Page 11 of Cinematic Destinies
“You know me, work is my life.” He started to mutter a response when she continued, “Besides, you’ve been here for days without me. Can’t let you race past me.”
“Not a chance. You’re the best one in the program,” Khalil assured her as he opened the door to the residents’ lounge.
She smiled bashfully, dropped on the couch, and announced, “I’m starving.”
“I figured you would be. I ordered us food. From that new Indian place you wanted to try. It should be here any minute.”
“Thank you. That was sweet,” she replied.
Soon they were eating dinner and laughing uproariously. Betty was devouring the vindaloo. “This is awesome. Best curry I’ve had in ages.”
Khalil tried to smile, but it came out as a strange, pained expression.
“Too hot?” she asked with a giggle as he gulped his water.
“Nah, it’s all good,” he gasped, his forehead glistening.
“Here, dip this in the raita. It will bring some relief,” she said, handing him a piece of naan.
“Thanks,” he said, and took a bite. “That’s better.”
She smiled.
“So, how was your weekend? Did you have a good time with your family?” he asked.
“Yeah, it was great. Too short. They asked about you. Said to send their regards.”
“That was kind.”
“It turns out I’ll be going back again this fall. My parents celebrate their thirtieth anniversary on the first of October. They’re renewing their vows,” she said with a playful eye roll. “It’s just so them. Hopeless romantics. Super weird.”
“They have quite the iconic love story. I admit, I’ve seen pictures of their famous engagement at the Cannes Film Festival.”
“Have you been googling me?” Betty joked.
Khalil laughed. “Maybe I’m just trying to figure out how someone who descends from a classic Hollywood fairy tale could be so anti-romance.”
“Oh, please. I’m just a realist. If it makes you feel better, I was obsessed with fairy tales when I was little. I fancied myself a princess waiting to be swept away into a grand love story.”
He seemed stunned by the admission. “So what happened?”
“I grew up, realized that ‘happily ever after’ is ridiculous, threw away the tiara, and picked up the schoolbooks.”
“But your parents, they . . .”
“They’re freaks of nature. Madly in love. I’ll give you that.”
“When I met your parents, they seemed completely down-to-earth. You’d never guess how famous they are. It’s hard to imagine what it’s like being the daughter of one of the biggest movie stars in the world. What was it like for you and your siblings growing up in the midst of Hollywood?”
“Our parents tried to keep things pretty normal for us. Once in a while we’d be out somewhere, and the paparazzi would hassle us. It freaked me out, so my dad would scoop me up to shield me until we could get away from them. Georgia, on the other hand, loved it. Even as a toddler she would laugh and make jokes, trying to get their attention. I think she thought they were following her!” Khalil laughed and she continued, “Seriously, my parents would have to drag her away! Albert’s always been the shyest, the most private. It was the toughest on him. I could see it took a toll. He’d retreat into himself.” She paused and added, “But like I said, it was only once in a while. Mostly, we lived like everyone else.”
“You must have had fun going to movie premieres.”
“Ha! Fat chance. I’ve never been to a single one.”
“Seriously?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
“My dad sees acting as his work, not his life,” Betty replied. “To him it’s just about making cinematic art. And I told you, my parents tried to shield us from all the Hollywood stuff. They never took us to those kinds of events,even when Georgia was old enough to beg. They didn’t want us exploited or scrutinized by the media. I think they were trying to let us figure out who we were in the most normal way possible. You know, if your version of normal includes a private jet,” she said with a chuckle.
