“Stop right there.” Cage held up his hand and pressed it to his temple. “My brain needs time to function,” he groaned. Giselle started to spout another bout of apology when Cage stopped her with a sigh.

“You called me talent. You’re an actor yourself, now. Why are you discriminating between the two of us?” he scolded gently. “It is basic reaction for humans to try and stop from falling. You should be questioning the crew people for why they failed to protect us. Not blaming yourself.”

Giselle gave him an awkward smile. “I…” she stopped.

“You have every right to feel threatened. I don’t know how two safety measures failed to work. I’ll have someone look into it,” Cage reassured.

“And you need to get yourself checked up at the hospital,” Giselle reminded. She stopped short and spoke again. “Thank you.”

“For?” Cage asked cautiously.

“For everything.” With that, she turned around and left.

– – –

Katherine had just completed her work and editing the videos when her phone rang. She frowned as she looked at the number. It was Stephen. Without hesitation, she picked up the call.

“Hello?” she said, wondering what was happening.

“Hey, Katherine. Are you free?” Stephen’s voice had a hint of panic in it. Katherine furrowed her eye, an unsettling feeling becoming prominent in her stomach.

“Yeah, I’m free. Why?” She held her breath. Her heart seemed to be pounding. Something was definitely wrong. She knew.

“Cage had an accident.”

Katherine froze in her seat, unable to recognize the words that were coming out of Stephen’s mouth.

“What do you mean?” Katherine asked, forcing her voice out.

“There was an accident on set. He was hurt. The medic saw him but I am trying to convince him to go to the hospital.” Stephen’s explanation made sense.

“I’ll come over,” Katherine said quickly. Asking for the address, she booked a cab. As she was about to reach the location, another call from Stephen came in. Cage was going to the hospital for a check-up. Stephen asked her not to come to the shooting location and go straight to the hospital.

Somehow, it only took half an hour for her to reach. To Stephen’s credit, her phone chimed twice, giving Katherine updates on how Cage was doing. Katherine was relieved that he was not badly hurt but her heart still remained at her throat.

Finally, she reached the hospital. She met Stephen in the lobby and greeted him.

“The doctor is checking over him right now,” he said before she could ask. “Come this way.”

Stephen led Katherine to the waiting room and smiled reassuringly. “He was talking when he went in to get the scan. The reporters haven’t gotten wind of this yet, so I am praying the news will be buried.” Stephen grimaced as he looked at the phone.

“The director and Giselle will be arriving, too. So, you might need to hide.” Katherine nodded in understanding. He ran her hand through her hair as her mind pulled her in several directions at once. She didn’t know how to process all the information that was being thrown at her.

There was a frantic voice and quick footsteps coming their way, making both Stephen and Katherine look up. She could have very well hidden from this crowd but something possessed her to stand up and look these people in the eye.

A man in his fifties came rushing at Stephen, accompanied by a younger man and a woman whom Katherine recognized as Giselle. The director gripped Stephen’s shoulder and shook him.

“Tell me-” he began but Stephen was quick to respond.

“Take a deep breath. We admitted him in case we missed something.” Stephen looked towards the room and then sharply looked back at the director. “We’ll talk about safety and processes in the crew when Cage is better. Right now, please stay on standby and remember to thoroughly investigate what went wrong.”

Giselle was the first to notice Katherine. She glanced at her multiple times, confused at first before understanding dawned on her. Katherine saw the change and bowed a little in acknowledgment.

“I’m Katherine Austen,” she said, moving forward and extending her hand. The director and his assistant remained stunned by the information while Giselle came forward to hug her.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice low and guilty. Katherine patted her arm, pulling away.

“I’m sure it’s not your fault. Cage speaks highly of you and your skills. He was looking forward to working with you.” Throughout the interaction, Stephen remained calm, not revealing if he was displeased or not.

“Family of Cage Cavanaugh?” the team looked up as the doctor came towards them.

Katherine jumped to respond. “Yes,” she said quickly. The doctor used some complicated terms that went over her head but the conclusion was that Cage’s injuries were minor. He required some rest and medication to make sure he recovered but none of it would have a long-term effect. He wouldn’t be able to work for a couple of days and ensure he doesn’t hit his head again in the future.

Katherine was ecstatic. Cage was okay and he would be discharged shortly. Now that she knew nothing was really wrong, she could think of other things.

“That was a reckless move,” Stephen commented, taking a seat beside Katherine.

“You think so?” she asked, giving him a sideward glance.

“You’re growing more courageous about revealing your relationship. Not that I mind, you had to get over it sooner or later. I’m happy it was sooner and you have some sense of who you are revealing the truth to.” Stephen chuckled.

“That being none of the three will run off to the press, am I right?” Katherine speculated.

“Cage helped Giselle out before shooting began, so she is loyal to him while the director and others on set signed an NDA. You’re in the clear. No one followed us either, so…”

“Safe for now, then,” Katherine said without much emotion.

“It’s bound to come out sometime in the future.” Stephen shrugged.

The other three perked up.

“Do you want anyone to drink while we wait?” Stephen asked.

“No, I’m still reeling from the shock,” Katherine admitted. “But why is the assistant director staring at me like he will murder me?”