Six week had passed since Richard and Dawn's beachfront 'encounter'. Neither had spoken a word of it since, and went on pretending as if it had never happened. They went on living their lives with different people, people who could not compare or replace what they were to each other.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Tonight, showbiz’s biggest names will gather together for the First Netizen’s Choice awards. We wish all our nom-"
Not being able to hear any more about the upcoming awards, Richard turned off his TV in frustration, and sailed his remote across the room.
"Damn media hype," he mumbled, as he walked over to the mirror to fix his tie.
The idea of sitting next to Dawn as she arrive ar in arm with Martin was not at all appealing to him. He couldn't help but to think back to the glorious time they had shared only a few months ago, and how it was her commitment to him that kept them apart. It was moments like this that made him want to kick himself for not admitting his feelings to her back then, but she said herself, that was the past, and this is the present. The only thing he had going for him right now was the uncertainty of the future, and he could only hope life would deal him a good hand, preferably one that included Dawn.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dawn, are you almost ready?"
"Ten minutes," Dawn called out, as she put her finishing touches of make up on, and threw away some garbage that was lying on the bathroom sink
"Are you positive?"
"What?" Dawn asked, surprised to see him poke in through the bathroom door, and call to her.
"I asked are you positive you will be ready in 10 minutes, because the car is waiting," he said smiling as he wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek.
"Yes. Go on without me, I will be right there."
"Okay, hurry, this is your big night. We don't want to be tardy now, do we?" he said winking as he walked away.
"Fashionably late, darling. It's called fashionably late."
"No dear," Martin said as he turned back towards the bathroom "15, 30 minutes tops is fashionably late, you and your hour and a half is pure vanity."
"You said it yourself, this is my big night. I'm settling for nothing less than perfection."
"Then you don't have to try hard, because with you and I together, and a brand new award, it couldn't be anything less than perfect."
Dawn smiled as he walked away. Then turning back towards the mirror, she continued to apply her lipstick, and then reached to grab her perfume, when something caught her eye.
"Primetime's Hottest Couple Shows It's More Than Just 'A Supercouple Phenomenon'," Dawn read aloud as she stared at the newest Inside Showbiz issue, as she ran her hand over the cover photo. She and Richard smiling. His arms around her waist, and his head rested on her shoulder, and she held his head close to her cheek.
"as much as it hurts me, there are some things more perfect than you, me and an award."
With that Dawn placed the magazine down on the sink once more, as she wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. She grabbed her purse, and then left to join Martin for a night that she, as well as the men she loved, would not soon forget.
*********************************************************************
"Hello and welcome to the First Netizen’s Choice awards," the host said enthusiastically as she stood outside the Resort’s World on the red carpet, waiting for the nominees to arrive. "Tonight should be a night we all remember. From regular nominees to newcomers, tonight should be a night we never forget. Walking down the red carpet now is Ms. Dawn Zulueta with his fiancée" she said walking over to Dawn who was arm in arm with Martin. She wore a simple black dress dramatically fitting on her figure perfectly. Her hair was pulled up halfway and a diamond necklace outlined her neck. "Ms. Dawn.. wow, you look absolutely stunning….how does it feel to be up for an award only six months after 'My Eternal' has debuted?"
"Thank you.. well, It feels great," Dawn replied smiling. "I'd just like to wish everyone else in my category the best of luck, you're all amzing."
"One more thing, Ms. Dawn. What about your co-star Richard? Do you think he can pull off winning the award tonight?"
"He's a great actor," Dawn replied simply. "I wish him the best of luck, I'm sure he'll do great."
"Thank you, Ms. Dawn, and good luck."
"Thanks," she smiled walking into the venue feeling the slightest bit dizzy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
CUT TO….
Cheers were sounded throughout the audience as the next presenter came center stage.
"I’m here to present the award for 'Favorite Lead Actress on TV,'" The presenter said reading the prompter in front of her. "All of tonight's nominees are the hottest, youngest, hardest working actresses. May I present to you the nominess for Favorite Lead Actress on TV."
Scenes of all the nominees flashed on the screen on stage and Dawn watched her scene carefully. It was almost ironic that her storyline on the show somehow matched what was really going on with her and Richard. She sometimes wondered if they had dated back then, would they have broken up? Would it be easier to leave Martin for an old flame instead of an old infatuation...she was snapped out of her daze when she heard the presenter's voice once more.
"And the winner for Favorite lead actress goes to...................Ms. Dawn Zulueta," the presenter screamed as she read the envelope. Dawn sat there shocked for a second and stood up feeling as Martin kissed her cheeks. But deep down, she didn't want him to be kissing her to congratulate her...she wanted it to be Richard. She walked up on stage, her dress flowing behind her. She accepted the award and walked up to the microphone, feeling as her hand shook and a wave of nausea passed over her.
"Wow, I don't know what to say. I didn't even prepare a speech. I never thought I would win this. I'd like to thank my family...my mom, my dad, you have always been there for me and supported my crazy dream of becoming an actress. To my best friend Jane, you have been there for me through everything, the good, the bad...to Martin, my fiancée, I love you, no matter what anyone ever tells you, I love you. To Vic, thank you so much! To my co-nominees, you are all such amazing actresses and I am honored to be in a category with you. And to my co-star Richard..." Dawn looked over to the side of the stage where Richard was waiting to present the next award. "Thanks for being a great co-star and friend. Now I have to end this before I faint, I am really nervous, excited, you know the usual," she laughed. "Thanks again."
As she walked off stage and came out of view of the audience, Richard watched as she ran into the bathroom, a queasy look on her face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Richard stood outside the bathroom waiting for Dawn. He had just presented 'Best Talk Show Host' and rushed off stage to see if Dawn was okay. She walked out of the bathroom, water on her face, to calm her down. She was about to walk pass him, not even noticing him when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"R...Richard, you scared me," she said placing her hand over her heart.
"So when are you going to tell me you were carrying my baby or were you going to
wait until you actually started to show to say anything...we made love six weeks ago and morning sickness happens around your 6th week and Martin got home two weeks ago...so tell me Dawn, were you going to abort the baby or just pretend like none of this mattered," Richard snapped as she stared at him wide eyed, knowing her secret was now at the surface.