Chapter 1

As I stroll through Central Park on this sunny Saturday, the atmosphere is buzzing with people enjoying their weekend. My sister, Eva Stone, had introduced me to this particular genre of music, and it has been keeping me company on this walk. I spend most of my days holed up in my apartment, so a little fresh air and greenery is a welcome change.

As I glance at my phone to check the time, I realise I've been out for nearly four hours. It's starting to get late, and I should probably head back. It takes me around thirty minutes to make my way back to my apartment building from the park. Once I arrive, I pause to look up at the building. It's a little too fancy and expensive for my liking, but I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Eva's parents had emotionally blackmailed me into staying there, and I feel indebted to them.

When I was just five year old, my world turned upside down when my parents got into a fatal car accident while bickering. The traumatic event left me with only a few scratches, but it cost me the only family I had. With no one else to turn to, I was on the brink of being thrown into the cold embrace of foster care. Fortunately, fate had other plans, and I was taken in by the loving and generous parents of my sister, Eva.

Eva was elated to have a little sister, and from the moment I entered their lives, her parents treated me as their own. I was grateful beyond measure, but there was always a small part of me that felt guilty for imposing on their kindness.

As I step inside the building, I wait patiently for the elevator to arrive. The familiar ding resonates, and I step inside. Since Eva's family owns the building, we were given the top-notch penthouse suite. I press the button for the highest floor, and the elevator ascends swiftly with only me as its passenger. Upon reaching my floor, I walk down the corridor to the door of my apartment and punch in the passcode, and the door unlocks with a soft beep.

"Hello?" I call out as I step inside the luxurious penthouse suite, but the only response I hear is the sound of my keys hitting the floor. It seems like she's not around. The apartment is massive, with three spacious bedrooms, giving both Eva and me enough space to call our own. I take out my phone to call her, but it goes straight to voicemail.

Heading towards the kitchen, I can't help but marvel at its beauty. It's a foodie's paradise, and I'm no exception. As someone who loves to bake, the kitchen is my sanctuary. I pour myself a glass of water and make my way to my room.

Although it's the smallest bedroom, I don't mind because of the breathtaking view it offers. Being a self-employed graphic artist, I have the luxury of working from home. With business booming, I find myself busy on my laptop most of the time.

It wasn't always this easy for me, though. After graduating from college, I struggled to find a job. But my Aunt Ana and Uncle Steve (Eva's parents) helped me out by introducing me to a client. At first, I was hesitant to accept their help because I wanted to pave my own way. But since I had no other clients, I figured I had nothing to lose. To my surprise, the client was impressed with my work, and since then, I've been busy with work, even though I'm only 23. With a stable job and an apartment to call my own, life is good.

"Avery, come here. I have something to tell you." I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't hear Eva's arrival at first. Startled, I quickly stood up to meet her. Before leaving my room, I pause my music and drop my earbuds. I walk to the living room, but when I don't see Eva there, I assume she must be in her room. I decided to wait for her to come out.

I'm currently watching a rerun of The Big Bang Theory when Eva emerges from her room. "Avery, I've got some exciting news for you" she exclaims, settling down next to me. Whenever she starts a conversation like that, I know she's about to drag me into something.

"I just got two VIP tickets to one of Hayden Thorne's concerts, and we even got to go backstage and meet him" Eva exclaims, beaming with excitement.

"How is this a surprise for me?" I ask, confused.

"Well, since you couldn't stop raving about how much you loved his song, I thought you'd want to meet him," Eva replies.

I muted the TV show. "Out of his whole album that you got me into, only one song tickled my fancy. What makes you think I want to see him live? Plus, you know I can't stand crowded spaces," I said, hoping my reluctance was clear.

"Avery, please, just this once. It'll be worth it, I promise," Eva pleaded, her eyes shining with excitement.

I don't know why she insists on dragging me along when she's perfectly capable of enjoying herself without me. Whenever she needs a wingman, I'm her go-to when all of her friends isn't available, even though I'm the complete opposite of a social butterfly.

"Did you ask your friends, Beatrice and Sophie?" I inquired, trying to buy some time.

"No, it's Bella and Sofia, and they're not snobs. Can't you just give them a chance?" Eva said, giving me a look that was both reproachful and hopeful.

"Don't give me that look. You know they're mean to me just because I wasn't born with rich like they were," I grumbled. Ever since Eva introduced me to her high-society pals, they've treated me like an outsider, reminding me of the gulf between their privilege and my adopted background.

"They're just joking. Why can't you take a joke?" Eva retorted, her tone a mix of frustration and exasperation.

"Why can't you go with them, then?" I asked.

"I called them, but they're all busy," Eva replied, deflated.

"Well, can't you ask someone else to go? It's not like you're short on friends. You have plenty of buddies from work," I suggested, my voice taking on a frustrated tone.

Eva is a famous actress and a permanent fixture in the glittering landscape of Hollywood. When she visits New York, she crashes with me to get a break from the spotlight. But even here, the constant thrum of paparazzi makes it difficult to lead a normal life.

"You're acting like actors have nothing better to do than to hang out all day. And I did ask other people, but everyone's got commitments. Please just come with me," Eva begged.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't want to go," I replied firmly, my eyes never leaving the screen. Eva pouted and leaned towards me, "Please just go with me." That was odd. Normally, when I refused, she would go by herself.

"Eva, is everything alright? You're not keeping anything from me, are you?" I probed, sensing that something was amiss.

"What do you mean, Avery? Everything's fine," Eva replied, sounding taken aback. But I could tell that something was bothering her.

"If you really want me to come, then tell me what's really going on," I insisted, hoping to get her to open up to me.