Chapter 14: The Spotlight

The following days after the Golden Globes felt like a whirlwind. Kimberly had finally gotten some time to herself, but even then, it felt like the whole world was watching. The headlines hadn’t died down, and rumors about her and Aaron were circulating like wildfire. The tabloid photos of the two of them on the red carpet—her in the stunning red satin dress and him looking effortlessly handsome by her side—had sparked public speculation. Everyone had an opinion about their relationship.

Kimberly was still adjusting to the fact that she was now in the public eye. The moment they stepped into Aaron’s world, she felt the weight of the expectations—the pressure to perform and to always look perfect, as if she wasn’t allowed to be human anymore. She never signed up for this. But the reality was, she was in it now, and no matter how much she wished to escape back into the shadows of Aaron’s career, she couldn’t.

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Aaron’s manager, Marcus, had requested a meeting with both of them to discuss the fallout from the Golden Globes. The rumors, the headlines, and the implications for Aaron’s image. As much as Kimberly hated the idea of being a topic of conversation in the business world, she knew she had to face the music.

She and Aaron sat in the sleek, modern office of Aaron’s management, the usual polished efficiency of Marcus setting the tone. He was a no-nonsense type of guy—sharp suits, sharp mind. The moment they stepped inside, he wasted no time getting to the point.

“Look, Aaron,” Marcus said, his voice clipped but professional, “the press is running wild. We’ve got tabloids speculating everything from ‘Aaron’s New Flame’ to ‘Assistant or Girlfriend?’ You know how this works. We need to control the narrative before it spirals.”

Kimberly squirmed a little in her seat, but Aaron’s calm demeanor next to her gave her a bit of comfort.

“I know,” Aaron replied. “I just wanted things to be clear between us, Marcus. She’s not just my assistant anymore. I’m not going to hide her. That’s the bottom line.”

Marcus gave him a sharp look. “That’s all well and good, but your fans and the press are going to want answers. They’ll be all over you if they think you’re keeping things under wraps.”

Kimberly glanced over at Aaron. This wasn’t just about a professional relationship anymore—it was personal. And that made things complicated.

“I get it, Marcus,” Aaron continued, his tone shifting from defensive to understanding. “We’ll figure it out. But I’m not about to throw her under the bus just because the headlines don’t make sense to the public.”

Kimberly felt a rush of gratitude for Aaron’s protective side, even if the whole situation was starting to feel overwhelming.

“Good,” Marcus said, leaning back in his chair. “But we have to work fast. Your next project, Mufasa: The Lion King, is about to start filming, and I’m sure the press will be all over that, too. We need a solid strategy, Aaron. One that includes Kimberly and lets the world know exactly what’s going on between the two of you, if it’s public. Otherwise, expect the rumors to grow.”

Kimberly swallowed hard. She didn’t know what the right answer was. It wasn’t like she had a clear understanding of what this all meant. Being a public figure hadn’t been in her job description. She didn’t know if she was ready to be the center of attention like this.

Aaron’s hand brushed against hers, the simple gesture grounding her in the moment.

“I’ll handle it,” Aaron assured Marcus, looking over at Kimberly with a reassuring smile. “We’re good. I’ll make sure the press understands the truth.”

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Later that week, Aaron’s focus shifted to his role in Mufasa: The Lion King. The big production was about to kick off, and while Kimberly was still trying to get used to the headlines, she couldn’t deny that she was in awe of the scale of it all. It wasn’t just another movie for Aaron; it was his dream project.

There were script read-throughs, wardrobe fittings, and intense discussions with the team. Aaron had been spending long hours at the studio, preparing for the role. And even though she wasn’t directly involved in the creative side of things, Kimberly found herself more intrigued by the process.

“Are you ready for this?” she asked him one evening as they sat together, reviewing schedules in his office.

“I’m always ready,” he replied, his focus never wavering from the calendar in front of him. “But this one... it’s special.”

Kimberly couldn’t help but smile, seeing the passion in his eyes as he talked about Mufasa. She didn’t need to be a part of it to see how much it meant to him. In some way, being there by his side, even in the background, felt just as important.

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As filming for Mufasa began, the first official press conference was scheduled. Aaron had agreed to do a joint appearance with Kimberly to address the rumors and set the record straight. It was a big step. Aaron wanted to be transparent, but he didn’t want to throw Kimberly into the media storm without her consent.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Aaron asked her quietly before they walked out for the press conference.

Kimberly hesitated, but then she looked up at him, her decision clear in her eyes. “Yeah. Let’s do it. We can handle it together.”

The two of them stepped in front of the press, cameras flashing, microphones held out, and reporters shouting questions. As the crowd quieted, Aaron wrapped his arm around Kimberly, pulling her close.

“We’re together,” he said, his voice steady and strong, making it clear to the world that they were not just coworkers. “And we’re not hiding it.”

The room erupted in flashes and murmurs, but Kimberly wasn’t afraid anymore. She had Aaron beside her, and maybe, just maybe, they could make it work, despite the chaos of the spotlight.