“Hey, Julio,” I called to my foreman, who was checking for any last-minute repairs that needed to be done before we filmed the reveal for the local families and staff of the library. “Viste a Alba?” I’d spotted the Volvo rental in the parking lot but didn’t see her when I came into the building, which was weird.

“Yeah, she was here just now. She went to get her makeup on I think.” His face hardened on the last word, and I didn’t have to ask why, because Chase’s booming voice took over the space in the next moment.

“Oh, you’re finally here.”

I clenched my teeth, reminding myself that taking down this fucker would likely only mean more grief for everyone who worked for him. “Kayla and Alba are in the makeup trailer.”

“Kayla?” I didn’t bother hiding my annoyance, because...this motherfucking guy.

“Tina and I agreed that it would be good if Kayla at least got credit on camera for her help with the design.” From the glare that Tina sent in his direction I assumed he was talking out of his ass like always.

“Right,” I said tightly, as I watched Alba and Kayla step out of the little trailer. If anything Alba looked paler than she had that morning.

“I’m here.” She didn’t sound great either; her voice was hoarse, like she’d been crying.

Everything in me wanted to grab her and take her away from this shit show before things turned for the worse.

“Finally,” Chase said, exasperated, and that time I could not help it. I stepped up to him and tried my best to remind him that unlike the people he liked to bully, I could beat his ass.

“I’m getting real tired of hearing you yell at people on this set, my dude. Why don’t you go cool off before we start?” Chase spluttered, then turned his back on me, but when he spoke to his assistant Mona he at least didn’t holler like an asshole.

“Theo, Alba, if you could come here for a moment,” Tina the line producer I wished was the showrunner called us over. “The families and the staff are here for the reveal if you want to go introduce yourselves.” She pointed at the cluster of about six adults and six kids sitting under one of the tents. “We will hopefully do this without too many takes, because it’s only going to get hotter.” She turned to Alba then, and her smile was genuine. “The place looks amazing, Alba, you really worked wonders and I know all the hiccups you had.” She trained a very unfriendly glare in the direction of Kayla, who was sitting in the air-conditioning scrolling on her phone.

“Thank you,” Alba said, and though I could see that the compliment pleased her, she still didn’t look great. “We should get started.”