and he saw her

Chapter 2

one week later...

To say that Edwina was upset was an understatement considering how she shut herself down after that day, the audition day a.k.a. the tragedy. Kate tried talking to her, assuring her that the job wasn't even that special, that she shouldn't even think about what happened because surely a better audition would come up any day now. None of it helped. At least, not for the first three days, days in which Edwina wouldn't speak to anyone, no matter what.

After that, however, reality seemed to dawn on her. She was over it, or at least she was ignoring it by focusing on any other opportunity that came up. She even got chosen to be in a shampoo commercial, that didn't pay much but at least she was doing something. And even better: she was finally speaking to Kate again.

"That was just a stupid audition" she said one time "They wasted both of our times".

Kate agreed, even though she couldn't forget that day no matter how hard she tried. She repeated the lines in her head more times than she could count, she reread the book last week (although this time she would envision herself as Kathani), and she sighed for what seemed like an eternity every time his eyes came to her mind... his eyes... Anthony's.

- Didi, what are you doing today? - Edwina's voice brought Kate back from her daydreams.

- Uhm... I don't know. I've been waiting so long for a free day from work that now that I have it I don't even know what to do with it.

- We could go to the mall. It's been forever since we last shopped together.

- Yeah, because we don't have enough money to go all "Pretty Woman" at the mall.

- I know, but I still have some cash from that commercial... Besides, I need a new pair of sneakers.

- Okay... Yeah, we can go. - Kate would never say "no" to her sister, especially now that she was back to her usual self.

Once they finished their breakfast, Edwina went to her room to change while Kate cleaned up the kitchen. Their apartment was small but comfortable enough for them. Their mother still lived in San Francisco, since she never enjoyed L.A. like the girls. They wanted to be with Mary, but if they were to have any chance in the cinematographic industry, Los Angeles was the place to live.

- Bon, can you get my phone please. It's in my... - Kate stopped once she saw Edwina's face. - What 's wrong?

- Your phone was ringing. - her sister said emotionlessly while looking at the phone in her hand - I thought it was mama, so I picked it up.

- And...?

- It's not her. - she stated coldly.

- Who is it? - Kate asked, taking the phone from her sister's hand and greeting whoever was on the line.

- Kate Sheffield? - the voice asked.

- Yes, how can I help you?

- This is Benedict, I'm the casting director of The Viscount Who Loved Me movie. I talked to your sister already but you should hear it yourself: I am pleased to inform you that you've been casted as the leading actress. You're going to be our Kathani Sharma. - the man says excitedly.

Kate couldn't breathe. She couldn't even think. The only thing she could do at that moment was stare at her sister. Edwina had an indecipherable look and Kate wasn't sure if she was sad, angry or simply lost. Perhaps both of them were more surprised than anything else.

- I don't know what to say. - Kate replied.

- That's totally normal. Every actor has a similar reaction. The joy is overwhelming, I know. - Benedict's smile was almost hearable.