Enzo's POV
I was in the dressing room, getting ready for my performance, when Fred entered — but he wasn't alone.
There was a girl with him. I couldn't see her face, but the moment she stepped into the room, something inside me shifted. Like lightning in my veins.
"April!" I said instinctively.
She froze. "Excuse me? Do I know you?"
Her voice was cautious — confused — and I knew she had no idea what was happening.
"I'll leave you two," Fred said.
"No! Fred — wait!" she called, turning back to him. "Why would you bring me here and just leave?!"
"Enzo wanted to meet you, not me. You're safe, I promise," Fred said gently. Then he slipped out and shut the door, leaving her speechless.
"I don't know what this is about, but I need to leave," she said, her voice trembling.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Please, just… stay calm," I said, stepping forward slightly.
"Then stay a few meters away," she said, holding out her hand. "Whatever you've got to say — say it from there. I'm freaking out."
I laughed softly, genuinely impressed. She had fire in her voice. "Alright, fair enough. I'll start with my name. I'm Lorenzo."
"Which still doesn't explain how you know my name," she said suspiciously.
I hesitated, then lied. "Fred told me."
She relaxed a little, but she still wasn't letting her guard down.
"So, what is this about? Why am I here?" she asked.
"I'm surprised you don't remember me."
"I'm sorry if I'm not a fan of the famous Enzo Blake," she said sarcastically. "Have we met?"
"Yes," I said quietly. "You lost your necklace in my hotel room."
Her eyes widened. "Wait—no. Are you accusing me of stealing?"
"What? No! Not at all!" I replied quickly.
"Then what's this about? Because I'm still trying to figure out how someone who never looked at me even recognized me."
"Who said I didn't look?" I teased. There was a beat of silence, and if I wasn't wrong… she was blushing.
I leaned slightly forward. "Do you have that necklace with you?"
She tensed. "No. Why do you care about my necklace?"
"I don't," I replied, careful with my tone. "I just figured it was important to you."
She hesitated. "It didn't match my outfit, so I left it at home."
Fred poked his head back in. "Enzo, it's time. The crowd's getting wild."
"Can I see you after the show?" I asked her.
"Me? Why?"
"Can you answer without asking why?" I said, irritation creeping in.
She blinked at me. "Wow… you're rude."
I sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off that way."
The truth was, I was used to people doing what I said without question — in Nefaria, that was the norm. Here? Things were different. She was different.
And I wasn't sure what to do with that yet.
April's POV:
"I'm sorry, but without knowing the reason, I can't really give you an answer," I said, trying to sound firm—though my gaze betrayed me, drifting back to the tattoo etched across his chest as he pulled off his shirt.
At first, I'd been nervous. Scared, even. But now… not so much. Enzo was ridiculously attractive. There was no denying it. I caught myself watching him when he wasn't looking, like some lovesick fan, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was talking to a literal celebrity. A hot one, at that.
"I have a deal you might be interested in," he said, then turned and walked away like he hadn't just flipped my entire world upside down.
I stood frozen for a second, my eyes glued to his retreating figure as he made his way toward the stage. The whole thing felt surreal. The one thing that bothered me? He never took off those sunglasses. I didn't even get to see his eyes.
In the VIP section, June squealed and grabbed my arm like a kid on Christmas morning.
"This is amazing!" she shrieked, practically bouncing out of her heels.
I smiled, happy to see her that excited—but my mind was still tangled in the mystery of Enzo and whatever "deal" he had mentioned.
"That's Enzo, April! My crush!" June shouted, shaking my arm like she was trying to bring me back to earth.
"I get it now," I said, still half-dazed. "I totally understand why you were all over him."
"I told you!" she grinned. "That guy is so damn hot!"
She laughed and joined the crowd, singing along to the music, and I stood there wondering how she'd react if I told her the truth: I didn't just see Enzo.
I met him.
I talked to him.
And now, somehow, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
Later, I slipped away from the VIP section, mumbling something about needing the restroom. June was too distracted with the guy she was flirting with to notice. I didn't even know why I was doing this—I just knew I had to see Enzo again.
