"Do we really have seating issues now?" I ask, feeling incredulous, and then I turn to look at Ruby. "Where on earth is your car?"

"At my place," Ruby shrugs nonchalantly.

"Wait, so you actually took an Uber here despite having a car?" I ask, placing my hand on my hip.

"I didn't want to park it here," She explains. "I mean, I don't trust Neil or you to not damage it."

"Are you serious, Ruby?" I ask, still in disbelief.

DD honks the car horn. "Ladies, I'm waiting."

"Why are you both acting like children?" Neil interjects as he walks over to us. "Just get in the car; the jet is ready, and they're waiting for us."

"I'm sitting with you, Neil, and you're sending DD to the backseat," I assert.

"I'm driving!" DD exclaims, leaning out of the car window. "Don't expect me to sit awkwardly in the back with the ladies."

"Excuse me?" Alice challenges DD. "I am not ladies."

"Would you prefer young lady?" DD retorts with a frown.

"I want to drive. I hate sitting idly and watching people do annoying stuff," Ruby chimes in.

"I promise I'm not annoying," Alice says.

"Not you, kiddo. I'm talking about your sister and brother-in-law," Ruby clarifies. "Last time I was in the car with them, Neil said something like, I want to be with you, behind you, above you, and under you, and some other cringe-worthy stuff. Do you know how annoying it is to hear that? And it's not just because Neil is my ex-I'm just so done with people in love right now."

"They're not cringe-worthy; I find them cute," Alice says, slowly expressing her opinion.

"Ah, teenagers," Ruby rolls her eyes.

"Alright, everyone, let's stop this," Neil intervenes. "DD is driving, I'll take the passenger seat, and the three of you can get in the backseat."

"Okay," Alice agrees, making her way towards the car.

"But I-"

"It's only a half-hour ride," Neil interrupts me. "Anyone who has a problem with it can take a Uber to the airport."

"I hate it when you boss us around," I glare at him.

"Me too," Ruby adds, giving Neil a pointed look.

Neil looks at us in disbelief as Ruby grabs my arm and we all get into the car. I settle between Alice and Ruby, while Alice and DD share a laugh, casting amused glances at Neil, who wears a scowl as he takes the passenger seat.

"Remind me never to get caught between these two," Neil says to DD.

"I love seeing you in trouble," DD chuckles. "So, no, I won't remind you."

"Alice," Neil turns to her, seeking support.

"It's not like I'll always be around, but even if I am, I wouldn't remind you," Alice replies. "I come from a family where drama is in our souls, and I happen to love drama."

"That's my sister!" I laugh, wrapping my arm around Alice's shoulders.

"I'll remind myself then," Neil mutters irritably, and he looks at DD. "Start the car already."

Alice shows me Nora and Aaron's recent pictures and expresses her excitement for the baby. I am happy for Aaron, but I don't share the same level of enthusiasm for being an aunt as Alice does, possibly because she lives with them.

"Okay, why isn't anyone discussing Lee's rumored girlfriend being with us?" Alice whispers to me. "Isn't that a big deal?"

"No, sweetie, because I'm not actually his girlfriend," Ruby looks up from her phone. "It would be inappropriate to reveal what we actually do and what I... consider it."

"Come on, Ruby," I frown at her.

"Don't blame me for the thoughts running through your head," She smirks at me.

If I hadn't imagined her with Lee before, I certainly do now, and I have to shake my head.

"I feel like I could throw up right now," I glare at Ruby, and she laughs.

"Ahem," Alice clears her throat.

"You guys are making Alice uncomfortable. Please behave," DD jokes.

"Seriously!" Neil says as he turns on the music and then looks at Alice. "Better than their discussion."

She giggles slowly, and I roll my eyes at Neil. He looks at me for a moment before blowing a flying kiss at me. I try to resist smiling, and he grins at me before settling into his seat.

Once we reach the airport, we board the jet, and Neil and DD go to talk with the pilot.

"Are you excited?" Alice asks Ruby.

"Well, I've been to concerts before," Ruby says unsure.

"But it's Lee," Alice says as if that's supposed to make sense.

Ruby looks at me, and I shrug, unsure of what Alice means exactly.

"You don't have a crush on him?" Alice asks, and Ruby shakes her head.

Alice raises her eyebrows, amused. "Wow. So Lee just bragged to me about you being head over heels for him."

"He's obsessed with that idea. Seriously," Ruby rolls her eyes.

"Or maybe he can't accept that you feel nothing for him," Alice shrugs. "My siblings have heightened egos."

"I'm right here, Alice," I remind her pointedly.

"What were you saying?" She asks Ruby, sitting down and completely ignoring me and my words.

