Chapter 122

As the lights slowly dimmed, the noise in the venue gradually quieted down. In a quiet, unnoticed corner, Van's finger lightly grazed her shoulder, the touch so fleeting it felt like a secret meant only for them. In that moment, the world faded, leaving just the two of them in a silent intimacy—profound, yet delicately restrained. Winnie's ears tingled, her entire being wrapped in an indescribable emotion. Van's voice, deep and gentle, filled the quiet night air as he whispered, just for her, "Wanting to meet you was arranged. Meeting you was fate." The grand symphony swelled, the music echoing through the space, as the curtain slowly rose. The host stepped onto the stage, and the Celestial Excellence Awards officially began. The venue was exquisitely decorated, with a large screen in the center and several smaller ones that could switch between different angles of the room. The camera occasionally swept over the image of the Best Actress, and the guests seated in the front row looked impeccably poised. These were heavyweight investors and producers from the film industry, all sitting with perfect posture, ready for their moment in front of the cameras. Winnie sat nervously in her seat, her eyes focused intently, almost afraid to shift her gaze. No matter who won an award, she smiled and clapped politely, and when someone spoke on stage, she listened attentively. After more than an hour, a staff member approached Van and Winnie respectfully and said, "Miss Loxley, Mr. Chandler, it's time to head backstage and prepare." The two stood up from their seats and walked through the aisles of the venue, descending a few winding steps, passing through the grand corridors, and following the staff member who led them to the backstage area. The walls of the corridor were draped in deep crimson velvet, and the ceiling lights illuminated every inch of space. The soft, diffused light from the spotlights spread out like ripples across the floor. Occasionally, distant laughter could be heard, as if a winning recipient had said something humorous, earning waves of laughter from the audience, like the rolling of the sea. The staff led the way, and Van and Winnie followed closely behind. They were originally just a step apart, but Van maintained his pace with a quiet, measured rhythm, subtly creating more distance between them. Slowly, Winnie found herself walking farther from him, until there was a gap of four or five steps. The spotlights overhead shone directly down, the harsh light creating a sense of unavoidable pressure, as if everything was being exposed under a bright, unblinking gaze. Winnie lowered her head, trying to avoid making any noticeable movements, but eventually, she couldn't resist. She slowly turned her head, her gaze gently falling on Van's face. Van's steps paused, and his voice dropped lower, "Winnie, don't look at me like that." Her gaze was like a fluttering butterfly, trembling slightly before quickly looking away. "You misunderstood me." Her ears turned slightly red, and her heartbeat involuntarily quickened. Van paused for a moment, his voice lowering as he asked, "Misunderstood what?" Before she could respond, Van turned to the staff and quietly said, "Hold on, I need to take a call." The staff member nodded without question and replied, "Of course, please take your time." Winnie didn't think much of it, assuming that Van just wanted to avoid discussing business in front of so many people. Not far ahead was the restroom waiting area, where a long bench sat against the wall. A vase filled with fragrant lilies rested on the floor, and the air was filled with a sharp, fresh scent. The motion sensor lights flickered on. Winnie was about to walk past when, in that moment, Van gently pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her and swiftly pressing her against the nearby mirrored wall. Winnie gasped, but before any sound could escape, her voice was caught in her throat. She shut her eyes tightly, feeling a warm breath envelop her, her body instinctively softening against him. The surrounding noise seemed to vanish all at once, and the lights dimmed, plunging the waiting area into near darkness once again. On the other end of the line, Kim received Van's call, confused. *He should still be at the venue. Why is he leaving early?* But hearing Van's tone, he quickly straightened up and began to report in a calm, methodical manner. Van's other hand continued to rest on Winnie's waist as his lips softly brushed against her neck, gently kissing her slightly tense skin. His breathing remained steady, and his movements were slow and deliberate, as if completely unaffected by the surrounding environment. After Kim finished his report, he heard Van respond with just a brief "okay," offering no further feedback. Kim, slightly nervous, hesitantly asked, "Van, what do you think of the film festival? Don't you find it boring?" Van paused his actions, a small smile tugging at his lips as his voice remained cool and formal. "No."