Loving Hero

Hello, princess.

Hero-Kane
Josephine-Thea

5 years later.

“Are you sure you okay?” I ask Stella who has been quiet for a while. She releases a heavy sigh and lay back on the bed.

“It's Stephen.” She begins and I join her on the bed. Their relationship is weird but I'm used to them since I was in one too. I don't know how many times they have broken up and gotten back together and I'm the last person to judge her.

“I think he is cheating.” She voices her concerns. Stephen is a professor now and when they started he was her high school teacher. They say history is bound to repeat itself.

“Are you sure?” She sits up and pushes her hair back and rubs her face.

“Private lesson. Late-night showers. It all happened with me.”

How can I forget? We used to cover for her. Leigh and I didn't think they would last this long. They are toxic to each other just like Kane and me. It has been five years and for a long time, I didn't think I would survive. I didn't think I would ever forget him, I couldn't for a while. What I did for him.

“We came to New York to have fun and support our friend not be miserable.” I pull her up. “We will deal with these men when we get back to London. For now, we need to get ready.” I declare.

“Have you spoken to Leah?” I check my phone for new messages. “She said she won't be able to make it.” It's crazy that we are adults with jobs. Stella's modelling career is taking off, Leigh is a PR agent and me being na social media content. It has been a journey and I never thought I would enjoy it. Stella has 2 million followers and I'm sitting on half a million. Leigh doesn't do Instagram. She has it but uses it to stalk Logan Scott who has 10 million followers. Actor and singer. Known to the world as LS and on top of that she is part of the PR team that manages him. I wish she would move on from him, I would after that rejection. I open my messages.

Ginger and I miss you already. Have fun, my love.

God! I love this man. My phone gets snatched from my hand, “Hey!” I whine.

“I'm happy for you Thea." She says sincerely. I'm happy too. Something I never thought would be possible after him. Everything has changed. I am a different girl, no, a woman now.

“I'm happy too.”

“Enough of these. We need to get ready.”

For the next half an hour we get ready. I dress up in a black duchess and skin tone mesh, a bridal dress with a slit and my hair pulled up in a messy chignon bun. Stella is in a white backless long dress, halter draped maxi and her hair styled to one shoulder courtesy of Stella's mom. We take turns taking each others' pictures and post on Instagram. Stella's phone chimes.

“Brian sent us a driver.”

Of course, he did. Not only did he graduate from MIT with a Bachelor of Engineering Science in Digital Art last year but now he has developed his own game.

“Is Nick coming?” I ask Stella as we make our way to the foyer.

“Last time we spoke he said he was coming but you know how he is.”

When we get to the foyer a guy is holding a board with our names on it.

“Ms Pierce?” I nod. “Ms Martin. This way please.” we follow him outside.

“What do they call you?” Stella asks as he opens the door for us.

“Dorrian ma’am.” he closes the door and walks around the car to the driver's seat.

As Dorrian drives us to the venue, I can't help but think about him. How much prison has changed him? Has he healed? I hope so. No child should go through what he went through. Where would we be if he were here? Together but would he treat me better? Would he have been the better man I knew he could be? Probably not. That's the thing about men like him. Who makes you feel forbidden, like sinful pleasures? He lives in my memories like it was just yesterday. He is the best and worst part of my life. Losing him was the most painful experience of my life. The days I spent trying to remember his touch, how he would whisper in my ear, call me princess just to annoy me and red when he is mad at me.

“We are here,” Dorrian announces as he parks the car. Paparazzi are parked in front of the red carpet. He jogs around the car and opens the door. I take his hand as he helps me out of the car and camera flashes welcome me. Stella is already walking the carpet and taking pictures like the supermodel she is. She is the woman she thinks she is.

Stella over here.

Ms Martin change your pose.

Is it true you had a relationship with Mr Barker?

When is your mom releasing her next collection?

Stella!

Over here!

Good thing no one knows who I am apart from Stella's friend. I join her for photos and make our way through some sort of a tunnel written route to GSS. We get to a clearing and there are white cocktail tables with black and white chairs. The biggest LED Billboard I have ever seen in a c-shape written Barker Technologies. It's already packed. Stella grabs two glasses of wine and hands one to me. We stand by a cocktail table. Soon enough Logan walks in with his manager behind him. Dressed in a burgundy double-breasted vest men's suit. Journalist snap pictures of him.

“I thought you won't make it.” he pulls me in his arms.

“Still dating the engineer?” I playfully hit him.

“I told you to stop calling him that.”

“Mmmh.”

“Hey, sister!” Stella glares at him.

“I get it.” he laughs and I spot Brian coming our way, behind Stella. It's confidence for me. The way he carries the room with him. His eyes are set on Stella and the first thing he does is place his palm on Stella's exposed back and she tenses.

“Ladies.” he nods at me.

“Logan.”

“It won't kill you to address me with a title you know.” Logan amuses. He wants to annoy Brian.

“Where is Leah?”

“Work.”

“Fuck! I told him not to come here!”

I have imagined how and what I will be doing for this moment but this! He doesn't look like how I imagined. How can he look this way? Breaking my heart. The air around us has changed. The tension is clear in the air that one would cut it with a knife. All eyes are on them. How could he do this then again I did too but he permitted me, I didn't. I am shaking. In shock. Especially with the model by his side.

“Fuck!” I don't know who said that.

“I will fucking kill him!”

“Shit! Thea.” Logan holds me up. My heart feels like it's going to pop out of my chest.

“Hello, Princess.” is the last thing I hear as darkness welcomes me.

(I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Who has read the published version of Chasing Kane? Loving Kane is up for a pre-order.)