A Beautiful, Terrible Love by Lucky 97 (books for 9th graders txt) 📖

the warm, summer air of Hollywood, California. It was a beautiful summer day, a day full of laughter, beaches, and teenagers getting drunk. How I used to love these days, sometimes even joining teen stars in their wild escapades.
But now, I realized, I was different. I wasn't as crazy as I was before. Eve was still affecting me in ways I thought was impossible, even when she, herself, was not with me.
The breeze danced across the horizon, blowing wisps of my ruby red hair to the side, my green eyes hidden under Aviators. There were people surrounding me on every side, the airports and streets filled to the very maximum capacity. From a distance, I could make out a tall, weed-like man with dark skin and big brown eyes, and immediately walked over, joy in my features. He was one of the few people I was happy to meet here in Hollywood.
"Hey Mark," I smiled, giving him a smile reserved only for those who were close to me, "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great," he nodded in return, joy also evident in his features.
I grabbed his arm. "How is she doing?" I asked in low tones.
He just nodded, "she's doing perfectly fine. But Dex, you need to go see her before you leave."
"I promise I will," I couldn't speak another word about it for fear of a reporter's curiosity, so I quickly got in the car that was parked near Mark, and we both headed to RACE headquarters, the silence stretched taut between us. How I wished this could be over, that I could speak about her normally.
But right now, that wasn't an option.
People stared as the Lamborghini zoomed past them, an expensive car even for movie stars, parking into a prime parking spot reserved for the very car. RACE was very rich, holding almost a monopoly on super popular singers, offering the best service and quality for the lowest price (although all record companies are expensive). They held the cards, and they knew it. I was theirs.
Without a word, I flung the car door aside, not caring about wrecking their prized Lamborghini. They were the ones that prevented me from being with Eve right now after all, and I was NOT happy about that. That was one thing about RACE, they sure as crap cared about inconveniencing me.
The automatic doors flew open without a murmur, inviting me in to see the gleaming white lobby, the polished floors, the beautiful windows that shined under the glare of the fierce sunlight. Countless people were walking around the premises, wearing business attire, the buzz of conversation and movement clearly evident here. Ancient, costly, artifacts were everywhere, whether it would be a golden teacup or even a giant fossil, displayed around the luxurious abode. The magnificence, though, was only to be expected of one of the richest businesses in America.
I brushed past several people, not at all distracted by the splendor surrounding me, eager to reach the heart of the commotion, the head of the monster that imprisoned me with its manipulative contracts and conditions. I knew the way by heart, having walked down it several times before.
The brilliance soon faded into red carpet, soft white lights, and black walls, as if I was descending into a movie theater. Every step I took was illuminated by the lowlights, even though I couldn't even see my hand. This was my favorite part of the journey.
The anticipation of what was coming next.
At the end of the tunnel, a small light shone, the opening getting closer and closer as my feet brought me to it. It always amazed me how it was so separate from the rest of the building, the tunnel bearing no people or any commotion at all. It was just... completely still, like even the air was frozen. I felt a few chills as I approached the bright light, although I knew it wasn't from the cold. I was truly afraid of the beast I was about to meet.
It was so unique for me to be scared of anybody.
As the light touched my form, I wholly embraced it, swallowed by the brightness that strained my eyes. It was exactly as I remembered it, this office, the sudden, resplendent atmosphere, and the complete contrast from the tunnel to the opulence before me. A huge TV, about half the size of a movie screen you would see in a theater, perched on the light gold walls, almost translucent from its thin, slippery surface that was obviously top-of-the-line or even ABOVE it. A desk, made of gleaming oak, sat complacently in the center of the wondrous room, almost pure magnificence in itself. Decorations lined the walls, a huge glass chandelier a tiny bit smaller than a Volkswagen Beetle swinging from the top of the curved ceiling.
A huge swivel chair, which I knew held the monster, had his back facing me, watching some football show on the screen. There was a crackle as a pale hand sneaked into my view, crinkling a piece of paper then throwing it away. My heart rate soared at that single movement, the sudden horror shocking me.
A squeak was emitted as the chair turned, the human terror turning with it. It took its time, swiveling slowly, the suspense nearly killing me.
A middle-aged man, with shockingly blue eyes and creamy white skin, surveyed me silently. His hair was blond, although he had a few gray and white hairs to spruce it up, leading me to believe he was probably the golden boy in his age. His handsomeness nearly worn away, he seemed tired, gaunt, the hollows under his eyes dark and puffy.
"Dex," he uttered, his raspy voice nearly cracking as he said my name. He coughed once, the sound reverberating around the office, and then shot me a timid smile. "Sorry about that," he said softly, "my voice is hoarse today. I have a cold."
