Page 8 of Julian's Curse

“We can’t give him the pleasure of scaring us forever, Julian.” I declared resolutely. “Don’t let fear grow larger than your faith.” Sometimes I liked clichés.

The quiet of the night continued to surround us, except for the occasional barking of a few dogs who were just as common on Cortez Hill as people. Oliver had ensured that the apartments facing the inner circle of the apartment complex remained vacant. Except, for the ones where our security guards lived. There was no other way to keep us from the prying eyes of someone who could exploit us for money.

“Come here.” He extended his arm to make space for me.

I ambled toward him, then sat on one side of his lap. “I appreciate all you do to protect our life here.” Moving downtown to Cortez Hill had been our dream, and despite the organization that it took, it had been worth it. I knew it was ultimately just a matter of time until we’d end up in an isolated mansion in the suburbs, but we both loved the city so much that plans were postponed.

“What do you ultimately want to do with your career, Lucie?” He raised a pertinent question.

It was now even more clear to me why he couldn’t sleep. He was in constant worry about me balancing my public presence and my ordinary corporate job. I was trying to cling to an oxymoron for as long as possible, holding onto the illusion that my life with him hadn’t completely dismantled my identity.

“Maybe someday I want to run my own publishing business,” I said, opening my heart to him. It had been a secret dream of mine. WhileApogeewas quite influential in the fashion world—not as much as magazines likeVogue, but still significant— our specialty remained content that empowered women. I liked the subject matter enough to excel at my job, but I hadother interests. Sorting through manuscripts to discover the occasional gem that would truly resonate with readers seemed like a fulfilling way to spend my life. A fulfilling way to put my English major to its best use.

“Why not start on that dream now?” He encouraged me.

How could I explain to him that I felt a certain loyalty to Amanda? I didn’t feel like this was the time to leave her yet. I’d promised her to stay at my job, and I wasn’t about to break it. Julian would not understand this type of commitment because he answered to no one.

“A year, give me a year to decide.” But I understood his reasons for being so protective of me. It was within reason too. What I was doing was perhaps risky. Every day I put myself in front of people that we knew little about.

His hand caressed my thigh, then slipped back into my nightie. I rested my back against his hard chest as we both watched the lights of Cortez flicker in front of us. I was glad that he’d managed to let me stay in their proximity, my one sense of normalcy amidst the absolute lack of privacy descending on us everywhere.

The light trickled in, and it was most likely around seven in the morning. Julian was nowhere to be found, while it was safe to assume that he’d left for a business meeting in another time zone. I’d always admired his drive, which was part of the countless reasons why I’d been so attracted to him. I couldn’t be with someone who wandered and had no goals in life.

I allowed myself a few moments of sweet reverie when I heard my phone vibrate. My eyebrows furrowed once I snatched it to check the incoming message. The person interested in me the most this morning was my father. We hadn’t spoken in more than a year.

Hey, I read your article in Apogee. Great job with it, it started off a bit slow but you have potential.

Was it meant to be a compliment? What a strange way to open a conversation with the daughter that he’d once abandoned because of a career choice. I was sure that my dad heard of my success, which possibly prompted his renewed curiosity in me. Maybe some part of him still felt the family connection between us, but it wasn’t the unconditional love that parents usually had for their kids. He’d damned me when I hadn’t been fulfilling expectations, then accepted me when I suddenly did. I’d take my time to respond, if ever at all.

I dragged myself out of bed to our espresso machine. Coffee had always been the liquid of accomplishment in my life. I usually started the day with a strong black coffee, no sugar, so today was no different. The first sip hit just right, warming me from the inside out.

“Alexa, play my favorite Spotify podcast,” I exclaimed loud enough so the microphone on the other side of the room could detect my voice. The Alexa had been a great gift from Julian, just one of the many thoughtful things he’d done for me in the recent months.

“Good morning, Lucie, your favorite podcastSoundwaves. Episode 8 is the newest one out. Would you like to play it?” Alexa’s robotic voice double-checked.

“Absolutely,” I replied, excited to see who was coming up next. My best friend Valentina had gotten me hooked after we listened to a Machine Gun Kelly interview together. I might have a respectable job now, but deep down, I’d always carry a bit of that emo spirit. For me, it was tied to feeling alive, and perhaps to being an artist in my own way. I looked forward to hearing what band was on.

“Welcome, music lovers, to another exciting episode of “Soundwaves”! I’m your host, Danny, and today we’re diving into a world where classical elegance meets pop pizzazz. Buckle up, because we’re about to introduce you to a musical sensationthat’s taking the world by storm. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the one and onlyKeynote Legends!”

I wasn’t familiar with the band, but the upbeat, catchy intro with its piano riffs caught my attention, so I decided to stay and see what they had to offer.

“That was just a taste of what’s in store from these incredibly talented performers.Keynote Legendsis not your average piano boy group. They’ve redefined what it means to merge classical piano with contemporary pop, and trust me, you’re going to want to hear all about them.” The host began with an introduction.

I wondered if they were similar to the Piano Guys, the group I often played when I was trying to get inspired while writing my articles. Their music always had a way of clearing my mind, helping me focus on the words that needed to flow onto the page.

“So, who are these virtuosos? Let’s break it down.Keynote Legendsis a dynamic quartet of young pianists, each bringing their own unique flair and style to the table. With their exceptional piano skills and charismatic stage presence, they’ve captivated audiences worldwide.”

I decided to refill my mug, savoring the slow morning while continuing to overdose on caffeine. Thankfully, I didn’t have to be at the office until 9AM, so I had plenty of time for self-care today.

“Joining us is one of the members ofKeynote Legends, the talented and charming James Stone! Welcome to the show!” The intro music started, and my heart skipped a beat, almost sending my cup flying out of my hand. No way could it be…

“Thanks for having me, Alex! I’m thrilled to be here and excited to chat aboutKeynote Legendsand our journey so far,” responded a familiar voice that used to cut through me like a knife at the lowest points of my existence.

“Absolutely! So, let’s start from the beginning. How didKeynote Legendscome together? What sparked the idea of forming a piano boy band?”

I moved over to the Alexa, determined not to miss a single word. The last I’d heard, James had gotten into Juilliard, so his newfound success was only a partial surprise. I had always believed he was destined for greatness, but it stung to realize he needed to reach that height without me. It felt as though I had to carry his burdens, sacrificing parts of myself, for him to become who he was meant to be.

“Well, it all started with a shared passion for piano and a desire to push the boundaries of what people expect from piano music. We were all friends from different musical backgrounds, and we realized that blending our styles could create something truly unique. We wanted to bring the elegance of classical piano into the modern pop scene in a way that feels fresh and exciting.” He explained, his voice filled with excitement, as if the memory of their beginnings still sparked a fire in him.

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