《The Idol's Chronicles》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 It was a bright, sunny day, the birds were chirping and a gentle breeze was caressing the trees, and the sound of cars could be subtly heard in the distance. The sun was sparkling on the river bed, though it did nothing to interest the two travellers who¡¯d set up a picnic beside it. They¡¯d been travelling by car for a few hours, and weren¡¯t at all pleased with the sudden stop over. However, one of the two women was celebrating her birthday, and a mutual friend had requested they stop there to find a present he¡¯d hidden. He hadn¡¯t given them many clues, though they were both still looking for whatever it was that he¡¯d left them¡ªand feeling the crunch of time. They¡¯d scoured the green field, looking closer at the water and even inspected the closest thorn bush near them. One of the duo, a woman with shoulder length blonde hair and large, brown eyes, scowled her thin lips as she readjusted her hair in a loose-fitted beanie. She glanced at their surroundings, thick, luscious shrubs blocking them from the main road, before obviously eyeing the car nearby and turning her attention onto her phone. Switching to one of her many photography applications, she scrutinised her lip gloss before turning her gaze onto her friend with ash brown hair. Seeing her friend lean into a tree to inspect yet another thorn bush, the blonde pursed her lips thoughtfully. With a small shake of her head, she asked in a soft voice, ¡®are you sure he asked you to come here? What would Hayden do here of all places? It¡¯s the middle of nowhere and he should know we have a tight schedule! Besides, wasn¡¯t he just filming on set yesterday?¡¯ When the brunette stood up to survey their surroundings with obvious disappointment, the blonde persisted, ¡®he¡¯s lovely, but he has no sense of direction. I honestly hope that he didn¡¯t send you the instructions, did he?¡¯ ¡®Relax, Yvette, it¡¯ll only take a minute. Besides, you know Hayden isn¡¯t at all vindictive. He wouldn¡¯t send us here if he thought it would affect our schedule,¡¯ her companion grinned, adjusting her long, brown hair so it was over her shoulder. Her dark brown eyes searched their surroundings eagerly for the present their friend must have hidden somewhere. Her luscious lips were contorted in a childlike grin as she continued her investigations. They both knew that she wasn¡¯t going to give up until she¡¯d found her present, and the blonde ceased trying to even argue with the older woman. Some things weren¡¯t worth her sanity. ¡®You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re one of my best friends, Mikaela,¡¯ Yvette scowled before placing her phone in her handbag. Looking at the time was doing nothing for her nerves, especially given the deadline they simply had to meet. Deciding to think outside the box, much like Hayden did, Yvette began to look under the thickets around their clearing. The man was eclectic, and she knew better than to look for the obvious. Sure enough, hidden underneath a thicket was a small cardboard box. It was inconspicuous enough for a clueless passer-by to miss it if they hadn¡¯t known to come to this specific location. Seeing it, Yvette thought that it was small, much smaller than the blonde had anticipated, but she let any comment slide. Mikaela was an optimist, and Yvette wasn¡¯t about to burst her friend¡¯s bubble if she could help it. Upon seeing where Yvette¡¯s eyes were focused, Mikaela let out a gleeful squeak before picking the box up and dancing around the clearing, rolling her hips in the way they had been practicing. Watching her friend¡¯s expression, Yvette couldn¡¯t help but share her joy. Mikaela¡¯s grin could have elated many a watcher, and even Yvette momentarily forgot her own apprehension. ¡®A present, a present! Hayden got me a present!¡¯ Mikaela giggled as Yvette tried not to role her eyes in disbelief. It was far from a secret that Mikaela enjoyed receiving birthday presents, and she had been over the moon with the idea of the gift Hayden had promised her. Given that it was her birthday, and he¡¯d only ever let the brunette down once, Yvette couldn¡¯t hold it against the older woman. She could still remember the time Hayden had forgotten her birthday in high school. After seeing how upset Mikaela had been that one of her closest friends had simply forgotten her special day, Lynn and Yvette had made it their mission to ensure Hayden remembered her special day. Mikaela had always been very gentle and caring, even as a small child, and Yvette couldn¡¯t help but want to protect her friend. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Tearing open the package, it was quite obvious from Mikaela¡¯s expression that she couldn¡¯t wait to see what Hayden had sent her this time. Just seeing the brunette¡¯s childlike glee was something which elated her companion¡¯s mood in spite of her concerns. Even then, the blonde shuffled closer, noticing an envelope slip to the grassy ground as Mikaela successfully opened the box. ¡®I wonder what we¡¯re getting this time,¡¯ Yvette questioned, her brows knitting together slightly.Whenever the two were together, Hayden was courteous enough to get them both something, and the time they¡¯d spent Yvette¡¯s birthday with Lynn had almost ended in a war after Yvette had found out Lynn¡¯s present had taken the poor man not only more time, but also more money. It was fair to say that not all was fair in love and war, especially where Hayden Choi was involved. The man was a dream boat, a successful actor who had been listed in the top five available bachelors of the year. His greatest downfall was his incredibly thick skull as well as the acting career which took him all over the world. It left him little time for his family or friends, even ones as understanding as Mikaela and Yvette. ¡®I bet it¡¯s cake vouchers again. He knows I love cake,¡¯ Mikaela chuckled, and Yvette could see why. Everyone knew just how much Mikaela loved her food, especially if she could try out a new place. Yvette knew that, while she wouldn¡¯t call herself a connoisseur, Mikaela made no secret of wanting to sample all walks of the culinary life. She wouldn¡¯t turn her nose up at a stand or van parked on the side of a busy road, nor would she hesitate to go into an exclusive restaurant. When it came to food, Mikaela tried everything¡ªeven the seafood she professed to dislike. ¡®Don¡¯t be so sure, that would have to be a lot of cake vouchers, and our dance trainer might just kill him after your binge last week. Besides, Lynn could have helped him pick out a nice knit from France. Please let it be an authentic couture! Please!¡¯ Yvette pleaded, almost making the brunette sigh visibly in frustration. Where Mikaela loved food, Yvette¡¯s mind usually headed straight to fashion. ¡®That¡¯s strange,¡¯ Yvette murmured as Mikaela gleefully pulled out bubble wrap from inside the package, her gleeful smile as wide as a dog eating his owner¡¯s breakfast. She disregarded the box as she began to unfurl the packaging, hoping to find her present. Upon finding nothing but bubble wrap, she frowned, her brows knitting together in confused disappointment before she started glancing around her, hoping to find the missing present. Ever the optimist, Mikaela probably thought that she had dropped her gift on the ground, disregarding an envelope that had fallen at her feet. Shaking her head in disbelief, Yvette leant down to pick up the envelope strategically placed underneath the box so Mikaela couldn¡¯t see. ¡®Hey, there¡¯s a note,¡¯ Yvette said as she picked the note up from the front of the packet, which had been discarded by the brunette. Unfolding it, she recognised the man¡¯s sloppy handwriting and felt herself unable to hide her smile. Her eyes flickered to a very confused Mikaela before returning to the note. Dear Yvette, I doubt Mikaela would find this note, especially since she¡¯ll be too busy obsessing about the nicely packaged box I left in the bush, and I apologise in advance for any grief you¡¯ll receive. But, all things considered, you can¡¯t say I lied. I hid Mikaela¡¯s package, like I promised. I simply neglected to add the gift in question to the box. By the time you¡¯ve found and read this, Mikaela will probably be fuming. Don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t forget to pack her present this year, but I¡¯ve got something better after my delayed gift last year. Yvette paused in her reading, her eyes flicking to Mikaela, whose cheeks were puffed out in tell-tale frustration.No doubt the woman did not appreciate Hayden¡¯s prank, especially if he¡¯d neglected to buy her a present in the past. ¡®Really, Mikaela? Did Hayden really forget your birthday again last year?