Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 19

As the night went on, a steady flow of industry figures continued to approach Arc, each one insistent on toasting or offering him a drink. I could tell he was getting uncomfortable having to turn them down repeatedly. I worried that his refusals, however polite, might start to rub some people the wrong way, especially in this high-profile setting.

A well-known Korean producer came up, engrossed in conversation with Arc, so I leaned in and whispered that I'd be back in a few minutes. Arc gave a small nod, trusting me to handle whatever I was up to.

At the bar, I ordered a diet coke in a whiskey glass with ice, a slice of lemon, and a glass of orange juice. The bartender hesitated, eyeing me quizzically, but handed over the drinks. I squeezed just enough lemon into the coke to lighten its color, making it resemble whiskey in the dim party lighting—a college trick I'd used a few times before.

Returning to Arc, I handed him the glass. He looked at me, visibly confused, until I leaned close and whispered, "바로 다이어트 콜라입니다.(It's just diet coke.)"

A flicker of relief crossed his face as he took a careful sip, clearly reassured. He relaxed, holding the glass casually in hand, and I watched him seamlessly integrate into the crowd again, fielding compliments and clinking glasses with his "drink." A small smile crept onto his face as he met my gaze for a brief moment, a silent thanks that needed no words.

As I paused mid-step, my gaze zeroed in on a familiar face across the room. I nudged Arc and leaned in, whispering excitedly, "우리 거기로 갈 수 있나요?(Can we go over there?)" I pointed discreetly toward the actor I'd spotted.

Arc raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Why?"

I tried to keep my cool, but the excitement slipped through. "저기 라이언 고슬링이 있는데, 가능하다면 좀 더 가까이서 보고 싶어요! (Ryan Gosling is over there, and if possible, I want to get a closer look at him!)"

His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at me, half-amused, half-surprised. "업계 사람들을 모르시는 줄 알았는데.(I thought you didn't know people in the industry.)"

I shot him a playful glance. "업계 사람들을 모른다고 해서 내가 바위 밑에 산다는 뜻은 아닙니다. 라이언 고슬링을 알아보지 않으려면 정말 아무데도 없는 곳에 있어야 할 것입니다. (Not knowing people in the industry doesn't mean I live under a rock. One would really have to be in the middle of nowhere to not recognize Ryan Gosling)."

He paused, tilting his head with a smirk. "그럼 당신이 팬이군요? (So, I take it you're a fan?)"

My enthusiasm spilled over. "Yes! I loved his work in The Notebook, La La Land, and Barbie. Those movies were masterpieces!"

Arc watched me, a flicker of something unspoken passing across his expression. He gave a small smile, almost as if he was savoring this glimpse into my personal interests.he continued, "아직도 제가 얼마나 유명한지 모르시는 것 같군요. 당신의 ''masterpiece'' 스타가 직접 찾아와 나에게 말을 걸어줄 것이라는 내기를 하자. Looks like you still don't know how famous I am. Let's make a bet that your 'masterpiece' star will come over and talk to me on his own."

I gave an incredulous laugh. "아, 제발요. 오스카상을 받은 배우인데 왜 당신에게 말하러 오겠어요?(Oh, please. He's an Oscar-winning actor; why would he come over to talk to you?)"

"So, let's bet?" he insisted, his eyes dancing with challenge.

"좋아요, 우리 뭘 걸까요?(Alright, what are we betting on?)" I asked, crossing my arms.

Arc leaned in slightly, his voice lowering just enough to make my pulse skip a beat. "소원은 어때요? 패자는 승자의 소원 중 하나를 이행해야 한다.(How about a wish? The loser has to fulfill one wish of the winner.)"