Chapter 2

            Ethan and Chloe ate breakfast the next morning with who Chloe liked to call, "the clothing coordinator for the ungodly rich," A.K.A. Chloe's assistant and her new intern, Lyle.

            Lyle was a shy fellow with messy brown hair. He didn't say much, always slinking about in the background. But that must've been exactly what Melena required because she never seemed to have any problem with it.

            "Your tuxedo has come in ahead of schedule," Melena said, scribbling notes down on her black clipboard. "I've talked with your assistant, Your Highness, and she cleared a time for next week to finish the fitting."

            "Sounds good, Melena." Ethan said, his hand finding Chloe's under the table as he picked at his omelet in front of him.

            The small showing of affection threw Chloe off. Although they'd grown close over the last few months, the idea of having a mate still seemed too unreal. She kept waiting and waiting for the shoe to drop, for someone to tell her that it was all a joke, that Frank Leighton wasn't dead.

            Slowly as the days passed on, she'd loosened her grip on that idea and carefully began to try and incorporate herself into this new world filled with rich mates, loving siblings, and fantastic support from fans.

            However, a lot of her old beliefs and practices still hung on tight. For example, the palace dining room. Usually Chloe went out of her way to avoid the room, but today Ethan convinced her to sit and experience his life. She just couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer opulence of it all. Granted, her old house that she lived in with Danika was luxurious, though not like this.

            The dining room table took over most of the room, its black marble glinting off the light from the crystal chandelier above them. The light grey walls were used to model large canvases of paintings, some so popular Chloe thought they must've been stolen straight from a museum. The twenty seat table always had the finest gold-encrusted china set and ready to serve. Even the silverware had a thick coat of gold on it.

            "I found a designer willing to hand-make your red carpet gown, Miss Chloe." Melena absentmindedly brushed some of her curly brown hair away from her black rimmed glasses. Rarely did the lady ever look away from her clipboard or blackberry phone. It was a wonder what color her eyes were. Chloe thought a pretty grey would suit her.

            Chloe'd never had a dress hand-made for her before. The offer itself both flattered and made her feel guilty. "Really?" She reached for her orange juice by her plate and asked, "How much?" before taking a drink.

            "A modest ten grand."

            Orange juice burst from her lips before she could stop it. Her eyes widened in shock and she scrambled out of her chair, cloth napkin in hand. "Oh God, I'm so sorry."

            Half of Ethan's face had been hit by the blast, but instead of being angry or upset like he should've been, he laughed.

            Blushing furiously, she reached forward with her napkin and mopped at his face. He gently took the soiled napkin and wiped his jawline. "See, this is why I shouldn't be here." She reasoned. "Ten thousand dollars? There's no way! A dress that expensive—And God, I just ruined your shirt—"

            "Chlo, really it's no big deal." He gave her a comforting expression.

            Chloe bit her lower lip and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm sure it'd be an awesome dress—"

            "It'd make every fashion magazine in the kingdom, Miss Chloe." Melena interjected.

            "It's a onetime event!" She pushed to make Melena understand. "An awards show doesn't need that much extravagance."

            "Yes, but this is your first award show. Your first major public appearance." Ethan tried.

            "...but there's no way my conscience would let me do it."

            Ethan nicked the bottom of her chin lightly, playfully. "Think of it as a pre-engagement gift."

            She lowered her gaze to her fine china plate and unhurriedly sat back into her seat. A ten thousand dollar hand-made dress. Eating breakfast—on an overly expensive plate—that's been cooked by five star chefs. How did she end up here? "I'd much rather find my own dress, Melena. Thank you so much for the thought though." She speared a strawberry with her fork and brought it up to her lips. Her hands shook slightly. "Why don't you donate the money instead to charity?"

            "Are you sure?" Ethan smoothed a hand over her back.

            "Yes."

            "But, Your Highness, it's important that her first public appearance at your side be—"

            "Just the way she wants." A note of warning in Ethan's voice dared her to challenge him.

            Melena dropped her head. "Of course. My apologies."

            Now she had an excuse to go dress shopping. "When is the awards?"

            "Next week. Friday night."

            "Okay." Chloe ran through her mental to do list for this week. "I can run out on Wednesday after I hit the recording studio."

That settled, they moved onto another topic. Melena glanced over her shoulder at Lyle. "I've arranged for that phone you requested, Miss Chloe."

            Chloe sat forward in her seat. "Really? Wow that was fast." She said. "Thank you."

            "Of course." Melena reached her hand to the side, palm flat. Lyle stepped from his spot against the wall and placed a sleek smartphone in her hand. "I've had Lyle program only the most important numbers into it."

            Chloe gave Lyle a polite, grateful smile. "Thanks Lyle." He accepted her gratitude with a tiny nod and stepped back toward the wall.

