Rise To Stardom

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Autumn crept up before we could even blink. The sun was no longer beaming down on our eyes, giving the ones who lived off solar energy motivation to start their day. Petrichor, the smell before rain, greeted us every time we stepped into the outside world.

Raindrops brutally attacked the streets and obscured the windshields of drivers who dared to travel through the storm. Those who were dressed in sundresses all summer were now clothed in heavy layers of winter coats, leggings and boots to keep themselves warm.

Starting in August, after my birthday party, Carson and I had been hanging out. Most days were spent in his gorgeous penthouse that had a breathtaking view of the city through the window, which took up the entirety of the wall. It was unbelievable how one could afford a place as luxurious as that.

The one million dollars Carson gave me freed us from the financial burden by paying for dad's medical bills. It was also what brought my mom and I much closer. Mom didn't want me to spending all of the money on the bills so she insisted that I only pitched in two hundred and fifty thousand while she paid the rest.

We used the remaining money to travel to different countries, staying at the King Hotels that I hadn't realized were extended abroad. Mom was supporting me during my stay on Rise To Stardom by showing up to the tapings in the audience.

It was my turn to be proud of my mother for her successful business that she built from scratch. Her business may have been her top priority at one time, but it was well worth those momless days to be able to travel around the world and listen to her talk so passionately about her work.

The interiors were all similar, but marvelous; pristine marble tiles, tall vases of flowers to give the lobby a homey feel, the initial 'k' imprinted on the receptionist's desk, along with the crown logo and twenty-foot high ceiling.

We only went to a few countries because mom wanted to be home in time for Thanksgiving, but we also wanted to see as much of the world as possible. In order to spend more time with her, mom got me a temporary job working at her hotel in New York City as a receptionist.

All I had to do was answer phone calls and reserve rooms for customers. It was a good thing that there was another receptionist there to help me when I found myself overwhelmed.

While I posted singing videos on social media, I still needed the money to buy everyone Christmas presents and the receptionist job pays a little more than the restaurant did.

Watching the city lights light up under the thundering clouds and the cars continuing to whizz by the penthouse apartment helped me unwind after a long day at work. The chocolate taste of the freshly baked brownies danced on my tongue and I accidentally let out a moan at the undeniably yummy flavor.

Carson descended down the stairs after his shower with dripping wet hair and droplets trailing down toward his - oh! Oh no. I choked on the brownie.

The man was shirtless.

The man was shirtless!

As in, no form of clothing is covering his chest.

Warmth permeated throughout my cheeks seeing the bumps and curves of his six pack abs. Or maybe it was because I was still choking. I cowardly ducked behind the island counter once I heard him calling out my name.

I must've looked insane with a red face, watery eyes and I was still coughing up a lung with the brownie lodged in my throat, but I couldn't get water because that would mean getting up and being caught hiding.

My attempt to hide from him had been proven lame when Carson came around the corner and raised his brows at my crouched position. He had a hoodie in his hand, but he made no move to put it on because the smirk on his face was a clear sign that he was enjoying this. "What are you doing hiding behind the counter?"