THE SECOND LEAD

THE BACKGROUND

Ella sat quietly in the corner of the restaurant, her champagne flute untouched. Around her, the room buzzed with excitement, the chatter rising and falling in waves. Laughter rippled through the crowd, each burst punctuating a celebration that had little to do with her. It was her best friend's engagement party-another milestone for someone else, another reminder of how she seemed to stand still as the world moved on.She shifted in her seat, pretending to be absorbed by the flickering candle in front of her. From across the table, her mother was beaming, clutching her father's arm, as if Ella's lack of progress in life wasn't a topic for hushed conversations when she wasn't around. They didn't mean to hurt her, she knew that. But the subtle looks, the offhand remarks about how "it'll be your turn one day" or "you just have to put yourself out there more," cut deeper than she let on.Ella was the girl next to the one who always got the guy, the employee working late while someone else got promoted. She wasn't unhappy, not exactly. Just... drifting. Always the supporting role, never the star. She sighed, glancing toward the crowded bar at the back of the room, hoping for an excuse to slip away. Maybe she could leave unnoticed, slide out before anyone realized she wasn't as invested in the speeches and toasts as the rest of them. But just as she was about to stand, a voice interrupted her thoughts."Are you leaving so soon?"Ella looked up. Sophie, her childhood friend and the newly engaged star of the evening, stood in front of her, hands on her hips and a teasing smile on her lips. Sophie had that glow about her tonight-the kind of glow that came with knowing your future was all mapped out, glittering with possibilities. Ella could only manage a small smile in return."I wasn't-just needed some air," Ella lied, hoping her voice didn't betray the weariness tugging at her.Sophie grabbed her hand, squeezing it in a way that was meant to be comforting. "You know, your time will come," she said, her voice a little too soft, a little too full of pity. "You just have to-""Put myself out there, right?" Ella finished for her, the smile still glued in place. "I know."Sophie hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing as if she wanted to say something more, but then someone called her name from across the room. She flashed Ella a last apologetic glance before bouncing off to the next well-wisher, her laughter fading into the noise.Ella exhaled, finally allowing herself to stand. The bar wasn't far, but it felt like miles. She crossed the room slowly, the clink of glasses and murmurs blending into a low hum. The bartender looked up as she approached, offering her a sympathetic smile."Champagne not doing it for you?" he asked, nodding at the glass she still held in her hand."Something stronger tonight," she replied, setting the flute down and leaning against the counter. "Whiskey, neat."As the bartender turned to pour her drink, Ella glanced around the room again, her eyes drifting over the familiar faces-people she'd known for years, people she'd grown up with. And yet, standing here, she felt... alone.It wasn't the kind of loneliness that came from lack of company. No, this was different. This was the ache of watching everyone else figure out their lives while hers remained a constant question mark. She was tired of being patient, of waiting for her turn while everyone else seemed to find their purpose effortlessly.The bartender slid the whiskey toward her, and she took a long, slow sip, savouring the burn as it settled in her chest. She could almost hear her mother's voice in her head, scolding her for drinking something so unladylike. But tonight, she didn't care. She wanted to feel something other than this emptiness gnawing at her."Rough night?"The voice was deep, smooth, and unfamiliar. Ella turned to find a man standing beside her-tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that screamed luxury. His dark hair was slicked back, and there was an air of quiet authority about him that instantly set him apart from the rest of the crowd."I've had better," she replied, eyeing him cautiously. He didn't look like someone from her circle-no one she recognized, at least. But there was something about the way he held himself, the way his gaze lingered on her, that made her uneasy.He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're not the only one."She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate, but he didn't. Instead, he lifted his own glass-whiskey, neat-and took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers. There was something intense about him, something that made her want to look away and yet kept her rooted to the spot."I'm Ella," she offered, not entirely sure why she was even bothering to introduce herself. Something about him seemed... different."Mark," he said simply.Mark. The name lingered in the air between them, and for a moment, Ella thought she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, like he knew something she didn't. But before she could say anything more, a group of men approached him, their presence sudden and heavy."Mr. Blackwood, we should go," one of them said in a low voice, glancing at Ella briefly before returning his attention to Mark.Mark's gaze softened, and he gave her a small nod. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Ella."And just like that, he was gone-vanishing into the crowd as though he'd never been there at all. Ella stared after him, her heart racing for reasons she couldn't explain. The way he said her name, the way he looked at her... It left her unsettled, curious. Who was he?As she downed the rest of her drink, one thing was clear: this was a night she wouldn't forget anytime soon.---### **End of Chapter 1** hope yall enjoyed the first chapter. see ya'll in the next chapter