Chapter 14
The beautiful, dazzling sunshine lit the commercial shoot location at the edge of the cove, although the slightly waning light as the day drew closer to its end muted its brilliance.
Ruthi swept her gaze around as she talked with the cinematographer and sound tech, taking them through her shooting plan, so they could get the B-roll shots they needed while waiting for the new gimbal sensor board replacement to be delivered.
“I know we’re a little upside-down because we typically shoot A-roll first, but needs must,” she said, brushing away a stray strand of hair that had blown into her eyes under her sunglasses.
“Losing continuity in terms of lighting ratios because the light changes too much between shots isn’t the goal here, especially when we edit all the sequences together.
We’ll have to shoot fast. Nonetheless, try different angles, go down on the ground, try to shoot from above. ”
The cinematographer nodded, and Ruthi continues to give direction.
“We have stock Solis Foundation still photos that can be interspersed with those shots as well. The ultimate goal is to build this story around Madeline Whitley and her narrative in such a way that it reaches out to grab the heartstrings of every single person who sees it, about the hope and transformation it represents.”
Looking at the light sparkling on the water with its breaking surf and scenting the floral fragrance and tang of the sea salt, the corners of her mouth tipped up in an unfamiliar smile.
“I want this commercial to open wallets on the spot. Although extremely rudimentary, we do have a storyboard, so you are aware of what’s essential to shoot.
Depending on Ms. Whitley’s delivery and the viewers’ ability to relate to her, it may well do that.
She played a popular mom on a sitcom for a long time, so the audience will automatically feel drawn to her.
As long as she comes across as earnest and invested in Solis, not as an actress who’s doing it for the paycheck, they will believe her. ”
Ruthi stepped out of the way so the cinematographer and sound tech could finish positioning themselves against the glorious, magical setting.
“We’ll aim for sequences that are about thirty seconds, so they allow for some editing,” she said.
“Get lots of wide shots, medium shots, and close-up shots, even a few extreme close-ups. I’ve seen your work, so I have every confidence in your abilities. Let’s do this.”
Ignoring the surprised look the two crew members gave each other, Ruthi pulled up the script to finish the final revision while letting her mind wander to Mistress Eve as the B-shot filming began.
It had been all she could do to focus her attention on the commercial shoot, consumed as she was with thoughts of Mistress Eve and her dungeon.
The time she had already spent under the beautiful Domme’s command had been everything she had ever dreamed of.
Ruthi felt safe and cared for in the hands of a Dominant who understood Ruthi’s needs and desires better than she did herself.
What still had Ruthi terrified, however, was Eve’s determination to lay her completely bare, to find her dreadful secrets and expose them to the cruel light of day.
Looking across the lagoon’s turquoise water, banded by a white-sand shore and tropical foliage exploding with color, Ruthi forced back unexpected tears as she was confronted by the peace and tranquility of an Isle of Dreams, at odds with the ugly thoughts in her head.
Logically, she knew she trusted the Mistress with the story of how she had been betrayed so long ago.
Emotionally, though, the tight vise her thoughts and feelings had been strangled by since that night wasn’t about to loosen.
Unseeing, she dropped her gaze to her tablet after giving the cinematographer and sound tech a cursory glance to check on their progress.
She wanted to release it all. Oh, how I want to, she thought.
So very much. When Ruthi was in the dungeon, bound in the Mistress’s ropes, her bottom stinging from the strokes of the flogger, feeling her desire run down her thighs, even though she knew Eve wouldn’t touch her below the waist, nothing had ever felt so right.
If she totally let go, completely sank into her submission, and bared her soul to the Domme, her life would change in so many ways.
But there was no way Ruthi Shay would ever let herself be completely vulnerable like that to anyone again.
Not even to Mistress Eve. Trust only goes but so far, she thought.
Interrupting her musings and forcing her mind back on to her work, she looked once more, focusing more thoroughly on the panoramic view, then called to the cinematographer saying, “Incorporating one or two longer, more contemplative scenes, like the surf breaking along the shoreline, might be good. You’ll need a couple of longer takes for that, though. ”
“Great minds think alike, Ms. Shay,” he grinned, before looking startled that he had dared to be so familiar with the director.
Ruthi, however, merely nodded and gestured for him to continue.
“There have been more than a few dolphin pods arching up out of the water that are absolutely breathtaking. I’ve filmed a couple of forty-five to sixty-second sequences already, in case you wanted to use something like that. ”
Remembering Mistress Eve’s admonition that her manners were lacking and that she was obnoxious and disrespectful, and trying not to flush at the memory, Ruthi nodded.
“Thank you for your foresight, Evan,” she said gently.
“That’s perfect for what I have in mind.
And it’s Ruthi. There’s no need to stand on formality. ”
With another startled glance, Evan thanked her in return.
“We’re losing light, so let’s get this wrapped up, shall we? With any luck, the gimbal sensor board replacement will be here soon, so we can get ready to shoot A-roll tomorrow.”
As Evan and the sound tech resumed filming, Ruthi let her thoughts turn back to Mistress Eve.
Maybe there’s a way I can have both, she thought.
Maybe if I come clean and tell the Mistress what happened between me and Lynn, but limit it to the pieces people already know, she’ll be satisfied.
It could work. That way, Ruthi could be honest with her Domme while still keeping the core of her heart protected.
