CHAPTER ONE

 The Spotlight

NEO’S POV

 The crowd roared. Shouting my name on top of their voices. You would think the life of a pop star was all fun and games until you stood on stage exhausted, but still expected to perform. The stadium was packed and sold out. Everyone wanted to see the popular Neo who topped the charts and broke music records perform. And I gave them what they paid for. Until I locked eyes with someone in the crowd. He stood still, too still, watching, unmoving just watching me intently. A chill ran down my spine and my voice hitched. My band quickly covered me. That was part of a celebrity’s life that no one told you about. No mistakes were allowed. One mistake could cost you your entire lifetime. And I 

was no exception. I ignored the eyes boring holes in my skin and continued doing what I was good at. Making my fans happy. The concert finally came to an end and I quickly stepped off the stage, sweat sticking to my skin, heart still hammering from the crowd’s roar. My assistants guided me through the crowd to the backstage area.  I hearded towards the dressing room as I normally did after every concert while my assistants shoved towels and water bottles my way. 

Closing the door  behind me, I took a deep shaky breath, and plumped myself on the nearest chair available. After a while, I tossed my jacket on the couch and headed for the shower. I let the cold water slide down my shoulders, washing down the adrenaline from the stage. Turning the shower off, I stepped out, dried myself with a clean towel,

and put on some fresh clothes

. A pale pink note on the dresser caught my attention. Picking it up, I opened it. “You can’t run away from me”, boldly written on it. I turned it around, nothing on the back. It was probably from one of my fans. But why was it here?.  I didn't hear the knock on the door until my manager was inside. And I was still holding the note, deep in thought

when she asked ,“What’s that? Are you okay?, You look like you just saw a ghost. “ I'm fine and it's ummm- nothing. Just a random note lying around. It’s probably from one of my obsessive fans. You know how they can be sometimes”.I crumpled the note and tossed it into the air but Vivian caught  it right before it hit the ground. 

She read it and looked up to me, lips pressed in a thin line, eyes unblinking. “ Neo, this is not just a note. Someone has been stalking you”. I chuckled while she continued to give me one of her stern looks. Vivian has always been too serious. “Relax ma’am, I'm fine. There’s nothing to worry about. Trust me”. I flashed her one of my signature irresistible smiles that always melted hearts and she sighed. Got her right there.”Fine, if you insist. I was thinking we should probably get you a bodyguard “. I erupted in a full-blown laugher, my chest heaving. “What am I, twelve?, I don’t need a babysitter Vivian. And you more than anyone know I don’t want anyone in my personal space. Hiring a bodyguard is out of the question. I can handle myself”.She didn’t argue further and so  we ended the bodyguard conversation right there because Vivian knew how hard it was to convince me when I’ve already made up my mind on something.

I’ve always wanted my freedom and so it was suffocating when I didn’t have it. And right now all I wanted to do was to clear my mind and have a little fun time. The entertainer should also be entertained. My phone buzzed through my pocket, echoing in the empty room. “Hey bestieee”, my best friend Sasha’s voice sounded enthusiastic on the other end of the line as  always. “How was the concert? Sorry, I couldn't come watch you perform as intended”, she continued. “It was good. Just the usual “, I answered. “ Just the usual?….. You’re Neo fucking Vales. There’s nothing usual about you. Have you been online?… Your videos are everywhere and I couldn’t be prouder”. She does this fake sob thing. My best friend has always been dramatic and I loved her. “ You wanna catch up later?..we can go have fun tonight. I've been stressed lately.” Sasha never rejected an invitation to party. She was the life of the party and so she agreed. 

It was getting late. I had to go back to my hotel suite to prepare for the outing. The concert was in LA and I lived in New York so my crew and I had to stay in the hotel for the time being. As I sat in the passenger seat of the new model of Mercedes-Benz, the engine roared

 into life and soon LA stretched out before me, a maze of palm trees lined up on the  streets, bright lights, and towering billboards promising fame and fortune. I leaned my head against the window and memories of the day came flashing back. This was my first world tour and I wasn’t letting any stalker bastard ruin it for me. My fans practically begged me to go on this tour and I was going to make it memorable for them. They deserved that at least. 

Soon, we arrived at the five-star hotel we booked, and I checked into my suite. I took a quick meal and found something casual to wear. Not standing out too much was the goal. I already knew the club we were meeting at so I booked an Uber and drove there alone. I know that sounds risky but God forbids a guy wants some freedom. I literally sneaked out of the hotel.

As I made my way to the entrance of the club, I pulled my hoodie over my head to prevent cameras from capturing me. People stared at me and I understood why because no one dressed like that to a club but I didn't think they recognized me. I quickly checked in and made my way to the VIP section. Glowing streaks of blue and pink sliced across the room and people got lost in the music. Swaying and moving their body to the rhythm. 

“Neo”!

Sasha waved from a table across the bar, grinning. I pushed through, weaving through the crowd until I finally reached her. “ You made it”, she shouted through the blasting music while pulling my arm to give me a quick hug. I laughed and shook my head. “ Wouldn’t miss it for the world honey”. We grabbed drinks and talked about what we’ve been doing over the week. Sasha was a  model and worked with a well-known modeling agency.

She soon pulled me to the dance floor. I'm not much of a dancer but I allowed myself to be swept by the music and soon we were spinning and laughing all over the place. I wished the night wouldn’t end and I got to stay in this moment forever but hey who was I kidding? . 

By the time I got back to the hotel, I was a bit tipsy from all the alcohol. I staggered towards my suite, ready to punch in my password when I paused in front of the door, my eyes wide open, heart racing as I took in the scene. My room was open, the door left ajar.