As Erik's voice echoed through the backstage corridors ensuring the smooth sailing of the event, I double-checked Gabriel's equipment, ensuring everything was perfect for the performance.
I looked around and Gabriel was nowhere to be found.
Panic sets in.
I frantically searched for Gabriel, my anxiety spiking with every passing second. Erik's voice echoed in my mind, "Where's Gabriel? The show's about to start!"
One of the bandmates pointed me to the balcony. I sprinted upstairs, my heart racing.
The door swung open, revealing Gabriel puffing on a joint, alone in the dimly lit balcony.
"Are you fucking serious?" I exclaimed, shock and anger mixing in my voice.
Gabriel startled, dropping the joint from the balcony. "What the actual fuck?! You made me drop my stuff!"
I rushed toward him, words tumbling out. "Gosh, I've been looking for you everywhere! Damnit! Your show is about to start, and you're smoking weed here?! Erik is on my ass."
Gabriel's expression darkened. "Why are you bothering me since you arrived? Just leave me alone. I don't need a babysitter."
My anger boiled over. "Listen! I'm getting paid to pick up your mess. I have no interest in meddling in your personal life. But I will do my job, and my work is to put you back on track. So get your ass back down."
Gabriel sneered, "Okay, mom." His sarcasm stung.
I stood firm, my eyes locked on his. "This isn't a joke, Gabriel. I have been working my ass off all day. Have some accountability for fuck's sake."
With a dismissive roll of his eyes, Gabriel stalked off toward the stage.
I reached to place the microphone under Gabriel's tux, my fingers grazed his warm, his gaze captured mine, intense and unyielding. I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his eyes, unable to look away.
What was he thinking? Was I too close? Did I cross a boundary?
The uncertainty was maddening.
In that fleeting moment, I would have sold my soul to know the secrets hidden behind those piercing brown eyes.
My hands trembled slightly as I secured the microphone, my fingertips tracing the contours of his chest. His skin was hot to the touch, radiating a magnetic energy that drew me in.
Gabriel's expression remained inscrutable, a masterfully crafted mask concealing his true emotions.
"You're good to go." I mumbled.
He nodded and disappeared into the spotlight, the crowd erupted.
The music began, and Gabriel transformed into a rockstar. His voice soared, mesmerizing the audience.
The contrast between Gabriel on stage and in real life was staggering. Talent oozed from every pore, but his personal demons threatened to consume him.
I watched, torn between admiration and concern, a sense of determination washed over me. I wanted to help him overcome his struggles, both on and off stage.
My mind wandered back to when I first heard of Gabriel, the 17-year-old sensation with a voice that captivated the nation. My college friends were obsessed, and I remembered thinking, "What's the fuss about?"
Years later, I landed an internship at Glassglow, and eventually, the opportunity to handle Gabriel's PR image. I was thrilled, not because I was a fan, but because it was a career-defining opportunity.
Now, working closely with Gabriel, I saw beyond the rockstar facade. I saw a complex, vulnerable person, struggling to cope with fame's pressures.
His quick wit, dry humor, and passion for music resonated deeply.
I cannot deny his charm, even when he is being difficult. It is easy to understand why fans adore him.
The music swelled, Gabriel's passion infectious. The crowd sang along, hands raised in appreciation. Leah Hale, seated in the front row, enjoying the show. It appears that despite their relationship being a PR stunt, Leah has admiration in her eyes for Gabriel.
As he performed, I monitored the sound and lighting, ensuring a flawless show. The energy in the room was electric.
"Break My Heart" reached its climax, Gabriel's voice soaring. The final notes faded, and the audience erupted into applause. Gabriel bowed, his smile radiant.
"Thank you," he mouthed, his gaze holding a depth I couldn't quite decipher.
As the curtains closed, the tension backstage was palpable.
Leah rushed to Gabriel's side, embracing him tightly. "That was incredible, Gabriel. I'm glad we could work together. " she whispered.
Gabriel nodded eyes met mine over Leah's shoulder, a fleeting glance.
I looked away.
Erik approached, beaming. "Fantastic show, everyone! Let's get to the after-party."
__________________________________________________
I navigated the crowded room, my black dress blending seamlessly with the fashionable crowd, I exchanged smiles and nods with familiar faces. The air was thick with the scent of champagne and designer perfume.
