Your secret admirer

The huge truck that had driven up to the entrance of the set looked fairly normal.

Except for the large, colourful banner that had the words 'We love Em!' emblazoned on it. 

Emmaline stared at it, flabbergasted.

Part of her was squealing. Because such things only happened to big stars.

Usually only the established actors or super popular ones would have sponsors or fans or even enough of their own money to cater treats for everyone in the production. 

Another part of her was stunned. How was she going to explain this?

The side of the truck opened to look like a storefront and above the counter, the sign read: 'Treats from Em - Coffee and Donuts for Everyone!'

There were workers in cute uniforms that began giving out coffee cups with 'Em' and a heart shape on the side. 

Emmaline ducked to the side of the building to watch as cast and crew members jovially made their way up to get their free treats. 

This sort of thing always put the actor in good standing with everyone. 

Who didn't love some free goodies? 

"I signed off as your secret admirer, so no one will know," For a second, Ashton looked so earnest that Emmaline's heart melted a bit. 

He had given her a wonderful surprise and made an effort to remain low-key as she had preferred. 

"Thank you," Emmaline couldn't be more sincere. 

Ashton looked somewhat relieved. 

It was a rather strange sight to see someone usually so sure of himself look uncertain. 

"I really appreciate it," Emmaline reiterated, "But it would be safer if we meet away from filming from now on. Like I said, someone seems to know you're involved with me and I don't want there to be any unsavoury rumours about you flying around before you announce anything."

"Alright," Ashton had a slight smile on his lips as he agreed, "My parents would like to meet you again."

Emmaline nodded. What would it be this time? Another dinner? 

"My parents are throwing a weekend bash to celebrate their anniversary and they asked me to bring you along," Ashton revealed. 

Emmaline's eyebrows shot up. 

Some people had a nice dinner to celebrate their anniversary but it seemed like Mr and Mrs Wright did things with style.

Then the panic hit. 

A whole weekend of pretending to be a boy. 

Wouldn't that be too risky? 

Could she keep the disguise and act up for a full forty eight hours? 

Emmaline nibbled on her lip as she deliberated the odds. If she didn't attend, who knew when the next chance to make a good impression on his family would be? 

Was it worth the risk? 

An image of her mother flashed in her mind. 

The last time Emmaline had visited her mother, Sera had been pale and hooked up to so many tubes that Emmaline had wanted to burst into tears almost immediately. 

That brief memory of Sera's condition was all Emmaline needed to make her decision. 

"Sure," She smiled, "Tell me when and I'll be there."

***

"Use Bright for your best smile!" The television chimed and Camilla grimaced.

Ethan Park was the spokesperson for this brand as well. 

Lately, it seemed like everywhere she turned, she saw his face. 

It was worse than before because now she knew just how handsome that face was up close and in real life. 

A vivid memory of just how warm his brown eyes were surfaced in her mind. 

Burying her face in her hands, she sighed. 

Emmaline had been half tickled, half horrified when Camilla told her exactly how she had kept Ethan away from his dressing room. 

But using a scene from one of her scripts had been the only thing that Camilla could think of at that time! 

At least Emmaline had pulled it off with no one the wiser. 

And Camilla comforted herself with the thought that at least, she would never meet Ethan again. 

As if summoned by thoughts of her, Camilla's phone buzzed with a message from Emmaline. 

Emmaline: You're never gonna believe it. 

Emmaline: I get to do a brand placement in this episode!!!

Emmaline: usually only the main actors get to do it but I heard they specially requested for me!!

Emmaline: omg and it's for that brand of hair dryer you were talking about that day! 

Camilla snatched her phone up and let out a silent cheer for her friend. 

She quickly texted an excited encouragement back before searching for a photo of the hairdryer to send over for a laugh. 

Then she paused at the webpage. 

Right under the brand of the hair dryer was a list of stakeholders. 

Surely it was too much of a coincidence. 

Her finger hovered over the name. 

Richard Barnes.

She remembered the petite, dark eyed girl who had mocked Emmaline the moment she realized that Emmaline acted better than her. 

She remembered the way Fiona had paid people to make Emmaline late on the day of their exams, not caring if anyone got hurt. 

She remembered the way Emmaline had limped into the exam with a bruise on her arm and a sprained ankle, and she had still topped the cohort. She could still see Fiona's sour face when the results were announced. 

Fiona's surname was Barnes.

But it couldn't be, could it?

Hurriedly, Camilla searched Richard Barnes and scrolled down to see what was said about his personal life. 

There, it stated that he had one daughter from a divorce. Fiona. 

Camilla didn't need her overactive writer's imagination this time. Something felt terribly wrong. 

It hadn't been a lucky break or a coincidence that Emmaline had been asked to do the product placement for a hairdryer that Fiona Barnes' father had a stake in! 

Her instinct told her to call Emmaline. 

But her brain stopped her. 

Emmaline would be at a loss and she couldn't prove anything. 

The wheels in her head turning, Camilla called a cab and then placed another phone call. 

She only hoped she could reach Emmaline fast enough.