Chapter 2
1101 Words
“No, you have to tell me right now,” Cynthia said, eyes locked on Andy’s. “You’re always putting me in suspense. Not this time. Just tell me, girl.”
Andy gave a small smile, lips twitching as though she’d finally decided not to drag it out.
“Okay, I’ll tell you…” she began. “Remember the—”
Her voice cut off as her eyes snapped to the far corner of the room. She froze.
“Wait… see! See!” Andy pointed wildly, her voice rising. “Is that not Williams Phyne?”
Cynthia spun around so fast her earrings swung. “What?!” Her jaw dropped. “It’s really him!”
“Oh my goodness!” Andy clutched her chest like she couldn’t breathe. “This is a lie! Who would have thought I’d see him here?”
Cynthia shook her head, both amused and exhausted already. “Babe, I’m glad we stayed,” she muttered.
Williams Phyne. The name carried weight in the city. A rising star with smooth vocals and stage charisma, adored especially by the women. Tonight, in his deep blue suit and easy smile, he looked even more magnetic in person.
Andy didn’t wait for another second. She dug into her bag, pulled out her phone, and started marching toward him.
“Jeez… this girl is crazy,” Cynthia muttered, rushing after her.
Andy’s crush on Phyne was no secret. If life were a lottery, this was her winning ticket. A chance to meet him face-to-face. Nothing would stop her. She moved like she was on a mission, shoulders squared, eyes locked.
“Andy, wait—” Cynthia called, trying to keep up.
The shout startled Andy. She spun, snapping, “Jeez! You scared me!”
“Why would you just leave me like that?” Cynthia’s voice was tight with frustration.
“My bad,” Andy muttered, brushing it off. She hated being called out in public, and Cynthia knew that. “You’ll ruin the mood if you keep shouting like that.”
But fate had other plans. Just ahead, a waiter’s tray tilted, wine spilling across the floor earlier without anyone noticing. Andy’s heel caught the slick spot.
Her foot slipped. She tumbled.
“Ahh!” she screamed as glass bit into her leg.
Heads turned instantly. Some gasped. Some laughed. The entire corner of the room shifted its attention.
Andy’s cheeks flamed. “Stop staring at me, it’s weird,” she muttered, glancing down.
Blood. A shard of glass glinted in her skin.
Before anyone could react, she yanked it out with a sharp wince. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
“She’s crazy.”
“Did she just pull that out?”
“That must have hurt her.”
“I fear this girl.”
A rich-looking man in a tailored suit stepped forward, hand extended to help her. Andy waved him off sharply.
“Leave me! I can stand by myself.”
The man pulled back, offended. Cynthia rushed in, whispering apologies as she steadied Andy. The music had dipped, all eyes still on them.
Andy’s pulse raced—not from the cut, but from the realization. She looked up.
Phyne was gone from the spot where he had been.
Her heart dropped. “No… no, no, no. I missed him already.”
“Ouu…” Cynthia muttered sympathetically.
Andy’s voice cracked, frustration boiling over. “It’s your fault! If you hadn’t shouted my name, I wouldn’t have been startled. I wouldn’t have fallen. I wouldn’t have embarrassed myself!”
Her fists clenched. “Now I’ve lost him. My celebrity crush. No selfie. No proof. Nothing.”
Cynthia’s lips parted, then shut again. She followed Andy as she stormed back to their table, cheeks burning red with anger and humiliation.
Andy groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “Stupid… stupid… stupid…”
“Okay,” Cynthia said carefully. “Let’s just sit. Forget the fall. Forget the people laughing.”
Andy’s head snapped up. “Forget? I wanted the chance, Cynthia. Not just a selfie. The proof. And now it’s gone.”
Cynthia softened. “Maybe not completely. He’s still in the city. And we’re still at this party. Who knows?”
Andy paused. A spark flickered in her eyes. She straightened slowly.
“Yeah… you’re right. Maybe there’s still a chance for me.”
Her gaze scanned the room like a hawk. And then—there. By the far wall, Phyne’s entourage gathered, his laughter carrying faintly over the music.
Her chest tightened. He was still here.
She clenched her fists, determination flooding back. “I’ll get him. I’ll get my selfie. No matter what.”
Cynthia grabbed her arm gently. “Andy… slow down. Don’t barge in like before.”
Andy whirled on her, eyes blazing. “Barge in? Cynthia, I just survived humiliation, blood, and whispers from the entire room. If that doesn’t earn me the right to barge in, what does?”
Nearby guests chuckled, but Andy didn’t care. She was already moving, weaving through sequined gowns and tailored suits, her heart hammering.
Her thoughts raced: Don’t trip. Don’t panic. He’s right there. Just focus. This is destiny.
She felt a hand brush her shoulder. Whipping around, she snapped, “What now?!”
But it was only a server with a tray of champagne. “Careful, miss,” he murmured.
Andy exhaled hard. “I’ve got this,” she declared, pushing forward.
Finally, she reached the edge of Phyne’s circle. He stood tall, laughing, shaking hands, completely at ease.
Her fingers tightened on her phone. This is it. My chance. Don’t mess it up. Just ask.
She stepped forward—only for someone else to slide in front of her, blocking her view.
Andy groaned, her frustration spiking. “Oh, come on!”
Cynthia caught up, tugging at her arm. “Andy, please, don’t start again.”
Andy shook her off, her eyes fixed ahead. She could hear Phyne’s laugh now—louder, nearer, impossibly real. Her fingers clenched around her phone, the camera already open.
The crowd parted just enough. For a fleeting moment, there he was. Phyne. Alive, dazzling, close enough that she could almost touch him.
Her breath hitched. This was it—the moment she had dreamed about for a while now. The perfect selfie, proof that the impossible wasn’t just in her head.
She lifted her phone, angling it toward him—
—and froze.
A tall, unfamiliar figure stepped into her frame, blocking Phyne completely. His eyes locked on hers, sharp and unyielding.
“Not another step.”
- Writer
