A Script of Borrowed Times

JULIA POV

CASTING CALL & ADDITIONAL CREW NEEDED

Production: “The Rich Boy in Disguise” starring Damon Watts.

Location: Old Town District

My heart pounded faster, so it was true—this was not just a rumor. Damon Watts was really in this town!

The series was being filmed only a few hundred yards away from me. I immediately read the details on the poster more carefully.

Oh, they were also looking for additional crew members for catering and cleaning for the next two weeks!

I reached into my jacket pocket and looked at the cracked screen that had silently witnessed all my struggles. I checked my pitiful bank balance, then looked back at the poster.

While I didn't have professional catering qualifications, I was accustomed to working hard under any circumstances. Washing dishes, preparing meals, cleaning gardens—anything! Even lying if necessary.

“Oh, God,” I exhaled a long breath.

A reckless idea began to take shape in my head. If I could get into the filming location as part of the crew, I might have a chance to get close to Damon Watts. I only needed less than a minute to ask for a short video or an autograph.

The filming location was in Old Town, near an abandoned train station. There was an open field filled with tall grass, now transformed into rows of trailers, tents, and countless people. Large trucks bearing the logos of famous production companies were parked there.

My steps quickened as adrenaline surged through me. The moment I reached one of the gates guarded by security, I gave a casual nod.

“Where are you going, ma’am?” he asked.

I swallowed hard. “Catering. I’m with the catering team.” My eyes briefly glanced inside, where people were rushing around. “I’m late.”

“You do not have an ID? Where is your ID?”

The question hit me like a bolt of lightning. How was I supposed to know that even catering staff needed IDs? I suddenly felt like coming here had been pointless. I had not even made it inside, and I was already about to be kicked out.

“Julia?”

The voice came from behind the security guard.

My eyes nearly stopped blinking when I saw Ashley, my high school friend, standing there. She was wearing a white apron and looked extremely busy. The last time I saw Ashley was when I returned to Spring Creek a year ago.

“Sorry, I’m late!” I immediately waved.

I quickly moved past the security guard, who looked shocked by my impulsive behavior. I wrapped an arm around Ashley and silently begged with my eyes.

“What should I do now? I’m not too late, right?” I said loudly. “Ah, I forgot my ID.”

Ashley blinked, looking confused. Then she immediately understood.

“It’s fine. Just come help me in the back.”

The security guard watched us act, his eyes scanning us for any sign of a lie. But our performance seemed convincing enough.

Ashley turned toward him.

“She’s with me,” Ashley said. “My team.”

“Tell her to bring her ID next time.”

Ashley gave him a thumbs-up. “Roger that.”

We hurried away, and I followed Ashley’s quick pace. She looked slightly tense, even though she was trying to hide it.

“One year without a word, and then you suddenly show up here? Great,” Ashley said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry. I just—”

“I know,” Ashley cut in. “That does not mean you should shut everyone out, Julia. Asking for help is not something to be ashamed of.”

“Well, right now I am asking you for help.”

The smell of delicious food wafted through the air as we reached one of the large white tents. People were busy packing food into boxes and stacking them up. But instead of putting me to work, Ashley dragged me to a quieter corner.

“How are you? And your daughter?” Ashley asked.

I did not answer. My eyes simply began to sting and fill with tears.

That was one of the reasons I avoided so many acquaintances. I hated being asked about Jilly’s condition. The pity and concern in people’s eyes only made me feel worse.

Like, I looked weak. Like I was incapable of taking care of Jilly. For God’s sake, I was trying my hardest for my daughter!

Ashley only gave my shoulder a brief pat, looking awkward.

“Okay, what kind of help do you need? I can still put you into one of the catering team slots. You can start working right now.”

I shook my head. “For now, I just need to meet Damon Watts.”

“What?”

“Yes, Damon Watts.”

Ashley gaped at me. “That is not what I meant. Oh my God, why do you want to meet Damon Watts?”

