3D: A Night with the Queen

Maya still worked as the acting CEO of Sim.tv, and she had a strong suspicion they intended to make it permanent. She hated the extra responsibility but quickly got used to the benefits like the bump in pay and being removed from the day-to-day operations. More responsibility rested on her shoulders yet she did less. The best benefit of all was getting invited to important events like the Starlight Accolade Awards! Maya nearly fainted when she saw it in the mail. Excitement consumed her like fire on the weeks leading up to the event. The night before, sleep evaded her. She tossed and turned, trying to get it out of her head to rest, but she couldn’t be helped. Ranveer tried with all his might to distract and tire her out; her legs still felt like jelly as she sat at the island daydreaming about rubbing shoulders with the stars.

The gentle clink of the plate he sat in front her brought her back to the present. “Sorry I kept you up. Did you sleep at all?”

“Some. I’ve never seen you so restless before.”

“I’m just so excited! And nervous!”

“About what?”

“Seeing Octavia in person! Like, I always say glowing things about her, but I don’t really know her. What if she’s one of those stuck up celebrities who’s really nasty? What do I say to her? Will she like me?”

“Everyone who meets you adores you, and the ones who don’t are insane. Besides, if Ms. Moon is as wonderful as you say, I’m sure she’ll be pleasant.”

Ranveer was the best encourager on earth. Even more so than Jonathan. He believed in her 100% no questions asked. With his faith and confidence, she could do anything. “Who do you want to see? Besides that ol spoiled brat.”

He chuckled. “You just love to hate her, don’t you? I want to meet Dirk Dreamer.”

She sucked her teeth. She sucked her teeth. “I still don’t understand how he’s even a celebrity. He’s just a CEO of a tech company.”

He gasped dramatically. “He’s not just a CEO! He’s an icon! Double D is the only man of color worth looking up to in the tech industry. And, he’s a saint! What was that you said that night? A philanthapist?”

She punched him in the arm. “NOT funny!”

“That one’s going in the books, babe!”

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” she said.

“I’m always on your side, Maya.”

“Is there anyone else you want to see tonight?”

“Oh, I would love to meet Kayaan Ramesh. He’s one of the few Bollywood actors who successfully crossed over.”

She pulled out her phone and searched for him on Simstagram.

“Awwww! He’s so cute!”

“I’m gonna wear my fancy Indian wear tonight in case I run into him.”

“Your wedding outfit?!”

Admittedly, one of the first orders of business when she moved in was to find this mysterious outfit he was reluctant to even describe. He must have hidden it from her because she could not find it.

“Not that fancy.”

“I hope you get to meet him. Do you still think about it? Acting?”

“Sometimes. I mean, it would be fun, but … I don’t know. I have a job. We’re trying to buy a house. Soon, we’ll get married and have kids.”

“Kid.”

“A kid. It doesn’t seem practical to start at the bottom of a completely different career right now. Especially one I haven’t prepared for.”

“I get that, but you should do what makes you happy! You don’t like your job, baby. If you want to do this, I will support you 150%! I’ll be your cheerleader and your sugar mama.”

He howled, bolstering her confidence. Usually he was the one making her laugh. “That’s a good one! But, what about your job and your happiness? I can’t be the only one living the dream. Besides, what if they hire a CEO?”

“Then, I’ll go back to my old position. I can’t imagine they’d throw me out completely. Besides, we can’t escape the plantation at the same time. You’re right about the timing being off, but we’ll be ok on just my salary. This is your lifelong dream! It’s only fair that you go first. And, it’ll give me time to figure out a solid exit strategy.”

He glared at her, probably looking for traces of doubt. “Are you sure about this?”

“Of course! You take care of me so well. Let me do this for you.”

“You’re freakin’ amazing. You know that, right?”

“Oh yes, I’m a dream. You know who else is gonna find out?”

“Oh geez.”

“Lamont Gregory if he plays his cards right!”

“You’re crazy.”

“Hey! He’s on my list! You can’t get mad. Don’t worry. I’ll write to you from time to time from the jungle and send you some of my shirts to sniff.”

He laughed. “Wait, how did this one-night stand turn into a whole new life? That isn’t how the freebie works, babe.”

“Oh, it’s not? Hmmm…oh well. A girl can dream!”

For the rest of the day, Maya did everything possible to keep busy. She even accompanied Ranveer to the gym! The treadmill was not kind to her, but she pressed through the pain. Though Maya hated running, grumbling about working out kept her mind off the adventure later that night.

At last, show time! Donned with their best elegant duds, they arrived at The Westridge on Starlight Blvd. with their mouths gaped. Limousines and fancy, expensive cars lined the street. Flashes from the paparazzi’s cameras twinkled like Winterfest lights.

“Pinch me,” she said.

“What?”

“Pinch me! This can’t be real!”

“How about I kiss you instead?”

He planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

Everything inside was ornate and trimmed in gold. Under normal situations, the gaudiness would turn her off. That night, it was the epitome of fame and fortune. How did they deserve to share the air with the best of the best? They didn’t. Her title at work earned the tickets, and she was so grateful for the opportunity.

“I think I need some liquid courage,” Ranveer said.

Truthfully, she did too but refrained. “Not too much, though. I’ll meet you inside.”

