Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

"Should we stay downstairs or head up now?"

Felix had already circled the area twice in and Alpha, scanning the growing crowd.

Aster looked uncertainly at Violeta, seeking her decision.

Violeta, her gaze steady, replied, "Let's go up."

In the world of celebrity, Alpha was the preferred choice for transporting stars.

Delaying their ascent would only attract unwelcome attention and invite speculation.

Moreover, a scheduling clash wasn't a crisis.

"Very well."

Felix parked the car and assumed his role as a bodyguard.

Aster opened the door and stepped out first, with Violeta following, her coat pulled tightly around her.

The throng of reporters and fans at the entrance had been waiting for Nolan, but Violeta's arrival presented them with an unexpected opportunity. "It's Violeta!"

A reporter's keen eye caught sight of her, and a shout went up.

Instantly, the crowd surged forward. Felix held an umbrella to shield them from the press and the barrage of flashing cameras. Aster, guiding Violeta, navigated through the mass of people, trying to clear a path.

"Violeta!"

"Look this way, Violeta!"

"Violeta's schedule is clashing with Nolan's..."

"Violeta!!!"

The cacophony of voices followed them as they entered the building.

Once inside, a disconcerted Aster said, "I should have anticipated this. We should have arranged for more security. It felt like they were ready to swarm us."

Violeta, however, remained composed.

Her past experiences had accustomed her to less-than-ideal attention. In the industry, the real threat lay in obscurity.

"Let's go up," she said, offering Aster a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Right," Aster replied.

The trio took the elevator, and as they reached their floor, the waiting staff quickly approached, eager to welcome them. "Ms. White, you've finally arrived. I feared you'd be caught outside," said the staff member, relief evident in his voice.

Aster replied, "We nearly didn't make it. It was a close call."

The staff member sighed. "Nolan's team is live-streaming from here today. You see, there weren't so many reporters and fans around before." Violeta smiled. "It's not a problem."

With a nod, the staff member led them towards the studio. "Let's get you both into makeup."

Since 'Night On the River', Nolan had landed several promising film roles.

His current project had just concluded shooting.

Today, the film crew was hosting a live-stream event. The studio had been transformed into a makeshift broadcast space, brightly lit with the creative team arranged on sofas. Nolan and the director were seated at the centre.

The atmosphere was easygoing. The host, following the script, engaged with fans and posed questions. Nolan responded with his usual warmth.

In the corridor, the staff escorted Violeta and her team to another studio.

Through a slightly ajar door, they saw Nolan.

His eyes momentarily lingered on Violeta's fleeting figure, causing him to lose track of the host's next question.

The host, smiling broadly, asked,

"Nolan, our fans are eager to hear

your thoughts on our leading lady's performance. I heard she was so immersed in her role during the wrap that she ended up in tears."

There was a moment of silence.

Nolan, momentarily distracted by Violeta, missed the question.

Polly, quick to notice his distraction, flashed a smile at the camera and said, "It's really nothing. Everyone was incredibly supportive. I ended up feeling rather embarrassed, though."

At that moment, Nolan added, "Polly

has always struck me as an

outstanding actress. Collaborating with her has been a remarkable experience. The ability to fully immerse oneself in a role can indeed

be a strength for an actor. If you can't lose yourself in the character, how can you hope to make an impact on the audience?"

The host chuckled, "Absolutely, everyone here is incredibly talented..."

In the adjacent studio, Violeta entered to find the makeup artist busy perfecting her look.

Eugene had noticed Violeta's tendency to appear rigid in front of the camera during their previous shoot.

To help her overcome this, he had enlisted a renowned female photographer to assist Violeta in becoming more at ease in front of the lens, away from the usual filming environment. The photographer, Aileen Jarvis, arrived shortly.

"Leslie, I'll take over this shoot. You can resume your other duties," Aileen instructed.

"Understood, Aileen," Leslie responded.

Upon hearing the exchange, Violeta glanced up and saw Aileen entering the studio, setting up her equipment.

Aileen was the very photographer Eugene had spoken of.

Aileen was a celebrated name in the industry, known for her award-winning work and her role as the exclusive photographer for Elle, one of the leading fashion publications.

It was evident from this arrangement that Eugene's network was impressive, given the difficulty of asking a favour from Aileen.

As the makeup artist completed her work, Aileen moved closer.

She was elegantly slender, leaning against the back of Violeta's chair. Their eyes met through the mirror, and Aileen's presence exuded both ease and authority.