            She took the phone carefully from Melena and glanced over at Ethan beside her. "Want to give me your digits?" She couldn't resist wiggling her eyebrows.

            The prince of Sarias chuckled loudly, his shoulders shaking with movement. "I'd love to."

            "Your number is already programmed in there, Your Highness."

            "Dang." Chloe clicked the phone on and watched it light up and come to life in her hands. "That ruins the fun."

            "My apologies, Miss Chloe."

            Chloe waved her off. "I was just kidding Melena. It's alright."

            The two-sided conversation died down pretty quickly after that. Melena kept up a steady stream of items on their agenda for this week all through the rest of breakfast.

***

            The best part about dating a superstar had to be the concerts, and the ability to get the best seat in the house: right backstage by the edge of the set.

            Chloe smiled out at Ethan who had his back turned to her. He sat on a wooden stool with his dark brown Yamaha acoustic guitar cradled near his stomach. The stage lights had been dimmed since the beginning of the song with a strong red backlight that succeeded in making his already dark hair appear blacker.

            The crowd sang along smoothly in one voice. Their arms swayed, a tiny bit off the rhythm of the song; they didn't care. Smiles echoed through the audience.

And I don't know if it's the way you smile,

But darlin', you've got this hold on me that heats

My heart every once and while.

No, I can't pretend you're nothin' to me

Because you see...

            Ethan strummed harder on his guitar to pick up for the chorus. His drummer Dave sped up his beats, leading the song along.

You're everythin', everythin', everythin' to me.

No one else but me knows

Your eyes and the way you laugh,

That funny way you twist your mouth when you're amused

With the right amount of sass.

You're everythin', everythin', everythin' to me.

            Chloe cheered loud with the people in the audience as it was over. God, she was so proud of him. For all that she'd had to get used to, she couldn't imagine not having him around.

            One night a few weeks back they'd sat in the palace den and he'd told her what is was like—truly like—to lose a mate.

            "I'd get twitchy all the time, couldn't sit still, and sometimes when my days were hell I'd grab a drink." Ethan had told her.

            She'd felt bad for him. All the time she was gone, he'd waited for her. He remembered her. And while she'd been off living her life and making friends, he'd been suffering.

            "How'd you stand it?" She had asked.

            Ethan brushed the backs of his fingers gently across her cheek, leaving heat in his wake. "Hope. All I had to do was keep holding on."

            Too sweet. It almost made her sick with guilt, though he constantly told her it wasn't her fault. If only she'd dug into Frank's past earlier. If only she'd put her picture out on Musetunes. If only, if only...

            Her answer was to hold onto the here and now. Appreciate life as it comes. Appreciate him.

            On stage, Ethan reached forward to pluck the microphone from its stand. His other hand came up to hold the stand steady. A light green guitar pick stuck out from between his two fingers. He was in his element: strong, comfortable, confident...and sexy, so sexy.

            All mine. She told herself. God, she still couldn't get used to it.

            "Alright guys, my night is wrappin' up. How you all feelin'?"

            The audience roared. Energy and excitement bubbled up through the air, the contagiousness of it made even Chloe's adrenaline levels spike.

            It reminded her of her own performance a couple of months ago.

            Standing tall on the stage in a pair of dark jeans and a navy, fitted v-neck sweater, Ethan held his microphone near his lips. His concert neared the end of the set as apparent by the tiny drops of sweat along the edges of his face and in that moment, Chloe couldn't find a man more beautiful. Through the entire concert she'd watched, entranced, from her spot on the left stage behind the black curtain as he smoothly led the audience through all of his songs. He was nothing short of a people's person, which was evident in each audience member's cheers and joyous shouts.

            "I've got one more number for you all." The audience gave a resounding 'aww' at that and Ethan grinned with white teeth showing. "Don't be like that. Plus, you're really going to like this next one."

            Chloe's heart pounded in her chest. She took deep breaths as her stomach rolled. This is it.

            Her attire of a three-quarter sleeve purple peplum shirt and black shorts should've made her calm. Paired with floral lace leggings and some fold over combat boots, she looked like a classy badass. This would be her moment and she'd come prepared.

            But was she? She spent practically her whole life caged into the mold that was expected of her by Frank Leighton. For so long she'd dream of getting out and being able to experience the world in the way she wanted to...and yet now that she was here she felt overwhelmed by the possibilities being launched at her by the same outside world.

            Ethan winked at her from across the stage. She smiled to herself. No, she couldn't be scared. Not when a man like him would be in her life. And he'd be with her every single step of the way. He was hers.

            "Okay, so I have to admit. I've got a surprise." The audience screeched in reply. Which wasn't much. Her man could step out there, say "potato," and they'd still do the same thing. "And I've been pretty excited about it for a while." A prop hand tapped on Chloe's shoulder and handed her a microphone. "The question is, can you guys handle it?"

