Publishing Parties.
Traditionally, in the past— around the 80’s to 90’s glorious days of publishing excess—, they were often a sight to behold, with the event usually being fancy, decadent and wild, to say the least.
However, in more recent tis, they just weren’t as festive anymore, so of them so lackluster and bland, they would be had in a conference room with pizzas delivered as refreshnts.
But every once in a while, albeit extrely rare, a publishing house which had possibly had an exceptionally good year, would throw one of those parties reminiscent of the golden days of publishing houses.
And for Paramount Publications whom had been swimming in money in recent mory due to their back to back success for the past two years now, they figured they could at least flex their wealth by going all out and throwing a Masquerade-thed Publishing Party.
As a result, Christina whom would’ve much preferred to stay cooped up in her room writing or reading a script or a novel, had to attend.
After all, [Evergarden] had contributed imnsely to the publishing house’s success in both years.
Added to that, she had also been requested of by the company to join in with more established authors to collaborate on writing their yearly romantic anthology, one that they always released a few days ahead of Valentine’s the next year.
Most of said authors would also be attending said party to mingle and converse, as even actors, artists, musicians, editors, models and the likes had also been invited, hence making it sowhat of a necessity for the lady to build up connections of her own.
So, with a plus-two invite provided for the function, the lady, from the very first mont she found out, had only one person co to mind that she really wanted to have accompany her to the event.
That was none other than Kyle who currently, had his breath hitch a bit when he arrived at the lady’s apartnt.
Standing at the doorway, was Christina in an elegant, off-the-shoulder strapped, floor-length, navy-blue evening gown with flowing, cape-like sleeves draping gracefully over her shoulders.
And with her black, fashionable high-heels peeking from underneath the beautiful dress, she closed the distance between her and a stunned Kyle, mouthing a few words she was fairly certain he’d grab;
"And you, look regal… just like a queen." Kyle soon pulled out of his trance and gave the lady a warm smile, his complent genuine.
With a light blush forming on her cheeks, the gentleman then gestured with his arms for Christina to cuff with.
And no sooner had she done that, he carefully led her to his car.
…
…
…
Fancy dresses, champagnes, caviar stations… the party was bursting with festivities as laughter filled the air and people mingled without a care in the world.
Added to that was the amalgam of high-gloss talents in the room from every facet of Hollywood’s vast corners, the entire hall packed and filled to the brim.
But, considering no singular person commanded attention from anyone due to most being masked, it made the atmosphere livelier as even lower & middle-class individuals whom were lucky to attend the event could simply walk up to anyone they wanted to et and strike up a conversation.
That said, moving around was becoming a hassle of its own but no one really seed to care as they were having a great ti.
As for Christina, despite being unable to communicate vocally, she had still being able to converse with those whom she wanted to et as Kyle, currently masked, aided her without drawing the least bit attention to himself.
After all, he was masked and his hair, was still very much dyed in a darker shade of brown.
That said, a few hours later, a tired Christina, much like Kyle whose social battery was rapidly plumting, took to strolling out for so fresh air in the mazy hedges of the garden.
And upon reaching the middle where the fountain was, the lady plopped onto a nearby bench as she tried to kick off her heels.
Seeing how lazy she was being about the entire thing though, especially since this was a pretty amusing and rare sight to him, Kyle politely asked;
"Mind if I help?"
Christina signed gratefully.
Her ankles and heels were killing her.
And so, squatting to her level, gently slipping off the heels, Kyle inquired curiously;
"The anthology? What’s it about?"
Despite hearing the question, Christina on the other hand, reached for the young man’s head, her hands gently ruffling his hair as she giggled mirthfully.
To that, Kyle raised his gaze up to see her signing with her free hand in response;
"Sure you will." the young man indulged her whims, a light smile forming on his lips as Christina bead even brighter before she then answered his initial question;
To that, Kyle nodded simply and then, after a brief while of silence, audibly mused aloud as a couple thoughts pertaining to the subject matter, phased across his mind;
"Romance huh…"
Noticing his thoughtful gaze mixed with a hint of hesitation, Christina whom was still gently ruffling his hair, asked by tapping him slightly to get his attention as she signed;
"Nothing…" Kyle casually replied.
the lady mouthed as she leaned in, the edges of her eyes crinkling in curiosity.
Kyle laughed, his heart at peace.
Christina leaned closer, her evergreen irises gleaming in increasing curiosity.
"Has anyone ever told you, have srizingly beautiful eyes?" the young man tried to divert her attention.
the lady signed, her tongue poking out slightly.