I just shake my head at her and reach out to grab my phone. I read the email I received from Mr. Peterson until Neil comes over. I smile when I see him, and he sits down next to me. DD looks at us, then glances at Alice and Ruby before taking the seat in front of us.

With a 6-hour flight ahead, Neil and DD start working. I watch them as they discuss something, and after a while, I feel bored and decide to go and sit with Ruby and Alice. Alice seems to get comfortable with Ruby, and I'm amazed at how sweet and friendly Ruby is with her.

Ruby and I exchange sarcastic remarks between our conversations, and I notice Alice becoming tense in between. I assure her that we have had cat fight, so this is not an issue. Although she claims to love drama, she actually can't stand watching people argue for real.

We have some snacks and take a few selfies together as we enjoy our conversations, which mostly revolve around Alice's boyfriend and the trip they are planning.

After some time, DD falls asleep, and Neil gestures for me to come over. I join him, and we kiss for a while. Then he hands me one of his AirPods, and we listen to songs while sitting back and holding each other's hands.

My insides melt as he gazes into my eyes and gets lost in them. He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my fingers.

"I can't wait to officially make you my girlfriend," He whispers to me. "I want to do everything right-what I should have done the moment I met you."

"I don't regret anything that has happened between us since the day we met," I say softly. "We would be in a very different situation if you hadn't proposed the contract."

I glance at DD to make sure he's not listening to us, but he seems deeply asleep.

"I know," He nods, resting his forehead against mine. "I don't regret it either. I just want a real relationship with you and to have you in my life... forever," he says, and I nod slowly.

"If that's what you want too." He adds.

"We'll figure it out together as we navigate our relationship," I give him a small smile.

He grins. "I'm happy that you're even considering it."

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" I roll my eyes, then smile at him. "I may not have been looking for a serious relationship with you, but I definitely look forward to being with you-who doesn't want to be with the person who makes them happy?"

"That's a confusing statement," He frowns. "How can you want to be with me but not want a serious relationship?"

"Because diving deep into a relationship can be overwhelming, and honestly, I wasn't ready for marriage," I explain honestly. "I agreed to it because of the circumstances, and Jason and I didn't want to live with my parents-the contract actually benefited me a lot."

"I'm glad," he nods. "We can be whatever you want us to be."

"Okay," I smile. "Let's move past this contract and date each other. Let's live without the constraints and rules of the contract."

"Without the complications of juggling two relationships at once," he says. "Let's just be ourselves."

I smile at him, and he looks at me while caressing my face with his hand. I love the warm feeling in my chest. Neil holds my hand throughout, and it feels wonderfully peaceful to experience this romantic connection.

Being with him mostly makes me feel hot, so I definitely cherish these softer emotions.

☄☄☄

It was evening when we arrived in LA, and Lee's bodyguards came to pick us up. However, Lee wasn't at his place when we arrived, so we decided to rest and Alice woke us up within an hour because she didn't want to be late.

I got annoyed because Neil and I were comfortably cuddling in bed. I do glare at Alice when I open the door. She says Ruby asked her to knock before she bites her tongue and turns around while Ruby shouts from the living room, I didn't.

Once we were ready to go, Lee's bodyguards drop us off at the concert. As we enter the venue, vibrant lights and pulsating music fill the air, instantly energizing us.

The atmosphere is electric, with a mix of excitement and anticipation among the crowd. Holding Neil's hand, I walk around the venue adorned with colorful decorations and large screens displaying captivating visuals.

The sound of conversations and laughter filled the venue, creating a buzzing ambiance. People from all walks of life gather, chatting animatedly, with smiles and laughter spreading contagiously.

The scent of popcorn and other delicious snacks wafts through the air, tempting our taste buds. As I look around, I saw a sea of enthusiastic fans, dressed in an array of outfits, eagerly awaiting the start of the performance.

"It's so energetic here," Ruby said to Alice, standing beside me.

"Yeah, it's all about Lee!" Alice giggled.

I turned to Neil and asked, "Do you enjoy concerts?"

"I've been to a few," He replies, glancing at Ruby. "With her."

"Well, have you enjoyed them?" I ask, wanting his honest opinion.

"I have," He answers slowly. "They used to be fun."

I don't want to be jealous, knowing their past, so I simply nod before looking away. I imagine them together, having the time of their lives at the concert and then I feel pathetic for thinking that way.

I can sense Neil's gaze on me. I asked for his honesty, so I can't be mad at him.

Suddenly, the lights dim, and the crowd erupts into cheers. Alice and I join in the excitement as Lee, the lead singer, grabs the microphone and addresses the audience.

