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In another life
Maybe we see everything
In a different light
Like an endless summer

  Chapter 1:

  She checked her look in the mirror. Her dress clung to her curves, her boots looked fantastic with them, her make up was perfect. She looked everything the gothic queen. Everything she needed to be, wanted to be. There was a knock on the hotelroom door. She opened it and smiled at him. ‘Ready to go sweetheart?’ he smiled. ‘Yes’ she nodded.

  One floor below, there was a knock on another door. ‘Hey, mate. You ready to go?’ smiled. ‘Course mate’  smiled at him.
put his important belongings for that night in the inside pockets of his jacket and then joined his bandmate and friend in a walk to the lifts.

  The lift stopped and the doors opened. Outside were two men who got in and turned round. ’s heartbeat was so loud, she was sure the three males surrounding her were able to hear it. The palm of her hand which was linked with that of her boyfriend felt so sweaty, she wouldn’t be surprised if he would let go for a moment to wipe his hand off on his jeans. ‘Nervous, sweety?’  Michael asked her.  ‘Yes’ she nodded, her cheeks getting slightly pink. Michael didn’t look at her and so he didn‘t notice. He knew very well that couldn’t lie. Her cheeks would go pink. At this point she didn’t know where to look. Would she look at her boyfriend, she might go bright pink, looking at the back of the man that stood in front of her. It might make her heart explode. ‘This is ridiculous, stop it’ she scolded herself.
  Right in front of her, was breaking out in sweat, wondering if any of the others in the lift was noticing. His heartbeat had soared to a racing rhythm. Was it just him, or were her eyes pricking in the back of his neck. He didn’t dare look at , he would see her from the corner of his eyes.  ‘You allright there, mate?’ then asked. Apparently his friend had been observing him. nodded. ’Yeah, nerves’  he winked at and then looked to the liftdoors again.

  Even though it were only 2 minutes, for two of the four people, the lift going down took forever.  It was a release for the both of them, when the lift signaled that it had reached their destination. The liftdoors opened and the four people spilled out. The two men meeting their other two bandmates and the couple going outside to get into the van which would take them to the awardshow.

  watched her go from where he stood in the lobby. He had seen her in video’s on tv, but he had never noticed what a beauty she was. Just now as he gotten into the lift, it had only taken one second for him to get struck by lightning.  ‘, are you sure your OK, mate?’  asked, seeying his friend stare into an empty distance. woke from his thoughts. ‘Yes, . I’m doing fine. Just a little nervous. That’s all there is to it, OK?’ he pretended to be annoyed, so that his friend would back off. It worked. ‘Was just askin’-’  moped and sat down. At that moment Dave came towards them ‘Right lads, vans are here’.

  was staring out the window of the van, not really looking at the scenery flying by.  ‘ baby, are you OK?’ Michael rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. ‘Yes Michael, I’m fine, just nervous’ turned her head to him and gave him a soft smile. Then she lay her head on his shoulder. Automaticly his hand was risen to stroke her hair, it was something Michael did when she needed to be calmed. closed her eyes and breathed out deeply. She drifted away, back into the elevator. Michael and the other man weren’t there. It was just her and him, standing opposite each other. ‘I’ve been waiting for you’ he said softly with a husk voice. She smiled softly, her heart pounding. It was strangely exiting, standing in the lift with a tall handsome stranger. He took one step towards her, took her hand in his and kissed it. felt her tummy do a cartwheel. He took another step forward. ‘And you’ve been waiting for this’ he added. saw him lean towards her. Her breath failed her and then.. sat up right in the car, then looked back at Michael. ‘Should we call you in sick, babe?’ he looked worried. ‘No, I.. I just dozed off. I’m not sick. It’s probably anxiety or something. Might win my first award tonight, that’s pretty nerve wrecking.’ shrugged. Michael stroked her back with his hand. ‘OK’ he smiled softly. sat back and allowed him to lay his arm around her. ‘I love you’ he whispered in her ear. She looked at him and kissed him gently on his lips.

  Ten minutes after and her boyfriend had arrived another van arrived at the backstage area of the venue where the awardshow was held. felt his stomach twist and turn. He knew she was there as well and he wanted to talk to her. He wondered when he was going to get a chance to. Dave lead them to their dressingroom, where they had to wait until they would be taken outside again, to get into the limo that would drive around untill it was called back to the venue to drop them off at the front of the venue where they would walk over the red carpet to the entrance.

The waiting didn’t take long and before they knew it, they were dropped off at the start of the red carpet. Not long before Westlife arrived, had gotten onto the red carpet with Michael. Photographers were calling her by her artist name ‘Raven’. She was posing when spotted him talking to a journalist not far from where she stood. Her heartbeat sped up. She stopped posing, grabbed her boyfriends hand and started a speed walk along the red carpet. Not stopping for photographers until she was sure he would be out of sight until she would be inside at the least. ‘Darling, you’re acting strangely. Is it to do with that boyband guys?’ Michael whispered in her ear as they stood smiling at the cameras. ‘Yeah, I don’t want them to be in the picture with me, ruins my reputation’ answered. ‘Not to worry sweetheart, they’ve got their fans, you’ve got yours. Their world is another world compared with yours’ he smiled and kissed her. smiled softly at him. ‘You’re right’ she nodded. Before she stepped inside, took one last look around. She saw him and a small smile spread across her lips.

  Backstage utter panic broke out. One of the award presenters had just been found unconscious in her hotel room. The stage manager had put everyone he could find on a mission to find someone who wasn’t already doing something during the show. Louis Walsh, who was announcing  the opening performing act, was in make-up when he heared his make up artist talk about what happened. ‘I knew who could do it’ he smiled.
Ten minutes later, Westlife was taken backstage and met by their manager. ‘Good to see ya lads, you’re going to present the award for ‘best newcomer’ tonight.


  Chapter 2 :

and Michael had taken place on their seats. Two rows in front of them, their were four empty seats, which were soon filled. was staring at nothing in particular, when she met his gaze. She nearly jumped a mile and let a small smile fly across her lips. He smiled back at her softly, then sat down.
felt butterflies lift in his tummy. She had smiled at him. He straightened his jacket and smiled happily. ‘What’s with you?’ asked. ‘He’s been acting weird since he got in the lift. Maybe that ‘Raven’ girl cast an evil spell over him’ snorted. ‘What raven girl?’ asked ‘She’s sitting right there, two rows behind us. She was in the lift with us’ gestured backwards with his head. looked round and saw a girl dressed in a gothic outfit sit behind them, two rows back. ‘Oh, her’ he turned his head back. ‘She definitely looks like a hag’ he joked. ‘She does not.’ defended her, looking very angry at his friend. ‘Chill, mate. Was only jokin’’ patted him on the shoulder. ‘It wasn’t funny’ shrugged and stared straight ahead, not saying another word.
Thirty minutes later, the lights went down and a deep voice was heared throughout the venue announcing the start of the show.

Three quartes of an hour later, an assistant to the stage manager came to get the lads.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, here to present the award for Best Newcomer .. Please welcome Westlife’

felt her stumache do a cartwheel. She was nominated in this category and there was a 20 % chance she would win it.
‘Hello ladies and gentlemen, originally this award would be presented by Lady Gaga, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it tonight.’ ‘Without further ado. Here are the nominees for ‘Best Newcomer 2010’ . ’s face was the first to appear on the big screen. Michael squeezed her hand as they both appeared in a small videoshot in the corner of the big screen. Two rap acts, an emo band and some singer songwriter also came into view. A drum roll started. ‘And the winner is’ … opened the envelope …. ‘RAVEN’ the four men chorused.
Michael kissed her proudly on the lips. was flabbergasted. She got up and made her way to the stage. was the first to congratulate her, then , then and last was who also handed her the award. ‘Well done’ he said and kissed her on the cheek.
then turned to the microphone. ‘Wauw. Thank you all so much. I would never in a million years would’ve thought that I would win this. I take it as recognition for the gothic music style genre. Thank you to my manager Lars, to all the fans, to everyone who voted for Raven, to my boyfriend Michael, I love you..’ for a second she wondered why she had added those three little words. ‘And to the other nominees, we’re all winners. Have a good night’. held up the award and the audience started cheering and wolf whistling for the second time.
lay a hand on the small of her back to guide her of the stage.
Unknowingly sending sparks up and down her spine. ‘What really happened to Gaga?’ asked. ‘Don’t know. Was found unconscious in her hotel room’ shrugged. ’Well that’s a shocker’ rolled her eyes. ’Do you know something, we don’t know?’ asked. ’I’ll deny everything’ giggled, looking him in the eyes with a smile. He smiled back at her. ’Anywho, gotta get back to my seat. Thank you guys, it was nice to meet you’ plucked up the courage to kiss them on the cheek and then let herself be guided back to her seat by a bodyguard.
felt proud that she had had the nerve to strike up a conversation. Hopefull she would get another chance that evening.

It was another few hours before they got a chance to talk to each other. Which was at the afterparty. had long lost Michael to the bar. He wasn’t an alcoholic, he just like to drink lots and lots of alcohol when he didn’t have to pay for it. didn’t need alcohol to enjoy herself and being with loads of celebrities she admired, gave her a good chance to network.
She was at the edge of the dance floor, when someone stood still next to her. ‘Hey’ he smiled. ‘Hi, you having a good time?’ asked. ‘Yeah, it’s allright. How about you?’ asked. ‘I’m enjoying myself’ she nodded. ‘ ‘ he stretched his hand to hers. ‘ ‘ she said as they shook hands. ‘Where’s your boyfriend?’ ‘He’s at the bar, somewhere’ ‘Would he mind, if I asked his girl for a dance?’ ‘You’re not planning to steal me away from him, are you?’ winked, but on the inside rolled her eyes at herself for that question. was speechless. He looked quizzically, wondering if she could read his mind. Realizing he was staring at her, he quickly replied with ’No’. walked onto the dance floor, following her.
Just then a romantic slow song started playing. ‘Ah, this is a set up, isn’t it?’ laughed. ‘Yes, It is. I told the DJ to keep an eye on you and me, and when I had persuaded you to dance with me, he would start up a romantic song so we just had to slow dance’ folded his arms infront of him and looked at her with a satisfactory smile. ‘We better get dancing then, before he starts the song all over again’ giggled. ‘Great idea’ nodded.

