“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 believed she had betrayed him. She did, to some extent, when she might have been honest with him, but chose to save her career.
Julian stares at me and takes a long time to respond. “Yes.”
My body trembles. I’d already considered it and was prepared to accept it. He and Stella have known each other for a long time and have been together. She is the woman he proposed to and the woman who was supposed to be the mother of his child. That was how much he loved her.
I nod, trying not to cry. I finish my glass in one swallow, set it aside, and curl myself into one piece. “I figured so. It’s reasonable, I guess. Thank you for your honesty,” I mutter.
He moves his body to my side. “Anya, that’s not the case—”
“No, it’s fine. Trust me. I get it. I’ve been there before. After all, I still haven’t forgotten about Hayden, which is very different from this situation because your ex is definitely still alive.” I sigh. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
He runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m still trying to figure things out.”
“You mean you really still haven’t decided what to do with her?”
“She’s aware you’re my student. I can’t take the risk. I have to protect you too. The media will start following me now, so things will change.”
“A star’s life.” I sourly chuckle. “This is exactly what happened to Kristoff.”
He scowls. “What were you saying?”
“So, you obviously have unfinished business with your exes.”
“What?” he asks, surprised. “Stella and I are over, and it will stay that way. I would never do what Kristoff did, so that’s not what’s going on. Am I not with you right now?”
“This is your place, so you’ll be here,” I mutter.
“You know that’s not what I meant.” He pours himself another glass of champagne and sips it.
“I know.” I clench my teeth. “Could you please give me more of that?”
He sighs, but then hands me another glass and a slice of strawberry. I could really use this right now. I eat the fruit first, followed by the drink. Luckily, my mood lightens.
“I’m sorry for comparing you to Kristoff. It was so wrong and impolite. You were really understanding that you still let me hang out with him.” I guess I simply have to trust him as much as he trusts me.
His eyes squint. “At the very least, I’m glad you noticed that.”
“So, what is this change you’re referring to?”
He grabs my hand and kisses it. “You know I’ll choose this over everything, right?”
“You didn’t really have to.”
“That’s why I love you so much.” He leans down to kiss my forehead. “Anya, you’ll just have to trust that whatever I do, and whatever decisions I make about this, it’s because I care the most about you.” He strokes my cheek with the back of his hands.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll figure out what to do about Stella. She has to understand who you are to me, but we need to be more cautious until she does. I think it’s about time for you to find a new home.”
“You’re evicting me?” I raise a brow at him.
He chuckles. “God knows I’m not doing that. I’d rather you live with me. But paparazzi and reporters will try to dig into my current life.”
“Is it because of your pictures with Stella?”
“No, because I’m going back to SEG. I’ve made my decision.”
“Are you going to write to her? Seriously?”
“I’m not coming back for her. I can assure you of that. But she’s Rafe’s singer, so she’s unavoidable. You’re a musician. Would that stop you from writing songs? Let’s say, for Kristoff?”
“But Kristoff is a friend.”
“Alright.” He rubs his chin. “How about your friend’s sister? Candice McQueen is Kristoff’s girlfriend. She’s a singer—not SEGs, but that could happen in the future. Wouldn’t you write for her just because of what happened in the past?”
“That’s not fair.” I pout. “But you have a point.”
“Look, I’m going back because you inspired me.”
“Me?”
“Because of you, yes.” He smiles, and I can’t stop myself from smiling back.
I clear my throat. “Alright,” I say, dismissing the subject and moving on to another. “So you’re saying you’ve already forgiven her?”
“No, I didn’t. What she said didn’t change the fact that she still betrayed me.”
“But you said you were concerned!”
“I’ll be honest with you. I’m still worried... But only for a bit. Klaus Wilson, that beast destroyed her. Of course, she brought it on herself, but I didn’t defend her. And because of this, we lost something important.”
His future with her. That’s what he lost.
My chest tightens.
“I’ll be honest, too. I’m jealous. I’d prefer that you never do business with her again, but I know you’re the kind of man who makes things right. It’s frustrating!”
“Oh, love.” He caresses my face with his fingers. “I want this to be over too, but it won’t be until I fix it.”
“Why must you be such a gentleman? Why can’t you be the terrible guy and leave her to rot?” Oh God, I sound so immature.
“No, I’m the bad guy because I keep hurting you like this. I’m sorry.”
A tear falls on my cheek, but I quickly brush it away. “You can’t help yourself.”
“First things first. We need to be more careful about what we do while we’re still in this mess. If they find out about us, the entire world will watch you. That will jeopardize your future, and it will be my fault. I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
I glance around his apartment, admiring its exquisite home interiors and the comfort I experience whenever I’m here. “I won’t be able to visit here for a while. I can’t go to your office anymore, and we can’t be seen together in public. Same as before, but with more constraints. Is that what you’re saying? I can’t see you anymore?” I shift my gaze to his beautiful features.
“Like always, you’re very smart, but that’s not what I meant. I won’t be able to go for a day without seeing you. That’s why you need to find a new place, and I’ll go to yours instead. Some paparazzi know where I live.”
“Alright, I’ll tell my benefactor’s assistant and be extra cautious.”
He closes his eyes, leans in for a kiss, and sniffs my hair. He presses his forehead against mine. “Please wait for me until we figure this out.”
“We’ve got this. I know because I trust you. “And we can’t have them take more pictures of us,” I say, referring to Stella’s photos of Julian and me. She probably had a photographer following us. See? She’s still the problem here!
“That, too.” He embraces me and pulls me up against his chest. I then surrendered to his embrace.