Kate's shoulder stiffened slightly, her hand closest to Ivy clenching just enough to reveal the taut veins beneath her skin.
Ivy sneaked a glance at Kate, her once-confident expression quickly dissolving into anxiety. She whispered, "I'm sorry, I just meant… Miss Stone is like a dream. Anyone would be lucky to be with her."
"No, no, I mean—Miss Stone, if you'd ever want to be with me, I'd be over the moon!" Ivy's voice dwindled to a murmur, "I was just wishing… not serious."
Kate's expression grew only more inscrutable, leaving Ivy to continue in an even quieter voice, "Did I… was I too forward?" She released Kate's arm, her boldness evaporating as she stood there, unsure, like a startled fawn.
"Next time, make a real wish." Kate's voice was flat, yet firm, as she took Ivy's hand and led her toward the garden's exit, signaling that filming had concluded.
Ivy, subdued, allowed herself to be guided, sighing inwardly. "Does Miss Stone think that was an unserious wish?" she wondered, feeling a pang of sadness. Once this show wrapped, they'd go their separate ways, she realized. That separation felt harder to accept than skipping her beloved roast ham for the sake of appearances.
Back in the girls' villa, the living room was lively and bustling. Sophia sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking at Annie with a teasing smirk. "Enjoyed your date with Ethan, did you? That smile's giving you away!"
Annie waved her tennis racket in mock annoyance, aiming at Sophia. "If anyone's wrinkling up, it's you—with those crow's feet and smile lines!"
So, Annie and Ethan had shared a simultaneous date.
Ivy's curiosity sparked, and she bounded over. "What did you two get up to?"
Annie, upon noticing Ivy, softened instantly. "We played some tennis. You should join us sometime!"
Ivy shook her head vigorously. "Tennis? Not for me! I'm hopeless with balls. I'd just end up as the designated ball retriever!"
Sophia, her eyes sparkling, pounced forward to pinch Ivy's cheeks. "You're too cute! 'Ball retriever'—that's my new favorite nickname for you!" she laughed.
Annie shot a sidelong glance at Kate, then added playfully, "Oh, by the way, Ethan did say he wanted to ask you out. Too bad he got turned down."
Ivy recalled their conversation and her "hard-to-get" advice to Ethan. She laughed. "Good thing I said no! A whole afternoon of tennis would've killed me."
Kate's voice cut through softly. "Ethan asked you out?"
Sophia grinned mischievously. "Who would've thought Miss Stone had a bit of curiosity for the group's latest gossip? I always thought I was the only one intrigued by everyone's love lives."
Annie jabbed back, "Not everyone's a meddling busybody like you, Sophia. Miss Stone is just concerned for our resident 'little sister.'"
"Oh, meddling?" Sophia gasped. "Don't slander my good name! Careful, or I'll sue!"
With her usual seriousness, Ivy replied, "He did mention it, but I can't let him waste a chance on me. I'm here to soak up the drama, not to find romance—I'm focused on my career!" It was a practical, if guarded, answer.
Kate simply replied, "Hmm," before excusing herself upstairs, returning to her typical cool and distant air.
Ivy scratched her head, feeling perplexed. "Did I say something wrong? She's gone back to being so distant and icy…"
Ivy soon joined Kate upstairs, where Kate was, once again, engrossed in her book. Thinking back on today's "compatibility quiz," Ivy felt a bit defeated. She wanted to get to know Kate better so that next time, she could do more than score a mere three points.
So she squatted down in front of Kate, looking up eagerly. "Miss Stone, you really seem to love reading, don't you?"
Kate looked down, bemused by Ivy's innocent face peeking up at her. "What's brought this on, Ivy?"
Ivy's eyes sparkled. "Didn't we say that outside I'd call you 'Miss Stone,' but here, I could call you 'Kate'? Did you forget?"
Kate hesitated. "I'm much older than you."
"Barely," Ivy countered. "Four years—four and a half, tops!"
"Better to stick with 'Miss Stone,'" Kate replied, her tone somber.
"Make up your mind," Ivy grumbled. "You're so changeable."
"There are cameras here," Kate added. "Wouldn't want this to cause you any trouble."
Ivy's heart warmed. "Miss Stone really is kind," she thought.
Recalling her earlier question, she tried again. "So, is that a biography? I want to get to know you better!"
Kate showed her the title. "I'm studying. Autobiographies help with understanding different characters' psyches."
"Wow!" Ivy exclaimed, remembering Kate's remark about using every minute to study and practice. Her eyes filled with admiration.
Kate, perhaps a little disconcerted by Ivy's admiring gaze, asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're amazing!" Ivy clasped her face in her hands, her eyes filled with admiration—there was no denying her sincerity.
Kate, after a pause, finally relented and reached out to gently scratch Ivy's chin. "You're pretty amazing yourself. You were the top pick, weren't you? Your dancing and singing are remarkable."
Ivy hadn't expected a compliment. She nearly jumped with joy, her grin wide and unguarded.
"You really think so? You're not just saying that?" She leaned in, resting her arms on Kate's knees, and her head on her arms, just like a puppy waiting for a pat.
"I don't say things I don't mean." Kate's tone was, as always, cool and reserved.
"Well then, I must be pretty impressive," Ivy laughed. "Besides reading, what else do you like?"
"Watching films," Kate replied.
"I love films too!" Ivy's eyes sparkled. "Let's not spend all day reading. How about a movie?"
Kate replied, her tone distant, "Why not ask your other 'big sisters' if they'd like to join?"
But Ivy's tone was earnest, almost pleading. "I'd rather watch with you. Please?"
Kate's expression softened a fraction. She opened her mouth to answer but paused when Ivy blurted out, "Oh! And you said if I called you Miss Stone, you'd coach me on acting! Miss Stone, Miss Stone, Miss Stone—I could say it a hundred times!"
Kate put the book on Ivy's head like a stern teacher. "Read this one hundred times first," she said, face impassive.
It was hard to tell whether she was serious or playful. And if playful…what was the game?