OneShots♡ (Bradga)

The Secret Us

Stefani stepped off the stage, the final notes of the piano still echoing in her ears as she disappeared behind the heavy velvet curtain. Her heart pounded with the adrenaline of the performance, and her smile stretched wide with the satisfaction of nailing every note, every lyric, every emotion. The audience had loved it- she had felt their energy, their passion, their unwavering adoration. But now, all of that faded into the background. As much as she lived for performing, she couldn’t wait to shed the glamorous persona of Lady Gaga and become just Stefani again.

The backstage area bustled with activity, crew members wrapping up cables, packing equipment, and shouting quick congratulations as she passed. She waved at them, offering a tired but grateful smile. She had been counting the minutes until she could slip out of her elaborate dress, kick off the heels that had been killing her feet for hours, and leave the spotlight behind.

Outside the venue, the familiar roar of the crowd waited for her. The paparazzi, fans, and reporters all jostled for space, clamoring for a glimpse, a soundbite, a photograph. She took a deep breath before stepping into the chaos.

The second she emerged, the flashes started. Blinding, rapid-fire bursts of light exploded from every angle, and the noise was deafening.

“Gaga! Gaga! Over here!”

“Gaga, we love you!”

“Gaga, you and Michael are perfect together! So cute!” one fan screamed louder than the rest.

The mention of Michael made her stomach tighten, though she kept her smile in place. Michael, her PR boyfriend. A manufactured relationship to keep the tabloids fed, to keep the questions at bay, to keep her private life private. Everyone thought she was with him, and the public devoured the story. Pictures of them holding hands, going out to dinner, even the occasional staged kiss- it was all part of the narrative her team had constructed. But the truth was far more complex, and no one outside of her inner circle knew the real story. Nobody except her team and family knew that her real love was waiting for her at the hotel.

Stefani waved at the crowd, flashing a quick smile for the cameras before slipping into the back of the sleek black SUV that was waiting for her. The door closed behind her with a soft thud, and suddenly, blessed silence surrounded her. She exhaled, sinking back against the soft leather seat, letting the tension from the night start to melt away. The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

“Back to the hotel, Ms. Germanotta?”

“Yes, please,” she said softly, her voice tired but relieved.

As the car pulled away, the chaos of the crowd receded, and she closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself a brief respite. The drive through the city was quick, the bright lights of Los Angeles flashing by in a blur. Despite the exhaustion weighing down her limbs, her heart raced in anticipation, because he was already waiting for her at the hotel- their hotel, for now. Since she has started the tour, they had settled into this rhythm. She would perform, dazzling the world, and then she would come home to him, to her favorite men.

The car pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, and Stefani was out before the driver could even open her door. She hurried across the lobby, her heels clicking on the marble floor, her heart pounding faster with every step. Finally the show was over and it was time for her to have a break. The elevator doors slid open, and as she rode up to the penthouse suite, she felt the anticipation building in her chest.

When the doors opened, she stepped out into the suite, her eyes immediately drawn to the large, floor-to-ceiling windows. The city spread out below them, a sparkling, living thing, but it wasn’t what held her attention. It was him, standing there and looking out.