Bella blew out a sigh, avoided the penetrating stare from her big sister. Apart from the sleaze bag that she was doing her best to avoid? “Made me take six months off.” It hurt to say the words out loud. They left an achy hollow in her gut.
“What? Wow!” She shook her head. “And you did it without fighting back? I don’t believe it, Bella. You never do anything you don’t want to.”
“Normally, no.” She screwed up her face, hating the way she’d given in so easily.
Anyone would think she was the compliant debut actress the way she’d nodded her head, held back the tears, and did exactly what Russell had ordered. Just went to show how correct he might have been about her state of being and how much the deceit of her “friend” had affected her. Normally, Bella would have reacted differently. “The thing is, we usually have a break between seasons anyway. The crew goes to another job and I have things I like to take on. Corporate deals that bring in plenty of money and exposure as well as the planning I do for the next season.”
“But what about your commitments, like your books?”
Bella wiped a hand over her eyes and chided herself for being so emotional. The black-and-white photos that were slipped underneath her door had been the tipping point.
“The last show’s already been taped. There’s only editing to do and they might require a couple of shots to be done again but that’s not really a big deal. I have a book due soon and I know I can get that done. I need to be the one to do the final layout and deal with the photographer. When I’m happy with the finished product, I’ll pass it on to be edited and that will be that.”
“Okay, that’s all under control. So why the long face then? If you can get it all done, you should be happy. And you’re more than welcome to stay here. We can sort out a room for you, we have plenty.” She indicated the staircase. “Go pick one, any one. You know Dakota’s going to be thrilled to see you, and she has a spare room too. Does she even know you’re coming? She’s having a couple of days away.”
“Thanks, but my producer Russell went ahead and rented a cottage so I’ll feel ‘more obligated to stay for the duration’ as he put it. He knows me too well. If I’d stayed with you there was nothing to stop me sneaking back to Seattle, but with the studio forking out big bucks for a house, well of course I’ll stay put. And, no, I didn’t tell Dakota. I only told you because I knew you’d be home when I got here. Plus, I wasn’t ready to spread the word yet.” If she had her way, it’d be kept under wraps forever. “Besides, doesn’t she have a hot new fiancé? I’m hardly going to crash that party.”
“She does and they look so good together. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Me either. I’m very happy for her. Mom was excited when she called me after the gala ball and the photos she sent me were lovely. I so wish I’d had time to come down for that but, you know, busy as I was, not possible.”
“I wish you could’ve been here too but I understood when you couldn’t make it. We all had a fabulous time. But back to the long face and the reason you’re here. I get that you’re probably feeling a bit out of your comfort zone not being in control of what’s going on but if your producer is happy and you have the chance for a break, make the most of it. You’ve been going flat out ever since you won Masterchef.”
“And I love it like that. It’s my life, Mari. I live to cook, to be creative. You know that.”
“I do but it sounds as though you’re going to have enough to keep you busy. You still haven’t said why the long face. Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
Bella bit her lip. She wasn’t ready to talk about that yet. “I didn’t realize how much money the studio had put into me. Not just the show but branding and products. They seem to have a finger in just about everything I’m doing. If I crack, which does happen when you hit the big time, they stand to lose heaps. But I know it’s not just about the money, the investment they’ve made. Russell cares about the people he works with and he and his wife have a soft spot for me for some reason.” As much as she loved her sister, Bella didn’t want to discuss the smear campaign against her by a disgruntled staff member who wanted more than she was prepared to give. It was another reason the studio wanted her out of town. If she kept a lower profile, things might die a natural death. A rental cottage for six months didn’t seem such a waste of money to protect their brightest star if she looked at it from their point of view.
“I see. Well, the last thing we need is for you to lose it. Make the most of being here then. Let your creative energy refill the well and relax while you can. You’ll be fine here, Bella.”
“Only if I have somewhere to test out my recipes.” She looked down at her fingers, touched the small dry patch on her hand from a healing burn. One of the perils of being a chef. “I wondered if you’d let me play in your kitchen? I promise not to get in your chef’s way or stand on her toes. I can even come in and use it early in the morning so it won’t affect your dinner service.” It was a huge ask but the only thing that would let her keep her sanity while