He took her by the hand and lay his left arm around her waist. felt butterflies in her tummy for being this close to him. She event felt her cheeks go pink, which hopefully he didn’t notice. ‘So, what do you know of Lady Gaga passing out in her hotel room?’ asked. ‘What?’ was woken from her daydream. ‘Lady Gaga. You sounded like you weren’t surprised that she passed out’ explained. ‘Oh that. I don’t know. It just wouldn’t surprise me if she had taken an overdose or something’ shrugged. ‘Wouldn’t say that out loud, you might be quoted by some sleezy magazine reporter’ laughed. ‘Don’t care. Gaga is not in my top ten of favourite people and I’m not in hers.’ shrugged. ‘What do you have to do, to get into that favourite people list of yours?’ asked. ‘Why, wanna be in it?’ asked. smiled, leaned forward and whispered into her ear ‘I’d like to be number one’.
His warm breath made the hairs of her neck stand up. She knew it was a flirtatious joke, but she wished he really meant what he said. ‘Oi, what are you doing with my woman?’ suddenly Michael stood right next to them.
’Nothing’ they chorused as instantly created a distance between and herself. ‘Only kiddin’, mate’ Michael clinged onto . ‘Mikey, come on baby. Time to get you back to the hotel’ took his hand. ‘I’m hav..fun’ Michael tried to look her straight in the eye. ‘Yes, I can see that, but fun has to stop sometime. Sometime is now.’ tried to convince him. ‘ , thank you for the dance. It was nice to meet you. I’m taking him back to the hotel’ ‘No problem. Have a good night’ smiled. He could see felt a little embarrassed.

It took twenty minutes to get outside the club, draging Michael along. ’Did yyu havgood night, sweetiieee?’ Michael asked. ‘Yes Michael, I did. Thank you for celebrating my award with me’ ‘No problem’
Michael fell asleep as soon as they were in the van riding back to the hotel. ‘Thank you very much indeed’ she sighed, looking out the window, silently wishing there was another man sitting beside her in the taxi.

When the van arrived at the hotel, had the two doormen of the hotel help her get Michael from the van into the hotel. From the lobby, there was a bellboy who was ordered to take Michael up to his hotel room.
didn’t go up to her room yet. She asked for a sheet of paper and a pen.

When the Westlife lads came back to the hotel. was given a note:

Thank you for the dance. I had a great evening at the party. Hope we can meet again sometime.

Take Care, ‘Raven’

smiled. He was in her favourite peoples list. Maybe he wasn’t number one yet, but nothing was going to stop him becoming that.


Chapter 3:

reached for the alarm clock and slammed down hard on it with his hand. When it didn’t stop ringing he repeated the motion and when it still didn’t stop ringing he opened one of his eyes and found out that it was the phone of his hotel room which was echoing in his head a zillion times louder. ‘ , is that you Dave?’ he said with a croaky voice. The girl on the other end started giggling. ‘No, it’s reception. I’ve got a caller on the line for you, would you like me to put her through?’ the receptionist asked. ‘Her?’ asked. A her usually meant a fan, trying to get to him pretending to be a journalist. ‘Yes, put her through, please’ agreed. ‘I will sir’ the receptionist said. Then it went quiet and then he could hear breathing.
‘ ?’ the female voice said, excited. ‘Look, I don’t know who you are, but I’m not falling for this scam alright. I got a major hangover and I don’t feel like listening to your exited screams for the next 10 minutes, so just hang up OK?’ ‘Sorry , it’s by the way. I’ll hang up then, good luck with that hangover’ ‘?’ shouted so loud, in her room held the receiver far from her ear. ‘Sorry’ felt so much shame he went beetroot red. ‘So, how come you’re calling me?’ he lay back, with a soft smile on his lips. ‘Well I had plans with Michael to go sightseeing around Sydney today, but like you he’s got a hangover, which is probably more major then yours so I gave him the day off’ explained. ‘Still doesn’t answer my question’ chuckled ‘ Would you like to come with me sightseeing around Sydney, unless you’re flying out today?’ asked, biting her lip as a long silence fell on the other side of the line.

didn’t know wether the dizziness in his head came from the hangover or the question just asked. He felt like crap and he knew the sunlight was stronger then how it came through the curtains of his room. ‘Guess that’s a no then. Shouldn’t be asking this really, you’ve got a hangover. I’m sorry ’ sounded apologetic. ‘Did you let your boyfriend off this easy or is it just me you’re so easy with ?’ asked. This time went beetroot red. ‘I kind of was really angry with him.’ she said with a small voice. ‘Really?’ was intrigued. ‘So how come he gets a hard time and I don’t?’ ‘I..I..I..’ tried hard to think of a reason that wouldn’t lead into thinking she liked him. When a good excuse wouldn’t come to her, she sighed and decided to go with the truth. ‘ I know this is wrong, me being with Michael and all, but I really really like you and I really really really wanted to spend the day with you’ she confessed. ‘Did you now?’ was successful in suppressing a punch in the air. ‘And how do you think Michael will feel when he finds out?’ he asked intrigued ‘I already told Michael I would find another scapegoat.’ smiled. ‘OK, ok. But how will he react when he finds out, your new scapegoat, namely me, is a man?’ asked. ‘ . I don’t care. He didn’t care about how important it was to celebrate my success with me last night, now I’m not going to care about his feelings towards me spending time with another man. You and I met last night, it’s not like were having an affair which we’re trying to hide from the world.’ ‘Not yet’ they both added softly. ‘Allright, I’ll put on my sunglasses and take a few headache pills. I’ll meet you in an hour, is that allright with you?’ looked at the time on his watch which lay on the nightstand beside the bed. ‘Yeah. I’ll meet you at the entrance, OK?’
suggested. ‘Agreed. I’ll see you there. Bye’

Fifty five minutes later, parked herself on the bench in the small hallway of the entrance. She could see coming from where she sat. Her palms felt sweaty. She was nervous. The five minutes she had to wait for him, seemed to take forever to pass. There was only one minute left, when she looked up. It was like she had sensed him coming.
Her breath got caught in her throat. was dressed in a three quarter sport shorts with a white sporty shirt, accenting his masculin torso and his features. A cap on his head and a very classy sunglasses, perfected the look he had measured himself. ‘Quite the tourist, don’t you think?’ he smiled. chuckled ‘Yes, you look .. Good’ ‘gorgeous, hot, how about us skippin’ the sightseeing trip and lets go back up to your room?’ she added in her head. ‘What do you think about me’ she managed to say, when she had banned the images of wild passionate love making out of her head. She twirled round infront of him. ‘You look nothing like you did last night?’ was ’s first comment. tried not to look at all disappointed. ‘‘Isn’t that the goal of going incognito? I like the gothic lifestyle and yes ‘Raven’ is a gothic music artist. I like the gothic music scene, but it doesn’t mean I dress like that all the time’ she shrugged. felt a little guilty. ‘I’m sorry . You look fantastic’ he took a step closer, bend towards her and softly whispered ‘ and very sexy..’ . He straightened just in time to see her blush. He smiled on the inside; this was going to be a fantastic day.

And it did turn out to be a fantastic day. The sun shone brightly, it was warm, but not sizzling hot and they had a lot of fun together. They hopped in and out of taxi’s. Shared jokes, told each other stories, visited lots of major attractions like Sydney’s Chinatown and Sydney tower. ‘How do you feel about, a walk on the beach?’ asked. It was 1pm and they had seen half the city. ‘I haven’t brought any beach stuff’ frowned. ‘We’re only going for a walk, not lying on the beach for the rest of the day’ shrugged.
smiled. ‘You’re right. Yeah, let’s do it’ she agreed.
hailed a cab and they got in it. The ride to Bondi beach didn’t take long. Both of them took off their shoes when they got onto the sand and they walked to the shoreline. ‘Well which way do you want to go?’ asked. looked left and then right, discovering that if they went right, they would eventually meet less and less people until they would end up completely alone. ‘Let’s go right’ she said. did another punch in the air inside his head. Going to the right would eventually have them ending up alone. Their feet in the water, their shoes in their hands and topics to keep them talking forever, they walked along the shoreline. ‘Wauw, won’t you look at that, we’ve run out of people and into rocks’ said. turned round. Even the family that were closest to where they were, looked like ants.

She felt his strong arms snake their way around her waist, she felt herself shiver at the feel of his touch. felt like a million dollars when he felt how lay her head against his shoulder and her arms upon his. ‘I bet Michael wouldn’t be pleased if he saw us like this’ he said softly. ‘Michael isn’t here, is he. We kept from talking about him all day, please don’t start now. It ruins the moment’ replied. Talking about Michael, would Michael a real person, which she knew he was, but right now. In this peacefull moment, where it was just the two of them, away from the busy world, even it were only a few feet, wanted to forget about him and be with .

Until that moment where they were stood on a lonely part of the beach, in each other arms, leaning against the rocks and had spent the day falling in love. They had gotten to know one another, talked about what kept them busy, shared experiences with each other, found out what made the other tick. Looking out across the water, gazing at the horizon where the water or the world just seemed to stop ’s voice broke the silence ‘What are you thinking?’ ‘I was thinking that I wish there wasn’t a Michael I have to go back to when we go back to the hotel’ ‘I was thinking that too’ turned round unexpectedly in his arms. ‘What are we doing, ? I never thought I’d be a woman who would cheat on her boyfriend and now look at me. I even say in interviews that I hate women or men who cheat on their partners and here I am doing the thing that everybody quotes me on’ she didn’t look him in the eye, but kept staring at her hand on the collar of his shirt, stroking the fabric. ‘Love is a bitch sometimes, isn’t she?’ lifted her head up so he was able to meet her eyes. ‘Yes’ she agreed. ‘I wasn’t planning on steeling another mans girl away either. I just happened to step into an elevator, where I saw a gorgeous looking girl, who not only caught my eye, but stole my heart along with it’.
looked into his eyes. She saw that meant every word he said. She draped one arm around his neck and reached out a shaking hand that cupped his face, then she slowly leaned upwards. felt the nerves that flooded through in her lips which she swiftly brushed across his own. He knew there was no turning back now, he knew that with this kiss their lives would never be the same. knew that with this kiss, had just put in a bet on her relationship with Michael, he knew that if this was to end up wrong, there would hell to pay for , but as he pulled her tightly against him, capturing her lips in a stronger, wilder kiss, he decided to be selfish. He wanted and now he had her and that was all that counted.


