Chapter 346: You Look Surprised

Malloy wasn’t impressed with Edie’s performance. She kept screwing up the scenes. Her mind was elsewhere, struggling to decipher the various conflicting conversations she’d had with Clyde and Stuart.

"Cut," Malloy shouted. He couldn’t take it anymore. "Edie, what the hell is wrong with you today? Didn’t you rehearse your lines? You’re looking at Prince Raines as though he’s your brother. You’re supposed to have a crush on him."

This was the first time Malloy had ever criticized her acting. Edie immediately apologized. "I’m so sorry. I’m still not feeling well," she said, trying to steady her voice. "Let’s do it again. I promise I’ll do better this time."

"This time?" Malloy said. "This will be your fourth attempt, and exactly how many more is it going to take before you succeed?" Edie could hear the frustration in his voice.

She was very embarrassed and kept wondering what everyone was thinking of her. ’Malloy’s right. There’s no hope for me today, I’m useless.’

"Let’s just finish it up tomorrow," Clyde said. Edie pivoted when his voice came from directly behind her.

Malloy’s facial expression changed. In a split second, he became serious. "I thought you were in a hurry to get this film finished?" he asked.

"No, I need a break. I’m done for the day." Clyde waved his hands in the air as he walked toward the resting zone. "We’ll start fresh in the morning," he said.

Malloy ran a hand across his forehead as he shook his head. "We only been shooting for an hour, and you want to call it quits? It’s already been delayed for days," he said.

Clyde turns around and glares at Malloy. "And your point is?" he was close to shouting, his eyebrows fusing together. "Go on. Say what you have to say," he said.

"We’ve put a lot of money into renting this spot, and if we aren’t finished in two months..." Malloy hesitated. "We’re going to have to give them more money," he explained.

"No problem," Clyde said and went over and tapped Malloy on the back. "If that happens, I’ll pay for it."

Malloy shook his head, not knowing what to say. "Relax, everything will work out," Clyde said as he headed back to the resting area

"Clyde," a familiar voice called from behind him.

"Oh, great! Vicky," Clyde mutters under his breath.

Vicky looked at him with a confused look on her face. "Why are you always helping Edie? I don’t understand?" she asked.

"I’m in no mood to talk. Get out of my way," Clyde said as he gently pushed her out of the way.

"Wait! I want to know what you meant with your post on Twitter?" Vicky asked him one question after another. "She’s a bitch, and I don’t know why you like her?" she said.

Clyde was getting impatient and irritated with her. "I have made it perfectly clear to you. It’s none of your business," he said sharply.

"Why are you so mean to me?" Vicky’s eyes were filled with tears. "We’re engaged, and you know I’m only here because of you.." she said.

Clyde turned and looked Vicky right in the eyes and said, "That’s funny! Did you seriously think I would marry someone like you?" The frown on his face deepened almost to a scowl, indescribably stern, and he turned abruptly away. And at that moment, all she could do was stare motionless.

Vicky wanted to go after him, but how could she? "His words were so harsh," she muttered.

"I’m sorry!" Someone bumped into Vicky, and a gentle voice apologized.

Recognizing the voice, Vicky turns around and says, "Miss Lara, it’s you." Her face is red with anger.

Edie had a puzzled look on her face. "Is there something wrong with you, Miss Herring?" she asks, not knowing why Vicky was calling her by her last name.

Instantly, the expression on Vicky’s face changed. "Clyde hasn’t treated me the same since he met you. It’s all your fault," she said.

"Are you serious? This is none of my business." Edie stepped to the side to open the door of the dressing room. "Excuse me, but I have to change."

Vicky grabbed Edie’s arm and started shouting at her. "You stay away from him or else?" she said angrily.

Edie was in no mood to put up with her tantrum. "You’re unbelievable. You’re either too stupid or too naive." She lowered her voice and said, "I think you better leave me alone because you have no idea what Clyde will do to you if he finds out?" Then Edie left.

Vicky stood there with a blank expression on her face. Thinking over what Edie said, Vicky’s mind started to wander. ’If he finds out? Is there something going on between them?’

Just as Edie was getting ready to go back to her hotel, she saw Clyde. She quickly turned around the corner, trying to avoid him, but he followed her. She turned around with a frown on her face and said, "Why are you following me?"

Clyde smiled. "I’m on my way to the hotel. Is that not where you’re going? I think there’s only one in this direction," he said. He had that cocky expression on his face again.

"Oh! I didn’t think you were staying in the hotel," Edie said.

"You look surprised," Clyde said.

"I guess I am," Edie replied. "I thought you would only stay in a presidential suite, and I know they are all booked up."

"Oh, but they’re not," he replied. "I have one, and it’s right beside your room."

Edie was shocked. She knew Katrina and herself had a presidential suite, and she assumed Malloy had the last one. Now come to find out, Clyde is not only in the same hotel as her, but staying in the room right beside her.

Clyde burst into laughter when he saw the expression on Edie’s face, "What’s wrong? Are you afraid to be around me?" he asked.

"Clyde," Edie said, Her voice quivering. She stared at him, "What exactly do you want from me? Would you just tell me the truth?"