Page 9 of Julian's Curse

This probably wasn’t healthy for me—hearing his voice again. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief, knowing he was still conquering his demons. Where there had once been love, there would always be a trace of it, lingering like a soft echo in the background of my heart.

“It’s such a unique concept! Your debut album,Rhythms of Elegance, has been getting rave reviews. Can you tell us a bit about the creative process behind it?” The host continued the interview, pulling me in like a Netflix binge.

“Absolutely!Rhythms of Elegancewas a result of utmost creativity. We spent countless hours in the studio experimenting with different sounds and arrangements.”

Next, the podcast played a sample of his song.The melody instantly made me nostalgic—it felt quintessentially James: deep, sensitive, but almost mathematical.

“Our goal was to create a fusion that respects classical traditions while embracing contemporary trends. We worked with some amazing producers and songwriters who really understood our vision, and the result is an album that we’re incredibly proud of.”

I contemplated turning off the podcast, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop listening. James, after all, had been the one I’d imagined someday marrying. My longest relationship had ended in tragedy, but I’d somehow resurrected myself next to Julian, trying to move forward. Then, at some point, I realized Julian was the one—the person who made me feel whole again, in a way I hadn’t known I needed.

“And it shows!Each track on the album has its own distinct vibe while still staying true to theKeynote Legendssound. What can fans expect from your live performances?”

James breathed into the microphone with an attractive, yet quite high-pitched voice for a male. “Our live shows are where we really get to connect with the audience. We love to interact with our fans and make each performance a memorable experience. Expect a high-energy show with lots of surprises—whether it’s a classical piece with a modern twist or a crowd favorite that gets everyone singing along, we aim to keep things fresh!”

The host immediately reacted: “That sounds amazing! Can you share any upcoming projects or plans thatKeynote Legendshas in the works?

“Definitely! We’re currently working on some new music that we can’t wait to share. We’ve also got a tour planned for thissummer, which we’re super excited about. We’re always looking for new ways to innovate and keep our fans engaged, so stay tuned for some exciting announcements! There’s always plenty of inspiration in our band to write songs,” he assured everyone.

I really had no idea he’d gotten this successful. With his looks and talent, he certainly had a good shot at becoming the next teen girl idol. It seemed like he’d actually become that.

“Your band is often compared to a modern, darker version of *NSYNC. What’s your take on that? I have to ask.”

There was a brief laugh before the response came, cool and composed. “I think labels are for the fans to define. We just make the music we feel. Personally, I am not fond of comparisons.”

“Great answer.” The host continued. “Can’t help to ask, but what’s your biggest inspiration in making music now, James?”

He had always been the type to speak carefully, so I knew that whatever he’d say would be a blend of meaningful and witty. I didn’t know him well enough to predict the answer anymore.

“Well, most artists get their inspiration from real life. For me, my biggest inspiration comes from a relationship with a girl.” His voice was steady, almost casual, but there was a hint of vulnerability buried beneath his words.

He’d always been quite the romantic, so it didn’t surprise me. Was he going to talk about Andrea, the girl he’d left me for? Was Valentina right that she’d turn into a regret? Andrea had been the girl with whom he’d cheated on me, well, we’d been almost broken up, our fights only increasing in intensity, but still, at no point had he said it was over for us.

“Yes indeed, love is a great inspiration. Is she currently your girlfriend?” The host needled him. Most artists weren’t open to sharing their private lives, so I anticipated a brick wall there.

“No, she’s a girl who, unfortunately, slipped away,” James confessed to his audience. “I became reckless, and in doing so, Ihurt her in ways I can never take back. My life has never been the same since she walked out of it.”

Shit. This had nothing to do with Andrea. There was no way that she’d ever leave him. She stuck to James like chewing gum on the sole of a shoe.

“Sorry to hear that,” the host offered some sympathy. “It’s certainly inspired beautiful music, though. “Anything else you’d like to share on this topic of inspiration?”

“Not quite.” James left the audience with an enticing mystery, hanging in the air like a secret just out of reach. If he was even somewhat famous, his fans would be desperate to uncover the identity of his elusive muse.

I swallowed hard. Could it be that I was the girl he was talking about?

“Well, before we wrap it up, would you like to share with us details about your next album in the making?”

“At the moment it’s looking like next year, but we can’t work under pressure so fans got to stay tuned. They can, however, look forward to a spectacular collection of songs. We plan to isolate ourselves in the desert to let creativity flow.” He guaranteed an extraordinary outcome.

“Fantastic! We’ll be eagerly awaiting your next move. Thank you so much for joining us today, James It’s been a pleasure getting to know more aboutKeynote Legends. And to all our listeners out there, if you haven’t checked outKeynote Legendsyet, do yourself a favor and give them a listen. You can find them on all streaming platforms and be sure to follow them on social media for the latest updates. This has been “Soundwaves,” and we’ll catch you next time with more incredible music and stories. Until then, keep the music alive!

As usual, the artist on the podcast played a piece of music at the end. The tune of the piano filled the room, soft and haunting, because just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, itconfirmed my worst fear. It was a longer, slightly altered version of the piece James had composed for me while I was studying abroad in France.

Any other day I would have been so happy to learn that I was still the girl he treasured in his life. But Julian wouldn’t be pleased to hear this news reaching the public. If only they knew the girl in that interview was Lucie Benton—then the press would have a field day. And just like that, the world would know everything they weren’t supposed to.

“This exceeds my wildest expectations,”Valentina stirred the pot of my boiling emotions. “How dare he bring you up in an interview like this.” She sounded protective and fierce. Even over the phone, it was clear that the male population could still get her fired up like nothing else. Maybe that’s why she was on a perpetual mission to crush their hearts and move onto her next boyfriend flavor of the month.

“It came at the worst time,” I sighed while fishing for my house keys. I needed the fresh air, so I’d decided to walk to the office unlike most days. Bundled up in a sturdy coat with a cap, I left our apartment complex through the main gate. Will gave me a disapproving look, then hurried into the garage to be able to drive near me at turtle speed.

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