Chapter 4:

On the shoreline of Bondi beach there were a woman and a man, walking aside one another. They held hands, they didn’t talk. looked out to see, watched his feet sink away in the wet sand with every step he took. A zillion thoughts seemed to be racing through their heads and both were to scared to utter them into the world.
‘ ..’ broke the silence, he stopped walking. She turned her head to look at him. ‘Yeah?’ ‘What are you thinking?’ ‘I’m thinking that I don’t know how I’ll be able to be with Michael if all I want is to be with you. And I’m scared’ ‘Scared?’ sounded surprised. ‘I don’t want you or whatever it is we just started to be a game, know what I mean? I’ve been with Michael for so long, he’s a safe bet. When I saw you standing outside the lift something exploded inside me, like I was woken up. But I don’t want you to be something I had for a little while because I wasn’t content with my own boyfriend.
Aargh… I’m making it so much more complicated’ rested her head against ’s chest. She felt kiss the top of her head. ‘Well you want to be with me now, that is a good thing, but to really know if you want to be with me, you’re gonna have to spend time with me. I don’t like the thought of going back to the hotel and sending you back into his arms, but there’s no other option. I’m not your boyfriend, he is’ shrugged. ‘So, how are we going to do this? Your based in Ireland, I’m based in London and Michael lives in London too’ asked. ‘We’ll figure something out. We’re in London often enough and we won’t have any trouble in Ireland if you’d ever come over. Paparazzi doesn’t follow any of us.’ ‘Well that’s both our lucks then. They don’t follow me either, but maybe I’m just not big enough to get followed yet’ smiled. could see wasn’t happy with how they would have to spend time together. ‘ , we’ll work something out. We better get back to the hotel now’ He smiled softly and hey continued walking back to the spot where they had gone down to the beach.

When they arrived at the hotel in the taxi, they had exchanged numbers. ‘Thank you, for a lovely day ’ shook his hand and kissed him on the cheek. ‘ ’. Both and her nearly jumped a mile. Michael came down the steps of the hotel entrance. turned round and smiled softly at her boyfriend. ‘Hey, I’m Michael’ he stuck out his hand to shake ’s hand. ‘ , I met in the city, we shared a cab back here’ ‘That‘s good. Was a great party last night, wasn’t it?’ Michael asked. ‘Yes, it was’ ‘My lady wasn’t too pleased with me though, but I’m making that up to her tonight.’ Michael pulled closer to him. had to stop himself from balling his hand to a fist. ‘I’ve not known long, but I’m sure she’s everything a man hopes for. No man should take what he has for granted. I gotta meet my bandmates. See ya’ quickly left the scene.
He had known he had to take back to Michael and he wouldn’t like to see her back in his arms. Truth was, it was making him unable to be civil. Michael’s arm around her made him feel sick.
While was stood in the lift, a text message arrived. ‘Miss you already. I’ll make sure I’m in my room by eleven. Wanna drop by J ? X
’
A small smile broke through on his lips. ‘Can’t wait. I’ll be there’ texted back.

quickly put her phone away as she had read ’s message. Michael was expecting her to be represent able for dinner at a fancy restaurant he was taking her to. A knock on the door told her, her boyfriend had arrived. She opened and smiled softly at Michael. ‘You look fantastic, baby’ he smiled back at her and kissed on her cheek. ‘Thank you’ she blushed.

Michael took her hand ‘You ready to go, beautiful?’ ‘Yes’ she nodded. ‘You OK?’ he asked. ‘Michael, don’t start that again. I am absolutely fine. I’m hungry, let’s go’ she hoped she looked determined. Michael smiled. ‘There will surely be some headturning tonight. I got the prettiest lady in the house’ ‘Oh stop it. You already have me, remember?’ blushed again. Michael smiled again and softly pulled her towards the elevators.

‘And where have you been all day?’ said, as opened the door. ‘Out’ shrugged and went back inside his room. followed him. ‘Out where? We’ve been trying to get a hang of you all day?’ ‘Why? We had a day for ourselves’ shrugged again. ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but last time I checked we hang out together on such days.’ crossed his arms infront of his chest. ‘And we’ll do that next time we got a day to ourselves. I needed me time today’ defended himself. ‘Me time?’
frowned. ‘I have never heared you saying ‘me time? What’s going on?’ sat down next to his friend. looked at him, not saying anything. He knew he could tell everything. They had been mates since the last named joined the band. However was sure, that if he told that he had started a relationship with a girl that was already involved with someone else. His friend would tell him to end it again. knew that would say that only to protect him from getting hurt, but if there was anything in this world, next to his singing career that he would never want to give up, then it was .

sighed. ‘I’ve spent the day with ’ ‘ ?’ didn’t follow. ‘You met her last night. You probably only know her by the name ‘Raven’’ explained. ‘Raven?’ pondered for a moment, then his eyes went big. ‘Raven? That..that.. That gothic singer?’ he said it with a look like he had just smelled milk gone bad. ‘Yes. Her real name is . And I’m in love with her’ said out loud what he had known since he had taken back to the hotel. ‘Wait a minute. She’s got a bloke, doesn’t she?’ seemed to remember the night before. ‘She does’ nodded. ‘Forget it, . Can’t happen. You know that, don’t you?’ looked meaningfully at his friend. looked back in his mates eyes, then turned away. ‘What did you do with exactly?’ ’s voice sounded like he didn’t want to hear that the damage had already been done. ‘She called me this morning. Hotel phone. Asked me if I wanted to join her on a sightseeing trip. Her boyfriend had too much to drink, major hangover and so she thought of me’ ‘How come she thought of you?’ interrupted. ‘We had a talk and a dance the other night, at the after party. just went for it. I could’ve said no, you know’ ‘And why didn’t you. she’s got a boyfriend’ couldn’t sit down any longer and shot up. ‘Cause I’m in love with her, . I saw her in the lift yesterday and I could hardly breath. I needed to be with her today. I needed to get to know her and I did.’ ‘Where’s she now, if you’re so in love with her?’ ‘She’s with her boyfriend’ rolled his eyes. ‘I’m seeing her later tonight’ looked up at his friend to see how he was going to react. ‘Good. You can tell her, you’re quitting it’ sat back down. ‘I knew you were gonna say that’. ‘Well if you knew that, then you know WHY I’m saying it’ lay a hand on his shoulder. ‘Yes , I do. But I’m not going to end it’ ‘’ shot up again, like a bullet from a gun, when the trigger’s been pulled. ‘. Do you honoustly think I want to be in a situation like this. I’m falling for her and I’m falling fast and yes there’s a 50 percent guarantee that I’ll get my heart broken, but I’ll never know if we don’t try. But it’s not just about me. I’m not in this alone. There’s ’s boyfriend and herself. She’s putting a lot on the line too. Her career is just lifting off, this could do major damage, if it came out.’ ‘Then make sure you end it before it can get that far’ tried to talk sense into him again. ‘YOU’RE NOT LISTENING’ shouted. was taken aback. They had fights, and they shouted, but never had it been like it was now. There was a long silence between the two friends. ‘ .. I.. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you’ put his head in his hands. sat down again and lay an arm around ’s shoulder. ‘She’s gotten to you big time, hasn’t she?’ he said, with a little smirk. ‘Yes, she’s gotten to me big time’ nodded. ‘I’m not saying I’m proud of ye or that I’m behind ye on this, but if you ever need a talk. I’ll be there for ye’

A few blocks up ahead, Michael was trying very hard to make up for his party behaviour. The table he had booked in the fancy restaurant he had taken , was a single table out on the terrace. It was the only table on the terrace. There was a four armed chandelier put on the middle of it. Around them was a wall of yellow and red roses. ‘It looks beautiful Mickey’ smiled. She was being sincere. ‘But I bet you wouldn’t do this if you hadn’t had to make something right’ she thought. Then she tried to remember spontaneous romantic gestures or acts by the hand of Michael. tried really really hard, but the only romantic things he ever did was when he was seducing her or had to make up for something he had done to upset her. Like the time, a few years ago when he had gone out with his mates and forgot that he promised her to take her to her audition. ended up being late and without an audition. To make up for it, Michael had tried ringing the record company to beg for another chance. He just never had wanted to tell exactly how he had gotten them to invite her for an second chance. She did go on audition that time, but without Michael and she didn’t get signed. To soften the blow Michael had made a warm bath, a cup of tea and lots of chocolate.
‘.. sorry that I ruined your big night’ had only half heard what Michael said, being so lost in her memories. ‘Sorry sweetheart, what did you say?’ Michael sighed. ‘ , is there something you need to tell me? You’ve been in and out of zone since last night.’ ‘Michael, I already told you, it was nerves’ ‘Then what is it now?’ ‘I don‘t want to be with you any more.’ her head nearly screamed. ‘I’m overwhelmed. I was just thinking that it would be nice if we did this more often’ managed to swallow the bad words. This wasn’t giving Michael a fair chance. Michael smiled. ‘Well then I guess I have to screw up lots more then’.
They sat through dinner quietly. Michael didn’t ask about her sightseeing trip and hardly answered when asked what he had done during the day. And as the evening progressed, she longed to be with more and more.

‘So, how about a little lovin’’ Michael asked, when they stood waiting for the lift, back at the hotel. watched the clock. It was a quarter to eleven. Michael started leaving butterfly kisses in her neck.
raised her right hand and faked a big yawn. ‘I’m sorry Michael, I’ve had an exiting day, walking around town you know. I’m knackered’
She looked him in the eyes, seeing that he took the bate. ‘Off course. How stupid of me. How was your trip?’ Michael asked, as they entered the lift which had arrived. ‘It was fantastic. Saw lots of things and kissed another man’ ‘Did you win anything kissing him?’ Michael seemed generally clueless. ‘No’ shook her head and pretended to give another yawn. The bell told them they were at the right floor. ‘I’ll see you in the morning then’ Michael kissed her cheek ‘Sleep tight, sweetheart’ ‘Thank you Mickey. Sleep well’ hurried out the lift. She grabbed her phone from her purse and opened it quickly ‘I’m back. Give me ten’
smiled softly when he read the message. Tonight was going to be a good night.


