"Hey, darling, come over here. Once I send out my design drafts, we can go out for dinner and shopping," Julia said, hanging up the phone. She was sitting on the bed in a white silk nightgown and beckoned Catherine over with a smile.
Catherine hesitated, glancing at Mr. Allen Buck standing in the hallway. He gave her an encouraging nod, and the little girl made up her mind. She walked over, climbed onto the bed, and whispered, "Sorry, Mom, but I might need to go out today."
"You're going out? Where to?" Julia asked, ruffling her daughter's hair.
The young girl hesitated, then suddenly dove under the covers. Julia laughed, "Annie? Stop fooling around, Annie!"
"I'm going to see Annie," came the muffled voice from under the blanket.
"And where is Annie?" Julia asked, amused.
"She's with Dad, Nick Parker, in California," came the muffled reply.
Hearing this, Julia froze, then frowned and slowly opened her mouth. She looked around, then at the lump under the blanket, as if unable to believe it. She quickly pulled back the covers to reveal the anxious and worried face of her daughter.
"Oh my God, you're not Annie... you're... you're Hallie?!" Julia exclaimed, covering her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Cut! Excellent!" a voice called out. The previously teary-eyed Catherine jumped up, raising her hands in triumph and cheering, then began stretching and moving around.
Julia, after composing herself, smiled and pinched her daughter's cheek. "Well done, Catherine."
"Oh, dear Mom, are you really going to send me to live with Dad and not want me anymore?" the little girl said dramatically, hugging Julia tightly, though her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Alright, Cathy, take a break and touch up your makeup. After today's shoot, we can head back to California, and you can see Jessica," Julia said, holding her close.
"Why do you say that? We've only been apart for a few days," Catherine asked, puzzled, as she lay on top of her mother.
"Don't try to hide it from me, dear. Jessie said you two have been inseparable since you met. So, just a little attention to your mood tells me everything," Julia shrugged.
"Alright, is my acting that bad, or are you turning into my mom?" the little girl sighed, propping her face up with her hands.
"Are you saying I'm getting old?" Julia playfully moved her fingers as if to tickle her.
"Oh no! I didn't say anything!" Catherine, like most girls, was very ticklish. She quickly jumped up and ran to the side, knowing how unbearable it was to be tickled.
Just then, the makeup artist approached. "Miss Roberts, please come for a touch-up."
Julia nodded and gave the little girl a look that said, "We'll settle this later," before getting up to follow the makeup artist. Catherine breathed a sigh of relief, thinking of going to the window for some fresh air, but decided against it when she saw several people with cameras outside.
Julia had kept a low profile, but once she was recognized while shopping, it quickly attracted a swarm of reporters from various tabloids. During outdoor shoots, they were often pestered, but fortunately, the reporters were mainly interested in Julia, leaving Catherine mostly unbothered. However, she knew that in a few years, the paparazzi presence would likely be much greater.
The sound of a car starting came from outside. Catherine frowned and peeked out the window. Sure enough, it was him. She cursed herself for her big mouth; if she hadn't let slip about Julia's participation in the film that Sunday evening at the café, they wouldn't be dealing with this hassle.
Soon, someone came up the stairs. As the owner of the house, the crew couldn't stop him. Marcie, Julia's agent, could have, but she seemed charmed by his well-mannered demeanor.
Unlike the past few days, Frank was dressed casually in a T-shirt, with that faint, friendly smile making him even more approachable. He held three purple tulips.
"Hello, Miss Marcie," he greeted Julia's agent first, as usual, before presenting the flowers to Julia. "How are you, Miss Julia? You look as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you, Mr. Frank," Julia said, smiling at him in the mirror as she was having her makeup touched up. She didn't take the flowers right away.
Understanding, Frank placed the tulips on the table in front of her. The three unopened purple buds, with a few dewdrops still clinging to them, looked freshly picked and unusually beautiful. Frank smiled again, then walked over to see Catherine as usual.
