Chapter 7 Met Gala Award Night 2

The host began announcing the names of the winners in each category. Every artist whose name was mentioned climbed up the stage, gave a few speeches, and walked while the audience cheered for them. The ceremony progressed through various awards, and finally, they reached the Best Actress and Best Actor categories.....

"And the Most Promising Actor of the Year goes to Aditya Sagar," the host announced. The actor, seated closer to Natalie, stood up, followed by his few supporters as they walked up the stairs to receive his award. Mr. Wood sat uncomfortably in his seat, starting to sweat. Leaning in, he whispered in his wife's ear, "I'll be back; I want to use the washroom." Natalie responded in a whisper due to the noise in the room, "Sure, be back soon."

He quickly walked out to the roof where the paparazzi wouldn't find him and took out his phone. He dialed Brindle's number, and after a first unsuccessful attempt, he called again, but the line didn't go through. A message then popped up on his phone, accompanied by a video.

The message read, "The divorce files are already in your car; go take it." and made sure to give it to her right there in everybody's face, after he read the message he got all sweaty and shaky

"Hello, Richard, my dear Wood," Brindle said in the video. "The choice is yours: to see me and your unborn child alive or go to the hall and submit the divorce letter right in everybody's face." In the video, she walked towards a high heel, raised her hands in the air, ready to commit suicide if he didn't comply. "Don't even bother searching for me because the more you delay, the closer I get to die." The time starts now, you only have five minutes, she said...........He quickly called the number again after the video ended, but once again, it didn't go through. He walked on the rooftop stressfully and then descended to the ground. Rushing to his car while dodging the paparazzi, he needed to retrieve the divorce files Brindle mentioned.

Back in the hall, the video for the best actress and aspiring actress category was playing. While they all sat there, anxiously awaiting the results, Natelie tried calling her husband. He was supposed to be beside her when they announced the winner for that category. She and her team already had a strong belief they were taking the award home.

As the host continued teasing the audience, he eventually cleared his throat and shouted out, "The best actress and aspiring actress for the year 2023/2024 goes to..." He paused, smiled, and continued, "None other than the most never-failing actress, hardworking, talented, and humble Mrs. Wood, Natelia!"

Mr. Wood heard his wife's name outside the hall and he whispered to himself 'I'm proud of you' and a tear dropped from his face...

She stood up when she heard her name, both her hands up in shock as she buried her face in her hands. She smiled and turned to face the crowd who were clapping and shouting her name. She bowed down to show appreciation while looking to see if her husband was coming before she walked to the stage. Not seeing a sign of him, she proceeded to the stage with some of her team to accept the awards. They handed both trophies to her.

She took hold of the microphone, ready to deliver her speech.

"First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the Almighty for always being my rock, the guiding force that has brought me to where I am today. I also want to extend my thanks to my husband," she paused, directing her gaze at the clown, "for being my greatest supporter. From the very first moment I met my husband, there was an instant connection, and since then, we've remained the best of friends. My husband is my life, my everything – the true force behind Natalie Wood, the girl who transformed from a nobody to somebody. If I stand before you today, it is solely because of my husband. He has been my unwavering support, never giving up on me and my dreams."

She continued, "His encouraging words have been a guiding light to this day." Natalie proudly raised both of the gold diamond trophies high. "Today, I didn't just receive this award for myself, but for my entire team who played a crucial role in shaping my career. This award is dedicated to everyone who believed in the dream."

As the applause echoed in the venue, her husband walked in from the crowd. A hush fell over the audience as they made way for him. He held some files in his hands, appearing somber. When Natalie spotted him, she smiled. He climbed the stage to join her, leaning closer to whisper, "I'm sorry." However, the wife didn't fully comprehend the meaning behind his words, unsure if it was an apology for being late or something else.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the face behind my success," Natalie proudly declared, pointing to her husband standing beside her. She handed him the microphone, and he took a moment to look at the cheering crowd and then at his wife, who was smiling warmly at him.

He began, "This isn't about what we call love and who got your back. In the end, no one is to be trusted, people say this and move differently, and we find ourselves in certain situations where we have no choice but to fail the people who are dear to us " As he spoke, the clowns and the audience exchanged puzzled glances. Natalie leaned closer and asked, "What are you talking about?"

He smiled at his wife and continued to talk. "In my hands is a divorce paper," he said, raising it for everyone in the room to see. A wave of confusion swept through the crowd, and whispers of disbelief filled the air. Some questioned if this was a part of the act, while others were genuinely shocked. As he scanned the room, he noticed Brindle, who was smiling and silently clapping for him. Ignoring Natalie's inquiries, he maintained a sorry expression on his face, deepening the mystery and leaving everyone in suspense.

"I know today everyone is here to celebrate great stars around the world, like my wife. But today, I am here to celebrate my freedom. I am here to publicly ask my dear wife for a divorce," he declared. The room erupted in noise as people were bewildered and confused by the unexpected turn of events. Natalie, unable to believe what her husband was saying, grabbed his shoulder and asked him with a shaky voice, "What are you talking about, Richy?"

"I am talking to you, Richy! What do you mean? Is this some kind of a joke?" she asked with fear in her eyes, her breath quickening. She touched him on the shoulder, urging him to face her and explain what he was talking about. As this unfolded, everyone in the room was trying to comprehend the situation, much like Natalie. Richard stood there, his face lowered, avoiding eye contact with his wife.

She grabbed the divorce paper from his hands, her own hands shaking as she unfolded it. As she read the contents, her body began to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Is this some type of a joke?" she asked her husband, showing him the paper. She repeated the question, her voice filled with disbelief and pain. "Did you set me up to disgrace me like this in front of the world? Was everything a lie to you?" she cried, the weight of the situation bearing down on her. Her husband remained silent, head still lowered in remorse.

"Speak, Richy, don't remain silent! Please answer me!" she cried out, her voice echoing through the room. Realizing her husband's continued silence, she clutched his shoulder once more and thrust the divorce papers towards him. Suddenly, someone from behind intervened, taking the papers from her hands. The voice of the person resonated, "This is all true sweetheart."

Natalie looked around, perplexed, to see who had intervened. To her surprise, it was Brindle, triumphantly smiling. She folded the divorce papers neatly and placed them in her handbag.

You? Natalie said pointing at her