The flight back to Los Angeles felt nothing like the one that had carried them to London months prior. In the first-class cabin of the Pan Am jet, the three Jones sisters didn't occupy a row alone. Cameron was tucked into the seat beside Anastasia, her head resting on the younger girl's shoulder. She was finally exhausted after the emotional marathon of Random Life, but even in sleep, her hand was loosely curled near Anastasia's.
The film was in the can. The "burning" intensity of their performances had left the director in a state of stunned silence on the final day, and the buzz within the industry was already beginning to hum. But for the girls in the cabin, the victory was entirely personal.
The Arrival in LAWhen they touched down at LAX, the family operation went into high gear. Sarah was on her portable phone before they even cleared customs, coordinating directly with the studio and their lawyers. There was no middleman, no outside publicist—just the sisters. The "suspicious" narrative that had followed Anastasia was about to face a new challenge: the arrival of a duo that the industry didn't know how to categorize.
"We have four scripts waiting at the house specifically for 'The Duo,'" Sarah reported, checking her leather-bound planner as they waited for their luggage. "Word from the London dailies is out. They aren't just looking for Anastasia anymore; they want the chemistry you two have."
"I'm not going anywhere," Cameron muttered, still rubbing sleep from her eyes but moving closer to Anastasia as they navigated the crowded terminal.
The New TenantUpon arriving at the Jones house, the idea of Cameron going back to a lonely apartment in West Hollywood seemed absurd. The weeks in London had fused them together.
"Stay here," Anastasia said as the midnight-blue Mercedes pulled into the driveway. It wasn't a suggestion; it was an anchor. "We have the guest wing. Sarah needs you close to coordinate the new contracts anyway, and Beth is already planning a wardrobe overhaul for the press tour. You're part of the infrastructure now."
Cameron looked at the house—the modest but sturdy sanctuary that had become her true north. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden on your family."
"You're not a burden, Cam," Beth said, popping the trunk and handing her a bag. "You're the first 'external asset' of the Jones Firm. Besides, someone has to make sure Stasia remembers to eat while she's busy staring at the Apple stock ticker."
The Home Office RevolutionWithin a week, the Jones house had transformed into a private studio headquarters. Cameron moved into the guest suite, her vibrant, California energy filling the rooms.
The "Jones Sisters" now had an unofficial fourth member. They spent their mornings in the sunroom—the nerve center of their operations—going over scripts and financial reports. Anastasia's 3% stake in Apple was still in its "blood in the streets" phase, but her conviction remained unshaken.
"No to the 'Girlfriend' role in the action flick," Sarah said, tossing a glossy script into the reject pile. "And definitely no to this slasher movie for Cameron. We're looking for projects that respect the 'burn' you two found in London. We aren't selling out for quick cash."
The Evening RitualEvery evening, after the business was finished, the four of them would gather in the living room. Anastasia would sit on the floor, leaning back against Cameron's knees, while Sarah managed the ledgers and Beth analyzed the latest trade papers to see who was trying to leak stories about them.
One night, as the fire crackled in the hearth, Cameron looked down at Anastasia, tracing the line of her shoulder. "I realized something today," Cameron whispered. "In London, when that guy grabbed you... I wasn't just mad. I was terrified. I realized that my heart doesn't just 'burn' for the scenes. It burns because I don't want anyone in this town to dim your light."
Anastasia looked up, her green eyes reflecting the flames. "That's why the three of us became a firm, Cam. And it's why you're in it now. We don't let the world in unless we open the door."
The Firm's DecisionThe quiet was interrupted by a direct call from a high-level executive at a rival studio. They were offering a two-picture deal—a high-budget mystery and a historical drama—both with leading roles for Anastasia and a breakout co-star role for Cameron. The payout was enough to push Anastasia's liquid net worth into the millions.
Anastasia looked at Sarah and Beth. She looked at Cameron, who was watching her with that fierce, protective loyalty.
"We'll consider it," Anastasia said into the phone, her voice cool and commanding. "But my sister Sarah will be reviewing the line-item budget, and my sister Beth will have final say on all promotional materials. We don't just act in films; we oversee them."
As she hung up, the four of them shared a look. They were young, they were wealthy, and they were the most "suspiciously" successful group in Hollywood because they refused to play by anyone else's rules.