Chapter 2

The choir hall buzzed with chatter and scattered notes. “Start from the chorus again,” the choir master clapped. “Williams, take it slow on the keys. ”All eyes slid to him, the new guy at the piano. Tall, broad shoulders, a perfect jawline, messy blond hair that looked like it cost money to style. He played smoothly, fingers moving like he owned the instrument. The girls in the soprano line weren’t even subtle.

“God, he’s fine.”

“Look at those hands.”

“I bet he drives a Benz.”

Naomi rolled her eyes, She adjusted her hymnbook, refusing to add her voice to the whispers.

“Naomi, don’t you think he’s hot?” one of the altos nudged her.

She smirked. “He’s a pianist, not Jesus, Calm down.”

Giggles broke out, but Williams looked up, catching the tail end of her words. His dark sharp arrogant eyes flicked her way.

The practice ended an hour later, and they were all tired, everyone packing up. Naomi slipped her notebook into her bag and turned for the door only to slam straight into Williams.

The papers he held scattered like snow across the tiled floor.

“Oh sorry.” She bent down quickly, reaching for a sheet.

He bent too, their hands brushing once, just once, but enough to make her freeze. His face was closer than it should’ve been, and for a heartbeat, she stared. His Strong jawline, the curve of his mouth. Those eyes are dark and mysterious.

Then his voice snapped Naomi back to her senses.

“Are you blind or just careless?”

Naomi blinked, heat rising to her cheeks. “Excuse me?”

He snatched the paper from her hand, his lips curled up in a smirk. “If you can’t watch where you’re going, maybe stay out of the way.”

The girls passing by gasped, Naomi straightened, her own fire sparking. “If you’re going to act like a jerk every time someone bumps you, maybe you should bubble-wrap yourself.”

His brows shot up. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.” She folded her arms, chin high. “You’re not that important.”

The air thickened, Williams’ stare locked on hers like a challenge, his jaw tightening. Naomi could feel the heat of his arrogance. She wanted to step back, but she didn’t, She wouldn’t.

Before the argument escalated, a new voice cut in. I was deep, smooth, and comforting to Naomi.

“Easy there.”

Naomi blinked, her glance shifted from Williams to A tall guy, he leaned casually against the doorway, his arms crossed, he had Dark hair, a sharp jaw, and blue eyes that seemed to look straight through her.

Williams straightened. “And who are you?”

“The guy who doesn’t like people yelling at my friend,” the new guy said.

Naomi froze. “Friend?”

“Yes,” he said, nodding, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You okay?”

Naomi nodded, feeling a mix of relief and something she didn’t want to name. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Williams’ eyes narrowed, He didn’t look like he liked the interruption. “This isn’t over,” he said, grabbing his papers and walking away with a glare.

Naomi exhaled slowly, The new guy crouched slightly, picking up a stray sheet she had missed.

“Here,” he said, handing it to her. “Wouldn’t want him to ruin your day.”

Naomi hesitated, thinking hard about where she had first seen him. “Thanks… Nicolas, right?”

“That’s me, Nick will do though,” he said, with a faint shrug.

A beat passed, Nicolas’ calm presence made Naomi’s pulse race. She felt… safe? Confident?

“I should get going,” he said finally. “But maybe we could exchange numbers? Just in case Williams decides to terrorize you again.”

Naomi hesitated, unsure. “I… I don’t know.”

He smiled faintly, leaning closer. “Come on, don’t be shy, I promise I don’t bite… much.”

After a pause, she pulled out her phone and they exchanged numbers, all the while Naomi felt her cheeks warm.

“Cool,” Nicolas said. “I’ll text you later.”

And just like that, he walked out, leaving Naomi feeling dizzy in a way she hadn’t expected.

A few seconds later, another voice called her from behind.

“Naomi, why do you look so dazed?”

Her mother, Lydia, stood there, arms crossed. Naomi stiffened, quickly straightening her posture and forcing a smile. “Nothing, Mom.”

Lydia’s eyes narrowed. “You know I can read you.”

Naomi shrugged, pretending indifference. “I’m just tired.”

Her mother studied her for a moment, then shook her head and turned away. Naomi exhaled, letting her shoulders drop.

Later that day, Naomi sat in the café with Layla, sipping her coffee. “So… the new guy at choir. Williams?” Layla leaned in, grinning.

Naomi rolled her eyes. “Arrogant jerk, He thinks he owns the place.”

Layla snickered. “I don’t know… he’s kind of hot.”

Naomi groaned. “That’s exactly what annoys me. I’m not supposed to notice him.”

Layla leaned back, teasing. “And what about the other one? Nicolas?”

Naomi froze. “He’s… different, Calm, protective… annoying too, but in a good way. And he’s handsome. Ugh, why are there always two guys?”

Layla laughed. “Classic. You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

Naomi scowled. “I can handle it.” But even as she said it, she wasn’t sure if she could.

****

The next day at choir practice, Naomi found herself arriving early, partly to avoid the chaos of the girls whispering about Williams. She sat at the back, pretending to tune her sheet music.

Williams came in, walking past her with that same confident arrogant air. She caught his eyes for a second, and he smirked, just slightly. Naomi quickly looked away, her heart thudding.

The girls whispered again, louder this time. “Did you see how he looked at her?”

Naomi ignored them, trying to focus.

Williams sat at the piano. His fingers moved over the keys, sharp and precise, yet his eyes occasionally flicked to her. Naomi felt herself flush, annoyed at how aware of her he seemed to be. Halfway through the practice, she accidentally dropped her pencil, and it rolled toward his feet.

He looked down, raised an eyebrow, then nudged it back toward her with his foot. “Careful,” he said, voice clipped.

Naomi took it, scowling. “Thanks… I think.”

“Don’t mention it,” he muttered, returning to his music.

Naomi realized her pulse was racing, How could one guy make her feel this frustrated?

A few minutes later, Nicolas appeared, leaning against the doorway as if he owned the space. “Morning,” he said casually. “You’re here early.”

Naomi turned. “Yeah… wanted to get settled before the chaos.”

“Good plan, Williams can be… intense.”

Naomi groaned. “Intense? He’s arrogant, rude, impossible.”

“Yeah… I can see that. But maybe a bit charming too?” Nick grinned.

“Nope, don’t even think about it.” Naomi shook her head but Nick only shrugged. “Fair enough. Hey, if he bothers you, I’ll be around.”

Naomi rolled her eyes, trying not to smile. “I don’t need protection.”

“Sure,” he said with a teasing grin. “Just saying.”

After practice, Naomi walked out, her bag slung over her shoulder. Williams was already gone, probably off somewhere to admire himself.

Nicolas caught up to her at the gate. “So… text me later?”

Naomi smirked. “Maybe. Depends on whether you survived the choir practice without losing your cool.”

“I survived,” he said confidently. “Barely.”

Naomi laughed, the sound light and freeing. “You’re ridiculous.”

He tilted his head, watching her. “Yeah… but you like it.”

Naomi rolled her eyes but didn’t answer. She knew one thing: things were about to get complicated, and she was curious to see how far this would go.

Back at home, Lydia peeked into Naomi’s room. “Why are you smiling?”

Naomi quickly pressed her lips together, pretending to read her notebook. “Nothing, Mom.”

Lydia’s eyes narrowed. “I know you. Something’s up. Who is it this time?”

Naomi just smiled faintly. “Just… choir.”

Her mother shook her head, walking away. Naomi exhaled, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly.