Love And Spotlight

pounded with the unmistakable throb of a hangover, each pulse sending waves of nausea through his body. As he struggled to

re

ered ceilings, while ornate furniture dotted the spacious room. This wasn't his bedroom, nor any set he reco

was wrinkled beyond salvation, the crisp white shirt now adorned with mysterious stains.

her cocktail dress riding up inappropriately. But it wasn't her position that made Edw

s voice hoarse and unfamiliar

the woman's side. With trembling hands, he reached out to check fo

lief through him, quickly replaced by rising panic. She

ht before flashed through his mind. A charity gala. Flowing champagne. His costar

Slowly, painfully, she turned her head. Edwin f

med, her voice raw and filled

truck. "I'm not... I d

cing through the luxurious suite and surely al

ay, Edwin Kasper – Hollywood's golden boy, America's sweetheart – r

n around him, the lavish decor blurring into a dizzying whirl of colors. His gaze landed on

k circles under his eyes, and a small cut on his lower lip he didn't remember getting. But it was the expr

cely. I didn't do t

ncern and barely contained aggression. Close behind them, a petite woman in a crisp h

of the guards commanded, his hand

't know what happened," he stammered, aware of how guilty he m

soothing tones as she assessed the situation. "It's alrigh

d face contorted fused with agony and fury as she pointed a shaking finger at Edwin. "H

ing. Edwin felt the world tilt beneath his feet, d

s he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror again. Blood – her blood – st

xpressions hardening. "Sir, you need to co

by the hotel's efficient staff. Edwin watched, feeling oddly detache

his tone that he recognized the famous actor. "We're going

He wasn't that kind of man. He would never... But the evidence w

small crowd had gathered, smartphones raised to capture Hollywood's latest scandal in real time.

was about to come crashing down around him. Every tabloid, every news channel, every social med

llen, and the whole w

o start filming next month – would the studio pull out? The children's charity he'd worked with for years – wou

tion once more in the mirrored walls. The man staring back at him looked

pist, soon-to-be husband to one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. Now, in

floor that passed felt like another nail in the coffin

urious onlookers. Camera flashes exploded in a dizzying barrage, momentar

you assault

e end of yo

think about the

to guide him through the crowd. He caught sn

ere was something

e seemed like su

s always drugs with th

ye. As they finally reached the police cruiser waiting outside, Edwin felt a sense of su

lights receded, Edwin Kasper knew the nightmare was onl