The Oscars after-party was even louder than the ceremony itself.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled above a crowd dressed in black tuxedos and shimmering gowns. The sound of champagne flutes clinking filled the air, accompanied by laughter that seemed to float effortlessly. A mix of expensive perfume and the scent of old money hung around like a familiar ghost.
Harry found himself near one of the high tables, a glass of whiskey in hand, as a silver-haired studio veteran placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Twenty-four," the man exclaimed, feigning disbelief. "Two Oscars before you hit thirty? That's… something else."
His companion nodded in agreement. "A directing nomination at your age, a screenplay nod, a win for music, and a supporting actress award. Quite the night, Mr. Jackson. And an even brighter future ahead."
Harry offered a polite smile. "I'm really grateful."
"Oh, you should be," the older man said, his eyes sparkling with a hint of knowing. "Just remember to stay humble. Hollywood has a knack for putting arrogance in its place."
With that, they wished him luck and moved on to mingle with another group of producers.
As soon as they turned away, Harry's smile faded.
He took a slow sip of his whiskey.
He had a say, he thought. They all did.
He understood how the Academy voting blocs operated. Who had sway over whom. Who quietly lobbied behind closed doors. Eternal Sunshine snagging the Screenplay award. Editing slipping through their fingers. Those weren't just coincidences. And his age?
Just look at Good Will Hunting.
If he were still with Jackson Multimedia, maybe they would have pulled some strings. Perhaps that's what they did today.
But he didn't feel bitter.
Not really.
They were right about one thing.
He had time.
A hand slipped into his.
Warm. Familiar.
He turned.
Anne.
In the chaos of the room, she seemed smaller somehow. Her fingers tightened around his.
"Hey," he said softly. "What happened? Weren't you with Cate and Daniel?"
Anne glanced back over her shoulder before responding. "Cate got swept into a circle with her Aviator crew. And… I spotted Leonardo DiCaprio hanging around." She offered a faint, awkward smile. "I figured it was best to step away from that scene."
"And Daniel?"
Anne paused for a moment.
"He got stopped."
"By?"
She lowered her voice. "Harvey Weinstein."
Harry's gaze sharpened.
"She congratulated Daniel," she said carefully. "Said it was a shame he wasn't nominated. Praised his performance. Mentioned he'd love to see him in one of his productions."
Harry took a slow look around the room.
It didn't take long to spot him.
Daniel was near the bar, laughing with a drink in hand. Harvey Weinstein stood next to him, a heavy hand resting on Daniel's back, animatedly chatting away.
They looked… friendly.
Harry lingered on the scene a moment longer than he intended.
Then he turned back to Anne.
And remembered.
This was her first Oscars.
First red carpet. First after-party. Her Disney film was still in preproduction. She wasn't Cate Blanchett with her global acclaim. She wasn't Daniel with his industry respect. She was just a newcomer in a room full of seasoned players and predators.
He tightened his grip on her hand.
Downed the rest of his whiskey.
Set the glass on a passing tray.
"Let's go."
Anne blinked. "Go where?"
"Home."
She looked surprised. "Harry, you don't have to leave because of me."
"I'm not," he replied calmly. "I just can't stand after-parties."
A faint smile crept onto his lips. "Too many models asking for numbers. Too many old-timers pretending they didn't try to block you six months ago. Everyone's just putting on a show."
Anne searched his expression. "Won't leaving together… make headlines?"
He chuckled softly. "They were writing headlines the moment we held hands on the carpet."
He leaned in closer. "Besides, I already stirred up enough drama with Cate last year."
That brought a reluctant smile to her face.
He led the way out.
Cameras caught them as they left.
Of course they did.
----
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, a bit too bright for Harry's liking.
He groaned, feeling the familiar throb in his head—from hangover and sheer exhaustion.
As he shifted, he suddenly realized he was completely naked under the covers.
And there was Anne, peacefully asleep next to him, just as bare, her soft breaths filling the room.
Then came a knock.
Without waiting for an invitation, Lisa barged in.
She paused for a split second, then rolled her eyes.
"Of course," she muttered under her breath.
Harry squinted at her, still trying to shake off the sleep. "What's going on?"
Lisa strode over and shoved a newspaper right in his face.
"Congratulations."
It was the front page.
YOUNG OSCAR WINNER LEAVES WITH NEW MUSE — JACKSON'S NEXT LEADING LADY?
A smaller headline mentioned his earlier exit with Cate.
Harry blinked, trying to process it.
"And?" he asked, a bit confused.
Lisa looked at him as if he'd just questioned gravity.
"And?" she echoed. "You won two Oscars last night! And this is what they're focusing on?"
He leaned back against the headboard, feeling the weight of it all. "My relationship with Anne was bound to come out sooner or later."
"Timing, Harry," Lisa shot back. "It's all about timing."
Behind him, Anne stirred awake.
She blinked, clearly puzzled by the commotion. "What's… happening?"
Harry turned to her, his voice softening immediately. "Nothing. Just the press being the press."
A few hours later, Anne had left. Her agent was in a full-blown panic over the media frenzy. Harry reassured her calmly, "Just focus on your movie. We'll release a statement. We're together, and that's all there is to it."
Now Harry was sitting in his study, his hair still damp from a shower, while Toni paced back and forth and James flipped through a stack of documents.
"You've got offers," Toni said, buzzing with excitement. "Universal wants to chat. Paramount too. WB reached out. They're all interested."
James nodded. "Big directing gigs."
Harry barely reacted.
Toni switched gears. "Also… Anne. She's with WMA. We could bring her over to CAA."
James looked up, surprised. "That's up to her."
Toni shrugged. "Harry could sway her."
Harry didn't lift his gaze from the papers he was scribbling on.
"I have no intention of swaying her," he replied calmly. "Her career is her own."
Toni and James exchanged a glance.
James frowned. "What are you writing anyway?"
No response.
"Harry?" James pressed again.
Still nothing.
Harry's pen moved swiftly across the page.
Irritation began to bubble up in James. "What are you doing?"
Silence.
Finally, Harry set his pen down.
He stacked the papers neatly.
Gathered several printed documents.
Stood up.
"Let's go."
James blinked. "Go where?"
Toni crossed his arms. "And what exactly have you been working on?"
Harry smiled.
"For the past two months," he said, "I've been crafting a plan."
He picked up a thick folder labeled simply: DC — Phase One.
"They think I bought a comic company," he continued. "They have no clue."
James narrowed his eyes. "No clue about what?"
Harry walked toward the door.
"The first phase," he said lightly.