The night of Crystal's premiere had finally arrived, and the excitement was palpable. Crystal stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the deep emerald dress that clung to her figure perfectly. It was her big night—the premiere for Zatima's third season—and she couldn't have been more excited to share it with Jill.
Jill entered the room, looking effortlessly elegant in a sleek black dress. When Crystal saw her, she felt her breath catch. "Wow... You look amazing."
Jill gave a small, playful twirl. "I had to look my best for my star, didn't I?" She walked over, smoothing an invisible wrinkle on Crystal's dress. "You're going to shine tonight."
Crystal smiled, taking Jill's hands in hers. "It means everything to have you here with me."
Hand in hand, they made their way to the car waiting to take them to the premiere. As they neared the venue, the flash of cameras and the buzz of fans lined the entrance, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of the stars. Crystal took a deep breath, her nerves settling as she felt Jill squeeze her hand reassuringly.
Once they stepped onto the red carpet, Crystal was greeted with cheers and the snap of cameras. She posed, waving and smiling at the fans who had come to support the show. Jill stayed close, watching with pride as Crystal effortlessly navigated the crowd.
They reached the event hall, where cast members, industry insiders, and fans gathered to celebrate the new season. As Crystal and Jill moved through the room, chatting with a few people, Crystal spotted Devale Ellis across the room. His face lit up when he saw her, and he made his way over.
"Crystal! There's my girl!" Devale grinned, pulling her into a warm hug. Crystal laughed, patting his back before stepping back.
"Hey, Devale! So good to see you!" she replied, genuinely happy to reunite with her co-star.
Devale's gaze shifted to Jill, standing beside Crystal with a soft smile. Crystal turned, slipping her arm around Jill. "Devale, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Jill Scott."
Jill extended her hand, smiling politely. "Nice to meet you, Devale."
Devale's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he chuckled. "Girlfriend, huh? I didn't know you were for the ladies, Crystal." His tone was light, clearly intended to be playful, but the comment lingered in the air.
Jill's smile faltered for a brief moment, and Crystal felt a twinge of discomfort, sensing Jill's reaction. Crystal forced a laugh, the sound a bit stilted. "Surprises around every corner, right?" she joked, hoping to lighten the moment.
Devale grinned, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. "Well, whoever makes you happy, that's all that matters," he said, clapping her on the shoulder. "Congrats on the new season, Crystal. Proud of you, girl."
"Thank you, Devale. Appreciate it. Congratulations to you too." Crystal gave him a nod, watching as he drifted off to greet other people in the room.
As soon as Devale was out of earshot, Jill turned to Crystal, her expression thoughtful. "That was... an interesting comment," she said, her voice gentle but hinting at the slight offense she'd felt.
Crystal took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I know. I'm sorry about that. I think he was just trying to be funny, but it didn't come out right."
Jill sighed, then gave a small, understanding smile. "I know. I just... it's still a bit frustrating."
"I get it," Crystal said, her voice soft and sincere. "People are still adjusting, I guess. But I'm not ashamed of us, Jill. I'm proud to be with you."
Jill's eyes softened, and she leaned in, brushing a kiss on Crystal's cheek. "Thank you. That means everything to me."
