"Neil! Neil!" Dad yelled.
"Yes, sir!"
A massive figure stepped into view. Broad shoulders. Carved jawline. Muscles that looked like they were hand-sculpted by God Himself. For a second, I just… stared. Drooling, maybe.
"Close your mouth, you look dumb," Fred whispered with a smirk, nudging me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Ugh. Busted. He caught me thirsting over my dad's bodyguard. Great. He stuck his tongue out at me like the child he is, enjoying every ounce of my humiliation.
Dad ignored us both. "Send them to their rooms. You know Zizi's special room, right?"
"Yes, sir," Neil replied, voice deep and smooth.
"Good. You and Zach are her personal guards now. I don't have to repeat myself."
Dad kissed my cheek before heading upstairs, his presence filling the mansion like royalty returning to his castle.
"Come on, ma'am," Neil said, lifting my luggage with ease.
"Zara! Fred! Front. Now," I commanded, pretending I wasn't still low-key blushing.
"Wait! I'm not done recording," Zara whined, pausing her video for her followers.
"You're keeping my guard waiting," I snapped, snatching Fred's hand and dragging him up the stairs.
"Neil! Zara! Fred! Right behind you!" Zara squeaked, finally catching up.
Neil opened the door to my suite, carrying my luggage inside like it weighed nothing. "Your room, Miss Zikora."
"Good. Send in the maids."
"Yes, ma'am. One will be here in a minute." He bowed slightly, then shut the door behind him.
The moment he left, I launched myself onto the king-sized bed. "I love this house!" I screamed, rolling dramatically across the silky sheets.
---
"Dad! It's my showtime!" I yelled later that evening.
We were stuck in traffic that felt endless. Dad and I rode in his private transporter, while Fred and Zara were in another car behind us. My nerves buzzed like electricity.
"We're almost there, daddy's princess," Dad soothed, brushing his hand through my hair.
"Dad! You'll mess it up!" I groaned, swatting him away.
"Oops, sorry!" He chuckled.
The car screeched to a stop.
"What now?" Dad frowned.
"We've arrived, sir," the driver announced.
Immediately, guards surrounded us. The second I stepped out, fans, press, paparazzi — everyone swarmed like bees to honey.
"Zizi! How do you feel tonight?"
"Do you want to be as powerful as your father?"
"Are you aiming for number one on the charts?"
I forced a smile and waved them off. "No questions for now! Bye!" I shoved through the crowd, sliding into the concert hall.
Late. Again. God, please let me survive the internet trolls tomorrow.
Inside, the producers, DJs, and my team all brightened the second they saw me. Relief washed over their faces. I rushed into the costume room. Light makeup. Sparkling outfit. My pulse quickened.
When I finally stepped on stage, the roar of twenty thousand voices shook me. Cameras flashed. Signs with my name lit up the stadium. They screamed "Zizi!" like I was oxygen.
And for once, I felt it — I was enough.
The music kicked in. I delivered my speech, moved with every beat, sang with every ounce of me. The crowd sang back louder. Their voices wrapped around mine like a choir.
Scanning the VIP section, I spotted Fred, Zara, Bernard, and Ann. All of them jumping, screaming, waving. My gaze lingered on Ann. She beamed so hard it almost hurt to look.
"Ann! Come up here!" I called, grinning.
She shrieked, climbing onto the stage, hugging me tight. Together, we danced while the DJ played my biggest hit, You My World. The crowd lost their minds. Phones in the air. History being made.
That night would be etched in their memory forever.
---
After the show, chaos followed us back outside. Journalists attacked Fred with questions.
"How does it feel being Zizi's boyfriend?" one asked, shoving a mic in his face.
"Are you really Fred McClain, Zizi's boyfriend?" another chimed.
Fred looked about as interested as a rock. "…"
"Yeah, he is!" Zara cut in, overly excited.
The journalist turned. "And who are you to Zara?"
She giggled. "Her best friend slash Fred's sister, duh!"
"Okay, thank you!"
"Can we go now?" Fred grumbled, rubbing his stomach.
"Why?" I teased, poking his side.
"Aaagh! Stop, that hurts!" he yelped.
"Zizi! Daddy's girl! Over here!" Dad waved.
I tugged Fred's hand, pulling him towards Dad. "Come on. Picture time."
Zara bounced over. "I'm here! I'm Zara!"
Dad laughed. "Got it. Won't forget."
The cameras flashed. "Say cheese!"
"Cheese!" we all yelled, tongues out like maniacs.
"Finally, food!" Fred whined, clutching his stomach.
"Same!" Zimba chimed in.
Friends said their goodbyes. Dad shook hands with some VIPs. Eventually, Fred and I ended up in one car, while Dad and Zara rode in his transporter.
That's when my phone buzzed.
I glanced down. "Bernard." My voice was flat, bored.
"What now?" Fred muttered, leaning over to peek.
The message read:
Hi sweetie, why are you avoiding me? Is it because of Fred? You don't remember we're boyfriend and girlfriend? I love you but you obviously don't love me. I won't let Fred have you if I can't.
Fred hissed so loudly I thought his lungs collapsed.
"What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Nothing."
Rolling my eyes, I typed back.
Really?
Yeah.
Bernard, you're childish.
I know. So are you.
You broke us, not me.
I begged you. You chose him.
Fred's just a friend.
Lies. You're into him.
… I'm blushing.
Urgh.
Look, I'll log off if you've got nothing important to say.
Mark my words, I'll separate you both.
Try. Bye.
I promise you.
I slammed the phone shut. Drama. Always drama.
Glancing sideways, I caught Fred watching me. His eyes sparkled with mischief, like he knew exactly what Bernard said.
He leaned closer, so close I could feel his breath. My heart hammered. He slipped my hairband out, letting my curls fall free. One more inch and our lips would collide.
God, let this car jolt. Just once. Just enough to make it happen.
"Come forward, Fred," I whispered in my head. Here kitty, kitty.
"What are you thinking?" he asked suddenly, snapping me back.
"Nothing."
The car screeched to a halt.
"We've arrived," Fred muttered, shoving the door open and pushing me out.
"Ugh! I'm starving," I groaned, running straight into the mansion's dining room.
Dinner was already waiting — and it was heavenly. For a moment, the chaos faded, and it was just me, food, and bliss.
---
✨ Hey fam!
Been a while since I updated. Hope y'all loved this chapter.
Not the best book in the world, but it's my world.
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Your lil teen authoress,
Oziomajasmine 😎