The tension in the air was palpable as I escorted them backstage. Chris Hemsworth quickly peeled off from the group, making an excuse about needing to go to the restroom.
Jessica Chastain had just presented the Best Actress award with him, and he stayed silent as she had twice butchered the name of the winner. To be fair, Saoirse Ronan isn't the most intuitive name to try and pronounce, but doing your homework for these kinds of things is important. You only have a minute on stage, and any mistake is bound to be magnified and scrutinized to oblivion.
Saoirse was obviously upset, I'm sure that she's used to it by now, but it's definitely got to suck to be an award winning actress and have your name get used as a punchline.
Jessica was trying to make polite conversation with her as I walked them backstage, but Saoirse was obviously having none of it. She complemented her on Lady Bird, tried to talk about her dress, and even flat out apologized for her gaff, but it was 100% cold shoulder from Saoirse.
As we neared the backstage bar area Saoirse pulled ahead of us and loudly started to talk shit to someone in the bar about what just happened. I couldn't make out who she was talking to, but she quickly had a large group of people laughing, obviously at Jessica's expense.
We slowed to a crawl, not wanting to follow Saoirse into the bar and create a more awkward scene. I turned to Jessica and saw that her face was beet red, even more more red than her hair. She looked incredibly beautiful despite how obviously embarrassed she was, but I felt so bad for her. She met my gaze and lightly shook her head no, confirming my suspicion that she didn't want to face her peers. It was pretty much my only job to escort the stars from the stage to the bar, but I figured my boss would understand considering the circumstances.
Our only options were to head back toward the stage, or off to the side down a narrow service tunnel. Grabbing her lightly by the arm, I led her down the tunnel.
"This way, Ms. Chastain," I said gently as I guided her down the dark, narrow path. After a few turns we made it to a dimly lit storage room, mostly containing unused furniture from previous backstage events.
I let go of her arm as I went to open the door on the far side of the room, but I only heard the defiant click of a locked door as it refused to budge. I pressed my weight into it a few times, but it wasn't cooperating. I felt like an idiot, leading her down here to a dead end. I couldn't even knock, they warned us against the noise it would cause in the telecast.
I shrugged awkwardly at her as I started to head back toward the tunnel to the bar, but she stopped me in my tracks.
"Please," she said, gripping me tightly by the wrist, "let's just stay back here for a moment." Her voice was shaky, she was still obviously upset. Facing her directly, I had a better excuse to check her out inconspicuously. She looked incredible in her black dress and bright red lipstick, matching her hair and flushed face.
"I'm sorry Ms. Chastain, I'm already disobeying orders by trying to bring you around the side, I'm supposed to deliver you to the bar and be ready in a minute to escort the next presenters," I said, bumming myself out as the words fell out of my mouth.
"You can take a minute, don't worry," she insisted, cocking her head and half smiling at me. The way she was talking made it sound like she was used to getting what she wanted, but I could tell she was also still upset.
"I don't know, Ms. Chastain, my boss was explicit and I really need this job," I tried in vain, but her will was too great.
"I said don't worry about it, I'll have a word with him," she said firmly, "Plus, don't you want to spend a few minutes with a pretty girl like me?"
Her confidence was a giant turn on, although I knew she was only flirting to get what she wanted. I rationalized that she could almost definitely bail me out if my boss figured out I was gone, and she was right, I was very eager to spend a moment with her not constrained to official duties.
I said nothing, but she smiled more widely at me. She must have sensed my crumbled resolve. Despite her outward confidence, I still saw obvious tears welled up in her eyes. My heart melted as I saw a shiver shake her small frame. She was obviously a great actress, but even she couldn't hide how upset she was.
"Come here, pretty girl," I said boldly, opening my arms to her. We each took a step forward as I wrapped around her.
She let out a loud sigh as she melted into my arms, her head resting on my chest.
"Was I that obvious?" She probed, laughing as she squeezed me. I was surprised by how open she was being with me, but I was in no rush to do anything to ruin the moment or make her feel bad.
"Don't trip about it," I consoled, "she's being really... rude." I finished with a delay.
"I thought you were going to call her a bitch," she spoke into my chest.
"Hah," I laughed, "I would get fired for talking like that, I'm supposed to be nice no matter how unruly any of you get."
"Am I being too unruly for you?" She questioned, lifting her head to meet my gaze.
Her confidence was intoxicating to me, and I could tell she could read it on my face. I held her tightly against me, probably a little more than was appropriate.
"Absolutely not, Ms. Chastain, I can't imagine any man would complain about being in my position right now," I said honestly.
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be hanging out with the best actress winner?" She pushed me away, but held me at arms length.
"Absolutely not, you're the most beautiful woman in the building tonight," I took her by the hand and spun her around for effect, "you look incredible in that dress."
She really did look amazing, I wasn't just being nice to cheer her up. Feeling bold, I pulled her back up against me and smiled down at her.
"I look even better out of it," she purred, taking me by complete surprise. My cock jumped, and I was almost sure she felt it. I thought I kept my cool, but she must have read my face again.
"Haha, I knew that would get you," she teased me, leaving it ambiguous.