Chapter 5:

’s heartbeat couldn’t decide wether to race or to beat it’s normal pace when he walked down the hallway to ’s room. He straightened his jacket before he knocked on the door.
opened the door, wearing a long sleepshirt. ‘Hey’ she smiled softly. ‘Hi’ he replied. She stepped aside to let him in. ‘Want something to drink?’ asked. ‘Yeah, something strong if you have it?’ he smiled nervously ‘Something strong?’ she raised a brow. ‘Yeah’ he nodded.
only then noticed was quite nervous. She walked towards him ‘Michael is not here you know. I wouldn’t have let you in, if he was’. took his hand. ‘I know.’ nodded. ‘I know’ he repeated, nodding his head again.. draped her arms around his waist ‘There’s only you’ she kissed his chest ‘.. and me’ she kissed his neck. ‘And no Michael’ Her lips reached his.

felt himself drowning in the light pressure that was applied by ’s lips on his. They felt soft and juicy.
felt his hands roam over her body, her skin burning where he last touched her. ‘Make love to me ’ she whispered in his ear. It were words that didn’t need repeating. picked her up from the floor and carried her to the bedroom. He lay her on the bed, so tender and carefull it was like she was a porcelain doll, then climbed on himself. He lay next to her, just observing her. ‘What?’ felt herself blush. ‘Nothing, I just want to look at how beautiful you are’ lifted his hand and lightly caressed her cheek. felt her belly do flip flops. slowly leaned in and kissed her lips. His hand glided from her cheek to her , working it’s way up. got lost in his touch, the tenderness he touched her with, it was mesmerizing. Even in a few years from then, the only man could remember making love to the first time would be .
was all about giving her attention instead of using her for his own pleasure. was awake along time after living the afterglow. She listened to ’s easy breathing and watched his torso rise and fall. traced a finger lightly up and down his chesthair. ‘I love you, ’ she whispered in the dark.

Not having set an alarm. and both jumped awake at the loud knock on the door. A muffled voice begging to let him in, told them it was Michael. ‘SHIT’ hissed. ‘Under the bed, now’ whispered, while draping a sheet around herself. made a dive.
‘Michael’ smiled as she opened the door. ‘Why aren’t you dressed. We need to leave in 30 minutes’ ’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. ‘Oh my god. I totally overslept’ she freaked out. ‘Didn’t pack a thing?’ ‘No’ ‘Shall I do it while you take a quick shower?’ ‘Yes, pppleease’ ‘Where’s your suitcase?’ ‘Under.. THE BED’ started shouting. ‘Why are you shouting, I’m right next to you’ Michael frowned. ‘I yawned. I was yawning, I wasn’t shouting. Do you have another hangover’ ‘I barely drank any alcohol last night . I do NOT have a hang over’ Michael crossed his arms infront of his chest.
Meanwhile, had hidden behind a curtain. His heart beated franticly. He had pushed his clothes under the bed. ‘I’ll get my suitcase out’ dropped to the floor and checked under the bed to make sure, wasn’t lying under it. Seeying only his clothes, as she took the suitcase out.

‘Right, now hop hop, only 25 minutes left’ Michael marched her into the bathroom. While showering, ’s heart raced. She heared Michael move about the room, checking the big cupboard and then… ‘Honeybun, there are some guys clothes under your bed’ Michael walked into the bathroom, holding them up. popped her head from behind the shower curtain. ‘yes I know, can you believe it. They’ve been lying there all week. Guess the cleaners aren’t doing their jobs’ she shrugged. It was a lucky thing her face was wet from the water coming from the showerhead or Michael would see the sweatdrops forming on her brow. Right, I’ll take them down now, I’m done packing for you’ ‘Already?’ ‘Yes, you didn’t have much unpacked’ Michael shrugged. ‘Just leave them on the bed, OK?’ ‘ , they didn’t clean them up for a week, it’s lucky you don’t want to file a complaint’ ‘I don’t, but I don’t want you to go up to them and say ‘hey, look what you left lying about’. Leave them on the bed, the cleaners will find them and problem is solved’ she smiled sweetly. Michael looked at her for a minute or two and then sighed. ‘You are to good, ’ he smiled. ‘I’ll leave them on the bed then. I’m gonna go take my suitcase down. See you in 15, OK?’ he walked up to her and kissed her shortly. ‘Yes. I’ll be down in 15 minutes’ nodded.

Michael left the bathroom, turned of the shower to make sure he was really gone. Then she quickly stepped out of the showercabin and ran into the bedroom. was already putting on all of his clothes in a hurry. ‘I’m so so sorry, ’ ‘We’re lucky we didn’t get cought. That was close. Fab outfit, babe’ chuckled while he watched the wet naked beauty watching him hop around the room putting on his socks and shoes. ‘Have a safe trip, sweetheart. I’ll check in with you when I get back, OK?’ He stopped hopping for a second. ‘Yes, OK’ nodded. quickly kissed her then ran from the room, like his but was on fire.
Fifteen minutes later, a clean shaven watched check out of the hotel. He dared to be cheeky and walked up to her and Michael, who held on to ’s hand. ‘So, you’re leaving huh?’ he asked. ‘Yes, I am. Homeward bound’ smiled softly. ‘Have a good flight. Bye Michael, take care of that girl now, ye hear’ reached for Michael’s hand. ‘I will’ Michael took it to shake it. ‘Bye’ winked at .

Just before got on the plane, she sent a last text message.
‘Missing you already. Wish it was you sitting on the plane next to me. Can’t wait to see you when you’re back. Take care, have a save trip. Xx ’ smiled softly as he read the text message. He closed his phone and tucked it away. ‘What are you smiling about?’ asked. ‘Nothing’ smiled again. ‘ ’s got a girl’ smirked. ‘I do not have a girl’ tried to sound offended. ‘O yess. The has a girl’ grinned broadly. ‘, don’t dare say it again. I do not have a girl’ got agitated. ‘ , I’ve known you half your life. I can read you like a book and that smile on your ugly mug is a ‘I’ve got a girl’ smile’ said, in a tone that said he was convinced of him being right. ‘Fine then. If you want to hear it so eagerly. I’ve got a girl’ spat. ‘A girl, that isn’t entirely ‘mine’ he added in his head. But right now, that was only a fact that was worth knowing. He looked up at his friends, seeying a look of observation in ’s eyes. knew then, that soon wasn’t going to be the only one knowing the full truth.


Chapter 6 :

Time today flies by like the life of a one day fly and so it was that and didn’t see each other physically until three months after they started their affair down under.

They spent every Michael free second on the phone, well that is to say when they weren‘t on a plane or busy doing work related things. They texted each other daily learning each others sceduale for the day off by head and if they ever found a moment of peace and quiet which involved a computer or laptop or a cell phonel.

‘Hey babe’,
Going to record an extra track for the new single. Will be in London for a week. Any chance of meeting up?’ xx lover ;-)

‘Hey lover’,
Boyfriend will be busy doing stuff for this new band he‘s in. Think there’s a chance to meet up. Let me know when you arrive and I’ll see what I can do. Big kiss. Babe

‘Hope there’s a chance to meet up. Can’t wait to have you in my arms’.

‘Can’t wait to be in your arms’

read the line at least a hundred times before she pressed ‘send’. It gave her a tingly feeling in her belly, thinking about being in ’s arms. It wasn’t only that thought about him that made her feel those tingles. It was every thought about him that made her feel that way.

Miles away from , the last text message she sent was read by . The words made him smile. Absence makes the heart grow fonder they say and how true it was. He had longed for her every day and night since the morning he had ran out of her hotelroom in Australia. He wanted to feel her body underneath his, kiss her lips with the fire he burned in, but most of all he just wanted to be with her, knowing that she was with him, seeing her, holding her. Everything Michael had been able to do in the passed three months. It angered when he thought of Michael being with ., but were they ready to become a couple? They had been separated from eachother for three months, and lots can happen in three months. Though the communication between the two had not given the impression might want to stop their affair, but he could not be to sure of that as they hadn’t physically seen each other. Hearing each other on the phone or reading each others words on a display didn’t stand up to seeing each others facial expressions. ‘This is ridiculous , would not lead you on’ he then said out loud to himself.
The doorbell rang. He got up and lifted the bag with golf clubs onto his shoulder. ‘Goooodmorning, ready for a game of golf. I may beat you today’ smiled brightly. Seeying the smile on his friends face lifted ’s spirits. He hated being insecure and he knew he should have more fait in ’s feelings for him. ‘Dream on, ’ chuckled and pulled the door closed behind him.

Two days later ’s palms felt sweaty as she sat waiting in the arrival hall of Heathrow airport. There were a lot of fans waiting with signs not far from where she sat. They were talking exitedly about the lads. One of them was even going on and on about how she was going to try impress , she would make sure ‘ wasn’t going to be single anymore’. As the girl so elegantly put her desire into words. then had a brilliant idea coming to her, which she was going to put into action.
‘The flight has landed. They’ll be here soon’ a petite redhaired girl came walking back in a hurry. The group of girls started chatting more exited then ever. felt her stomach twist and turn as nerves started to swim around. She knew was expecting her, but she also knew that the other guys would be there too. Another thing she knew, was that those lads knew, wasn’t the only male she was seeing. To make a long story short : she was scared of how ’s friends would react to her.

