Catherine woke up bright and early the next morning, as she had promised Molly. The sun was barely peeking through the curtains, casting a soft glow across her room. She didn't want to get up, her body yearning for just a few more minutes of sleep, but she had promised Molly that she would make a good impression when interviewing the man who Molly claimed was her "soulmate."

Catherine knew better, of course. Molly had been finding "soulmates" for as long as she had known her, each one supposedly more perfect than the last. But Catherine didn't want Molly to blame her when things inevitably didn't turn out like she wanted. So, with a heavy sigh, she dragged herself out of bed and began her meticulous preparation.

She carefully ironed her suit, smoothing out every wrinkle with precision. The crisp white blouse contrasted nicely with the dark blazer and pants. Catherine styled her hair into a cute half-up, half-down hairstyle, struggling with the uncooperative strands that seemed determined to defy her efforts.

Catherine's hair was a regular brown, naturally grown from her head. It didn't go auburn in the sun like those women in shampoo commercials, wasn't thick or luscious, and was often difficult to style, which was why she usually avoided doing much with it. As promised to Molly, she added a clip—a butterfly-shaped plastic one that looked ridiculous compared to her professional outfit, but it was the only clip she could find in her sparse collection of hair accessories. Molly had insisted she add a little "bling," and the clip served to shut her up.

Not that Molly was focused on Catherine anyway; she had been up since 4 a.m., meticulously curling her hair and applying her makeup with the precision of an artist. Despite looking fabulous, she appeared a bit tired and red-eyed, the toll of her early morning beauty routine evident. Catherine thought Molly would have benefited more from a good night's sleep but didn't say anything as Molly downed another cup of coffee, her third since waking up.

Molly, dressed in a short, violet dress that hugged her curves perfectly, looked flawless and beautiful. The color complemented her fiery red hair, which cascaded down her back in perfectly styled waves. Catherine hoped that Phoenix would at least have the decency to compliment Molly's efforts, if nothing else. She tried to prepare Molly for possible rejection, gently mentioning rumors that Phoenix always had a girlfriend, but Molly was too busy planning their spring wedding to listen, her eyes glazed over with daydreams of white dresses and flower arrangements.

They took a taxi to the radio station, the early morning traffic already beginning to build. Catherine preferred not to drive due to the heavy city congestion and her tired state. She grabbed some breakfast along the way, a simple bagel and coffee, but Molly refused to eat anything, worried about having a "food baby" when meeting Phoenix. Catherine thought Molly was being ridiculous but kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to dampen her friend's excitement.

As they drove through the bustling city streets, Phoenix's song started playing on the radio, its familiar melody filling the cab. Molly excitedly yelled, "Turn it up! Turn it up! Turn it up! Turn it up!" at the taxi driver, who complied with a bemused smile. Catherine sighed and looked out the window, watching the city rush by, annoyed by the overplayed song that seemed to follow her everywhere.

The lyrics echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the task ahead:

Demons, they live inside us all.

Demons, they will make me crawl.

Demons, they made me fall.

Oooh, they made me fall.

Demons, all in the night

Demons, they make me fight

Demons - it's just not right.

It's just not right. Oooh. Oooh.

When the taxi driver changed stations, trying to find some traffic information, the song started playing again on the new channel. "Kill me now," Catherine murmured to herself, then put on her headphones to listen to anything else, seeking refuge in her own playlist.

They arrived at the radio station early, the imposing building looming over them. Catherine's nerves began to build, a knot forming in her stomach. This interview was a big deal, set to be broadcast live on a popular radio station and later printed in a magazine. Catherine was anxious because it meant that any mistakes she made would be heard by thousands and later read by many more. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders.

Inside the station, they were greeted by a receptionist with a bright smile who informed them that Phoenix Astar hadn't arrived yet. Catherine's anxiety persisted, her mind racing with all the ways this interview could go wrong. She was ushered into the recording room, a state-of-the-art studio with soundproofed walls and high-tech equipment. There, she met the morning radio hosts, Anna and James, both of whom greeted her warmly.

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As she put on her headphones, adjusting them nervously, she regretted it because Phoenix's song was playing again, the familiar melody seeming to mock her. Trying to keep her nervousness in check, Catherine ordered water to sip on, hoping it would calm her nerves and soothe her dry throat.

