The Hilton Hotel directly across from Universal Studios is one of the busiest hotels in Los Angeles. Thanks to the proximity of famous attractions like Universal Studios and the Hollywood Hills, this branch of the Hilton welcomes visitors from all over the world year-round, with a constant flow of guests coming and going.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association chose this particular Hilton near Universal Studios as the venue for the annual Golden Globe Awards, and the prime location certainly played a part in that decision.
Hugo sat in the rented luxury car, feeling the nervous tension rising despite his experience with big events over the past year. But this was his first awards ceremony. Listening to the cheers outside growing louder, Hugo couldn't help but recall the Golden Raspberry Awards ceremony—his "welcome ritual" into this new world. He thought to himself that Los Angeles in 1992 had been far from kind!
Sensing Hugo's nerves, Joseph had to consciously relax his own tense demeanor. Today, he wouldn't walk the red carpet with Hugo. After all, this was an awards ceremony, not a film premiere. As his client's manager, he would stay in the guest lounge with other managers and assistants to watch the live broadcast. This allowed Joseph to relax a little.
"Have you thought about how you're going to answer questions about Oprah?" Joseph asked, his tone carrying a faint smile, reflecting his good mood. "Troy mentioned you saw some of the media coverage already, right? Though a bit late," he paused briefly, his peripheral vision catching Uma sitting beside Hugo. Uma was visibly anxious—this was her first red carpet at an awards ceremony. Joseph quickly returned his gaze forward. "But the reporters have been building up to this day for a long time."
Hugo's thoughts immediately went to the reviews he had just read in newspapers and magazines. He could already anticipate that questions about Sunburn would be a focal point on the red carpet, which helped ease some of his tension and brought a more natural smile to his face. "Phew… I just hope Oprah's last-minute surprises don't come up again today."
Joseph looked down, a slight smile tugging at his lips. Hugo's offhand humor might not provoke roaring laughter, but it certainly drew a quiet, amused smile.
As Hugo calmed himself, he noticed Uma beside him still tense. The skin on her right arm was taut; even a fist's distance away, Hugo could feel the tension. This was unlike the Uma he knew—usually decisive, bold, and self-assured. But the nerves of the Golden Globe red carpet revealed a rare vulnerability. Hugo instinctively placed his left hand on her left shoulder, trying to pull her close.
Uma flinched briefly at the touch but immediately relaxed when she recognized Hugo. She leaned slightly into his embrace and exhaled a long breath. Hugo chuckled softly. "Relax. We're walking the red carpet together. Nothing to be nervous about."
Uma took a few deep breaths, nodded, but didn't speak, the tension still faintly visible beneath her composed exterior.
Soon, the car slowly came to a stop. Hugo looked out the window to his right and saw a sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see. The red carpet, vibrant as fire, extended beyond vision. It was right there—within reach.
Hugo widened his eyes and adjusted his breath. He looked up to see Joseph smiling, giving a thumbs-up. "Charlize and Alex said they're waiting to see you win." Hugo couldn't help but laugh, and the tension instantly dissipated.
"I haven't prepared a speech in case I win. Hopefully, I won't forget their names," Hugo joked, eliciting another smile from Joseph. Uma, sitting beside him, also relaxed, a small smile appearing in her eyes.
The car door was opened by security. Hugo didn't hesitate—first his right foot, then his left, stepping onto the red carpet. He bent slightly to exit, standing next to the car door, and reached his right hand out to help Uma.
The moment Hugo appeared on the red carpet, the front-line reporters and fans barely caught a glimpse of him before the screaming erupted. The shrieks were uncontrollable, erupting like a volcano, assaulting everyone's eardrums.
Uma was taken aback by the intensity and instinctively raised her hand to cover her ears. Feeling the waves of sound up close was unpleasant, but she quickly realized she couldn't compromise her public image. She steadied herself, placing her right hand in Hugo's, while her left hand appeared to adjust her hair, brushing near her ear to ease the sharpness of the sound.
Standing side by side, Hugo and Uma straightened their posture and began walking down the red carpet.
At that instant, the red carpet seemed to acknowledge Hugo's arrival. The crowd's screams ignited a blazing energy, marking the first peak of the evening. Brad Pitt, being interviewed on the red carpet, glanced over but narrowed his eyes upon seeing Hugo and Uma. He quickly composed himself and returned to the interview.
Hugo's cheers were on an entirely different level from Brad's, which didn't escape Brad's notice. But this was the reality—Scent of a Woman and A Few Good Men had elevated Hugo's acting career over the past decade, while the attention for A River Runs through it was limited. That film's acclaim mostly went to director Robert Redford, not Brad himself.
Still, the overwhelming cheers in front of him were harshly apparent, and Brad couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He thought mischievously: hopefully the next to appear is Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, then Hugo would have to step aside.
Unfortunately for him, that wish would go unfulfilled. Hugo and Uma stood on the red carpet with no other actors behind them. The flashes of the cameras fell like a silver waterfall, enveloping the two completely.
Hugo couldn't even lift his feet. This was far grander than any public appearance he had made over the past year. The overwhelming blaze of camera flashes instantly robbed him of focus. All he could see was darkness punctuated by countless shimmering lights. The momentary blindness made him hesitant to move.
Now Hugo understood why many actors, upon stepping onto the red carpet, don't immediately walk forward but stand still instead. It wasn't for the photographers' sake—this wasn't a photo zone. The blinding flashes forced their vision into temporary blind spots. Closing their eyes wasn't an option; the only choice was to endure, keeping their eyes wide open and standing still while being photographed. Only after a few rapid blinks, allowing their eyes to adjust, could they take another step forward.
So Hugo and Uma stood in place, maintaining polite smiles as they endured the cascade of silver light.
Today, Uma wore a floor-length, royal blue gown. The dress was minimalist, made entirely from a single piece of fabric. The fitted bodice highlighted her exquisite figure, while the long sleeves and high neckline carried a strong vintage, restrained sensuality. Only her collarbones were exposed, adding subtle allure. The skirt remained tight over her thighs and hips, but from mid-thigh downward it gradually loosened, flaring into a dramatic, floor-sweeping fishtail—a style reminiscent of 15th-century European sophistication. The bold yet simple cut made Uma stand out.
It had to be said: Uma's look was flawless. The Givenchy gown paired with a meticulously styled updo and diamond drop earrings—without any additional accessories—was perfection.
Yet, Uma's elegance required Hugo as a complementary presence.
Hugo wore a navy and black plaid suit, clearly a classic Burberry design. Its vintage cut carried subtle echoes of 15th-century European style. His white shirt was fully buttoned with pearl buttons, the small, sharp collar paired with a black bow tie, neatly framing his neck. The jacket's precise shoulder lines and tailored back gave him a clean, elongated silhouette. A dark green ten-button vest with brass buttons hugged his torso, accentuating the shirt's fit and the suit's cut. Only the middle button of the three-button jacket was fastened, while the top button had a delicate silver chain—a single decorative accent. Matching suit trousers extended to polished, dark brown Baroque-style shoes, with hints of deep red plaid socks peeking subtly. The understated yet precise details elevated the ensemble.
On the red carpet, Hugo appeared like a nobleman stepped straight from a painting. His dark gold hair neatly parted 2:8, sleek and polished, gave him an air reminiscent of the vampires of Romanian legends—deadly charm that could stop hearts and draw every gaze.
Though everyone knew Hugo was handsome and Uma beautiful—the pair had already stunned countless people at the premiere of A Few Good Men—their joint appearance today was astonishing once again. Beyond the camera flashes and the screaming, there was no other way to convey the heat radiating from the crowd.
The scene erupted into chaos.
..
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