I tighten Kristoff’s bowtie and smooth his black lapels. My boyfriend looks dashing in his tailored tux today. The latest single of the quartet he’s on is finally getting its music video.
It’s actually pretty hectic. Cameras and videographers are working behind the scenes. There are cables, tech machines, and equipment everywhere in the studio, and the stage artist is yelling at some people while the director speaks to one of the members.
Kristoff plays the cello and has been a part of the Dream String Quartet since his freshman year. The other members, Flynn, Jace, and Seth, all have different majors but come together as an ensemble. They have become Whitlock’s pride because their music has been featured in television and film soundtracks, major school activities, professional theater plays, live performances, and concerts.
More than ten million people follow them across their social media channels.
I smile as I look up at him.
He strokes his hair with his fingers. “How do I look?”
I smile as I look up at his face. “You look gorgeous as always. Your hair and makeup artist did an excellent job. But mostly, I can’t wait to see your new piece before anyone else does. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. After this, I’m completely yours. What do you want to do?”
“What else? Go to my favorite dessert spot.”
“Bibble & Sip?”
I nod, eyes twinkling. “I just love their macarons. Pretty please?”
“Got it.” He winks. He turns to face the mirror again. “I like this tux.”
“It suits you. Hey, I’m glad your director let me watch.”
“Jace’s girlfriend is also here.”
I throw a glance at Jace’s way. He’s Korean, and with his makeup, he looks more like a K-Pop celebrity. A cute and petite Korean girl is doing his hair. “Is she his girlfriend?”
“Yep. Hanna. It’s only her second time in New York.”
“She’s charming.”
After a while, someone reminds us of the time. “Five minutes, sir!”
Kristoff looks at his wristwatch. “Gotta go. Hey, I invited Lora.”
“I’ll be here.”
He gives me a quick but sweet kiss on the lips. “Later, babe.”
He rushes to the stage and the other quartet members. All cameras and lighting are pointed in their direction, and the director has started delivering instructions.
Even more than their music, I love how the quartet members dressed. Flynn is dressed in an all-white tux, Jace is in pale blue, and Seth, the only woman in the group, is wearing a dress in a light shade of pink with shimmers. The four musicians take their places, facing one another, and reach for their respective instruments.
Their new piece is called ‘Winter Serenade.’ As the cameras roll, a heartwarming and joyful instrumental starts to play. Within the first few strokes of their strings, I’m captured with a feeling of warmth and passion.
My mind takes me on a cold winter night, sipping hot chocolate and resting my head on Kristoff’s shoulder in front of a fireplace.
I touch my chest in amazement. I can’t wait for everyone to see their latest piece. This has been keeping Kristoff from staying out late. The results of their efforts were well worth the wait.
I pay attention to him and how his fingers slide over the cello’s fretboard with his eyes closed. I’m suddenly transported back in time to when he was courting. I turned him down because I wasn’t ready to date, but he persisted. It was strange initially, but he’s so charming that his determination moved me.
I said yes to just one date. He’d avoid me if he eventually realized what I was. A nobody.
Yet, he didn’t. He stayed and paid attention to everything I said. The date was very nice and sweet. We went on another date, then a third, until it became a habit. We spent almost every day together. Lora was my only friend, but she wasn’t always available, so spending time with Kristoff was one of my best times in Whitlock. I still don’t get why he chose me.
Soon after, they finished with the first five-minute recording. But only then do I notice Lora’s arrival.
She walks into the door, gazing around as though she’s lost. But there’s something odd about her. She looks different.
I wave my hand at her to get her attention. “Lora! Over here!”
She spots me, but instead of waving back like she always does, she looks at me, puzzled.
I’ve finally realized what’s different. Her blonde hair is shorter, she is wearing red lipstick, which she typically hates, and her fashion has evolved beyond the usual topcoat, jeans, and work boots. She’s decked out in a white turtleneck sweater, black leather skinny pants, and red wedge booties.
She walks toward me, her eyes glued to my face. “Um, hello? Do I know—”
“Don’t you hello me!” I laugh, cutting her off. “Wow. You’re gorgeous, but what’s up with the outfit?”
She arches an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
Now I’m just as confused. “Are you okay?”
She looks right past me, shaking his head, and turns her attention away. She watches the quartet instead and smiles dreamily.
The first set of the filming is over. And since the group still has one more scene to shoot, the stage designers start switching the backdrop for a different theme.
Kristoff sees me, but his eyes widen, his body stiffens as if he’s seen a ghost, and he’s gawking directly at Lora.
I pace toward him, but Lora abruptly rushes to him and then claims his mouth deeply out of the blue.
I gasp, speechless.
The sudden onset of shock and dizziness instantly shook me. If hearts could jump out of chests, mine would be already on the floor.
