Chapter 43 #2
“I can do that,” Cadence nodded in his direction. “I honestly love Hotel Bombshell, and I’ve watched and re-watched it a dozen times already. I appreciate the raw honesty in it, and I’d definitely want to still capture that.”
Rex took down some notes, but Angelica was still lost in Rex’s comment, in the slip of his words. He’d never hesitated to call Hope his wife before, he’d never tried to avoid that as a topic. So why now?
“Hope is hardheaded at times and will often not communicate when she’s moving from one location to another, so we need someone who can stay on top of her to catch all of the scenes.” Josef added his two cents in.
Angelica spared him barely a glance, still lost on what Rex hadn’t said.
But if they wanted the new assistant director to follow Hope like a lost puppy then it was probably a good thing their relationship had ended.
It had been hard enough to sneak around with the freedom they’d had last season.
Eliminating that would have made it impossible.
“Of course. I know Hope’s style is impulsive and energetic, that’s what makes her so attractive to the audience.
It’s why her daytime cooking show is a hit as well.
She has this enigmatic personality around her that draws people in.
” Cadence still had that smile plastered on her face, but she moved to look directly at Angelica.
“You, however, are the exact cool opposite to her, which is why the two of you play off each other so nicely. You should be in more scenes together, if that’s something you’re interested in.
” She looked at Rex then. “I realize that’d cut down my time behind the monitors, but it’s really what would help the show take off in a new ways.
In fact, I think putting you two together on camera in between seasons would help keep the show alive even when it’s not airing. ”
“What?” Angelica bit back the word, but her voice was barely loud enough to be heard over Josef’s.
“What do you mean by that?”
“YouTube.” Cadence winked at Angelica before focusing on Josef.
“It’s a whole new audience that you really need to explore.
The highest rated episode from season one was Seattle, and in particular, the part where Ms. Shields and Mrs. Lawrence were cooking together.
Of all the videos and social media that are circulating, it’s largely drawn from those moments.
It’d be a missed opportunity not to play off that and build on it. ”
“So what are you proposing?” Josef leaned back in his chair, completely entranced by Cadence’s charm.
Angelica had felt it when they’d met months ago, and Cadence hadn’t lost it.
Also, she wasn’t surprised that Cadence would turn it up here because she wanted this job.
How her name had ended up on the short list, she wasn’t sure, but Cadence would be a fan turned director, which might actually be the right decision for the show.
And having more female queer power around would also be a nice touch.
“I suggest you start mini YouTube videos of Ms. Shields and Mrs. Lawrence cooking. Mrs. Lawrence can teach Ms. Shields. It doesn’t matter what else they do, the chemistry the pair of them have will work wonders, and having a more relaxed environment will showcase what they bring to the pairing.”
Rex tensed. So did Angelica. She stared at Cadence with a damning gaze. Rex said absolutely nothing.
“Mrs. Lawrence’s house is already set up for filming, so it could be done there, which would keep the budget down instead of going to the studio for it, and it’d make scheduling easier.”
“And lend to the relaxed environment,” Josef added to Cadence’s plan. “Oh, I love this.” He looked to Angelica. “What do you think?”
“I, uh…” Angelica wasn’t usually at a loss for words.
Had this been suggested three weeks ago, she would have been fine with it, but now?
Knowing that she and Hope were barely talking, with the tip that something was going on dramatically between her and Rex, and then to ask Angelica to go into their space?
“I’m not sure it’ll work with scheduling, but it’s a brilliant idea. ”
Rex slid her a look that said thanks and relief. Angelica nodded at him subtly and then pulled herself back together.
“Perhaps we can add in a few of those moments when we film season three, that way we can use them in post-press.”
Josef squinted at her in suspicion. “We can talk about that later. Cadence, we’d like you to work with Rex on post to help relieve him of his schedule. Then we’ll determine next season.”
Rex gathered his papers together.
Had they even gotten through the questions they had planned on asking Cadence? Angelica glanced down at her iPad quickly, determining that they hadn’t. She closed the app and sighed as Josef wrapped up the interview. After Cadence left the room, Josef clapped his hands together loudly.
“I like her.”
Of course Josef would like her. She was new, confident, and competent. Exactly who he liked to surround himself with. Angelica kept her mouth shut as she stood up and prepared to leave. Rex hung his head as he stepped away from the table.
“Don’t forget we have the wrap party in a few days! I’m looking forward to seeing what you and Hope come up with.” Josef looked directly at Angelica. “The last one was so titillating.”
God, he was such an ass. Angelica nodded at him but kept her mouth shut.
She had a lot of work to do on planning the event itself, and without Hope to help her out, she was going to have even more work to get done.
Angelica walked out into the hallway, Rex right beside her as they went.
When Josef didn’t follow them, she sighed.
“Do you want to work with Cadence?” she asked. “You’re the one who’s going to have the most interaction with her outside of Hope, so what are your thoughts?”
“I don’t exactly have a choice, do I?” Rex frowned at her. “You know firsthand how little choice I have in these kinds of decisions.”
Angelica paused, her heart hammering. She did something she’d never thought she’d do. She reached out and lightly touched Rex’s arm. “Are you okay?”
His eyes watered for a brief second before he shook his head and straightened his back. “Good luck with the wrap party.”
And then he was gone. He walked away, the sounds of his shoes scuffing on the floor fading as he left. Angelica stood in his wake, processing through that last comment, and the look of pain and sadness that had welled in his eyes.
Was he planning on leaving Hope?