"Good evening, everyone! Are you ready to rock tonight?" He asks, brimming with excitement.

The crowd responds with roaring cheers, fueling even more energy. As the opening chords of their hit song fill the air, they launch into their performance with passion and precision. Lee's powerful vocals captivate the audience.

"I feel the passion, I feel the heat. Tonight, we're gonna light up this street..." Lee sang into the microphone, closing his eyes.

"We're on fire, burning with desire!" Everyone sang along.

Lee and his bandmates play the right songs, many of which are my favorites. The catchy beats fill the air as Alice, Ruby, and I gracefully swayed to the rhythm, our laughter echoing through the venue, showcasing our playful bond.

Alice takes lots of photos, most of which were terrible, capturing Ruby and me. She films Lee's performance as well as our dancing, with Ruby wrapping her arm around my shoulder, and we wave our flashlights while jumping and singing.

Neil stands nearby, watching us, and I looked away, imagining how much fun they used to have together. DD is enjoying himself, dancing alone.

Suddenly, it starts raining, and Lee and Gary crack jokes on stage, making everyone laugh. Lee waves at us when he spotted us, and everyone turns to look at us, particularly Ruby.

"My favorite person is here, so in this romantic climate, I'm taking the opportunity to sing my favorite, your favorite, and her favorite, Eternal Flame!" Lee announced.

Everyone cheers as he starts singing, closing his eyes, and he almost has me believing that he is singing with love.

Drenched in rain, I go crazy with everyone when Neil grasps my hand and yanks me closer to him. He looks down at my lips before meeting my gaze.

"Do you really expect me to stand here and watch you, knowing you're feeling a little jealous?" He whispers into my ear.

"I'm not jealous... I just can't explain what I'm feeling," I admit, my eyes focusing on the rain droplets on his cheeks and lips.

"But I know what to do and say, love," He assures me, keeping my hands over his shoulders and wrapping his arm around me. Lee's song playing in the background makes the moment even more intimate.

Neil twirls me around and pulls me back to him with force. I gasp as I look into his eyes, and with a deep breath, I look away from his intense eyes as we move our bodies.

"I'm going to leave you breathless," He whispers, his voice intense.

I look up at him, eyes widening slightly as his lips crash against mine, flipping my world upside down in an instant.

Damn!

He kisses me with such force, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss, and our bodies press together. The warmth of his lips against mine, accompanied by the rain pouring down on us, intensifies the urgency and desire in the kiss. He holds me tightly, and I wrap my arms around his neck, oblivious to the people around us.

I can't help but moan as he tugs my lower lip between his teeth before kissing me deeply again. The desire ran through my entire body as I felt my neck grow hot and my body aches for him. I could sense that he felt the same, by the intensity of his kiss.

Lost in the moment, I kiss him back, matching his rhythm, forgetting everything else for that moment. I cherish the feel of his lips against mine, and I can sense the heat on the back of his neck, which only aroused me more, knowing that he desires me as much as I desire him.

I almost want to beg for more when he pulls away briefly, only to press his lips against mine again in a long kiss, followed by a soft kiss.

As I catch my breath, I look at him with disbelief. A smile plays on his lips as he reaches out, his thumb pressing gently against my lips.

"You are an incredible kisser," He says, his eyes locked with mine, reminiscing about our first kiss and that unforgettable moment.

"And you're terrible," I respond with a smile, trying to regain my composure.

"Of course," He chuckles playfully. "That's why you want me even more."

"I do," I admit, feeling a surge of desire coursing through me.

Glancing around, I suddenly notice that a few people have been filming us, but I push aside the distraction as my eyes search for Alice. I spot her twirling with Ruby, both of them laughing as they dance.

Making my way towards them, I catch Ruby's attention and wave at her. "I'm leaving with Neil. Please take care of Alice and make sure she gets back safely!" I shout to be heard over the music.

Ruby glances at Neil and me, not amused by our disheveled appearance. Rolling her eyes, she gives me a thumbs-up before turning her attention back to Alice.

I approach DD, who's engaged in a lively dance with a group of people, and inform him to ensure Alice's safety.

While I'm not trying to be overly protective like Aaron, I remember the last concert when Alice ran off with a group of teenagers in search of carefree fun. Alice enjoys being a pain in the ass for Aaron only but I'm not willing to take any chances.

I approach one of Lee's bodyguards and request a ride back, he informs me that the concert will end in five minutes and I can return with everyone else if want. However, I insist on leaving immediately, and the guard obliges.

In the backseat of the car, Neil and I passionately kiss, fueled by our overwhelming desire. We're so consumed by passion that we would engage in more intimate activities if not for the presence of the driver, who occasionally glances at us.