¡¯ Yvette giggled as Mikaela¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously.The woman¡¯s mood was definitely going sour, and Yvette didn¡¯t want to prod the beast. Hurriedly returning her eyes to the letter, she aptly avoided the woman¡¯s wrath. Anyway, it shouldn¡¯t surprise you that I know how you¡¯ll both react. Relax, I know what I¡¯m doing, I hope. Anyway, a friend and I will be staying at Highpoint City, you should meet us there. Love, Hayden P.S. Happy birthday, Mikaela! P.P.S. Also, hope you¡¯re both well :) Rolling her eyes at his typically haphazard behaviour, she called, ¡®Mikaela, he¡¯s staying in Highpoint City with a friend. You can rip him to pieces once we¡¯re there. Then, once you¡¯ve both calmed down and had some food, gotten out of this blistering sun, he¡¯ll give you your present and you¡¯ll be all happy again. Let¡¯s go!¡¯ The other woman didn¡¯t need to be told twice. In all the years since she¡¯d began taking short trips with her friend, Yvette had never travelled as quickly as she did that day, her friend rushing back to the car far faster than Yvette had ever anticipated. ¡®Shotgun the shower first!¡¯ Mikaela giggled before disappearing into car, leaving Yvette to flounder outside momentarily before Mikaela buckled into the driver¡¯s seat, grinning eagerly at her friend. Once her mind had processed Mikaela¡¯s actions, Yvette could only roll her eyes before walking towards the car and setting herself up in the passenger seat. Yvette knew that once they got to their shared hotel room, they¡¯d see how it all went with Hayden and their appointment. The car started with a soft growl as Yvette closed the door behind her, sitting in the front passenger seat beside Mikaela. Brushing her fringe out of her eyes, she buckled up before glancing at Mikaela. Sensing her companion¡¯s attention, Mikaela glanced at the woman before sending her an innocent smile. Knowing the driver¡¯s adept and seemingly innocent deviousness, Yvette couldn¡¯t help but respond in kind. Just catching a glimpse of her face, Yvette knew that Hayden Choi was in for a world of punishment. But then, Yvette wouldn¡¯t forgive him if he pranked her, either, and she and Mikaela were so close that she might as well have been pranked herself. And if there was one thing she didn¡¯t appreciate; it was the feeling of being pranked. A/N: Hi everyone, thank you so much for taking the time to read my first chapter. Let me know what you think so far :) Chapter 2 Seeing the Highpoint City skyline through her windscreen, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help the elation which filled her She¡¯d finally have the new start she¡¯d been craving. Seated beside her, Yvette let out an awed gasp. The tall skyscrapers were more prominent than she¡¯d imagined, standing tall and proud against the sweltering blue sky above them. She hoped that there would be at least some shelter once inside the city precinct, though the cars would only exuberate the heat. Just seeing the sun glistening off the skyscrapers, Mikaela felt her resolve wane at the thought of the heat. Blasting the air conditioning, Mikaela pushed aside such thoughts as she focused on their reason for visiting the city. They were entering a national music competition, and the city was the host for the show which would be aired on national television. If they each made it through this round, they would enter the first stage of the competition. However, to get through each of the opportunities in the round, the contestant had to be marked by the three judges and the viewers. Each judge could allocate a maximum of 30 points, though contestants gained a total mark out of 100 through fan voting. Since each judge was advised to assess a participant on specific criteria, there was little room for bias. They allocated points according to the person¡¯s composition of the music, lyrics, vocals, performance and dance, costume and makeup, and their overall theme. Fans could vote on all aspects of this for double the points of the judges, but they could also add to the vote in a special fan category called fan favour. With the way the votes were skewed, you¡¯d need to stay on the good side of your fans to be push through the contest if they had enough fans vote for them. And, in today¡¯s digital age, everything was done via an application which the active contestants could log into to see their scores, the next opportunities (and their requirements), and gain any feedback they wished¡ªprovided it met the community guidelines. Given their prominence in the public sphere, Mikaela and Yvette had both undertaken an unusual path to success in the music industry. Mikaela had been a child actor, snapping up various roles and making quite a name for herself before calling it quits. Yvette, meanwhile, was the daughter of a famous model-turned-designer, and had followed her mother¡¯s fashion design routes, even partaking in unusual styling contests, such as the Diamante¡¯s infamous masquerade. The two young women had met on set and surprised the crew by hitting it off, which had resulted in more opportunities for Yvette. Over the years they had remained close, joining a dancing academy together. Now, since they¡¯d first heard about the competition, Mikaela and Yvette had both been dreaming about the opportunity which was happening in this very city. Both had always enjoyed singing, and had studied music over the years, with Mikaela even picking up the guitar. There was no way they would give up the chance they had; this competition gave them the exposure they needed to see if a career in music was what they, and more importantly, the public, wanted. Essentially, it would be a transition into the music industry for members of the public who have had even a pre-existing taste of fame. Some were actors like Mikaela, influencers, models and fashionistas like Yvette, reality stars, radio stars and more. Being as close as Yvette and Mikaela were, they¡¯d been planning, practicing and considering every detail they could think of for months. They thought of every pro, every con and every possible scandal, even arguing with each other or their families if required. The biggest problem they had realised was that they had to enter as individuals and couldn¡¯t enter as a duo. However, since this very event was an entryway which was said to make or break careers, depending on how well one did, they had to look past that. If all things went according to plan, they¡¯d both qualify together in Highpoint City. After all, the city was said to make dreams come true. All they had to do was pass the initial audition and keep an eye on the application on their phone for feedback. From there, the requirements would change, though they could be required to create their own musical pieces, create their own lyrics, create their own dance performances and perform their creations for the world to see, and both of them were nervous at the very idea. They¡¯d been dabbling in music for years, but they¡¯d never before even dared to show the public what they could do with others, let alone on their own. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Stepping on the gas, Mikaela licked her lips anxiously, her hands clenched on the wheel. She¡¯d be lying if she said she wasn¡¯t nervous, especially when considering that she had never done anything as risky as this, taking a gamble she normally wouldn¡¯t have considered. However, if they succeeded, then Yvette and Mikaela would see if they could both be singers with an active fanbase. The way the competition was staged, the duo knew they needed to gain the top marks required to get through each phase. She¡¯d only seen similar events on the small screen, and the very notion of her being a part of this chance made her want to squeal. After all, these weren¡¯t just televised extravaganzas, they were created solely so that the upcoming artists could make and maintain the connections whilst keeping an active public life. Whilst they had both been out of the public eye recently, both Yvette and Mikaela still had faith in their fans, and Mikaela couldn¡¯t wait to engage with them in a more personal manner. Sure, the thought alone made her stomach tingle with anxiety, but she was going to do her best. ¡®Are you as nervous as I am?