The first person she spotted upon entering the auditorium was Eden Sweeney in a killer gown that made her drool. All feelings aside, Eden had mad style and deserved to be a fashion icon. Maya almost wanted to compliment her but decided against it. Admiring her style from afar was probably best. Seeing her in person was kind of cool, though. Eden was a lot taller than she imagined.

Maya watched everyone from the back row for a few minutes while she waited for Ranveer to find her. Some celebrities arrived and watched the presentations. Others greeted each other and conversed. The event was strangely chaotic. Everything looked so organized and seamless on TV, but behind the camera it was a hot mess. No one really paid attention to what happened on stage, and it was disrespectful, honestly. Didn’t they want to support their peers? Or, maybe it got old after a while. The same people won the same awards every single year.

Ranveer caught up, finally. As they spoke, his eyes kept drifting to someone behind her.

“Who is it? Your girlfriend? Her dress is fire, right?”

“Maya … Listen to me,” he said in his serious voice. “Don’t freak out, ok? Octavia is right behind you.”

Her body felt like it would explode. “Oh my Watcher!!”

“Breathe, babe.”

His calm voice and squinty smile were exactly what she needed to get herself together. “What do I do??”

He laughed. “Just…say hello and introduce yourself.”

“You gotta come with me! I’m, like, seriously nervous right now!”

“Of course. But, I’ll give you some space to do your thing.”

“I love you so much!”

Maya made her way slowly toward Octavia Moon, queen of all queens; she thought she might throw up. “Octavia? Hi! I’m-I’m Maya Pruett, and … Well, I think you’re so beautiful tonight!”

It wasn’t exactly what she wanted to say, but it beat passing out like a stan.

“Oh, aren’t you sweet! I know who you are. Sim.tv, right?”

She glanced at Ranveer while her jaw scraped the floor. “You know me?”

Octavia giggled. “Of course. I think you’re doing a great job. You’ve really turned that network around.”

In that moment, nothing else mattered. She didn’t need to buy a home, marry Ranveer, or have their one child. Grim could take her to meet her ancestors because her life was freakin’ complete! OCTAVIA MOON knew her name and thought she rocked! How was this real life?!

Octavia glanced at Ranveer and smiled. “Is this your boyfriend?”

“Yes! This is Ranveer!”

“Is he an actor? He’s very handsome.”

Maya grinned at Ranveer who turned redder than her dress. “Funny you should mention that! We discussed it this morning, and he’s gonna start making some moves.”

“If it doesn’t work out, he’d make it as a model for sure.” She winked at him. “But, seriously, give me a call if he’s serious. I’ll put you in contact with the best agencies. We could use more diversity on screen.”

Ranveer tip toed closer, clasping his hands and bowing a little. “Thank you, ma’am. I don’t deserve this favor.”

“Nonsense! Everyone deserves a chance. You just happen to know the right people.”

“Well, I certainly appreciate it.”

“Where are you two sitting? You should join me on the front row. I always hate sitting by myself.”

If Thorne weren’t such a jerk, maybe she wouldn’t have to sit alone. “Thank you, Octavia! We’d love to join you!”

“How is this real?” Ranveer whispered through his teeth.

“It’s not! It can’t be! I’m sitting next to the queen at the freakin’ Starlight Accolades!!”

“I know, right?!”

Maya and Ranveer got separated a few times because of seat changes. To make the crowd shots look full, the producers shuffled them all night. At one point, Maya sat next to Eden with Ranveer behind her. When Octavia crossed in front of them, and Eden nearly lost her crap. She waved and tried to get her attention, but Octavia ignored her. Maya loved that woman so much.

“So, when are you due?”

“In three months. Can you believe it?”

“I think you look wonderful.”

“What about you, Maya? Any children in your future?”

“We’ll have one and see how it goes.”

She chuckled, patting her womb. “Sounds familiar.”

Everything stopped. Her breaths. Her heartbeat. The world and everything in it. The beautiful man on stage stole her attention.

Maya gasped. “Oh Watcher there he is!”

“Are you breathing over there?” Ranveer asked.

“Can you do it for me?”

He chuckled. “I wish I could.”

“Would you like to meet him?” Octavia asked.

How embarrassing to be caught drooling by Octavia freakin’ Moon!

“He’s a good friend of ours. I’ll introduce you.”

“Octavia, you have made my entire night!”

When he finished his speech, Octavia called him over. “I want you to meet my new friends, Maya and Ranveer. Maya’s over at Sim.tv.”

“Hey there! Good to meet y’all.”

Ranveer cleared his throat. “Same here. Uhh, she’s a big fan…aren’t you, Maya?”

“Uhh, yeah. Yeah. The biggest. Ummm, I’m really sorry to be such a fangirl but can I take a picture with you?”

“Of course. Matter of fact…let me sign one of my new headshots for you.”

---

“We’re dreaming, right?” Maya asked. “None of that happened?”

“Oh, it happened all right. We’ve got autographs and pictures to prove it!”

“This is crazy, baby! We spent an entire night with Octavia!! And, Lamont was just…perfect.”

She sighed like swooning teenager and stared into space replaying her conversation and imagining him holding her tight as they swung across the jungle on a rope…or something.

Ranveer chuckled and put their dishes away. “Well, whenever you’re done with Lamont, I will be in the shower. You don’t have to dream about me.”