Lucas and I kissed once more before he separated to walk on stage. Cassandra approached me and asked, “Girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Adorable. You appear much more suited for him than that other girl.”

“Other girl?”

“Yes, what was her name? Raven? Ruby?”

“Was it Robyn?”

“Ah, yes. Her,” she muttered in displeasure. “She is my most obnoxious fan. She constantly finds a way to message me despite my efforts at ignoring her. I almost discarded my invitation for the band to perform tonight due to her persistent annoyance. Thank goodness Lucas got rid of her. He only needs me to become the star he desires to be.”

Cassandra’s choice of words made me uncomfortable, and I started to wonder if Lucas being under her guidance was a wise decision.

“Come,” she beckoned to me with a swing of her index finger. “You don’t want to miss the performance, do you?”

I followed her backstage to where we were able to see Lucas perform in front of a larger audience than he was used to. It was amazing to hear him combine the band’s original sound with his solo performance, and I couldn’t resist bobbing my head to the music.

“I’m so proud of him,” I voiced out over the booming reverberation. A quick glance at Cassandra had taken me out of the experience, however, as I caught her glaring at a particular woman in the crowd.

The evil within her began to pour out in the form of black aura. The darkness was strong, but something about it was alluring, almost magnetic.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, walking past me toward a staircase that led to the upper floors. Not wanting to ignore my instincts, I trailed behind her up the dark stairwell until we were above the dance floor where the lighting equipment was located.

“What are you doing?” I questioned, watching her fiddle with the wires that were attached to a large projector above the people in the club. It started to swing due to her tampering.

“Stay out of my business, little girl. Go back downstairs before I have you escorted out of the building.”

Looking over the railing, I noticed the female directly under the projector was the same woman Cassandra had glowered at in the crowd.

“Now I see what you’re doing. I knew something was off about you.”

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She casted a menacing grimace. “I suggest you run along now and not meddle in my personal affairs.”

“No. Why are you trying to kill that woman?”

“The floozy you see below us is guilty of sleeping with my ex-fiancé. She killed my relationship, so why shouldn’t I kill her?”

“Uh, ‘cause it’s wrong?”

She exploded into ridiculing laughter. “Oh, my. You are quite the pacifist, aren’t you? This is my last warning: go away, or I’ll make your life a living hell.”

She must’ve figured I’d run away. Why else would she turn to look down at the throng of people and ignore my presence? It didn’t take longer than a few seconds for her to look back at me and say, “She’s gone. This is your fault, you annoying brat. I’m going to make you pay for ruining my night.”

“Try it, lady. All I have to do is call the police and tell them what you were doing. You won’t have much of a career behind bars.”

She took a deep breath and stood with a relaxed posture, appearing to have given up on her nefarious plans. It wasn’t until a bone-chilling surge shot through my body that I knew my problem with Cassandra Blackwood was just beginning.

“I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with,” she said as she started circling me like a vulture. She stopped when the two of us were face-to-face. “Perhaps you need an introduction to who I really am.”

My knees grew weak staring into her emerald eyes, a warm sensation beginning to take over my body. “What are you doing to me?”

“Hush. You’ll be feeling much better very soon.”

Her fingers trailed along my collarbone, making me immobile. I could only feel my heart as butterflies erupted in my stomach. Soft moans escaped my lips. My mind was now flooded with sexual desires.

“Lovely, isn’t it? You know, I may forgive you for ruining my plans if you decide to have a little fun with me right here. I can make you feel better than Lucas ever could.”

Resisting her temptation was near impossible, but I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“You’re psycho. I would never—”

My rebuttal broke into silence after she touched my waist and moved her hands down to my hips.

“What was that? Did I hear you say you want to kiss me?” She grabbed the loops of my jeans and tugged me closer.

“Stop it, please. Why am I feeling like this?”

“After my ex-fiancé left me for that wench you saw downstairs, I realized something: why have one man lust over me when I can have everyone? As you can see, I can make any man or woman fall prey to my every whim with just a simple touch. This world is ruled by sex, and I just so happen to be the woman everyone desires.”

She had complete power over me. All I could do was crave for pleasure and satisfaction. No longer could I fight the urge to neglect our embrace.

“Now do you know who I am?”

“Yes, Cassandra.”

“Do you want our lips to touch, darling?”

“Yes. Kiss me now.”

Our lips were inches away from crashing together before a familiar voice prevented the collision.

“Ali?”

My body and mind return to normal after Lucas’s calling. I ran into his arms.

“What’s going on here?” he questioned. “I was looking for you after my performance. Is everything alright?”

“Lucas, we need to go. Now. Please. Let’s just leave.”

“Ali, what happened?”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about her,” Cassandra said. “I believe the pressure of having a soon-to-be famous boyfriend is dawning on her. She’ll be alright. If you can stay loyal, that is.”

“She doesn’t have to worry about that. I hope you weren’t putting thoughts in my girlfriend’s head.”

She curled her lip and tittered. “You have no idea.”

I yanked his arm, pulling him away. We both walked down the dusky stairwell in dismay at her parting words.

“I’ll be in touch.”