In the meantime, Ruthi would work on becoming the best submissive she could be while under Eve’s command.
I will give her no reason to fault my behavior in any way.
Maybe… maybe I can even visit her in her dungeon on the mainland after we leave the Isle of Dreams since it’s not that far away from where I live.
Strangely excited by the thought, she was interrupted by her phone chiming with a text message.
“The gimbal replacement is here,” she called to the crew.
“Thank God. As soon as we’re done with the B-roll shots, we can head back and get everything ready for the A-roll shoot tomorrow.
I’m sure Ms. Leighton will tell Madeline and her assistant that I’ll need her to be ready first thing tomorrow. ”
“I’m done, Ruthi. Unless you need anything else, we can go back. I swear to you, I might sleep with the camera under my pillow tonight because this was too much. I hope I don’t find that saboteur because I just might kick his ass.”
A laugh startled out of the director as she slid her tablet into the bag slung over her shoulder.
“Or her. You never know in this day and age who is capable of what, Evan.” Her thoughts slid to Lynn before she dismissed them.
“Let’s go then. While you’re installing the replacement board, I can finish up this script rewrite and send it to our actress.
It will be interesting to see exactly what, besides a family sitcom, Madeline Whitley is capable of. ”
Madeline’s hair was still damp from the lagoon, curling wildly around her face as she and Kel made their way up the winding path toward the main house.
The memory of Kel’s hands on her skin still shimmered beneath the surface.
Every brush of their arms as they walked sent a fresh thrill through her.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive.
They barely made it to the front steps before a staff member intercepted them, her khaki shorts crisp, and her smile efficient.
“Ms. Whitley, Ms. Lehman? I hope you had a wonderful day.” Her gaze flicked between them, lingering long enough that Madeline wondered if the staff here read minds.
“I wanted to let you know the camera equipment has been repaired. Filming will resume at sunrise tomorrow. The jeeps leave at 5:45 sharp. Also, there are script rewrites from Ms. Shay. The pages are waiting in your suite.”
Madeline blinked, still half in a daze. “Sunrise? That’s… early.”
Grinning, Kel squeezed her hand. “We’ll survive. Maybe.”
The staff member’s smile widened. “If you need anything, call the front desk. Good luck tomorrow.”
Then she vanished as quickly as she’d appeared, leaving Madeline feeling yanked back into the world of deadlines and expectations.
They hurried up the stairs, slipping into Madeline’s suite.
Madeline tossed her beach bag onto the chair and picked up the folder with script changes from the desk before she and Kel collapsed together on the edge of the bed, the modified pages between them.
“Moment of truth,” Madeline said, trying to sound braver than she felt.
Kel nudged her shoulder. “I saw you face down a jellyfish today. You can handle Ruthi Shay’s edits.”
Rolling her eyes, Madeline laughed. “I think the jellyfish was less intimidating.” She opened the folder, bracing herself for the worst. Acidic notes in the margins, entire paragraphs slashed out, maybe a snide post-it or two, but what she found stopped her cold.
On the first page, in Ruthi’s bold handwriting, was a note.
Just one short paragraph, underlined once.
Madeline,
There are only a few changes, intended to make you stand out more powerfully. Trust yourself. Be honest. Let them see you. That’s all any of us ever need.
Ruthi
For a long moment, Madeline only stared. The air seemed to go very still. She felt Kel’s gaze on her and felt her own heart thump against her ribs. “Is this… am I dreaming?” Madeline whispered, reading the words again, as if they might vanish.
Leaning in, Kel read over her shoulder. “That’s… actually nice. Like, weirdly nice. Are we sure this is from Ruthi?”
Madeline laughed, shaky and astonished. “Maybe she hit her head. Or maybe there’s a secret spa on the island that gives you a complimentary soul makeover.”
Kel snorted. “What kind of fantasy turns Ruthi Shay into a motivational speaker? Next she’ll be handing out hugs and gluten-free muffins.”
Madeline covered her mouth, giggling. “Stop, I can’t… wait, imagine her in a ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ T-shirt. The universe might implode.”
They dissolved into helpless laughter, the kind that leaves you breathless and a little unsteady.
When the wave of amusement ebbed, Madeline wiped her eyes, still grinning, but underneath the hilarity, something softer bloomed.
A warmth she hadn’t expected. “I mean… maybe the island is working its magic on all of us,” she said quietly. “Even Ruthi.”
Her smile gentling, Kel nodded slowly. “Maybe especially her.”
Looking at the script again, Madeline traced Ruthi’s words with her finger.
She’d spent so long bracing herself for criticism, for being told she wasn’t enough.
But here, in this strange, beautiful place, surrounded by people who saw through her defenses, Kel most of all, maybe she could try something different.
Maybe she could let herself be honest. Vulnerable.
Real. She closed the folder, looking at Kel, her heart full.
“I’m scared,” she whispered. “But I want to try. I want to show them who I really am. Not just the TV mom. Not just the joke.”
Reaching for her, Kel pulled her into a hug. “You don’t have to do it alone, Madeline. I’ll be right there. Every step.”
Madeline smiled, the last of her nerves melting away. Tomorrow would come too soon, with its cameras and its expectations and the pressure to be perfect, but tonight, she was here, held by the woman she loved, buoyed by a note she never expected. Maybe that was enough.