As Aliza walked the red carpet in a glittering gold outfit all she could think about was the pervious night every touch every kiss, she memorized it all; the way he carried her up to the bedroom so softly stripped her bare and held her so closely through it all like she was a rare gem that was dug up only once in an eternity. The night was long gone but the feeling of every touch lingered over her skin.

The blinding flashes hit her face so abruptly that it brought her back to reality she was forced to put her feelings aside and focus I have to be perfect that’s all she could think about, on her way sitting in the car she refused to put the mirror down making sure not a single hair was out of place making sure there wasn’t a single blemish on her skin, everything has to be perfect I have to be perfect she told herself over and over again as she took every step carefully she sucked in her stomach and fixed her posture as best as she could the last time she walked in front of the camera people had made fun of the way she walked and she didn’t wanted that to happen again.

“Of course, you are here right on time to steal my spotlight”

Jiya’s voice wasn’t something that Aliza particularly enjoyed but hearing it now was a tad bit more irritating because it was making her loose her concentration. But of course, she was in front of a clutter of cameras and that was something she was painfully aware of I have to be perfect she told herself as she turned around carefully trying not to look awkward as she faced Jiya and gave her a polite hug.

“Hey, how are you?” She asked even though she didn’t really care about Jiya’s life in the least.

“Better than last time, slightly less better since you walked in but still better”

Jiya said with her classic fake smile. Jiya has been doing better actually, a few months ago Jiya came to the realization that her previous relationship wasn’t doing much for her image which led to her bribing her new co-star to fake a relationship with her, and tonight was the hard launch of her fake relationship in front of all those people she had a new designer dress, expensive shoes and a new expensive boyfriend even though the shoes were more real than her boyfriend she was excited because her team had paid for her to be nominated for an award and she was going up against Aliza although Aliza didn’t have to pay for her nomination Jiya knew she was going to win she had to, the votes were rigged anyways.

“Nice outfit although a bit unconventional for a red-carpet event”

Aliza shifted a little looking down at her traditional outfit.

“Yes, this is mine actually I put it together in a hurry I had an issue with my stylist”

Aliza said remembering how awkward it was for her to lie to her stylist that she just decided to keep the outfit that she had sent her and paid for it. On hindsight it was easier than explaining that her expensive outfit was torn beyond repair and how it was torn.

 “It looks good on you, but I bet everything looks good on you” Jiya said looking Aliza up and down. Aliza kept an eye out for a judgmental glare or a smirk as usual from Jiya but there was none.

“Well thank you Jiya I really needed to hear that” After the week Aliza had she most definitely did really need to hear that.

“So, you think one of us is going to win tonight?” Jiya asked as they made their way inside.  

“That depends, are we up against Candace?” Aliza said glancing at Candace who came in looking so stunning that Aliza was filled with extreme envy and self-consciousness.

“I don’t think neither of us are mainstream enough to go up against Candace” Jiya remarked.

“Well, I guess then we have a chance”

 Aliza smiled as they took a few steps forward and was immediately mobbed by the media who wanted to ask questions about her alleged relationship with Rayan taking focus off Jiya and her grand display of her fake relationship.

This had surely pissed Jiya off so much that she wanted to start throwing hands however she had to keep her act of the perfect little princess up.

“Good luck with them” Jiya smiled as she linked her arm with her fake boyfriend and made her way inside.

It was ironic how Jiya desperately wanted to talk about her personal life but didn’t get a chance to do so meanwhile Aliza didn’t wanted to talk about her personal life but she didn’t get a chance to, Aliza was more interested in talking about her work her movies her art that’s what she had come here to do. But no one was interested in talking about it all they wanted to talk was about the guy she was dating.

When you think about it both Jiya and Aliza was there to do a job yes Jiya was doing it to make money and Aliza was doing it because of her love for the craft, but neither of them were heard unless they were talking about a man and neither of them were seen unless they were seen with a man and that was the one thing they both had in common and so did every other women.

The difference between Aliza and Jiya was the fact that Jiya used it to her advantage by making it a point to be seen with a man but Aliza didn’t wanted to be seen with a man so that they would listen to her for once but again nobody wanted to hear that, they wanted her to talk about him because she wasn’t talking about him and they wouldn’t quit until she talked about him and Aliza was just too nice not to oblige.

Aliza smiled through the whole ordeal she quickly made her way inside once she got a chance. She made it a point to sit far away from Jiya because she couldn’t take anymore conversations with her.

It’s not that Aliza hated Jiya it’s just that she hated the idea of being obliged to talk to Jiya for an elongated period of time.

Everyone held their breaths as they were announcing the winner to the category in which both Aliza and Jiya were nominated Jiya was preparing to get up and walk to the stage, Aliza didn’t think she was going to win at all, she just prepared to clap elegantly as she tried to maintain her humble smile for the cameras.

“And the winner is Aliza Khan” The voice resonated through the room Aliza was shocked and beyond happy but she knew she couldn’t react much, if you make a face they are going to hate you for it she told herself as she got up and walked up to the stage taking the award and gave her pre prepared pre-approved PR friendly speech.

Jiya just sat there fuming with anger how could this happen? she had done everything to make sure she won, but yet again she had lost to Aliza.