….
On the day of Golden Globes.
Evening.
….
The towering chandeliers cast a golden glow on the sea of sharply dressed guests as camera flashes sparked in bursts.
The Golden Globe Awards was like always - been known for its mix of elegance and relaxed informality.
A tide of whispers had already passed through the crowd - about the nominations, the unexpected names, the calculated controversies, and of course... about him.
Regal Seraphsail.
He arrived late, not rudely late, ten minutes after most had settled in.
Dressed in a classic black tuxedo with a peak-lapel cut and minimalist flair, he walked through the entrance with Gwendolyn on his arm.
She wore a deep emerald dress that shimmered with subtle movement, matching his restraint with her own boldness.
Simon and Samantha followed not far behind, the former nervously checking the seating card tucked in his jacket pocket.
The photographers immediately recognized him:
"Regal! Over here!"
"Look this way!"
"How does it feel to be nominated for Best Director?"
Regal paused only briefly - just long enough for a few flashes to go off, his expression didn't change much, he gave a polite smile, nodded once, then gently nudged Gwendolyn forward through the commotion.
Samantha stayed close to them, muttering. "We should have come through the side like I said."
Simon, ever the flustered one, whispered. "They were gonna find us either way, he is a walking headline now."
As they entered the main ballroom, the noise dulled into a luxurious hush, the air heavy with perfume and chill air.
Darren, and Maggie who arrived early to set things up, seated at the long circular table, stood to greet Regal and Gwendolyn the moment they approached.
"You clean up alright." Darren smirked, clasping Regal's hand.
"First time I ironed my own shirt in a year." Regal replied.
"Liar." Gwendolyn muttered under her breath, amused, as she was still giving a hug to Maggie.
Regal just nodded and took his seat, the table was a collection of faces he had worked with - Stephen Jr., still a little flushed from the week's internet stir, greeted him with a short but meaningful glance.
Deonte Maravich - Red Studio CEO - sat across the table, adjusting his cufflinks and managing smiles.
"You nervous?" Regal asked.
"More for you than for me, you just stand out too much." Deonte added.
Regal raised a brow. "Good or bad?"
Deonte shrugged. "Depends on who you ask, but the value of Red Studio just rose 12% on the stock ticker, I would say mostly good."
That was all that needed to be said.
Regal shifted his gaze across the ballroom.
Near the front, seated closer to the stage, Ross slouched in his chair, a drink in hand already, his eyes met Regal's just once across the crowd, and a ghost of a grin formed.
There was Zack Brag, his editor. Beside him sat Ludwig Göransson - his music composer of every film he has ever made.
Christopher from Iconique Talent was nearby, quietly attentive.
The ceremony began with a flurry of applause, A-list celebrities traded laughs at their tables while the host - biting, witty, political, kept the monologue light but pointed.
Regal's eyes scanned the room again, taking quiet inventory.
Timothée Chalamet had joined Stephen Jr.
Kristen and Grace, his second and first movie female leads, were present too.
The full teams of [The Hangover] and [Death Note] dotted the tables.
Zach Galifianakis, Paul Rudd, Ben Azelart - completely feeling out of place.
But no Keanu.
Odd…. Regal noted it without worry.
Then came the moment-
"Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy."
Everyone at the table leaned in.
The camera found all the nominees… until it landed on Zach, who was scratching nervously at his beard.
"And the Golden Globe goes to... Zach Galifianakis!"
For a split second, there was silence.
Then an explosion of applause.
Zach's jaw slackened in disbelief, he blinked, then stood slowly, stunned.
Paul reached over and playfully patted his head, Ben clapped hard, almost awkwardly, landing a firm pat on Zach's back.
At that moment, Gwendolyn turned to Regal and, without a word, kissed his cheek.
He glanced at her - surprised, but she just smiled and turned back to the stage.
Simon, a few seats down, clapped like a kid at his first school play.
Samantha, sitting beside him, pressed her hands together and whispered quietly but sharp. "Yes." Under her breath, a rare display of visible emotion.
Zach was halfway through his walk to the stage, still shaking his head, mouthing "What the hell?" to himself - when Regal felt a presence behind him.
Two, actually.
He turned slightly, Christopher was trying to whisper something.
Does he have something to say?
Couldn't he wait?
Regal thought, having a bad notion, and it only increased as he saw Rock's face.
