Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 11: Events

*time skip to a week later*

Ally's POV

The moment the limo door opened, camera flashes exploded like fireworks, momentarily blinding me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. I could do this. I had to do this.

Plastering on my most dazzling smile, I stepped onto the red carpet. My gown shimmered under the lights, each step deliberate and graceful.

I put on this facade of poise and elegance - Allyssa Deleasa, supermodel, making her triumphant return to the spotlight.

"Ally! Over here!"
"Ally, you look stunning!"
"How does it feel to be back?"

I answered each question with practiced ease, my voice steady and confident. This was familiar territory. I could handle this.

Then came the question I'd been dreading.

"Ally, where's Joe tonight?"

My smile faltered for a split second before I caught myself.

"I feel honoured to be here, supporting all my friends in this industry," I deflected smoothly.

But it was like blood in the water. The paparazzi, sensing a story, pounced.

"Did you and Joe break up?"
"How are you coping?"
"What happened?"

With each question, I felt my carefully constructed facade begin to crack. My smile became more forced, my answers more clipped.

But I pressed on, determined not to let them see how much their words were affecting me.

The questions suddenly came faster, a relentless barrage. Joe's name echoed in my ears, each mention a dagger to my heart. I could feel panic rising in my chest, my breathing becoming shallow.

I managed to move past the wall of cameras and microphones. But they followed, pressing closer, their voices growing louder.

"Do you blame yourself for the breakup?"

That question hit me like a physical blow. My steps faltered, and I felt the first crack in my composure. A tear managed to slip down my cheek before I could stop it.

"Please," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the clamor, "Can we just talk about this event?"

But they didn't stop. If anything, my vulnerability seemed to spur them on.

"Ally, do you miss him?"
"How does it feel to be alone again on the red carpet?"

It was too much. The flashing lights, the endless questions, the constant reminders of what I'd lost - it all came crashing down on me at once.

Strong arms suddenly encircled me - Christine, my agent, came to my rescue. She shielded me from the cameras as best she could, guiding me quickly off the red carpet.

"It's ok, Ally," she murmured, "We're getting you out of here."

As we retreated, I could still hear the paparazzi shouting questions, their voices fading as we moved further away. But the damage was done.

In a matter of minutes, I'd gone from composed and confident to a sobbing mess, all because I couldn't bear the weight of Joe's absence.

Away from the chaos, I finally let myself fall apart completely. Sobs wracked my body as I mourned - for the relationship I'd lost, for the strong woman I'd thought I was, for the public spectacle I'd just made of myself.

--

Joe's POV

The sleek black limousine crawled to a stop, the muffled roar of the crowd outside growing louder as it did.