Glitterdust (Completed)

17. Lights

I fidget with my dress, while we wait for the door of the limousine to open. I can already hear the high pitched choir of thrilled fangirls. It's not about me, it's all about Dan I keep reminding myself. This is the night of the premiere. No one will probably look at me, but I'm still nervous as hell. Quickly I throw a glance in a small mirror. I don't even look like myself anymore. Jess's stylist did my make-up and hair, threatened to give me some scary fake nails, but I managed to avoid that. I'm afraid my thick velvet dress might be a bit too warm, but it looks awesome. I keep staring at Dan, he looks hot as hell. I wish he always wore suits.

As soon as Dan steps out of the car, I get the feeling my head explodes. The squeals of his fans pierce my ears. Jess smiles at me, mouths 'good luck' and follows Dan out on the red carpet. Eric, Jess's husband, and I follow them quickly. I'm blinded by the flashlights of the cameras right away. Dan hooks his arm in mine, walking me to spot where the photographers are clumped together. I can't see a thing, I'm completely blinded by the stroboscopic lights. Just keep smiling, whatever happens, smile. I keep repeating that sentence over and over. I hope I don't look like a maniac, or worse, like a clown, with my superficial smile plastered on my face.

"Who's the pretty lady, Dan?" Some journalist yells.

"This is Elise. She's helping me with my next project." He doesn't look at me, he just keeps staring at the faceless mob in front of us. It feels as if there is a distance between us. This whole circus is part of his work.

I don't know how long we stand there posing, but I'm relieved when Eric grabs my arm.

"Stay close to me, we're going straight to the building and let them do their thing." We're not that interesting, the paparazzi and journalists want photos of Dan and Jess. I look at Dan. He's the cocky, sunglass-wearing guy again, who once walked into the lunchroom. He's talking to some of the fans, taking selfies with their phones. I see one girl faint, her face full of admiration. Her friend catches her, and drops her almost as fast as she gains Dan's attention. I smile and follow Eric into the theatre.

"And now we wait." Eric says as he hands me a glass of champagne. This is not just some night out to the cinema. I will see Dan probably not that much tonight. He will be talking to journalists, critics, basically it's one night of hard work for him.

When he walks into the theatre he doesn't look like the man I know. I wouldn't call it arrogant, just self-aware. I guess this is his professional look, small smile around his lips, talking with some honored guests, waving to the director.

When he's close to us, a girl with long brown wavy hair walks to him.

"Dan, how nice to see you again." She seems to have only eyes for him as she wraps her arms around his neck. The décolleté of her revealing red dress leaves barely anything to the imagination.

"Sasha." He still smiles, but I notice some tension in his jaw. Everyone is almost seated in the theatre, and it is time we should enter as well, so I walk over to them.

"Hey Dan, can you show me where we are seated?" I say.

"Did I introduce you to Elise?" He pulls me in between them as if I'm some kind of shield.

I shake her hand. Her red-painted smile shows a little too much teeth. She doesn't even look at me, her eyes are all over Dan. "Nice to meet you." I say.

"Sasha" She introduces herself, still not taking her eyes off him.

"She's my advisor for a new project." Dan says.

"So that's what you're calling it nowadays." Her eyes are small slits when she finally looks at me. "I guess I see you later."

And she walks off, swaying her hips.