Everything We Would've Been

Chapter Five: Emilia

June 2023 . . .

I always count the days until I can go back to Berkeley. But this summer was worse than I remembered others to be. Ember wasn't home so that was a huge relief. Even though my mom and dad let it go, she still gives me grief over changing my last name. I secretly think she's jealous I'm experiencing college like a normal person unlike her who decided NYU would be a good school to be on your own for the first time with the world's eyes on you. She caused more trouble and scandal in her freshmen year than I could cause in a century. That's the biggest difference between us.

I was immeasurably grateful when Andre showed up. I knew he had business in town but just seeing him and talking to my best friend took so much pressure off of my shoulders. I hadn't talked to Connor since his birthday. We only texted a couple of times. But even if nothing had changed between us, I couldn't talk to him about my family drama. I mean he would listen but he wouldn't understand, not really. But Andre always does.

Andre hadn't mentioned it but he was going to be in town for a week so we took advantage of it. There were a couple of events and meetings we had to attend but we also had a Saturday night all to ourselves.

The club Andre picked had an infamous reputation for more than one reason. But that was his cup of tea. When we went clubbing, Andre usually had a second motive. But I guess I just have to wait to figure out this one. It's kind of fun unraveling his plans.

The club was extremely exclusive. When Andre told me where we were going, I had to google it to know what to wear. I found more paparazzi pictures than official pictures of the club. One thing was crystal clear, we were going to be in the tabloids tomorrow morning.

I wasn't going to let Andre down. I took a couple of medications to keep my nausea at bay before getting ready. When I got here two weeks ago, I got a hair trim and did my nails. If I didn't do it voluntarily, my mom would make me do it. My nails were short and painted crimson. And it would go perfectly with my hair and signature lipstick.

I wanted to wear a suit but it was too hot to excuse the weather for not wearing something short. I sighed as I went through my newly stocked closet. Thank God my mom goes shopping for me, too. She has a good taste. What do you expect from a former model? But still, they're not my style. Fortunately, she's made a fictional style for me and sticks to it. I grabbed a mid-thigh off-the-shoulder black dress with long sleeves. I roamed my shoe closet until I found a pair of thigh-high block-heel boots in black.

When I walked out of my bedroom, Andre was waiting for me, wearing a perfectly fitted black suit and a dark gray shirt, simple and elegant as always.

"Wow, you look, wow," he said checking me out from head to toe.

"You clean up nice, too," I said with a wink before looping my arm into his.

Ever since he was eighteen and he moved to San Francisco, he's stayed with us a lot. Even now that my parents live in LA, my father doesn't allow him to stay at a hotel. It's kind of safe to say my father loves Andre like a son. I just hope none of them screw the other one in business. That's the one thing no one can fix.

"I still can't believe you drove all the way here instead of taking the jet," I said as we walked outside. Dylan was waiting for us by the car.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Dylan and I split the drive," he said with a smirk.

"Evening Miss. Evening Sir," Dylan said as he opened the door for me first.

"Did you really?" I asked as we got into the car.

"Yeah," he said with his kind smile anyone barely sees.

If there was any time I was glad I researched somewhere I was going, it was then. If I didn't and didn't prepare for it, I'd have a full-on anxiety attack in the car. There were over twenty paparazzi by the entrance.

"You're okay?" Andre asked with an apologetic look in his eyes.

"Yeah."

"If you're not, I'm right here," he said taking my hand in his. "Just focus on me."

One of the reasons Andre gets me like no one else is that he's seen me having anxiety attacks over and over again. He knows what triggers me. And he's a hella good breathing coach.

As we walked out, they shouted our names back to us. Here, I'm still Emilia Dawson. I'm still someone they can profit off of. I held onto Andre's arm as I tried to shield my eyes from blinding flashlights. The security got involved fast and helped us inside. It wasn't hard to figure out why it has its infamous reputation. You could smell countless drugs in the air.

"So, why here?" I asked as we got ourselves two drinks, a martini for Andre and a scotch on the rocks for me.

"Research."

"On what? The club?" I asked, sipping on my drink.

"Someone here," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Please tell me it's a woman you're interested in and not a business rival," I said with a sigh.

"She is someone dangerous," he said with a serious face. "She's in self-destruct mode."

"As in she's gonna blow up herself in the middle of the club we're in right now?" I asked in a hushed tone and wide eyes.

"As in she's been in her head for the past month thinking about some guy who doesn't deserve her," he said with a smirk.

"Andre," I said and slapped his arm playfully. "Stop fucking with me."

"Okay, I just wanted to hang out with you. The only reason I picked here was because I was curious to see what all the fuss was about," he said.

"Well, I'd take Diamante over this any day of the week," I said and drained my glass.

"That's because you don't have to dress up," he said with a chuckle.

"True that."

After a couple of more drinks, Andre dragged me to the dancefloor. It's kind of funny how he can move like a professional dancer and I can't dance to save my life.

But if I'm being honest, I absolutely needed a night out like this. I'm all alone here. Sometimes I wish I had more friends like Andre who'd be able to get me and what my life is like.

We drank, danced, and made a game out of watching celebrities trying to flirt with each other, causing a couple of scandals. At any given moment I could let my mind drift off to Connor but wouldn't. I was out with my best friend and it was fun.

A couple of guys tried to flirt with me and get my number. But Andre scared them off. So, I returned the favor when a hot new singer tried to flirt with him. And again, when an actress wanted to fuck him in the bathroom. Andre just laughed and didn't say anything about it. He knew what I was doing. He started this game himself.

By the time we went back home, everyone was asleep and we were drunk. Andre was in better shape than me but still drunk.

"Thank you. I really needed that," I said as he walked me up to my room.

"Any time, sweetheart," he said before pulling me into a tight hug and kissing the top of my head.

"Andre?" I said looking up at him.

"Yeah?"

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"I wish I knew," he said and placed another kiss on my forehead before pulling away. "Good night, sweetheart."