I got separated from Julian at the party when everyone surrounded him to wish him a happy birthday. I also see his parents, Rachel and Benjamin, at the corner, speaking to some guests. I realize this is my second encounter with his father, and I don’t know much about him yet. Rafael, his eldest son, bears a striking resemblance to him. I’m curious about him because I’ve already met Julian’s entire family.The party is formal, well-prepared, and obviously exclusive, as evidenced by the familiar faces—most of whom are celebrities. I’m glad I dressed appropriately tonight. Everything Dean had arranged for me had probably come from Julian. Now I just have to get used to that fact and accept that he and John Pitch are the same person. And that I’m now engaged to him. This ring on my finger proves I’m not imagining things.
When I got to bed later that night, I immediately called Julian. Damn. My feet are killing me from running around all day in heels. “How’s Kristoff doing?” I ask, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. “He’s already dozed off.” I hear a door closing in the background. “Did you guys talk?” “Yeah.” “What did you say?” “Everything. I told him everything from the start. It’s alright now. You have nothing else to be worried about.” I exhaled a sharp sigh of relief. “We should’ve done this sooner. I’m sorry because Kristoff is a good person.” “He is. He didn’t tell you even though he already knew. “Hey, don’t worry about it, and get some rest,” he says softly. I chew my bottom lip. “Thank you for today. I was late, but you waited for me.” “No. Either way, I’d still tell you about it. I should be thanking you for accepting me.” Silence. I love hearing his voice. I could fall asleep all night listening to him speak. He makes me feel as if I’m lying on clouds. “I love you so much, Julian.”
“This is nonsense, and nonsense doesn’t belong on my desk, Ms. Scott.” Professor Jennifer Clarke almost spat her coffee on my lyric sheet before shoving it off her table. My songwriting professor has rejected my song for the third time. I need her to accept my lyrics and give me a passing grade before the holidays because my benefactor, Mr. John Pitch, wants an email report. “Did you think you were Taylor Swift, little girl? Did you think writing too much like her would make me happy? She is already in the business. We don’t need another one.” I lower my head, clenching my fist because I want to shout back so badly. Professor Clarke is a sophisticated woman in her mid-thirties, but she has mood swings like a woman going through menopause. I don’t argue with my professors, but she’s the only one who upsets me to the core. “I understand, professor.” I’m also not the only student going back and forth at her office in the past few weeks, but I’m the last one she hasn’t passed. “You’
“She gave me a B plus, but I thought this was the lowest possible grade.” Lora’s bewildered blue-green eyes stare at me. “Yes, and you know I need straight As to keep my scholarship,” I say, sipping my Frappuccino. “I’m sure that your benefactor would understand. It’s not a bad grade,” says Kristoff. “What did she give you?” I ask him. He pauses a moment before answering. “A-plus. Sorry, babe.” “See?” I groan and clench my teeth. “She doesn’t like me.” “Maybe she’s frustrated that Saint Maria still ranks below you in other academics.” Lora munches her muffin. “Saint Maria. That’s hilarious.” I snort a laugh. “But still, number one is the best.” I bump my boyfriend’s shoulder with my fist. “What does it feel like to be always on top?” He grins. “It’s been the same since the first year.” “Cocky.” I slowly exhale the tension building up in my chest, remembering my benefactor. “Okay, but I can’t keep sending Mr. Pitch excuses. It’s likely one of the reasons why he never answers a
“This is amazing, Kristoff!” Lora squeals, her eyes wide-eyed at her surroundings. “This is better than I expected.” The Sebastian family house features contemporary architecture. It is well-lit from the exterior to the interior—with enormous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, a large event hall just below the twin grand staircases, towering windows, and carpeted pristine marble floors. And the guests are dressed to impress in designer gowns and suits. Lora’s family is well-off too, but seeing how she appreciates fancy social events like this makes me believe the Sebastians are even more impressive. They’ve gathered New York’s wealthiest and most respected people in one place. That’s already something else. Whenever Kristoff and Lora returned to their homes for the holidays, I always spent them alone in the apartment. I had nowhere to go and no one to celebrate with. So I look forward to this year. My friends look stunning in their own designer outfits tonight. Lora is dressed