The after-party venue, an exclusive rooftop club, pulsed with the who's who of Hollywood. The sleek, modern decor gleamed under dim lighting, and the city skyline shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. A live DJ spun tracks that kept the crowd energized.
Industry moguls, A-list celebrities, and influencers mingled, exchanging air-kisses and congratulatory handshakes.
Gabriel and Leah held court, their charisma and beauty captivating the room. They laughed and chatted with Hollywood's elite, their body language screaming "newly in love." The media lapped up every moment, cameras flashing like fireflies.
As they posed for photos, Leah's manager expertly orchestrated the media frenzy. "Gabriel, Leah, give us a kiss!" a photographer shouted. They obliged, their lips meeting in a tender, camera-ready smile.
I watched from the sidelines, ensuring the event ran smoothly. Erik worked the room, shaking hands and exchanging nods with record label executives.
Leah's manager, Sonja, hovered near monitoring the media coverage on her phone. "Leah, darling, you're killing it," she whispered. "This relationship is gold. We'll milk it for months."
I kept a discreet distance, monitoring Gabriel's drink and Leah's smile. My role was to ensure this evening's facade remained intact.
"Ayana, darling!" Sonja, Leah's manager, air-kissed my cheek. "You're doing a fabulous job keeping Gabriel out of trouble. Leah's thrilled."
I returned the smile, my eyes scanning the room. "Just making sure everything runs smoothly."
Sonja leaned in, her voice dropping. "We need this relationship to stay on track. The public is eating it up, and the media is already speculating about their future."
I nodded, aware of the stakes. Gabriel's comeback relied on this PR relationship, and Leah's career would soar with his revival.
Leah's smile never wavered, but her eyes flickered with a hint of unease. Gabriel, however, seemed distant, his gaze drifting across the room.
That's when he spotted me, his eyes locking onto mine. The intensity of his look, made me feel butterflies in my stomach.
As I beckoned Gabriel over, his expression revealed a flicker of vulnerability before he masked it with his signature charm.
Erik approached, congratulating me on the evening's success.
"Ayana, you're incredible," Erik said, his smile genuine. "You've only just started, and Gabriel's already making headlines. Well done!"
I smiled, mouthing a thank you. Erik urged me to mingle and enjoy a drink, and I obliged, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
As I chatted with A-list celebrities, Jake Roberts caught my eye from across the room.
Jake was once a successful pop musician, fronting the popular band "The FIVE." They had a string of hits in the 2010s, 2 Grammy nominations, 5 Top 10 singles on the Billboard Rock Chart and Sold-out tours in his peak career,but Jake's personal demons and creative differences with his bandmates led to a messy breakup in 2015. He went into rehab thrice which caused his solo career to stall.
In 2020, Gabriel was at the pinnacle of his career, that's when he met Jake Roberts, a talented musician with a troubled past. Despite their differing backgrounds, they bonded over their passion for music. The media dubbed them as the "Unlikely Duo," and their friendship sparked excitement. Fans eagerly awaited a collaboration, speculating about the potential hit singles they could produce together. As Gabriel and Jake's friendship deepened, their partying escalated. Paparazzi snapped photos of them at exclusive clubs, and rumors of substance abuse began to circulate.
A video leaked, showing them indulging in illicit substances at a private party. The footage sparked outrage, and Gabriel's reputation began to unravel.
We scrambled to contain the damage, but the public's perception had already shifted.
He was no longer the wholesome heartthrob; he was now a troubled celebrity.
As Gabriel's reputation suffered, Jake's behavior became increasingly erratic. He began to resent Gabriel's attempts to distance himself from their shared past.
A bitter feud erupted, with Jake publicly criticizing Gabriel's music and personal life. Gabriel retaliated, and their once-strong friendship turned into a heated rivalry.
Jake is a self-destructive, arrogant, and entitled musician who has lost his creative spark and despite his fading fame, Jake clings to his past glory.
He stumbled towards me, his words slurring.
"Hello, beautiful," Jake said, his breath reeking of alcohol.
"Hi," I replied, polite but wary.
"What's your name, gorgeous?" Jake asked, his gaze roaming over me.
