CELESTE'S POV
Most people clap at award shows because it's the norm. The atmosphere is always filled with their polite smiles, applause, and cheerful spirit. But as for me, I used to sit in my small dorm room with tears streaming down my cheeks anytime I watched moments like this on my cracked phone. I always wondered if I'd ever be up there for once.
And now, I am here.
From the stage and hung speakers, the MC's baritone voice came in audibly.
"Now! The Innovator of the Year goes to… Celeste Arden!"
The sounds of deafening applause filled the air, which felt like a wave, traveling over me. My heart pounded as I stood up slowly.
My heels tremble with every step toward the stage.
The ballroom lighting was so bright and felt like it was focused right on me. Cameras from expected corners clicked, and a million eyes were locked onto my every move.
Close to the left exit door, at the back of the room, I noticed a shadowy figure standing against the wall.
It was as if his gaze was fixed on me like a hunting lion.
Little did I know that his presence would soon spell war over my life.
At my tender age, I heard most people say success is the best form of revenge.
But I wasn't looking for revenge anymore. I was fighting to survive.
Two years ago, I was just a heartbroken girl scrolling through social media, filled with envy. My ex-lover had left me, and not just for someone else, but for one of my followers.
I still remember his words, cold and sharp;
"You will continue to live a low life because you care more about followers than a real relationship."
That very night, I sat down with a pen and poured my heart into my phone. I wrote about my pain, put together breakup playlists, and shared my journey.
At first, a few people connected with it. After a while, not so long, they started following me. They started buying into my story, and that raw emotion blossomed into GlowThread — my digital brand, my strength, and my pride.
The online engagement that started as a personal healing and comfort space turned into a thriving social media empire, with millions of followers, sealed deals, and campaigns that turned heads in corporate boardrooms.
And on this day, this long-awaited night, I was being recognized for it all.
Setting my feet on the stage felt somewhat unreal to a part of me. I moved closer to the mic and gave a smile. The audience buzzes with excitement.
"My first viral post was me crying in a hoodie," I began, letting the crowd laugh softly. "There is no shame in a breakup, trust me, it is very forgiving!"
Light laughter moved as gently as running water through the crowd. And the feeling of nervousness faded for a moment.
"But that pain became a platform," I continued, now with a steady voice. "And that platform? It became a voice. A voice that now supports over seventy creatives. People who have never fit in the box, and never should've had to."
As I scanned within the crowd, my gaze drifted back to that shadowy figure. The vision was clearer this time to depict it as a man.
He was different from the others in the ballroom with fake smiles and clinking champagne glasses. This man stood out, watching me, his expression was unreadable.
There was another round of applause, but he did not clap. He was just observing me, with his hands buried in his pockets, like he could see right through me.
This raised a bit of fear in me.
When the applause stopped, I returned to my table, heart still racing. My assistant, Nina, came closer, her voice was barely above a whisper.
"We might have a problem," she said, careful with her choice of words.
My eyes left the stage to focus on Nina.
"What kind of problem?" I asked, trying not to show the unease creeping into my stomach.
"Legal. One of our developers just messaged me. They think our new engagement feature is too similar to something that Kade Global just filed," Nina said that in a flash.
My jaw dropped. "Who?"
"Kade Global. The Adrian Kade company."
Hearing his name sent chills down my spine. I can't hide the uneasiness again.
"But…I think they are into finance," I managed to let that out. "Why would they care about social media?"
"They are pivoting," Nina replied, glancing around nervously. "Trying to get hold of platforms and go after your audience."
I stared into my champagne glass, with hundreds of thoughts filling my mind.
I looked up at Nina, "If this is true, what does this mean for us?" With my voice trembling, I asked.
Nina hesitated, looking serious. "If they push this patent issue, the board might consider a merger. Or worse."
"No!" I shook my head fiercely. "I built all of this myself from scratch." I clenched my fist.
"I know," she said softly. "But he doesn't just buy companies, Celeste. He tears them apart first, then offers to 'help' them pick up the pieces."
Nina had successfully made my celebration day into a shattered one with her breaking news.
I swallowed hard and glanced back across the ballroom. But the man in the shadows was gone.
********
Inside my hotel room, I sat before the big mirror wiping away my makeup. My eyes landed on the award that was placed on the desk. I picked it up to admire it. My name was boldly written with an image of a crown above it.
Suddenly, Nina's words echoed in my mind. With fear, my hands were shaky. At the same time, I became peeved.
Because no matter how much I have achieved…
No matter how many followers or clients or speeches…
A nagging part of me whispered, 'What if he was right?'
What if I really was too emotional to hold onto everything I had built?
And worse — what if Adrian Kade could see that weakness better than I could?