¡¯ Yvette chuckled as she leant on Mikaela¡¯s shoulders, watching the road through the windscreen, barely glancing at the buildings which they were passing, the sterile walls reflecting the road on which they drove. They were in the city, and Mikaela couldn¡¯t be distracted by the reflective buildings. Feeling grateful that they¡¯d managed to avoid the crowds, Mikaela hummed momentarily in response. She was focused on the roads, but knew that Yvette wouldn¡¯t be happy with the response. After all, Mikaela could see the woman glaring at her from her peripheral vision. Considering the somersaults her stomach was doing at the mere thought of their upcoming competition, Mikaela squeaked, ¡®yup. It¡¯ll be our first time being in public for a while.¡¯ She shared an anxious glance with the woman beside her before she returned her gaze onto the road, taking a shortcut her father had told her about before they¡¯d left. With a nervous sigh, she wondered about how they¡¯d both go. If it was a disaster, she wasn¡¯t sure they could turn back without a colossal hit to their reputations. While they were both relatively new to the singing scene, they already had a decent following. This would be a huge risk for them both since they¡¯d be severing ties with who the public knew them to be. What she had been known for back then was her acting, not her ability to sing, dance and offer a captivating performance. And now she was absolutely terrified of disappointing the people who remembered her. Given how long it had been since she¡¯d last made any kind of public appearance, Mikaela hoped that people still liked her enough to support her. She knew that Yvette, who had helped her mother design clothes in a high-end boutique, was a natural born performer, especially after having worked together. Add to that the influence of social media, and Yvette¡¯s own brand launch had been surprisingly popular given her age. Once Yvette¡¯s brand was established, she¡¯d capitalised on the chance to broaden her horizons, convincing Mikaela this was just the right move for both of them. Understandably, they¡¯d had to restart from scratch. Mikaela herself could recall how hesitant her friends had been for her, even it did sound like it could be interesting for her career. ¡®I¡¯m sure Hayden will distract us both,¡¯ Yvette reassured her companion, though the woman noticed she was touching her hair in an anxious manner. Whenever Yvette was fretting about anything, she took it out on her extremely forgiving hair. Given how vain the woman could sometimes be, Mikaela knew she should make at least some attempt at distracting her. After all, the competition wasn¡¯t the only thing waiting for them in Highpoint City. ¡®Yvette, I don¡¯t want to see him before the audition if he¡¯s going to pull pranks like this on me. He¡¯ll only distract me and it¡¯ll affect my performance if I lose my confidence. Let¡¯s just check in and we can focus on the important things first. You never know, we might be able to find last minute costume changes in the stores, and I don¡¯t want to worry about Hayden and whatever other prank he might have in store for us,¡¯ Mikaela frowned at her friend, who grimaced in response. Hayden, for all his goofiness, was notorious for his pranks, especially once he started. ¡®If you¡¯re sure, but you¡¯re only postponing the drama. We both know he¡¯s not patient,¡¯ Yvette warned as Mikaela shook her head at her friend. They both knew it was true, but Mikaela did not have the patience to tolerate the man¡¯s possible pranks when she was feeling as apprehensive as she was. ¡®I just need to concentrate,¡¯ Mikaela responded as she stopped at a red light, noticing a group of pedestrians walking through the streets. Many were in business attire, but some did have shopping bags in their hands. It left her feeling content, seeing others go about their daily lives, not at all worried about what was going on with other people. Glancing at a billboard, she saw an advertisement for engagement rings. Knowing that such a thing was unlikely to happen to her anytime soon, especially given her recent trauma with someone she had thought she could prospectively be with, she focused on the positive side. At least she hadn¡¯t seen the advertisements for the concert just yet. However, she was certain she¡¯d find somewhere around town. While engagement rings were one thing, the thought of the concert attracting more attention made her almost feel nauseous. She was hoping to enter the competition with an emotional ballad, something which may sit very poorly with the audience, depending on who would be there. Typically upbeat songs were better received by the public, but Mikaela knew she¡¯d be too nervous to even try something like that. Yvette, of course, had a performance ready since she loved to sing and dance. Unlike her friend, Mikaela had always gone against the popular culture, where Yvette had thrived off it. Even now, Yvette was the height of fashion, with a denim mini skirt and floral, pink blouse. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, mascara and eyeliner accentuating her eyes, which were framed by soft eyebrows. Mikaela, in contrast, was wearing baggy army patterned jeans with a plain black singlet. Normally she¡¯d wear a something to cover her shoulders a bit, but it was far too hot to even bother with it today. Even now, she wasn¡¯t wearing makeup, preferring to keep her skin smooth and clear, standing completely at odds with her friend. Miraculously finding her way through the unfamiliar city without a hitch, Mikaela parked at their hotel before sending her friend and partner in crime an endearing smile. She suspected that Hayden was staying at the same hotel as them, it was time to plan their avoidance of the man, which was the first stage of their revenge. After all, Hayden was far from patient, and Mikaela wanted all of her focus on the audition before they experienced whatever other prank the man had in store for them. Chapter 3 Listening to Yvette¡¯s song as the woman gave a last-minute practice performance, Mikaela nodded her head to the beat that played. Yvette¡¯s bags of shopping were littered around the floor, and her sparkly dress glistened with every move the blonde made. Watching her friend¡¯s movements, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but notice the sultry element to her behaviour. Every movement of her hand, feet, hips, even eyes, was sultry in an overt way that even Mikaela couldn¡¯t deny it. Inspecting her friend¡¯s dance, Mikaela was impressed. Her movements were sharp, and Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but mirror her friend¡¯s dance a bit. After all, they had been dancing together for years now. Smiling, Mikaela assured her friend, ¡®you¡¯re definitely getting through. Do you know what you¡¯ll be doing with your hair?¡¯ Instantly, Yvette¡¯s eyes lit up, an eager grin transforming her face, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but smile back. Her friend¡¯s eagerness was always infectious. ¡®Well, I¡¯ll see how I¡¯m feeling tomorrow. What about you, what will you be wearing?¡¯ Yvette asked, arching an eyebrow as she looked sternly at Mikaela. Feeling her cheeks warm, Mikaela hesitated. She knew that no matter what she picked, Yvette would probably be displeased, but she didn¡¯t want to go on stage feeling stiff and uncomfortable. The truth was, she¡¯d recently had an encounter that meant she wasn¡¯t ready for any kind of over-exposed clothing, which was usually the type Yvette preferred. With a sigh, Mikaela considered her own audition the next day. The song she¡¯d be singing was hinting at the very event she still didn¡¯t know how to deal with. Was it risqu¨¦ to be singing about it? Yes. Did she feel like she had to sing about this? Definitely. Biting her lip slightly, Mikaela knew how uncomfortable the song alone would make her. Glancing at her fashionista friend with apprehension, she considered her options before saying, ¡®I was thinking something comfortable.