Bab 369: Just breathe

As the limousine rolled to a smooth stop in front of the venue, I stared out the tinted window, my stomach twisting in knots.

The scene outside was surreal, photographers were everywhere, their camera flashes going off like strobe lights, and a sea of people crowded along the red carpet barriers.

The buzz of voices and the occasional scream of excitement filled the air, making it feel like the entire world was watching.

I swallowed hard, my palms suddenly sweaty. "Oh, wow," I whispered, leaning back against the seat as my nerves crashed over me like a tidal wave. 

Carmen, seated beside me, glanced over and smiled reassuringly. She was calm, like always, and effortlessly stunning in her tailored black suit that perfectly matched my dress. Her presence alone was grounding, even in the midst of all this chaos.

"It's just a red carpet, Elena," she said casually, but her voice held a teasing edge. "You've got this."