"Wait a moment, everyone, calm down! No, don’t come out from there! Hey, hey! Look over there!"
The security guards were struggling desperately to hold back the surging crowd. They were used to handling fans at events like this, but today was different. Of course, they knew why, and they had braced themselves for it. It was because of the top star who was about to arrive.
When he debuted, he shook the entire North American entertainment industry. Over the years, he steadily built a devoted fan base, and in recent years, even his acting skills had been recognized, propelling him to the pinnacle of his career.
There were people who would do anything just to see him once in their lifetime. At one point, there was even a ridiculous SNS post where someone claimed they would rob a bank just to get his attention, turning into a brief yet absurd incident. So naturally, news of his attendance at the event was enough to throw the entire area into chaos.
But this? This was beyond expectations.
The security guards were shouting so much that their voices had turned hoarse, some even breaking into fits of coughing. Yet, despite their efforts, fans kept trying to break through their defenses at every opportunity. While holding back the crowd pressing forward, they also had to keep an eye on the hyenas lurking for an opening, making it impossible to relax even for a second.
They all had the same thought running through their minds—Just let this be over already.
One by one, the invited guests were arriving, but the most important person had yet to show up. At this rate, it would be better if he just arrived quickly, took a few pictures, and disappeared inside. That would make things a little easier.
Beyond their desperate prayers, the crowd continued to swell.
“The stay should be about two hours at most.”
His secretary, Laura, spoke calmly from the side.
“They also requested that you show off this watch. A simple gesture like running your fingers through your hair should be enough. Apparently, it was specially designed for you, Mr. Miller. Do you like it?”
She stole a quick glance at him, gauging his reaction. The man, who had remained motionless up until then, finally lowered his gaze to the jewel-encrusted watch on his wrist.
The watch, themed around the night of the desert, bore the brand’s signature exquisite craftsmanship and elegant design. At the stroke of each hour, a diamond circled the dial in a mesmerizing display, drawing all attention. He spoke slowly.
“Not bad.”
That was it. Laura could only offer a wry smile. The man turned his gaze back to the window. With the dark tinting, he would likely see his own reflection more clearly than the scenery outside, yet he always looked out the window anyway.
Well, looking at his own face must be far more entertaining than watching the street pass by.
Laura had long since accepted the fact that he was a narcissist. But at the same time, she understood why. She had been working as his secretary for years, and even now, there were moments when just looking at his face made her freeze as if struck by an electric current. Of course, that was only before he revealed his true personality.
She was grateful for his usual silence. There were days when he wouldn’t say a single word, and she thanked her luck for that. If he spoke more often, she was certain she would have lost her patience and quit long ago.
Chase leaned against the door, resting his chin on one hand, and slowly closed his eyes. That gave Laura a chance to study his profile to her heart’s content. His pale face, seemingly tired, was cast in soft shadows that accentuated his elegant bone structure.
Even before working for him, she had been a secretary to other actors and had met countless stars, but never had she seen someone as beautiful as him. Though his shirt was buttoned up to his throat, giving him a neat and proper appearance, something about him still felt strangely disheveled.
His fingers, resting lazily on his thigh, were well-groomed, long, and elegant. The first time she had seen them, she had imagined those fingers tightening around her throat. Fortunately, that had never happened.
Not a single part of him was anything less than stunning. Though she hesitated to use the word beautiful for a man, she struggled to find a more fitting description.
With a short sigh, he opened his eyes, bringing Laura back to reality. The driver informed them that they were nearing their destination. Both Laura and the security team immediately tensed. Now, they had to shield this man from the frenzied crowd. If they weren’t careful, someone could get seriously hurt—or worse. But there was no way around it.
The car gradually slowed down. Just then, he muttered something.
“……”
His voice was so low that Laura couldn’t make out the words. Assuming it was just another one of his murmurs, she chose to ignore it as always. Chase did not repeat himself.
As the car came to a complete stop, the roar of the crowd intensified. Laura took a deep breath and braced herself for what was to come.
A security guard stepped out first, quickly scanning the surroundings before opening the door on Laura’s side. As she exited, she immediately stepped aside. The people outside already knew who was coming next.
Among the tightly packed crowd, an inexplicably sweet scent lingered in the air. The screaming grew even louder.
"Chase...!"
The desperate cries nearly ruptured her eardrums. And at last, he emerged.
The California sunlight cascaded down, making the man's golden hair shimmer brilliantly. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 5 inches, his lean figure was clad in a black tailcoat that clung to him as if it were part of his very skin.
As he stepped onto the red carpet, he briefly scanned his surroundings. A flicker of fatigue crossed his face, but he remained silent and simply raised a hand. His slender fingers brushed through his soft blond hair, revealing the watch on his wrist. Camera shutters clicked frantically, blending into the chaos of the deafening cheers.
Chase took only five steps onto the red carpet before it happened.
One of the security guards, struggling to hold back the crowd, lost his footing. And just like that, the fragile barrier crumbled in an instant.