¡¯ This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Hearing Yvette¡¯s gasp, Mikaela winced. Yvette¡¯s whole life had always been fashion, to the point where she¡¯d been commissioned to make custom pieces by some of the upper echelons of society. ¡®No, Mikaela, you can¡¯t be wearing anything comfortable! You need to impress them at your first appearance! What are you thinking? Honestly, show me your wardrobe!¡¯ Yvette hissed before storming forward and pulling the doors open to reveal Mikaela¡¯s wardrobe. The blonde¡¯s eyes fell on Mikaela¡¯s denim collection and her face turned sour. ¡®Don¡¯t tell me that you think your basic jeans are suitable for your debut stage,¡¯ Yvette began, and Mikaela winced at the dangerous tone entering her voice. Shrugging, Mikaela muttered, ¡®it¡¯s not like I can just wear a dress when I¡¯ll be playing the guitar.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re strumming a guitar on a chair, playing the trumpet or just bashing drums and shaking your head. Your debut stage deserves a great outfit, not a comfortable one! You want people to remember you and acknowledge the effort you went to, not think you put in zero effort!¡¯ Yvette gasped, and Mikaela stared at her friend in disbelief. Shaking her head, Mikaela considered her words carefully before she replied, ¡®but we¡¯re literally creating this whole performance from scratch. How could they not realise that we¡¯re putting effort in?¡¯ Rolling her eyes, Yvette said, ¡®they¡¯ll think you didn¡¯t care enough to see it through completely. Now, let me see what you¡¯ve got in here.¡¯ Watching Yvette pull random parts of her wardrobe out, Mikaela sat speechless as Yvette looked at each item and shook her head. Pulling out a soft, faux leather jacket, Yvette muttered, ¡®this could be useful.¡¯ The blonde kept working her way through Mikaela¡¯s wardrobe as the brunette stared, watching piece by piece be discarded by her friend. ¡®Do you have any interesting pants?¡¯ Yvette asked, sending Mikaela a knowing glance. When Mikaela simply shook her head, Yvette turned to her own wardrobe. She rifled through her clothes before pulling out a dress. Seeing it, Mikaela scowled, ¡®no. No dresses.¡¯ Their brown eyes met and Mikaela pressed her lips together, hoping that Yvette would understand. With a sigh, Yvette muttered, ¡®fine, we¡¯ll need to make some pants interesting then.¡¯ Riffling through her clothes, Yvette¡¯s eyes fell back on Mikaela¡¯s leather jacket. With a devious smile, she pulled out a black skirt with a zipper along its side, loose fitted dark black denim and a selection of white tops. Seeing Yvette place them out on the bed, Mikaela faltered, her eyes going from the pants with a white bandeau to the skirt with a loose fitted silk white shirt. Glancing at Yvette, Mikaela frowned, ¡®I thought you said I couldn¡¯t wear jeans.¡¯ In response, the blonde sent her a devilish smile, ¡®those won¡¯t just be jeans if you pick them. If you pick them, you have to promise me you¡¯ll wear them.¡¯ Not liking the glint in Yvette¡¯s eyes, Mikaela considered her options. Did she want to wear a skirt like that, or wear pants? Licking her lips, it took Mikaela a moment to consider her options before she muttered, ¡®fine.¡¯ Immediately, Yvette grabbed the scissors out and cut the pants near the top of the thigh. Horrified, Mikaela let out a shriek, though Yvette simply continued rummaging, her inner designer coming out. Feeling far from comfortable, Mikaela watched as Yvette rummaged in her pack for her designing utensils, her expression as serious as ever. Chapter 4 Standing in the harsh beam of the stage lights, Mikaela felt her heart pound in her throat. In all of her practice plays and discussions with Yvette, she hadn¡¯t anticipated the crippling anxiety she was feeling now. Not only was she standing in front of a room of strangers, but the setting was completely unlike anything she¡¯d imagined. Of course, it didn¡¯t help that Yvette had curled her hair and made her feel far from her usual self. Her midriff was exposed, showing off her pale skin that hadn¡¯t ever seen the light of day, and she was wearing the pants Yvette had seemingly butchered. The legs had been reattached with black thread, and Mikaela felt like a ridiculous doll that had its clothes wrecked by the family pooch and someone had done an emergency rescue with only craft supplies. It was still better than that skirt. Taking in a small breath, Mikaela forced a smile on her lips as she adjusted the strap of her guitar. Hearing the familiar beat behind her, Mikaela licked her lips and tried to steady her shaking grip on her guitar. She needed to focus now more than ever, especially given the subject matter of her song. All those hours she¡¯d spent perfecting the song, Mikaela knew this was her chance. She would not let anyone take this moment away from her. With a slight breath in, she began to play the chords as she sang, ¡®I don¡¯t want to feel, how I felt that night. I thought that you would take my life; the things you did, the things you¡¯ll do, I fear you too much for my own good.¡¯ Noticing the silence of her audience, Mikaela continued as she forced back memories of a night not too long ago, when she had started avoiding the things she had grown to love, ¡®the night was so dark, the streets were bare. I can¡¯t seem to forget, no. No, I can¡¯t forget.¡¯ Forcing those memories out of her mind, she looked down at the worn floor below her. Struggling to suppress the thoughts that wanted to resurface, she forced her mind onto the instrument in her hands, singing, ¡®all my tears and all my fears; I can¡¯t shake this, no, I can¡¯t take this. I loved you, but you hated me. I can¡¯t really take this, I don¡¯t want to feel this, I don¡¯t need this. Please save me.¡¯ Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Unable to stop herself, she bit back a surprisingly bitter smile. Shaking her curled head, she sang as innocently as she could, ¡®the way you would smile, the curve of your lips, the touch of your hands. I never thought I¡¯d hate your eyes, or the feel of your hands on me, fear the taste of your lips¡ªplease stop.¡¯ In a soft tone, she continued, ¡®I¡¯m slipping. I¡ªI, I¡¯m slipping.¡¯ Mikaela played a few more chords as she heard the keyboard in the background play the soft melody she had created just for this. She would have enjoyed the performance if she hadn¡¯t been so preoccupied by nerves, memories and singing. Though she couldn¡¯t think of that, continuing, ¡®I thought I knew you, thought you were my light, thought you were my life. All my tears and all my fears; I can¡¯t shake this, no, I can¡¯t take this. I loved you, but you hated me. I can¡¯t really take this, I don¡¯t want to feel this, I don¡¯t need this. Please save me. ¡®I knew growing up would be hard, but I didn¡¯t get the memo, no; the one that says you¡¯re a demon. Please stop chasing me, stop haunting my dreams, stop taking my things; I¡¯m still struggling,¡¯ Mikaela sang, her voice breaking with emotion. With an obvious shake of her head, she continued, ¡®all my tears and all my fears; I can¡¯t shake this, no, I can¡¯t take this. I loved you, but you hated me. ¡®I can¡¯t really take this, I don¡¯t want to feel this, I don¡¯t need this. Please save me,¡¯ Mikaela sang out, playing a chord crescendo on her guitar. ¡®You hurt me, but I¡¯m not broken. So I¡¯ll get back up, continue this fight, you¡¯re not gonna keep me down,¡¯ she continued hearing the keyboardist play her cue. No longer playing her guitar, she sang, ¡®once you were my light, once you were my life. All my tears and all my fears; I can shake this, I can take this. I thought I loved you, but now I hate you. Who really are you? Even if you say you hate me, I really don¡¯t care. See I don¡¯t need you. Trust me, I¡¯ll beat you.