Chapter 2: A Hero in the Dressing Room

Total knight in shining armor moment. Funny thing is, I first liked Julian because he saved me in a pinch.

Back then, I was a total nobody.

Drama, drama, drama. She was furious and confronted me. “You can’t wear that dress.”

Really? I was speechless. I bought it myself—why can’t I wear it?

“Why not?”

She sneered, “Because you haven’t even starred in anything.”

She just had connections. As far as I knew, her work wasn’t great either. She just had seniority and knew a few directors, so she acted all high and mighty.

Not about to start now. I’d never backed down before. “I paid for this dress. I’m wearing it, period!”

Unbelievable. But what I didn’t expect was for her to have her assistant pour red juice all over my dress right then and there.

Not my best look. I have a bad habit—when I get emotional, I tear up. I’d already thought of a plan—just call the police, since there were cameras in the dressing room. As I sniffled and reached for my phone, Julian appeared.

Total power move. He didn’t hesitate to splash the red juice right back at them, then said coolly, “You’re too loud. This dress? I’ll buy it.”

Talk about timing. Brittany and I were both stunned. I hadn’t realized Julian was in the dressing room the whole time.

He was actually sweet. While I was still in shock, Julian spoke gently to me. “Give me your size. I’ll have someone bring you a new gown.”

Swoon. In that moment, he was like a knight in shining armor. So cool!

Best night ever. That night, by coincidence or not, I walked the red carpet with Julian, wearing the couture gown he sent. My first real moment in the entertainment news.

Karma. As for Brittany, without a dress and unable to borrow another, she didn’t even get to walk. I heard she cried in the dressing room for hours, vowing to get revenge on Julian.

Had to know. After that, I asked my agent to find out everything about Julian. Twenty-six, two-time Oscar winner, rich, handsome, talented, and a top student. He’s basically the gold standard in the industry. Best of all—single, never even had a serious relationship.

No shame. I clapped my hands. “He’s just my type!”

Ouch. Pfft—my agent nearly spit out her coffee.

She didn’t hold back. “Savannah, can you be a little more realistic?”

Me: …

“I mean, come on. Lisa, do you really think I have zero charm?”

I looked down at myself—curves in all the right places, classic beauty, a leading-lady look. I mean, come on.

Here it comes. My agent cleared her throat, trying to be gentle. “Dreams are great, but reality’s harsh. Haven’t you seen his interviews? He likes soft-spoken, sweet, demure girls. You’re a total heiress—he might not be able to handle you.”

Watch me. I slapped her on the back. “Who are you underestimating? I’ll win him over, even if I have to fake it!”

Agent: …

Nepotism, but make it cute. Later, Lisa said, “Good thing your family owns the company. Otherwise, with your attitude, you’d have been blacklisted before you even started.”

Honestly, my dad worried about me in the industry, so he just started a company for me. Naturally, I was their only star.

Priorities. I’m probably the only actress in Hollywood who’d rather chase handsome guys than go home and inherit the family business.

Operation: Win Julian. To win over Julian, I even made a whole strategy. I set up chance encounters, played poor and pitiful to get his sympathy. Now that I’ve got him, I’m facing a new challenge: coming clean about my identity.

Tell me about it. Tsk. Life is unpredictable!