FOOLS AND GENIUSES | ✓

CHAPTER 50

Chris trying to hold it together on the red carpet above.

mizpah

(n.) the deep emotional bond between two people, especially when separated by distance

Chris had a problem– and that was the incessantly uncomfortable itch he felt with each passing second. Cameras flashed from every corner as he walked down the red carpet while reporters threw questions at him. Getting slight respite from the suffocating attention when another celebrity stepped onto the carpet, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. 

Suddenly the crowd grew impossibly loud as fans and reporters alike shoved against each other to catch a glimpse of the next attendee. The minute he heard Kiara's name yelled out over the commotion, time seemed to slow down and speed up at the same time as his heart galloped to its newfound beat. He was starting to believe it was fate that insisted on reuniting them at the Primetime Emmy's.

Though fame, with all the power and money that accompanies it, sounds wonderful, it always requires a sacrifice. People feel ownership over any beautiful face that becomes a famous face. They feel entitled to judge, manipulate or fantasise about you. With the ability to influence news and trends or shape standards, it sparks a trade-off by becoming a package to be sold and emulated. Regardless of how strong-willed or thick-skinned a celebrity was, it was normal to struggle with the idea of being used this way. 

Choking down the insecurity and anxiety she felt, Kiara faked confidence and stepped out of the car onto the red carpet. It had been ages since she and Kabir set foot in an awards ceremony so she glanced over her shoulder to see if he remembered.

Smiling warmly, he patted his chest and nodded reassuringly, "We're golden."

Letting out a relieved laugh, she copied the action and recited in keeping with their tradition, "We're golden."

Thankfully, Kiara was oblivious to Chris' staring as she focused those warm brown eyes on the reporter moving to interview her. Shimmering makeup gently dusted her skin, highlighting her elegant features as he promptly forgot his trail of thought in favour of engraving her beauty into his mind. He didn't even think he remembered to breathe properly, too distracted by her presence in front of him, but then reality came crashing down as he watched Trevor step out behind her.

Curling his hands tight in the pockets of his slacks, Chris' gaze drifted down to take in Kiara's outfit. The light pink floral applique gown moulded to every line of her body, back dipping obscenely low with the skirt curving temptingly over her ass as if to test his resolve. And because the universe hated him, a dangerously high slit ran up the side of her dress, exposing the creamy skin of her toned thigh. Tongue darting out to wet his lips, he trailed his eyes up to her hair set in an intricate half-up half-down braided crown. She appeared every bit the angel he knew she was.

Chris didn't think anything would hurt more than watching as she smiled at Trevor the same way she used to smile at him. Maybe she never truly loved him– hell, she practically screamed it at him but he was just too stubborn. He nearly laughed at his naivety for thinking that he, of all people, might have been able to change that. How on Earth did he fool himself into thinking he could make an impact on such an amazing woman? God, he was such an idiot.