Dominant Woman Looking for Love - Chapter 4：Guaranteed win.

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I’ve been fortunate enough to have attended the Golden Laurel Awards many times in the past. And yet, the excitement I feel every single time never seems to fade.

Oh, it’s not because I’m the one winning trophies, by the way.

The ones who did were the actors and actresses I manage. Still, it makes me feel so happy being able to oversee their journey right from the start.

There is nothing greater than that sense of fulfillment I get, being able to witness the day they finally turn into exceptional, internationally recognized performers of the arts.

Today, I am sitting next to one of them who got nominated for ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’.

The film Kieran Viol starred in has also been nominated for numerous prestigious awards.

The movie, as well as the entire main cast, has received an overwhelming amount of positive reviews both from the critics and the general audience themselves.

While it’s bad luck to assume he’ll emerge victorious because of the movie’s success, we still can’t help but feel that it’s almost a guaranteed win at this point.

As I continue to listen to the emcees do their introduction for the announcement of the winner for the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ award, a cold, slightly trembling hand goes over mine.

I may have yelped if I were alone or surrounded by strangers, but I knew this hand couldn’t have belonged to anyone else but Kieran.

“I can’t take it anymore. Please… please end my misery already and announce the damn winner…!” Kieran whispers in a soft, yet urgent pleading tone.

Without saying anything, I lightly place my other hand on top of his and squeeze it softly.

“And now… we would like to announce the winner of the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ award…” One of the emcees bellows with as much suspense as they can muster. “… the winner is… KIERAN VIOL, lead actor of the movie, ‘The Clocktower’! CONGRATULATIONS!” Both of the announcers clap and encourage the crowd to give him a standing ovation as it is a truly deserving win.

I do my best to keep my composure as the cameras are aimed towards our direction now.

I try to hold in the tears that have been forming in my eyes. I gently nudge Kieran, who seems to have frozen on the spot to stand up and go towards the stage.

Looking at his back while he continues to walk away, I smile and muse to myself that I really could not have asked for anything better as my last day here in Laratié.

There is no question that I will genuinely miss this country and the life I’ve built for myself here so far.

* * * * *

[1.5 HOURS LATER]

With the awards ceremony now wrapped up, I decided to go out for some air before catching a taxi.

I have already somewhat decided before I even came here that I would like to go home right after.

I just knew it’s the perfect end to today as I have always been horrible with goodbyes.

I know it’s not very polite since I work in the entertainment industry, but I can’t help it considering the situation I’m in. I’m sure people will let it slide as long as it doesn’t happen often enough.

A hand shoots out and grabs the back of my elbow before I could continue walking towards the taxi stand.

“HEY!”

I turn around and see an out of breath, Kieran. “Ms. Raley! No. I mean, Sisi…! … You! You’re not even going to say anything to me?!?!?!”

He continues to look at me with furrowed brows and slightly distressed expression. “… Aren’t you going to the after-party?”

“Oh right, congratulations again, Kieran. You did well. Your speech was great too. Aren’t you glad I made you practice it earlier? At least you weren’t completely fumbling there from all the nervousness.” I quip, teasing him.

Kieran scoffs and glares at me, indicating that it’s not quite the answer he’s looking for.

Sighing a little, I tell him, “Ah… I’m tired. I know it’s our last day of work, but I also have an early flight to catch tomorrow.”

He breathes out deeply to keep his growing frustration in check. He grasps onto my upper arms without too much force.

Peering into my eyes, he asks me, “You’re moving? What about me? Is there no chance of us ever getting back together?”

“Kieran… we’ve been divorced for well over a year already. You can’t honestly tell me that both of us haven’t been happier with each other since then.” I look back into his eyes, hoping to convey my sincerity, “I’m happy that we still managed to have a great working relationship despite everything. Please, let me leave with mostly good memories between us.”

Kieran gulps and removes his hands from my arms.

Noticing his silence, I pat his shoulders and turn to leave.

As I fall in line to wait for my turn for a cab, I no longer feel his presence, and I let out a sigh of relief.

In all honesty, I’m secretly glad that I can escape all the questions others may have bombarded me with at the afterparty.

With absolute certainty, they’ll all most likely be asking me why the CEO has decided to shut down the Intoxis Entertainment branch here in Laratié.