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Kim’s voice was still ringing in Audrey’s ears as he pushed her to convince Catherine to join the reality show. Audrey, though distracted, was beginning to feel the weight of his words. This was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to miss if she wanted her career to take off. She realized Kim was right: if she didn’t seize this chance, she might never get another one.
Her gaze drifted to Catherine, who was eating the barbecue with quiet elegance, unaffected by the world around her. Catherine’s calmness and grace made Audrey pause. She knew her sister wasn’t fond of the limelight, and the idea of asking her to participate in something so public felt almost wrong.
Audrey hesitated, unsure of how to approach the subject. She saw Catherine’s face, so similar to her own, but in that moment, Audrey couldn’t figure out how to bridge the gap. Catherine was introverted, private, and still focused on her studies—there was no way she would want to be involved in the kind of public spectacle the reality show would bring.
Wanting to quiet Kim’s persistent nagging, Audrey gave him a vague promise. “Don’t worry, Kimmy. I’ll try to convince Catherine tonight. I’ll let you know if there’s any good news.” She hung up before he could respond and quickly went back to eating, trying to act as though everything was normal. What she didn’t know was that Catherine had heard the entire conversation.
Several minutes passed, and after much internal conflict, Audrey finally attempted to bring up the topic. She pretended to casually ask, “Kathy, you saw me during the shoot today, right? Do you like how it feels to be on TV?”
Catherine, without skipping a beat, shook her head. Her expression remained blank, offering no clue as to what she was thinking.
Audrey’s shoulders slumped as she realized what she already knew: Catherine wouldn’t like being in front of a camera. She was too private, too guarded. Audrey smiled awkwardly, trying to mask her disappointment. “Yeah, that makes sense. Not everyone enjoys being in front of a camera.”
She tried to shift the mood, laughing a little too loudly. “It’s okay. I just thought it’d be a good chance to talk. Let’s focus on the food!”
But Catherine didn’t look away. Her eyes studied Audrey with quiet intensity, a sense of understanding flickering in her gaze. For a moment, Catherine felt a pang of confusion. According to Kim, Audrey should have jumped at the opportunity to involve her in the reality show. Yet, Audrey had barely mentioned it, and when she did, it was only through a roundabout question.
Catherine found herself questioning why Audrey hadn’t just asked her directly. Why endure the discomfort of the shoot, even going so far as to swim while on her period, rather than be open with her about the show?
She didn’t understand why Audrey would let pride or hesitation get in the way of advancing her career, especially when the reality show could open so many doors for her. Why suffer in silence when there’s an opportunity to ask for help?
They finished their meal without Audrey bringing up the topic again.
As they stepped outside, they unexpectedly ran into Triston and Branden. Triston, ever the charming one, greeted them with an air of smugness. “What did I tell you? If you want a good meal, this place is the one. And look, we’ve even run into some beauties. Mr. Duncan, are these ladies to your liking?”
Audrey, seeing a familiar face in Branden, felt relieved. She was especially pleased that she had the chance to introduce Catherine to him. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for her sister as well.
“Mr. Lambert, what a coincidence to run into you two right after our meal. Are you planning to eat here as well?” Audrey asked, her tone light and welcoming.
Triston opened his mouth to respond, but Branden interrupted with a terse, “No.”
Triston blinked in surprise, realizing Branden’s intent. The ladies had finished eating, which meant if they went inside now, they’d be forced to bid them farewell. Triston quickly caught on and adjusted his offer. “We’ve already eaten. We were just thinking of finding somewhere to drink and let our meals digest. Would you care to join us?”
Audrey glanced at Catherine, whose face remained impassive. Since Catherine didn’t seem opposed to the idea, Audrey made the decision for them. “Never mind the drinks. How about a walk to help digest our meal? There’s a nice park nearby.”
Triston looked at Branden for approval. When Branden nodded, Triston agreed, albeit reluctantly, given that he was still hungry. “Alright, let’s go for a walk.”
The four of them wandered toward the park beside the restaurant. Triston and Audrey easily fell into conversation, while Branden and Catherine naturally lagged behind, walking at a slower pace.
Branden’s eyes remained fixed on Catherine, studying her every move. She looked distant, lost in thought, as though something was weighing on her mind. Her expression was more subdued, less distant than usual.
After a long moment of silence, Branden spoke, his voice gentle and surprisingly soft. “Is something troubling you?”
The cool breeze carried his words to Catherine, and she turned to look at him, confused by the sincerity in his tone. His presence was striking—there was an undeniable nobility to him, as if he were from another world. Yet, in that moment, he also exuded a sense of reliability, as if he could offer her the support she hadn’t even realized she needed.
She met his gaze, considering his words for a beat. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
Branden’s smile softened, his voice low and warm. “Sometimes, it’s clear when something is on someone’s mind. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone, Kathy. You can talk to others. They can help, give advice.”
Catherine tilted her head, considering the unfamiliar idea. From a young age, she’d been taught to depend solely on herself. She’d never really been shown the value of sharing her burdens with others. But Branden’s words resonated with her, and for the first time, she wondered if she might be missing something.
After a pause, she decided to share her thoughts with him. She spoke softly, revealing Audrey’s situation and her internal conflict.
Branden listened attentively, his eyes never leaving hers. When she finished, he offered an insightful observation. “Maybe Audrey is trying to protect you. She’s aware you don’t like the public eye, and if you join the show, it could disrupt your life. She’s not bringing it up because she doesn’t want to push you into something that could make you uncomfortable.”
Catherine blinked, stunned. Protect me?
“Yes,” Branden affirmed, smiling knowingly. “She may not have a perfect way of showing it, but her intentions are sincere. She’s trying to keep you safe from the chaos that fame might bring.”
Catherine thought about it for a moment. Would Audrey really protect her like that? The idea seemed hard to grasp. Audrey’s actions, her avoidance of asking for help, began to make more sense now.
Could Audrey be silently protecting her, even at the cost of her own dreams? Was this truly the reason Audrey hadn’t pushed for her to join the reality show?