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Chapter 21
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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.
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 24
Keira“I still can’t believe Aiden is working with you on a song,” Alina says. “Is he as scary as the rumors say?”It has barely been a week since my encounter with Aiden. After I sent him the song, he contacted me immediately and scheduled to meet me in the studio. He told me my song could be good and that’s when he started to help with making it better. Granted, it sounds very different now from when we started but the song still carries the original sound and soul.I smile at Alina. She’s one of the new managers in the company, and this company dinner is to welcome the new employees to the team. Along with her, two others started out as interns but have now been absorbed into the company. We don’t usually celebrate but apparently, one of the members of RAZE insisted. And it’s certainly uncommon for the artists to celebrate with the staff outside of their activities.“I can’t answer that, Alina. I don’t want to get fired.” I tell her as I take another bite of my chicken. And that’s
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 25
KeiraIt has been a full week since the company dinner. A full week since I promised Ethan that I’d look into other things he could do to bring out that free side of him, and to be honest, I’m scared to see him because I’ve been slacking.Aiden and Alexander had me locked in a studio most days with other senior producers and it has been intimidating. You know that feeling when you think you’re good at something, then you meet other people sharing that passion with you and you suddenly find out you’re not even near their level.The whole experience so far has been extremely humbling. That being said, I’m up to my ears with work and assignments from the seniors that I barely had time to think about Ethan.“You okay? You seem tired.”“Huh?”Alexander chuckles at my clueless expression. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound rude, it’s just that you’ve yawned three times in the last fifteen minutes. Are we boring you that much?”Shit, was I yawning? I didn’t notice.“No, of course not!” I imme
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 26
Keira“Do you trust me?” I ask as we settle inside the train. Looking around, there are not a lot of people given it’s a weekend, but I’m still worried that we might be discovered.Ethan looks over at me. With only his eyes visible through the disguise, he’s wearing, I can’t really tell much about his expression.“I wouldn’t be taking this mystery train ride with you if I didn’t,” he says softly and I could swear that my heart melted from his words alone.He has been so sweet and understanding since I texted him to wear something plain and to wear a mask. And he arrived at the café in a cream-colored Chanel sweater with a puffy dark jacket over it, black pants, a cap, and a mask.“So, will you tell me where we’re going yet?”With a sly grin, I shake my head at him. “It’s a surprise, but I promise it’s somewhere obscure that nobody will ever find out about it.”Ethan chuckles, “Should I start getting worried?” he asks. “It sounds like you’re about to kill me.”He makes me laugh too. “I
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 27
KeiraYou know that feeling when you’re so focused on doing something that you don’t notice how much time passes, that’s how I feel spending time with Ethan.We’ve been sitting on the floor for two hours just throwing ideas and lyrics around that we didn’t notice the time until we started to hear voices outside.“Hey! Hey! Is anybody there?”Ethan and I freeze before quickly gathering our stuff and carefully making our way to the back of the train.“I could have sworn I heard voices, boss,” a second man says, this time a bit louder.“Shit, hide!” I hiss quietly, taking Ethan’s hand, walking deeper into the back of the train. Then, we find ourselves in a little space behind old train seats that have been stacked together in piles. We squeeze in between the two piles despite the tight fit.“Ethan—”“Shh.” Ethan holds his finger to my lips, cutting me off. My breath catches in my throat as he does. I was only going to tell him to adjust our positions but instead, he tugs me closer until
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 28
Ethan“I have a meeting. I’m sorry I can’t take you home.” I could only go so far as bringing Keira to the company building with me. After our little side trip to McDonald’s, I realized I was already running late for my lunch meeting with the rest of the guys.“It’s fine!” she quips, eyes smiling and already looking better than earlier. “Don’t worry about it. This is already too much. You even paid for my food. Are you meeting about the tour?” she asks as she unbuckles her seatbelt. She looks much more comfortable now than she was the first time she rode with me. For some reason, it makes me feel good knowing she’s starting to get more comfortable around me as well.But I shake my head at her question, “More or less, I guess. I’ll fill you in later, or maybe you’d find out in the news. But anyway, I’ll catch you later.”Keira looks at me weirdly but doesn’t ask any more questions for which I’m grateful.“Okay, bye. Thanks again.”I leave first, heading for the elevator. Once inside, I
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 29
KeiraSince I got home two hours ago, I’ve faceplanted myself on my bed, groaning into my pillows thinking about what happened earlier with Ethan.He likes me?Is he sure about that? What if…“Ugh!” I scream into my pillow, thrashing against the bed. This is all so confusing.“Hey, you okay?” my roommate, Naomi asks.Reluctantly, I get off my stomach and sit properly on the bed to face my roommate. “Yeah,” I sigh. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”Naomi gives me a sympathetic smile, “Do you want to talk about it?” she asks, and I finally look up to see her zipping up a lavender cami dress.I rarely see Naomi dressing up. She’s usually in jeans and crop tops so it’s refreshing to see her like this.“N-No, it’s fine,” I reply, still admiring her soft and dewy makeup look. She must have spent some time on it. Even her hair is pinned perfectly in a half updo. “I don’t want to delay you. Are you going on a date?”Naomi fixes me with a hard look, “Me? Going on a date?” she chuckles, flashing her
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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