What kind of deal was he talking about? I wondered, heart pounding as I neared his dressing room.
I was just about to knock when I heard raised voices inside. I froze. It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it.
"This isn't just about you, Enzo. It's also about me—about my responsibility to you and your father!" a woman's voice snapped.
"I'm asking you to stop," Enzo replied, sharp but calm. "You don't owe me anything, Laurel. I'm not going to let you waste your life hovering around me. Father likes bossing you around—but I don't. To me, you're a friend. Not a servant."
Servant? I blinked, confused. Well, I guess rich people have those. I leaned in a little closer.
Just as I shifted my weight, the door swung open—and I jumped back like I'd touched fire.
A woman stood in the doorway, giving me a look I couldn't quite read. Judgy? Protective? Both?
"Uh, I'm here to see Enzo," I mumbled, scratching the back of my neck.
She glanced me over from head to toe before stepping aside, revealing me to Enzo.
"Yeah, I asked her to come," he said—but his tone was colder than before. No warmth. Just… distant.
"She was eavesdropping," the woman said flatly.
"I wasn't," I lied quickly. But the way she looked at me? It felt like she could see right through me.
"I'm really busy now, April. I'm sorry," Enzo said, turning away without meeting my eyes.
I didn't ask to see you, dude! I thought bitterly, embarrassed.
"You heard him," the woman added, then shut the door in my face.
She sounded more like a jealous girlfriend, I thought as I turned to leave.
⸻
Back with June, I interrupted her mid-kiss.
"Let's get going, babes," I said, tugging her arm.
"Geez! You came back so fast," she teased, throwing the guy a flirty smile.
"I'll text you," he said with a wink before walking off.
"Isn't he hot?" she asked, grinning.
"Maybe," I replied, not in the mood.
"What happened? You look all serious."
"Eh, nothing. Just peed and washed my hands," I said quickly.
"Well, girl, I've got things to tell you!" she giggled, linking her arm through mine as we walked off together.
One Week Later
The days passed, but I couldn't get Enzo out of my mind. His words. His eyes behind those sunglasses. The deal.
Going to work made it worse—it was the same hotel where I first met him. As I made my way toward Eric at the front desk, he noticed my mood instantly.
"Hey! You look all gloomy today," he said.
"It's been a rough week," I replied, forcing a half-smile.
"Is Enzo still in the hotel?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Nope. He checked out right after the concert," he replied.
"Oh." My heart sank a little.
"Heard the concert was lit. Did you go?"
"Maybe," I said, grinning.
"You did! Girl!" Eric laughed. "So? Did you finally meet Enzo?"
"Yeah—yeah," I answered, playing it cool.
"Is he as hot in person or…?"
"I didn't really look at him," I teased.
"You're kidding."
"Okay fine. I did. He's hot."
"Knew it! So… how's senior year going? Started those college applications?"
I hesitated, then looked away. "Not really sure about college right now."
"What happened to the girl who never shut up about med school?"
"She might've been an illusion," I said quietly.
"Come on, April. Don't give up," he said gently.
"How can I not, Eric? I don't have the funds. I lost everything because of my uncle."
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. But you've got to try. At least apply. You never know what could happen."
I nodded, grateful for his kindness.
Then he smirked and pointed. "Here comes your boyfriend."
I groaned. "Eric! He's not my boyfriend."
"Well, he thinks he is," he whispered as Randolph from school walked over.
"Hi Eric. Hi April!" he said, smiling at me.
"Hi," I said, offering a polite smile.
"Nice seeing you outside of school," he added. Eric gave me a told you so look.
"You too. What brings you here?"
"Errand for my dad."
"Oh, okay."
"Yup… I'll see you Monday then," he said, turning to leave—only to come back nervously. "Can I get your contact?"
"Sure." I typed my number into his phone.
"See you in school!" he called as he walked away.
Eric raised an eyebrow. "Told you."
"Whatever. I've got work to do," I said, walking away to change.