Celebration

"Congratulations, Archer. By this time tomorrow, you'll be the youngest actor to be awarded the Best Actor of the Decade."

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations."

Congratulations and praises rained on Archer and he accepted them with a gracious smile. Although it wasn't the first time he was winning an award, this award in particular was special to him.

Not everyone was fortunate enough to be awarded the Best Actor of the Decade. The last award was presented four years ago. The awardees could be counted on the fingers and Archer was both, proud and ecstatic to join this marvelous group.

Working as a child actor at the age of seven and striving in the industry until he got his first role as the main lead, Archer gave his sweat, blood, and tears to reach his current position. After almost two decades of hard work, he had finally reached the stage he had always dreamed of achieving.

"I hope you have prepared your speech." Morgan Pike, the actor who had won the award last time teased him. "Don't disappoint us."

"I'm thinking of reusing your speech. Mind if I use it?" Archer quirked his brows playfully.

"Sorry, I have the copyright. Pay me the fees and you may use it however you want." Morgan wasn't the one who let go that easily and cornered Archer with just a few words.

"I'm nothing but a poor actor. Please spare me."

"If you're poor, then I could be considered penniless." Lisa Saunders, one of the senior actors, added. "Who are calling poor, Archer? You own one of the richest production houses in the industry."

"Well..." Archer let out a cheeky grin, thinking of a quirky comeback. "I have to pay my employees and invest in projects and by the time I receive my paycheck, I can only settle for dimes and nickles."

"Ahh, I see. Your dimes and nickles are enough for someone to feed their seven generations." Lisa remarked, making a sour face at Archer.

"Are you two on a mission to loot me?" Archer narrowed his eyes and stared at the two before him suspiciously.

"You could say so. Who says no to money?" Morgan nodded, rendering Archer speechless while Lisa chuckled in amusement.

"Archie, there you are! I have been looking for you everywhere." Archer heard an annoying voice and turned to face the man he wasn't on good terms with. It had nothing to do with the fact that they were rivals. It was just that the man made him feel antsy and the nagging feeling had stayed with him since the first meet.

"Justin." Archer greeted, hiding his displeasure behind his smile. 

"Congratulations, you."

"Thank you." Archer raised his glass of wine and accepted his words.

"So, are you prepared for the big day?" 

"More or less." Archer gave him a perfunctory reply.

"I am too. After all, it's you winning the award." Justin smiled at the familiar faces behind Archer. "I will be right back. Let me greet the others."

"You don't like him." Morgan pointed out once Justin was out of their listening range.

"Was it obvious?" Archer didn't deny it and glanced at the two people who were smiling at him knowingly.

"You hid it well. But you couldn't deceive us." Lisa revealed and Archer sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat.

"I just feel uncomfortable in his presence." He confessed as he swirled the wine absent-mindedly. 

"Is it because you two are considered rivals?" Morgan whispered, looking around to make sure no one was listening to them.

"Maybe. I just feel he is always up to no good."

"It happens. It's not unusual to be wary of your rivals." Lisa added, her mind drifting towards a distant memory for a brief moment.

Morgan didn't speak a word and sipped his wine silently while Archer left her to her thoughts, giving Lisa her time.

The party was in full swing. Most top actors and actresses, directors, producers, and a lot of other staff were present. Each person had an impressive career to boast about and it was an extravaganza the paparazzi cried to be allowed into.

Alas, no reporters were allowed anywhere near the building, let alone inside the banquet hall. It was a pre-celebration held by the sponsors, and only selected people were invited.

"Will you be there tomorrow?" Archer looked at the two people beside him.

"I am. I am presenting the award for the Best Actress this time." Lisa replied.

Archer then turned to Morgan who gave him a mischievous smile. "Do you not want your award, Archer?"

Archer let out a chuckle in embarrassment when the realization hit him. He had forgotten about it completely. Morgan would be presenting the Best Actor of the Decade award. It was a custom the ceremony followed where the previous winner would present the award to the new winner.

"If you don't want your award, I don't mind keeping it with me."

"Well, you may try if you don't want your house to be infiltrated in the middle of the night."

"Are you taking any new films? I heard you are on a break." Lisa queried, placing her empty wine glass on the table beside her.

"I will not be acting in any. But I do have a film I want to produce and your manager may get a call soon. There is a character which I feel only you can do justice to." Archer stated mysteriously.

Lisa was the first face he thought of when he read the script and he knew the lady wouldn't reject him. Moreover, the character was tailor-made for her and it was something she had never attempted before.

"Oh, my. Thank you. I'll be waiting then." Lisa smiled gratefully.

"What about me?" Morgan intervened, displeasure evident on his face.

"What about you?" Archer feigned ignorance and leaned back on the couch.

"Don't you have anything for me?" Morgan looked at him hopefully.

"Sir, I heard your schedule is packed until the end of next year."

"I can make some time if it's your production." 

"Not in this project, I apologize." Archer noticed the two people who had entered the banquet hall and he stood up immediately. "Kade and Brenden are here. Let me greet them. I'll be back in a moment."

Archer nodded at the two and went to meet his friends. It had been quite a few months since he last met them. While he had been busy with his work, Cade and Brenden had been shooting a movie in Spain. Their hectic schedules made it impossible for them to meet in between.

"Cade, Brenden." Archer fist-bumped them and the two men returned it with equal vigor.

"Here comes the man of the moment, Best Actor of the Decade." Cade teased and Archer gave him a smug look.

"I see that Spain has added color to you two." 

Cade and Brenden had returned all tanned and they seemed bulkier than before. It only added to their charms, however, and it was evident with how quite a few heads had turned in their direction since they arrived.

"Looks like Best Actor is jealous of getting his spotlight snatched." Brenden gloated.

"Oh please. We all know who the winner is." Archer beckoned the waiter and the three men picked up the glasses of wine before making their way towards the stools by the bar.

"Is the shooting wrapped up?"

"We have a few scenes left. But they'll be shot in Florida." Cade replied and smiled at the few familiar faces who met his eye.

"Cool. Listen, I have something important to discuss with you guys. It's related to the production house." Archer whispered, his expression turning serious all of a sudden.

"Tell, Archie. What's wrong?" Cade's smile slipped when he noticed his serious expression. Even Brenden had stopped smiling as they waited for him to speak.

"Not here. How about the day after tomorrow?"

"That works. Text us the time." Brenden nodded.

"Good."

The three men then continued to converse for some time before mingling with the crowd. By the time the party ended, Archer had had quite a few glasses of wine. But he was far from being drunk. He was still clear-headed and even bade Morgan and Lisa farewell before making his way out of the banquet hall.

His driver was already waiting for him. So, Archer didn't have to wait in the cold.

No one spoke on the way. Archer was enjoying the moment to the fullest and didn't realize when they had even reached home. It wasn't until his driver spoke again that he broke out of his trance.

"Did you say something, Roy?"

"Sir, we have arrived."

"Ohh. Thank you."

"Good night, Sir."

"Good night. See you tomorrow." Archer nodded at his driver before making his way inside the villa. The entire house was empty with all the staff already retired for the night just as he had ordered. 

Removing his bow tie, he slowly made his way toward his room, humming a happy song with a soft smile. 'Finally, I made it.' He thought, his nerves springing to life in excitement. How long had he dreamt about this day?

'In just a few hours, I will be the Best Actor of the Decade.' With that thought, he entered the shower. Once done, he wore his sleepwear and climbed into the bed.

Though exhilarated, his exhaustion got the best of him and he was out in no time.