"I'm Ayana, Mr. Hansen's assistant," I said firmly.
Jake's grin twisted into a sneer. "Oh, really? Be careful, sweetheart. Gabriel's a whore."
I bristled at his profanity, my professional mask slipping. "I'm not interested in your opinions, Mr. Roberts. And I'd advise you to refrain from disparaging my client. As his PR head, Any false allegations against my client will force me to tarnish your reputation."
Jake's face reddened, and he spat, "You don't know what happened to his last assistant? He got her pregnant and left her high and dry."
The surrounding crowd began to take notice, and I swiftly intervened. "You're causing a scene, Mr. Roberts."
"You're his new slut", Just as Jake uttered another vile insult, Gabriel appeared from behind, his eyes blazing with fury. With a swift punch, he sent Jake crashing to the floor.
"FUCK! Gabriel, no!" I screamed, horrified.
Bodyguards rushed to intervene, pulling Gabriel off Jake as I dragged him away. Erik swiftly ushered us into a waiting car, while Leah's team whisked her away from the escalating chaos.
Inside the car, Erik swiftly called Gabriel's legal team to file a defamation complaint against Jake Roberts, preempting potential charges against Gabriel.
As the car sped away, Gabriel's chest heaved with rage, his eyes still burning with intensity.
"Gabriel, stop. It's over," I whispered firmly.
Erik's voice came from the front seat, "We'll handle this, Gabriel. Ayana, are you alright?"
I nodded.
"He is shitting on me," he growled.
"People shit on you all the time! Why did you put your hands on him? Everything was perfect today, Gabriel. You just HAD to mess it up", I snapped.
Gabriel looked into my eyes, his eyes darkened with rage. He opened his mouth and looked away outside the car to cool himself.
The rest of the car ride was silent.
As we arrived back at the mansion, Gabriel's turbulent emotions were evident. He stormed off to his room and shut the door with a bang, leaving me staggered from the evening's events.
"I'll head to my apartment for the night, Ben," I instructed Gabriel's driver, needing some space.
Before leaving, I informed Erik of my plans to move into the mansion tomorrow morning.
The silence of my apartment enveloped me, a welcome respite from the chaos.
My mind raced with thoughts of Gabriel, Jake, and the explosive confrontation. I tried to shake off the lingering tension.
Under the soothing warm water of my shower, I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the day wash away.
Changed into comfortable clothes, I collapsed onto my bed, eyes closing instinctively.
But just as I drifted off, Gabriel's face surfaced in my mind's eye. Those piercing dark eyes, the sharp jawline, and the vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior and his lips.
"FUCK!" I screamed into my pillow, frustration and confusion boiling over.
I closed my eyes and my mind drifted off to my childhood, my parents.
I was born in Mumbai, India, to Rohan and Nalini, but my earliest memories are of turmoil. My parents' troubled marriage ended when I was just five years old. They separated, and my world shattered.
That's when my grandmother, my Nani, stepped in. She had moved back to the US and took me with her, giving me a new life.
America was overwhelming at first– new customs, social norms, and an unfamiliar language. Middle school was a nightmare.
Racial slurs and bullying became my daily reality. Kids would mock my accent, call me names, and exclude me from games. I felt lost and alone.
I hate kids
My nani was my rock. Her warmth, love, and guidance helped me survive those difficult years.
As I grew older, my confidence blossomed. I found solace in books and learning. Education became my escape, and I excelled in school. Journalism and PR drew me in, inspired by my grandfather's legacy.
He was a renowned journalist, and I admired his passion for storytelling.
Relationships, however, were a different story. Witnessing my parents' failed marriage left an indelible mark. I vowed to avoid love, focusing instead on my craft.
Flings and brief encounters dotted my landscape, but nothing permanent. I guarded my heart, unwilling to risk the pain.
My work is my sanctuary.
But then Gabriel Hansen entered my life – charismatic, complex, and captivating.
For the first time, I feel the walls crumbling and I'm terrified.
The darkness of my room seemed to whisper questions:
What had driven Gabriel to such rage?
What secrets lay hidden beneath his charming facade?
And why did I care so deeply?
I drifted off, but my subconscious remained restless, tangled in the enigma that was Gabriel Hansen.