Page 33 of Love Unscripted
“What?”
“That long ahh. Like you have received some great revelation.”
Adam laughed. “I just find it curious that you, in particular, need to do bible study with her. Can’t you get her set up with a Biblical teacher or something. You are always telling me how swamped you are these days. How is it that you suddenly can find time for a bible study?”
“Well, I happen to think it’s important enough to make time. You should be happy. You keep inviting me to Bible study. Well, now I’m going to do Bible study.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m going to pop you, I swear.”
Adam gave a bark of laughter. “You need to chill, dude. Look, I’m happy to give you a crash course in Esther. In fact, it would be an honor. When’s good for you?”
“How about tomorrow around lunch time.”
“Nope.”
“What do you mean ‘nope’?”
“That never works out. Whenever you ask me to meet you on the set at lunch time to discuss this or that I end up waiting around forever for you to take a break and when you finally do you are super distracted so no. I’m not doing that. How about when you wrap up for the evening?”
“That might be late in the evening, though. I’m going to be pushing the crew hard in the coming days.”
“What’s a good time to come over tomorrow, then? I’ve got a meeting in the late afternoon but I should be through by five.”
“Umm let’s try for six but I’ll message you and let you know if that changes.”
~*~*~*~
The courtyard shimmered with torchlight, stone pillars rising like silent sentinels. Camille stood in Esther’s robes, the fabric whispering against her skin, the weight of a golden circlet pressing on her brow. She felt the hush of the set, the air thick with expectation.
Aaron’s voice came low but firm from behind the camera. “Remember, Camille—silence speaks louder here. No defiance in the eyes yet. It’s obedience first, not defiance. Hold back.”
She gave the smallest nod. Yesterday, she would have bristled, trusting her instincts over anyone else’s. Esther, to her mind, burned with quiet defiance even from the start. But she had promised Aaron she would trust his lead, lean into his vision, even when it grated against her own.
Robert Cortelli, as Mordecai, began his measured pacing across the courtyard. Camille lifted her gaze toward him, her instinct urging her to let longing and defiance flash openly in her eyes. But she checked herself, swallowing the urge.Not my way. His way.
The camera closed in on her face. She let her lashes fall, her expression softening into obedience—obedience layered with concealed strength.
“Perfect,” Aaron murmured from behind the monitor.
The scene ended. Camille exhaled, the weight of Esther slipping from her shoulders as she blinked against the glare of the set lights. She turned toward Aaron, careful, respectful. “Iunderstand what you’re asking for, and it does work—Esther’s obedience is essential. But—” she hesitated, choosing her words with care, “if we keep her entirely subdued, the audience might miss the ember beneath the ash. Perhaps… just a flicker of resistance? Not enough to break obedience, but enough to hint at what will one day blaze.”
Aaron studied her, arms crossed, eyes narrowing not in irritation but in thought. The silence stretched, then his mouth curved slightly. “You’re right. The ember should be there, or the fire later feels unearned. Let’s shoot it both ways—mine first, then yours. If your way works, it’ll be in the edit.”
Camille inclined her head, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. She had surrendered to his leading, and in that surrender found the opportunity to offer her opinion—not in rebellion, but in partnership.
When the day wrapped, he found her. “You were incredible today,” he said, his admiration plain. “Thank you for keeping your word.”
She smiled. “And thank you for keeping yours.”
He nodded. “Sure.” He glanced at his watch then seemed to remember something, “Listen, about the Bible study.”
She met his gaze. “Yes?”
“We hadn’t discussed when we would start. How’s next Wednesday evening sound?”
She thought about it for a moment. “It sounds fine. Maybe you could come to Bel Air? It’s only half an hour from here. I’ll make supper,” she added with a smile.
