Rise To Stardom - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Strong Impressions
Looking around the first floor, a few celebrities playing a game of darts in the corner of the makeshift bar situated there, Kyle’s eyes soon settled on a something else that caught his interest.

‘Ooh! Fruit punch!’

Casually making his way towards the large table where the tasty drink was, his eyes landed on a very popular celebrity everyone his age would have either heard of at least once in their lives or seen in a popular movie or a TV show.

She was even the main lead of the immensely popular fantasy series, [Evermore Chronicles], one which had just rounded up its final season.

“Jasmine Faye.” Kyle muttered, slightly in awe of the olive-skinned lady who was currently laughing with her friends.

She was wearing a sexy, sequined-green dress that accentuated her beautiful hourglass figure and ample bust, and, her long, wavy, coal-black hair was styled in voluminous layers.

Her heart-shaped face, housed her almond-shaped eyes, her small nose, and her plump, pink, bow-shaped lips.

Flawless as ever, and defying typical beauty standards, Jasmine’s honey-colored irises soon landed on Kyle’s sapphire ones.

Not because she wanted to, but because a dart which had been thrown by a few people playing the game a few meters away from her, almost drilled a hole into her face.

“That was close.” Kyle casually said as he threw the dart back towards the board and struck the bull’s eye, causing the celebrities playing the game themselves to gaze at him in astonishment.

They were just about to warn Jasmine when Kyle suddenly arrived, catching the dart mere centimeters from her face.

Jasmine’s friends whom had also watched the entire thing happened in literal seconds, found it insane how Kyle had dashed over at a clearly alarming speed, one that was definitely achievable by human standards but still exceptionally fast nonetheless.

“You good?” the young man then asked a stunned Jasmine who blinked her eyes a few times before finally responding.

“Y-yeah. That could’ve been very dangerous.” she replied after the reality of what could’ve almost happened settled in.

“Well you’re safe now, but, stay further away from the dart boards. Just for good measure.” he gave her a thin smile before he then proceeded to walk past her and grab his fruit punch.

Leaving as if he hadn’t just prevented a major injury from occurring, her friends worriedly began to check on her, worried expressions similarly present on their features.

“Are you sure you’re alright babe? That could’ve gone really bad.” Liz, the first friend said.

“We can leave the party if you’re still shook by it.” Hannah, another friend offered.

“Yeah. We’ve had enough fun for one night. Let’s head home Jazz.” Ellen, the last friend added.

“I’m alright girls. Truly, I am.” Jasmine quickly waved off their worries with an assuring smile.

The smaller celebrities, and the young lady especially whom had been playing the dart board game, quickly came over to also apologize a few seconds after that.

Apparently someone had bumped into her while she was about to shoot, causing the dart to fly in the wrong direction.

Accepting their apologies and letting them know she was alright, especially since she hadn’t been injured, Jasmine’s attention returned to the bespectacled young man whom had protected her.

“Sapphire…” she muttered.

“Uh?” Liz let out a questioning sound.

“It’s nothing. Just, whoever that guy was, I’d like to properly thank him.” she explained to her friends.

“He’d already left before I realized I didn’t even thank him.” she added introspectively.

“Yeah… He was pretty cool.” Hannah was the first to reply.

“Didn’t even try to hit on you either despite having a great chance to. Or get starstruck… That’s, rare…” Liz commented with a curious expression.

“And he was a real looker too. Hmmm… Wonder who he was…” Ellen hummed and said, a thoughtful expression gracing her features.

Considering Kyle wasn’t exactly a big star and was literally at the lower end of the spectrum, it was understandable that Jasmine and her clique, all of whom were pretty famous people in Hollywood, didn’t have the slightest idea who he was.

His song on the other hand was one they had heard of at least once, but, they had no idea it was he who had sung it.

“You know what, I should try and search for him. See if I can find him.” Jasmine declared despite knowing it might be a hard task.

There were way too many people at this party and finding just one particular person amongst them all was going to be a hassle.

“Oh~. He must’ve really left a strong impression for you to want to go that far.” Liz widened her eyes in genuine amusement, one that the rest of her girlfriends shared.

