Complete 03/17/2021
Rey Kanata is a young physical therapist who returns to work in the private clinic of her friend Amilyn Holdo. Ben Solo, a movie star made famous by the "Galactic Wars" saga, has just had an accident and finds himself recuperatin...
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One year later...
"Ben, over here! Ben, please!"
Calls from the photographers lined up along the red carpet were coming at them from all sides. Rey felt her fiancé's hand pressing her lower back, guiding her to turn now to the right.
The young woman's heart was beating at a hundred miles an hour.
Was she holding herself properly? She hoped her lipstick hadn't smudged... Oh God, what if she got tripped up in her dress as she climbed the stairs she saw up ahead?
It was the big night of the Golden Globes and also the first time that Rey had accompanied Ben to an event of this magnitude.
"Courage, my love, this is the worst part," he murmured in the hollow of the ear, amused. "We'll be done soon and back in the ballroom with Rose before you know it."
"Do you think all these people can tell how panicked I am?" she answered, her throat tight.
"I think what they mainly see is how lucky I am to have the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm tonight. You look amazing."
"All thanks to your make-up artist, your hairdresser, and this Oscar de la Renta dress that would have cost me a kidney if I had to pay for it myself."
"I do love this dress, but I have to tell you that I'm already thinking about how I'm going to take it off you when we get back to the hotel after the ceremony."
"Ben, stop it," the young woman protested, pretending to be offended.
The actor couldn't help laughing.
"I'm happy you're here with me this evening," he whispered against her temple before depositing a kiss there.
Rey's face softened and she slipped her hand into his as the flashes around them resumed in full force.
OooooO
Ben was trying to make his way through the crowd of guests and journalists gathered at the entrance to the Beverly Hilton ballroom. Conversation was flowing freely, and one name was on everyone's lips: that of Allan Snoke, convicted the day before for sexual harassment and stalking, as well as for embezzlement and tax evasion. The scandal was huge and had caused an earthquake in the film world.
But the guests were already being urged to take their seats because the awards ceremony was about to begin.
When Ben finally arrived at his assigned table, he found Rey quietly chatting with her friend. Rose was beyond thrilled and still couldn't believe she had the chance to be part of such an event. She'd thanked Ben a hundred times and told him at least as many times that he would definitely win tonight.
He was definitely in the running for the Golden Globe for best actor and, despite his cool facade, Rey knew well that Ben was nervous.
"Are you okay?" she asked him when they finally announced the award for his category.
Ben took her hand under the table and tried to smile as everyone looked up at the stage.
Tallie Lintra, looking stunning in a lamé sheath dress, made her entrance to applause. She placed the golden trophy on the podium and began her presentation.
"I have the great honor tonight to present the Golden Globe for the best male performance in a dramatic film..."
Rey's blood was pounding in her temples and her fingers tightened around Ben's. The sounds all around seemed muffled in her head and she stopped breathing for a moment as the interminable presentation of names went on. Finally Tallie opened the envelope.
"And the Golden Globe goes to ...."
The actress' face lit up in a delighted smile and her glance slid over to Ben Solo's table.
OooooO
An hour later, everyone was on the third floor of the hotel for the after-party. Rose was admiring the view from the terrace balcony when she felt someone grab her arm.
"Tell me Rose, have you seen our two lovebirds? Austin Carantino would like to talk with Ben about a new project," Monica Mothma inquired.
"I think you can forget about them for the rest of the evening. They went back to their room about thirty minutes ago."
Ben's agent rolled her eyes and apologized to Rose before leaving, grumbling as she went.
There was a sudden movement of the crowd near the bar and something bumped against Rose's back, startling her and causing her to spill half her glass of champagne on the floor.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you like that..." a man's voice said from behind her, sounding panicked.
She turned to see who it was and gasped, frozen in place. Armitage Hux, looking simply divine in his designer tux, was standing in front of her and gazing into her eyes with concern.
"I hope I didn't hurt you? Wait, let me get you a new glass of champagne."
"No, no ... I ..." she stammered, feeling the heat rising on her cheeks.
Armitage pursed his lips before offering her the most beautiful smile.
"No, I didn't hurt you? Or no to the new glass of champagne?"
Rose's heart was beating like a hummingbird's wings in her chest.
"Let me introduce myself: Armitage Hux," he announced, holding out his hand to her.
"Rose Tico," the young woman replied, swallowing thickly.
"Nice to meet you...Truly." Armitage added with a genuine smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too."
The contact of their two hands lasted longer than was strictly necessary as the first rockets of a magnificent fireworks display lit up the starry sky above their head.
