Caught in the Spotlight

Helen tried to push down the small flutters in her chest as she went about her day, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Lewis's kindness had left her with. She knew she shouldn't be feeling this way, not about someone like Lewis Pullman. He was a celebrity, a rich and famous businessman who didn't have time for someone like her. She reminded herself that she was just a simple girl from a small town, and he was a high-society type who didn't go for girls like her. But despite her best efforts, Helen found herself thinking about Lewis more and more as the day went on. She tried to distract herself with work and chores, but her mind kept wandering back to their encounter that morning. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted him to be so kind to her, and what he had been thinking when he offered to take her shirt to the dry cleaners. When she got home that evening, Helen found herself scrolling through her laptop, searching for information about Lewis. She normally didn't stalk people, but he was a celebrity, and there was some justification for her curiosity, right? She told herself she was just being nosy, but deep down, she knew she was looking for something more. As she scrolled through his social media profiles and news articles, Helen stumbled upon a photo of his ex-girlfriend, actress Emma Taylor. Emma was stunning, with piercing green eyes and long, curly blonde hair. Helen couldn't help but compare herself to the beautiful actress, feeling a pang of insecurity as she gazed at Emma's flawless features. Helen started to feel bad, her self-esteem taking a hit as she scrolled through photos of Emma and Lewis together. They were laughing and smiling, holding hands and gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Helen felt like she was intruding on their private moments, and she immediately closed her laptop, feeling a little ashamed. Oh no, she thought, trying to shake off the feelings of inadequacy that had washed over her. She couldn't think about these things when she had no chance with Lewis. She reminded herself that she needed to be extra careful around him, to try to avoid him as much as possible before her heart did something she regretted. Helen took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knew she needed to focus on reality, not fantasies about someone who was completely out of her league. She stood up, determined to put her laptop away and move on with her evening. But as she turned to walk away, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and for a moment, she felt like she was staring at a completely different person. A person who was maybe, just maybe, worthy of someone like Lewis Pullman. But she quickly pushed that thought aside, knowing it was just a silly fantasy. She was just a small-town girl, and he was a celebrity. It was never going to happen.