Mess. That’s how Rafael Sebastian sees me. I’m someone Julian has to clean up because I’m a threat to destroying his newfound life. I’m in big trouble. I guess he doesn’t know that Peter wants my song.
“Don’t listen to him,” Julian replies matter-of-factly. His brother clearly influences him and differs from the other Sebastians. Julian walks to the living room, sits on the couch, and buries his face in his palm.
“What are we going to do now?” I know it’s not the right time to ask him that, but I have to. I’m curious about what he’s thinking.
He raises his head, his fury apparent in his eyes. “I’ll take care of it. You have nothing to be concerned about.”
“How can I not be concerned?” I perch next to him. “I’m about to jeopardize your career, and if we don’t do anything about it—”
“Hey…” He cups his hands around my face. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I chose to come to you and will not let anything happen to you. You won’t be expelled. Do you trust me?”
I stare into his sincere gaze. I know he’s also worried, but what else can I do? I have no choice but to trust him. “Yes.”
“Good.” He crushes my mouth with his and then pulls me to him. I love the way he feels against me—his scent and warmth. “You’re an impossible girl. I can’t believe you’re more concerned about it than you are about yourself.”
“He doesn’t like me, does he?”
His arms encircle me. I form a ball against his chest. “Rafe likes no one but himself. After all, I’ve always wondered how his mind works.”
I half-heartedly chuckle. “You know this isn’t the time to joke.”
“How about we stop fretting and get some dinner?”
I answer with a hum, and I smile. But I’m still curious about what he’ll do about it. Why do I think he’s not telling me everything and that this isn’t the end of it?
***
When I arrive at the school, the lobby is crammed with students, security, and reporters. I’m not sure what’s going on because I can’t see anything because of all those people in the way. The media are barred from entering, and a stunning raven-haired woman in a sophisticated gown appears.
I’m sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me as I see Stella Pierce enter the elevator. I rush to catch another ride.
Oh my goodness!
Fear causes my stomach to churn, and it spreads to my limbs. My mind was never at ease since I was still worried about Julian, but I could avoid those negative feelings because he was very attentive to me over the weekend.
My gut tells me she’ll show the photographs to the professors or worse, the school administration.
Even though I no longer had to attend Julian’s class today, I came early because I still wanted to hear his lessons, despite having two A-pluses in my major. It’s a shame I won’t be able to listen to the rest of his classes until the end of the semester, but it seems I’ll be using that exemption today.
I dash toward the faculty to catch up with Stella. She knows I am a student and dating my professor, who is also her ex. What if she tells everyone about Julian and me?
No. What I need to do first is tell Julian about her impending visit. I know he’s still in his office because we left his apartment early this morning.
I march out of the elevator to Julian’s office but stop when I see Stella approaching his office.
Of course, she’ll start with him!
Relief washes through me as I realize Julian can still stop her.
I hide behind a brick wall.
I peer into the corridor and see her enter Julian’s office. I also sneak closer and stand by the door. Fortunately, it’s slightly open.
“What brings you here so early, Stella? I asked you to wait until the evening. I have a class in five minutes,” Julian grumbles. Thank God, I can still hear them from afar. But I had no idea they were going to meet tonight.
“Oh, have I forgotten you’re a professor here?” she says. I despise that her voice is still so soothing to the ears. “This morning, I’m going to the dean’s office. I’m still on the panel for this school’s competition.”
“But the competition isn’t until Friday,” he points out.
“Well, I’ll tell you the truth because I’m in a good mood today. “It’s because I’ve missed you,” she admits confidently.
“Well, I don’t, so please get back to your business because I have a class to teach.” I hear some footsteps, but they stop.
“No, wait. Julian, please. You must’ve realized by now that I’ll do anything to get you back. I got close to you again. I’ll take responsibility for what I did. I’ve already told my fans you co-write with me, remember?
“I didn’t co-write with you, Stella. Those were my songs. And don’t touch me.”
“Sorry. I know, but it’s the only way I can give you credit. I won’t harm your student... fling. I promise you that. Please, just come back to me. I’m sorry about everything. I still have feelings for you.”
My scalp itches from irritation. It’s too bad I can’t see what’s going on.
“You haven’t changed at all, Stella. You’re still selfish,” Julian says. “Leave Anya out of it!”