While on their way to the luggage depo to pick up their suitcases was about to share the news of the secret affair to and . ‘ , . There’s something I need to tell you.’ said, his voice quivering with nerves. ‘Your girl is coming to meet you here?’ asked. ’s eyes turned wide. ‘You’ve been nervous since you got on the plane in Dublin mate’ winked. ‘Well that’s not the only thing I need to tell you’ ‘It’s someone we know, already figured that out too’ patted him on the shoulder. ‘Yeah, yeah it’s someone you know’ nodded. ‘But there’s another thing that I need to tell you. Something that could change your opinion of her’ ‘What is it? Does she have another boyfriend or something?’ frowned. ‘On the spot Keano’ nodded. had turned pale. ‘You’re having an affair’ hissed, knowing that if he would shout the word ’affair’ out loud, someone would overhear them and run to the press. ’Technically, she’s having an affair’ stammered. ’What’s her name?’ ’It’s . You know her better under the name ’Raven’’ ’That weird goth girl? What the hell does she want with you?’ snapped. ’She’s not weird.’ shot in defensive mode. ’Lads, fighting about this isn’t going to help any of us. I’ve already told that it wasn’t a smart idea, but you know the fool when he’s in love. When he told me he was in love with her, I promised to be supportive, even if I didn’t agree with it’ ’You knew?’ ’s mouth dropped. ’Well I suspected something was up. And yeah, I don’t agree with it for lots of reasons, but I can see that she makes you happy and if that’s good enough for you , then it’s good enough for me. Haven’t seen that smile for a long time, so I say, whatever keeps that smile on your face, stuck to it’ said calmly. ’How can you be so calm. This could ruin a lot for us as a band, but also for her. You know how Brian got shot down by Kerry and the press when they split up. Her boyfriend could well do the same’ seemed to have regained the ability of speech. ‘It’s not going to be anything like that, ’ tried to convince both of them, saying that. ‘Quit her, . Do yourself, her and us a favor’ hissed again, giving him a warning look. ‘ , shut up. Can’t you see the guy’s in love. Did you see that smile on his face over the past few weeks. Yes it’s risky. Yes it could do a lot of damage when the media finds out, but he’s not been this happy for months. Obviously this thing he’s got going on with makes him happy and like I said just now : whatever makes happy, makes me happy. No, we would not have done it ourselves, but we’re going to be supportive’ pinched his friends shoulder. Trying to prevent a heavy row between the two friends. looked frustrated and angry and looked miserable. ‘Fine’ grumbled. ‘But don’t come crying to me when it all blows up in your face’ he added. ‘Thank you, ’ found he could produce a small smile on his lips. then let his angry face go. ‘So, how did that happen then?’ he smiled.

’s heart started beating as she recognized her secret boyfriend walking towards the luggage carrier where he would get his suitcase.
It took another twenty minutes. All the gathered fans were already screaming and hopping up and down to see a glimpse of their idols. was the first to push his luggage cart out into the arrival hall, then , then and last was . found the girl who had tried to impress the other girls, then walked up to with a confident smile and kissed him deeply on his lips. Hearing all the fans around them gasp.


Chapter 7:

‘That was a surprisingly warm welcome’ whispered as they pulled apart. blushed slightly. ‘There’s someone amongst the fans who was speaking quite loud that she was going to pull you. Just thought I would show her, there’s already someone who did’ she said quietly as possible. ‘So, I wouldn’t even have gotten a kiss if there wasn’t a girl to be made jealous?’ chuckled incensed. ‘Well, of course there would be a kiss’ felt herself turn red. ‘But it wouldn’t have been this fantastic’ winked. ‘Probably not’ could hardly look at him. ‘You’re just gonna have to make up for that one then, but not here. There’s at least one of them who’s gonna put a picture of us up on facebook or myspace or where ever they can so that they can say they spotted me having a girlfriend first’
Another pang of guilt exploded inside of . It made her realise she hadn’t really thought of what consequences could follow her actions.
had only thought about how to make the girls jealous. ‘I’m sorry, . I didn’t think’ she softly said. ‘It’s OK, love. Might give us a bit of trouble, but that’s the risk of being a triangle relationship like we are’ shrugged. ‘ , we’re heading for the hotel. Would the lady and you care to join us?’ called out to him. ‘Yeah mate, we’re coming’ grabbed the handle of his luggage cart. understood the message : no PDA. And so found that she didn’t like having an affair. Having to keep things secret, while all she wanted to do is show that she cared about him. And it was going to be more difficult now too. Her kiss- -to-tell-a-loud-fan-he’s-mine action would cost them. Fans now knew could no longer be tagged as single. There would indeed be a picture on the internet and messageboards would soon have a topic ’ ’s new girlfriend’.
Paparazzi would swerm over the Westlife camp when they would get air of this, all and had to do is count down to the minute that that would happen.

intertwined his fingers with ’s during the ride to the hotel. ‘I just made it a whole lot more difficult, didn’t I?’ she asked quietly, afraid to look him in the eyes. ‘Sort of, maybe. I guess’ shrugged. ‘I didn’t think’ sighed. ‘Well, it was good in sort of a way’ squeezed her hand. turned her head to look at him. ‘How?’ ‘Well, if you performed a thoughtless act to make someone jealous then it tells me that you care’ he smiled. felt her stomach do a cartwheel. ‘Well I do care’ she nodded. ‘Oh really?’ smiled, leaning closer to her. ‘Yes, really’ giggled slightly. ‘Good, cause I care a lot too’ caressed her cheek, before brushing his lips against hers. ‘I love you, ’ whispered as they broke apart, her eyes still closed. When she opened them looked shocked. ‘I’m sorry’ looked unsure. She had outted her exact feelings for him and now he would tell her, he didn’t love her back. But her fear was pushed aside when time had caught up with them again and she realised was kissing her ‘I love you, ’ he whispered against her lips before kissing her again.

Ten minutes later, the two separately left the van on either side of it. ‘Hi, I’m ’ ’s band mate introduced himself, as they had all gotten out of the vans. ‘Hi, ’ she shook his hand. The motions repeated themselves with and . They all went inside. ‘So, you three kind of hate me, don’t you?’ quietly asked , while , and were checking in. was stumped by this question. ‘Well hate is a big word’ ‘But you aren’t exactly happy to see me at your friends side’ pressed on. ‘ . loves you allright? And we have seen fall in love with girls that weren’t his to have before. And you are not a girl that he should have. We just don’t want to see him get hurt again. I can see where this is going with him and he’s heading for heartbreak hotel. When you leave, . It’s us that have to pick up all the pieces again’ sighed.
‘What pieces?’ asked. ‘Nothing mate, just having a chat’ smiled. ‘What about?’ frowned. ‘I asked how he, and feel about me, . And gave me a very honoust answer, which I admire. I now know and I don’t want you to become angry or upset with you bandmates’ answered. ‘Right’ nodded. ‘There’s something I want to add to that , if I may’ turned to her. ‘Sure’
looked at him. ‘We may not agree on ’s choice, but we have promised him and I’m making that promise to you now that we will support the two of you any way we can’ nodded ‘Thank you’ ‘C’mon babe’ took her hand and led her to the lifts.

‘So, does this change things?’ asked, while they were waiting for the lift. ‘Your three closest friends don’t like me, we’re close to being discovered, I’m about to ruin my, yours or both our careers. No, it doesn’t change a thing’ shook her head, trying to laugh, but noticed she was only trying to be positive for him. ‘Do you want to quit?’ he asked. ‘Quit? Didn’t we just say we loved each other.’ ‘Well yeah, but but we’re not in to deep yet. We can still quit, now that we’re ahead’ ‘So you want to send me back to Michael knowing that I love you more, break your own heart, break my heart and have the lads hate me more then ever, cause they are the ones having to pick up the pieces of what’s left of you’ summed up all the consequences. sighed. ‘No, no not at all’ A cheeky grin spread across his lips. He scooped her into his arms. ‘The only thing I want to do, is take you upstairs and make love to you’ he softly said, leaving a trail of butterfly kisses from her neck to her lips. ‘That sounds like a far better idea Mr. ’ smiled. They shared another kiss as the lift arrived and the doors opened.

‘Welcome to my humble abode’ opened the door for her. Being a rising star had seen quite a few luxurious rooms, but still every time she walked into one her mouth just dropped open, like now. ‘Wow’ she gasped. ‘Great isn’t it?’ smiled. ‘Do you ever get used to it?’ asked, leaning against the head banister of the comfortable looking sofa. ‘I’m used to it, but I’ve only stayed in this hotel like umpteen times’ he shrugged. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. If I hadn’t needed more room, I’d go right back to my first appartment in London’ smiled softly, her eyes unfocused as she remembered the small amount of space she had to move around in the first appartment she had ever owned. Even though ‘ever’ had only been long ago. ‘How come you needed more space?’ ‘I used to write my songs on my bed or on the sofa. They were ten steps away from one another. So I decided I needed a new apartment, with a room I could write in and I was gonna put all my awards in there too’ blushed a little. ‘You had some big plans’ slowly walked towards her. ‘Dreams really’ replied. ‘What happened?’ stood half an inch away from her. ‘I worked hard, I made a tape, sent it to a record company, got a fantastic hard working team behind me and nine months later my career was launched’ explained. draped his arms around her waist, taking the last step that would connect his body with hers. ‘Then what happened’ ‘Then teens and emo kids and some Westlife fans in secret started listening to my song and then my album and then suddenly I was number one in ten different countries and then some people decided I had to get rewarded for my and my teams hard work’ ‘Oh really?’ pushed the collar of ’s vest aside and like he’d done downstairs left a trail of butterfly kisses in her neck. ‘Yes, really’ sighed. ‘And then what?’ reached her earlobe and started nibbling on it. closed her eyes and tried hard to keep her breathing steady and to find words that wouldn’t leave her lips as a sigh or a moan. ‘I got to go to this award show and as I’m in the lift of the hotel, a guy steps in and complete..ly blowszz me away’ ‘Did he?’ kissed the skin from her ear to her brow. ‘He did’ nodded. ‘And then?’ ‘And then we started an affair and right now I want him so so bad’ she breathed deeply. It was then ’s lips landed on hers. kissed him passionately. pushed her vest of her shoulders, pulled his shirt over his head, pulled her top over hers, opened the buttons on ’s jeans, picked her up from the floor and carried her to the bedroom.
‘I love you, ’ said before he took her away to heaven.


Chapter 8:

In another world,
We would fall in love you see,
And the sun would shine
For you and me yeah

Lying in his arms felt content and complete. It was a feeling she hadn’t had with Michael for a long time and in silence she decided that she was going to leave him. It was better for everyone if they were ahead of trouble. Times were going to be hard, but as long as she had by her side, she knew everything would be fine in the end.

