Chapter 51 What's His Story?
A new intern makeup artist, unaware of the situation, whispered to a colleague, "Who's that who just came in?"
"Shh... That's the CEO of SH Entertainment, Keegan!"
"Isn't that the famous actress Trinity's fiancé?"
Upon entering, Keegan glanced around the makeup room, and his eyes eventually found Jessica. He stopped looking elsewhere and kept his gaze on her.
Jessica didn't move, and her eyelids didn't even flutter more than usual. After barely two seconds of eye contact, she lowered her head back to the script.
Keegan continued to stare in Jessica's direction. His expression was unreadable, but his persistent gaze was enough to make the group of actresses and staff members in the makeup room gasp in disbelief.
Wasn't Keegan almost a married man? Despite his status, which would allow him to have secretive flings with any female star, overtly staring at another actress in public seemed reckless. Wasn't he worried about stirring jealousy from Trinity?
And someone like Jessica, a minor player—if Trinity set her sights on her, she might be doomed before she ever got her break.
"Jessica." Just then, the assistant director's voice rang out from outside, "Is your makeup done? You're up!"
Jessica snapped the screenplay shut and stood up, decisively walking towards the door.
Standing near the entrance, Keegan hadn't moved, his gaze fixed on her as she approached. Jessica, acting as if she didn't see him, intended to walk right past him. Just as Keegan seemed about to say something, Jessica cut him off sharply, "Move."
She didn't even glance at him.
Keegan watched her impassive profile and, surprisingly, stepped aside.
Jessica walked away swiftly without any sign of emotion, not looking back as if she didn't recognize the man before her—the famous star-maker and CEO of SH Entertainment, Trinity's fiancé, and the object of her youthful love.
Silence fell again in the dressing room.
There was no night shoot scheduled so that Jessica could pick up Danielle on her way home.
A new shopping mall had opened near the kindergarten, and Jessica took her daughter through the shops. She treated Danielle to candy and bought her a beautiful new dress.
Before heading home, they passed a men's boutique on the second floor. Jessica wandered in as if compelled by some force, and she came to her senses only after leaving the mall with a bag in her hand.
Why on earth had she bought clothes for Spencer?
During the cab ride home, Jessica asked Danielle, who was in the middle of devouring her cotton candy, "Danielle, how long has Spencer been staying with us?"
Danielle caught off guard and busy counting on her fingers, finally answered with a puzzled expression, "Mommy, I don't remember."
Jessica hadn't expected much from her four-year-old's memory.
But she remembered.
It had been nearly twenty days since she had brought the man home. At first, he was recuperating from deep wounds that prevented him from going outside, but he seemed to be healing nicely lately. At least the surface of his wounds was beginning to recover, meaning he could go out now.
Buying him clothes wasn't unnecessary after all—it could be considered an advance on his promise to repay her later, regardless of when he would fulfill that promise.
Jessica felt it was time to get him out of the house to gauge whether he would feel as at ease in the world as he did in her home. She also needed another shot at drawing him out to understand who he truly was. He was clearly feigning amnesia but hadn't revealed too many lies—his actions were watertight.
He didn't seem like the type to be a swindler, cozying up in someone's home just for free meals and drinks. Everything from his conversation to his demeanor, looks, and manners was on point. A guy like him could stand on any street corner and certainly catch the eye of a wealthy woman, one who would be more than willing to pamper him, possibly even chase him down three blocks in her luxury car.
Yet, he chose to stay at her place.
His injury had been real, and so had his head trauma...
But he'd shown himself to be a gentleman. Lately, when Jessica came home late and headed to the bedroom to shower, he would voluntarily step out, giving her the privacy of the bedroom.
This gesture had slowly nurtured an innate sense of trust and security in her towards him, causing Jessica to be momentarily disoriented.
It had been two days since Danielle had been home. She hung onto Jessica's arm, acting sweetly all the way until they got inside. As soon as they entered, Danielle ran straight to the main bedroom to find Gabriel and be affectionate with him. She first clung to his legs, constantly babbling about how much she had missed him. Then she beckoned him with her finger, insisting that he squat down to chat with her.
Gabriel didn't seem like someone who'd enjoy the persistence of a child, but he was surprisingly indulgent with Danielle. He actually squatted down and let her wrap her arms around his neck, whispering in his ear. Eventually, she climbed onto him like a koala until Gabriel held her in his arms. Witnessing this scene, Jessica suddenly realized...
Danielle was young but extremely sensible, never saying anything that would upset her. Yet the child's unhidden yearning for her father was evident in that moment.
Jessica didn't have the heart to interrupt them. She snapped back to reality, feeling it was a bit much for the girl to hang on him. Approaching the ajar bedroom door, she knocked and said, "You seem to handle Danielle pretty effortlessly now. Your injury must be mostly healed, right?"
Gabriel turned to look at her, and before he could speak, Jessica placed her bag on the dresser by the door. "The fridge is nearly empty. I need to go to the grocery store to buy some more food. Change your clothes and come with us."
