Foreign

Chapter 25

"Eh, we haven't seen him all day," Josh starts. I know there's more to the story, something he doesn't tell me.

"And Melany?"

"We haven't seen her either."

"But that doesn't mean anything!" Isabella hastily replies. "I mean, this place is huge and then there is town and the beach.." I love her for trying to make me feel better but I know he was with her.

"More wine!" Brody declares and he fills our glasses. "Now, can we please talk about the new catering guy?"

"New catering guy?" My eyebrows pop up. "Tell me!" I let him distract me on purpose. It works and he starts a long story about Sue's grandson who arrived last week to help out in the kitchen because Marjorie had a bad fall. Sue and Marjorie are like our grandma's out here. We eat breakfast and dinner in the hotel restaurant but for snacks and lunch we have Marjorie and Sue.

"He is pretty yummy," Isabella adds. "But I'm not sure he's gay though! He flirted with me!"

"No he did not!" It's actually pretty fun to listen to their arguing and I'm a bit curious now. I'm on kitchen duty tomorrow so I'll probably meet Diego. My friends stay until dinner. I assure them I'm not hungry and they go without me.

The next morning I have an early meeting with Greg. I put on a jean skirt and a 5 Seconds of Summer tank top with red Converse shoes. I skip breakfast and only grab a coffee to go. Because it's so early, the restaurant is empty. I meet Greg in his trailer.

"Hi Charlotte, come in!" I haven't seen Greg in a while and he looks very tired. The schedule must be very bad.

"Hi."

"How was uni? What did they think of your film?"

"It was fine. They really liked it so I'll graduate with honours."

"I knew it! You have a very promising future ahead of you. I'll definitely write a letter of recommendation!"

"Wow, thanks Greg!" I'm not sure why he's so supportive all of a sudden. I mean, I know he likes me and I know he liked working with me but he did put me back in the kitchen.

"Can I see it?"

"Sure, I'll send it to you. Feel free to give me some feedback, I value your opinion!"

He's silent for a while.

"Listen, Charlotte..." He's searching for words. "I know what happened between you, Hero and Melany. Will it affect my film? Because this film can't take any more bad luck."

"No, it won't."

"Are you sure?"

I sigh.

"I'm a professional Greg, so yeah, I'm sure. I'm not even on set anyway so I will hardly see them."

Greg seems pleased with this and he talks me through the next couple of weeks. The next three weeks we won't have any time off.

I didn't lie to Greg. The first week after it happened, I didn't see Hero or Melany. I checked the sets long before they were even up and during the day I usually worked in the kitchen or stocked the snack counter. I also helped Isabella and Brody but only at times when I was absolutely sure they wouldn't walk in. I memorized both of their schedules. I never went to breakfast, lunch or dinner. In fact, I didn't eat at all. I simply wasn't hungry and coffee and water were enough to keep me going. I knew my friends and Sue were worried. I could see it in their eyes but they knew I didn't want to talk about it so they didn't ask. I was such a ghost, I didn't even pay attention to Diego.

The second week was even easier to avoid Hero and Melany. We were filming on location, in town. I would usually prepare the sets very early, before dawn and then go back to the hotel by the time the actors arrived. I would help Sue and Diego in the kitchen and then help them drive the food to the location. By the time the actors arrived in the tent I was long gone, back to the hotel to check the sets and change them. I know Greg arranged it this way and I was glad. Okay, I wouldn't see any filming any time soon but I didn't mind this time.

All this time there was no message from Hero. No call. No text. No email. No visit. I didn't reach out either.