¡¯ Letting her eyes wander over her faceless audience, Mikaela tried to slow down her breathing. She¡¯d done it. Her first solo performance showcasing her own work was over. She could feel her eyes water as one person began to clap, followed by another person, and another. Soon enough the whole room was clapping for her, making her feel overwhelmed by the generosity of the people around her. ¡®Thank you for your audition, Mikaela. Your rhythm here is one that I feel people can appreciate,¡¯ Samantha began, sending Mikaela a smile. ¡®I¡¯m just happy to be here, given the chance to really prove what I can do,¡¯ Mikaela responded, a cheeky smile filling her lips. ¡®It¡¯s good that you still have your confidence, though your performance had me¡­ well, bored. It lacked the very emotion you were singing about,¡¯ Marley mused, an inflection entering his voice that Mikaela could not decipher. With mild confusion she glanced at the remaining judge, Matt, one of her friends who always kept it honest with her. His response surprised her, ¡®while I know from personal experience that your vocal range and guitar ability has improved, I feel that your performance was missing something.¡¯ ¡®Thank you for your feedback, I will definitely look forward to more,¡¯ Mikaela smiled before walking off stage, waving cheerfully at the audience, though her heart was doing summersaults in her chest. She wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to find out if she had made it through or not. Chapter 5 Still hearing the applause for her performance in her mind, Mikaela was beyond pleased with how it went. The whole day had passed by in a blur, though she was grateful that it was one less thing to worry about¡ªfor now. She still couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d done it. Last night, she hadn¡¯t even been able to sleep, far too much adrenaline coursing through her veins. Logging into the application, Mikaela hesitantly waited for her profile to load. Hopefully, she¡¯d made it through. Seeing the green tick next to her name, she let a sigh escape her lips as her eyes skimmed the words of criticism and support. She had made it through the audition stage. It felt surreal, to have so many people cheer her on for putting her heart in a song, especially given how shy she usually was about her feelings. She¡¯d performed to the best of her ability, sitting and putting her emotional distress in her performance. In all honesty, she hadn¡¯t anticipated people to like her song as much as they seemed to. Looking up to see Yvette¡¯s eager grin, Mikaela felt relief. Yvette had made it too. Swapping phones, Mikaela read through Yvette¡¯s comments and was grateful to see that her friend¡¯s performance was received with a joyful fervour that had the blond woman crooning. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡®Do you know that the director pulled me aside to say my stage was completed with a splendour that apparently reeks of talent!¡¯ Yvette gushed, and Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but grin at her friend. They¡¯d made it. That idea alone had made both women grin with childlike glee. Giving the blonde her phone back, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but smile. Everything was going well for them, and she couldn¡¯t wait. Sure, the pants had made her incredibly uncomfortable, but she¡¯d received compliments on them, which surprised her. So far, the duo had managed to remain unseen by Hayden, thankfully. Furthermore, Mikaela had left him notes under his hotel door, thanks in part due to a gossip website that had listed the man''s room number. Being a successful actor evidently came at a price which Mikaela was more than happy to exploit in the name of her prank. And, since they were staying in the same hotel, Mikaela had been able to request her message be relayed via concierge. Seeing as they were known friends, things were really working in her favour. All in all, she was chuffed, but not chuffed enough to forget her newest mission. Everywhere she went, she was leaving clues for Hayden to signify that she was there. Her social media accounts were littered with pictures that she knew were infuriating the man. She posted an image of herself and Yvette enjoying breakfast at a caf¨¦ near their hotel before moving on to the next venue. Shortly after, she¡¯d read a gossip mag¡¯s online article that Hayden was there, and it had pleased her immensely to know he was on her tail, though had no idea where she was going next. If anything, she was certain he was becoming as irritated with her as she was with him. They¡¯d known each other for years, having worked on the same television show, and she could already picture his barely contained rage at her unashamed taunts. Unsurprisingly, she knew him better than most, and she was willing to exploit it in the name of justice. It was simply astounding that she¡¯d managed to evade the man, in spite of his irritated texts asking where she was. However, there was only so long she could avoid him, especially since she were both in the same hotel. With a smile, Mikaela held her friend¡¯s arm, ¡®let¡¯s go somewhere and celebrate our successful audition!¡¯ In response, the blonde grinned back, ¡®you don¡¯t need to tell me twice!¡¯ Chapter 6 Standing in the spacious foyer of the hotel, Mikaela glanced around the aesthetic, noticing numerous plants around the room, near the sleek black sofas that lined the brightly lit room. Mikaela was itching to explore the city, wondering where they could go. From beside her, Yvette was frowning at her phone, trying to find a recommended place nearby. Pulling out her own phone, Mikaela adjusted how her shirt fit on her shoulders before unlocking the screen. Hearing the sound of footsteps on the tiled floor nearby, she grimaced. Maybe they should have planned where they would be going back in their hotel room. They were out in the open and didn¡¯t have anywhere to hide if it was someone who recognised them. She hoped it wasn¡¯t Hayden, because she was not quite finished with irritating the man. If he wanted to play pranks on her, then she¡¯d return it with equal fervour. As for the friend he had mentioned, she wasn¡¯t too sure about who it was, but she didn¡¯t care enough about it to investigate the matter. If he knew Hayden as well as she knew the man, then they would understand why she was pranking him back. Besides, if the friend was of any importance to Hayden, she¡¯d meet them eventually, if not in this meeting, then the next. Hayden was constantly introducing his friends to each other; it was how Mikaela and Yvette had met Lynn, another close friend of theirs. Whilst extremely friendly with everyone, Hayden was exceptionally talented at attracting drama and creating networks, two feats which paled only in comparison to the man¡¯s thick persona. So far, he had managed to introduce Mikaela to a range of producers, script writers and directors, not to mention his acting co-stars from his ventures outside of their shared show. His na?vet¨¦, though, was endearing, if not somewhat irritating. Thankfully the general public seemed oblivious to the extent of the man¡¯s persistent thickness, something which was noticed even by Mikaela. She wasn¡¯t particularly known for being perceptive by her friends or family either, but she was more likely to admit it than Hayden was. It wasn¡¯t until her distant friend Elyse rushed into the hotel¡¯s foyer, looking exceptionally eager, that the brunette wondered what was going on. The woman looked like she¡¯d rushed from the mall, her floral pants and black tee slightly crumpled, a plastic bag from a department store clutched tightly in her hand. Considering the woman¡¯s windswept appearance, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but note that, in all the years of friendship, she¡¯d never seen the young woman so flustered. Her cheeks were flushed and a giddy smile was plastered on her petite face. Even her black hair, which was usually immaculately placed in a high ponytail, was a frazzled mess caused by the woman¡¯s rush. All in all, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Elyse¡¯s long-time crush, Andreas, a mutual friend of theirs and the muse behind Mikaela¡¯s debut song, was also staying in the hotel. He¡¯d participated in the audition, though thankfully Mikaela had managed to avoid him. Considering he had been the inspiration behind her song, she could wait to see the man again¡ªand the longer she waited, the better. ¡®Is Andreas here?