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Chapter 26
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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
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 30
KeiraTwo weeks fly by with me barely registering the fact that RAZE’s new album launches in weeks. Their first World concert tour also kicks off in two weeks so the whole company is abuzz.Everywhere you look in the company building, staff and managers run around fulfilling last-minute preparations for the supergroup.It has also been two weeks since Ethan and I last talked in person. Apart from texts here and there, Ethan had been really busy with the group. They’ve been swamped with photoshoots, video shoots, and other content shoots.My phone buzzes in my jacket pocket. Upon seeing the name that’s flashed on the screen, I smile. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.ETHAN REED [9:55 AM]Hey, what’s with the long face?A blush colors my cheeks pink as I look up from my phone to meet Ethan’s eyes in the makeup mirror set up in front of him.Right, I forgot to mention that I’m playing roadie again today for RAZE’s video shoot. Despite impressing senior producers and members of the
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 31
KeiraI’m finally here.We step into the final stages of songwriting and I still can’t believe this is real. But I’m here in the studio, my hands splayed over the console, and Ethan recording inside the booth. This is real.With Ethan’s skills, we cover almost everything in a few hours. All that’s left are the adlibs, but the song is virtually finished.For years I dreamed of this, and now it’s finally coming through. But it’s a shame we couldn’t finish it in time.“You okay?”I look up in surprise upon hearing Ethan’s voice loudly through the speakers. He had spoken into the microphone, looking at me through the glass partition with concern swimming in his eyes.I hadn’t even realized that I was making any kind of expression. “Yeah, why?”Ethan doesn’t answer but he fixes me with a look that tells me he doesn’t believe me one bit. With a soft grunt, he pulls the headphones off and places them on the stand.“Stay there,” he says one last time into the microphone before he leaves the b
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 32
Keira“Ethan, what are you doing? We’ll be seen!” I whisper-yell at the pop star as he gets out of the car, in broad daylight without even a mask on, or a hat to cover his face.I am so getting fired for this.“Come on, Keira. Live a little!” He calls back before he shuts the car door and walks away. With a groan of frustration, I undo my seatbelt and follow him out.“Ethan!” I call out, not too loud, afraid of drawing attention. Looking around, there are barely any people in the area but it still wouldn’t hurt to be careful. When I finally catch up to him, I chuck a black cap into his chest, one I found in his car. “At least wear that.”He puts the hat on with a grin, clearly enjoying torturing me. “Follow me,” he says and takes off in a jog.Where even are we?I recall entering a gated community and panicking because the guards could have recognized him. But Ethan kept driving and I think we’re in some kind of playground or park. From the looks of it, this part of the community is o
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 33
Keira“Shoot, I forgot to buy us water. I’ll be right back.”Giggling at how adorable Ethan looks I nod my head, yes. “Go, I’ll be right here.”“You better be,” he replies with a chuckle before jogging back to the convenience store.“God, I have it bad,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head and laughing when he turns around and does a funny pose. “Go!” I say louder, motioning for him to go on.My heart hammers in my chest as I pull my phone out. I don’t know what to do with these feelings. Before I could overthink it, I shoot Naomi a quick text asking her for advice, thankfully she replies fast.NAOMI COLE [4:01 PM]Let me ask you this,Are you happy?KEIRA PATEL [4:02 PM]Right now, I am.But until when can I hang onto this?IDK, this feels more like a fantasy than reality.NAOMI COLE [4:03 PM]Aww ☹Keira, baby. Don’t overthink it, okay?Just follow what you think and feel is the best for you.KEIRA PATEL [4:03 PM]I want this.But I could ruin his career…NAOMI COLE [4:04 PM]You me
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 34
KeiraEthan and I take time to walk around his old neighborhood. He told me about his childhood. About how he used to skip classes to go to the park or sleep in the nurses’ office.“They seriously let you do that?” I ask with a chuckle.“What can I say? I’m a pretty good actor,” he says smugly.“Wow, you should get into acting then.”Ethan chuckles, nodding and putting his hands inside his pockets. “Oh my God, my manager would love that.”Suddenly, Ethan slows down to a halt in front of a white-fenced house. Ethan looks up to the two-story house with a sad smile playing on his lips.“You okay?” I asked quietly after a few moments, not wanting to intrude.Ethan turns his smile toward me, “Yeah, I’m good. This--” he gestures at the house. “—is our old house. This is where I grew up.”I look up at the house, it’s beautiful, bordered by a lush green front and assuming back yard. Even looking at it outside, it seems like a beautiful home to raise children in. The neighborhood as well seems
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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