“Oh shut it Liz.” she waved her friends off as she tried to locate Kyle.

But unfortunately for her, even after searching for him for almost fifteen minutes, she was unable to locate him.

Not that she was planning to give up though…

* * *

Leaning on the railings of the mansion’s wide terrace, the glass of fruit punch almost emptied, Kyle contemplated over a few things.

‘That abnormal speed I dashed at was definitely the adrenaline effect of [Action & Stunt Mastery]…’ he mused, twirling the contents of the glass cup in his hands.

That wasn’t something Kyle had been expecting though as he didn’t think the skill would work outside of acting.

Even the time when he had dislocated his shoulder, it was due to that same effect that he had been able to pop it back in without feeling too much pain.

Though everything came rushing back like a sharp blunt pain after he had finished filming the scene.

‘Hmmm… I did wonder if [Growth Spurt] had an effect on me quickly gaining muscles too… I guess it really did.’ he continued with his thoughts.

‘But catching that dart, and throwing it back with pinpoint accuracy, that wasn’t a me thing, nor a lucky shot at all…’

‘That was all Alex Hunt in action…’

‘[Bleeding effect] huh…’ Kyle downed the last few contents of the cup, realizing just how effective the new skill he had acquired was.

Tracing his fingers around the edges of the cup, his expression calm as he took in the slightly quiet ambience of the pool and celebrities below socializing, a certain cool voice reached his ears.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? And quiet too, at least by the standards of a party like this.”

Turning his head sideways, Kyle’s eyes landed on a man who seemed to be in his early fifties leaning on the railings beside him.

Dressed in a three-piece white suit, his salt-pepper Ivy-league haircut styled to perfection, the man with sugar-gray irises exuded an air of calmness and sophistication to him.

His features were quite good-looking too and judging by the way he carried himself, Kyle couldn’t help but feel like he was a pretty important person.

“It is. You can see the panoramic skyline of Manhattan’s pretty night view.” Kyle nodded in response and the man, judging by the way he glanced at over him with a curious look, seemed to like the way he answered.

“You know, this mansion was used in a lot of popular 90’s film and TV shows.” the man then said, causing Kyle to look at him with a curious expression.

“Really? Which ones?” he asked, his tone inquisitive.

“[Vice City], [Rich & Filthy], [Scarfade]… among many others really.” the man smiled and said, causing Kyle’s eyes to widen even further.

Truly, at least by his knowledge of this world, those movies were one of the best in the 90’s.

“Wow. That’s… that’s amazing.” he let out a few words in awe.

“Well, it won’t be noticeable anymore considering the many renovations its gone through over the years but, the movies… now those… those will linger in the minds of so, so many people for years to come.” the mystery man kept speaking.

“That is true.” Kyle nodded in agreement.

Locations and monuments may eventually be lost to time but movies, good movies, usually stayed in the minds of people for an exceptionally long time.

At times, these movies even crossed-over from one generation to the next, continuing its legacy as a truly remarkable piece of media.

“Still, it’s kind of sad that a lot of movies today don’t have that kind of feel to them anymore.” the man let out his thoughts.

“Heart, dedication, care, passion… things that should be imbued into a movie are mostly gone these days; replaced by political propagandas and all other forms of nonsensicalities” he continued after which he then asked Kyle who was listening attentively.

“Why do you think that is?”

Contemplating over his words for a few seconds, intrigued by the way the man whose name he was yet to know freely shared his opinions, Kyle opened his mouth to respond;

“Well, first off, I agree with you. I truly believe romanticism is what gives movies, and even all works of art in general their appeal…”

“Fiction, inherently, is able to delve into a form of satisfaction that could never pan out in the real world. That’s why we’re so enthralled by it…” Kyle continued, really letting his thoughts on the subject matter flow.

“But these days, people tend to forget that movies and other forms of media entertainment are fundamentally different from the issues of the real world…” Kyle finally answered the man’s question, causing the latter’s eyes to shine in genuine intrigue.

“Propagandas and whatnots, shouldn’t be brought into something that’s simply meant to be fun and entertaining a lot of the time.” he continued with his thoughts.

“And even if it has to be, it shouldn’t take away from the appeal of said work of art. That’s what I believe.” Kyle concluded, a thoughtful expression present on his features.

