1
“Thisis the part where I wake up, right?” Jules said, her eyes fixed on the window as the car moved forward. “It’s unbelievable,” her voice dropped to a whisper. She’d been to hundreds of these events in the past few years.
But tonight was different.
Bigger.
Chris leaned in. “Look at me.” She turned toward him, and he gently tilted her chin, ensuring their eyes met. “You’re Juliette Jones, and the only unbelievable thing about tonight is that this is yourfirstnomination.” Then he let go of her chin, and his fingers lingered on her neck for a beat before finally pulling back.
His touch sent a shiver down her spine. No matter how many years they’d been together, her body would always react this way to him.
She smiled, brushing her fingers along his recently shaved cheek before looking down and adjusting his tie. Her hands and eyes traced the line of his collar, lost in her own thoughts.
“Hey, come back to me. " His voice cut through the fog in her mind, and just like that, she was back in the moment. Her eyes shifted to meet his. Those beautiful blue eyes caught the flashes outside, sparkling in the light, and she felt like diving into an ocean of calm and comfort. “Ready to go?” he continued.
“As ready as one can be…” She replied, though it wasn’t how she truly felt. Her familiar nerves were at an all-time high, and almost instinctively, her nails pressed into her palms—a coping mechanism she had struggled with for too long. The sharp sting of pain was one of the only things that could ground her, and right now, she needed grounding.
He noticed her hands. He understood her rituals, but that one in particular was something he’d been trying to help her shake for years.
Without a word, he took her hand and began to unfold her clenched fingers, slowly, one by one. Then he lifted her palm to his lips and softly kissed between the red marks. The tension in her shoulders melted almost immediately.
There it was.
The only thing that could ground her more than any sting ever could was his touch.
She leaned closer and gently kissed the side of his lips, lingering for a couple of seconds as if considering a full-blown kiss. But it was time to go, and makeup needed to be prestigious.
When they finally parted, she wiped any remaining lipstick smudge from his face and laughed softly. “I love you,” she murmured.
“I love you, Blaze.” He replied, grinning. The car door opened to the world outside, and he reached for her hand, holding it tight. “It’s showtime…”
The world had watchedthem fall in love, get married, and build a family. Jules and Chris Jones were more than Hollywood’s power couple—they were a phenomenon.
Their every move was perused. A love story followed with a fervor that bordered on obsession. Fans were consumed, dissecting every look and every touch, convinced the two were soulmates destined to be together forever. Online communities of devoted followers would create insane theories about their relationship, posting and analyzing videos of the smallest gestures.
Paparazzi followed them everywhere. The lenses captured both planned and spontaneous moments. It didn’t matter if they were on a red carpet or out for a coffee. There was always a camera waiting.
They were the epitome of perfection. A couple always in sync, walking through life as if they shared the ultimate secret of happiness.
Every milestone was dissected like they were America’s royal couple. The first time they were spotted together while holding hands, walking backstage between takes, the media exploded with rumors and speculation as fast as the pictures could be published. Months later, an Instagram photo confirmed their relationship, almost breaking the internet.
From there, every major moment of their life together was reported to the world. Their first public appearance together on a red carpet, their trip to France that brought back a mysterious ring on Jules’ finger, their secret marriage held in a small town in upstate New York (which didn’t stay hidden for long!), and finally, the birth of their two children. The pictures of the couple cradling their newborns were plastered across every magazine cover and social media feed.
Tonight, the cameras flashed as they walked hand in hand down yet another prestigious red carpet event. The crowd surged, pressing against the barricade and shouting names as the reporters chatted with celebrities. Phones were raised high, capturing every step the couple took.
Jules looked stunning, as always. Her coppery hair cascaded down her naked back in a black dress that revealed just enough of her voluptuous curves. Her effortless makeup and soft ivory skin made her hazel eyes stand out beautifully, looking almost caramel under the flashes’ reflection.
Coordinating with his wife’s look, Chris wore a simple yet stylish black tuxedo over a crisp white shirt with a subtle pattern. His ashy blonde hair brushed back, making his ocean-blue eyes the center of attention.
They moved at ease and in sync, used to the spotlight. As she posed for the cameras, he kept a protective hand on her back, eyes hardly leaving her. When he looked at the photographers, she whispered something that made him chuckle.
A brush of finger here, a playful nudge there, their connection was as clear as the diamonds sparkling around Jules’ neck. Even among the chaos, they were in their own world, smiling at each other like nothing else existed.
Finally, they paused before the first reporter, and the questions came, as they always did.
“Twelve years together,” they started. “That’s got to be what? Fifty in Hollywood years?” They all laughed in response. It wasn’t unusual to get this kind of question. The average time for a celebrity marriage was far less. “So… What’s the secret to a long and healthy marriage between two people in the industry?” The reporter asked, their microphone raised expectantly.
Chris smiled and signed for his wife to take the lead. Jules pointed at herself and mouthed,“Me?”before leaning forward to answer the question. “Marry someone really hot,”she said with a wink. “You’ll be more inclined to keep waking up next to them.”
