The Assistant (english)

13.

The following weeks were, as Kaydi already said, very stressful. I was rarely there for my kids and my girlfriend. Often, we had to reshoot scenes because there were complications on set, or someone needed 20 takes.

"Hey, honey. I'm home again, and I have the next week off, plus it's vacation," I say as I go into our bedroom to her. There was some traffic, so I'm later than usual. The kids are apparently already in bed.

"What are you getting at?" she asks me.

"Maybe a short spontaneous vacation? Just unwind and spend time together?" I sit down beside her and look at her expectantly.

"And where to?"

"Somewhere warm. Sun, sea, and just relax."

"Alright. Should I clear it with Tim?" I just nod. Kaydi takes her phone and calls Tim. I go shower in the meantime.

-POV Kaydi-

Tim agreed. I'm lying in bed scrolling through Instagram. Since I'm bored, I decide to visit my HBC fan account after years, to see what's new. There are many new edits of Hellie, and they're really good. I like a few, as no one knows this is my account.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Hellie asks as she re-enters the room. She lies down beside me and looks at my phone with me.

"These videos aren't bad at all," Hellie says.

"Yeah, that's true, but in real life, you're much better, prettier, nicer, more sympathetic, and so on," I laugh.

"Mhmm." She nods in agreement, then snuggles up to me and closes her eyes.

"Hels?"

"Mhm?"

"When was the last time you ate something?" I put my phone on the nightstand to charge it and turn to her.

"I don't know. But we had cake this afternoon because it was someone's birthday."

"And when do you want to start eating healthier again? I mean, you rarely have time in the mornings, more than just a toast, and you never eat anything in the evenings because you always come home late at night and are so tired that you just want to sleep." She shrugs.

"That's not healthy, Darling..." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and continue looking at her, even though she has her eyes closed.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll eat normally again, okay? And after the vacation, I'll always pack food for you to eat on set." Again, she just nods. I hold her in my arms and later fall asleep peacefully beside her.

"Where do you want to go?" I ask Nell and Billy. We're sitting at the table planning the vacation.

"To a place where we can swim. Like with the sea and a pool," Nell says excitedly. Billy agrees.

"Thailand? It's warm there. There's the sea and pools. That would be perfect," Helena and I discuss a few more important topics before booking everything. Our jet will take off tomorrow afternoon.

"Nell and Billy, could you please start laying out the clothes you want to wear?" I ask the two of them. They naturally agree and run up the stairs. Hellie and I also go upstairs to pack.

"Mom, can we go to Dad's again? My clothes are still there, and Billy's favorite stuffed animal is still there too." Nell stands in the doorway, looking at us questioningly.

"I can drive you. I wanted to see Mia anyway, and she'll look after the dogs in the meantime," I smile. She nods with a smile. I go down with her and drive her and the dogs to Mia and Tim's place.

"Hey, how are you two? I thought you were flying on vacation?" Mia asks.

"Is it bad that we're here?" I ask.

"No, no. Come in," Mia smiles. We go in, and Nell runs upstairs to get her clothes and Billy's stuffed animal.

"Isn't Tim here?" I ask, since it's so quiet.

"Yes, but he's upstairs. He's writing a new script." I just nod and look around the room since I've never been here before.

"Is everything okay with you?" Mia asks me over time. I look at her questioningly.

"Well, you're so quiet. I've known you for a while, and I can tell when something's not right. Is it about the child?" I sit down on the couch and look at my hands.

"I said I didn't have any attachment and didn't care, but I feel so empty. I don't know if it was the right decision."

"Why did you decide that way then?" She sits down next to me and puts an arm around me.

"Because I saw in Hels' eyes that she didn't want it. Especially with the last few stressful weeks. It would have just been a burden."

"So, do you regret it?" I just nod in response.

"Then you have to talk to her. Maybe she regrets it too, then you can decide together whether you want to try again or not."

"But not on vacation, surely? We want to relax and unwind, not deal with this."

"But otherwise, it will only burden you unnecessarily. She'll notice, and then it might bring her down. Please settle it, otherwise, it won't be relaxing."

"You're right, but how?"

"Only you know... but you have to do it."

We talk a bit more until Nell and I drive back home. I pack the last few things and then, together with Hellie, check the children's suitcases. After all, four eyes see more than two.