Rocked (Rock & Romance II.)

Chapter 40. - Firecracker

A/N: Welcome back! This one's dedicated to Rexplores ! Thank you for the love on this story!

***

*Gia*

There were three blackened cars waiting for us as we stepped out of the jets. Unlike most celebrities will have you believe, there are no paparazzi allowed at private airports. We got off the private jet and into our separate rides without a hitch, and before my brain could process what was happening, I was halfway back to my apartment in the lonely backseat of a generic car driver by an unknown driver.

The flight back home was a lot less eventful than the one heading up to see my father. There was no small talk on the jet - we all sat on our seats, immersed in our individual phones.

At times, I felt Ash's black gaze on me, but I didn't dare look up. I was too focused on what possible shape my life would take now, that I was known for being more than Hazmat's nerdy friend.

Once in the car though, I felt my heart squeeze with this unfamiliar, uneasy feeling I got. Nothing would ever be the same again, no matter how hard I tried to pretend that we lived in an age where what we did with our personal lives wouldn't affect the professional work we've put in, I knew that wasn't the case. This would alter every little thing that made me who I was.

And I wasn't sure I was ready for it.

There were multiple parked cars at the gate of my apartment complex - vans and even private vehicles with amateur cameras sticking out the windows as we pulled in. My driver took me all the way to my unit - even though I've never seen this man in my life, and he wasn't using any visible GPS devices.

"Wait in the car." He instructed once we pulled into a spot. "I'll walk you to your door."

Despite not seeing a single unusual soul inside the neighborhood, I obliged. The man rounded the car and opened my door for me, reaching in to land a hand - which I've swatted to the side. He then hauled my bag out of the trunk and together, we made our way up the steps leading to my apartment.

Neuro was waiting by the door as I took my bag from the man, asking him if I was meant to tip. "It's all been taken care of, miss." He said, smiling like he knew a joke I wasn't in on. "Take care."

And just like that, it was just me and my cat.

Once Neuro was fed and taken care of, I curled up on my couch with a textbook, hoping that the familiar words would distract me from my wandering thoughts. But after being stuck on the same paragraph for about half an hour, I gave up, pushing the material to the side.

I reached for my laptop next, first opening up my upcoming schedule. I've had papers and exams coming up in a couple of weeks, leaving me no time to sit around and sulk. Once I realized looking at what I've had to do did nothing but stress me even further, I opened up my emails.

And that was when everything went to shit.

Sitting on top of my unopened pile, marked as important, was a message from the board. The leaders of the elite program I was currently enrolled in had reached out to me, and I was smart enough to realize this meant nothing good.

***

*Ash*

The house felt empty now. With Brian gone and none of the usual groupies hanging around, I suddenly felt too cold in my own home.

I couldn't remember the last time I just sat on my expensive, custom made couch and watched TV. After the entire house was redone nearly a year ago, I threw parties every chance I got. I've had friends, groupies and other celebrities hanging out here every time we were in town.