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Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 16
KeiraI blame it on reflex when I shake Ethan’s hand away a little too violently. Well, reflexes and panic.“What are you doing?” I whisper-yell at him, my head whipping side to side to check if anyone saw. About half a dozen people are walking the halls but no one was paying attention to us, thank God. “This isn’t what we talked about!”My irritation grows when Ethan holds his hands up in surrender, but he doesn’t look even a little bit sorry for what he did.He and I agreed that we’d keep it lowkey. To be honest, I didn’t think we’d have to interact this early on after we made that deal. Shit, should I have asked for a written contract? That way I could set some limits. If even a tiny rumor starts, Ethan would get scolded a bit, but I would get fired. I literally have everything to lose, and this asshole is acting like everything is right in the world.“Relax,” he says chuckling at my reaction. I may have overreacted a little, but it was his fault for being careless in the first pla
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 17
KeiraI don’t see Ethan for the rest of the day and even the next day after that. This might be just me overthinking, but what if Ethan is avoiding me?I hadn’t meant to be rude but I do admit that I might have been a little rude. Sighing, I drag my ass up to the studio. After begging the senior producer for weeks, I managed to get myself a free slot to use one of the recording studios.To be honest, when Ethan offered to let me produce a song for him, I was beyond excited. I got to work right away, and in three short days, I’ve managed to come up with a couple of songs that I could pitch to him… well if he’s still willing to listen.“Wow, look at all this stuff,” I mutter quietly to myself. This is probably the only time I’d get an opportunity to use these so I have to make the most of it. “Don’t screw this up, Keira.”Making quick work with the setup, I set ample time for when the cue starts so I can run into the booth and sing.The first notes of the song filter into the headphones
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 18
KeiraSweat drips down my chest under the strobing club light, drunk on the energy in the room. It was times like these when I really love my job despite how taxing it is. There’s no greater feeling than seeing so many people grooving to my music.“What is it?” I ask when a staff member taps me on the shoulder to whisper in my ear. “VIPs? Sure, I can do that.”I do a quick search on my laptop, looking for the perfect song to play. Found it.“I heard we got a couple of VIPs on the floor tonight,” I say into the mic, flirtingly. “Let’s give them a warm welcome, shall we?”Moving to the turntable, I spin then a couple of times, building up the song until I reach the perfect moment to transition into RAZE’s newest dance song. ‘Like it.’The opening chorus pours in through the speakers and the crowd goes wild! However, this time I know it’s not because of my music, but the hype in knowing there are celebrities in the club. Whoever they are, they made a pretty good request. ‘Like it’ is one
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 19
KeiraFinally moving to stand up, squeeze past Ethan to head to the booth. Chris’s time is almost done, but I know he’ll keep it moving until I’m ready.As I slip past Ethan, a hand grips around my wrist stopping me effectively. “Hey, Keira, we’re okay, right?”“Huh?”Ethan lets go of my wrist like he’d been burned. It’s like he’s only realizing now what he did. With the same hand, he scratches the back of his head, sitting awkwardly as I stare curiously at him.“Just— I’m sorry about the other day, I was a dick to you when you were just protecting yourself,” he says, as his eyes dart from mine to the wall, then back to mine. I think it’s cute how he couldn’t hold eye contact. “I didn’t realize exactly how dangerous this deal is for you.”Though a little irritated at how he used my real name, I’m too surprised to care. I know I’ve thought of it, but I didn’t think that he’d actually spent time to ponder on his actions toward me. Is that why he was aloof these past few days?“Um, wow.
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 20
Keira After that encounter, I turned my phone off and stayed at home for the next two days. Thankfully, it’s a weekend. I guess the universe is still on my side. I spend that downtime focusing on my music. I manage to produce two complete beats, undistracted before my mind wanders back to my encounter with Ethan. Why the hell did he do that? But I really can’t come up with anything so I blamed it on him being drunk. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have done that. He wouldn’t have held me like that. He wouldn’t have tried to kiss me. However, despite all my best efforts, I can’t get him out of my head. “You know what? Fuck it,” I mutter to myself as I make a dive for the bedside table where my phone is. I turn it on and ignore all the other notifications except those from Ethan. ETHAN REED [12:40 AM] Hey, can we talk? ETHAN REED [12:52 AM] Keira, I’m sorry for earlier. Why do I never run out of things to apologize for? ETHAN REED [1:30 AM] Keira, please call me back. Thank fuck f
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 21
Keira“Okay, so for our first order of business, maybe we can talk about the things that you love to do,” I say as I take out a notebook and pen from my mini leather backpack.“That’s cute,” Ethan comments, and I can’t help but gush over my bag.“The bag? Thank you for noticing!” I reply, holding the bag higher for him to see. “It’s one of my favorites.”“Cute.”“What?”“Nothing. You were saying?”Okay, weird. But I brush it off with a pout.“Anyway, I was thinking we could list down your hobbies, maybe there’s a clue hidden there somewhere.” Ethan nods as I speak, appearing thoughtful as I continue. “Or something that brings out the best in you. Like how I feel about music, even if I’m sometimes shit at it, I feel most comfortable when making or listening to music.”Ethan is silent for a moment, then huffs out a small laugh before shaking his head.“I don’t know. All I’ve ever had is dance, it’s the only thing I know,” Ethan says, his voice small as if he was embarrassed.“Don’t talk
