Rise To Stardom - Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Gala Preparations
Sitting on her bed whilst using her reading glasses, the sound of clicks filled the quiet ambience of Christina’s room as the screen of her laptop, reflected on her spectacle.

Typing away, her brain working on full-throttle as she gradually rounded up the fifteenth chapter of a novel she was writing, the lady soon stopped, ending the last sentence with a full stop.

Although she was still planning to write more chapters tonight and even over the course of the week, Christina figured she’d at least take a break for now.

Considering she hadn’t really had the time to focus on just writing the novel she had started a year back due to work, one she was intent on properly publishing, the lady was happy with the progress she had made today.

In fact, she was so dedicated to putting some time into the novel, she wasn’t even planning to attend DreamLand Inc.’s Gala despite having an invite.

Taking her glasses off with a contented smile though, Christina put aside the laptop and stretched like a lazy cat, her eyes flicking over to the folded blinds of her window.

It was summer and yet, the rain was falling. Heavily.

‘Just one of those days…’ she thought to herself while reaching for her phone.

No sooner had she picked it up though, she instantly received a new text from her messenger app.

–

Kyle: Hello Blondie.

Christina: I got drunk one time Kyle! One time! (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

Kyle: Goldilocks?

Christina: That’s even worse! ～(　TロT) σ

Kyle: Fine, fine. Christina it is.

Christina: Thank you! (✿☯‿☯✿)

Kyle: So, I’m gonna be heading to New York in a few days for the Gala. Was wondering if you’d be going too.

Christina: Oh I’d love to… but I have a few personal matters I need to attend to so I won’t be showing up. My apologies. (*_ _)人

Kyle: ‘Tis alright. Hope it’s nothing serious though?

Christina: Nope. Not at all. ｡^‿^｡

Kyle: Alright then. Do take care of yourself! Oh and stay away from the wine bottles!

Christina: Kyle! (ง •̀_•́)ง

–

Laughing in response to her emoji, Kyle sent a laughing emoji of his own and then placed the phone aside as he leaned back into the seat of his car.

Traffic was a mess as expected today and it seemed like it would take a fairly long while before it eased up, especially when factoring in the sudden downpour of rain.

Having left his company quite early today, Kyle had ended up staying quite late at an investment back where he had something important to sort out regarding his company.

Sure he could’ve had Oliver handle it but honestly, he really just wanted to give his agent a break for the meantime.

That said, considering SpawnPoint Studios already had been notified several times over the course of the past few months that they would soon get delisted from major stock exchanges due to persistently low and subpar trading volumes before he bought the company out, Kyle had simply taken the initiative to have the company completely delisted, hence making it a private venture.

There was also a good reason why he went along with this as he was planning to have SpawnPoint Studio make great games, one that wasn’t influenced by external factors; case in point – greedy ass publishers and activist shareholders.

Sure he would have most of the autonomy and control over the company and would essentially be its judge, jury and executioner, something a lot of investors probably wouldn’t be too fond off but, in his defense, he just wanted a safe environment for his employees…

One where they were allowed to work while being passionately driven without any other distractions or burdens of catering to the vocal minority or pressure from powerful publishers and shareholders.

Fingers tapping on the steering wheel though, Kyle simply watched as his windshield wiper swiped off droplets of rain in a synchronous back and forth movement, the night’s air colder than usual.

Vehicles in the opposing lanes were moving freely yet the young man was stuck in the congested traffic of his own lane, his ears forced to listen to the horns and blares of various cars in similar straits as his.

Like that, the noisy ambience continued on with Kyle slowly yet subconsciously zoning out all the noise.

At the same time, he subliminally started to hum a series of soft, random, incoherent tunes whilst thinking about life in general.

In fact, Kyle was vaguely reminded of his life as a cabbie driver in his past life, although his recollection of it was mostly hazy as usual.

Still, these kinds of moments, did present one with the time to reason out a few things here and there, no matter how mundane it was.

A typical effect of rainy weather mixed with congested traffic on a weekday night.

Yet, only a few minutes later, an interesting idea popped into Kyle’s mind, jolting him from the haze and right back into the threshold of consciousness!

‘Oh… that’s… that’s great!’ the young man inwardly commented, an idea for another song in his work-in-progress album, hitting him like a thunderbolt!

* * *

(A few days later…)

“I swore, to stay off their brand so no.” Jasmine disagreed.

“But you haven’t worn a single one of their dresses all year.” Lara, a pretty woman in her early thirties with dark-brown hair and golden highlights styled in a high ponytail, tried to convince the lady.

She was Jasmine’s fashion designer, stylist and also, her make-up artist.

