Chapter 2
CLEO
Going to college in New York City presented tons of amazing opportunities for majors in drama and design. Not only was the Tisch School of the Arts one of the top arts programs in the country, but it also provided some incredible chances to network with people in the industry.
Being a seat filler was another way for me to network, and I loved attending the award ceremonies like the one I was going to tonight.
The International Emmy Awards were a huge deal, recognizing the best television programs initially produced and aired outside the United States.
There were fifteen categories, and the nominees were from over twenty countries.
I was so excited to experience the event from the audience, even with all the standing around I needed to do before the ceremony began.
I arrived hours ago with my hair and makeup done, and dressed in a black ball gown as directed.
I waited in line after line and was finally shown into the banquet hall only fifteen minutes before the ceremony began.
The woman in charge of the seat fillers gripped my elbow and led me toward the front of the ballroom. Her voice was low as she informed me, “See that empty seat? You’ll be there.”
Having been instructed multiple times to be as quiet as possible, I simply nodded to let her know I heard her.
When she released my elbow, I started to make my way toward the table she’d pointed out.
But my steps slowed as I neared the empty seat.
I’d done the seat filler gig before, but the closest I’d been assigned to a major celebrity had been up a row and several seats down.
This time, Gustavo Duarte was sprawled in the chair next to where I’d been directed to sit.
The Brazilian star had played a major role on a wildly popular telenovela.
There had been a ton of media coverage about who would attend the ceremony with him because he had recently ended a long-term relationship and his show was up for the Best Telenovela award.
Since the woman on his other side was old enough to be his mother, I assumed the empty spot was his current girlfriend’s, and I would only be there until she arrived.
Determined not to fangirl too much, I flashed him a small smile as I sat down.
With his dark hair and eyes, square jawline, and athletic build, Gustavo Duarte was more attractive in person than on-screen…
but he did nothing for me. The only man who I felt that magnetic pull toward still hadn’t called me.
Rigby Hunt had been on my mind ever since we met at the store yesterday.
Although I had watched more Nighthawks games with my dad than I could count, it took me a minute to recognize him since I was too busy drooling over the tattoo on his veiny forearm.
Then I had to properly appreciate his broad chest, neck tattoo, five o’clock shadow, plush lips, blue eyes, and dark hair. And how freaking tall he was.
It wasn’t until I had finished checking him out and got a good look at his face that I realized the guy I’d been ogling was the punter for the Nighthawks.
When he’d offered to help me and then struck up a conversation, I almost fell over from shock since Rigby had a reputation for being a grump who rarely spoke to fans.
Then he’d been all flirty, asked for my number, and walked me back to Meredith’s apartment.
I thought for sure he’d call or text me today.
But there wasn’t a single missed call or message on my phone any time I’d checked, which was a lot more often than I should have.
My thoughts were so focused on Rigby that I didn’t notice Gustavo had leaned forward until he whispered, “I hope you don’t mind staying in the same seat for the duration of the ceremony, linda.”
I turned my head and blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what he just said. “The whole event?”
“Sim.” He nodded with a shrug. “I cannot be seen attending by myself, so I asked for a beautiful companion to stop questions from the media.”
“What about your date?” I wanted to snatch the words back as soon as I asked the question. Seat fillers were supposed to be seen and not heard, and digging into the personal life of one of the nominees was definitely against the rules.
Luckily, Gustavo didn’t seem to mind. “We had an argument, and Beatriz was still angry when it was time to come. She is…how do you say it? Impulsiva.”
I grimaced, thinking about how awful it must be for all of your romantic relationships to play out for the entire world to see. “I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe she’ll arrive just a little late?”
He shook his head. “N?o, she is still in Rio. She called while I was on the plane to the States and broke up with me because I left without her.”
“Ouch.” Thinking about the articles I’d read that tossed out names of who his mysterious girlfriend could be, I grimaced. “Breakups are never fun, but that sounds especially awful considering the circumstances. I’m sorry.”
“We weren’t together for long.” He waved off my concern. “And once her anger dies down, Beatriz will probably want to take back her angry words.”
I smoothed down the skirt of my dress. “I hope it all works out when you get home.”
“If not, at least she signed the papers not to speak to the press.” He gestured toward the man seated two chairs away on his other side. “I am sure my agent will ask you to sign them too, now that I’ve told you all this. He will not want more stories to come out.”
I mimicked turning a key in a lock over my mouth. “No need to worry, my lips are sealed.”
“Delightful.” Gustavo lifted my hand to brush a kiss against my knuckles, making me blush. “I am a lucky man to have a woman as beautiful as you at my side all evening.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m the lucky one since I don’t have to pop around the room filling empty seats all night.
And I’ll get to jump up and clap for you when your show wins.
Maybe I’ll even be caught on camera, and my professors will see me.
I’m a student at Tisch, so they’d be impressed for sure. ”
Gustavo tilted his head to the side. “You act, too?”
“Not even close.” I shook my head with a smile. “I stick behind the scenes doing set design.”
“Such a shame with how beautiful you are.” He patted my hand. “But you are helping me, so I will introduce you to some people who can help with that later.”
His offer was incredibly generous. “Thank you.”
The music playing in the background lowered, and the host strode toward the center of the stage. I sat on the edge of my chair, awed by the show they put on for the attendees. It was a seamless production as they moved from one award category to another with entertaining acts between.
I had attended other awards shows as a seat filler, but the experience was different being up this close while surrounded by A-list celebrities. And it got even better when the Best Telenovela category was called.
“The winner is…Dias de Amor no Rio!”
I clapped as Gustavo and several others at our table got to their feet and headed toward the stage to accept their award.
It was surreal to have spent the past hour chatting with a celebrity who had just received recognition at this level yet again.
And it was wild to think that after the ceremony, he would help me network with industry professionals I never would’ve had the opportunity to meet.