Behind The Limelight 00: Prologue

Ashton was pissed.

Actually, pissed was an understatement. He was beyond livid. The few whiskey sours he had downed weren’t helping him either, as he stared holes at the back of the head of the man that was causing him to feel this way.

As if knowing that there were eyes on him, Ryker turned around. His gaze landed on Ashton immediately, and he passed him a smile.

What was he thinking smiling at Ashton? Was he being snarky? Was he shoving it in Ashton’s face that everybody thought Ryker was better than him? Was he aware that Ashton hated his guts more than anything in the entire universe?

Ashton glared at him, causing Ryker to raise a questioning brow. Ashton said nothing as he looked away, before bringing his glass back up to his lips and taking another sip of the bitter liquid. It burned in his throat, but he liked it. He liked it because for those few seconds he could forget about Ryker.

They were at an award show. At the start of the night, Ashton was ecstatic. Obviously, since he was nominated for Best Actor of the Year. He was confident too, dressed in a designer tuxedo that he and his team picked out weeks ago. Of course, he had to look perfect when he walked up to the stage to receive his award.

Ryker Cohen was an old friend of his, someone he could no longer stand. Everything about Ryker pissed him off, which was why the fact that Ryker was nominated for the same award kept eating away at his head. But then again, Ashton knew he had this one in the bag. He was certain. Absolutely certain.

The first shock of the night was when Ashton saw Ryker walk down the red carpet with Maria, Ashton’s ex-girlfriend. They had dated for a long two years, and had broken up merely two months ago. Ashton was over her, or at least that’s what he thought. But that was probably not the case as he felt his blood boil at the sight of Ryker’s arm around her waist and her perfectly manicured hand resting on Ryker’s chest as they posed for pictures.

Ashton had to use all of his will power to look away, to face the photographers once again and put a smile on his face. Albeit a fake one. He could not be caught glaring at Ryker, especially since their feud was already public knowledge and this would only feed that. He wanted articles on him winning Best Actor, not more gossip columns on his rivalry with the other man.

The second event was when Ashton was at the bar, he just wanted to get a drink to take off the edge. But he could not have that peaceful moment as he was interrupted by the reason he wanted a drink in the first place.

“Ashton,” Ryker greeted. Ashton tilted his head to face him, his lips pressed in a thin line as he looked the fellow actor up and down. But instead of saying anything back, he simply faced the bartender again. “Seriously? Ignoring me now? Is that not a bit childish? Even for you?”

“Even for me? What is that supposed to mean?” Ashton asked, once again looking at the other man.

“You know what I mean,” Ryker stated, his tone casual. “This whole rivalry bullshit is childish but you just won’t let it die.”

“Maybe I’ll let it go when you stop fucking all of my exes,” Ashton retorted, passing Ryker a sarcastic smile. Ryker let out a chuckle, as he motioned for the bartender.

“Just a water, please,” he said to the bartender before looking at Ashton again. “Is that what this is about now? I’ll break up with Maria if that will make you feel better.”

“Wow,” Ashton scoffed. “That’s it? You’ll dump her just like that?”

“I’d do it for you.”

There was something about the way that Ryker was looking at Ashton, as if he was staring right into his soul. He did not budge, his eyes did not shift even slightly from Ashton’s, but other than that his face had zero emotion.

“You’re an asshole, you know that?” Ashton replied. “Why would you even date her if she means nothing to you? She’s a human, not a toy you can just throw away.”

“That’s not what I-”

“Save it,” Ashton snapped.

The corner of Ryker’s lips turned downwards in a frown, his gaze softening as Ashton drank his whiskey sour in a single go. He glanced at Ryker once more, for just a split second, before walking away.

By then, Ashton was already beyond annoyed, but he maintained his cool. He had to, for it was an important night and he could not let anything ruin it. Even Ryker Cohen.

Ashton had always loved award shows, even when he was a kid he would stay up and watch them all. Especially when he got to see both his parents and grandparents on the screen, being felicitated for their hard work and talent.

He had been nominated before, but never for Best Actor. This was his first time, and his movie had been a massive hit with both the audience and the critics. His agent and team has assured him that he had a good chance of winning, and being the confident person that he was, Ashton was fully convinced that he would.

He dug his nails into his palm, his heartbeat on the rise as he saw the singer on stage walk up to the podium, she was going to be the one announcing his award, and Ashton could not wait. He had his speech ready, he knew the people he was going to thank, the fans he was grateful for, and his family that had been a massive inspiration for him. He was prepared.

“And the award for Best Actor goes to…” there was the dramatic pause. She took out the card from the envelope, a wide grin on her face as she read out the name. “Ryker Cohen for Heroes Undead!”

Ashton’s smile fell. He felt confused. Numb. This wasn’t possible. There had to be a mistake. This award was his. He had worked his entire life for this very moment, and once again, Ryker managed to steal it from him.

Ashton watched, frozen, as Ryker kissed Maria before walking up to the stage with his signature smile. He gave a speech, short and sweet, as was his style. The audience cheered as he blew them a kiss, before walking back down to his table, hugging and shaking hands with people on the way.

Ashton blinked. He did not know how or what he was feeling. Disappointed? Angry? Frustrated? All of them?

He could not take this any longer. He stood up from his chair and made his way to the restroom. He knew people were looking at him, he knew photographers would’ve definitely captured his reaction on camera but for once, he did not care about that. He had to get away. He needed to.

Thankfully the restroom was empty, he walked over to the sink as he felt his head spinning. He was dizzy. He blamed it on the alcohol, and on Ryker. Mainly Ryker. He ruined everything once again.

Ashton splashed water on his face. Once. Twice. Thrice. He stared at himself in the mirror, hating what he was seeing. He hated the failure that he was. He hated that he was dragging his family’s name through the mud. He was not worthy of being an Archer.

Failure. Failure. Failure.

The word kept echoing in his head. He loosened up his tie, his chest was rising and falling rapidly and he felt trouble breathing. He could hear his own heartbeat, it was drumming so loud in his ears that his head began to ache. He looked down at his hands, they were shaking. He gripped the edge of the counter, needing the support so that he could stand up straight.

The sound of the door opening made him flinch as he turned to face whoever entered. His panicked expression turned to anger once again as he looked at Ryker. Ryker seemed concerned, his eyebrows furrowed with a soft frown on his face as he neared Ashton.

“Are you okay, Ash?” Ryker asked, keeping a hand on Ashton’s shoulder.

“Fuck you,” Ashton shrugged off Ryker’s arm, taking a step back and almost tripping. “Do not call me that.”

“What hap-“

“Fuck off, Ryker. I do not need you or your pity. Just go away,” Ashton retorted.

“I’m just trying to help,” Ryker muttered.

“You’re not,” Ashton said. “You’re not. You’re not helping.”

“But I want-“

“Will you just leave me alone? I do not want to see you or talk to you or just…I cannot be near you. Go away, please,” Ashton repeated.

Ryker was the last person he wanted to be around, but it seemed like the fellow actor was not ready to let him be.

“Ash-“

That was it.

That was all the patience that Ashton had. Before Ryker could even say his name, Ashton raised his arm and his fist connected with Ryker’s jaw.

***

There it is! The first chapter! Let me know your thoughts <3