¡¯ Yvette frowned to Mikaela, who shrugged in response, doing her best to hide her apprehension at the man¡¯s name. ¡®There¡¯s only one way to find out, I suppose,¡¯ Mikaela grimaced before she and Yvette walked over to the young aspiring star with concerned expressions, wondering if anything could have happened to her. She was, after all, very conscious of keeping up appearances in the name of her appearance, and neither of them could think of any reason for her to appear quite so dishevelled. ¡®Elyse, what¡¯s happened? You look like you¡¯ve kissed Andreas on New Year¡¯s Eve,¡¯ Mikaela teased, nudging the woman suggestively as she tried to hide her resentment towards the name. She knew better than to question her friend¡¯s high regard for the man. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. After all, her own relationship with him was dynamic, to put it mildly. It often was a cause for friction between herself and Elyse, who became excessively jealous, reiterating on a frequent basis that Mikaela should come to terms with any doomed relations with the black-haired heartthrob. Considering how her last encounter with the man had been far from pleasant, and she had only told Yvette about the details pertaining to said encounter, Mikaela was more than content to let Elyse loose on the man. If it meant she had less to do with him, it worked in her favour. ¡®What? No, Mikaela, this is so much bigger than Andreas! Haven¡¯t you heard? William is staying here with a friend and I just can¡¯t wait to meet him!¡¯ Elyse gushed, her eyes sparkling as she turned to look at Mikaela with a delight that the brunette didn¡¯t share. ¡®I mean the William Park! He¡¯s so smart, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll help my career if only I could gain his attention!¡¯ Elyse beamed, her large, brown eyes glassing over as she clutched her hands together. ¡®William?¡¯ Yvette frowned as Mikaela stood ?between the two with an uncertain frown, not seeing Yvette¡¯s eyes flicker to Mikaela in concern. The brunette couldn¡¯t imagine what William Park must be like, though she had seen images of his arrogant smirk, impeccably styled brown hair and intense black eyes in the tabloids. He¡¯d had a chiselled jaw, bold, straight nose and a perfect complexion that any woman would kill for. There was no denying that the man was attractive, though Mikaela preferred not to judge people on aesthetics alone. Add to that the rumours of his playboy attitude, as well as the arrogance he¡¯d portrayed in the interviews she had seen of him, and she¡¯d honestly never considered meeting him. Either way, if Elyse was so smitten with him, then he would have to have an ego as big as Andreas, and the latter man¡¯s ego was big enough for the three women combined. If they were anything at all alike, she wanted nothing to do with either man. ¡®What does William do again?¡¯ Mikaela couldn¡¯t the help but question, only recalling his similarities with Andreas, and nothing at all pertaining to his work. She glanced from either friend before the younger woman¡¯s face beamed into an eager grin. Elyse had always loved showing her knowledge of the famous men she had fickle connections to, especially if it was to the detriment of Mikaela. The woman liked to reinforce her superior knowledge on all things famous, even if it put an unnecessary strain on their relationship. So, whenever possible, especially if it made the older woman feel incompetent, she would lecture Mikaela on who was who, and what was the latest fashion, though the older woman was usually more polite than to request her friend change her tone. ¡®Oh, he¡¯s the son of a music prodigy, though I wouldn¡¯t have expected you to know that! I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s made a lot of breakthroughs with his work as an intern and that he¡¯s expected to be the next big thing! Plus, I¡¯ve been following him on a couple of social networks and he captures the most stunning pictures,¡¯ Elyse began, and Mikaela knew that the woman wouldn¡¯t stop, not seeing Yvette¡¯s lips curl in disgust at the woman. ¡®And he¡¯s got really good friends in high places and has scored interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry! He¡¯s so amazing and I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s here! Do you think he¡¯s scouting for talent at the competition?¡¯ Elyse grinned, a pretty flush filling her cheeks, her brown eyes lighting up eagerly as Yvette scowled obviously at the woman, shaking her head subtly in what Mikaela deduced could only be anger. Seeing this, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but frown as her thoughts wondered to Andreas, wondering if he was aware of his newest competition. Somehow, she doubted the man would appreciate William¡¯s presence swaying even Elyse¡¯s usually unwavering loyalty. The woman had anticipated his every move since he¡¯d starred on the TV show with Mikaela as a ten-year-old, and Mikaela privately doubted that he¡¯d appreciate even his most devoted fan swaying. With a pang, she recalled the last time she¡¯d seen him, and was once again grateful she hadn¡¯t had to contact him in months. It wasn¡¯t at all a pleasant memory, and she hated even thinking about it, let alone telling any of her closest friends. He¡¯d been stumbling out on the roads of Gilroy, after she¡¯d spent the day out with her childhood friend, Eric. She and Eric had just gone their separate ways, with Mikaela making her way home on the night of a masquerade event hosted by the Diamond Enterprises. Upon seeing her, Andreas had approached her reeking of alcohol and been a little too forceful with his flirtations, emphasising his physical designs for their relationship. To say she had been shocked was an understatement, and she¡¯d been frozen in place as his hands began to keep her in place. By the time she¡¯d realised what was going on, she¡¯d panicked and tried to tell him politely that she wasn¡¯t interested, that he was drunk and would regret the details pertaining to their conversation, but that hadn¡¯t worked. Rather than listen, he¡¯d dragged her into an alleyway, forcing his lips on hers, his hands prodding her in places she didn¡¯t know she had. Hearing Yvette clear her throat, Mikaela¡¯s thoughts were brought crashing into the present. Suppressing those painful memories, Mikaela smiled cheerfully at her friend, blinking back subtle tears. From behind her, she could hear footsteps, but didn¡¯t turn to look at the people who¡¯d walked into the foyer. Pressing her lips together as she felt the familiar stinging in her eyes, Mikaela focused her attention on the plain black shoes on her feet, hoping that Elyse didn¡¯t notice a thing. She didn¡¯t want to see anyone whilst she was struggling to hold back tears. What was worse was the sympathy she could see in Yvette¡¯s eyes, that made all of her emotions seem all the more intense. She didn¡¯t want any sympathy. ¡®Mikaela, there you are! Your audition last night was great!¡¯ The familiar voice of Hayden called as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a friendly hug, pulling her into his toned torso. Feeling the warmth of her friend¡¯s arm on her shoulders, Mikaela¡¯s mind flooded with anxiety as her mind flew back to another embrace a long time ago. Chapter 7 Blinking as she felt someone¡¯s arms wrap around her shoulders, it took Mikaela a moment to register the presence of Hayden Choi. The man was one of her oldest friends from when she¡¯d first landed a role on the small screen, and he¡¯d been a wealth of wisdom and friendly support, with additional teasing and pranks to boot. He was honestly like her older brother in the industry and she would probably have left a long time ago if it hadn¡¯t been for his loyalty and support. The critics could be harsh, and she¡¯d always had her insecurities, even as a young girl. In spite of their close friendship, Mikaela felt nothing but discomfort with his arms around her, her mind wandering to an alley on a dark night. Letting out a few calming breaths, she mentally reiterated to herself that it was not Andreas who was near her, but her childhood friend who¡¯d always been there for her. She couldn¡¯t smell any alcohol and they were in a readily accessible foyer of the hotel in which she was staying with Yvette. More importantly, everything was well lit and other than his arms around her, she had every opportunity to find safety. Focusing on her breathing, Mikaela didn¡¯t register the man withdrawing his arm from her before she saw Yvette beam at him, tackling Hayden in a hug of her own. In spite of their short-lived prank to avoid him, the duo had both missed the man. By the time Mikaela had somewhat calmed her nerves, she found herself feeling increasingly annoyed at him. She¡¯d wanted to continue her windup for as long as possible, and he¡¯d snuck up on her when she was preoccupied. Taking a leaf from Lynn¡¯s book, Mikaela tried, and failed, to step towards him with an angry snarl, ¡®Hayden Choi, if you ever pull another prank like that, I¡¯ll pummel you into the ground! How dare you give me air for my birthday!