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 22
KeiraTime surely flies by when you’re having fun. We didn’t even notice that it has started to get dark outside. After exhausting ourselves on the DDR machine, Ethan pulled me toward several others until we tried out every game in the arcade. All but one.“Do you want to know another thing that I’m good at?” Ethan asks, proudly smirking at me after winning the basketball game.I scoff at his confidence, competitive spirit awakened after he wiped the floor with me at most of the games. “What?” I ask in a challenge.Ethan grins, then points his arm straight to his left without breaking eye contact. “Wanna bet?” he asks, eyebrow quirking in a challenge, as my eyes land on the shooting game he just pointed at. “Loser buys snacks.”I bark out a harsh laugh. “Oh, you are so on!There are many things I’m good at, but it appears killing zombies isn’t one of them. In the end, Ethan wins and I whine all the way to the snack bar.“Not fair,” I whine as Ethan places an order for burgers and drin
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 23
KeiraGoing to work the next day seemed like the hardest thing for me to do. I wanted nothing more than to lay in bed and start a pity party for myself over a guy I could never have.I know I have no right to feel the way I do because Ethan already has a girlfriend, but having a crush never hurt anyone, right? I mean I’m the only one getting hurt from pining over someone like Ethan Reed. But after spending hours binging on Ethan’s dance videos available online, eating a tub of ice cream to match, I realized that I still have work to do. Maybe not now, but the future isn’t set in stone. Maybe if I wasn’t a nobody, Ethan would look my way.So, I fix my eyes on the prize, got my shit together, and went to work with renewed drive.“That’s good!” The producer says into the mic, then signals for the next member to go inside the booth.When no one reacts, I turn my head to the members seated on the studio sofa. All of them are on their phones, and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
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Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 56
KeiraThe whole arena explodes into gasps and whispers. Normally, you’d be able to ignore whispers, but when twenty thousand people start to collectively gossip about you in your presence, then it starts to become bothersome.My eyes meet Ethan’s asking for help, but he offers me a determined look and a reassuring smile.“You’ve seen her in the news and tabloids, and I’d like to ask everyone to please leave her alone,” Ethan speaks with a sternness in his voice, that I’ve only heard him use on me a few times. “She didn’t ask for this—to be in the spotlight. It was my fault that this happened. So, any hate toward her should be directed at me instead.”The crowd starts to shout comforting words at him, then.“It’s not your fault!”“We’re sorry!”Ethan smiles at his fans and I’m glad that he has those who genuinely support him. “Thank you all for your support. I promise not to let you down again in the future. From this moment forth, I promise to always be honest with you… no more surpri
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 55
KeiraWhen the four members of RAZE came to me with VIP tickets to their concert, I knew they were up to no good.“I’ll take this as collateral,” Alexander tells me as he unclasps the necklace and keeps it in his pocket. I cried about my necklace that night. I missed it the moment Alexander took it from me. It felt like it has always been a part of me, and when they took it, it felt like a part of me was missing.I sat on it, slept on it, and pondered on it for a long time before I decided that I had nothing left to lose except the man that I love.So without finishing my shift at the club, I shoot Jax a message, apologizing for disappearing all of a sudden.JAX [8:42 PM]Hurry up or you won’t make it.Dumbass.Did Jax know about this? It wasn’t impossible given how Alexander, Ethan, and apparently Luke too were friends with him. I shoot Jax a quick thank you before running up to my uber.“Sir, I’m in a hurry. Please drive fast.” This wasn’t the first time that I had asked an uber dri
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 54
Ethan“It’s the final day! Let’s give it our best!” Alexander leads the group to cheer again and we scream together to hype each other up.The previous concert days have gone smoothly and I’m confident that I can give a perfect performance today as well and I have Keira to thank for that.I’ve received positive responses from the fans telling me how they love my new look. And how they wished they could have seen me in this concept earlier.It makes me smile, but I can’t tell them that this isn’t a concept. This is my real personality, plain and simple.The concert goes well and without a hitch. It wasn’t until Liam pulls me aside during Aiden’s solo song that I notice that the boys are antsy.“Hey, are you okay?” I ask curiously. “You’ve been jumpy since the concert started. Are you nervous about something?”Liam’s nervous look transforms into a confused one real quick. “Nervous? I’m not nervous. Maybe you’re nervous—”“Okay, Liam, I got this.” Alexander cuts him off and the look of r
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 53
