Chapter 5

The awards night was the event of the season.

Every major actor, singer, producer, and socialite in the country had gathered at the grand ballroom of the Imperial Crown Hotel.

Golden chandeliers shimmered overhead.

Camera flashes lit up the entrance like bursts of lightning.

And right now, Celeste was standing in front of her mirror, trying very hard to ignore the way her heart was pounding.

Nina stepped behind her, fixing the final strand of her hair.

“You look stunning.”

Celeste glanced at her reflection.

She wore a midnight blue gown that clung elegantly to her figure, the fabric sparkling like stars whenever she moved.

Still, that wasn’t why she was nervous.

It was because Damian was picking her up.

Personally.

Not a driver.

Not an assistant.

Him.

As if this were a real date.

A soft knock came at the suite door.

Nina smirked.

“Speak of the billionaire.”

Celeste took a slow breath and opened the door.

And then she forgot how to breathe.

Damian stood there in a black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, and a bow tie that somehow made him look even more devastatingly handsome.

His gaze landed on her.

Then stayed there.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Finally, he said softly—

“You look beautiful.”

The words were simple.

But from Damian, they felt heavier.

Realer.

Celeste felt warmth rise to her cheeks.

“You clean up nicely too.”

The corner of his mouth twitched.

Almost a smile.

Nina, ever the opportunist, whispered as she slipped away, “Try not to fall in love tonight.”

Celeste nearly choked.

Outside the hotel, the red carpet was chaos.

Reporters shouted their names.

Fans screamed.

Cameras flashed nonstop.

The moment Damian stepped out of the car and extended his hand, Celeste took it.

His fingers curled around hers, firm and warm.

She stepped onto the red carpet beside him, and instantly the energy around them exploded.

“Celeste! Over here!”

“Damian! Look this way!”

“Are the two of you officially together?”

Damian’s hand slid to the small of her back as he guided her forward.

Again, that protective touch.

Again, the impossible warmth spreading through her.

At one point, a reporter asked loudly—

“Mr. Vale, is this serious?”

Damian looked at Celeste.

Then, without breaking eye contact, answered—

“It is.”

Her breath caught.

Even though she knew it was part of the act, the way he said it sent a shiver through her.

Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was dazzling.

Crystal glasses.

Soft music.

A sea of designer gowns and tailored suits.

Celeste was nominated for Best Actress, and everyone wanted a piece of her attention.

Directors approached.

Actors greeted her.

Industry executives congratulated her.

But Damian never left her side.

At one point, Leo—her handsome co-star from the movie—approached with a bright smile.

“Celeste, you look incredible tonight.”

She smiled politely.

“Thank you, Leo.”

Leo glanced at Damian.

“And you must be the famous billionaire boyfriend.”

Damian extended his hand.

“Damian Vale.”

Their handshake looked polite.

But the tension between them was anything but.

Leo turned back to Celeste.

“Would you mind joining me for a photo with the cast?”

Before she could answer, Damian said smoothly—

“She’ll be back in five minutes.”

Celeste looked at him.

That definitely sounded territorial.

She followed Leo for the photo session, but when she glanced back, Damian was watching.

His expression unreadable.

His gaze fixed on her.

And when Leo casually placed a hand on her shoulder for the picture—

Damian’s jaw tightened.

Oh.

He was jealous.

Celeste had to bite back a smile.

Later that evening, after the award ceremony—

which Celeste won—

the after-party moved to the rooftop garden.

The city lights stretched endlessly below.

The night air was cool and soft.

Celeste slipped away from the crowd, award trophy still in hand, needing a moment to breathe.

She found herself near the edge of the terrace.

A few seconds later, footsteps approached.

She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Damian.

“You disappeared.”

She smiled softly.

“I needed air.”

He moved beside her, hands in his pockets.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then he said—

“You deserved that award.”

Celeste looked at him.

His voice was calm, but sincere.

“Thank you.”

A soft silence settled between them.

Then she glanced sideways at him.

“You were jealous tonight.”

His eyes met hers.

“No.”

She laughed.

“You absolutely were.”

He exhaled.

“I didn’t like the way he touched you.”

There it was again.

That honesty.

That dangerous honesty.

Her heart started beating faster.

“And why does that bother you?”

His gaze lingered on her face.

Then slowly dropped to her lips.

The air between them shifted.

Everything around them seemed to blur.

The music.

The people.

The city lights.

All of it faded.

Only Damian remained.

His voice lowered.

“Because I’m starting to forget what’s real and what isn’t.”

Her breath caught.

The same words from before.

Only now, beneath the moonlight, they felt even more intimate.

Celeste took a small step closer.

“So am I.”

The confession hung in the air.

Damian’s eyes darkened.

His hand slowly rose, fingers brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

The touch was feather-light.

Tender.

Far too gentle for a man who always seemed carved from steel.

Her pulse thundered.

He leaned closer.

So close she could feel the warmth of his breath.

Her lips parted slightly.

The world narrowed to the space between them.

Just a little closer—

Then suddenly—

“CELESTE!”

Nina’s voice rang across the rooftop.

Both of them froze.

Celeste stepped back too quickly, nearly dropping her trophy.

Nina hurried over.

“The press wants more photos with the winner!”

Celeste turned back toward Damian.

His expression was calm again.

But his eyes still held the same heat from seconds ago.

Something unfinished.

Something dangerous.

He leaned slightly closer and said quietly—

“We’re not done with this.”

Her heart nearly stopped.

As they returned to the party, neither of them noticed the figure watching from the shadows near the entrance.

Adrian.

His expression dark.

His eyes fixed on them.

And in his hand—

his phone screen glowed with a photo he had just taken of their almost-kiss.

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