Always A Second Chance

VALERIE. “...And the rising star award for the year twenty twenty five goes to… Valerie white!” At the announcement and the raucous applause, I feel my whole body buzz with shocked delight as I lean over to receive a peck from Raton, my fiance, before heading up the stage, all beaming smiles. “Wow,” I say into the mic as I am giving space for my speech. “I can't… tell you how much of an honor it is to be standing up here, with this award. I want to thank everyone who helped me on my way here, the directors, my coach, my manager and my fellow actors, and nonetheless, my finance, Raton Blaze. You all are-” “Of course, you should thank Raton!” an irritating but familiar voice screams out from the crowd and I watch with annoyance as the spotlight moves from me to her illuminating the woman in a vicious red ensemble and a cruel smirk on her face. “He is after all, the only reason you got this award.” At her statement, a wave of murmurs pick up, rumors begin flying as glances move from her to me and back again. “Remind me, who are you?” I ask with mock confusion. I know who she is. Diana Ross. A D-rated movie star who believes she is all that and for some reason has it out for me. Several times, my attention has been brought to a news or entertainment report where she is either indirectly throwing shade at me or flat out dragging my name through the mud. I would have reacted but Ian, my manager, told me not to. “She is just using you for clout,” he said and Raton supported that claim. Who would have thought she would have done something like this here, in the most awaited awards show of the year? “How dare you!” She screeches as she flies out of her chair and marches towards the stage only to be blocked by the security personnel. “I am Diana Ross! Everyone knows me!” “I do not, and I apologize for that. You see, I have been busy working on several film projects these past two years, building my career and stuff, a culmination that has led to me being awarded here today. So, you must forgive me if I don't know you, can you tell me one of the movies you have acted in?” “You- you think you are all that huh?!” she spits at me. “Not really. Just a very good hard worker. Maybe if you focused on bettering yourself rather than throwing surrounded and detrimental accusations on unsuspecting women, you will one day be on this stage, in my place, minus the bitter banshee screaming at you.” “Who are you calling a banshee?!” she demands. “Do you have any idea what I can do to y- hey! Let me go! What are you doing?! Let go of me?!” In a stunned silence, we watch as the security team basically manhandles her out of the arena allowing peace and sanity to finally return. I finish my speech and head back to my seat where Raton pulls me into a side hug. “You good?” he asks quietly “Hmm, just surprised. This seems to be a lot more than chasing clout,” I say. “How did she know about us?” “She doesn't. It is just a rumor that she flung out. We have been very careful, haven't we?” “Hmm.” But can one be truly completely careful? “Don't worry, and smile,” he says. “We will discuss this when we leave.” The awards continue for a long while, with Raton winning not one but three awards, causing jubilant shouts and cheers from me and his fellow friends, finally, it comes to an end and people file out in a scattered fashion through the several exits provided. “Raton! Raton!” a reporter calls out as we take a position on the red carpet. “What do you have to say about Diana Toss’s statement about Valerie receiving the awes thanks to your connections?” He turns to the reporter with a small smile as he answers. “That is completely unfounded,” he says. “I have known Val for almost five years now and I haven't stopped loving her since. The allegation that this is just a contractual relationship could not have been farther from the truth. And besides,” he continues as he looks over to me with a wider smile. “Everyone has eyes and can see for themselves how talented my woman is.” I can't help the blush that stains my cheeks at his words and gaze. If I didn't know better, I would believe him too. Raton… I had met him when I was in a dark, dark place, with no light in sight. Alone, heartbroken, and mentally and emotionally bruised, he came like a knight in shining armor, reaching out his hand and pulling me from that darkness. What Diana said was true… in some parts. No, Raton didn't have a hand in me getting this award, well not directly at least. He was aware of my desire to be an actress and had decided to help me. He was already a big shot in the industry, constantly sought after for numerous projects, so when he said he saw potential in me, I believed him. Eventually, that is. We started small, getting me private interviews, sneaking me scripts that should have otherwise not been seen, and dropping my name in the ears of renowned directors. Then it got bigger. He made demands or should I say deals that had me featured in films with him to boost my popularity. I had asked him once, why he did all these and he just responded with the same answer. “You are talented, V. It would be a crime to not show that gift to the world.” And so it has been. For almost five years now, we have been the industry’s sweetheart couple. No scandals, no dirty secrets, so affairs. The ideal couple. And not even some hateful b***h is going to ruin that. “I think we should talk to her,” I say as he leads me gently towards our limo. “Find out what she has against me.” “Absolutely not,” Ian, my eccentric manager, says as soon as the door closes. “No contact with the crazy woman.” “It is just… she seems a little vindictive towards me and I don't understand why,” I tell them. “A lot of people in Hollywood do strange things for strange reasons. Sometimes, that is just all it is,” Raton says. “I don't know…” “Don't worry about it V, I will handle it,” Ian assures me. “Now are you ready for the after party?” “Ugh.” As the car glides down the streets, my eyes wander over to Raton. Dressed in an emerald fitted suit that is the same color as my eyes, he makes quite the sight. With jet black hair and ice blue eyes paired with an incredibly sculpted body, he could have any woman he wanted. I know women who would literally kill to be in my place and yet, he settled for me. My gut keeps telling me the other shoe will drop but it has been five years long and nothing so far. Don't get me wrong though, I am not the classic plain Jane. According to my stylists, I am drop dead gorgeous. Red wavy hair with emerald green eyes, a lithe body, and clear, clean skin. I know that there are women more beautiful than me, and I just don't understand why he sticks with me. I offer nothing to him after all. Some people are just that wonderful, I guess. “We are here,” Ian announces as our car joins the slow moving convoy before it stops at the entrance. “Shall we?” Raton asks with a hand stretched which I have mine in. “We shall.” We alight from the car and are immediately bombarded with flickering glares from the paparazzi's cameras. Yeah. It is the one part I hate. Their insensitivity towards celebrities. “Excuse me! Coming through! Clear the way!” Finally, we entered the dazzling hall filled to the brim with all classes of celebrities. Now, if I wasn't with Raton, I would have been relegated to one of the tables on the lower part of the hall, but thanks to my status as his girlfriend, I make my way confidently with him by my side to the A-listers table, suited with silk covers chairs, marble tables, and expensive drinks. “Hey,” I tell him as we approach the table “I need to use the ladies real quick. I will be back.” “Sure, don't take too long, though.” I won't. I quickly finish my business and wash off my hands before heading back into the hall. His table is in sight when it is blocked by a tall imposing body. I look up to excuse myself and immediately fall silent. “Jules,” I whisper. Jules. The love of my life and ex.