The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Twenty Four

Under the dazzling lights of the first show on Terzo's European tour with the Ghost project, the excitement in the air was evident as the venue pulsated with an energy that was a symphony of cheers, chanting and stomping feet. The crowd had stretched out as far as the eye could see- the audience was much bigger than any Terzo had encountered on his previous tour.

Alice had stood in the wings, pride radiating from her with eyes that sparkled like stars as she watched the man she loved take the stage with such ease. The sound of the chugging guitars reverberated through the theatre as Terzo's voice overcome the overwhelming sound of the crowd erupting into a chorus of cheers.

Alice had the time of her life, dancing, singing, blowing and receiving kisses from Terzo throughout the show, and even shedding a few tears as he serenaded the sea of smiling faces in a slower ballad, He Is. And when last note reverberated through the venue, Terzo took a moment to soak in the applause, the look on his face reducing Alice to tears of pride. With a flourish, he gave his final bow and then ran straight toward Alice. The euphoria of the performance still lingered in the air as he enveloped the love of his life in a tight embrace, the applause of the crowd fading into the background.

And luckily for them this became a routine, every night they'd be in a new city, in a new country playing to more eager fans. It was midday when Terzo was sounding checking in a magnificent old theatre, its breathtaking architecture complimenting his performance. Ornate, polished wood adorned the walls, and the plush red velvet of the seats gave off an air of elegance. Terzo, in the midst of a sound check, was stood on the stage illuminated the warm glow of antique chandeliers and a singular spotlight. He was clad in a formal black shirt with most of the buttons left open and black slacks. The outfit was adorned with some jewellery, including the pendant Alice remembered contained the worn photograph of his late mother.

"A little more kick drum in my in-ear would be nice." He called the sound engineer, tapping his foot impatiently as the perfectionist in him desperately attempted to get everything just right.

As Terzo fine-tuned the balance of instruments, Alice sat in the front row, slouched in one of the luxurious red velvety chairs. The beauty of the theatre captivated her attention as she rotated between watching him and gazing up at the intricate ceilings, spotting another detail every time she glanced around. Satisfied, Terzo finally gave a thumbs up and concluded the sound check, taking a large sip of water whilst Alice walked up to the front of the stage, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

"Look at you, all professional and serious." She teased. "You sounded amazing my love." She grinned whilst Terzo chuckled, leaning down to gently brush his lips over hers in a small, romantic kiss

"I'm in work mode you know." He smirked.

"Ah yes." Alice grinned. "Easy job you've got there Terzo."

"Ay! It is not!" Terzo gasped dramatically and teasingly scooped her up, scolding her for being so cruel to him. His strong arms lifted her onto the stage and settled her on the edge beside him, their legs dangling over the front. As bustling workers set up the stage around them, they sat together, a quiet moment amid the chaos. Alice cuddled up to Terzo's torso as he ran his hand through the ends of her hair. "I really am the luckiest man in the world, huh?"

"Is this what you see every night?" She asked with a small smile, gazing out onto the empty seats, feeling the soft weight of his chin resting on the crown of her head.

"Oh yes." Terzo teased her with a smirk. "With a sold-out audience and all."

"Of course." She chuckled, shaking her head. "But be careful tonight darling- no more falling over."

"I tripped, I didn't fall." He rolled his eyes teasingly. "I only fall for you amore." He toothily grinned, earning himself a playful swat from Alice.