            The crowd shouted in reply. "What?" Ethan had to yell into the microphone to be heard. "I can't hear you!"

            The shouting got louder until Ethan couldn't help but laugh.

            The prop hand that had passed her the microphone kindly asked her to step over to the back and down the stairs where the lifting platform was. This little mechanism would lift her up and out, making her grand entrance.

            "Alrighty then." Ethan's voice echoed through the backstage. Chloe's heart felt like it had suddenly grown ten times and tried to leap from her chest. She wiped her sweaty palms on her black shorts and crouched down, her microphone at the ready. "I've got someone I want you all to meet."

            The stage went dark.

            Josh's voice came out of the earpiece in her right ear. "Okeydokey Chichi. You're on in three, two, one..."

            The intro to her song blasted from the speakers. At the same time, the platform began a slow progress upward. The lights stayed dark and all she could see were the flashes and glow sticks lighting up the crowd.

            A single spotlight came on behind her, giving her the effect of a shadow. She took a little comfort in the fact that in this single moment, the crowd could not see her face.

            The music picked up. She placed the mic at her lips.

            The crowd freakin roared.

            At that point, she had no choice but to follow through with this. You can do it. She reminded herself. Her eyes caught on Ethan, who'd made a soft exit to the backstage and now smiled at her encouragingly. He will love you even if you fall flat on your face. Even if the crowd boos you off stage.

            The last thought soothed her nerves. Excitement bubbled up in her stomach, chasing away the bite of fear. Her song Red Dress pounded through the speakers.

            She tilted her head, giving the crowd a nice shadow profile, and began to sing.

Mmmm. Saw him at the grocery store

Introduced myself, wanted more.

            She'd never heard a crowd louder in her entire life. The second her voice rushed through the speakers, they freaked out. It raised her confidence. Slowly, her voice stopped shaking and got louder. More sure.

Unbeknownst to me, you had a plan

A plan involving me.

And three other girls.

But I won't take your shit anymore.

Because tonight I'm in a little red dress

With my eyes on someone else

Now you can't stop me.

No, you can't stop me

And this little red dress.

            Time for the big reveal. She stepped forward, towards the front of the stage. Right as the chorus began, the overhead lights flashed to give the audience one tiny glimpse of herself. If anything, they shrieked louder. An audience member from the front row yelled, "OH MAH GAWD!"

            She bit her lip to fight a smile. The lights flashed again. And again.

Red, for the blood you've spilled.

Red, for the lives you've hurt.

Red, for the fury inside me.

            The lights brightened...and stayed bright. Camera's flashed, people screamed. Chloe never let herself stop the song. She closed her eyes, feeling the emotion behind the song.

You've played me for a fool

We both know I'm a lot more strong

Let's not pretend I'm just a pretty face

Because this little red dress

This little red dress

Will see you fall

            The song died smoothly, until nothing but the guitar played. Then the guitar faded as well. Chloe scanned the crowd, a smile eating at her face. She took a breath. "Hey guys! How are you all doing tonight?" They thundered a positive response. "I hope you don't mind me taking over for a bit."

            Ethan stepped back out on stage. Chloe only knew because the audience responded. He gracefully and smoothly made his way over to her to give her a hug. When he released her, he kept a hand on her lower back. Reassurance. "We don't mind a bit. Do we?"

            The rest of the concert pretty much blurred in her mind. She did remember playing another song and then joining Ethan afterwards for pictures with the fans, to which many gushed over how great she was and how inspiring to them. It continued to make her feel weird. Being held on a pedestal for something so simple as singing...other people save lives. Where was their support and inspiration?

            Either way, it all was a great start to her career. And now, as she watched Ethan play his last set, she rooted for him from the safety of backstage. It might not be her concert, but they were a team. Which made his success her success as well. How could it get any better?

            In her pocket, her smartphone buzzed and gave a tiny chime that she couldn't hear over the speakers. She pulled the device from her pocket to glance at the screen. Eight text messages. Six from her best friend Josh who currently shadowed her stepsister Danika as she finished out her last tour. The other two were from a blocked number.

            She opened the blocked number ones, her eyes flying through the messages:

            Hey.

            Nice skirt. Love the combat boots.

            The messages made her stomach drop. Who was this? How'd they get her personal number? She spun around, searching for someone looking at her. Whoever it was, they had to be in her line of sight. They could only see her if she could see them, right?

            Melena tapped her foot near the exit door. Next to her, Lyle furrowed his eyebrows and took a step forward. "Miss Chloe? Are you alright?"

            Her eyes darted around the area. "I-I'm fine." She took a deep breath. Calm, Chloe. It's probably just Josh being stupid and pulling a prank. "I'm okay." She tried to reassure herself more than him. "Thank you."