Praise

Kimberly had decided to meet up with Ciara at the Capé Bridge, to have some quality time with someone who seemed to understand her.

She sure had managed to get away from her Parents' scolding about the Plane incident, but that didn't include being fully Okay from stress.

The stress of having a mighty Younger Sister, who always found a way to make her position known.

"She's absolutely annoying!" She bit out, crushing the Ice Cream cone with no mercy. "You should have seen her rub her wealth in my face, Ciara. It's just that fool's fault! He couldn't take doing a good job. That Plane crash could have been her ruin, everybody would see her as incompetent. But, no, he handled it so carelessly and took 18,000,000 without doing anything!"

Ciara blinked.

"18, what?"

"I had to make sure I had him. The bigger the money, the bigger the assurance."

What kind of person gave 18. Whole. Miillion as an advance payment to someone who had done nothing?

It just didn't work like that!

"It doesn't work like that, really, Kim. Now where's the assurance?" A muscle feathered in Kimberly's jaw. She was going to skin him alive if he ever appeared in front of her again. "No money, no assurance, it's a complete failure!"

"Well, I didn't know there was going to be such a miraculous save!" 

"Kim, let's face it. Your Sister is a damn good Business Woman, she's meticulous," she turned to fix her a stare, "don't give me that look, I'm just saying the truth. Even you know it."

"I don't get whose side you're on now." Kimberly said, her eyes narrowing. "Jasmine is not to be praised. I thought I could trust you to let my anger out, not trust you to sing my Sister's praises."

"You trust me, that's why I'm telling you the truth. Things are not supposed to be flippant if Jasmine is had as a Contender, she's a strong opponent…"

"Ciara, I get it. She's amazing. She's awesome. She's great. She's this. She's that. I'm tired of everyone repeating the same thing over and over!" She frowned, causing Ciara to give a brief nod.

"Fine, go on, go on."

Kimberly sighed. "I really thought she was getting some morals after we got back to being close like nothing ever happened, but she's still as unfeeling as ever."

"You don't need to tell me, I saw the way she was scaring you at Dinner."

"I wasn't scared, only surprised that thing was big for nothing. She actually told Mum and Dad about my sabotaging her trip! She can't possibly get any pettier! Jasmine just likes to draw the spot-light to herself first, then make others feel like trash. Gods," she breathed, shaking her head in utter irritation, "I can't believe she's my Sister!"

They spent more hours together, until Ciara thought the embarrassment Dylan left her with, faded as she talked to Kimberly.

*****

The Shoot had started in earnest, since the Case was closed in Jasmine's favour, and thus, the Script didn't have to be fully modified. 

A new Actor was brought in instead, Kari Schwann.

Her fine face and slender figure did have that metaphor for Laura Lorins though, but she was soon forgotten as the Television progressed.

Arielle stood with Rackel by her Car as they talked about how Arielle's Modelling Company was going to begin.

"I've already purchased a Building. The only thing I need is people to fill it," she was saying, poking a tongue pensively in her cheek, "I just want to start with something small, Rackel."

Rackel took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze as she smiled. "You've got this, Ari, just know I'm volunteering to be Hired."

"You think I don't have an idea that's the opportunity you've been wanting, Lazybones?" Arielle chuckled. "If you aren't there, who will?"

"Carl?"

"Yeah, that's a funny option," she chuckled and stopped immediately, "but, no."

Rackel shook her head. "No, Crazy!" She said, spinning her to face the Man that had pulled up just behind them. "Carl!"

And Arielle froze in place at once, her legs glued to the floor. But somehow, it was her eyes that refused to move from him as she stuttered, "C-Carl? What is he doing here?!"

"Oh, the owner is your Husband?" Rackel asked sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "It's a free place."

"Now you sound like Sabrina…" He stopped in his tracks, her breath caught in her throat, but she let it out when he just took his phone out of his Pocket and resumed walking. She closed her eyes in utter relief. "That was… Close, Rackel!"

"What?! I just called his name and you acted like your teenage foolish self."

Arielle turned to give her a long, narrowed stare. "Foolish? What were you expecting me to do? We had such a…" She trailed off and sighed, getting in her Car. "I'll just go now, Rackel, see you later."

"Remember me in your Recruitment list!"

"Yeah, yeah, of course, how can I forget my Pet?"

Rackel smiled foolishly as she drove off, but a hand on her arm stopped her. "Rackel?" She turned, froze and stared up in surprise at the towering height of Carl. "Rackel Montes?"

"Cut!"

It was obviously a keeper.

Jasmine nodded subtly at Danielle as she passed by her, rubbing her arms from the effects of the Weather. "You did well."

"Oh, thank you, Madam," she smiled brightly, blushing under the Ma'am's praise, "I might just do better if we have something to drink, I'll die if thirst. It's slightly cold, but I'll manage." She added, and Jasmine shook her head in wonder at her. "Just kidding."

"So? C'mon," she grabbed her Coat from a Worker, "let's go."

There were shooting Out-doors, it was inevitable to not see the Actress getting in the Boss' Car like they were long-time Friends.

Kari nodded distractedly at the person she was talking with, as she watched the Car go farther in distance. 

No wonder Laura Lorins felt ignored, who wouldn't be envious watching a Colleague she had stayed in the Industry longer than, fly with the Big, Cold Boys?

They had to move to the next Shoot Scene, then wait for them to act out the next Scenes, since Danielle was majored in almost every Script, but Jasmine Reign got back alone and the Director was getting impatient.

"Ma'am, we need Danielle for the next Shoot, why isn't she…"

"She's not coming back for Today," Jasmine cut him off, "all of you just take a rest for Today, we'll continue some other time."

"But, we agreed to…"

"'Who' is in charge here? You or me?"

The Director blinked, looking perplexed. "Of course, you are, Madam…"

"At least you know that bit, get off my face, Angus."

He left, gritting his teeth with hatred in his heart. 

He was old enough to be her Older Brother and she just came out of nowhere to order him out only because she was high in position? Gods, he was there just for the sick money.