A/N

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• MAKUA •

"You sure you're alright?" Kaden asked, eyes finding mine in the spacious limo. We sat opposite each other with Donna beside me and our stylist, Melissa, on his side.

I looked down at my hands, manicured perfectly with red glitter on my nails to match my outfit. The moment Melissa and her assistant fit my dress; I'd been left breathless. To say the least. And my makeup and hair? I would be shocked if anyone, even Damian, would recognize me tonight.

Though I felt my heart plummeting the closer we got to the flashing lights of cameras, I sent a smile his way. "Yeah, I'm good, not nervous at all."

He chuckled, visibly struggling to not run a hand through his sleeked dark curls. Juan, his hairstylist, had made quite the show by sending audible threats if his masterpiece was ruined. "That's awfully convincing, I'm sure you're used to red carpet events."

"Hardly." I said, drawing Donna's attention from her phone.

"Your old team didn't get you tickets for award shows or galas?" Her eyes were almost bulging from their sockets.

"Nope, unless it was a smaller event, or an award show where I was nominated." I hesitated to add that I had been nominated twice for best new artist at sub-award shows and that was it. I didn't need to put all that out there.

"Well," Donna's hands found mine. "Just know that you're in a better place."

"That's right," Kaden added, "You'll get tired soon when Donna gets you invites to almost every event in the city."

Donna shot him a warning glance as we all laughed. And in time, we eased to the curb of the hotel. A red carpet set at our door with blinding lights from so many cameras, I had to pretend I could see clearly as we emerged from the car. Kaden was quickly at my side, helping me out.

Before I could react, the onslaught of camera shutters increased at the mere gesture with some throwing questions our way as Kaden guided me through the throng of guests. We all took pictures by the red-carpet background before getting ushered in.

"Let's head backstage, your performances are coming up soon after it starts." Donna informed, leading us past the crowd to prep. My eyes wandered around, trying to catch a glimpse of Damian to no avail. But seeing the kind of people attending, I felt my heartbeat even faster. Celebrities that I wouldn't even be caught dead breathing the same air, stood mere feets away. Nat would surely have my head If she found out that I was just casually brushing past Chris Evans or Beyonce. It took all I had to not go full fan girl on them.

"Here we are," Donna said, stopping behind us to talk to someone before turning her attention back to us. "Take your time to rehearse, you'll be up in the next few minutes."

Sure, no pressure at all.

***

• DAMIAN •

"I heard your girlfriend is performing tonight," Chiara muttered as we watched the performance of a male artist from my company. The crowd was transfixed, barely chattering or eating their meals as they focused their attention on his stellar performance. His budget was definitely going to get a buffer next quarter.

I allowed my eyes settle on Chiara's curious ones. She was smiling mischievously.

"And?"

She shrugged like she wasn't expecting more info. "Nothing, just heard a rumor."

"From who?" I dared and watched her blink back as if she'd slipped up. I swear to God if Armando spilled information to her, he was sure to be buried. "You're getting awfully close to Armando for him to be divulging such info to you. Or is Renzo?"

"Stop pushing your sister," I heard my mum mutter from her seat beside mine. We all sat at a high table with Leon representing my father by taking his place in the middle, while I took mine beside my mother and Chiara. And to my greatest surprise, Dario was seated beside mum.

When we'd gotten to my place yesterday, Mum was waiting. She knew there was an issue with Dario before I mentioned anything. And offered to take care of him with promises that he'd arrive today, better than ever.

I didn't believe it. But Renata Gianpiero wasn't one to go back on her word.

"And what girlfriend is she talking about?" Mum asked to which Chiara fought back her laughter. God, I needed to find a way to get back at her. I felt my mum's eyes trained on me, waiting for an answer but when everyone started clapping, I used that as my excuse to get out of it.

Cause almost immediately after the guy left the stage, Makua was taking his place.

Chiara was saying something else, but I couldn't hear it. I just stared at the woman adjusting her mic, hair held up in a sleek up-do with a red dress that clung to her sparkling underneath the bright lightening in the hall. She looked like an ethereal being.

She waited a while for the music to play and began singing. It was a song I'd once listened to, titled Open Hearts. Her voice echoed through the room, and I was captivated. My eyes burned from barely blinking, with fear that if I did, it may be a dream. It was impossible for someone to sound so angelic, expressing and pouring her heart out into a song that lasted a less than five minutes.

Just before the song ended, her eyes found mine in the short distance and a small smile tugged at her lips. This woman was trying to get me to the hospital tonight. My heart tugged violently in my chest. It was simply criminal for someone to be this perfect.

In a few moments, the song was over and thunderous standing ovations were made. All the members of the famiglia were on their feet along with me as we clapped. She had succeeded in getting the attention of everyone in this room. I wasn't overly keen with that as I caught certain Uncles and high-ranking members sizing her up.

Some people were happy to live without eyes it seems.

The event breezed past, but I found Makua before the mingling and networking started.

"Amate." Love. "You were fantastic."

Her nose crinkled as that cute smile brightened her face. "You think so? I was so nervous, I thought I messed up until the end."

"I don't think it's possible for you to mess anything up." I muttered, loving the shy smile that took over her face. I slid a hand around her waist and drew her closer. I hated the attention that some men were sending her way. And they weren't even trying to hide it. "Let me show you around."

Which was more or less a 'I'm going to be by your side in case anyone tries to get too comfortable.'

I took her to Leon first.

"Makua, this is my brother, Leonelli." Leon visibly cringed at the sound of his full name and extended his hand to hers. He forced a smile and let his eyes roam between us.

"Nice to meet you, Makua." His voice had an edge to it that didn't sit right with me. "I've heard so much about you, but hearing your performance tonight, I'm not surprised why Damian was so invested in you."

She sent a questioning side glance before smiling and letting go of his hand. "Thank you, it's nice to meet you too."

Before Leon could spill more, I drew her away but not fast enough for my father's younger brother, Vinicio to cut our means of escape. "Damian!" He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his eyes focused on Makua's. "How are you? And who is this?"

"Makua," I said briefly, trying to bypass him but he stepped in front of us. A cunning smile fixed on his lips.

"And why are you coveting her on a night like this?" He probed, eyes never leaving her. It took everything within me to not send him to an early grave. "She should mingle and get to know other patrons, a talented girl like this needs to get acquainted —"

"She's with me tonight." I tried hard to stop the anger that dripped from each word as I drew her closer.

He cocked a brow, "I see. Then you wouldn't mind bringing her to the after party, right?" A smile tugged at his lips. "Since she's with you after all."

"What after party?" she asked, and I struggled to find a way to step out of this trap.

"So, she speaks." Vinicio's eyes narrowed on hers. "You should come along and see the real reason for our galas since you're with Damian. I'm sure he's prepped you for events like this."

She seemed to catch up on the danger of his proposal as she peered up at me. "It's okay, I can attend another time." She spoke.

"Nonsense." Vinicio lowered his voice, the implications dripping from every word. "I insist."

Though he was merely my father's brother, he was also the Vice-CEO of Gian entertainment and had pull with his influence amongst the high-ranking officials. I needed to thread carefully.

"Sure, we'll be there."

I was sure to regret this decision but there wasn't much of a choice.