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Chapter 31
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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
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 35
KeiraMy phone’s ringing alarm on top of my nightstand has always been what has woken me up every day but today, something changed.“Hello?”“Good morning, beautiful.” Ethan’s voice on the other end of the line shocks me awake.“Ethan?” I ask, sitting up slowly, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. “Good morning.”“Did you sleep well?” he asks, sounding more awake than I.I hum in a positive response, still too sleepy to mutter a proper reply. I hear Ethan chuckling in my ear and I smile unconsciously. “Hi.”“Hi,” he replies, more enthusiastic than me. “Go get ready, I’ll see you at work, okay?”I hum again, a smile firmly planted on my face.My mornings have never started so well as today that I sing and hum throughout my morning routine even my roommate, Naomi, noticed.“You seem a lot chipper today, did something good happen?” she asks as she places her dishes in the dishwasher.I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips, “I—Naomi, I think I really like him… and I think he really li
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 36
KeiraDays pass with Ethan still busy with the rehearsals and concert preparations. But despite that, we managed to keep in touch through texts in the morning and calls at night. Ethan’s usually so tired to carry on a conversation for longer than a couple of minutes, but we both still enjoy what little time we get to ourselves.“It’ll get easier in time,” I tell Ethan, and I hear him stifle a yawn on the other end. “Stop sulking, okay? We’ll have more time in the future.” Though we were making it work, Ethan has been sulking for some time.“But I’m going on tour soon and we won’t see each other for months!” Ethan whines and I can tell he’s pouting even without seeing him. His voice sounds a bit muffled, probably trying to keep his voice quiet.“Months?” I ask, surprised at how long we’d have to wait. I thought he would be gone for a couple of weeks to tour in Europe and then be back before Christmas, but I guess, I was wrong.“Yeah, we’ll plat a couple shows here, then to Europe. Afte
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 37
Keira“So, on a scale of one to ten, how happy are you that I’m here?” Ethan asks, popping another jelly bean into his mouth.We’ve settled on spending the night here in my apartment. Here being less conspicuous and less likely for anyone to suspect anything. Ethan has spent the better half of the hour he’s been here chowing down on our snacks though than focusing on the movie playing on my laptop.“I would have said eleven, but you keep talking so I bump it down to nine.” Ignoring his mock expression of offense, I reach over and grab the bowl of popcorn.For a student dorm, Naomi and mine’s shared apartment is a pretty decent size. It allows for a common area outside, and a big enough bedroom to fit a double-sized bed. But what I used to view as a blessing, now seems like a curse, because with Ethan’s unbelievably long legs and muscular body, the bed I used to roll around in seems too small to fit us both.But Ethan doesn’t seem to mind, even if his feet dangle off the foot of the be
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 38
EthanI’ve always looked forward to game nights with the guys. There’s usually nothing that could beat hanging out in Luke’s insanely large game room with free-flowing drinks and round after round of Mortal Kombat. But since Keira, I find myself dreading leaving her apartment to go to Luke’s.“What took you so long, dude?” Luke asks the moment I enter the door to his penthouse. “You with Keira again?”“Huh?”“Are you dating her?” This time it was Alexander who asks. He claps a hand on my shoulder leading me into the game room where the two other members are waiting.“Dating who?” I ask, trying to feign ignorance. It hasn’t even been an hour since I left Keira’s apartment and promised her I would keep our relationship a secret until she was ready to go public, yet here I am being interrogated by my groupmates.Luke’s game room is the size of a small public arcade. Equipped with the latest gaming consoles on one side of the room and retro gaming machines on the other, stepping in here a
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 39
KeiraEthan sprawled across my bed, reading a romance book he’d fished out of my little bookshelf. He has been lazily scrolling through the pages for the better half of the hour arguing with me about how elves shouldn’t be little and meek, but buff and strong like Legolas in The Lord of the Rings.But my mind is not stable enough to discuss science fiction with him. It’s still busy processing a message I received twelve hours prior.“Hey are you okay?” he asks abruptly cutting off my train of thought.Okay, how do I tell him, ‘No, I’m not okay, It’s been twelve hours and I’m still reeling over the that you called me baby over text?’“Baby?”“No!” I scream unintentionally, jumping from where I’m seated at the foot of the bed. “You can’t just do that! It’s not good for my heart.”Ethan suddenly looks concerned. He lowers the book onto the bed and gives me his full attention. “What are you talking about?”Biting my lip, I dread having to vocalize my dilemma to him. Why is this happening?
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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
