Chapter Seven
When Bella watched the two who sat in the limo with her bicker, and it was all she could do not to laugh.
She’d never seen her mother this angry before. Bella thought Helen would have a stroke a few times because she got so red, veins stuck out at her temples.
She could tell Caleb enjoyed himself, and that made it even better.
When she sat in the chair, getting her hair and makeup done, she made the huge realization that everyone was angry and sad wherever her mother was.
Since Caleb had threatened her to be nice, Stacey and Laura, the women who helped her get ready, actually smiled and told funny stories, making the time pass by quickly.
Bella practically jumped out of the chair because she was so eager to see Caleb again. She didn’t understand or question the feelings she had for him. She didn’t care as long as she could spend time with him and get to know him better. The fact he made her feel safe for the first time since she could remember made her feelings for him deepen and grow rather quickly.
When she opened the door, she could tell he wasn’t thrilled with all the makeup or the skimpy outfit they’d put her in, and she agreed, but it was part of it, so she put up with it.
She showed him where they filmed the sitcom she was in.
“They’ll want you to stand over there,” Bella said and pointed off to the side.
“All I care about is being close enough to you to protect you. Please don’t give me a thought. Go in there and give them what they want so we can go.”
She grinned and nodded.
She’d been very aware of him, distracted, and it made her shudder a few times at first, but he smiled at her, and she calmed down.
The next time she was able to talk to him was during lunch break.
Helen tried to grab on to her. “Let’s go.”
Caleb blocked her. “It’s lunchtime.”
“Yes, I know that. I already have hers in her room.”
Bella waited to see what he would do.
“What is it?” he asked suspiciously.
“It’s none of your business.”
“If we have to go through this every time I try to take care of Bella, it’s going to be a rough ride for you.”
“One, I’ve asked you not to call her that, and secondly, she’s on a strict diet.”
“Who exactly put her on it?”
Helen sniffed. “Well, I did, of course.”
Caleb snorted. “I was going to guess that. Let me guess, yogurt?”
“And cheese, fruit, and a small piece of chicken.”
“It sounds boring as hell.”
“She needs to stay slim to keep the part.”
“I understand that, but I also think she can stay small but with exercise, not starving. Besides, I think she’s too thin.”
“She has to be,” Helen said with gritted teeth. “The camera adds ten pounds.”
Caleb shrugged. “I don’t care. She looks pale, so were going to get her some decent food. You go eat the other crap.”
“It’s not crap, and I already ate.”
“Let me guess. You ate from the buffet?”
“Well, yes.”
“That’s fucked up, lady,” he said.