Is it panic in his face? He hadn't known Rock could ever make such a face.
But now?
His neck and forehead covered in sweat, while his chest heaved up and down - that alone was enough to pull Regal's body upright.
Christopher spoke first, low and fast. "There is something you need to hear, privately."
Regal didn't move. "Say it."
Rock gave Christopher a glance - then answered directly.
"....there has been an accident, Keanu and Seren."
?!!!Regal's heartbeat slowed, or maybe it sped up, he couldn't tell.
"What kind?"
"Car crash… they are both in surgery and the report came in a few minutes ago-
"It… doesn't look good."
"...." For a moment, the sound of applause around him warped and folded into silence as if the hall had faded into a distant film reel.
Then Regal moved.
He didn't say anything, he didn't grab his coat.
He didn't even think to excuse himself, he just stood up, fast, almost tipping himself, still he began walking - no, running - down the aisle between tables.
"Regal - wait!" Gwendolyn was on her feet before she knew it, calling out, but he was already halfway to the exit.
Simon stood, Samantha too, confused at first then alarmed and then moving.
Others noticed, the people closest to him, his inner circle, stood up quickly.
Some followed directly - Simon, Samantha, Gwendolyn.
Others more hesitantly, murmuring questions.
Rock was right behind him running at an almost inhuman speed, Stephen Jr. wasn't far behind, jacket half on, face pale, trying to keep up.
"Where?" he asked.
"UCLA Medical." Rock replied.
Regal didn't need another word.
He felt like his world was about to crumble, as the Golden Globes show went on, oblivious.
And just as Regal reached the rear of the ballroom - just as the golden double doors loomed ahead of him—
The announcer's voice echoed overhead:
"And now… the nominees for Best Director."
The ballroom, once again, hushed.
However, Regal didn't stop.
His name was the first one called, there was a brief pause in the crowd - just long enough for some heads to turn toward his table.
But his seat was empty.
He was gone.
Gwendolyn, still near the edge of the aisle, heard the next words like they were echoing in a canyon behind her.
"And the Golden Globe goes to…"
But she didn't wait to hear who.
She was already running after him.
….
As Regal exited the hall - the guest opened the envelope.
"Regal Seraphsail!"
But the seat was empty.
The camera caught it, the murmurs began.
Backstage, a PA panicked, headset crackling. "Where is he? He is not here, wasn't he here just before?"
…..
Indifferent to the result, outside, Regal was sprinting through the parking structure, nearly colliding with a valet.
Regal didn't pause.
Only one thing mattered.
Keanu - his friend.
Seren - his last family.
Nothing else did.
Just like that - Regal bolted, and for the first time all evening, the Golden Globes faded behind him like an echo.
….
Inside the hall, murmurs spread.
"What happened?"
"Is he okay?"
"Did someone say car accident?"
Zach had just finished his speech when he looked out and noticed the absence, he didn't understand.
None of them did.
….
Outside, the cool night air hit Regal like a slap, sharp and sudden.
He was slightly out of breath - not from the short run, but from the adrenaline crashing against the back of his ribs.
And yet… Rock had already passed him moments ago.
The man had sprinted. Inhuman pace, like he didn't even touch the ground.
What stunned Rock more was that he somehow kept up.
By the time Regal burst through the side exit of the Beverly Hilton, the car was already there - sleek, black, engine rumbling, passenger door wide open.
Rock stood by the driver's side, calm again, as if he hadn't just run like death itself was behind him.
No words, just a look that said, Get in.
Regal climbed into the back seat.
The door slammed shut behind him just as Stephen Jr. and Simon came rushing out of the hotel.
"Regal!" Stephen shouted, eyes wide, jacket slightly twisted around one shoulder. He didn't wait for a response - just threw himself into the back seat next to Regal.
Simon was a few steps behind, breathless, looking from the car to the doors, uncertain.
That's when Rock stepped toward him.
He tossed a second car key without breaking stride.
"Stay behind us, get Miss Gwendolyn." He said simply. "Samantha too or the rest…"
"What? Wait, what's the address? Where are we—"
"UCLA Medical." Rock answered, shut the door, legs on the accelerator.
"What? Hospital?" Simon stood there in the drive, stunned, holding the keys in his palm having a bad permutation.
Immediately, he turned and ran back into the building.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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