Anna, a petite blonde with a infectious smile, asked, "Are you nervous?"

"A little," Catherine admitted, her voice betraying more anxiety than she intended to show.

"I've met Phoenix before," James said, his deep voice reassuring as he tried to put Catherine at ease. "You'll be fine. He's actually quite down-to-earth."

"Easy for you to say," Anna replied with a chuckle, as the two hosts began their usual banter, their easy rapport a stark contrast to Catherine's nervous energy.

Mid-conversation, the door swung open with a dramatic flair, and Phoenix Astar strode into the room. Catherine wasn't sure what to anticipate, but he was even more stunning in person than he appeared on television or in magazines. Time seemed to stand still as she stood near him, her heart racing. Was it because he was famous? Attractive? No, it was something else, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Phoenix's deep eyes sparkled with an otherworldly charm, and his smile was just as charismatic as it seemed on screen, perhaps even more so in person.

"Phoenix Astar," he said, his voice smooth and melodious as he extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss…?"

"I…I…" Catherine blushed, her carefully prepared introduction flying out of her mind as she took his hand a little too aggressively. "I know who you are. I think anyone who has access to the internet knows who you are. Um, my name is Catherine."

"Catherine," he repeated, still holding her hand, his touch sending an unexpected jolt through her.

"Yep. Yes," she replied, mentally kicking herself for sounding so inarticulate. "That's what the parents decided."

"Well, I hope you won't be too hard on me during our interview, Catherine," Phoenix said, a playful glint in his eye.

"No, I'd never do that," Catherine assured him, then immediately wondered if that made her sound unprofessional.

Phoenix raised his eyebrows, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Good to know."

Realizing they were still holding hands, Catherine cleared her throat and pulled her hand back, feeling the loss of contact acutely. Despite not being a fan of his music, she couldn't deny his strong presence, and she could still feel the burn of his touch on her skin long after they had separated.

The interview began with Anna introducing Catherine and Phoenix to the listeners, her voice animated and engaging. Anna explained the new segment, "Lying in Ink," where Phoenix would be hooked up to a professional lie detector while Catherine asked him questions. Catherine felt the pressure as the spotlight turned to her, the weight of thousands of listeners' expectations pressing down on her.

"Uh, um. Well, Phoenix," Catherine began, stumbling slightly over her words before finding her footing. "There have been a lot of fan-made edits of you and your manager, Demi. People have speculated about your close relationship and even gone as far as saying that you are a 'thing'. She's young and attractive, is there anything going on between you and your manager?"

"Demi?" Phoenix seemed thrown by the question, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Well, wow. I've heard about those videos and even read some steamy fanfics, but no, sadly, Demi and I are just friends. She is certainly very attractive, but we have a very professional bond. She's more like a sister to me, really."

"Well the needle shows you are telling the truth. Thank you for clearing that up," Catherine said, trying to steady her trembling voice and maintain a professional demeanor.

Emboldened by his honest response, Catherine then asked about rumors concerning Phoenix's sexuality, referencing an old interview where he hesitated when asked if he had ever been close with a guy. Phoenix responded casually, his body language relaxed as he admitted he had been kissed by one guy during a dare in college but reaffirming that he was straight. The lie detector remained steady, confirming his truthfulness.

The interview continued with Anna jumping in to ask if Phoenix was single, her tone playful and teasing. Phoenix replied with a charming smile that he was happily single, spending time alone and soul-searching. "I'm focusing on my music and personal growth right now," he added, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

Catherine then steeled herself to ask the question she had been dreading but felt compelled to ask. It was the elephant in the room, the question on everyone's mind but that no one seemed brave enough to voice. "Are you working on any music?" she asked, her heart pounding. "While you're soul-searching and spending this reflective time alone, are you working on anything else? Should we be expecting any new songs in the near future?"

"Excuse me?" Phoenix stared at her, his easy charm faltering for a moment as surprise flickered across his face.

"It's just," Catherine swallowed, gathering her courage to continue, "it's been a decade and, as popular as your song is, you'd think you'd make…well…a new one. Don't you think? I mean, no disrespect, but I'm getting a little…sick of it. Aren't you?"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable as everyone waited for Phoenix's response. Catherine held her breath, wondering if she had just committed career suicide by challenging one of the biggest stars in the music industry.