Chapter 253: Countryside Escape
Amelia's POV:
Luke snorted. "She should be more worried about her own scandal than trying to discredit yours. Besides, the Academy members voted before they even knew we were married."
"Exactly," I said, setting my phone aside to focus on my coffee. "Not that facts matter in a good Hollywood feud."
A few days after the awards ceremony, I was in our home office reviewing script offers that had flooded in since the Golden Iris when my phone buzzed with a message. Curious, I glanced at the screen and saw Regina's name.
Regina. It took me a moment to place her - my co-star from "Whispers of Magic" last year. We'd bonded as newcomers to the main cast, forming an unlikely alliance on set. I smiled, remembering how we'd snuck away one afternoon to a hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant when our scenes wrapped early. The producers had nearly killed us, but that stolen afternoon of spicy food and honest conversation was when we actually became friends instead of just colleagues.
I opened her message:
[Hey Amelia! Congrats again on your win! Quick question - I just got offered a spot on this reality show called 'Country Escape.' It's like a two-week thing where celebrities rough it on a farm or something. I'm kinda nervous about going alone with strangers. Any chance you'd consider joining me? The producers said they'd love to have you! Think about it? xo Regina]
I glanced at my calendar, wincing at the packed schedule for the next few months. Meetings, auditions...
"What's got you making that face?" Luke asked, walking into the office with two fresh cups of coffee. He set one beside me and leaned against the desk.
"Reality TV offer," I said, showing him the message. "Two weeks on a farm with Regina - we worked together on 'Whispers of Magic.'"
Luke nodded thoughtfully. "Could be interesting. You've mentioned wanting to diversify your public image. Plus, some time in the countryside might be relaxing after all the awards season chaos."
"True," I said, scrolling through my calendar again. "The timing's terrible though. I've got that meeting with Katherine about the period drama, and Vivian just locked in that magazine cover shoot. Plus, I'd have to push back the Sweet Amber expansion planning."
"I could handle the bakery meetings," Luke offered.
My eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing," I said, my voice taking on that slightly wheedling tone I knew he couldn't resist. I slid off my chair and wrapped myself around him like a koala, nuzzling his neck. "Having a brilliant finance genius like you looking over the expansion plans? Sweet Amber would be unstoppable."
Luke laughed, his arm automatically circling my waist to steady me. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mrs. Carter."
Just then, my phone buzzed again.
[No pressure! Just thought it might be fun to have a friendly face there. The shoot starts in two weeks. They need to know by Friday.]
I typed my reply immediately: [Count me in. I could use some fresh air and farm animals after all this Hollywood madness. Just promise me there's decent coffee!]
Regina's response came almost instantly, full of excited emoji: [OMG YES!! This will be so much fun! Promise there's coffee, though it might be the instant kind. Pack your boots and prepare for mud!]
I laughed, already picturing the chaos of city celebrities trying to milk cows and collect eggs. The idea of escaping the press frenzy after my win and marriage reveal was increasingly appealing. Two weeks on a farm, away from paparazzi and industry politics, sounded like exactly what I needed.
The next two weeks flew by in a whirlwind of preparations. I wrapped up outstanding commitments, arranged for Lucas and Sophia's schedules to be covered while I was away, and packed an assortment of practical clothes that my stylist looked at with absolute horror.
"Jeans? Flannel shirts? Work boots?" She held up each item like it personally offended her. "Amelia, what about your image?"
"My image can handle a little dirt," I laughed, taking the boots from her hands and packing them firmly in my suitcase. "That's the whole point."
On the morning of my departure, I found the kids in the kitchen already dressed for school, Lucas bouncing with excitement.
"Are you going to ride a tractor, Mom?" he asked, barely pausing to breathe between questions. "Can you bring me back a baby chicken? Will you be on TV the whole time?"
"No baby chickens," I clarified, ruffling his hair. "But I promise to take lots of pictures of any animals I meet."
Sophia looked up from her book, her expression serious. "Farms are very important for understanding sustainable agriculture. Will you observe their crop rotation practices?"
I bit back a smile at her academic approach. "I'll do my best to take notes for you, Professor Sophia."
Luke drove me to the private airfield where a small plane waited to take me to the filming location—a sprawling farm in the countryside whose exact location was being kept secret from the public to avoid paparazzi interference.
"Call whenever you can," Luke said as we approached the plane, my luggage already being loaded by the production assistant.
"I will," I promised. "Though they said our phone access would be limited—part of the 'getting back to basics' theme of the show."
He pulled me into his arms, holding me close. "Two weeks," he murmured against my hair. "Then you come back to us."
"Always," I whispered, lifting my face for one last kiss before boarding.
The flight was short but gave me time to review the minimal information the producers had shared about "Country Escape." Eight celebrities would live and work on an actual functioning farm, learning traditional skills and competing in challenges for charity donations. That was it—no other details, no list of fellow participants, nothing that might leak to the press ahead of the premiere.
When we landed, I was immediately transferred to a blacked-out SUV for the drive to the farm. Privacy was clearly a priority for the production team.
"Welcome to Willow Creek Farm," announced a cheerful production assistant as we drove through large wooden gates. "Your home for the next two weeks!"
The property was genuinely stunning—rolling green pastures, a picturesque red barn, a charming farmhouse with white clapboard siding, and various outbuildings dotting the landscape. It looked like something from a postcard or a children's storybook about idyllic country life.
"The other celebrities should be arriving throughout the day," the assistant explained as we pulled up to the farmhouse. "You're among the first. We'll have a welcome dinner tonight once everyone's here, and filming officially starts tomorrow morning."
I was led to a rustic but comfortable bedroom on the second floor of the farmhouse, complete with a patchwork quilt and a window overlooking the vegetable garden. It was a far cry from luxury hotel suites, but there was something genuinely appealing about its simplicity.
After unpacking, I ventured downstairs to explore, hoping to find Regina. Instead, I found a small film crew setting up equipment in the living room and a craft services table being arranged in what appeared to be a dining room.
"Amelia!" A familiar voice called from the entrance. I turned to see Regina rushing toward me, arms outstretched. "You actually came!"