At dinner, the day's shoot had sapped Ivy’s appetite. But after some shut-eye, her hunger came roaring back, and the spread before her now seemed like a feast fit for a queen.
She ate silently, not bothering to converse with Balfour, who sat across from her, observing her with a detached gaze.
Once her plate was clean, Ivy patted her belly with a sigh. "Oh boy, the director warned me about keeping my weight in check for the role, but I just couldn't help myself. Everything was too delicious."
"Just eat, Ivy. I could have a word with Colton if it's an issue," Balfour offered, ever the problem-solver, his first thought being to go straight to Colton.
"No, no, no, please don't," Ivy waved him off. "That would just add fuel to the fire."
Rumors were already swirling on set that Ivy had landed her role through connections. If Balfour stepped in to get her special treatment, those whispers would only grow louder and more certain.
Seeing Ivy was not keen on the idea, Balfour dropped it, though his expression darkened a shade.
After ensuring she had finished her meal, Balfour stood up to leave. "I'm off then. Focus on your acting, and if you need anything, call Quinton."
Before Ivy could respond, Balfour had vanished, leaving only the sound of the door closing behind him.
The room felt eerily empty, and Ivy almost wondered if Balfour's visit had been a dream.
...
The next morning, a ring from her phone snatched Ivy from sleep.
"It’s me, Juliana, Colton's assistant. Check Twitter."
The assistant's uneasy tone jolted Ivy awake. She groggily reached for her phone and opened Twitter.
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