"That's okay, sir," I replied. Oh, so he gets colds also like any other mortal man?
"Thank you for understanding," his words were icy cold, yet impossibly polite. He stood up, brushing something off his pantsuit. He was very tall, about six foot and seven inches, his shadow swallowing me. "So why are you here?" he curiously questioned.
"Sir," alarm showed plainly on my face, "you called me!"
"No, I most definitely did not," he firmly stated, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Just this morning I received a call from RACE headquarters," I showed him my caller list on my phone quickly, his eyes widening as he processed the information.
His tone was angered, "We didn't-"
"Papa, I did," a shrill voice rang through the air, alerting us both. A young girl stepped out from the shadows, her chocolate brown skin nearly making her blend in with the rest of the furniture.
At first, she reminded me of Penny, with the way her voice had a natural commanding tone to it, but then I noticed how physically different they were. With long, stick straight brown hair and big, beautiful eyes; this girl sure was a knockout. However, Penny was graced with blond hair that tumbled past her shoulders, skin as white as the man before me, and a much taller figure. This girl was short, but graceful, like a ballerina. The only thing the two girls shared physically was their eye, both as dark as could be.
Recognition seared through me as I looked at her again. She was the girl from the competition I had! What was her name...?
Oh, what's the use? The only girl I cared about knowing was Eve, the others just fading into the background.
"I'm Serena," she said, her crisp voice alerting me, "your new girlfriend."
"What?!" I asked furiously. There was no way RACE could control that aspect of my life also. I... couldn't let them do that to me.
The man was also staring at her strangely. "Serena, dear, maybe you should go back to the mansion and let daddy do his work. Maybe, if you're good, I could get you a date with him."
"Stop treating me like a baby," she spat at him, anger laced in her tone. She turned to me, her eyes ablaze. Coming towards me, she grabbed my hand. "We are going to talk alone," she told her daddy slowly, as if he was the baby instead of this spoiled brat. Shoving me into the hallway, she shut the door to the office, leaving only us in the vast tunnel.
I shot her a hate-filled glare, and wished with all my might that looks could kill.
"No need to do that, sucker," she said carelessly, "I won't die."
How did she know?!
She laughed at the confused expression on my face. "What you were thinking was clearly displayed on your face."
"What do you want from me?" I asked, cutting to the chase.
"I want to be your girlfriend."
"But what if I don't WANT to be your boyfriend?" I asked angrily.
"Tough luck," she picked at her nails.
"Why do you want to be my girlfriend?" I pestered.
"That's for me to know, and you NOT to know," she paused. "Oh, and I need you to cut off all contact with Eve,"
"WHAT?!" I screamed with anger. There was no way I would ever agree to stop talking to Eve. Eve was my everything.
I remembered, once again, the feeling of her lips against mine, the way we both sizzled with chemistry, and felt a tiny sliver of that elation just from the memory. I had to experience that once more, or I would honestly just break down.
"Or," she flipped a thin, silver key that was hanging on a chain around her finger, "I will tell everyone your secret."
My breath was suddenly taken away as I processed her words.
"How did you find out?"
"Penny is my sister," she said plainly, as if that explained everything.
"No," I whispered, horror racing through me as she continued,
"I will tell everyone, starting with People magazine, then USA Today, and after a slew of other magazines, Eve herself. Wouldn't she be surprised when I told her that you have-"
I quickly placed a hand over her mouth. My expression resigned, I said softly, "please don't say it."
It was too terrible.
She smiled, clearly knowing that she had the upper hand. "It won't ever leave my mouth if you cut off all contact with Eve and go out with me."
Serena stepped closer, looking deeply into my eyes. But, instead of admiration, intimidation was in her expression. "If you speak one word to Eve, send one note, give her a sign or ANYTHING at all, then your secret will be halfway across the world in a matter of seconds."
I opened my mouth, waiting for the words to come, but nothing came out. She had won. There was no way I wanted the world to know my secret.
Eve least of all.
"Think about it," she smiled, brushing a hand against my cheek, "I'm sure you will make the right choice."
She turned away, her high heels clicking on the floor as she exited the tunnel. I watched her leave, my mind completely blank. Everything was over. I reached up to touch my cheek, shuddering at the prickliness Serena had caused. How could a girl be so harsh? How could she not even want me to tell Eve goodbye?
I reeled as I finally realized the hopelessness of the situation. Serena had caught me in a web, one that I couldn't untangle myself out of, for once.
If only I hadn't done it. If only I had not made that major mistake. If I was free from my burdens, Eve would be in my arms right now, smiling