Agora Hills

eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

November 12, 2024

Reeva had been preparing for this night for weeks. Her concert, one of the biggest of her career, was finally happening, and everything had been meticulously planned.

The rehearsals were intense, the setlist perfected, and the choreography spot-on. She was excited, but there was a familiar knot in her stomach—one she always got before stepping onto a stage.

It wasn't about the crowd or the performance itself; it was the pressure of delivering her best and ensuring everything went off without a hitch. Still, tonight felt different. Tonight was special, not just because of the magnitude of the show, but because Jacob had promised he'd be there.

They had talked about it days ago when she was in the middle of rehearsals, and Jacob, ever supportive, had assured her that he would be in the audience, cheering her on.

He'd even joked about spying on her from the crowd. Reeva had laughed it off, but now, as the lights dimmed and the venue filled with energy, she realized she was eagerly awaiting his presence more than she had anticipated.

The night was electric, the energy of the crowd palpable as she prepared to take the stage. Reeva stood backstage, her heart racing with anticipation. She had just finished one last quick check of her costume, her makeup, and her hair before stepping into the limelight.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she ran through her lines and movements in her mind. Everything was set, everything was ready, but the one thing she wasn't quite ready for was the surprise that was about to unfold.

"Five minutes, Reeva," the stage manager called out from the door, snapping her from her thoughts. "It's almost time."

She nodded, inhaling deeply to steady her nerves. Then, as she turned toward the exit, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a quick text from Kayla: He's here. VIP tickets, front row.

A smile spread across Reeva's face. Jacob had kept his word. He was there. But what she didn't expect was the sheer volume of excitement that swelled inside her chest at the thought of him being so close.

She hadn't expected him to show up with much fanfare. She knew he had promised to come, but it wasn't like him to make a big deal about it. Jacob was the type to keep things simple, to slip into the background, to show support quietly.

But VIP tickets? Front row? Reeva wasn't sure if that was something Jacob would do—or if it was Kayla, who had a hand in it. Regardless, she was thrilled. There was something incredibly touching about the gesture. He wanted to be there, truly there, in the front row, where he could see her shine.

Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a photo from Kayla—a snapshot of Jacob, surrounded by his cousins, all smiling and looking ready for the night. Reeva's heart did a little flip. She couldn't wait to see him. She quickly put her phone away, composed herself, and headed to the stage.

The show was a blur of lights, music, and movement. Reeva was fully immersed in the performance, feeling the rush of adrenaline from the crowd. But as the set drew closer to its climax, something in the front row caught her eye. It was him. Jacob.

She spotted him immediately. He was sitting next to his cousins, his presence commanding even in the large crowd. The moment their eyes met, a small smile spread across her face, and she had to fight the urge to let her gaze linger. He looked proud—like he was looking at her like she was the star of the entire universe.

But Jacob was always like that. He had this way of making her feel like she was the most important thing in the room, even when everything around them seemed chaotic. Reeva wasn't sure if it was his intensity or his effortless way of being there when she needed him most, but it made her heart swell every time she saw him.