Chapter 3
1387 Words
Sofia's POV:
“There's a media outside. Get ready,” my assistant uttered as we walked toward the airport exit in China.
I sighed before putting on my black Louis Vuitton shades.
“Wear this,” my manager said, handing me a cap. As if that would be enough to hide my identity.
I put it on and kept walking. We all froze when we saw the crowd waiting outside. They hadn’t seen us yet, but the chaos was already in the air. Media from different networks and countries swarmed the area, along with a flood of fans—some holding placards with my name, others waiting for the other nominees.
All the guards braced themselves to surround me.
“Please, let’s try not to hurt anyone,” I said calmly.
Just as we were about to move forward, a man in a suit and shades, flanked by bodyguards in uniform, walked in our direction. His broad shoulders, tall frame, and subtle scent made me freeze. I couldn’t help but watch him as he passed. That serious expression on his face made him even more attractive.
“Sof! Faster while they are busy interviewing that business owner,” my manager said, snapping me back to reality. He had been walking right past me, letting the crowd and media flow around him without hesitation.
We practically ran through the back to reach our service vehicle without being seen. Just as I got in the car, a few people noticed me—and chaos erupted. We slammed the door shut just in time.
I sat there, watching people knock on my window. I spotted the man being interviewed by a few media outlets. Was I imagining it… or was he looking in my direction? Was that a slight smile on his face?
“Sophia, I’ll open the window just a bit for a few questions,” my manager said, seated beside me.
As the window lowered, the noise rushed in.
“Sophia, how do you feel about this nomination?”
“Are you ready for tonight?”
“How confident are you that you’ll take home the award?”
I smiled and replied,
“I’m so grateful for the nomination. To be recognized again and again, to feel the appreciation and attention—it means so much. I’m a little nervous about tonight, but mostly excited. It’s always a great experience to be among talented artists from all over the world. As for winning? For me, it’s all about the journey.”
“Yeah, but we’re sure she’ll win—just like the other prestigious awards where she’s always taken home the trophy,” my manager chimed in with a confident grin.
I forced a smile and waved goodbye.
Back in my hotel room, my manager looked at me and said,
“Sophia, get some sleep. You need to look fresh for the awards. A good rest is a must.”
“What if I don’t win this time?” I asked softly.
She looked at me with a tinge of disappointment.
“Then you’ll break your streak. You’ll disappoint so many people rooting for you—including me, your team, and your parents.”
Damn. I shut my eyes tightly and threw myself on the bed.
As soon as the door closed behind them, I opened my eyes and a few tears escaped. I wiped them away with my fingers, running my hand through my hair in frustration.
The pressure these people put on me…
I couldn’t cry. It would ruin my look for the night. So I forced myself to sleep—because even my sleep schedule was controlled by others.
“Sof… Sof…”
I heard a faint voice, growing clearer. Gentle taps on my arm pulled me from my sleep.
“Why?” I mumbled groggily.
“Sorry, inutusan na kasi ako ni Ms. Rose na gisingin ka,” Laurain said politely.
I sighed, got up, and took a shower. Wrapping myself in a bathrobe and a towel on my head, I stepped out to find the glam team already waiting.
I sat in the makeup chair, letting them do their thing. Rose barked orders left and right—about my hair, the makeup palette, the gown, the shoes. I could feel the stress spreading through the room.
“Relax, okay? Don’t mind her,” I whispered to my makeup artist.
When I finally wore the evening gown—a red, glimmering tube gown with a high slit and touches of black—nerves surged through me.
I looked down, startled when someone gently held my hand. It was Lorain.
“Ako, hindi ako madi-disappoint sa’yo,” she said with a soft smile.
I understood. “Thank you,” I mouthed.
In this journey, Lorain was the only one who never added to the pressure.
“Let’s go, let’s go!” Rose barked as we rushed out.
The elevator was silent, the tension thick. I watched the floor numbers tick down.
“You have to win this, Sofia,” Rose whispered.
I sighed. “Can’t I just enjoy being nominated?” I asked, the pressure building again.
She chuckled bitterly. “Enjoy it? What’s there to enjoy if the endorsements and projects disappear after this?”
Hell.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a sea of people from all over the world. Flashing cameras, microphones, and shouted questions blocked our path.
I did my best to answer with confidence and grace as I stepped onto the red carpet.
“Please pose here.”
“Give me a smile, Ms. Sofia.”
“Here, Ms. Sofia!”
I smiled, posed, and walked the carpet, trying to stay composed.
“How does it feel to be here tonight?”
It was the question I had answered again and again. My response remained the same: I was happy, grateful, and trying to forget the pressure for a moment.
Then came the question that stopped me in my tracks:
“How confident are you about winning the award?”
My eyes met my manager’s behind the cameras.
“I’ve always won the awards I was nominated for. So… I guess that’s what will happen tonight?” I said, unsure if I was trying to convince them—or myself.
I exchanged goodbyes with the host and entered the venue.
My team was already seated. The moment I sat down, the pressure came rushing back. My hands trembled. I wanted to cry. I hated how this always felt.
In the middle of my quiet panic, a scent reached me—the perfect masculine scent.
I looked around to find where it came from—and saw him.
If I wasn’t mistaken, it was Josh Clark. He sat in the row behind us, near Lorain. He was adjusting his coat, scanning the crowd… and then our eyes met.
My world paused. Those eyes… we smiled at each other, caught in a quiet moment, until a businessman approached him and broke the gaze.
Some artists approached me afterward, chatting and exchanging compliments, until the program finally began. Artists from the host country performed first, followed by a few special segments before the actual awarding ceremony started.
As awardees from various sectors were announced, the pressure inside me kept building. I literally wanted to run away.
Then came the announcement for CEO of the Year.
“The CEO of the Year goes to… Mr. Josh Clark from the Philippines!” the host declared with enthusiasm.
We all clapped, feeling that wave of Filipino pride. I saw him in my peripheral vision as he stood up, smiling, and walked to the stage.
He gave his speech and returned to his seat. I was genuinely happy for him—but knowing we were the only two Filipinos nominated tonight made the pressure sink even deeper into me.
After multiple categories were awarded, they finally reached the announcement for Best Actress—the one I was nominated for.
Lorain gently held my hand. I was shaking. I didn’t know how to compose myself anymore.
We were surrounded by a massive crowd, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heartbeat.
I can’t do this anymore.
“And the Best Actress for this year is… Ms. Charlotte Dwayne from Spain!” the host announced.
- Writer