As my vision begins to haze, someone rushes to my side, but I can’t muster the strength to see who it is. I can faintly hear her calling my name. All I can see is my boyfriend kissing my best friend in front of everyone. His eyes are on me while his lips are still firmly planted in her mouth. Everything else has faded into the background.
“Anya!”My eyes start to swell.
I can’t do this. I don’t want to see this. It gives me the creeps in the pit of my stomach.
“Anya! Please, listen to me, please!”When I finally gather the strength to leave, I see my best friend’s face again. What spell has been cast on me?
Why am I seeing two Loras?
She mumbles an apology through trembling lips. “I’m sorry...”
Nevertheless, I scurry out of the recording studio. Kristoff is calling me, but I ignore him.
What in the world is happening?
I rush into the elevator, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. But just as the elevator door is about to close, Kristoff hurries over, calling out to me.
“Anya, wait. Please, I can explain!”
He tries to catch up to me, but thankfully the door closes. I need to get out of there because I don’t think my heart can handle it.
I look at the elevator numbers, unsure which one to press. Clouds and tears have shrouded my vision. I opt for the first floor. The elevator descends and then makes a stop on the third floor. A group of loud people walks in, so I squeeze myself into a corner and cry quietly.
Going home is the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s also Lora’s apartment, so I can’t go there. Perhaps I’ll just grab a cup of coffee.
Even though it hurts, I try to remember what happened.
That’s probably Lora’s twin. Candice. She resembles her so much I couldn’t tell them apart right away. But why did she kiss Kristoff? Is there something they’re not telling me? Lora apologized.
They betrayed me.
What am I going to do now?
I slap my cheeks and fight back the tears. “Think, Anya. Think,” I mutter glumly.
How am I going to deal with this? Perhaps Kristoff is unaware of what’s going on. Yes, yes. Maybe he can really explain.
But no.
It’s too late for me to listen to him now.
Why do these things keep happening to me?
I wipe my face again and take a deep breath. Fine. I don’t need them!
I dash out when the elevator opens. I proceed to the lobby. As soon as I exit, I call a cab and jump into the backseat.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asks, looking over at me in the rearview mirror.
I sniff. “Please take me anywhere.”
He looks over his shoulder, concerned. “Are you alright, kid?”
“No, I’m not okay!” I start to cry again, and I don’t care. I’ll never cross paths with the driver again, anyway. “I’m sorry, sir. Please take me to Andrea’s.”
Kristoff doesn’t like their coffee, so he won’t look for me there.
It only took a few minutes, and I was already at Andrea’s. I wish the drive had been longer. As I enter Andrea’s, I’m immediately greeted by a kind service crew at the entrance. It’s a low-key coffee shop popular with teenagers with low-priced brews. I actually like the atmosphere. Whenever I want to unwind, I don’t mind being in a room full of rowdy high schoolers.
Despite my lack of appetite, I queue at the counter and order a vanilla cappuccino. It’ll be embarrassing to just sit there and get nothing.
When I got my cup, I sat in a corner. I take a sip, lean back in my chair, and exhale deeply. Coffee shops are the best.
But Kristoff does not like it here. I brought him here once, but he hates the quality of their Americano. I honestly can’t even tell the difference. Lora prefers her coffee ice cold. Her favorite is iced mocha.
And here I am, having gone all the way here with nothing but them in mind. Am I wrong about them?
I stay for a few more minutes, almost emptying my small cup of cappuccino.
“What am I going to do with them now?” I mutter to myself. I’m feeling like crying again. I sob as I dunk my head onto the table.
“Are you sure you want to do that here?” I jumped at the sudden shock. “What—”
I instantly look up and see Professor Sebastian’s beautiful face in front of me.
Is this for real? Or am I dreaming?
But his features are much too realistic for it to be a dream. I watch him pull a chair and sit across from me.
I move in close to whisper, “What are you doing here? Someone might recognize you!”
“I’m not much of a celebrity.”
“How did you find me? Did Kristoff send you? Please, professor, I need to be alone right now.”
I raise my cup and take another gulp. My coffee has cooled.
“It’s Julian“So you followed me here?”
“He thought you’d listen to me.”
“So, is following your students and giving them advice part of a professor’s job now?”
He raises an eyebrow and simultaneously crosses his legs. “I’m not here to give advice. I’m here because it’s you, and I care about Kristoff.”
But why does he keep saying that ‘because it’s me?’ thing? I understand Kristoff’s attachment to him, but what about me? I’m just Kristoff’s girlfriend... or if I can still refer to myself as such.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Alright.” He gets to his feet. “Come with me.”
“What? Where?”
“Too many questions. Follow me.” He pivots and walks out of the coffee shop.