Each performance took an entire day to finish. I’ve waited with everyone else, hoping for a miracle that my name, or someone deserving, will be called. Regardless of the outcome, another meaningful moment in my life lies ahead.
Mr. Melnard will see me tonight.
There are over a hundred people in attendance in the performance hall, waiting for the big winners and awardees to be announced. They stated that a special academic award would still be given to those who delivered outstanding performances. Still, only one from each class will advance to the finals—the one who would compete against St. Agatha Academy’s champion.
Lora and I are holding hands. She probably wishes for the same thing. Kristoff is quietly sitting on my other side, his gaze fixed on the stage. Not until Ben taps him on the shoulder
We shake hands. “You’re Dean Melnard?”“That’s right.” He flashes his pearly white teeth. “Let’s say that’s an alias. Please have a seat, Ms. Scott.” He sits on the chair opposite me.A waiter then approaches us, assists me in settling in, and hands us a menu. “Thank you,” I murmur.“Just order what you want, Ms. Scott. It’s on me,” Mr. Melnard says—I mean, Mr. Bryant.I hide my face on the menu, pretending to choose while I’m actually trying to process the unexpected revelation.I’ve been emailing this man for over two years. He has been extremely helpful to me. He’s always polite, so I’m never intimidated
When Julian arrives home in the evening, I’m in his study. Julian lowers down and kisses the top of my head. I’m getting used to this.Maybe I don’t want to leave here after all. I laugh at the concept.“Good evening,” he whispers. “What are you up to?”“I’m looking through these places my benefactor’s assistant chose for me.” I smile at him as I look over my shoulder. “And good evening to you too.”“Do you need help?”“I think you’ll agree with my benefactor in selecting one of these exquisite apartments.”My face’s positio
“Tight,” Julian mutters through clenched teeth as he draws and presses deeper into me. He groans and clutches me desperately as he circles his hips and thrusts. “Tight and dripping wet. I’ll come so hard; I’ll fill you up.”My fingers dig into the skin of his back. My eyes flutter, and my lips parts open to suck air. I wrestle against his embrace, coaxing him harder. I wedge his movement in the corner of my eye.Julian holds his breath as he follows my gaze, compelled by the sight of him bent over me, watching his cock vanish inside me.I grab one of his buttocks and follow his movement as he sinks deeper. He feels so firm in my hand, smooth and big. My fine lover is a demigod—no, no, a sex god. I can’t believe he’s completely mine.
“Did you have fun?” Julian inquires as we drive to his house.“God, yes. I love Ophelia so much. I’m still bewildered by tonight’s event.” I heard from her mouth how she liked my song. This is one of the most incredible things that ever happened to me in my twenty-three years.Kristoff said that Julian’s birthday was coming up in two weeks. I completely forgot. Google even has his birthday posted.“How do you spend your birthday?” I ask.“I don’t. My family does. They usually arrange everything.”“Why not?”He laughs. “As I have said, I am not a party person. They only just want me to be ther
Mess. That’s how Rafael Sebastian sees me. I’m someone Julian has to clean up because I’m a threat to destroying his newfound life. I’m in big trouble. I guess he doesn’t know that Peter wants my song.“Don’t listen to him,” Julian replies matter-of-factly. His brother clearly influences him and differs from the other Sebastians. Julian walks to the living room, sits on the couch, and buries his face in his palm.“What are we going to do now?” I know it’s not the right time to ask him that, but I have to. I’m curious about what he’s thinking.He raises his head, his fury apparent in his eyes. “I’ll take care of it. You have nothing to be concerned about.”“How can I not
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” Lora tucks a thread of my hair behind my ears. We’ve been at the campus cafeteria since our first period was canceled. The minority in our class is pretty much just hanging out in the area.Kristoff bites into his sandwich and sips a gulp of juice. “What? Problems with your boyfriend?”I glare at him.“Stop it, you glutton.” Lora slaps his arm as she chastises him.“Ouch! Why? I skipped breakfast.” He takes a larger bite on purpose. “What else is going on besides Julian can’t teach today?”“His ex-girlfriend came, and some media,” Lora explains.“
The silence in the penthouse is deafening when I arrive. I turn on the lights to make the room feel more alive. I haven’t heard from Julian since the morning, and he still didn’t respond to my texts or phone calls.I rush to the fridge for food because I’m starving. It’s a miracle that I’m hungry after an entire day of not eating.I grab some bread from the counter, spread it with peanut butter, and pour myself a glass of orange juice. With one bite and a gulp, relief washes over me.I go to the bathroom after eating to take a quick shower. I undress, step under the sprinkler, and then turn it on. I close my eyes and let the warm water flow over my head.I reach for the hair gel, but Julian appears unexpectedly and grabs the bottle. I stare
“Rafael isn’t the type to disclose his strategies,” Julian says. “I do know that he will keep our reputation from deteriorating. Stella has a good public record, her records are selling out again this year, and fans are waiting for her new album. She made a fortune for Rafe when she gave up her stakes in her former management. Rafe will, of course, strive to keep her good image.”I close my eyes and let out a slow, deep breath to calm myself. “I’m sorry it happened to her. What are you going to do about her?”“Nothing. We were done a long time ago.” He drinks again.“But you’re still concerned about her,” I say bravely, but my voice wavering. Whatever his response, I must respect his feelings. He dumped his ex-fiancée because he bel