¡¯ The man ran a hand through his scruffy, bleached blond hair as he appraised her. He scratched the black stubble on his chin before he let out a cheeky chuckle, his dark brown eyes meeting hers as he sent her a familiar cheeky grin. He withdrew his arm slightly from his embrace with the petite blonde before responding, ¡®Mikaela, being angry doesn¡¯t suit you. You¡¯re not Lynn.¡¯ ¡®You can say that again, Hayden. No one ever compares to her, do they?¡¯ Yvette teased with a subtle nudge to the blond-haired man as another figure entered the room, his mahogany hair styled to appear messy, a small smirk ordaining his face. The newcomer¡¯s posture was confident, his walk a casual saunter, and the mere sight of him reduced Elyse to a cheering heap. There was an arrogance in his movements, his disinterested gaze sweeping around the room, his hands in his pocket as though he was modelling the look. Hearing her friend¡¯s strangled cry, Mikaela tore her attention away from the man to Elyse, whose eyes were glued on the stranger, the smallest of smiles playing on her lips. Instinctively, Mikaela glanced back at the man, who barely even glanced at Elyse. Something about the attractive stranger was familiar to her, and Mikaela frowned, wondering if she should know him from somewhere. He had an air of familiarity, his dark eyes focusing on their little group as he walked towards them in confident, controlled movements. Even though she¡¯d spent most of her childhood surrounded by influential and powerful people, Mikaela had the strangest urge to introduce herself to him, but reeled it in. She wasn¡¯t ready for anything, not after Andreas. If she hadn¡¯t been able to trust someone who she¡¯d worked so closely with, how could she trust a stranger? Rather than give it another thought, she turned her attention back to the very flushed Elyse, who looked more star struck than Mikaela had seen her in quite some time. ¡®Will, I thought you¡¯d be the friend Hayden mentioned in his letter. It¡¯s so good to see you without Ryan for once,¡¯ Yvette beamed, surprising the brunette before walking up to the figure and kissing his cheeks, wrapping her elegant arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her torso, revealing a muscled arm. Seeing this, Mikaela arched an eyebrow as she noticed the way Yvette¡¯s embrace lasted a bit longer than necessary. Sure, the man was good looking, with his even skin tone, dark eyes that almost seemed black and his groomed beard, but something about him, with his leather necklace and tight-fitting shirt, put her thoughts on edge. Whilst he didn¡¯t look like Andreas, even Mikaela could see that his arrogant persona oozed the same energy as the man who¡¯d hurt her. What was Hayden doing with this guy when he¡¯d warned Mikaela about Andreas? Looking at him, Mikaela gulped. His demeanour made her think of him as an Andreas replica. At least she knew that Yvette would keep him away from her if it was necessary. The woman could usually tell when Mikaela felt uncomfortable with others, and that was something Mikaela felt extremely grateful for. Especially, when the woman herself took out her own insecurities by attracting the attention of every single male possible. Yes, the duo were very unlikely friends given their contrasting coping mechanisms, but Mikaela loved Yvette and their friendship all the same. Hearing Elyse¡¯s breath hitch, Mikaela glanced from the young woman to the stranger. Elyse¡¯s intense interest in the man did nothing to ease her suspicions. After all, Elyse might have an unhealthy obsession with Andreas, but the woman was still well known for admiring many different men, and not always for the right reasons. No, if Mikaela had her way, she¡¯d have nothing to do with the stranger. However, judging by Hayden¡¯s giant grin and Yvette¡¯s intimate hug, they both seemed more than pleased for him to be there. For her, that meant that leaving now was probably not an option. Smoothing out the irritation from her face, Mikaela reluctantly resigned herself to having to meet the man. Though, after the fuss Elyse was making, she couldn¡¯t even pretend to hide her reluctance. Apparently sensing her thoughts, the man glanced past Yvette and winked at her, Elyse and Hayden, his lips pulled in a lopsided smile. Oh yes, he was definitely confident, and that was enough to make Mikaela want to run back to her room. ¡®Hayden, so this is the sly little fox that¡¯s been having you on for days? No wonder you were so adamant to get to her, she¡¯s cute. Lynn is going to be very jealous when she finds out,¡¯ William teased Hayden, his voice deep and confident as he glanced at Mikaela from head to foot and up again, not even bothering to hide his obvious admiration of her physique. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The brunette internally regretted her choice of attire that day. Fitted jeans with a loose fitted shirt, tucked in at the front at Yvette¡¯s insistence. On a normal day, it was casual enough not to attract any attention, but it definitely showed enough of her figure to apparently draw this man¡¯s attention. Noticing his over-confident stance, Mikaela had only ever met one other person who was that self-assured, and she couldn¡¯t help but scowl at his words. Of all the analogies he¡¯d chosen, it was a fox? Sure, they were cunning, but for a woman, it was not usually a metaphor associated with high praise. All she¡¯d wanted was to teach Hayden a little lesson for neglecting to give her a real present, especially after sending her on a wild goose chase on her birthday. She didn¡¯t care for this man¡¯s crude judgment of her, and she certainly wasn¡¯t an animal. ¡®Hey, what¡¯s that meant to mean?! Hayden, where is my present?¡¯ Mikaela glowered from one man to the other as Yvette giggled at her friend, apparently finding her behaviour amusingly predictable. Elyse, on the other hand, looked thoroughly confused and disgruntled about being ignored. It wasn¡¯t treatment the high-maintenance woman was used to, especially when Mikaela was in her presence. The woman was usually courteous, introducing everyone so no one was left out, though her current frame of mind was far from being polite. ¡®Mikaela, you know William Park?¡¯ Elyse gasped, her voice filled with hurt, probably at the notion of her close friend holding out on her. If Mikaela had been in a better mood, she would have rolled her eyes and laughed it off, however the young brunette was not feeling particularly friendly after her revenge on Hayden for his air package was cut short, and the stranger in her presence did nothing to improve her mood. Firstly, Hayden still hadn¡¯t apologised for sending her on a wild goose chase for bubble wrap. Sure, she loved popping the plastic, but it wasn¡¯t worth hunting around in a tiny park for. Secondly, William was ogling her like she was a new species of woman and thirdly, she really didn¡¯t think Elyse was entitled to know every male acquaintance she may or may not have. After all, the woman was far from one of her closest friends. ¡®No, I don¡¯t know him and I don¡¯t care to know him either with that attitude. Who is he to call me a fox? Hayden, answer me!