"You're quite generous, first letting us use your house for free, and now bringing three tulips every day. If Grandpa finds out you've been picking his prized black tulips from your garden, I wonder if he'd chase you with his cane," said Catherine, standing in the corner with her arms crossed and legs apart, like a compass, a sly smile on her face as she looked at her uncle.
"But you won't tell anyone, right, Catherine?" Frank squatted down in front of her with a smile, attempting to pull her into a hug. Catherine, always wary of his antics, immediately stepped back and wagged her finger. "Careful, dear uncle, I'm in my pajamas. If you try anything, I could accuse you of harassment!"
Frank looked at his niece with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, pressing her head gently. "What on earth are you thinking about?"
"Never mind what I'm thinking, but I know what you're thinking. I'm warning you, playboy, don't mess with my big-mouthed sister!" Catherine huffed.
"Big-mouthed sister? That's a fitting name. Her lips are quite luscious," Frank said, stroking his chin and glancing at Julia out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey, did you hear what I said?" Catherine waved her tiny fists in front of him, clearly displeased.
"Sweetheart, if you talk about me like this, can I accuse you of slander?" Frank stood up, straightening his collar.
"Are you threatening me?" Catherine puffed up her cheeks, trying to look fierce.
"I'm just stating a fact," Frank shrugged, then leaned down to whisper in Catherine's ear, "Darling, do you think Grandpa will be thrilled to know you're back in London?" With that, he straightened up and walked over to Julia, who had finished her makeup and changed into new clothes.
Although the little girl was fuming, there was nothing she could do. If Grandpa found out Frank had picked his tulips, he might get a couple of smacks with a cane, but if he discovered she was here… well, it's a different story. She wished she could grow up faster.
Just then, a female staff member approached. "Hi, Catherine, there's a Miss Beckinsale here to see you."
"Kate's here? Thank you, I'll be right down!" Catherine said excitedly. She glanced at Frank chatting happily with Julia, then darted downstairs.
As soon as she reached the first floor, she saw Kate, dressed in a tomboyish style with a small backpack, looking around the lobby. Catherine's eyes twinkled mischievously. Instead of greeting her, she snuck up behind her and, with a sudden leap, hugged Kate's slim waist tightly.
Kate let out a small yelp, quickly realizing who it was, and chuckled. "Cathy, this isn't a joke."
But the girl behind her didn't respond, just clung to her. Kate could even feel the warm breath from Catherine's small head against her back.
"Cathy, what's wrong?" Kate asked, concerned, turning around to face her. The little girl's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she seemed shy, avoiding eye contact.
"Are you okay?" Kate asked, kneeling in front of her. If she listened closely, she could hear Catherine's breathing becoming heavier.
But the little girl didn't give her the chance. She shook her head vigorously, then pouted dramatically. "I thought you had forgotten about me, you haven't visited for days."
As soon as she finished speaking, Kate lightly knocked her on the head. Catherine held her head, looking confused.
"You never told me where the set was, and now you're complaining I didn't visit!" Kate retracted her hand, looking smug.
"How did you find this place?" Catherine asked, puzzled.
"The newspapers said Julia Roberts was filming here, so I came over and saw Frank. That's how I found you," Kate explained.
"Well, I'm glad you came. How have you been?" Catherine scrutinized her closely, noting how much better she looked since they first met.
"I've been doing well," Kate smiled slightly, then raised her head. "I told my mom about my situation and reassured her. I've also gone back to school and am working hard. I'm aiming for Cambridge."
"Good luck. I'm really happy for you," Catherine said sincerely, looking into her eyes.
Kate gently stroked Catherine's cheek with her slender fingers, then pulled her into a hug, whispering, "I love you, Cathy."
"I love you too, Kate," the little girl responded quietly, hugging her back. Then she added, "I hope we can always be together."
"Yes, I hope we'll always be together," Kate kissed her on the cheek, then smiled brightly. "Now, can you introduce me to Miss Roberts?"