Page 2 of Staging Love
Chapter Two
Striding down the bustling Los Angeles street, Camilla’s heels clicked against the pavement with a rhythm that belied her inner turmoil. The events of yesterday's will reading had haunted her through a sleepless night, leaving her with dark circles under her eyes that even her expertly applied makeup couldn't fully conceal.
As she pushed open the door of her regular coffee shop, the familiar aroma of freshly ground beans did little to soothe her frayed nerves. The line was long, as usual, but Camilla barely noticed. Her mind was too preoccupied with the impossible task that lay ahead: finding a wife in six months or losing everything she'd worked for.
A wave of relief washed over her as she recognized the familiar face behind the counter. This barista, a pretty blonde with a quick smile, always got her order right. No need for explanations or corrections today.
But before Camilla could place her order, the man in front of her began berating the barista over some perceived slight in his drink. Camilla watched, stunned, as the usually cheerful blonde's face contorted with anger.
"You know what?" she snapped, her voice rising above the ambient chatter of the shop. "I've had enough of this crap!" In one fluid motion, she took back the man's cup and poured its contents down the drain. Then, to Camilla's dismay, she untied her apron, threw it on the counter, and disappeared through the back door.
Camilla stood there, momentarily frozen. She was annoyed, of course - more at the fact that she wouldn't get her perfect coffee than at the scene itself. But there was something else, too. A twinge of... admiration?
Finally manned with her caffeine fix, she exited the shop. She was about to hail a cab when she spotted the barista again. The young woman was unlocking a bicycle chained to a nearby rack, her hands shaking so badly she could barely manage the lock. Tears streamed down her face, smearing her mascara.
Camilla hesitated. She wasn't one for sentiment or getting involved in strangers' problems. But something - perhaps the lack of sleep, or the stress of her own situation - made her approach.
"I'm sorry that happened," she said, her voice softer than usual. "It wasn't fair, the way that man treated you."
The barista looked up, startled. Up close, Camilla could see that she was younger than she'd first thought, probably in her late twenties. She had a cute, heart-shaped face with big blue eyes, now red-rimmed from crying. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, wisps escaping to frame her face.
"Thanks," the woman sniffled, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "It's not just him, though. I'm just... I'm so tired of it all. Working my ass off in coffee shops and clubs, only to get turned down at every casting I go to. Maybe it's time I just gave up and went back to Ohio."
"Oh," Camilla said, realization dawning. "So you're an actress?"
The woman let out a bitter laugh. "Trying to be. Not very successfully, obviously."
Camilla found herself unexpectedly intrigued. "It can't be easy, pursuing that kind of career in this city."
"It's not," the woman agreed. "I'm Jade, by the way. Jade Thompson."
"Camilla Parkes," Camilla replied, shaking Jade's offered hand. As their hands touched, an idea began to form in her mind. It was crazy, impulsive, and potentially disastrous. But it might just solve both their problems.
"Listen, Jade," she said. "This might sound strange, but... I need someone to play my fiancée over Christmas in a few weeks."
Jade's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
Camilla took a deep breath. "I need someone to pretend to be my fiancée for a family gathering. It would be like an acting job. Five days, twenty-four hours a day. I'd pay you, of course, up front."
Jade's expression shifted from confusion to offense. "I'm not an escort," she said coldly, turning back to her bike.
Camilla laughed, the sound surprising even herself. "No, no, you misunderstand. I'm not looking for sex. Just someone who can convincingly play the part of my loving fiancée in front of my family."
Jade paused, her hand on the bike seat. "Why would you need to do that?"
Camilla hesitated. She couldn't reveal the whole truth - not yet. "It's... complicated family stuff. Let's just say it would make my life a lot easier if I showed up with afiancée."
"And you want that fiancée to be me? A total stranger?" Jade asked, skepticism clear in her voice.
"Potentially. It could be anyone, but you're an actress, aren't you? This would be the role of a lifetime. Think of it as an immersive method acting experience."
Jade shook her head, but Camilla could see a glimmer of interest in her eyes. "This is insane. You're insane."
"Probably," Camilla agreed. "But I'm also desperate. And I'm willing to pay well for your time."
"How well?"
“How does ten thousand for the week sound?” she suggested, hoping the number wasn’t too low.
