Once In A Lifetime

A Ghost From The Past

Melissa's POV

I stood in front of the mirror as I looked unhappy. I moved a necklace up to my neck as I exhaled and frowned. I was getting frustrated. I moved a different necklace to my neck, again, a no go. Just then, Scott moved to me. "Babe, they all look fine. Pick one already."

His hands moved to my hips as he smiled at me through the mirror. I looked at him through the mirror and frowned. "Scott, this isn't just some premiere or event. It's the Oscars. I want to look perfect. Do you have any clue how many people watch this?"

"No, I don't. And I honestly don't care. You look beautiful, babe. No matter what." He gave me a small peck on my cheek and I just smiled. He moved away.

A lot had changed the last several months since my break up with Seth. The biggest change, I was engaged now, and to Scott Eastwood at that. I wasn't exactly happy but I was as close as I could get. I didn't think I could be happy again after Seth. I met Scott through a friend in the biz shortly after Seth and I broke up. Originally, he was suppose to be a rebound guy but he fell for me and the tabloids caught wind of our relationship. They made it out as we were perfect for each other. We did look perfect together, at least what society accepted. I decided to keep the relationship going as I felt this is what society accepted. They never quite accepted Seth and I when we were together. After our break up, they slammed us basically say we were an odd match anyways. All that did was hurt me. But I felt they might be right as we didn't last. But with Scott, it made sense to people. He was a good guy but I didn't love him. When he asked me to marry him a few weeks prior, I said yes. But only cause I felt it was expected of me. I just made the best of the situation. He was also great with my kids and knew how to deal with Kevin. He was perfect all around but I didn't love him. So, I just pushed my feelings down and always forced a smile with him. He did sometimes make me genuinely smile, but it wasn't the same. I turned to him as he was in his tux. He did look handsome, but he didn't give me that butterfly feeling. "Scott, this is important. I want to look perfect. You do, so should I. It's easy for you guys. All you have to do is put on a tux, shave, and style your hair just right. But us women have to put more work into it. Millions of people will see me tonight, see us. I gotta look perfect."

Wasn't the only reason I wanted to look perfect. There was another reason, a bigger reason but I wouldn't tell Scott that. He smiled. "Babe, you are one of the most beautiful women in the industry. Hell, in the world. You could go out there dressed in a trash bag and everyone would still talk about how beautiful you looked. Now stop worrying about it as I know you will look perfect."

I did feel a little better. I went back to getting ready. I was finally ready and we walked out to the limo. It took us to the big event. We pulled up to the red carpet and stepped out. Instantly, cameras were on us. The Oscars was a huge event. I was nervous as it was my first time being there. I was asked to present an award. I quickly said yes. But not cause of the once in a lifetime opportunity but cause I knew who was hosting. We walked up the red carpet as we took pictures and did interviews. I prayed that no one would ask the obvious question, which they didn't. I was relieved. I wasn't ready to answer those questions as the pain was still there. Then we went to head inside. I got nervous as I knew I would see the man I once loved. The man I still loved.

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Seth's POV

I was a nervous wreak. Hosting the Oscars was a big deal. I started to second guess why the hell I agreed to this. But I knew why, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. How many people actually get asked to host the Oscars. It began and I did the opening. I got laughs and did my dance number. That was the part I was most nervous about. I nailed it. Everyone seemed to enjoy my jokes. As the night progressed, I went to introduce one of the presenters. I knew this one very well and knew it would be hard to force on a smile to introduce her. I went on and I managed to do so as I kept it together. I walked offstage and looked on. I saw Lissa walk on stage, god did she look beautiful. She presented the award and once everything was done, left on the opposite side of the stage. We were able to avoid each other. Apart of me was relieved but then another part of me wanted to see her, to be close to her. Last time I saw her was the last night we were together, the night it all ended. A night I knew I would never forget. I knew she was engaged now. The tabloids were plastered it. God, did it sting to see that. Even at work, everyone was concerned as they saw it too. They were trying to be there for me. But I put a smile on my face as I try to act like it didn't phase me, but it did. It a very big way. But I had to seem unphased by it as I, too, was dating someone. I started to see Emilia shortly after Lissa and I broke up. It was nice to have someone there so it wasn't as bad. But it wasn't the same. She was nothing like Lissa. I just kept it going, I think so I wouldn't be lonely. The pain after our breakup was too much. So, it was nice to have a distraction.