened to you complain all morning and have kept my mouth shut, but this is too much. I’m in yourpersonal spacebecause I’m applying makeup, nothing more. Want to talk about personal space? Remember your wandering hands in the club? There’s a difference, and what I’ve been doing isworking!”
“You were a prick tease and now you’re trying to grab my attention. Not interested then, not interested now. Isn’t Ethan enough for you? Trying to climb the ladder by screwing all the A list actors?”
Before she could wrap her hands around his scrawny neck, Trudy came rushing in from out of nowhere, a man followed close behind. She’d never seen him before. He wore an expensive suite, his silver hair thick and neatly combed. A round or two with Botox and fillers smoothed the lines he should have for someone his age. Whoever he was, he looked important, and Holly had a sinking feeling, things weren’t looking good for her.
“I hear there’s a problem,” the man said. Holly glanced at Trudy and the assistant averted her gaze.
“Holly has been inappropriate towards me Duncan,” Shaun said.
Holly gritted her teeth. Great, they were on a first name basis, Holly didn’t stand a chance.
“Is this true?” Duncan grilled Holly and speared her with an inquiring stare.
“There’s been a misunderstanding. I was applying Shaun’s makeup, nothing more.”
“Oh please, grinding your tits against my arm like a cat in heat is not ‘applying makeup.’” He used air quotation marks for makeup.
Holly gasped, “I didn’t—”
“I can’t work with her. She’s pulling me out of my character. It’s upsetting.” Shaun crossed his arms over his chest.
Now she understood his golden globe nomination last year. He sure had outstanding acting skills. If the situation wasn’t so serious, she’d clap.
“I’m sorry… Holly is it? Your time with us is over,” Duncan said.
“But I didn’t… Nancy needs help,” she pleaded with him to change his mind.
