Chapter Eighteen

November 12, 2024

Reeva had been preparing for this night for weeks. Her concert, one of the biggest of her career, was finally happening, and everything had been meticulously planned.

The rehearsals were intense, the setlist perfected, and the choreography spot-on. She was excited, but there was a familiar knot in her stomach—one she always got before stepping onto a stage.

It wasn't about the crowd or the performance itself; it was the pressure of delivering her best and ensuring everything went off without a hitch. Still, tonight felt different. Tonight was special, not just because of the magnitude of the show, but because Jacob had promised he'd be there.

They had talked about it days ago when she was in the middle of rehearsals, and Jacob, ever supportive, had assured her that he would be in the audience, cheering her on.

He'd even joked about spying on her from the crowd. Reeva had laughed it off, but now, as the lights dimmed and the venue filled with energy, she realized she was eagerly awaiting his presence more than she had anticipated.

The night was electric, the energy of the crowd palpable as she prepared to take the stage. Reeva stood backstage, her heart racing with anticipation. She had just finished one last quick check of her costume, her makeup, and her hair before stepping into the limelight.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she ran through her lines and movements in her mind. Everything was set, everything was ready, but the one thing she wasn't quite ready for was the surprise that was about to unfold.

"Five minutes, Reeva," the stage manager called out from the door, snapping her from her thoughts. "It's almost time."

She nodded, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves. Then, as she turned toward the exit, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a quick text from Kayla: He's here. VIP tickets, front row.

A smile spread across Reeva's face. Jacob had kept his word. He was there. But what she didn't expect was the sheer volume of excitement that swelled inside her chest at the thought of him being so close.

She hadn't expected him to show up with much fanfare. She knew he had promised to come, but it wasn't like him to make a big deal about it. Jacob was the type to keep things simple, to slip into the background, to show support quietly.

But VIP tickets? Front row? Reeva wasn't sure if that was something Jacob would do—or if it was Kayla, who had a hand in it. Regardless, she was thrilled. There was something incredibly touching about the gesture. He wanted to be there, truly there, in the front row, where he could see her shine.

Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a photo from Kayla—a snapshot of Jacob, surrounded by his cousins, all smiling and looking ready for the night. Reeva's heart did a little flip. She couldn't wait to see him. She quickly put her phone away, composed herself, and headed to the stage.

The show was a blur of lights, music, and movement. Reeva was fully immersed in the performance, feeling the rush of adrenaline from the crowd. But as the set drew closer to its climax, something in the front row caught her eye. It was him. Jacob.

She spotted him immediately. He was sitting next to his cousins, his presence commanding even in the large crowd. The moment their eyes met, a small smile spread across her face, and she had to fight the urge to let her gaze linger. He looked proud—like he was looking at her like she was the star of the entire universe.

But Jacob was always like that. He had this way of making her feel like she was the most important thing in the room, even when everything around them seemed chaotic. Reeva wasn't sure if it was his intensity or his effortless way of being there when she needed him most, but it made her heart swell every time she saw him.

The performance continued, but her thoughts were racing. She couldn't wait for the show to be over so she could join him. The anticipation of seeing him backstage, hearing his thoughts on the performance, made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt on stage.

She could already picture his smile when he saw her after the show, his arms wrapped around her, telling her how amazing she was.

The lights dimmed once again, and the final number began. This was the one that always brought the house down—the crowd sang along, the energy was high, and Reeva felt a sense of euphoria wash over her as she moved through the final choreography.

The last notes rang out, and the audience erupted into applause. Reeva couldn't help but soak it all in, taking one last bow before running offstage to catch her breath.

As soon as she made it backstage, her heart was racing, not just from the performance but from the anticipation of seeing Jacob. She knew that he would be waiting for her. The idea of being in his arms, of him telling her how proud he was, kept her grounded.

Kayla was already waiting for her, a huge grin on her face. "You killed it out there! The crowd is still going wild. But... someone's waiting to see you."

Reeva grinned, her pulse quickening. "Is he still here?"

"Oh yeah," Kayla said, nudging her playfully. "Front row. In VIP with his loud-ass cousins and everything. You can't miss him."

Reeva quickly changed out of her performance outfit and into something more casual—a pair of jeans and a comfortable hoodie—before heading toward the exit. Kayla led her through the back corridors of the venue to a private exit where Jacob would be waiting.

When Reeva stepped out from the shadows, she saw him immediately. He was leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed in his usual relaxed posture. His eyes locked onto hers the moment she appeared, and the smile that spread across his face sent a warmth through her body. She hadn't even realized how much she needed to see him until she did.

"Hey," Jacob said softly, walking toward her. "You were amazing."

Reeva's heart melted. He didn't just say it to say it; there was genuine pride in his voice. She could see it in his eyes, in the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the world. For a moment, the bustling backstage and the loud noises from the fans outside disappeared, and it was just the two of them.

"Thanks," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You came."

"I wouldn't miss it," Jacob replied, pulling her into a tight embrace. "VIP tickets and all. Kayla made sure of that."

Reeva laughed softly against his chest. "I should've known it was Kayla's doing. She's always the one pushing for the bigger gestures."

Jacob chuckled, pulling back just enough to look down at her. "She told me she wanted to make sure you knew I was there—there."

Reeva smiled, touched by the effort. "Well, I noticed. Front row? You went all out."

"I told you I'd be here," Jacob said, shrugging with a playful grin. "Besides, I knew you'd be amazing, and I wanted to be front and center for it."

Reeva felt a sense of pride bloom within her. Jacob had always supported her in the quietest of ways—through late-night talks, encouraging texts, and reassuring smiles. But this... this was something more. This was his way of saying, I see you. I appreciate you. And I want the world to know it too.

"I can't believe you did this," Reeva murmured, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

Jacob's smile softened, and he placed a gentle hand on her cheek. "I told you I'd support you in everything. I'm not just here for the quiet moments. I'm here for the big ones, too."

They stood there for a moment, locked in their world. Reeva could hear the distant sounds of the audience chanting for an encore, but none of that mattered now. All that mattered was Jacob and the connection between them.

"I'm really glad you came," Reeva said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Jacob replied, his voice equally sincere.

Reeva smiled up at him, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Tonight, more than any other night, she felt truly seen—by the crowd, by her team, and especially by the one person whose opinion meant the most. Jacob had shown up for her in the best possible way, and now, in the quiet after the storm of the performance, Reeva knew this was just one more chapter in the beautiful story they were writing together.

"Let's go celebrate," Jacob said, taking her hand in his. "You deserve it."