“I am selfish,” she acknowledges, “and it’s because I didn’t tell you why I did that two years ago. That was not my idea.”
“I know because you’re not that bright to deceive me that way.”
“Klaus forced me to do it.”
Klaus? I’d never heard that name before.
“Why are you telling me something I already know? That wasn’t the issue. Instead of just coming to me, you listened to him. Stella, I would’ve helped you if you hadn’t betrayed me. Let’s do this later. I’ll be late,” Julian says dismissively.
“Wait a minute, please. For once, listen to me and consider this. I tried to keep this to myself.” Her voice trembles as if she were in pain. I’m not sure what to trust anymore.
There is a brief pause before she talks again.
“Klaus was the first to betray me. He blackmailed me. He, uh, abusedMy mouth tightens, and my eyes widen.
“What?” Julian hisses.
“He had a video of us from CCTV,” her voice falters. “I have a copy, Jules, but I’m not sure he still has the original tape. He threatened to send it to a reporter if I didn’t do as he said.”
“So he asked you to steal from me?”
“Yes. He was my boss. He knew your reputation, and I knew what he could do if things didn’t go his way. It wasn’t the only thing he tried to blackmail me with.”
“Stella,” Julian breathes. “How am I supposed to believe you? How did it come to that if what you’re claiming is true? How did he—”
“I don’t know!” she snaps. “We were drinking and celebrating with some other friends. God, please.” She lets out a long, deep breath. “Please, Julian, believe me.”
“I don’t know. My songs made you famous. I can’t believe you. I just can’t…”
“Because that’s what he wanted! You know that this isn’t new in this industry. “Many have given up their lives for fame,” she shouts, desperate to be heard. “And Klaus profited from it—millions of dollars. Artists and management approached him. He dumped me when I was no longer useful to him. Brent was the one who kept me on track. Unfortunately, he can’t help me with my problems with Klaus.”
“Aren’t they friends?”
“They were.” She cries. “But Klaus is a horrible jerk who also left his friend. Julian, you know who I am. Better than anyone. We had been together for a long time. Did you think I’d betray you that easily? I loved you. I… I dreamed of a future with you—”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” he probes.
“How? You’ve shut me off. You left me. I didn’t know how to reach you. I waited for you every day. Or you can ask your brother. Rafael knows everything. So when you came back, I did everything possible to get close to you.”
Silence.
“Where is he? Klaus,” Julian asks.
“Sometimes he’s here in New York. But he’s now based in Los Angeles. I guess he has a new victim.”
“And he… He hurt you?” Julian’s confidence slightly diminishes and is replaced by genuine concern.
Oh, God. Why did I have to listen to all of this? No woman, no matter how nasty she can be, deserves that. I’m hoping it’s not true, but I’m not sure.
“I can show you the tape to prove that I’m not lying. I’m not afraid anymore, Jules.”
“Who else knows?”
“Rafe, but I told him I’d tell you myself. Brent, too.”
“If you have this evidence, why didn’t you go to —”
“What, the cops? No. Not only will this damage the management, but my body will be displayed on every adult website. All I have left is my career. You know how nasty this industry is.”
“Fuck!” Julian curses, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m going to kill him.”
“You can’t, Julian—”
Julian’s office reverberates with a loud and angry bang. I close my eyes tightly.
The door swings open unexpectedly, and I tense. My instincts urge me to flee and hide, but I just stand there, perplexed. Julian stops when he sees me, like a scared little bird, waiting outside his office. His expression is deadly, and rage emanates from his face. Stella notices me as well.
Slowly, his features soften. “Anya. What are you doing here?”
“I was just checking in on you,” I mutter. “Are you all right?”
He nods, then pinches the bridge of his nose. He then returns his focus to me. “Give me a second, Stella.”
Stella’s mouth tightens, but she nods. They must have understood I had heard everything.
I raise my hand to his chest. “Would you like me to tell the class you can’t attend today?” I suggest, but I’m trembling like hell. I’m not sure what will happen after that, but I’m scared. I’m afraid I’ll lose him...
“Yes, please. I... I have to get somewhere.” He holds my shoulder and squeezes it tenderly. He closes his eyes, then slowly opens them. His eyes glisten with regret. “I’m sorry.”
And with that, he’s gone, and Stella follows him.