Lissa's POV
After they left, I stepped outside to close for the day. The night air was cool against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. I reached for the shutters, ready to pull them down, when something caught my attention.
A small bag sat neatly by the door. I frowned and slowly bent down to pick it up. Inside were medical supplies, ointment, bandages… things to relieve the burn on my hand.
For a moment, I just stared at it. Who would have sent this? My chest tightened slightly. I shook my head. It didn't matter. Clutching the bag, I closed the restaurant and went inside. That night, I couldn't sleep as memories from the past came flooding back.
---
The next morning, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Megan.
"Come to the movie premiere tonight. I know you're not part of the cast, but you can work as a server. A lot of stars will be there, and I can link you up."
I stared at the message for a long time. Of course, I had no choice.
---
The premiere was everything I expected—famous faces everywhere. I felt small standing among them, overwhelmed by the noise and glamour.
Then my eyes landed on someone. My breath caught in my throat. My role model, a popular actress and movie director-- Kaylee, she was the one who had conducted my audition years ago, the one who had told me I was good. Hope flickered in my chest, but it vanished immediately.
Standing beside her was Sebastian's mother. My body tensed instantly. The memory came crashing back.
The humiliation.
"Stay away from my son, you darn slut." Her voice still lingered in my head. My fingers curled tightly. What if she remembered me?
I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking about my shitty past. That's not why I'm here. I looked around for Megan and spotted her among the crowd. She was clearly busy, moving from one group to another and exchanging pleasantries with other actors.
And then—I saw him.
Sebastian.
My brows furrowed. Why was he here? He wasn't even an actor.
Before I could think further, Megan spotted me and waved me over excitedly. I hesitated, then walked toward them.
They were seated at a reserved table. Sebastian sat among a group of actors and actresses, looking completely out of place, yet somehow he was still the most handsome among them. Megan beamed.
"This is Lissa," she said proudly. "She's an upcoming actress. She's really good."
I forced a polite smile.
One of the male actors leaned forward, studying me. "She's pretty," he said, then gestured beside him. "Sit with us."
I could'nt refuse, he called another server to attend to the table, then ordered for food.
When the meal arrived, my heart dropped instantly. Shrimp? I am allergic to it. My fingers tightened under the table. For a second, I thought of refusing, but it might seem rude. So I ate.
---
When dinner ended, the same actor leaned closer and slipped a paper into my hand. I stared at it briefly, my expression hardening. A hotel address… with his number? Who does he think I am?
I excused myself and went to the restroom, a general space where people went to freshen up.
"Disgusting," I muttered under my breath, clenching the paper in my hand, about to throw it away.
Then I froze.
Sebastian was standing by the door, watching me. My eyes widened.
Then I hiccuped. Another hiccup followed. My chest tightened painfully, my stomach twisted in pain, the reaction had started, and my vision blurred as I also felt nausea.
"Ugh…" I couldn't hold it in anymore. I staggered forward, covering my mouth.
Sebastian moved instantly, catching me before I could fall.
"Lissa—"
I couldn't respond. My body reacted violently as I bent forward, trying to throw up. He held me firmly, one hand supporting me and the other gently rubbing my back.
"It's okay, let it out," he murmured.
I could hear someone's footsteps approaching.
Megan.
She froze when she saw us.
"Lissa, are you okay?!" Then her eyes widened in realization. "Wait, you ate shrimp? You're allergic to it!"
I couldn't respond. Megan sighed, frustrated. "You shouldn't have forced yourself!"
Sebastian didn't say anything, his hands were still on me.
"I'll take care of her," Megan said, pulling Sebastian's hand away from me and helping me up.