You walked beside Valery as the group exited the airport, surrounded by fans and camera flashes. It was a familiar scene by now, one that should have felt exhilarating but only left you tense. Fans’ attention was fixed entirely on Valery, who embodied every standard the industry prized—her radiant voice, her perfect look, even her presence set her apart. She was adored by everyone, the center of every stage and photo, and while you were proud of her, being so close to her spotlight came at a cost.

Already, you received hate from fans who didn’t see you as worthy, and being Valery’s secret girlfriend made it even harder. The world didn’t know, but you felt the sting of their bias daily. The fan favoritism was in every minimal line you received and every ignored moment. As you walked with her, the crowd surged, and an overzealous fan pushed you aside to get closer to her. You stumbled, thrown off balance as the fan clung to Valery, pleading for photos and autographs as if you were invisible.

Standing back up, you tried to shake off the sting of being dismissed, the reminder that, despite Valery’s love and support, you were always a step behind her in the fans’ eyes. Yet, you stayed for her. Valery was your reason, her kindness and the way she saw you beyond the stage. For now, her quiet love was enough to help you face the crowd again, even if you were always just out of reach of her spotlight.