Even if Michael had taken her for granted and the love for him had gone completely, knew that he didn’t deserve hearing his girlfriend was fooling around with someone else through the papers or magazines. She was going to tell him that evening. ‘Penny for your thoughts’ brought her back to the reality of the moment. ‘Keep that penny. I was just thinking of some stuff I gotta take care of today. Is there a chance I could sleep here tonight?’ ‘Sure’ nodded. smiled. ‘Great! I’m gonna shower’ hopped out of bed and without giving any explanation locked herself in the bathroom. watched the bathroom door for a moment, wondering what was up to. Then he decided, that when was ready, she would tell him what suddenly popped up in her head. He was still in bed, playing an online game on his laptop when came out of the bathroom. She had wrapped a towel around her body. ‘You should’ve thought about taking your clothes into the bathroom, you’ll need another shower walking around like this’ commented. felt her cheeks blush. ‘No time. I really need to get home. I’ll see you tonight, yeah?’ hurried about the room to get her clothes on. ‘Yeah, sure’ nodded. ’Good, see ye then’ she placed a kiss on his lips and left the room.

‘She just suddenly left?’ asked ’Yeah, got up and left’. nodded and took a sip from his drink. The two friends were at the bar of the hotel. ‘Without any form of explanation’ ‘Nope, only thing she asked was wether she could sleep here tonight. And that she’d be back later’ took another sip of his drink. ‘Right’ nodded, taking a sip from his own drink. Then a thought came to ’s mind. He contemplated running it by his friend. ‘Do you suppose..she’s erm..do you think she’s.’ sighed. ‘Do you think she’s breaking up with Michael?’ ‘Could be, I don’t know mate. I don’t know her well. Actually I don’t know at all, but I think she’ll tell you what she’s been up to when she gets back here’ patted on the shoulder. ‘Yeah, I’m sure she will’ nodded.
Meanwhile, had arrived in her apartment. Michael would soon come over and then she would break the news. She wondered if she was doing the right thing. Of course everything had it’s pro’s and con’s. Even wasn’t perfect, but then she remembered how she had felt that afternoon, after their love making. How she had felt whole and remembered that she had thought she hadn’t felt that way in a long time.
She walked over to the bookcase where she also kept her photoalbums. She took the ones in which she knew there were photo’s of Michael.

started paging through the albums, one by one. Seeying the photo’s, re-visiting the various events where the shots had been taken. Seeying the love shine in her eyes, when the rectangle shaped image showed Michael and herself gazing at each other. felt a smile creep on her lips everytime, but felt that that smile wasn’t enough anymore. The pages showed passed times, pages of a chapter about to end. She knew the days that would follow weren’t going to be the easiest. Breaking up is never easy or enjoyable, not even for the person that was ending the relationship.
understood very well that right now a man was on his way to her. Thinking about her smile, thinking about her eyes, looking forward to see her, looking forward to kiss her. Not knowing that she was about to rip his heart of his chest and trample over it. Quietly came to terms with the fact that Michael would never smile again when she entered a room where he was also, that he would never speak lovingly of her again when her name was mentioned. knew she was about to lose one of the persons she had been most close too. Then she noticed there were silent tears running down her cheeks.

closed the last photo album and put them back in their places, then she went into the bedroom, to pack her overnight bag. She was busy folding up her nighty, when she heard Michael’s voice. ‘Baby, are you here?’. looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were slightly puffy from crying and the top of her nose was red. She felt like throwing up, she felt like backing out, she felt like a pudding that was about to crash into a blob as to many pieces had been cut out to keep it standing up. breathed in and out deeply. She had to face the music some time. ‘Yeah, I’m here’ she called out, then turned to the door and walked to the lounge.
Michael was sat on the sofa, the t.v. was on and a beer bottle was resting in the palm of his hand. He looked up at her, then back at the tv and then back at her again, as he had noticed something unusual on his girlfriends face. ‘Have you been crying?’ he asked. Concern spread on his face, like wrinkles on the water. ‘Yeah, yeah I have’ nodded. ‘Why? What happened?’ Michael reached out his arm to gesture her to come sit down. ’Nothing happened Michael, it’s about what I’m going to do’ she breathed out. Michael’s next expression was confusion. ’What do you mean?’
felt tears well in her eyes. ‘I’m leaving Michael’ she said it so softly, she wondered if he had heared it. ‘Leaving? Do they have a extra spontanious promo trip planned?’ Michael didn’t see the storm overhead yet. ‘No Michael, I’m leaving you. I’m ending this’. saw how the light turned on in her ex-boyfriends head. ‘Why? You know I love you. I know I haven’t said it much lately or showed it clearly, but I love you’ desperation oozed from his mouth. ‘I.. don’t .. love ..you…any-more’ mouthed her feelings between sobs.

It were the words that broke Michael. ‘Is there someone else?’ he asked. She bit her lip, then stuttered ‘Y-y-yhes’ . Michael nodded. was wondering wether he was going to sign any signs of rage, she was waiting for the second he would lose his cool. ‘When did you meet him?’ ‘Three months ago. In Australia’ ‘When we were there for that awardshow?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Was he there?’ ‘Yes, he was’ ‘Did you see him the day after the award show?’ ‘I did’ ‘Have you seen him, over the last three months?’ ‘No, I haven’t’ ‘When are you seeing him again?’ ‘I’m going over to his tonight’ It felt like an interrogation. ‘So let me get this straight. You’re leaving me. Your boyfriend, the man who’s been beside you for 5 years, has supported you from the day you met him. Has been there for you day and night, for better and for worse and you’re giving that all up for a guy, for a guy you haven’t seen for three months?’ Michael asked. ‘Yes’ whimpered. ‘BULLSHIT’ Michael jumped up and threw the beer bottle through the room. It crashed into pieces against a vase, which also crashed. Splinters of brown and normal glass lay scattered around the floor. ‘I’ll send someone for my things later this week. I hope you’ll be happy’Michael put on his jacket. He was stood in the doorway when he turned to her ‘I hope you won’t regret this , I’m not coming back when it blows up in your face’ having said that, he turned round and slammed the door shut behind him. ‘Goodbye, Michael’ said softly.

was staring at the ceiling of his hotel room, when the sound of the room’s phone, startled him. ‘Room 457, speaking’ he answered. ‘Mr . There’s a lady down here at the reception. Says you’re expecting her’ ‘If it’s Miss , then you may send her up’ He heard the female voice ask for identification on the other end of the line. ‘Mr . Miss is on her way, sir’ ‘Thank you’ ‘You’re welcome sir, have a pleasant evening’ ‘Thank you, you too’ ‘Thank you, sir’ then hung up. Five minutes later, there was a loud knock on the door.
walked to the door and opened it. He was met by the tightest hug he had ever had. ‘ ?’ ‘Just hold me’ she whispered. He took a few steps back, dragging her with him and closed the door with his foot. All the while keeping firmly against him. They didn’t break their pose for at least ten minutes. When he felt her loosen her grip, he finally allowed himself to ask the question that had been waiting on the tip of his tongue since he posed it to in the bar earlier that afternoon. ‘Did you break up with Michael?’ nodded. pulled her in for another hug. ‘I couldn’t do it anymore . What I did this morning at the airport, I didn’t want Michael to find out through the media that his girlfriend wasn’t true to him. And when I was in your arms I just knew I had to do it. I love you . I want to be with you, I want us to be a real honest couple. I want to tell the world that you’re the man for me and I want us to be able to get out of a car on the same side, to hold hands while walking into a hotel or down a street’ stopped her from talking by laying an indexfinger on her lips. ‘Shhh’ he smiled, then pressed his lips on hers. ‘I love you ’ he smiled, as he pulled away.


Chapter 9:

‘Hmmmm, I can get used to this’ said as he had pulled close to him. They had just gotten into bed. smiled ‘Me too..‘ ‘and fortunately we can’ she added. It brightened ’s smile even more. ‘I know’. The two were silent for a while, each lost in their thoughts. ‘I don’t even have to hide under the bed if someone unexpectedly walks in’ chuckled, did too. ‘We were so lucky that day’ ’I was lucky too still have my clothes. I don’t think the hotel staff would’ve liked me walking around naked around the hallway’ ‘I wouldn’t have minded’ teased him. ‘How do you feel?’ all of the sudden turned serious. ‘What do you mean, how do I feel? I feel happy, I feel content, I feel I am where I should be’ shrugged. ‘Yeah, but you ended a long time relationship today. As of this afternoon, I am the person you’re seeing. We‘re steady now. I’m not the other man anymore, I am your boyfriend. When you want to talk to the man you love, it’ll be me’ ‘Well that was the whole point of ending it with Michael. Cause you are the man I love, you are the man I want to talk to, you are the man I want to see and you are my boyfriend now. No more deleting sweet text messages, no more wishing I was with someone else, that someone else being you off course. As of this afternoon, like you said, we’re steady’ snuggled into him more. ‘I’m not letting you go , not ever’ she whispered. tightened his grip around her. ‘But what if you turn while you sleep?’ joked. laughed lightly. ‘Sleep tight’ she heared her boyfriend whisper. ‘Sleep tight’ she said, closing her eyes, falling asleep along the rhythm of the chest rising and falling beneath her.

