MICHELLE BLAZE

Aria's POV.

It's been 48 hours since I last saw home, and I might never see it again because come tomorrow morning, I will be married to a man who hates me.

"Oh Lord," I muttered under my breath as I closed the book that I was trying to read in the hope that I would forget my reality for a while, but all to no avail.

I collapsed on the bed, shutting my eyes while missing the familiar warmth of my bedroom back in Chicago.

To think I might never get to see it again, brought tears to my eyes. I wiped it off immediately, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." I tried to keep my voice steady, flipping open my eyes to see Ryan walk in, with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey." He waved at me and I waved back with a fake smile as he joined me on the bed.

"How do you feel?" He asked, and I licked my bottom lip.

"Terrified, I don't want to get married to him, but I don't have a choice," I answered Ryan, who sighed.

"I am sorry I cannot stop this either. I placed my hope on Lucien, who I believed would reject marrying you because of what happened, but to everyone's surprise, he accepted without blinking an eye." Ryan muttered in disbelief and I scoffed.

"It's understandable, this is a chance for him to torment me for life," I whispered as I sat up and Ryan wrapped his hands around me.

"I wouldn't let that happen," Ryan promised, and I said nothing to refute him, even though he was wrong.

My family would go back to Chicago after the wedding, and I would be the only one here without an ally. That was already enough torment for me but I had to pretend otherwise so I don't hold my family back.

'This was to end all war.' I thought within, hoping to feel better but my eyes just grew heavy with tears.

"I know this might not be enough to cheer you up, but I got you a ticket to the Michelle Blaze concert in 3 hours as a late birthday gift," Ryan said as he shoved a ticket in my hand, and I froze.

'Michelle Blaze was performing here in Italy?' I pondered as my lips parted in shock.

"Oh my God! I can even get to meet him backstage?" I exclaimed in disbelief as I stared at the ticket like it was my greatest treasure.

Well, it was. Everyone knew how much I loved Michelle Blaze. He was a pop star whose music inspires and also gives me hope whenever I feel down.

Due to how strict my security was back home, I never got to attend his live concert much, unless Ryan or Kelvin was with me.

I missed the last one because of Ria's birthday party, and now I'm finding out that he was in Italy today, to perform?

'What a coincidence.' I thought, turning to face Ryan who raised his eyebrows at me.

"What?"

"You have nothing to do with him performing here, in this country, right?" I inquired and Ryan frowned.

"Of course not, Italy is also his hometown, remember?" 

I gasped in realization and Ryan chuckled.

"So much for being his fan and you don't even know such a little detail." My brother mocked as I dashed into the bathroom to get changed, my mood becoming better instantly.

"I forgot."

......

......

Two hours later, Ryan and I were at the concert, sitting front row as I waited impatiently for Michelle to make an appearance.

This would be the first time I would really get to see him up close and my heart was skipping a beat in anticipation.

"Relax." Ryan nudged and just then, the audience erupted into a loud noise as Michelle walked onto the stage.

I barely had time to breathe as he began performing, dancing, and singing while the crowd hyped him.

At that moment, I forgot all my sorrows as I stared at the red-haired singer, who had a golden mask on to cover his face.

For years, no one has ever seen his real face, not even his manager, according to the rumors I have heard, but I didn't care; his words, his songs were more than enough.

"If there are any of you feeling down at the moment, just remember, life is a phase." He said and then bowed before cat-walking off the stage.

The crowd didn't stop screaming his name, while I sat down there, trying to hold back my tears.

Michelle was right, life was just a phase, I would pass through it, no matter what.

"Aria, we have just five minutes to go backstage and see him, otherwise till the next concert of his," Ryan warned and I hurriedly let him lead me backstage.

I saw Michelle sitting on a stool and drinking from a bottle of water as some ladies flocked around him, trying to wipe the sweat off his neck and hair.

"Mr. Michelle," I whispered as I walked closer to him and he turned, his expression hidden behind the mask.

"I am a huge fan of yours, can you please help me with your autograph?" I gave him my favorite book with a pen.

He didn't take it immediately and just kept staring at me.

I felt goosebumps all over my body as my heart pounded heavily against my chest.

Did I do or say something wrong? Doesn't he want to sign?

"Sorry, miss, but Michelle doesn't sign autographs; I do." A middle-aged man, whom I recognized as his manager, told me with a polite smile.

"Oh! My bad." I was about to hand it over to him instead when Michelle snatched the book and pen from my hand.

"It's okay, I will sign it." He said and did so.

I jolted as his hand touched me while everyone around dropped their jaws from astonishment.

"OMG! That girl is so lucky."

"I can't believe he agreed to sign hers."

"I am so jealous." I could hear whispers around me and felt my cheeks burning from embarrassment.

"Thank you, I shall take my leave now." I bowed to him after taking my book and turned to leave when;

"Wait." He called out and I paused in my steps.

"I didn't get your name." He told me and my eyes widened.

He wanted to know my name? But why?

"Aria," I muttered, and he waved at me while I dashed back to Ryan, who was waiting for me as butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

What were all these weird feelings?

While getting some ice cream, Ryan received a call and didn't look too pleased.

"What?" I asked.

"Lucien called, he wants to see you now." Ryan's expression tightened as we drove over to the Morettis' residence.

My blood turned cold at his words.

30 minutes later, I was standing in front of Lucien's bedroom as my stomach turned. My hands shook as I knocked on his door.

"Come in." His deep voice resounded outside, and a huge lump formed in my throat as I did the cross sign.

I twisted the door handle with a heavy breath and when I shut the door behind me, I heard a moan and swallowed, looking up to see Lucien sitting naked on a sofa, a lady on her knees in front of him as she sucked his dick.