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Chapter 26
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Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 27
KeiraYou know that feeling when you’re so focused on doing something that you don’t notice how much time passes, that’s how I feel spending time with Ethan.We’ve been sitting on the floor for two hours just throwing ideas and lyrics around that we didn’t notice the time until we started to hear voices outside.“Hey! Hey! Is anybody there?”Ethan and I freeze before quickly gathering our stuff and carefully making our way to the back of the train.“I could have sworn I heard voices, boss,” a second man says, this time a bit louder.“Shit, hide!” I hiss quietly, taking Ethan’s hand, walking deeper into the back of the train. Then, we find ourselves in a little space behind old train seats that have been stacked together in piles. We squeeze in between the two piles despite the tight fit.“Ethan—”“Shh.” Ethan holds his finger to my lips, cutting me off. My breath catches in my throat as he does. I was only going to tell him to adjust our positions but instead, he tugs me closer until
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 28
Ethan“I have a meeting. I’m sorry I can’t take you home.” I could only go so far as bringing Keira to the company building with me. After our little side trip to McDonald’s, I realized I was already running late for my lunch meeting with the rest of the guys.“It’s fine!” she quips, eyes smiling and already looking better than earlier. “Don’t worry about it. This is already too much. You even paid for my food. Are you meeting about the tour?” she asks as she unbuckles her seatbelt. She looks much more comfortable now than she was the first time she rode with me. For some reason, it makes me feel good knowing she’s starting to get more comfortable around me as well.But I shake my head at her question, “More or less, I guess. I’ll fill you in later, or maybe you’d find out in the news. But anyway, I’ll catch you later.”Keira looks at me weirdly but doesn’t ask any more questions for which I’m grateful.“Okay, bye. Thanks again.”I leave first, heading for the elevator. Once inside, I
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 29
KeiraSince I got home two hours ago, I’ve faceplanted myself on my bed, groaning into my pillows thinking about what happened earlier with Ethan.He likes me?Is he sure about that? What if…“Ugh!” I scream into my pillow, thrashing against the bed. This is all so confusing.“Hey, you okay?” my roommate, Naomi asks.Reluctantly, I get off my stomach and sit properly on the bed to face my roommate. “Yeah,” I sigh. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”Naomi gives me a sympathetic smile, “Do you want to talk about it?” she asks, and I finally look up to see her zipping up a lavender cami dress.I rarely see Naomi dressing up. She’s usually in jeans and crop tops so it’s refreshing to see her like this.“N-No, it’s fine,” I reply, still admiring her soft and dewy makeup look. She must have spent some time on it. Even her hair is pinned perfectly in a half updo. “I don’t want to delay you. Are you going on a date?”Naomi fixes me with a hard look, “Me? Going on a date?” she chuckles, flashing her
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 30
KeiraTwo weeks fly by with me barely registering the fact that RAZE’s new album launches in weeks. Their first World concert tour also kicks off in two weeks so the whole company is abuzz.Everywhere you look in the company building, staff and managers run around fulfilling last-minute preparations for the supergroup.It has also been two weeks since Ethan and I last talked in person. Apart from texts here and there, Ethan had been really busy with the group. They’ve been swamped with photoshoots, video shoots, and other content shoots.My phone buzzes in my jacket pocket. Upon seeing the name that’s flashed on the screen, I smile. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.ETHAN REED [9:55 AM]Hey, what’s with the long face?A blush colors my cheeks pink as I look up from my phone to meet Ethan’s eyes in the makeup mirror set up in front of him.Right, I forgot to mention that I’m playing roadie again today for RAZE’s video shoot. Despite impressing senior producers and members of the
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 31
KeiraI’m finally here.We step into the final stages of songwriting and I still can’t believe this is real. But I’m here in the studio, my hands splayed over the console, and Ethan recording inside the booth. This is real.With Ethan’s skills, we cover almost everything in a few hours. All that’s left are the adlibs, but the song is virtually finished.For years I dreamed of this, and now it’s finally coming through. But it’s a shame we couldn’t finish it in time.“You okay?”I look up in surprise upon hearing Ethan’s voice loudly through the speakers. He had spoken into the microphone, looking at me through the glass partition with concern swimming in his eyes.I hadn’t even realized that I was making any kind of expression. “Yeah, why?”Ethan doesn’t answer but he fixes me with a look that tells me he doesn’t believe me one bit. With a soft grunt, he pulls the headphones off and places them on the stand.“Stay there,” he says one last time into the microphone before he leaves the b
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 32
Keira“Ethan, what are you doing? We’ll be seen!” I whisper-yell at the pop star as he gets out of the car, in broad daylight without even a mask on, or a hat to cover his face.I am so getting fired for this.“Come on, Keira. Live a little!” He calls back before he shuts the car door and walks away. With a groan of frustration, I undo my seatbelt and follow him out.“Ethan!” I call out, not too loud, afraid of drawing attention. Looking around, there are barely any people in the area but it still wouldn’t hurt to be careful. When I finally catch up to him, I chuck a black cap into his chest, one I found in his car. “At least wear that.”He puts the hat on with a grin, clearly enjoying torturing me. “Follow me,” he says and takes off in a jog.Where even are we?I recall entering a gated community and panicking because the guards could have recognized him. But Ethan kept driving and I think we’re in some kind of playground or park. From the looks of it, this part of the community is o
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 33
Keira“Shoot, I forgot to buy us water. I’ll be right back.”Giggling at how adorable Ethan looks I nod my head, yes. “Go, I’ll be right here.”“You better be,” he replies with a chuckle before jogging back to the convenience store.“God, I have it bad,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head and laughing when he turns around and does a funny pose. “Go!” I say louder, motioning for him to go on.My heart hammers in my chest as I pull my phone out. I don’t know what to do with these feelings. Before I could overthink it, I shoot Naomi a quick text asking her for advice, thankfully she replies fast.NAOMI COLE [4:01 PM]Let me ask you this,Are you happy?KEIRA PATEL [4:02 PM]Right now, I am.But until when can I hang onto this?IDK, this feels more like a fantasy than reality.NAOMI COLE [4:03 PM]Aww ☹Keira, baby. Don’t overthink it, okay?Just follow what you think and feel is the best for you.KEIRA PATEL [4:03 PM]I want this.But I could ruin his career…NAOMI COLE [4:04 PM]You me
Destroy Me: RAZE Chapter 34
KeiraEthan and I take time to walk around his old neighborhood. He told me about his childhood. About how he used to skip classes to go to the park or sleep in the nurses’ office.“They seriously let you do that?” I ask with a chuckle.“What can I say? I’m a pretty good actor,” he says smugly.“Wow, you should get into acting then.”Ethan chuckles, nodding and putting his hands inside his pockets. “Oh my God, my manager would love that.”Suddenly, Ethan slows down to a halt in front of a white-fenced house. Ethan looks up to the two-story house with a sad smile playing on his lips.“You okay?” I asked quietly after a few moments, not wanting to intrude.Ethan turns his smile toward me, “Yeah, I’m good. This--” he gestures at the house. “—is our old house. This is where I grew up.”I look up at the house, it’s beautiful, bordered by a lush green front and assuming back yard. Even looking at it outside, it seems like a beautiful home to raise children in. The neighborhood as well seems
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