“Lara’s right, you know. And that’s why, tonight’s Gala is a perfect opportunity for you to do so.” Vivian, a beautiful Latina with shiny-black hair styled in a long bob, spoke calmly, her tone of choice, laid-back.

“You also have an endorsement deal with them after all and, since the agency heavily pushed for it, it won’t sit well for both yours and the company’s image if you simply ignore and don’t promote their brand for so long.” she added with a gesture of her hands, her reasoning solid.

Rolling her eyes in response, a noticeable hint of annoyance and resignation in her honey-colored irises, Jasmine finally gave in to her agent;

“Fine.”

“But I’m telling you Viv, if I end up having another wardrobe malfunction, I’m cutting off the endorsement deal pronto.” she added, her expression fierce and determined.

“Oh don’t you worry Jazz. I especially have plans for them if that does happen again.” Vivian coolly stated, although the expression in her eyes, hinted that she was absolutely out to get them.

Last year after all, Jasmine had an almost embarrassing wardrobe incident that would’ve been all over the tabloids if her agent hadn’t been so quick to notice before anyone else.

As the three ladies moved on from that to other things they needed to decide upon for her appearance at the Gala though, somewhere else in New York, Oliver was making a call to Tiana, one which he got off after a few minutes.

Considering how hectic work had been in recent memory, Oliver had still been doing a great job balancing out his personal relationship with the lady, one that Tiana was more than appreciative of.

In fact, he was going to be picking her up in a few hours as they’d be making their way to the Gala together tonight.

Dialing another number a few minutes later though, the call went through and Oliver asked almost instantaneously;

“How’s it going?”

[Oliver! Save me! How many outfits do I have to try on before these fashion designer buddies of yours leave me be?!]

[It’s just a wear over suit with a coat so what’s the big idea?!]

[And in all fairness, I really do enjoy having more long coats ’cause they’re cool but! But! This is getting out of hand!]

Hearing his ward complaining while quietly whispering over the phone, a rarity Oliver ever got to see Kyle do, he simply chuckled in response while explaining;

“Well, you have to understand that it’s your very first red carpet event Kyle. They all really just want you to look your absolute best.”

[It’s been five, freaking, hours!] Kyle swiftly countered in retaliation, only for Oliver to hear his name being called in the background by one of the fashion designers.

[I’m gonna give them the slip and hightail it outta here!] he informed his agent, his tone full of determination.

“I’m sure you won’t. You’re much too considerate for that.” Oliver casually stated as he opened the doors to his Porsche and got in.

Begrudgingly groaning in response over the phone, arguably because he knew that his agent was right, Kyle then requested politely;

[Please bring me a takeout on your way back.]

“Sure thing.” Oliver chuckled as he ignited the car’s engine.

* * *

DreamLand Gala.

To call it a star-studded red carpet charity and fashion event would really just be the beginning of what it actually entailed.

Once every few years, whenever a series of theirs had an overwhelming level of success, DreamLand Inc. would host it.

As at last year, it had been hosted after [Evermore Chronicles] had performed way beyond expectations, no one even expecting it to happen anytime soon again.

Yet, with the incredible success of [The Curator]’s 10th season, the billion-dollar broadcasting company, spared no effort to host it again, this year’s even bigger than the last.

From exclusive clips and behind-the-scene moments from the latest season, to speeches from both the cast and the creators of the show and everything in between, it was all going to be shown live.

Added to that were the auctions which would feature signed memorabilia and VIP set tours to raise funds for the company’s chosen charities, thereby making the Gala a very meaningful event all-around.

As a result, celebrities were once again, more than excited to show up at the Gala as it was one of the most popular red carpet events period.

That said, the after-party of the Gala… now that was what most celebrities were really interested in as that wouldn’t include any livestream.

Just a good ol’ fashioned Hollywood party where they could live it up without a care in the world… at least within the confines of what DreamLand Inc. allowed.

The broadcasting company after all, was the kind to put their image, first and foremost before anything else so they knew exactly where to draw the line in case anything would hurt their stocks or reputation terribly.

Still, for the celebrities, it was the moment all of them could finally cut loose and do what they actually came to do at the Gala.

Be it having fun, making connections, conversing about possible roles with producers and directors, spreading gossip and even hooking up and getting intimate with models and celebrities alike, everything was on the table.

But for now, most donned the dazzling smiles they were trained to maintain and accustomed to at the venue, their pearly whites on full display as they smiled for the cameras.

The venue of the Gala itself, was of course, hosted at DreamLand Inc’s. Headquarters in NYC, an entire outdoorsy, wide, spacious, open hall area built specifically for the event.