“Did you have fun?” Julian inquires as we drive to his house.
“God, yes. I love Ophelia so much. I’m still bewildered by tonight’s event.” I heard from her mouth how she liked my song. This is one of the most incredible things that ever happened to me in my twenty-three years.
Kristoff said that Julian’s birthday was coming up in two weeks. I completely forgot. Google even has his birthday posted.
“How do you spend your birthday?” I ask.
“I don’t. My family does. They usually arrange everything.”
“Why not?”
He laughs. “As I have said, I am not a party person. They only just want me to be there for an hour, then I get to leave.”
“What about the ones who remember your birthday? I care.”
He casts a peek at me. “Do you?”
“I do! Let us celebrate. I’ll be there.”
“Normally, they celebrate it at the company, but things have changed. I hadn’t been able to celebrate with them in two years.” He’s probably referring to when he left the spotlight to get his Ph.D.
“But you’ve returned.”
“I’d rather sleep next to you all day.” He grins.
My cheeks burn, and my mind has run wild. “It’s tempting, but please be serious. I’m also signing my first song to a major record label. Oh my gosh, I’m just excited.” I stretch my arms up and hoist them. I exhale a breath of relief. “What a wonderful day to look forward to. Thank you for making all that possible.”
“Anytime. You’ve earned it. But I have other plans that day.”
“For your birthday?”
“No, I mean, partly, yes. But it’s much more important than that.”
“What are your plans?”
He takes my hand in his and places it on his lips. “I have other things to attend to.”
“How about your family throwing a party? You’re not going?”
“Let’s wait and see what happens.”
I remain quiet. What could be more important than spending time with your loved ones? I’d give everything to relive that luxury. When my parents died, the only proper celebration I had was last year. Kristoff played a birthday song for me on his violin, took me on a date to a nice restaurant, and — Shit. I shouldn’t be thinking about it. It’s strange how that part makes me cringe. I grimace slightly.
“Are you okay?” he says, jolting me back to reality.
“Huh?”
“You look pale.”
“It’s nothing. What is it?”
“We’re here. I told you like… three times.”
I look outside and see the building’s parking lot. “Yeah, sure.” I unbuckle my seatbelt to get out of the car, but Julian grabs my hand and pulls me back.
“Wait.” He cocks his head to the side, and his eyes narrow.
“What is it?” I look at what he’s glowering at, but all I see are cars.
“My brother’s here,” he hisses.
I scowl. “What? Which one?”
“Rafe. I don’t know why he’s here, but his car is here. Come.”
Julian dashes out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him.
***
I looked forward to meeting Rafael Sebastian but hadn’t pictured it this way. I’d seen how Julian exuded authority to those around him, but I didn’t expect his older brother to be much more so. Rafael isn’t even doing anything, yet I’m intimidated by the fierceness of his handsome expression and the almost brutal way he holds himself in that navy blue business suit. He seems to be the type of man who has fired many artists and others who do not value him.
Whoa! How can I think of all that without first knowing him? When we arrive, he is standing in the penthouse’s living room.
“Jules,” he calls flatly but authoritatively.
“What are you doing here?” Julian speaks in a low, calculated tone.
He smirks. “Is that how you’ll greet me?” He picks up a card from the center table and tosses it to Julian.
I frown. What the hell is going on? Wait. Are those photos?
I carefully check on one. It’s a photo of me in a parking lot hugging my professor. There are more, but I’m not going to look at them. I gaze up at Julian, clamping my mouth in dread.
“Julian,” I mumble under my breath.
“Stay behind me,” he whispers back. He clenches his teeth and never even looks at them. “You’re already aware of this, Rafe.”
His brother approaches us and puts his hands in his pocket. “Yeah, as well as our mother, brothers, and dad. But it wouldn’t have mattered if you had just been cautious. I don’t care who you hang out with, Julian, but if you drag me down, I’m not putting up with your shit anymore.”
“What did you just say?” Julian snarls, coming face to face with his brother.
“Oh, yeah.” He grimaces, dismissively glancing in my direction, then returns his gaze to his brother. “Stella threatened me with these pictures. Your ex-girlfriend will not stop. Thank you very much for dragging your family with it.”
I knew it. I knew there would be consequences. Stella found out I’m Julian’s student when she was a panelist in the competition.
“You fucking signed her, Rafe. I specifically asked you not to!” Julian spits angrily.
“That’s another way to clean up your mess.” Rafael shakes his head. “You’re dating your student! What the fuck is wrong with you? How long will you play this game? When are you going to man up and take responsibility?”
I gasp in fear. The sound of his shout causes my limbs to tremble. I stiffen and find myself unable to move or open my mouth. This worries me as well, but what can I possibly say?
“What does she want?” Julian questions.
“She promised not to make this public if you agreed to write for her upcoming album. I’m afraid I can’t help you anymore, Jules. Either loosen her horns or agree with her. You know the consequences.”
What consequences? Isn’t it enough that they refused to help him when Stella stole his songs? What else do they want from Julian? He lost his career, his life... What else do they expect from him?
Julian laughs mockingly, and the sound sends shivers up my spine. “And now you’re threatening me. What makes you think I’ll write for her again?”
Rafe clenches his teeth. “You’ll lose your newfound career, and that girl—” he points to me “—will be expelled. Is that what you want?”
I press my lips tight. Oh, no.
Julian jerks Rafael’s hand away. “Don’t fucking point at her, and don’t act concerned. You never cared about any of this but your reputation.”
Rafael sighs sharply. “So, what are you going to do? Are you going to leave? Hide? Like how you left everything to me? So, for once. Listen to me.”
Really? Julian was on his own when Stella betrayed him.
“May I say something?” I finally speak. I can take this anymore. I won’t let Julian break his principles. They’ve already taken too much from him.
The two men’s gazes switched to mine.
“I guess this concerns me, too,” I say. “I’m not really sure what’s going on, but Julian told me about Stella Pierce. She cheated on him, betrayed him, and, importantly, she was the reason he left. You didn’t help him back then, and now you want to damage him even more? What a genuinely concerned older brother you are, Mr. Sebastian! Of course, I say this with all due respect.” I bite my trembling lips. God. I’m looking for trouble.
Julian’s expression softens, but he shakes his head at me.
“No, I’m going to say whatever I want.”
“You,” Rafael addresses me. “What’s your name?”
“Anya Scott… sir.”
“Anya Scott. The student.” He crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow at me. “So, if you are so knowledgeable, what will you do about this? Tell me because I’m curious.”
I part my lips open, unable to respond. I stare at them.
“You don’t know? Okay.” Rafael pats his brother on the shoulder. “Talk to Stella and clean up this mess.” He dashes toward the door but stops in front of me. “You’re brave, Ms. Scott, but it’s not always enough.” He marches to the door and walks out.