Mara was just double-checking with Balfour to make sure that Alyssa hadnât spilled any beans she shouldnât have.
Mara had slipped out early that morning, eager to avoid Alyssa who might corner her with questions about last nightâs fiasco.
Even though she had managed to brush off Alyssa at the time, Balfour hadnât been fully coherent then.
In his presence, she feared he might grasp the gravity of what had happened.
But now, Balfourâs voice on the phone betrayed no hint of suspicion.
Relieved, Mara asked, âBalfour, where are you at the moment? I popped over to the library this morning; there are a few books Iâve been itching to read but canât seem to find at home. Could you swing by and give me a lift on your way back?â
Balfour furrowed his brow, hesitating. Ivyâs shoot could run late, yet Mara wanted a ride home.
âWhen are you heading back? Didnât you have the chauffeur drop you off this morning?â
Dean and Alyssa had chosen their suburban home for its tranquility, away from the bustling city center.
They usually relied on cars for transportation.
Without a chauffeur, Mara surely couldnât make it to the library.
âI figured youâd be heading back, so I sent the driver home early. Come on, canât you just pick me up?
Or are you tied up with something else? Is the office swamped today?â Mara pressed.
Balfour didnât want to lie, but he really needed to check on Ivyâs diet.
If her meals on set werenât up to snuff, heâd have the housekeeper whip something up and deliver it.
âIâm not at the office right now. If itâs not too far, come find me over at Ivyâs set, and Iâll take you home from there.â
Balfourâs suggestion made Maraâs heart skip a beat.
What time was it already, and he was at Ivyâs? Did he miss her that much?
She couldnât fathom what allure Ivy, that sly enchantress, possessed.
Balfour was drawn to her side time and again, and now he was even asking Mara to come to Ivyâs set.
He would never do that before!
âIâll text you the address,â he said, glancing at Ivy lounging on the couch.
Mara, worried about irritating Balfour, reluctantly agreed.
When Balfour turned back, Ivy had already masked her emotions âIs your morning shoot over? In that case, show me your dorm,â he said.
Ivy, tired from her morning performance, resisted, âIâm beat and not up for playing host. What do you want in my dorm, anyway? Thereâs nothing for you to see there, and itâs not as lavish as home.â
Balfour, sensing her dismissive tone, grew upset.
âAm I that unwelcome? Donât forget what lies between us.â
âI havenât forgotten our contract for a single moment, nor the debt I owe you, Mr. Howard Can we please not talk about this now? Iâm exhausted!â
Ivyâs sudden outburst took Balfour aback, and he noticed the red veins in her weary eyes.
âIâve told you before, you should quit acting. After your last injury, I questioned you, and you insisted on returning to this role. If youâre exhausted, isnât that a choice you made?â
Ivy was left speechless.