“Jilly wants to meet him. But she will never be able to meet her idol.” I took a breath that felt unbearably heavy. “So I just need an autograph or a short video for Jilly.”

Silence settled between us, a sharp contrast to the bustle inside the tent.

“You know I can’t help you with that,” Ashley whispered, lowering her voice. “Just because Damon is filming here does not mean people can meet him whenever they want.”

“Please, Ash...” Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. “Damon is the only thing that keeps Jilly going every single day.”

And this time, I begged Ashley for permission.

I pushed aside my humiliation and discomfort at the thought of burdening someone else. All so my mission could succeed.

I would not leave until I got what Jilly wanted. A tiny piece of hope.

Ashley let out a long breath. She stepped away from me, then grabbed a baseball cap and a food box and shoved them into my hands.

“Damon’s trailer is number two. Remember, if anyone asks, you are a freelance worker from City Catering. Do not talk too much, and do not make eye contact with anyone.” Ashley looked at me seriously.

I nodded repeatedly.

“And for God’s sake, Julia, hide that phone of yours,” Ashley hissed. “Only take it out if Damon agrees to your request.”

“Okay, okay.” I quickly slipped my phone into my back pocket.

“I mean it, Julia. Do not do anything weird,” Ashley warned.

“I know. Just one autograph for Jilly. Then I disappear,” I replied in what I hoped sounded convincing, even though my hands were trembling as I held the food box. “I promise.”

Ashley, the only person crazy enough to help me, finally sent me on my way.

I took a deep breath and left the tent. As I walked, I looked around the old train station.

My plan was simple: Go in, get the autograph, and get out quickly.

Before anyone realized I was not actually part of the catering crew. Just a desperate mother carrying out the most ridiculous disguise of the century.

I walked past rows of crew members. Some were dragging black cables as thick as a human arm. Others carried lights and various filmmaking equipment.

Then my steps came to a halt in front of the trailer area. My heart shrank when a large man immediately stood up. Apparently, another security guard was stationed there.

Well, I should have expected that.

“Stop!” His hand shot up in warning. “Where is your ID card?”

I cleared my throat softly.

“I left it behind. I’m just a freelance worker here. This is for Damon Watts. I was told to deliver it. You can ask at the City Catering tent if you do not believe me,” I rambled, trying to hide my trembling.

The security guard narrowed his eyes. “All right. Get in there. Do not take too long.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I half-ran through a crowd of background actors who were touching up their makeup. Eventually, I arrived at the VIP trailer area, which was quieter and more isolated.

There were still security guards stationed there, watching me cautiously.

My eyes landed on a white trailer.

There was no number two displayed, but there was a name on it:

Damon Watts.

I stood in front of the door for a moment.

My mind was carefully arranging the first sentence I would say to the twenty-year-old man who held the key to my daughter’s happiness.

“I do not care about that contract! I just want all of you to leave and leave me alone! Can I not have one goddamn ten minutes of peace in my life?”

I flinched at the shout coming from inside the trailer.

A loud crash followed, as if something had been thrown and shattered on the floor. What was happening in there?

Behind this door was a reality completely different from any movie I had ever seen.

Doubt crept into me. Should I even go in?

The young man inside sounded like he hated the entire world.

I recklessly opened the door anyway. Because all of this was for Jilly.

“Excuse me, I brought lunch—”

My voice caught in my throat when I saw Damon Watts.

He was sitting on a couch with his back facing me, one hand dangling loosely while holding a bottle of alcohol. He turned and stared directly at me. His eyes were red.

The world seemed to stop spinning when I finally saw that face in person. The young man Jilly hugged every night in the form of a pillow.

But right now, he looked at me as if I were the most irritating insect in the world.

“Who said you could come in without knocking?” he hissed.

Damon rose unsteadily and walked toward me. I set the food box down on a cluttered table covered with glasses and empty liquor bottles.

“I’m sorry, I—”

My back hit the closed trailer door. Damon narrowed his eyes and stopped directly in front of me. Only a few inches separated us.

“Who are you?” he asked hoarsely.