𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝑋𝐼𝑋

"Come here, I want your opinion," Janet said, scooting over on the couch to make space for me. I slid next to her, our thighs touching, the warmth of her body grounding me. I propped my arm up on the couch behind her, leaning my head on my hand as I observed the ideas she had scribbled down.

"I want this album to be more upbeat. I'm gonna start writing on it as soon as we get back from this trip," she said, looking up at me with an eagerness that made my heart flutter.

I listened intently as she shared her ideas, each one more exciting than the last. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself swept up in the vision she was painting. "I love that! You always know how to make music that feels alive," I replied, genuinely impressed.

Janet's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of doubt creeping into her eyes. "But what if it doesn't come out as good as I hope? With Rene, I always felt like I had this perfect balance of creativity. Now, I worry that I won't be able to match that."

"Janet, you don't need him," I said firmly, turning to face her fully. "Your creativity comes from within. You have a gift that's all your own. It's not tied to anyone else; it's who you are."

Her gaze softened, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. "You really think so?"

"I know so," I assured her, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "You've always been talented, and you've got so many ideas. This is your chance to show everyone just how incredible you are on your own."

A smile crept across her face, and I felt a sense of triumph seeing her doubt begin to fade. "Thanks, Mariah. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," I replied, feeling a surge of affection for her. In this moment, sitting together, I could see her passion shining through, and I knew she would rise to the occasion. "So, what else do you have planned for the album?"

She leaned in closer, excitement radiating from her as she began to share more of her vision. The worries that had threatened to cloud our earlier moments faded away, replaced by a sense of purpose and connection that made everything feel right. I couldn't wait to see her soar, knowing that I would be there to support her every step of the way.

The morning felt just right as we savored our breakfast, the aroma of freshly cooked food mingling with the crisp London air. We enjoyed our meal on the balcony, the view stretching out before us, majestic buildings, lush greenery, and the distant hum of the city, leaving us both stunned in a moment of quiet appreciation.

Janet got up first, her bare face glowing in the morning light, her curls framing her features perfectly. She wore a tight small shirt with no bra, and in that natural state, I found her utterly beautiful. She didn't need makeup to enhance her beauty; I loved her just the way she was.

"I'll put this in the hallway," she said, balancing the dishes on the tray with a casual grace.

"Thank you, baby," I replied, reaching out to squeeze her wrist as she walked by. She paused, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on my lips, and I watched her go, a smile lingering on my face.

But as the seconds turned into minutes, my smile began to fade. It shouldn't have taken her more than a minute to return, yet I found myself glancing at the door, growing concerned. Three minutes had passed, and a knot formed in my stomach. What could be taking her so long?

I stood up, the cool air brushing against my skin as I moved to the door, debating whether to check on her or give her a moment longer. Just as I reached for the doorknob, I heard the faint sound of voices outside, Janet's unmistakable laugh mingling with someone else's tone.