His voice softened, but his frustration bled through. Well talk. Just dont make me do this without you. Hanging up, Mario stared at the phone, the weight of his message lingering in the silence. If she didnt show, tonight would be a disaster. And he had nobody else to blame but himself. ??? Chantel sank into the armchair by the hotel room window, staring blankly at the planes taxiing on the runway. The low hum of airport activity outside was the only sound breaking the oppressive silence of her room. Shed opted for the airport hotel for two reasons: one, because she knew Mario had a key to her apartment and would likely show up there, and two, her flight left super early in the morning. It was better this way. Her chest still ached with the weight of heartbreak. It was a throbbing reminder of just how stupid shed been. She thought she knew Mario and all of his quirks, his dreams, and his faults. But clearly, she didnt know him at all. He had betrayed her in the most intimate, devastating way possible, and now she was left trying to piece herself back together. Her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with his nameagain. Chantel stared at it, letting the call go to voicemail like all the others. Mario was undoubtedly in full-blown panic mode now. The restaurant was set to open in an hour, and for the first time since it launched, she wasnt there. Well, he better get used to it. Chantel hugged her knees to her chest. She felt a pang of guilt thinking about Brian, Ivan, and the rest of the staff. They didnt deserve this chaos. They were her family, in a way, and she hated leaving them in the lurch. But Mario had forced her hand. If he could do this, it made her wonder what else he was capable of. How many other lies had he told? The thought made her stomach churn. Her phone chimed, and she hesitated before swiping to listen to Marios latest voicemail. Chantel, its me. His voice was tight and controlled, but she could hear the strain beneath the surface. Look, I know youre upset. Youve got every right to be. But you cant just He stopped, exhaling sharply. I mean, the restaurant needs you. Weve got an hour until opening, and I need to know if youre coming in. Please call me back. She smirked despite herself. There it wasthe little flash of anger hed tried so hard to suppress. Mario hated losing control, and the fact that she had him scrambling was satisfying in a way she hadnt expected. But then again, hed done this to himself. Still, her thoughts drifted to Brian and Ivan. They were probably freaking out, running around the kitchen in a blind panic, trying to figure out what to do. With a sigh, Chantel picked up her phone and typed out a quick message to Brian. Chantel:Check the top shelf of the coat closet in the break room. I keep some backup recipes there for emergencies. Theyre nothing fancy, but theyll do. She stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send. It wasnt her usual standard, and it certainly wasnt her heart and soul on a plate, but it would keep the restaurant afloat for a bit. Shed give it a few days, but eventually, shed send a formal note to Mario letting him know she wasnt coming back. Her phone buzzed. Brian:Are you okay? The boss is acting super weird, and you not showing up for work is unheard of. Chantel stared at the phone, debating how to answer his question. Had Mario told him what happened? She shook her head. No, there was no way that Mario would tell anyone about his infidelity. She wasnt planning on saying anything, either, at least not at the moment. Chantel:Im fine. She hated lying to Brian, but she didnt want to talk or text about what happened, especially when she was still trying to grasp the situation. Chantel made sure her alarm was set for the following day before she set the phone down. After the day she had, she felt utterly exhausted. She stood up and walked over to her bag. When she opened it to grab her pajamas, she realized she forgot to pack them.Dammit!After rummaging through bags, she found a T-shirt and put it on. She pulled the blackout curtains closed, sending the room into darkness. She then slid into the bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. The mattress was firm, the pillows too fluffy, but it didnt matter. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. Mario might be scrambling to save his precious restaurant tonight, but tomorrow, Chantel would be miles away, free from his betrayal and the life she thought they were building together. Chapter Three Chantel practically leaped out of her seat the moment the plane came to a complete stop at the gate in Baltimore. Her body was already moving before the fastened seatbelt sign even dimmed. She couldnt afford to waste a second if she wanted to make her connecting flight to Knoxville. Even though the flight from Boston to Baltimore was short, they were delayed by an hour leaving Boston. With her backpack securely on her back, she weaved through the slow-moving passengers in the aisle and grabbed her carry-on roller bag before rushing toward the exit. She muttered a hurried excuse me as she squeezed past people. She felt like a hypocrite, considering she couldnt stand people who did what she just did. She promised herself that she would make up for her rudeness later. Once out of the jetway, she checked the time on her phone.Thirty minutes.She had to sprint across the airport to make it, and of course, her connecting flight was entirely in another terminal. With a deep breath, she gripped the handle of her suitcase and took off, her sneakers pounding against the airport floor as she raced toward the signs for Terminal C. In the latest episode of ReelTalk EP 37, titled "Confessions of a Casting Director" by CrushReel, dive into the behind-the-scenes world of bringing your favorite stars to the big screen. Casting Directors reveal the intricate process of selecting actors for roles and share insights into what they seek in fresh talent. Explore the nuanced themes and character elements that shape the casting decisions, shedding light on the unique aspects that influence the final choices. Discover the artistry and expertise involved in assembling the perfect ensemble to breathe life into each character on screen. What sets this episode apart is its candid exploration of the casting process, offering a rare glimpse into the meticulous craft of matching actors to roles. Uncover the passion and dedication that drive Casting Directors in their quest to create captivating performances. For an exclusive look into the world of casting and to learn more about this ongoing series, head over to CrushReel. 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