Chapter 27: The Weight of Success

The weeks following the completion of The Underdog's Dream were a blur of meetings, offers, and constant chatter about the film. Word about Lucas's intense performance had spread fast, and anticipation for the movie's release was building. The buzz wasn't just about the film—it was about Lucas himself. Industry insiders were talking, directors were asking for meetings, and his name was being mentioned in conversations about award nominations.

But with the growing attention came a new kind of pressure, one that felt heavier than anything Lucas had experienced before. He had finally broken through, become a rising star in Hollywood, but the weight of keeping that momentum was beginning to settle on his shoulders. Every new opportunity felt like it came with a silent expectation: Don't mess this up.

Lucas sat in his apartment one evening, his living room filled with the soft glow of the city lights outside. His phone buzzed constantly with notifications—emails, messages from his agent Danielle, offers for events and roles. He had wanted this. He had worked for this. But now that it was here, the reality of it felt overwhelming.

His mind kept circling back to a message he had received earlier that day from Danielle. It was an invitation to a prestigious film festival in Europe, where The Underdog's Dream had been selected for an exclusive screening. It was a huge honor, and Lucas had already been invited to walk the red carpet, sit on a panel, and take part in discussions about his experience making the film.

But instead of excitement, Lucas felt a gnawing sense of doubt. The idea of flying across the world, stepping into the international spotlight, and being expected to deliver a perfect performance—on and off the screen—was daunting. He had barely caught his breath after wrapping the film, and now it seemed like the pressure was only intensifying.

As Lucas scrolled through his messages, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Rachel.

"Hey, stranger," she said when he answered, her voice light and teasing. "I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages."

Lucas smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, things have been… crazy lately."

Rachel paused, clearly sensing something in his voice. "What's going on? You're living the dream right now. You should be on top of the world."

"I know," Lucas said quietly, leaning back against the couch. "And I am—at least I think I am. It's just… there's so much happening, and it's all coming so fast. I keep thinking that I need to keep pushing, keep saying yes to everything, or it'll all slip away."

Rachel's voice softened, the teasing gone. "Lucas, you've worked so hard to get here, but you can't do everything all at once. It's okay to take a step back and breathe. The industry isn't going anywhere, and neither is your success. You don't have to carry the weight of all of this on your own."

Lucas closed his eyes, letting her words sink in. He hadn't realized just how much he had been carrying—how much pressure he had put on himself to maintain the momentum, to stay relevant.

"I guess I'm just worried that if I stop for even a second, I'll lose everything," Lucas admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You won't," Rachel said firmly. "You've already proven yourself. You're not some flash in the pan. You're here because of your talent, your hard work. And people see that. But you have to take care of yourself, or you're going to burn out."

Lucas exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in his chest begin to loosen. Rachel was right. He had been so focused on keeping up with the demands of his career that he hadn't allowed himself to enjoy the success he had worked so hard for.

"Thanks, Rachel," Lucas said, his voice a little steadier now. "I needed to hear that."

"That's what I'm here for," she said, her tone lightening. "So, what's next for the great Lucas Cheng? Are you going to Europe and charming the international film scene?"

Lucas chuckled, the thought of the trip suddenly feeling less overwhelming. "Yeah, I think I am. It's a huge opportunity, and I want to see how people respond to the film."

"You're going to kill it," Rachel said confidently. "Just remember to have some fun while you're at it. This is what you've been working for. Don't let the pressure steal the joy."

Lucas smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "I'll try. Thanks, Rach."

"Anytime," she said, her voice warm. "And hey, call me when you're back from Europe. I want to hear all about it."

"Deal," Lucas said before hanging up.

A week later, Lucas found himself stepping off a plane in Venice, the crisp European air filling his lungs as he arrived at the Venice Film Festival. The festival was one of the most prestigious in the world, and it felt surreal to be there, representing The Underdog's Dream among some of the biggest names in the industry.

As he stood outside the airport, waiting for his car to arrive, Lucas took a deep breath. He had made the decision to be here, to embrace the opportunities in front of him, but Rachel's words stayed with him. He didn't have to let the pressure crush him. This trip was about more than just business—it was about experiencing something new, something exciting.

The first event on Lucas's schedule was a press conference with the director, Chris Howard, and a few other key members of the cast and crew. The conference was set up in one of the festival's grand venues, with cameras flashing and journalists lining up to ask questions about the film.

As Lucas sat beside Chris at the panel table, the room buzzing with anticipation, he felt a sense of calm settle over him. He had done the work, given his all to the role, and now it was time to enjoy the moment.

The press conference went smoothly. Journalists asked about the grueling training process, the emotional depth of the character, and the inspiration behind the film's raw, documentary-style format. Chris spoke passionately about his vision for the project, and Lucas added his thoughts on the character's journey and how much the role had pushed him as an actor.

One journalist, an older man with a serious expression, leaned forward with his final question.

"Lucas, you've had a meteoric rise in Hollywood over the past year. How do you manage the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight, especially with back-to-back films that require such intense emotional and physical preparation?"

Lucas paused, considering his answer. A few months ago, that question would have rattled him. But now, after everything he had experienced, he knew exactly what to say.

"I think the key is finding balance," Lucas said, his voice steady. "It's easy to get caught up in the pace of this industry, but I've learned that it's important to take care of yourself, to step back when you need to. I love what I do, but I also know that I can't do it well if I'm not giving myself the time and space to recharge. The pressure is there, sure, but I try to focus on the work—the craft—and not get too lost in everything else."

The journalist nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, and the conference wrapped up shortly after.

Later that night, as Lucas stood on the red carpet, the flashes of cameras illuminating the Venetian evening sky, he felt a sense of peace. The weight of success was still there, but it didn't feel as heavy. The film had been well-received, the international crowd buzzing with excitement, and Lucas could feel the tide of his career continuing to rise.

But this time, he wasn't afraid of it.

As Lucas smiled for the cameras, the city of Venice glowing behind him, he knew that he had found the balance he needed. The pressure, the expectations—they were part of the journey. But they didn't define him. The work did. And as long as he stayed true to that, everything else would fall into place.

The future was still bright, still full of possibilities, and Lucas was ready to face whatever came next—on his own terms.