He took her home to the apartment he used for guests, and additional crew when they were filming. She was staying there for the summer. It was down the street from his home. He dropped her off as he would a daughter or a niece, or a friend. She thanked him for dinner, and he watched her go into the house. He was happy that she would be there for three months, and he would see her every day on the set, or in his office. He loved being close to her, and he knew that his two assistants would take good care of her too. Her home life for all of her twenty years sounded like a loveless nightmare thanks to her selfish, narcissistic parents.
* * *
—
Antonia loved being in London, and working for Hamish. Brigid and Margaret took her around London when they had time off, and she had fun being with them. It was a beautiful city, and she loved discovering its history.
One of the young actors in the movie had asked Antonia out several times. He wanted to take her out to dinner, or to the nightclubs, but Antonia refused each time he asked. She could already see what he was, and knew where it would lead. He was only interested in himself, having a good time, and getting laid. She didn’t want to be a toy for him. She thought it would just end up in another scene like the one with Jeff, or maybe even Brian Kelly, or a shallow relationship she didn’t want. He was easy to turn down. Eventually, he made fun of her and called her the Virgin Queen, which she thought proved her point. She was happier keeping her social activities limited to the assistants who worked for Hamish.
* * *
—
It was the most exciting summer of her life, watching the film develop, and studying the scripts, and learning from them. Hamish taught her many things about the industry, intentionally and by example. And London was a fabulous city. She didn’t want to leave. Hamish took her to dinner from time to time, and she loved the women she worked with. She didn’t want to go back to New York, but she had to complete her senior year and graduate.
On her birthday, Hamish organized a party for her at San Lorenzo, and a large group of them went dancing at Annabel’s afterward with some of the cast, since he was a member there. She was twenty-one now, and had come of age. She felt very adult, which made him smile. Twenty-one was still a baby to him, and to most of them. But after her London summer, Antonia felt very sophisticated and grown-up.
She hadn’t heard from her father all summer. He was still angry about the movie she would be in. But Lara called her from time to time. They had rented a different, smaller house in the Hamptons, went there on weekends, and for the month of August. Things were tense between Lara and Brandon, ever since she had confronted him about his treatment of Antonia. He couldn’t tolerate being criticized and challenged, particularly by his wife. And she couldn’t stand the heartless way he treated his daughter. Lara felt guilty being the object of his affection, when his daughter got none.
* * *
—
There were tears when Antonia said goodbye to the crew in London, and she had promised to come back. Hamish had cleverly gotten around her needing a work permit, by depositing a “gift” for her in her bank in the States. It was more than she’d expected, and she was surprised by how generous he was.
* * *
—
Senior year took off in a rush. She and Jake had been given rooms in the same dorm again, and they hung out together more than ever, and worked side by side doing their homework assignments.
He had met a sophomore he liked in October, so he had a little less free time for Antonia, but he had dinner with her regularly, so she didn’t feel abandoned. It was the first serious relationship he’d had since he was there, and he was enjoying it. Antonia was happy for him, and focused on her schoolwork.
She was in her dorm room when Hamish called her in December. It was snowing outside, and she was happy not to be out. She was surprised to hear his voice. She hadn’t heard from him since she left London three months before. He had no reason to call her. The movie was finished, and due to open before Christmas. She couldn’t wait to see it.
He asked her how she was, and then switched to the reason for his call, as soon as she said she was fine.
“What are you doing day after tomorrow?” he asked her.
“My laundry,” she said with a laugh, but it was true.
“No, you’re not. You’re coming to the premiere of Summer Snow with me.” It was the movie she was in. “I flew in for it, but I need a date, and I’d like you to be it. I hate going to those events alone, and this is your debut,” he teased her, but it was true. And it was a good excuse to see her. The premiere was at a new theater, and there would be a party at the Plaza afterward. “Those events are always a zoo, but I have to go, and you really should too.” There would be a red carpet for press interviews, and the two stars of the picture were going. The media would corner any big star who came to the event. And there would be plenty of photo ops. It sounded overwhelming to Antonia.