Just for Tonight

13.

"Head straight. High chin. Your vocal cords should be free. Good, perfect. Let's start again, I sing with you, a tone lower."

Chloe began to sing shyly.

"Too late, won't stop
Tonight I want to go deeper
Tomorrow takes it all away
Time's running out"

As she sang, she looked at him sideways: he hadn't opened his mouth yet, and he was looking at her with a smile. He stood behind her and put his hand on the top of her stomach, so she could feel where she needed to draw air. Finally, he joined her voice, whispering into her ear :

"Just for tonight, we'll keep on dancing
And the city won't tell a soul
Just for tonight, the lights are shining
And our secret stays un told"

" This time was the good one" he giggled." Great job honey ! You are ready" he laughed with a wink.

"Ready for ?" she asked distractedly.

He didn't reply and gave her a hug. He hid his face into her hair. He never felt tired of her sweet smell. Teaching her how to play with her voice distracted him from his feelings which were eating him. Nights were restless, even when he had her in his arms. Large and dark circles under his eyes could told everyone that there was something wrong.

Halfway through the gig that evening, Ville gave Migé a dicreet glance. With a wink, Migé began repeatedly to play the first notes of "Just for tonight". Ville began his speech :

"Do you remember that sound ? Well, some years ago, I made that duet with Manna. It's about a hidden secret, an hidden love story. Beautiful, isn't it ? But sometimes, secrets are meant to come to the light. Wanna know my secret ?" he smiled.

The audience was on fire and applauded loudly.

Ville disappeared shortly backstage. Chloe sat there, frozen. He took her hand in his and came back on stage with her, who was shaking like hell.

" Let me introduce this beautiful soul to you. She is the one who makes my heart beat."

He locked eyes with her and whispered : " do you trust me ?". She nooded. " Just look at me and sing, honey. Never forget how much I love you".

He kept his eyes fixed on hers and his hand in hers throughout the song.

Their duet was exceptional. Migé, Linde, Burton and Gas were the first to be surprised. The crowd applauded them for a long time, and Ville's smile grew even wider. Chloe was breathless. Ville pointed to the audience with a broad wave of his hand.

"Enjoy, honey, they're under your spell."

She gave him a crocked smile.
"You ! You owe me one! What an idea! You could have warned me!"

"That wouldn't have been so funny," he teased.

He continued a few more songs as she took her place backstage.

That night, as they drifted off to sleep in her bunk, she lightly ran her fingers over the bare skin of his back. He shivered.

"Oh my. Ville you are skin and bones !" she exclaimed. She lit the night-light above her and worried, she stared at him. She saw how tired he was. His cheeks were even more bony than usual and his eyes, darker, had lost their sparkle.

He caught her worried look and tried to reassure her.

" Am I still your beautiful man ?" he asked with a smile.

" You are handsome, skinny you", she said. "But Ville, tell me... What's wrong ?"

" Nothing, honey. I'm fine".

"Don't dare lie to me, Valo", she sternly replied. "What's eating you ? Please, Ville. Tell me".

"Honey, I don't want to worry you. I'm fine, I really am."

" You can share everything with me. I hope you know it... And yes, I'm worried sick." she muttered, disappointed.

She turned the night light off and turned her back to him.

The success of their duet became phenomenal. The press seized on the event and made headlines, for better or for worse.

"Valo's new girlfriend enters the scene".
"Ville Valo is no longer single".
"Ville Valo teaches his girlfriend how to sing. Cute."
" Valo shows his new toy on stage. Funny."
"Manna must be jealous"

Ville tried the best he could to hide these shit from Chloe. He was used to it, but she wasn't.

At the same time, the demand for concerts continued to grow, and dates followed one another at a furious pace. Chloe had now a third round of interviews to schedule, and she had to stop the journalists asking her questions, which they never failed to do, mostly about her relationship with Ville. They could often be insolent and harassing, but she never complained. In her mind, it was the price to pay to be with Ville.

Everyone wanted to hear the duet. Night after night, Ville took her by the hand and proudly presented her to the audience. Her first name was now known to everyone, along with his own: Ville and Chloe. Their song became the most eagerly awaited of the concert.

But Ville didn't notice that the whole thing was too much for Chloe. She was overwhelmed and barely slept.

Late that night, she was surfing on her phone and find out some articles about Ville and her. She read them all, trying to picture what was true or not. She wouldn't admit it to herself, but all those articles shook her to the core.

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Dear reader, thank you so much for being here !
Disclaimer : I don't own the song 's lyrics but it is really a beautiful one. If you discover this song through my fanfiction then it' s something great.