Chapter 81 I Love You Francis
Christina couldn’t help but stare at the placard, the flashing words “I love you, Francis!” sparkling under the lights. Bailey, ever the fan girl, was absolutely thrilled. Christina, on the other hand, felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Francis—she just wasn’t sure about the whole idea of cheering for a celebrity in such a public and intense way. She had no doubt that Bailey was enjoying every moment, but Christina couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place.
“Bailey, this is… a little much, don’t you think?” Christina asked, her voice laced with a nervous chuckle as she adjusted the cat-ear clips on her head.
Bailey shot her a playful wink. “Don’t be shy! Look at all the fans! We’re just adding to the excitement. Besides, who doesn’t love a little fangirling every now and then?”
Christina couldn’t deny Bailey’s enthusiasm, though she felt a little awkward amidst the cheers and the throngs of people chanting Francis’s name. She tried to focus on the energy in the air, but her mind kept drifting back to Nathaniel. The phone calls he had made that weren’t getting through, the way he’d been acting, and the misunderstandings that seemed to grow with every passing moment.
As the lights dimmed and the camera crew adjusted, the host introduced Francis, and the room erupted into cheers. There, walking confidently into the spotlight, was the man who seemed to hold a piece of the spotlight wherever he went. His charm was undeniable—his smile lighting up the room as he waved toward the fans. It was easy to see why so many people adored him.
Bailey bounced excitedly in her seat, holding up her placard, and Christina followed suit, her hand half-heartedly lifting the sign. Her eyes, though, couldn’t help but focus on Francis. There was something magnetic about him—something that made him stand out. She could see why he had such a following.
Still, despite the cheers and the excitement, Christina couldn’t stop thinking about Nathaniel. Was he really so angry with her that he was willing to let things fester? The cold silence between them was unbearable, and Madison’s presence only seemed to deepen the wound. It was hard for her to enjoy something as simple as cheering for an idol when her mind was clouded with unresolved tension.
The lights on set brightened as the camera began filming the segment. Francis smiled and started to speak, thanking his fans for their support. His voice was smooth, confident—a far cry from Nathaniel’s serious tone.
Christina tried to focus on the show, clapping along with the audience, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Nathaniel. What was he doing right now? Was he still so consumed by work that he didn’t notice she needed him?
Bailey leaned over to whisper excitedly, “This is so cool, right? I’ve been waiting to see him live for so long!”
Christina smiled faintly, trying to match Bailey’s excitement. “Yeah, it’s… definitely an experience.”
But inside, she was far away from the bright lights and the cheers, lost in the complex web of emotions that had tangled up her heart. The distance between her and Nathaniel felt insurmountable, and she didn’t know how to fix it.
As Francis continued to charm the crowd with his effortless charisma, Christina couldn’t help but wonder if her own relationship with Nathaniel had lost its spark, just like the flashing lights of a fleeting moment in time.