Part two
The flashes of cameras still shimmered on the red pet, each one capturing a glimpse of Gabriel’s brilliance and fame. Being in the center of attention was nothing new to him. But amidst all the noise and chaos, his gaze unknowingly drifted, and he found himself looking at something—or rather someone—new.
In the corner of the crowd, Lea Di Palo stood. A photographer who had recently entered the world of Hollywood, not yet part of its spotlight. Unlike other guests who sought to be in front of the cameras, Lea stood quietly, a small backpack slung over her shoulder, her camera gently swaying in her hand.
She wore a simple black dress, which contrasted with the dazzling outfits of others, but that simplicity gave her a unique kind of beauty. Calmly and with focus, she was capturing the moments as they happened, staying away from the spectacle of it all. Her presence at the event was unlike the others—there was no attempt to attract attention. She was just being herself, natlly, enjoying what she loved to do.
Gabriel, who had unknowingly turned his gaze toward her, felt something different stir within him. This woman, with her focused gaze and effortless calm, stood out among the flashing lights and noise. She was unlike any woman he had ever seen in Hollywood—a woman who seemed unaffected by the frenzy of the red pet.
Gabriel couldn’t quite explain why he was drawn to her. It wasn’t her striking beauty or her desire to be seen; it was something more subtle. There was a quiet confidence in her that none of the other guests seemed to possess. She seemed to be in her own world, one that had nothing to do with Hollywood.
He’d seen many women over the years, but none like Lea. There was something in the way she moved, in her stillness, in the way she seemed completely absorbed in her craft, as though everything else faded into the background.
Lea, 22 years old, born to French and Italian parents, had grown up in Germany. The world of Hollywood was unfamiliar to her; she was simply a photographer, someone who preferred capturing real, unfiltered moments rather than chasing fame. Her world and Gabriel’s were completely different, yet he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that was growing in him.
For a long moment, he watched her. Lea, unaware of Gabriel’s gaze, continued doing what she did best—capturing the world around her, one at a time. Gabriel couldn’t ignore the strange pull he felt. This wasn’t just a simple attraction; it was something deeper. Something more profound that went beyond appearances or superficial attraction.
And in that moment, Gabriel realized that none of his fame, the red pets, or the flashing cameras could compare to the feeling stirring inside him. In front of him was Lea—a woman who, while focused on her work, seemed to live in a world of her own.
:Gabriel thought to himself,
- I have to know her
, drawing all eyes his way. His style was a balance of simplicity and refined elegance, a mix of custom-tailored suits and shoes designed exclusively for him.