Of course, Kyle laughed again.
And then, watching as the beautiful lady kept staring at him like he was the most intriguing being she had ever seen, her gaze arresting, Kyle, felt the blood rush to his cheeks as he manned up.
Then he requested in a soft tone that was both diffident yet sincere;
"Would you, like to go on a date soti with a serious relationship in mind?"
Christina froze.
A few seconds passed and she was all the sa, the weight of Kyle’s words slowly sinking in.
The atmosphere was quiet, albeit the soft rush of the fountain’s waters, added to the natural ambience.
’Am I dreaming?’ the lady asked herself, a light, dangerous chuckle inwardly ringing in her head.
’Yeah. I must be dre—’
"No," Kyle, directly inferring the lady’s thoughts from the way her irises flickered about in denial, shook his head gently as he continued;
"You’re not." he gave a pure and heartfelt smile as he slowly lowered his head bashfully.
Then Christina saw just how red he was, his blush arguably rivaling hers at the very mont.
The reality fully settled in for the lady…
… and what followed next, was a hug so passionate, the young man may as well have gotten his answer.
Then both parties tumbled onto the grass, Kyle’s sense of equilibrium briefly displaced by her weight.
A brief mont of silence descended between them.
It was followed by lighthearted chuckles of pure bliss a second after.
Sitting atop Kyle whom had cushioned her fall, her smile radiant and as ethereal as the moon in the sky, the lady leaned in this ti, hands cupping his face gently as her adoring green irises seemingly asked;
Can I kiss you?
Kyle understood, perfectly.
And with a light tuck of her blonde hair behind her ear, he replied with the softest of smiles;
"Yes. You can."
* * *
(The next day…)
"Everyone’s practically being in support of your statent at the press conference, you know? It’s gone pretty viral." Oliver whom was seated opposite Kyle on the couch in the office, casually sipped on his coffee as he stated.
"Shouldn’t that have died down?" Kyle on the other hand, glanced over to Owen who simply shrugged as he handed over the details of today’s schedule while responding;
"Beats ."
"I guess they must’ve really liked how smoothly you handled it?" Miguel whom was sorting through so financial docunts pertaining to the movie’s post-production added with a raised gaze, his tone curious.
"Well, as long as it paints a positive publicity for both you, the ga and the movie, it’s all good." Gwen, going through so TweetTalk comnts on her page, chid in with a peppiness to her voice.
As for Stuart and Camille, they simply gave curt nods of agreent to the PR manager’s words.
A brief mont of comfortable silence descended into the office, only for Oliver whom had figured out after a night of pondering to purposely, and with a very deliberate and smug smile, speak;
"So Kyle…"
Kyle felt alarm bells set off in his head the mont he caught the hint of amusent in his agent’s tone.
But before he could co up with a way to counter, Oliver dropped the bombshell, one brow slightly arched;
"How was the date with Christina?"
As the agent took another sip of his coffee, everyone in the room suddenly freezing at the info, they slowly turned their heads, directing an amused, prodding gaze in their boss’s direction.
And unfortunately for Kyle, his face had taken up the brightest shade of red as flashes of he and Christina’s kiss from yesternight ca rushing in!
This as one would expect, further prompted his team to begin teasing him while simultaneously asking for the deets.
A few minutes later though, after they’d all had their fill of teasing him, Owen especially glowing in sick joy as everyone else shook their heads in resignation at his shenanigans, Gwen returned to going through her feed…
…only to stumble upon a post that had her in wary confusion as she tentatively asked;
"Uh Kyle, Oliver. You guys sure you signed that NDA with Lex like you said?"
Glancing over to each other, a similarly wary expression forming on their features, both individuals, alongside every other person in the room, soon huddled around her laptop.
And when they read the post, just like her, with all the incriminating evidence laid bare, Owen was the first to let out a few words that mirrored everyone’s thoughts;
"Oh, they’re so, royally, screwed."
"Yeah. You’re right. They are." Kyle stated, he and Oliver’s expression already morphing into a mix of pure amusent and relief as he concluded;
"And thankfully, this has nothing, to do with us."
There’s a saying.
Karma’s a bitch.
And reflected in its current impartial judgent, was a post from a popular Hollywood publication whom had posted the link to the incriminating article on their TweetTalk page with the caption;
ATLAS INTERNATIONAL THROUGH THE YEARS: INDUSTRY JUGGERNAUT OR HOLLYWOOD’S LUCIFER.
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