You’re an Idiot. Do You Know That?

Celine Montgomery POV

After the interview, everyone headed to the stage in New York Square where the celebrations would be held. They had to train hard to be at their best on the big day, except for the day before the event, which was reserved for rest and full recovery.

I sat cross legged on the floor, wiping the sweat off my forehead. I let out a deep breath, then a tired groan, and dropped my body backward, lying flat on the ground. I placed my hands on my stomach and closed my eyes, completely giving in.

"Ugh… I’m so exhausted."

I heard a male voice clear his throat near me, followed by a deep, familiar sound.

"Hey, little one."

I did not need to open my eyes to know who it was. I just sighed.

"Don’t call me little, Enzo."

Enzo laughed as he sat beside me and poked my side with his finger, making me twitch.

"This is the first time I’ve seen you this worn out."

I slowly opened my eyes and looked at him with a tired stare.

"You jinxed me. Those sneaky eyes of yours drained my energy, jealous idiot."

He raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Jealous? Come on. It’s the twenty first century, Celine."

I laughed from deep inside, despite my aching body, but suddenly gasped when he grabbed the water bottle beside him and lifted it to his lips, drinking from it. The same way I had just done minutes ago. My throat suddenly felt dry.

Why did that feel strange?

Sharing coffee was normal for us. Now a water bottle too. So why did it feel like something had shifted?

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

"Only three days left until the show. Tomorrow is intense training, then an evening schedule, then a radio interview and local press. After that, full rest the next day. What do you think, Enzo?"

He pretended to be excited, waving his fists in the air like a child.

"Wow. I’m so excited."

I laughed hard, even with all the exhaustion, then muttered,

"You’re an idiot. Do you know that?"

He raised his eyebrow in challenge, then grabbed the water bottle and poured it over my head in one sudden move.

I gasped, squeezing my eyes shut before the water could get in, feeling it run down my face and soak my hair tied in a tight ponytail. I lifted my hands to my head in defense while Enzo jumped back, laughing like a madman, running toward the corner of the stage.

I jumped to my feet, cursing him as I chased after him despite my fatigue. I had no idea where this sudden energy came from, but I was determined to get revenge.

Enzo laughed as he ran, but soon slowed down, trying to catch his breath. He bent forward, hands on his knees, breathing hard.

My chance.

I rushed toward him, grabbed the water bottle in his hand, opened it, and dumped what was left straight over his head.

He gasped, jerking under the cold shock, while I burst out laughing in victory.

"I told you. Smoking will kill you one day. You’re not athletic at all."

He lifted his head, wiped the water off his face, then smiled in a wicked way.

"I’ll show you who’s not athletic, Celine."

Before I could run, he grabbed my arm in a sudden move, twisting it gently but strong enough to hold me still. He pulled me back until my back hit his broad chest. Then he snatched the bottle from my hand and poured the rest of the water over me again.

I screamed in anger.

"I’m completely soaked!"

He released my arm and pointed at himself proudly.

"So am I."

I stared at him and realized his white T shirt was stuck to his body, showing every detail of his muscles clearly, along with the dark tattoos spread across his chest and arms.

He smiled at me with a victorious look mixed with something else. Something I could not read.

Then I noticed his eyes slide down to my waist. My white shirt had turned see through from the water, revealing the pink color of my bra underneath.

I froze.

Embarrassment crashed into me all at once. Too late, I realized I was wearing a loose white T shirt with black tights underneath. But now. Now the shirt showed more than it hid.

My cheeks burned. I quickly wrapped my arms around my body, trying to cover myself as much as I could, while his gaze felt like it was stripping me bare.

I turned away fast, trying to escape his burning eyes, but suddenly he stepped closer. So close that I felt his warm breath against my neck.

He leaned down until his chin brushed my shoulder and whispered near my ear in a low, rough voice.

"I didn’t know you had a belly piercing, Celine. I thought you were against things like that. You always say you are."

I gasped and instinctively lifted my hand to my stomach, finding that the wet fabric clinging to my skin had clearly revealed the small piercing I always kept hidden.

Enzo was smiling, watching my reaction with pure mischief.

Heat rushed to my face as I swallowed hard. I turned to face him, looking at him with embarrassment, fully aware that he had noticed everything.

I am a famous singer. I have a huge fan base. But I was never one of those artists who used nudity to get attention. I always wore loose clothes. Even if I wore something short, I made sure to cover it with tights or modest underwear. I never needed to show more. My talent was enough.

But now, standing in front of him like this, under his burning stare, I felt like I had exposed more of myself than I ever meant to.

Cold air bit into my skin as I watched Enzo pull off his T shirt, exposing his bare chest, then walk toward one of the crew members, asking him to lead him to the changing room.

He could not risk catching a cold. There was a full line of celebrations coming up, and one was only days away. The weather was already cold. It was November, after all.

I followed the staff member in silence, not saying a single word. I had nothing to say. And I did not want to. I was embarrassed enough already.