¡¯ Mikaela glared from one friend to the next, not seeing the stunned expression which filled her newest acquaintance¡¯s face. ¡®Don¡¯t worry, Mikaela, I¡¯ve got it here somewhere, let me look,¡¯ Hayden murmured before rummaging in his backpack, pulling it out to face the group. Seeing some old socks and a worn jumper being rummaged around, Mikaela wasn¡¯t too sure she wanted to know what he¡¯d got her. She was almost certain that he¡¯d never shove a present for Lynn in his bag like that, but then, she and Yvette had always felt like family to the man, and it clearly came at some cost. ¡®Here we go, got it! Mikaela, this one is yours and Yvette, this one belongs to you,¡¯ Hayden beamed as he handed both women a velvet box. Seeing his expression brightening as Yvette chuckled in an expectant manner, Mikaela couldn¡¯t help but smile herself. She loved seeing others be happy more than anything, and she knew Yvette was happy gaining a present. Blinking, Mikaela looked at the miniscule box, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Would Hayden be pranking her even now? The boxes looked relatively expensive, but Mikaela couldn¡¯t shake her suspicion. Seeing the man grin at her, she hesitantly opened the box. In a flash of white packaging, Mikaela¡¯s eyes sought to identify the shape which was forming before her eyes. Blinking, Mikaela realised that an expensive looking, silver bangle was resting in the box, its silver colour shining against the light. On it she could make out blue and white opals, forming an intricate floral design. She¡¯d been keeping tabs on similar items to this for years. Had Hayden actually noticed in all the years they¡¯d worked together? ¡®Wow, it¡¯s beautiful! Hayden, you went all out!¡¯ Yvette beamed upon seeing it, her voice slightly jealous as the brunette tried it on hesitantly, the silver bangle standing out on her arm. ¡®Mikaela, you¡¯re so lucky, it¡¯s so pretty!¡¯ Elyse grinned as well, though Mikaela¡¯s eyes were intent on her newly acquired piece of jewellery. There was no denying it was exquisite and expensive, and she had no idea where she¡¯d wear it to. She¡¯d never been able to justify the price tag on items like this, not on herself, anyway. ¡®It¡¯s a classic piece,¡¯ William mused, his onyx eyes intent on Mikaela, though she was oblivious to his attention, smiling eagerly at Hayden as he shyly surveyed their surroundings, apparently uncertain as to how to react. Realising that there were no paparazzi there to kindle rumours about any alleged relations, the young woman found herself incapable of holding back an excited squeak. ¡®Hayden you¡¯re the best! I can¡¯t believe it. You know how long I¡¯ve wanted a bangle like this one! I love you so much!¡¯ Mikaela grinned, tackling the older man in a hug, barely registering as he flailed his arms slightly before wrapping them gently around her torso. She was far too happy to care about the contact, let alone flinch as she was starting to do. All that mattered was that one of her closest friends was there for her, putting a smile back onto her face. Seeing this, William whistled from behind them, ¡®Lynn is definitely going to kill you.¡¯ ¡®Why?¡¯ The fellow child star questioned as Mikaela extrapolated herself from his arms to inspect her newly attained bangle, finding delicate leaves embedded in the item¡¯s design. She was so engrossed that she did not see Yvette open an onyx ring nearby, Elyse beaming at it with only a hint of jealousy. ¡®Wow, it¡¯s onyx! Hayden, you really are the best!¡¯ Yvette beamed before crushing him in a tighter hug. Behind the two, William subtly coughed, ¡®Lynn!¡¯ He seemed oblivious to Elyse as she tried to instigate a conversation with him, her actions more timid than her usual persona. Rather than respond to her, though, he smirked as Yvette¡¯s eager gratitude pushed both herself and Hayden on the ground in a heap, with her almost straddling the man. ¡®William, ?we¡¯re both friends with Lynn. Besides, everyone knows what¡¯s going on between those two. It¡¯s not our fault they¡¯re both too stubborn and immature to admit it,¡¯ Mikaela rolled her eyes as Elyse glared from one woman to the next, clearly resenting William Park lavishing attention on them instead of herself. Rather than include the woman, Mikaela did not respond to Elyse''s glares. In the past, she would have immediately made an attempt to acquiesce her friend, but Mikaela was preoccupied with defending not just her reputation, but Yvette¡¯s. She had no idea who William Park was and, frankly, she wanted to keep it that way. However, that didn¡¯t give her the luxury of disregarding his opinion of her, not in the world of show business. ¡®So, you know how angry she gets at him and you still pull stunts like this? Are you all gluttons for punishment or what?¡¯ The man began, before an amused glint entered his eyes that almost made Mikaela take a nervous step back. On Andreas, that look often spelled trouble for her later. ¡®I never picked you for the s and m type,¡¯ William chuckled, his eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Hayden, who was now sitting on the floor with Yvette, a respectable distance from each other. Inspecting William, Mikaela tried to understand who he was to her friends. He didn¡¯t seem surprised by Yvette, who was shooting out words in a spitfire that would have impressed any underground rapper. That, at least, meant that he knew Yvette well enough to know how she was when she was excited about something. Meanwhile, as Yvette rattled off words, the blond man sat next to her, listening with apt attention and mild confusion, and Mikaela had to question if he was actually keeping up with Yvette¡¯s thoughts. Again, William seemed unsurprised by the duo¡¯s interaction, which surprised Mikaela. If he was that close to some of her closest friends, why hadn¡¯t she met him yet? If he was making comments about Lynn, it meant that he was friends with the woman, too. Once again, Mikaela realised she had to prevent any misunderstanding, especially for Lynn. ¡®I wouldn¡¯t be going on about that. Lynn trusts us both not to go behind her back like that, and we all know just how thick he can be. I¡¯d say that the only person who doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s going on is Hayden,¡¯ Mikaela shrugged slightly, turning her attention to her two friends on the ground, Yvette grinning a little too eagerly at Hayden, though Hayden didn¡¯t appear to notice it. Glancing at her tall companion, there was no doubt in Mikaela¡¯s mind that William was trouble. He may be attractive, but the jokes he was making and the things he was implying reiterated just what kind of a man he was¡ªthe kind she had no room for in her life. Not any more, anyway. She was making a serious change in her career, and she needed to be smarter now than she had been. Being around William was going to bring her a lot of pain and trigger a lot of bad memories for her unless she was much more careful, and wiser than she had been in the past. ?¡®Mikaela, are you sure you should be talking? Isn¡¯t this a bit too much like the pot calling the kettle black?¡¯ Elyse scowled at the young woman, who frowned at her in confusion. What would Elyse know about Lynn? The two women were rarely on the same page when it came to men, and it was a fact that Mikaela pretended to be blissfully ignorant about. After all, she had never really dedicated the same fervour to studying the male species as her friend had, and Mikaela had seen the way Elyse had flirted with Andreas. She¡¯d always turned a blind eye when it happened simply because she didn¡¯t want to put her friend in an awkward situation, but it had definitely hurt seeing her friend choose Andreas over their friendship. After all, Elyse had known about Mikaela¡¯s feelings for Andreas from the very beginning. ¡®What are you talking about?¡¯ Mikaela frowned with genuine confusion as William¡¯s intrigued eyes flickered from one woman to the next. Watching the disgusted curl to Elyse¡¯s lips, and the scrunch of her nose, Mikaela inadvertently took a step back. She didn¡¯t want a fight. From the corner of her eye, she could see William¡¯s body shift, focusing his entire attention on them. If he was anything like Andreas, he¡¯d enjoy the idea of Mikaela and Elyse fighting, though Mikaela just stared at her younger friend in disbelief. What had gotten into Elyse for her to be saying these things?