Fortunately, the ride is short, and once we arrive at our destination, Neil pins me against the door, kissing my neck sensually. I can feel his arousal pressed against my thigh, and I reach up to unbutton his shirt.

He pulls away momentarily, discarding his shirt, before holding my face in his hands and engaging in a heated lip lock. I moan as he resumes his aggression on my neck. I need to act quickly to open the door and get inside before anyone walks on us or worse the paparazzi shows up for Lee.

With a sense of urgency, I push Neil against the door, his kisses trailing down my chest as I concentrate on inputting the correct code. It takes me a few attempts, hindered by both my moaning and trembling fingers, but eventually, I succeed. In the midst of my moaning, the only thing my hands manage to do right is roam over his incredibly attractive body.

Eager to rid myself of the sticky top, I swiftly remove it before entering the room. Neil follows me, locking the door behind us.

"Fuck!" He groans, struggling to remove his damp pants.

I push him onto the nearby couch and straddle his hips, feeling his firm grip on my waist. He guides himself inside me, and the electrifying sensation causes me to gasp, I throw my head back in pleasure as I run a hand through my hair, overwhelmed by the intensity of pleasure coursing through me. Unable to contain myself, I let out a loud moan, "Oh, Neil!"

We are lost in our own world of pleasure when we are interrupted by a knock on the door by Lee

"Avni, don't you want to join us for dinner?" He called out.

My eyes widen, but Neil doesn't seem bothered, he continues what we were doing.

"Oh my god!" Lee exclaimed, laughing. "Are you guys... Oh my god!"

"Go away, Lee!" I shouted breathlessly.

"Alright, alright," He chuckled, his voice fading. "She chose a good fuck over food tonight."

Ignoring him, we immerse ourselves in the moment once again.

I am a moaning mess by the time we finish, and Neil made sure to satisfy me completely. He holds me in his arms as my body trembles, and I rest my head on his shoulder, trying to come down from the high.

After some time, we take a shower and then snuggle up in bed.

☄☄☄

I wake up to find myself alone in the bed and I quickly get dressed before heading out to check on Avni. To my surprise, I find Avni sitting at the dining table with Lee, engaged in a conversation. I approach them both.

"I'm overjoyed," Lee exclaims to Avni. "If you stay, we can wrap up the commercial this week."

"I will stay," Avni replies.

"I didn't know you were staying," I interject, causing Avni to turn and face me. "Or that you were doing commercials."

"Crap!" Lee stands up abruptly. "I'll excuse myself from this discussion. Solve whatever matters you have, I don't want to be involved."

"We can leave once you are done talking," Lee says to Avni then he glances between us before making his way out.

"I wanted to tell you once I was certain," Avni explains as she stands up.

"Tell me about what?" I inquire.

"I won't continue working for you once the contract is terminated," She confesses, looking directly at me.

"Seriously?" I narrow my eyes, surprised. "Avni, you know I would hire you, right?"

"I am aware, and I could always search for a job in another company if I wanted to. But I see this as a great opportunity. Commercials, runway shows, photo shoots... they are all chances for me."

"And why didn't you share this with me earlier?" I ask, unable to hide my disbelief.

"I mentioned that I wanted to be certain first," She replies, her annoyance becoming evident in her voice.

I dislike the idea of our relationship becoming public because of this. I hated how people were filming us at last night's concert, solely because Avni is Lee's sister.

I know that it will only escalate if she ventures into this industry. I am not prepared to have our faces splashed across newspapers, nor do I want people discussing our relationship, be it good or bad.

I want us to treasure our love privately.

"I could become a model-"

"I don't think that's suitable for you," I interject. "This line of work simply isn't your calling."

At first, she frowns, but then her expression turns into a glare. I immediately regret my words.

"Avni, I didn't mean it like that," I reach out for her arm as she starts to walk away.

"Thank you for saying something you don't mean," She glares at me, freeing her hand from my grasp.

She walks towards the doorway and stops to look back at me. "Leave home before I return. I'll come back on my own terms."

Frustration builds up inside me, causing me to clench my jaw and kick the chair. I glance up and notice DD standing there, his face revealing that he overheard everything.

"Contract?" He raises an eyebrow. "You have some explaining to do."

☄☄☄

Hello, everyone!

I hope you're all doing well because I certainly am.

I know almost all of you know my bestie, TheGalaxy_Rider. She has just begun a new story called Reconciliation on Avneil.

Her writing style is unique and captivating, one that I personally adore, and I'm confident that you will all enjoy it as well.

Why not give it a try?