Chapter 99

**Audrey's POV**

The taxi inched through the traffic. I checked the time, relieved to see I'd still make it on time to the photoshoot location.

The cab pulled up to a sleek building. Just as I stepped out of the car,I heard familiar voices that made me freeze.

"Laurel,when are you planning to take me and Olivia for a ride in that sports car?" It was Thalia!

"No rush. Let's wait until after Blake and I get engaged," came Laurel's sugary reply.

They walked right past me without a glance, too absorbed in their conversation to notice.

"Oh right!" Thalia exclaimed. "My brother is proposing to you in two days!He's been so secretive about it, hasn't told us anything... I almost forgot!"

"Blake darling probably wants to surprise me," LaureI said,brushing her sleeve. "I'm not in a hurry. As long as he's divorced from that woman,I don't care when we get engaged or married."

"You might not be in a hurry, but my brother definitely is," Thalia laughed."Why else would he rush to divorce that woman yesterday if not to avoid delaying the engagemnent ceremony he'd already arranged? Aren't you excited?"

"Of course I'm excited," Laurel replied with a practiced smile.

Their voices faded as they walked away. I rubbed my achingtemple and

grabbed the case from the studio, heading straight for the photoshoot venue.

Just my damn luck. The direction Laurel and Thalia came from had to be exactly where I needed to go. And today's stars? None other than Laurel Rose and Thalia Parker.

If I'd known, I would've told George to find someone else.

The moment I entered with my case, a frazzled production assistant spotted me and made a beeline in my direction.

"Are you the jewelry assistant from Original Studio?" he demanded."Your studio is so unprofessional!"

"Do you have any idea who's wearing your studio's jewelry today?"

"I was told - "

"It's the Hollywood actress Laurel Rose and her boyfriend's sister, Thalia Parker!"

"These people wouldn't normally wear pieces from your studio. They're doing the magazine a favor, and you have the nerve to be late?"

I thought I was just coming to supervise the jewelry. Turns out I'd be a full-fledged assistant too. Well, since it's work, I might as well do it right.

So, I smiled, "Where should I set up, and when does the shoot begin?"

The effect was immediate. His anger deflated as he noticed I wasn't arguing back.

"Over there," he muttered, pointing to a preparation area. "Hurry up."

I nodded and made my way backstage and joined the wardrobe assistant.We spent the next hour matching jewelry pieces to the outfits for the shoot.

Laurel and Thalia returned from their coffee break.

The set transformed as everyone snapped into action - stylists adjusting clothes, makeup artists touching up faces, the photographer checking lighting.

I grabbed a baseball cap and face mask from my bag and put them on.Better to stay anonymous.

No one glanced twice at me - just another faceless crew member doing her job.

The day passed without incident. Click after click of the camera. Hand over this necklace, retrieve that bracelet. Routine work.

By evening. I let ouIt a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

Almost done. Just a few more minutes and I'd be free.

Then Blake walked in.

I was standing behind Laurel, fingers working the tiny clasp of her statement necklace, when it happened.

"Blake darling!"

Her voice pierced the quiet concentration of the set.

Before I could react, she shot up from her chair toward him.

The necklace was still in my hands when she moved.

"Ouch!" She winced, touching her neck.

I immediately let go,but too late. Thalia zeroed in on me like a missile.

"What have you done?" she snapped, raising her hand to strike.

I released the necklace and closed my eyes. But the slap never landed.

"Thalia, don't do this."

I opened my eyes to find Blake standing there, gripping Thalia's wrist.

"I apologize," he said, looking at me. "My sister has a bit of a temper."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied what little of my face showed.

Recognition flickered across his features.

"Miss, have we met before?"

I almost laughed. Have we met? We shared a bed for three years and only

divorced yesterday. He can't recognize me with a mask on?

"No," I said calmly, "I don't believe so, Mr. Parker."

Thalia yanked free from Blake's grip,eyes cold.

"Why are you apologizing to her?" she demanded. "She hurt Laurel.Are you blind?"

"It was an accident," Blake replied.

"She needs a lesson," Thalia insisted, gesturing at me with disgust.

Laurel stepped between them, never missing a chance to perform. "Thalia.

It's okay. Let's drop it."

She touched her neck gently with a wince. "I'm not hurt, really."

Then she puled out a mirror to examine her neck. "But... is it getting red?"

Thalia leaned in, gasping dramatically. "It is! It almost bled!"

I raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous exaggeration. All I could see was the faintest pink line where the chain briefly pressed. I couldn't cover my disdain, which fueled Thalia's anger.

"Laurel is a performer," Thalia glared at me. "Don't you know how important her image is? How dare you look at her like that?"

She lunged at me again, but this time I caught her wrist. I didn't squeeze -just held it in place.

Thalia's eyes widened. No one had ever stopped her before.

"I was just doing my job," I said quietly. "Miss Rose moved suddenly while I was unfastening her necklace."

I released Thalia's wrist and turned to Laurel.

"Miss Rose, I apologize for being too slow with the necklace. But I didn't mean to hurt you."

I stepped toward her. "Give me one minute to unfasten it."

Laurel immediately backed up against Blake. "Don't touch ,me! Stay away!"

Her eyes filled with perfect tears as she looked up at him. "Blake darling.I don't want her near me.., can you help instead?"

She turned slightly, showing off the barely-visible mark. "She already hurt me once..."

Blake's expression softened."Of course."

I watched him unfasten the necklace quickly. Laurel leaned into his touch,eyes closing in supposed relief.

As Blake removed the necklace, he noticed something on it. He turned it over, examining the small tag with Original Studio's logo.

"You're from Original Studio?" he asked, looking at me.

I paused briefly. "Yes."

Blake studied the piece with new interest. "Your studio has a designer named Hayes. Do you know that designer?"

My heart jumped. Hayes? My first thought is the Rachel Hayes name I'm using. But that seems too coincidental. Parker Group has jewelry subsidiaries, but they only accept famous designers. Work from an unknown newcomer like me would be trashed immediately. Maybe Original Studio has another Hayes designer?

"I just started working atthe studio," I answered carefully. "I'm not very famniliar with everyone."

"I see, you're new," Blake nodded, still examining the necklace.

Thalia snorted. "No wonder you're so unprofessional."

"I apologize," I didn't argue. "My carelessness has given both ladies an unpleasant experience."

Blake still held the necklace, turning it over thoughtfully. I checked my watch.

"Mr. Parker, my shift is ending." I needed that necklace back so I could

pack everything up and escape this nightmare scenario.