Kristoff ushers me onto the mansion’s front porch. All around us are snow, a bright moon, and a stunning oceanfront with the sounds of beach waves. It is indeed beautiful.I pivot to speak to him, but he brings his face close and presses his mouth into mine. I let out a groan in surprise. This gives him the opening to slide his tongue into my mouth.Our tongues glide in a slow, sensuous rhythm while he skates his fingers at the nape of my head. My heart beats at a rapid rate. Our breaths speed up, and it’s tempting me to go further. I wrap my arms around his neck.God. I need him right now... Here...But suddenly, he pauses, leaving me hanging.“You look so beautiful tonight,” he mumbles.I grunt in protest. “You’re a bad man, Kristoff.”He gives me a peck on the head and chuckles. “I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. I might not be able to stop.”“I suppose,” I murmur hoarsely. “But I love it here. This place is beautiful. Thank you.”He peers deeply into my eyes. “You don’t know how hap
America rushes over to Kristoff and yanks him back. She shoots me an incredulous look before confronting him. “I’m talking to you, Kris. Don’t ignore me.”“I just did!”Perhaps there isn’t enough time to explain what happened. I don’t keep anything from Kristoff, and what just happened just now was an accident.“Just for now, please. Listen to Mom,” she implores. “Ignoring her right now isn’t such a good idea. She tolerated enough that you brought this girl here.”I grunt. I suppose she’ll keep treating me like I’m trash.Kristoff jerks away from his sister’s grasp. “I won’t come home tonight. Not when everybody is trying to control me. Let’s avoid making a scene, please. We shouldn’t be discussing this here.”“Mr. Cleve and his family will visit us at brunch. It’s embarrassing if you don’t show up,” she asserts.Okay, what is happening? I don’t think I’m following.“I’m not spending Christmas with you. I will spend it with whoever I want to. You are free to leave the party anytime yo
Bewildered, I look up into Professor Sebastian’s face. He’s the man I snatched and kissed in the dark. My gaze lands on his mouth—his soft, plump mouth that touched mine as his fingers fondled the back of my head and lower back. It’s not just in my head. It’s real.But how did he end up right next to me at that precise moment?Stop it, Anya! How could you have known it was him?He’s changed the suit and no longer wears the gold mask.“Really?” Kristoff’s scowl transforms into a beam. “Why didn’t you say so?”God, he shouldn’t be smiling right now.“The professor’s right. I didn’t recognize him,” I clarify, my voice sounding like a sigh.“Actually, I’d like to ask Ms. Scott to a dance,” the professor says.No! “What?”“Ms. Scott. May I?” He extends his hand to me.“Go on,” Kristoff urges, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “Maybe you could ask him.”“About what?” He won’t say this if he realizes he is the man I kissed.“What else? About school, of course.”“How about you?”“I’ll be here.
When I got to bed later that night, I immediately called Julian. Damn. My feet are killing me from running around all day in heels. “How’s Kristoff doing?” I ask, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. “He’s already dozed off.” I hear a door closing in the background. “Did you guys talk?” “Yeah.” “What did you say?” “Everything. I told him everything from the start. It’s alright now. You have nothing else to be worried about.” I exhaled a sharp sigh of relief. “We should’ve done this sooner. I’m sorry because Kristoff is a good person.” “He is. He didn’t tell you even though he already knew. “Hey, don’t worry about it, and get some rest,” he says softly. I chew my bottom lip. “Thank you for today. I was late, but you waited for me.” “No. Either way, I’d still tell you about it. I should be thanking you for accepting me.” Silence. I love hearing his voice. I could fall asleep all night listening to him speak. He makes me feel as if I’m lying on clouds. “I love you so much, Julian.”
I got separated from Julian at the party when everyone surrounded him to wish him a happy birthday. I also see his parents, Rachel and Benjamin, at the corner, speaking to some guests. I realize this is my second encounter with his father, and I don’t know much about him yet. Rafael, his eldest son, bears a striking resemblance to him. I’m curious about him because I’ve already met Julian’s entire family.The party is formal, well-prepared, and obviously exclusive, as evidenced by the familiar faces—most of whom are celebrities. I’m glad I dressed appropriately tonight. Everything Dean had arranged for me had probably come from Julian. Now I just have to get used to that fact and accept that he and John Pitch are the same person. And that I’m now engaged to him. This ring on my finger proves I’m not imagining things.
