City of Love [Zaintsee]

Chapter 13

One year later, Saint was now completely changed. He was not playing on the streets anymore as he didn't find time for it, he started dressing up differently, to be more precise he started dressing up like Zee. Saint still hadn't forgotten Zee, he blamed himself for not being enough for Zee and that's why his love was broken even before it started. Saint started working as a professional cellist, he still played solo but he played for high-profiled gatherings and parties. He became popular as well, the demand to book him was getting tougher and tougher as the days went by, yet Saint unlike before accepted everything, he was under pressure but still he preferred the stress than staying alone and thinking and crying about Zee.

Saint became braver, bolder and confident the way he dressed, the way he spoke and the way he played only emitted the confidence, although that is how he likes everyone to think about him inside he was a broken mess, he cried himself to sleep most nights and would have anxiety attacks before every gig. He can only calm down when he gives himself a pep talk facing the mirror every morning before he heads out to work.

Saint was getting ready for today's event, he wore a light pink shirt and a golden brown suit, it was specially tailor-made and gifted to him by the host who happens to be Saint's biggest fan, Haley Goldwyn. She was more like a sister to Saint, she recognized him for his talents and provided him with irrefutable offers, she even introduced Saint to his manager Cedric Aubert. Both Cedric and Haley became Saint's very good friends but no one knew about Saint's anxiety attacks, even Saint's mother Amy did not know about it. Saint has been dealing with his demons by himself for almost a whole year.

The usual nauseous feeling started to build up in Saint's throat, he knew he wasn't going to throw up yet he couldn't shake off the feeling, he started walking up and down his room he started trembling and sweating, he focused to stop the jumpy feeling and unbuttoned few buttons expecting some air to cool him down. His heartbeat raised and he gulped down some water again expecting him to calm down, then he used his final resort. He walked into his washroom and looked at himself in the mirror, as usual, he said

"Calm down, it is just another gig. You are good at what you do, people like you for the music you play, it's not a big deal, it's just like practice. It's fine you're gonna kill it, you don't have to feel restless" he heaved in few deep breaths his eyes were brim with tears but yet he smiled and calmed down, for some reason having a pep talk with himself always helped him calm down and that's what happened right now.

He stood up straight and adjusted his clothes a little, he grabbed the perfume Hailey bought for him for his birthday and sprayed a little. It smelled good but also calmed him a little because it was the exact same perfume Zee used. Saint learned that it was exclusive and very expensive, Hailey's friend had somehow helped her get her hands on it and she could only think about gifting it to her idol Saint. Saint rarely used it, the first time was on his birthday when Hailey asked him to test it and the second time is now. He never used it before because he didn't want to be reminded of Zee but it somehow helped him cool down completely.

Saint had all his stuff packed and then went down when his phone chimed notifying him that his ride to the venue was waiting outside. He grabbed everything, he stepped out to find his manager Cedric waiting for him in his car.

"Come on, move it fast... We need to set up the stage" Cedric yelling from the driver's seat

"I thought you took care of that" Saint grumbled while loading his instrument in the car

"It was, until your beloved fan Miss Hailey Goldwyn decided to change the whole thing because she wanted the background to match your outfit, gosh she is such a pain I swear"

"So you mean nothing is ready?" Saint said with buckling his seatbelt

"I've handed it over to the boys, but I am not sure how it is going, I can't be satisfied until I am the one to supervise."