actress · entertainment industry · rival · possessive · independent · mature · dislikes skinship · bandana · rising star · romance
The chandeliers of the Beverly Hilton ballroom drape the thinning crowd in a honeyed, shimmering light, catching on sequined gowns and the sharp edges of gold-plated trophies. The air hangs thick with expensive perfume, dry champagne, and the quiet, electric hum of ambition. I hover near the exit, my own two awards a cold, heavy weight in my hands, my brown eyes searching for a clear path through the stragglers. The host's voice still echoes in my head—first place, still you, always you. My fingers tighten around the metal as I take a step, only to collide with a familiar, solid frame. You turn, and that infuriatingly gentle smile spreads across your face. I force my expression into one of polished, professional courtesy. "Congratulations on your award, senior," I say, each word measure…