When Dean arrives at the hospital, he sees me right away. His face is stricken with concern as he studies me from head to toe and then sighs when he realizes I’m fine. But whoa. I’m amazed at how he came here fast. I was just talking to him. “What are you doing here, Anya?” “It’s Kristoff. He’s had an accident. I can’t just leave him there, Dean, knowing I’m partly to blame.” “How is that your fault? Is he alright?” I nod. “He’s already awake, but he refuses to notify his parents.” Even though I know they’ll blame me, I’ll take whatever they say. “He probably thought it would just cause a stir. His parents are at the party. Don’t worry. I’ll check on him later, so we should leave now.” “What did Mr. Pitch say?” “He’ll come to see you. You can explain everything later.” I exhale a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” But Julian’s birthday, too! He could be looking for me right now. But I haven’t received a call or message from him yet, and neither has Lora. “He’s waiting, Anya, so hur
I feel my face whiten, unable to move my lips or even move at all. My mind is flooded with questions. How did he find out? Did Julian tell him? Or did he see us together? What does he think of me now?“Goddammit, Anya!” He rubs his face. Exasperated tears well up in his eyes. “Really? Julian? “Why him of all people?”“P-Please, Kris, calm down. I’ll explain.”I understand how important this is to him. I’ve known itsince the beginning. Kristoff looked up at Julian. He’s like a brother to him, someone he can rely on. But Julian and I went too far. It’s unfair that we kept it from Kristoff, but we didn’t do anything wrong. We were simply being cautious.I have to tell him. It should be done now, without hesitation. I’ll try to persuade him of my connection to Julian—everything from the beginning. We met before Whitlock, how I was chosen for the scholarship, how we met a
“How about this one?” I turn around in front of Lora while selecting a dress to wear to the signing at Sebastian Records in the afternoon today—my most awaited day. God, time flies! Oh, and tonight is Julian’s birthday party that will be held at the company.I’m wearing a Neiman Marcus royal blue asymmetric cross bandage dress and Christian Louboutin heels that were delivered to my door by my benefactor’s assistant, Jefferson ‘Dean’ Bryant. He thought I should dress nicely today, and he fully supports my newfound success. He also said he’d say something after I signed. I’m curious about what that’s all about.Lora squeals as she scans me from head to toe. “Damn, you’re hot. Hot, sexy-smart. I wish I could be there for you.”“
Anne’s laughter echoes throughout the living room after Hector finishes second in their game on my television I haven’t even used yet. Ben said it would be boring, so he brought his game console. The others are relaxing with some beverages and snacks while chatting. And I’m in the kitchen, getting another box of pizza and fried chicken. “Seriously?” Hector grumbles. “Wow, that was extreme! Now, give me your fifty dollars,” Anne brags. Ben chuckles. “I warned you, dude. You can’t force ladies these days.” “I’ll take the bet. I’m next,” Kristoff says. “Hey, me, too!” Brit yells. “Do they do this often?” I ask Lora. “Oh, yes. Usually in Hector or Ben’s place, but I hardly join.” I take a big bite of my pizza. God, I love cheese. “Then let’s join them now.” We bring the food into the living room and take a seat. “Hector, move your leg!” Give the owner some space,” Brit says as she grabs a
“So, what do you think?” Dean asks after we’ve toured an apartment on Royale Hill, two blocks from Whitlock. Since all the rents were the same, I chose the one closer to the school. “It smells expensive. It looks expensive.” It’s fully furnished and brand new. Despite the citrus air freshener, the interior still smells like leather and has glass windows. “Anya.” Dean crosses his arms, probably expecting me to say something serious. “Fine, I love it. It’s wonderful but still extravagant,” I admit bluntly. I suppose Mr. Pitch has nowhere else to put his money. What exactly is he thinking? The listing price alone scared me. Looking at it now completely overwhelms me. “You are welcome to move in whenever you want. I’ve already spoken with the lessor.”
“Rafael isn’t the type to disclose his strategies,” Julian says. “I do know that he will keep our reputation from deteriorating. Stella has a good public record, her records are selling out again this year, and fans are waiting for her new album. She made a fortune for Rafe when she gave up her stakes in her former management. Rafe will, of course, strive to keep her good image.”I close my eyes and let out a slow, deep breath to calm myself. “I’m sorry it happened to her. What are you going to do about her?”“Nothing. We were done a long time ago.” He drinks again.“But you’re still concerned about her,” I say bravely, but my voice wavering. Whatever his response, I must respect his feelings. He dumped his ex-fiancée because he bel
The silence in the penthouse is deafening when I arrive. I turn on the lights to make the room feel more alive. I haven’t heard from Julian since the morning, and he still didn’t respond to my texts or phone calls.I rush to the fridge for food because I’m starving. It’s a miracle that I’m hungry after an entire day of not eating.I grab some bread from the counter, spread it with peanut butter, and pour myself a glass of orange juice. With one bite and a gulp, relief washes over me.I go to the bathroom after eating to take a quick shower. I undress, step under the sprinkler, and then turn it on. I close my eyes and let the warm water flow over my head.I reach for the hair gel, but Julian appears unexpectedly and grabs the bottle. I stare