INFINITY

The Signs

She was strong at heart and mind, yet she felt vulnerable whenever she was with him. She was always fascinated by his eyes and his rhythm. He knows when and where to strike a chord. Figuratively and literally. Maybe that's why she fell for him. They were friends from the start. She was ten and he was thirteen. She didn't know when it started but having someone of the opposite sex would surely stir up her feelings as she experienced puberty. Now, after twelve years of friendship and seven years of unrequited love, there had still been no progress.

Duke. She thought and involuntarily a smile crept up her lips. He was making his debut today and she wanted nothing more than to support him from the stands when he played. She was busy but never too busy for him.

He had called the day before to remind her of his debut.

"Hey. Am I interrupting a meeting?"

"What? Duke of course not! Tell me what's up?" she lied knowing full well that she had one in five minutes.

"Oh nothing much .. just wanted to talk to you, just so damn much excited about tomorrow. ."

"Oh really? Why? Do you have a date tomorrow?"

"You forgot, didn't you?" he said sighing.

She was so preoccupied with the meeting that she was about to miss the whole week that she forgot. Quickly scanning the calendar in her office she found out that tomorrow was his big day.

"Oh crap. I forgot. Don't worry. I'll be there."

"Its okay if you're busy, ling ling. I can understand," she hated that nickname but she didn't when it was him calling.

"Nonsense! I've been so bored with all the free time I'm having. I'll be there. At 6,"
she said while eyeing her secretary who tapped at her watch obviously being frustrated. She held up her finger telepathically saying that she'd be up soon.

"Well if you say so. Wear something casual cause this is just a simple concert and the after party isn't 'elegant' as well," he said through the other end of the cell. She smiled as she could imagine him air quoting 'elegant'. That was the truth- it wasn't going to be elegant. His bandmates would surely bring some flirtatious girls waiting to unleash their hormone to the party.

"Sure thing. I'll call you later." She hung up the phone as she walked past her fuming secretary.

They were both working their butts off for this meeting- unaware of the sun's schedule.

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She wore some denim shorts and paired it up with a turquoise tank top and a blue plaid shirt. She thought she looked casual enough as she inspected her reflection on the mirror.

"Dorothy, am I presentable? Do I look casual? And hot? Both at the same time? " she asked her housekeeper who was in her forties.

"Of course. You look like a person who'd be seen at the dollar store," she replied.

"Dollar store? No that's not good. I need to change," she said ignoring Dorothy's rolling eyes. But it was too late to change. It was already half past five.

She thoroughly enjoyed their performance. It was always a blood-tingling experience for her whenever duke sang. She could see the passion in his eyes and that was hot. Pity that all the other fangirls felt the same too. Did she feel jealousy maybe? Possessiveness? Whatever that was, she dismissed it. She even witnessed a girl throwing a bra at the stage. All for attention she thought. Are you any different? Her conscience fired back. I am she thought back and the concert concluded.

~~~~~~~

The after party was truly not elegant as Duke had mentioned. It was held at a mansion and one could see the intensity of the occasion. The stench of alcohol, people making out and straddling without shame, music blaring with some strippers dancing and people doing drugs and hookahs and honestly she didn't mind it at all.

She decided not to drink and went in search of Duke. When she found him, he had a girl in his arms. She looked at Duke for some answers expectantly.

"Hey... this is Ciara. The girl that I'm seeing."

In spite of feeling jealous she said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Sterling Stark."

"Oh my god! The girl who inherited her Elite Enterprises at 22 years? Wow! I didn't know you had super rich friends," she said the last part to Duke. He just grinned and kissed her lovingly on her cheek.

Ciara went away to talk to the other band members when duke started :

"I think she's the one, ling ling. I can literally see the string connecting us. I feel it."

She looked at Duke confused. Sure he screwed some girls in the past but he never looked at them the way he looked at Ciara. She was the definition of hot- long legs, blonde hair, slender body and a pretty face.

Still keeping his gaze fixed on Ciara he continued. "If I seal the deal with her, I want you to be my best man. Or her bridesmaid - whichever you like," he said with a straight face dreamily.

She found it hard to breathe. He was on a whole new caliber with this girl. Her whole life, she wanted to be that girl. The girl that he admired and loved. But now, it was as if those were snatched away. She wanted to run away from reality.

"I have to go," she said masking her hurt and other emotions. Hiding her face behind her dark hair, so that Duke wouldn't notice her face, she kissed his cheek and left saying that she'd call him later.

He was too engrossed in drooling over Ciara that he didn't notice her leave.

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