EthanMaking sure I’m still safe in my hiding spot, I reread Keira’s message over and over. This is real, right? Did she message me? This isn’t just some mirage that I’d imagined because I’m so deprived of Keira in my life, right?Just as I’m wondering about the possibility of Keira sending me a message, another one comes in.KEIRA PATEL [10:16 PM]It’s annoying and Naomi’s starting to hate me.Stop.I didn’t dream it.Holy shit, she’s talking to me. I’m overjoyed. There’s a part of me that entertained the idea of Keira moving on and leaving me. I was hopeful but I must admit I was starting to think she’d never be able to forgive me for what happened. This doesn’t mean she has forgiven me, but talking to me is at least a step forward. I feared that she was lost to me forever, but I guess there’s still hope.Quickly, I type out my reply.ETHAN REED [10:16 PM]You replied!Wait.YOU CAN SEE ME?If she could see me then maybe Keira really is at home. I peer outside the window but I can’
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 52
EthanThe concert goes on as planned.Alexander huddles us together before the concert starts, like how he does at the beginning of every major event.“Everything that happened tonight, let’s forget about it and give all of our energy back to the fans who came here to see us. We owe all of our success to them and despite everything, they’re still here to support us. Let’s give them the show of their lives.”We all cheer after Alex’s speech and it was moving.As we wait in the wings as the opening VCR starts, Alex pulls me aside and crushes me with a tight hug.“I’m proud of you,” he says into my ear and I can’t help the sigh of relief that leaves my lips. “I’m proud of you, Ethan.”He lets me go and I’m too ashamed to face him.“God, I’m sorry, Alex—for everything—”‘You’Ve apologized enough,” he says with a smile and he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever happens, we got you. We’re a team, remember? I’m sorry if I made you feel like you couldn’t rely on me. But you always have my
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 51
KeiraI think I made a mistake. Whatever possessed me to think I could face the club owner sober?Jax is intimidating when I’m drunk, and he’s downright terrifying now that I’m sober. He stares at me like I’m prey and he’s a predator waiting for me to make a move before he devours me alive.“So?” he asks. Shit. He spoke first. Jax spreads his hands out in a welcoming manner. “I have a few minutes, go ahead. Plead your case.”“Okay,” I huff out and take a deep breath. “First of all, I’m really sorry about what happened. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. And believe me, it wasn’t my intention… I’d understand if you’d want to fire me if I brought any bad rep to your club—”One of Jax’s eyebrows quirks up in question. “You’re asking me to fire you?”“No!” I blurt out, eyes wide in panic. “No, I’m sorry. No, quite the opposite. I’m here to beg you for a job.”Phew. It’s out. I managed to get it out. Great job, Keira.Observing Jax, nothing changed with his demeanor. The same playful
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 50
KeiraAs promised, Naomi comes with me to Myth the next day. Feeling pretty much the same as I did yesterday, I had to bury myself in a shit-ton of makeup to hide the puffiness and dark circles.“Maybe if you hadn’t stayed up late watching The Notebook, then you’d have had enough time to sleep.” Yeah, Naomi had scolded me for it earlier too.Speaking of Naomi, I owe her a lot. From promising to cover my rent for this month and for canceling a meeting to come with me today, she has been the best friend anyone could ever ask for.So, as we walk up the steps of the club at nine in the morning, I make a promise to myself that if I manage to convince Jax to let me work extra hours here, I would give something back to Naomi for being such a good friend.But to ask Jax for a favor, I need to be able to see Jax first. The man is illustrious and he’s almost always never accepts a walk-in meeting. But my good friend Chris promised he’d ask on my behalf.“Hey boo, how are you holding up?” Chris
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 49
EthanWell, this is a fucking mess. When I arrived at Patrick’s office, the other members are waiting too. With Patrick still in his meeting with the president, we’re stuck here until further notice.“Well, it’s nice of you to show up,” Aiden greets me as I take a seat, sandwiched between him and Alexander on the colorful couch. Luke and Liam are on the twin bean bags on the floor playing on their phones.“I’m sorry, I got held up…” but I let it hang because when I turn to face Aiden, he doesn’t seem upset like I thought he’d be. In fact, Luke and Liam look indifferent as well. It’s only Alexander who seems to have a furrow on his brow.Standing up, I address the room. “I’m sorry I got you all in this mess.” I got their attention with that, but I know they deserve more than a half-assed apology. “I’m gonna work with Patrick to clear this up quickly.”Liam stands up then claps a hand on my shoulder and offers me a small smile. I return his smile with a grateful one. Among the men her
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 48
Ethan“No! No, I didn’t!” I yell out, frustrated and dejected from today’s events. With my phone connected to the car, I can talk to Patrick while driving back. “The breakup was civil! I don’t understand why Rina is lying, but don’t trust her.”I rub a hand over my mouth in frustration. It just goes to show that anything is indeed possible. What I thought would be the happiest day of my life turned out to be a nightmare. One moment I was laughing with the love of my life, tangled in the sheet, and now I’ve managed to involve her in a dating scandal.I’m such a loser. I should have immediately gone after Keira. But instead, I wallowed in self-pity for the better half of the morning before I got my shit together and called my manager.I should have expected that the media would twist this into a scandal. And Rina… that wench. I should have known she was capable of something like this. It must have been her who leaked the photo from my neighborhood. She’s the only one who knew about it t
