Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine Fanfic)

Chapter 5: Red Carpet Event

Jade's POV

By the time Saturday arrived, the nerves had started to settle in. I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom, smoothing down the fabric of my gown. The top was a shimmering, metallic bralette that caught the light with every movement, paired with a flowing gold sequin skirt that cascaded down to the floor, the fabric glinting like liquid gold. My stylist had outdone herself, making me feel like I was walking straight out of a dream.

I felt every bit like a goddess in the outfit, the gold reflecting the flashes of light that would surely explode on the red carpet. Still, despite how stunning the ensemble was, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach.

This wasn't just about attending a premiere—it was about stepping into the spotlight with Nick. And I wasn't sure what that meant for us.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Nick.

Nick:

Car's on the way to pick you up. You look incredible, don't you?

I smiled, typing back quickly.

Me:

You haven't even seen me yet.

His reply was instant.

Nick:

I don't need to. I just know. 😉

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered to life again as I slipped my phone into my clutch. Just then, there was a knock on the door. My bodyguard, Marcus, was already waiting downstairs, and he flashed me a quick nod as I made my way out of the house.

The ride to the premiere was smooth, but the anticipation buzzed in the air. When we arrived, the street outside the theater was swarming with photographers, journalists, and fans. The flashes of cameras lit up the night, and I could feel the familiar buzz of energy that always accompanied these kinds of events.

Marcus stepped out first, scanning the crowd before offering me a hand. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, the cool evening air hitting me as the noise of the crowd washed over me. My golden gown glittered in the flashing lights, the sequins catching every angle of the spotlight.

"Jade! Over here!"

"Jade, look this way!"

The shouts of photographers filled the air as the cameras flashed around me. I smiled, keeping my composure as I scanned the crowd for Nick. And then, I saw him.

He stood near the entrance, dressed in a sharp black suit, his hair styled to perfection. When our eyes met, he smiled, and for a moment, the noise around us faded. He made his way toward me, his bodyguard close behind, and when he reached me, he gave me a playful grin.

"You look stunning," he said, his eyes taking in the sight of me.

"So do you," I replied, my heart fluttering a little too fast. "I guess we clean up well."

He chuckled and offered me his arm. "Ready to do this?"

I nodded, slipping my hand through his arm as we made our way toward the red carpet. The cameras flashed wildly as we walked, and I could hear the murmurs and whispers from the crowd. Everyone was speculating, wondering what our relationship was, if we were just friends or something more.

"Just keep smiling," Nick whispered to me, his voice low. "Let them talk all they want."

I laughed softly, feeling a little more at ease with him by my side. As we posed for photos, I could feel the chemistry between us. It wasn't something we were putting on for the cameras—it was real, undeniable. And I knew that everyone else could see it too.

We exchanged private smiles and inside jokes, keeping our conversation light, but there was an unspoken connection between us that made everything feel... different. More intense.

As we moved along the carpet, I noticed my manager, Leslie, standing off to the side, watching me with a carefully neutral expression. She'd warned me earlier about mixing personal and professional life, about how the media would spin anything they could find. But as I stood there with Nick, I didn't care. This felt right.

When we finally made it into the theater, I breathed a sigh of relief. The flashing cameras and media frenzy were behind us, and for the first time that night, it felt like we could relax.

"You okay?" Nick asked, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as we made our way to our seats.

"Yeah," I said, nodding. "That was... intense."

He smiled, his hand lingering a moment longer than necessary. "You handled it perfectly."

The Afterparty

The premiere itself was a whirlwind of glitzy lights and film magic, but it was the afterparty where things finally started to slow down. We'd been mingling for a while, exchanging pleasantries with other actors and industry insiders, but eventually, Nick and I found a quieter spot near the back of the venue.

It was quieter here, the noise of the party a distant hum. I leaned against the bar, swirling the drink in my hand, as Nick stood beside me, his presence comforting.

"This is more my speed," I said, glancing around the more secluded area.

Nick nodded, his eyes on me. "Yeah, same here. It's nice to get away from all the craziness for a bit."

I looked up at him, the soft lighting casting shadows across his face. There was something about the way he looked at me—like he saw me, really saw me—and it made my heart race.

"I've really enjoyed spending time with you," Nick said, his voice low. "I know we've been keeping things casual, but... I don't know. It feels different with you."

His words hung in the air between us, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. I wasn't sure what to say. The attraction between us had been growing for a while, but hearing him say it out loud made it real.

"I feel the same way," I admitted softly, my fingers tightening around my glass. "I don't know what this is either, but... I like it. I like being with you."

A slow smile spread across his face, and for a moment, we just stood there, the unspoken tension between us building. It wasn't a date, not officially, but the attraction between us was undeniable. And I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before we crossed that line.

The Ride Home

It was late by the time we left the party. The night air was cool as we stepped outside, our bodyguards close behind. We'd been talking all night, but now, as we climbed into the back of the car, a comfortable silence settled between us.

The city lights blurred past the windows, and I leaned back against the seat, feeling the weight of the night catch up to me. Nick sat beside me, his hand resting casually on the seat between us.

For a while, neither of us said anything. But then, slowly, Nick's hand moved closer to mine. He didn't say a word, didn't ask permission—he just reached for my hand, his fingers brushing against mine.

I glanced over at him, my heart skipping a beat, and for a moment, our eyes met. I didn't pull away. Instead, I let my hand slip into his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.

It was a simple gesture, but it felt like the first real step toward something more.

Neither of us spoke as the car moved through the city, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was filled with possibility.