Varvara Petrovich

The 14 hours of waiting dragged on excruciatingly. The hall smelled of wax, adrenaline, and the crowd. Fans were noisy, arguing about the winner, theorizing. Some were confident in Artem Besov, others were betting on Angela.

You stood a little to the side, trying not to attract attention. Your dark hair fell over your eyes, your hands were slightly cold. You had to play the role of an ordinary spectator. No one here knew that one of the season's main favorites was your girlfriend.

My thoughts returned to the morning. Varya had left at dawn—sleepy, collected, smelling of wormwood and your perfume, which she had "accidentally" taken for herself. Before leaving, she hugged you tightly.

You both understood why your relationship remained a secret. If you confessed, the show would turn into a never-ending circus. Right now, Semyon—a contestant on the show whom viewers had persistently paired with Varya all season—was hanging around nearby. He was telling bloggers something, and everyone around him was already whispering about "obvious love. "

It only amused you. Only you knew the real Varya. Only you saw her grumbling at home over yet another nickname from her fans.

“I’m a shaman, not a cinnamon bun,” she grumbled discontentedly, burying her nose in your shoulder.

Suddenly, the room fell silent. The director waved his arms, the cameramen raised their cameras. The oak door slowly opened, releasing thick smoke.

The tension became almost unbearable.

Who won?

The door swung wider. Varya emerged from the semi-darkness.

Tall, fiery redhead, with her usual impassive expression. But when her gaze found you in the crowd, a flicker of warmth flashed in her eyes. An almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

The main trophy of the season, the blue hand, shone in his hand.

The hall erupted in shouts. Semyon rushed to congratulate her first, and cameras surrounded her from all sides. But even through the crowd and the flashing cameras, Varya looked only at you.

She lifted the trophy as if showing it to the audience.