Chapter 3 A GLIMPSE OF STARS

The Elysium Royale Hotel shimmered like a jewel under the city lights, dressed in gold ribbons of celebration. Cameras flashed endlessly, voices tangled in excitement, and the scent of expensive cologne, perfume, and fresh flowers drifted through the air. It was the Star Blaze Awards, and everyone who was anyone in the world of entertainment was here.

But for Chisom Eze, this was more than an event-it was destiny.

Clutching her phone tightly, her fingers already slick with nervous sweat, she dodged through the crowd outside the hotel lobby. She was dressed simply-a peach blouse and black jeans-but there was a glow about her that made her stand out. Her heart pounded as she approached the security station at the side of the building.

"Good evening," she said, breathless.

The tall security guard barely glanced at her. "Evening."

"Please, sir," she added, trying to keep her voice steady, "where is David Isaac? The actor. Did he come this way?"

The guard nodded toward the far end of the hotel driveway. "Yeah. He just left the main hall. Went down to the parking lot with his bouncers. Looked like he was heading to his car."

Chisom's eyes widened. "Thank you, sir!" she said quickly, already dashing away.

The crowd was thick. Everywhere was noise and movement. People shouted names, called out to celebrities, held up signs and phones. She ran through the chaos, brushing past bodies, her eyes focused on the path ahead.

"Sir!" she screamed, hoping her voice would rise above the roar.

No one responded. Still, she ran harder, her lungs burning.

And then, she saw him.

David Isaac.

Tall, elegant, his black velvet suit catching the streetlights like waves on dark water. He stood by the door of a black SUV, saying something to a man beside him-one of his bouncers. He reached for the car handle.

"Mr. David Isaac!" she shouted, nearly tripping in her run. "Please don't go without seeing me!"

He paused.

Slowly, he turned.

And for the first time, she saw his face-not in a movie, not on a poster-but right there, looking at her.

Chisom came to a shaky stop. "My name is Chisom Eze," she said breathlessly, extending her hand, trembling. "I... I'm a big fan."

He glanced at her hand, then at her face, then back to the car.

"I'm sorry," she added quickly, pulling her hand back. "I know I'm not supposed to be here like this. But I've watched every one of your films. Falling Dust, Echoes of Silence, House of Glass-all of them. You're not just an actor to me. You taught me how to believe in myself."

David looked at her again, this time more softly. "That's... kind of you," he said. His voice was deep, but calm. "You ran all this way just to tell me that?"

She nodded. "I couldn't leave tonight without saying something."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "That's brave of you."

Chisom couldn't breathe for a second. Her thoughts swirled. Was this really happening?

"I know you're busy," she said, biting her lip, "but... would it be okay if I took a picture with you?"

One of the bouncers stepped in immediately, placing a strong arm in front of her.

David raised a hand, and the man stepped back.

"It's fine," he said.

Chisom felt her heart lift. "Really?"

"Yes," he nodded. "You can take a picture."

She stepped a little closer, still cautious, still overwhelmed. David's cologne drifted toward her-clean, subtle, almost addictive. She held her phone, opened the camera app, and nervously adjusted the frame.

But then David spoke again.

"You said my movies taught you something. What did they teach you exactly?"

She blinked. "Um... Well, in Echoes of Silence, there was a scene where you sat alone in the dark after losing your character's wife. You didn't say anything. You just... sat there. And I remember watching that and crying because that silence? That was how I felt every day."

David looked at her with a new expression-quiet, thoughtful.

"And after that," she continued, "I started writing. I filled notebooks with poems. I found a voice in myself I didn't know was there. You made me realize pain can become art."

He looked down, then nodded slightly. "That means a lot."

A silence stretched between them for a moment-not uncomfortable, but thick with understanding.

"I'm glad I stayed a little longer," he said finally.

"Me too," she replied.

Another pause. Then she lifted her phone again.

"Okay," she said, smiling nervously. "Let's take a quick one before the crowd gets crazy again. Say-"