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1993
The venue was buzzing with excitement as Duran Duran celebrated the release of The Wedding Album. The party was hosted in an opulent ballroom, decorated with sleek modern furniture and shimmering lights that reflected the band’s return to form. Valerie arrived with Vivienne, now two years old, her tiny hand clutching Valerie’s as they walked into the room together. They were guests of Nick, and Valerie couldn’t help but feel a pang of nervousness about attending such a high-profile event.
Nick greeted them warmly, kissing Valerie on both cheeks and crouching down to greet Vivienne, who shyly hid behind her mother. "You both look stunning," Nick said, his eyes lingering on Valerie for a moment with pride. He knew it was a big step of exposure for her.
Valerie scanned the room and spotted John, who was with Amanda and their daughter, Atlanta. Amanda, dressed elegantly, carried herself with grace, but her eyes betrayed a certain unease. John, on the other hand, seemed distracted, his attention more on Atlanta than his wife.
The cool breeze of the evening swept across the balcony as Amanda and Valerie leaned against the railing, their glasses of wine reflecting the soft glow of the city lights. The muffled sounds of laughter and music from the party inside seemed to fade into the background, leaving them in a pocket of quiet intimacy.
“You’re nothing like I expected,” Amanda said after a moment of silence, her voice soft but thoughtful.
Valerie turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh? And what exactly did you expect?”
Amanda smiled faintly, as though embarrassed. “I don’t know. Maybe someone... untouchable? Larger than life, like the stories John tells. You’re a bit of a legend in his world.”
Valerie chuckled, shaking her head. “Legend? Hardly. I’m just a woman trying to figure things out like everyone else.” She tilted her glass, watching the wine swirl. “And trust me, my life’s been far from glamorous.”
Amanda hesitated before speaking, her words cautious. “He speaks about you with such... reverence. Like you’re this impossible force of nature. It’s intimidating, honestly.”