The next morning, was woken by the fact that was watching her sleep. While she was slowly coming back to the world of the awakened, she had had the strange feeling someone was watching her and when opening her eye, she found her man had his eyes on her. Seeing his smile, his ruffled hair, his smiling eyes and his half naked chest, felt her breath get caught in hers. ‘I can get used to waking like this too’ she smiled. pushed the strains of hair out of her face. He softly stroked her cheek. ‘Goodmorning beautiful’ he smiled and placed a tender kiss on her lips. ‘Morning’ she said. ‘You had a good sleep I assume?’ ‘How long have you been watching me?’ ‘Oh not that long’ ‘What time did you wake up?’ ‘8’ish’ ‘What time is it now?’ ‘9.15am’ ‘You’ve been watching me over an hour?’ gasped. ‘Pretty much’ nodded. ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ ‘I did want to wake you up, at first, but I realised I had already been watching you for ten minutes, so I decided I’d let you wake up all by yourself’ a soft smile spread across ’s lips. ‘So, you’ve been watching me for 75 minutes and not even once did you think about doing something else. Like order breakfast in bed or take a shower or write a song’ ‘Nope. I thoroughly enjoyed wasting my time watching the most beautiful woman I have ever had in my bed’ ‘The most beautiful? What other beautiful women did you have in your bed?’ playfully raised an eyebrow. ‘None has a name that you would know, but they were pretty’ answered. ‘So now they are just pretty. Maybe I should one day search for your little black book and call all the girls, to tell them you thought they are no longer beautiful but only pretty’ continued her teasing. ‘I don’t have a little black book, I burned it before I came here’ laughed, winking. ‘Right, then I’ll get some magazine to place an small article which headlines ‘To all the women that dated ’ tried to keep a straight face. ‘You missy, will do no such thing. I watched you sleep cause I love watching you. You are a vision, awake or asleep and I want to watch you any time I can. I don’t call that waist of time, I call it enjoying myself’ rolled on top of her. ‘And what do you call this?’ asked, as he gazed into her eyes and she felt herself getting lost in his stare. ‘I call it seduction’ smiled and crashed his lips on hers without warning.

was kissing his way down ’s neck, when ’s phone rang. ‘Let it ring’ he said. ‘Could be who‘s telling you that we‘re outted.’ ‘Jooooo’ wined. ‘Shaaaane’ wined back. ‘Allright already. Partypooper’. His phone had stopped ringing. ‘Hah, no emergency’ he smiled and started nuzzling her neck, when his mobile started ringing again. ‘ ’ he answered. ‘Finally, were you still sleeping?’ It was indeed on the other end of the line. ‘Morning to you too, is there something wrong?’ ‘No. Just wondering if you would care to join me and the other two ugly mugs at breakfast downstairs. The four of us’ ‘Could you make that five?’ ‘Is there?’ as much as his friend tried to hide it, could pick out the dislike in his voice. ‘Yes, is here and that’s a good thing, cause it’s a good chance for all of you to get to know each other, besides, we’ve got some news for you. Which I won’t say nothing about until we’re all together downstairs. So, how long have we got?’ ‘Thirty minutes, or should I make it 45?’ mocked. ‘See ya in half an hour, mate’ hung up. ‘ really hates me, doesn’t he?’ said, as he looked back at her. ‘It’s not personal , he’s just worried that our relationship is gonna effect our career. I think he’s spent to much time with Louis, he’s gone all business on us over the last 10 years. Mate like, but still business.’ ‘Well he’s right to hate me, if that’s the only reason for his dislike’ ‘And he’s got nothing to worry about anymore now that we’re officially and no other strings attached together’ ‘But doesn’t know that yet, does he?’ winked. ‘No, but you did hear me say to him that we’ve got something to tell them’ ‘I did’ ‘And that’s what we’re gonna tell them. We are together. Officially and no-other-strings-attached together’ ‘Right, so how many minutes do we have left?’ ‘Twenty-five’ ‘I better get in the shower then’.

The new couple was five minutes late to the breakfast table, where , and sat. Two places were still available. ‘Goodmorning’ smiled. ‘Goodmorning’ they chorused politely. ‘Guys, we’ve got an announcement to make’ ‘ ’s pregnant’ shot. ‘You’ve been caught?’ raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re eloping?’ asked, a sly grin on his lips. ‘Guys, what do you take us for? I was gonna tell..’ ‘I’ve left Michael’ interrupted him. The three guys were flabbergasted. ‘I’ve left Michael because I love more then I words can say. has made me come back to life, is Prince Phillip to my Aurora. He kissed me awake, when I had been sleeping for so long. I ended my relationship with Michael because I want and me to be a real, honest couple and I want us to be able to go out in public. I love , guys. He’s the only man for me. I hope you can see that’ she explained. The three man sat quietly staring at her. ‘Good speech, . Would you like some coffee?’ smiled at her. felt the tension ebb away. She had convinced ’s three closest friends of her love for their friend. Another mile stone was passed.

‘So, you coming with us?’ asked. ’May I?’ asked. ’Well yeah, we’ve got friends or family hanging out with us sometimes while we’re in the studio. As long as you’re not gonna mess with all the buttons or make too much noise, you’re welcome’ ‘I’d love to come’ she nodded. ‘Great’ smiled. As they were walking to the lift could hardly believe what had happened during breakfast. ‘Turned like a leaf, when I told them the news, didn’t they?’ she smiled happily. ‘Would you rather they still hated you?’ ‘No. No not at all’ ‘ , when you said those things you said, they could see and hear your feelings for me in your voice and on your face. You were like a bright summer sun, when you were talking. They know now that this is serious.’ raised her hand he had in his own and kissed it. felt herself blush.

Another hour later they were in the studio. ‘So, this is the track we’ll be recording today, I’ll let you hear the demo once again, yeah?’ the producer said. ‘Yeah’ the lads chorused. ‘You’re gonna love this song, ’ whispered in her ear. smiled, she had also gotten a paper where the lyrics of the song were written.

You struck a match inside
This frozen heart of mine
You set my world on fire

Stranded dazed and confused
Stumbling drunk on you
Consumed by my own desire

Tell me how, tell me how
You burn right through me
You undo me yeah
What a way to go
Oh you twist and you turn me
Ignite and stir me yeah
You know I got to learn
How to burn
How to burn

Lost in a stadium full of frowns
Till your smile turned it all around
Now the mention of your name
Fans the flame

A flam that burns right through me

You undo me yeah
What a way to go
Oh you twist and turn me
Ignite and stir me yeah
You know I got to learn how to burn
How to burn

I wanted just to know you
Even just to come close
But everytime we touch
That thought goes up in smoke
Cause you burn

read the lyrics along the music. ‘This is a fantastic song, guys’ she smiled, looking at them all in turn. ‘I just had an amazing idea’ smiled. The guys turned their heads to look at him. ‘Let’s make it a duet with ‘Raven’’ he smiled brightly. ‘Westlife ft Raven? I don’t think Louis’ going to be happy with that’ shook her head. ‘Louis is into any idea which could bring in the money’ ‘Guys, I’m from the gothic scene. My fans aren’t going to buy a Westlife single, just because I sang along on a track’ ‘Maybe they will, just because you are on the single’ ‘But they probably won’t because it’s not what ‘Raven’ does.’ ‘Will you stop being negative. Oh lads I got the whole video in my head already’ had jumped up. ‘Please . It’ll be fun. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be fantastic’ he pleaded with her. looked at the producer for some back up, but he seemed to be on the lads’ side. ‘Just give it a try, hun’ he smiled. ‘Allright, but don’t blame me when it isn’t as fantastic as you think it will be’ surrendered. ‘Don’t worry . I’m mostly right about these things’ winked.


Chapter 10

felt the nerves twist and turn in her stomach as she stepped into the singing booth. She took the headphones that lay ready for her and put them on. She had a bit of practice as she had heard the music and practiced singing along with the lads a few times, but now she had to do it alone. But then again, wasn’t she always alone when it came to singing in the singing booth. ‘Are you ready?’ the producer asked her. Her stomach was still doing flip flops inside her, but nodded. The music started playing in her ears and exactly on que started singing.

‘That was fun’ smiled as they walked along the corridor. It was lunch break and the lads and were going into the city to have lunch somewhere. smiled back at him ‘It was’ she agreed.
They went down in the elevator and walked out of the building, where a million flashes went off in a second; it were paparazzi photographers. ‘Are you two a couple?’ ‘Are you having an affair Raven?’ ‘ , did you steel her away?’ these three and a bunch of other hurtful questions were asked, while Dave and the other 3 lads tried to hurry and out of the battlefield. ‘That.. wasn’t fun’ tried to joke and who was just as shaken as he was, let a small smile cross her lips and then shook her head to tell him she agreed. ‘They’ll probably still be here when you return’ Dave said. ‘Maybe it’s better if the guys return without me being with them’ suggested. ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea’ Dave agreed. ‘But that won’t stop them asking questions’ commented. ‘Well, you’ve been around longer then has been. You’ve got thicker skin’ Dave winked. looked at his girlfriend. She was pale faced and seemed to be in her own little world of thoughts. ‘I think your right Dave. We’ll have lunch at the hotel and then me and the guys are going back’ he took out his cell phone to call the other lads.

‘I’ll be back around 7pm’ said. smiled softly. ‘OK’. ‘See ye soon then’ he kissed her softly. While he walked away he turned and called ‘And baby. It’s the paparazzi, they live to be jerks, remember that OK?’ he winked. ‘Yeah. I’ll remember it’ nodded.
couldn’t help but feel trapped in the hotel. She spent the hours without her boyfriend, watching telly, roaming the internet on the computer and finished the book she was reading.

Two hours before would come back, decided to shake of the bad feeling she had felt during the afternoon by organizing a special night for her and . She ordered room service and spent a three quarters of an hour deciding what to wear.
‘Guys, I’m not coming out with you tonight, if you don’t mind.’ said as they were leaving the building. His three friends looked understanding. They had noticed ’s mood change during lunch and knew that wanted to comfort her by spending some time with her together. ‘We’d do the same if it was any one of us . You go have a good time with your lady.’ patted him on the shoulder. ‘Thanks lads’ smiled. He took his phone out to dial . ‘Hello Mr. ’ a seductive voice answered. raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m sorry I think I dialled in corrective, is this ?’ he asked. ‘Yes Mr. . I am your girlfriend and I can’t wait for you to come back here’ she answered. ‘Are you allright, sweetheart?’ wasn’t sure he was comfortable with ’s sudden change of mood. ‘I’m fine Mr. , just waiting for you to come back to me. I’ve got a surprise for you, so don’t make it too long’ A lightbulb went on in ’s head and he smiled. Apparently had had gotten the same idea as him. ‘I’m on my way baby. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for me’ he said and after having said bye, hang up.

Allthough had sounded positive on the phone, was still nervous. She had been upset when he had left her and she wasn’t sure was in the mood to forget about the bad experience they had earlier that afternoon. She was sat at the dinner table on the chair that stood facing the door, so he could see her when he came in.
The lock was lifted from the door and the handle went down. smiled brightly as her boyfriend walked in. ‘Hi’ she said. ‘Hello Ms Gorgeous’ smiled back at her. met him halfway and that’s where wrapped his arms around her and engulfed her with a passionate kiss. ‘I thought we could make it a special night. Forget about this afternoon and just be together’ said as they broke apart. ‘Sounds fantastic, sweetheart’ smiled. ‘Dinner’ll be here in 15 minutes, I figured you would want to freshen up’ she said. ‘Yeah, I do’ he nodded. softly smiled again.

