01

In a bar downtown, Los Angeles.

Max Norman dusted his clothes; a crisp white shirt and black vest before returning to the counter, taking out his phone from his backpack. He clicked on the messaging app, and his last conversation with July an hour ago appeared on the screen.

The Motion Pictures award ceremony was going to be held tonight, and July was nominated for an award. It was her first award since she debuted, and he was pretty excited for her, so he sent countless messages of encouragement. But she only replied with a text, telling him to stop bothering her as she needed to rest before the award began.

It was pretty cold, but Max knew she needed rest, so he didn't send another message afterward.

He placed the phone back in his bag and looked up at the overhead screen in the bar lounge. The awards ceremony was being aired, and several movie stars were being interviewed on the red carpet. But July had not appeared yet.

"One more bottle of vodka!" someone yelled from the center of the lounge, jolting Max from his thoughts.

He quickly grabbed a bottle and wine glass from the shelf before hurrying over to the table. As he poured their drinks, he suddenly heard July's name being mentioned and looked up.

She had arrived at the red carpet, and he smiled with relief. He was distracted, and the wine he was pouring overflowed.

"Hey, what are you doing?" One of the boys at the table barked at him, jolting him back to reality.

Max was alarmed, seeing the wine that had drenched the table and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry. I'll clean this up right now."

"Yeah, you better," another one sneered. "What's wrong with you? Can't even pour a drink right."

He quickly cleaned up with a towel and apologized again. Once he was done attending to them, he didn't hurry back to his station and continued to watch the TV. The ceremony had already started, and he was watching nervously.

"Bartender, get us a wine glass. Over here!" Another voice rang out again, but Max was distracted and didn't hear.

When he didn't make a move, one of the patrons at the table he stood by eyed his partner to look at Max and mocked, "What's he even staring at there?"

"Hey!" His partner loudly snickered at Max. "Staring at the TV all day long. Don't tell me you've got your eye on a celebrity."

"Bet he's fantasizing about dating a movie star. Keep dreaming, buddy," another jeered. "Would she even look at someone like you?"

His voice was loud, attracting attention, and a lot of people sniggered, taunting Max even more.

The awards were already being given, and he waited for July's name to be called. By now, everyone was arguing about who they wanted to win what award, and the bar grew louder with patrons' chatter and laughter.

Just then, it reached July's turn, and the host announced the nominees. Max instantly held his breath as the light shone on July's face.

"And the award for Best Supporting New Actress goes to... July Walter, Holiday Night!"

Instantly, Max jumped up where he stood and couldn't help but cheer loudly, "Yes! Yes!"

His voice was loud, drawing more taunts from the guests. "Look at him! He's acting like he won the award!"

"Calm down, Max. She’s not gonna notice you from there!" A regular customer laughed loudly.

"You better focus and stop fantasizing about being a celebrity's husband!"

But Max ignored them, his focus on the screen as July accepted her trophy.

She began her speech, beaming with smiles. He could hardly register everything she was saying because he was so happy, but then he heard her say, "I want to thank the most important person in my life..."

He subconsciously straightened up, and his heart swelled. For so long, he had been by her side as her husband. From the times of her auditions till she got to where she was, offering every support all the way. He knew everything she had been through, and he had always been there for her. She was going to acknowledge him, her husband.

But just then, she ended her words, "... My close companion and biggest supporter, Greg!"

Max froze instantly.

Max's world shattered in an instant. The noise of the bar faded away, replaced by a deafening silence in his ears. He watched, paralyzed, as a tall, handsome man strode onto the stage.

"No," Max whispered, his voice barely audible. "This can't be happening."

His eyes, wide with disbelief, remained fixed on the screen as Greg wrapped July in a tight hug. They both smiled at each other, and their lips met in a passionate kiss, broadcast for the entire world to see.

The wine glass slipped from Max's trembling fingers, shattering on the floor. The sound jolted him back to reality, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the nightmare unfolding before him.

"How could you, July?" he muttered under his breath, his voice choked with emotion. "After everything we've been through… our marriage."

Years of memories flashed through his mind— their wedding date, late nights rehearsing lines, comforting July after failed auditions, celebrating her first big break. All of it now tainted by this moment of betrayal.

"It was all a lie," he said to himself, his words barely audible over the noise of the bar. "Every moment, every promise, our vows….. How long have you been deceiving me, July?”