Are You Taking Performance Drugs?!

Celine Montgomery POV

Five years have passed. I don’t even remember the last time I felt weak. I don’t remember the girl I used to be. But in all these years, I have never forgotten that night. I never forgot the blood or the way my family was destroyed.

I am Celine Montgomery. Or, as the world knows me, Celine Joseph. I am an American singer. Thanks to my voice and my looks, I became a rising star fast. I am on every TV show. I am the girl everyone wants to know.

My career started two years ago. I’ve released two albums so far. The first one was last year. The second was a duet album with the famous superstar Enzo Romano. It came out just three months ago and it is everywhere.

Truth is, Michael discovered my voice. He caught me singing in the shower when he burst into my room looking for me. He didn’t just give me a home and become my family. He turned me into a fighter. Nobody would believe that behind these soft hands and this pretty face is a girl who can crush bones.

I don’t care about the fame. I don’t care about being a singer. I am taking this path to find the killer. Michael helped me with this. I don’t have any information yet, but I will find the truth. I will get my justice.

Even though I am strong, Michael is the toughest man I’ve ever met. Just one round in the ring with him feels like he is crushing my body. Thank God I am finished with his deadly training sessions for now.

I was lucky to find Michael Joseph. He made me powerful. He made me rich. He planted strength in me so I wouldn't collapse and cry. He built a new Celine. A hard Celine. I grew up with his strict rules, and they saved me.

After a lot of searching, I found out there is one man behind what happened to my family. Who is he? What does he look like? Where does he live? Nobody knows. He is a ghost. He disappears into the shadows, and no one has seen his face. I don't even know why he wanted my family dead.

All I know is that he is the man everyone fears. Gangs bow to him. Powerful people worship him. His strength is like no other. But that is not my focus today. Right now, I am in the middle of a long tour, trying to stay balanced between my life as a famous artist and the past that is hunting me.

I became a global star not just because of my talent, but because of Michael’s massive wealth. He gave me his last name. I became his little sister, Celine Joseph.

And today, I met that famous singer again. I was always surprised by his name. Enzo Romano.

We just started our five month promotional tour. Two months are already gone. With every day that passes, I feel myself changing.

At first, Enzo and I weren't close. We barely knew each other. We were just coworkers in the studio. But time changed things. All those long nights of work. All the traveling. The secrets we whispered behind the scenes. Things started to get different.

I found something special in Enzo. He was different from all the girls chasing him. Every woman, no matter where she was from, wanted to be with him. They wanted a piece of him.

"Cut!" the director yelled. I let out a big breath of relief. Finally, the filming was over.

"Finally!" I screamed with excitement. I clapped my hands, unable to believe this long day was done.

"Finally is right..." I heard Enzo’s tired voice. He walked toward me with a sleepy smile on his face. He rubbed his messy beard with his hand.

"Great job, everyone. You all did amazing!" I said. I bowed slightly to the crew. We worked so hard today, and they deserved to feel appreciated.

"Enough already. You are greeting almost every single person!" Enzo said. He raised his eyebrows and his eyes teased me.

I frowned at him and gave him a mean look. "Shut up, Enzo! My God, you are so rude!"

He laughed quietly. "I’m not rude. I am just tired as hell from all this work and filming! We’ve been on tour for two months, Celine!" He sighed and grabbed his jacket from the couch. He threw it on to cover his bare chest. I could see his tattoos peeking through.

Even though I was exhausted, I didn't lose my energy. I smiled wickedly and stuck my tongue out at him. "Yeah, I know. But I still have my spark, Enzo!"

I put on my heavy jacket over my white t-shirt. I didn't care about the cold November wind hitting my face.

"Well, the big celebration is at the end of the week in New York City. After that, we head to China," Enzo said. His voice sounded heavy. We had a crazy schedule for the next few months.

Before I could say anything, a crew member walked in. "Let's go. The car is waiting to take you to the hotel."

I looked at the clock. it was 3:00 AM. Great. We would barely get any sleep before waking up at 8:00 AM for that big morning show.

I sighed and let my head fall back for a second. Then I stood up straight, ready to leave the studio.

In the car...

"How is Jennifer?" I asked. I closed my eyes, trying to catch a tiny nap before we got to the hotel.

Jennifer is his girlfriend.

"She’s good. We talked two days ago. I miss her," Enzo said softly. He opened his eyes the moment I asked about her.

I smiled. I imagined how Jennifer would feel knowing I spend all this time with her man.

"I’m sure she’s jealous of me."

I laughed and opened my eyes. I found myself staring into his blue eyes. They were the same color as mine. It was weird.

"What do you mean?" He knit his eyebrows together. He didn't look away from me.

I shrugged playfully. I liked messing with him a little. "I mean... poor girl. Your work never ends. She has to stay away from you all the time while I spend every second with you. I bet she wishes she was in my shoes."

Enzo laughed softly. "You’re right. But she promised she would come before the big celebration. She’s going to spend the day with me and go to the party. She’ll be in New York for a fashion show anyway."

A small smile grew on his lips. I saw a spark in his eyes when he talked about her.

"That’s amazing! I finally get to meet her!" I clapped my hands. I was more excited than I should have been.

Enzo looked at me like I was crazy. He frowned and looked puzzled. "I swear to God, I don't understand how you have all this energy, girl! Are you taking performance drugs?!"

I giggled loudly and gave him a sarcastic look. "I am not, you idiot. And for God’s sake, stop swearing! Watch your mouth, Enzo!"

I pouted at him before closing my eyes again. I curled up in my seat and pulled the blanket around my small body. I am so short. I am barely 159 centimeters tall!

I heard him laugh quietly. He closed his eyes too. "You better get used to it, Celine. We’ve been around each other for months now."

I sighed and smiled. I watched the little smirk on his lips.

"I’m trying, believe me... I’m trying," I said. Then I closed my eyes and let the silence take over.