Gazing at the well-spoken and intelligent young man beside him, the man in the white suit let out a hearty laughter that caught Kyle a bit off-guard.

After the man was done laughing though, intrigue still present in his eyes, he then asked;

“What’s your name young man?”

“Kyle. Kyle Kestis” a bespectacled Kyle responded with a small smile.

“Well Kyle, my name’s Jon Quentin. Pleasure to meet you.” the man extended a handshake, one Kyle firmly grasped in respect as he responded.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you too Mr. Quentin.”

Arching an eyebrow, surprised Kyle had no idea of whom he was, Jon simply nodded gently, his interest further piqued.

‘Jeffrey was right. He truly is breath of fresh air.’ the man thought to himself.

“Well Kyle, unfortunately I have to go. Would’ve loved to have a longer conversation with you but I’m sure we’ll meet again in the future.” Jon then said out loud, his expression warm.

“It’s alright. I’ll genuinely look forward to that Mr. Quentin. It was nice speaking with you.” Kyle smiled in response.

A few seconds after giving their goodbyes, Jon left the terrace and once again, Kyle was left to enjoy the relaxing ambience.

His phone however, soon beeped and he casually retrieved it.

Seeing a message from Oliver that they should probably bounce since they had an early flight to catch tomorrow, Kyle agreed and sent an affirmative response.

Turning to leave, the young man watched as a wandering Jasmine made her way onto the terrace too.

The moment her eyes locked onto his, she immediately let out a sigh of relief and said;

“There you are Sapphire.”

“Here I am, I guess…” the young man responded with a curious tilt of his head.

‘And who the hell’s sapphire?’ a confused Kyle watched as Jasmine walked over to him.

“Thank you for saving me. I wasn’t able to give my gratitude before so I figured I should. So glad you’re still around.” the sexy lady quickly said, her eyes lingering on his sapphire irises which was framed by his glasses.

“It was nothing. I think anyone would’ve done the same if they were within vicinity.” Kyle gave his honest thoughts.

“But still, thanks. Thanks a lot. I really am grateful.” Jasmine gave her heartfelt appreciation.

Nodding, a light smile on his face, Kyle responded;

“You’re most welcome.”

Following that, a brief silence descended between both individuals but Kyle, remembering that he had somewhere to be, quickly spoke;

“I’m sorry but I have to go.”

“Oh it’s fine. Please, take your leave.” she gestured and he promptly walked past her.

However, not even a fraction of a second passed when Jasmine quickly questioned;

“Forgive my presumption but, do you not know who I am?”

Her expression was one of pure curiosity as she asked and as Kyle turned around, a wide grin now plastered on his handsome features, he said;

“Of course I do. You’re Jasmine Faye. That Jasmine Faye.”

“Three-time Prime Emmie Award winner, One-time Platinum Globe winner, all at the young age of twenty-four. I’m pretty sure almost everyone my generation knows who you are.” he added knowledgeably, surprising Jasmine even more.

“And truly, it was my pleasure to meet you Miss. Faye.” Kyle genuinely said and then proceeded to take his leave again.

Realizing that he really did know who she was and still didn’t seem the least bit starstruck or enamored by her beauty, a rare occurrence that rarely ever happened with guys her age, Jasmine’s curiosity about Kyle skyrocketed even further.

Not wanting to miss the last opportunity she might have to know more about him, she quickly called out;

“And what’s your name? I can’t keep calling you Sapphire. You know, because of your eyes…”

Halting his steps just at the entrance to the terrace and turning around for the second time to face the beautiful lady, the young man replied with a light smile;

“The name’s Kyle. Kyle Kestis.”

“And for the record, I’m just your average guy. An average guy who truly admires the multitalented young lady that is Jasmine Faye.”

Those were Kyle’s last words as he left the quiet terrace, leaving a curious Jasmine even more intrigued by him.

“Just your average guy huh…” she muttered to herself whilst gently leaning backwards onto the railings of the terrace.

‘Definitely didn’t seem average to me…’ a genuine smile bloomed on her gorgeous features as she turned her head upwards to face the starry night’s sky.