When walked in, smoothing the creases in his fresh shirt, dinner had arrived and stood next to his chair. The table was beautifully set. Candles were burning, the room lights were dimmed and the smell of the food was wonderfull. Eye-ing felt ready to spend the night with his beautifull woman.
After dinner, went to the sound system and put om some soft music. ‘Does the lady care for a dance?’ he asked, offering her a hand as he arrived at her seat. ‘The lady gladly accept the gentlemens offer’ said and took his hand as she got up. gently wrapped his free arm around her waist. ‘Well, well, well, you truly are a gentlemen’ ‘I’ve only just begun’ he winked. giggled softly. ‘ , I love you. We’re going to get through this together’ he said. ‘I know , I love you too’ she nodded. They kept dancing till the cd stopped playing and then led him to the bedroom.

let his girlfriend take the lead. sat him down on the bed and took a few steps back. She unzipped her dress and let it fall the floor. She then stepped out of the fabric laying on the ground and sat down astride lap. She looked into his eyes, which sparkled brightly in the soft lit room. ‘I love you’ she whispered before gently kissing him.
let his hands roam freely over the already revealed skin, they fell back onto the bed and it was only seconds later when had taken off ’s bra. They rolled over as the passionate yet delicate kissing continued and undid the buttons on ’s shirt. ’s bare skin burned where kissed it. He let her have control and both fell contently asleep in each others arms.

The next morning, they were wakened by ’s phone. ‘ ’ he answered wearily with sleep. ‘Are you sleeping with another mans girlfriend? What the hell are you thinking? Didn’t I tell you not to do that sort of stuff. What are your fans going to think? What do you think the Irish and English people are going to think. This is even worse then when Brian was acused of sleeping with the stripper from his stag party’ ‘Morning Louis’ sighed. ‘Did you listen to any of the things I just said?’ Louis raged on. ‘I have Louis.It would be nice though, if you would listen for a bit’ said, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his free hand. sat up, her arms wrapped around the sheet, her head down. She must’ve heard every word, as Louis spoke very loud. ‘Fact is, that and I did meet and started seeing eachother when she was still with her ex boyfriend, but the media’s got it wrong Louis. is with me now. I didn’t steel her away from her man. She single handedly decided that she wanted to be with me. We are in love Louis and we’re ready for whatever battle we’ve got to fight’ reached for and squeezed her shoulder, she reacted by laying her hand on his squeezing it too. He knew there was a smile but nervous smile on her lips. ’Louis, are you still there?’ he asked, as he could only hear breathing on the other end of the line. ’Yes, . I’m here. She must be special if you make such a strong speech through the phone. Take care, both of you’ ’Thank you, Louis’ smiled. They hung up. ‘Did he tell you to break it off?’ asked, staring ahead of her. started chuckling. ‘Not everyone is against us, baby. He pulled her into his arms. She allowed him and they fell back against the pillows. ‘Louis told me and you. Both of us to take care. For him that means, he just gave me permission to marry you’ looked shocked, which to looked so funny he chuckled again. ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll be getting married someday, but that’s not going to be for another week’ recognized the pun this time and slapped him playfully. ‘Louis’ on our side’ kissed the top of her head. ‘But it’s war, isn’t it?’ sighed, running her hand slowly up and down his torso. ‘Well, there’s some nasty things in the tabloids, but you know how it went down and so do I, there’s nothing they can print, that’s going to hurt us’ ‘I know. I know’ said, still could hear the anxiety in her voice. It hurt him to hear her hurt. He knew how at the start of your career, the paparazzi and all the lies they wrote easily got to you. ‘I love you ’ ‘I love you, ’ she replied.

didn’t have to go into the studio and so they decided to go spend the day in the city. put on her best smile, but still she felt her stumache doing cartwheels.
She was sure they were going to be followed by photographers everywhere. ‘Sweetheart, there are probably photographers waiting outside. Just ignore them OK, they don‘t know anything. I’m right here beside you’ said, as they stepped outside the lift. ‘I know. Ignore them. I can do that’ she nodded. ‘Good’ smiled. Still he could see she felt nervous. He hated that he couldn’t make this easier for her.
Luckily for them there were no photographers stood outside the exit/entrance of the hotel, but they both knew that they still had to be on their guard, still relaxed as she was sat in the car had rented and was driving through the streets of London.
It was when they left the building where they had eaten lunch when they caught a glimpse of a photo camera carried by a fat bald guy who quickly walked away with a sly grin on his face. looked at his girlfriend and she shrugged her shoulder. had such a great time with , shopping and having fun that she had forgotten all about photographers who might pursue the act of following them and as she saw the guy chase off in his car she decided that he no life, making happy people miserable. noticed the change and smiled. ’You’re a fast learner’ smiled. They returned around dinnertime to the hotel, their hands full of bags and Chinese take out food. plumped down on the sofa as did . ‘Thank you . I had a fantastic day’ ‘Me too sweety. Me too. I am so proud of you’ he smiled, placing a small kiss on her lips. ‘I’m proud of me too. Though the thought of having another army of paparazzi in my face still scares me’ she smiled softly. opened the cardboard box and took in the smell of the sweet and sour he had ordered. ‘I’m sure next time, you’ll be able to deal with them. Now, just think about the food and a night with the most gorgeous man on earth’ said as he took a bite. ‘Why? George Clooney isn’t here?’ teased. ’Oh, you are sooo going to pay for that later’ growled playfully. ’Can’t wait’ winked


Chapter 11 :

Chasing the stars from the sky
All together love will come and save us

The next day had to go into the studio again. went to her apartment. She had spent two nights in ’s hotel room and thought it was good to go home. had agreed, but immediately decided he wanted to come over that evening and she needed to tidy up.
put on the telly, deciding to put on MTV UK, all of the sudden she heard her name, while she was cleaning dishes in the sink of the kitchen. She hurried into the lounge. and herself were a news item on MTV news. turned the volume up as the item came up :

Oops.. New couple spotted. Talking about Another World. whom we better know as ‘Raven’ , Queen of the Gothic Scene and , one of Irish crooners Westlife are a couple. What a wild combination. Rumours are that the two were already dating while was still with Michael Buton, the couple engulfed by paparazzi earlier this week, didn’t want to comment. We asked you on our website what you thought about this unusual combination.

There came a vague photo of and on screen and then quotes appaered :

‘They look happy together. Who cares if they come from two different music genres. Music brings people together right?’ … Melanie , Bristol

‘As long as Raven doesn’t change music scene’s on me, she can date whoever she wants. In fact : dump that ***** and go out with me instead’ Raven Forever - Portmouth

‘Whatever does see in that weirdo? Who would want to date any of those freaks? I say ; , go out with me instead’ Lana, Manchester

‘Look at the two. They are so in love. I love Westlife and I love Raven. Actually we shouldn’t be entitled to give our opinion. Neither or are going to give a damn about what we think. They are happy together and let them be so. You are the best. Go Westlife, Go Raven. Tonya, Ilfracombe

It does seem like the new couple don’t care. They were spotted shopping together in the streets of London, yesterday and didn’t seem to have eyes for anything except each other. We wish them the best of luck.

’s jaw had dropped open. There were fans and other people who accepted the fact that they were a couple. OK, not everyone agreed, but that girl, Tonya, was right. The only two people that mattered were her and . It was like a lightbulb went on in ’s head : who cared what everybody else thought? Or what stories the tabloids would print? Yes, the way it had started wasn’t the best way to start a relationship, but she hadn’t carried on being with Michael and at the same time. Which would be even more of a scandle if the media had found out. That would’ve totally ruined her career. was sure that in a matter of time the public would forget how and herself had gotten together.

had made herself a sandwich for lunch when her mobile phone rang. It was . ‘Hey sweetheart, you’ll never guess what news I’ve got for you’ ‘We are an item on MTV news and people are positive about you and me being a couple’ ‘No, Louis heard the duet recording. We’re releasing the single as a double A side’ ‘WHAT?’ said more loudly then she intended. ‘Louis already had contact with your manager, he was totally enthusiastic and ’s idea for the video was really fantastic’. ’s girlfriend was speechless as he told her everything that happened that morning. ‘But what was that about us being on MTV news?.. Sweety?.. ?’ Hearing him say her name, woke her from her thoughts. ‘Oh..sorry baby. MTV news.. Oh yeah, I remember. They had asked kids on the website what they thought about us being a couple. Didn’t seem to bother them. The only two people that should be bothered according to them, is the two of us’ ‘Indeed’ agreed ‘So what do you think?’ he changed subject. ‘I think it’s amazing and I think they are right, we should be the only people bothered about us’ voiced her opinion. ’I was talking about the song, rather then what people think of us being together’ hinted. ’Oh. It surprises me. And I want to hear it. I mean I think I am allowed to have a say in it’ ’Ofcourse sweetheart, we wouldn’t do anything without your consent’ promised her. ’Good, so at what time can I expect you?’ ‘Well, probably round 6.30pm.’ answered. ‘OK, see ye then. See you later’ ‘Bye baby’ he said and they hung up.

The rest of the afternoon couldn’t stop wondering wether she hadn’t woken up in an another world, where the trouble they were expecting wasn’t coming.
arrived at exactly 6.30pm. When had finished giving him a grand tour of her appartment, they sat down with a drink on the sofa. pulled her into his embrace . ‘I still can’t believe it ’ said, having taken a sip from her drink and letting her head fall back onto his shoulder.‘What, sweety?’ said, softly stroking the hair on the top of her head. ‘That things are turning out this way. The song, the video, people that don’t make a big deal out of you and me?’ summed it all up ‘Good isn’t it?’ smirked gently. ’Or do you want people to make a big deal out if it? I mean, they still will, paparazzi will not stop following us the next few weeks’ he added ‘Yeah, but no one will care, will they, except for people that like to destroy other people’s happiness‘ shrugged. We won’t let that happen to us, will we?’ smiled. ‘No darling, we won’t let that happen to us’ smiled and kissed her softly.


THE END



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