(Dite's POV)
I had finally been signed on for a record label. The contract made me promise to only produce music with them for 5 years. I took that as meaning they believe I have potential and want to hold onto me. If I do well, I can renew my contract or move up to another major label! I had sent my music to multiple places, but this is the first one to give me a shot. I'm relieved my career is finally going in the right direction.
It was just by chance that day that I saw one of the company's owners in the hallway while I was leaving. My agent whispered to me what his status was, and he must have caught me staring at him because he approached me smiling and said,
"Welcome to Ziren Studios, we're glad to have you. My name is Zaikel Walker."
"I'm Aphrodite White... you can just call me Dite." I had never seen someone so handsome up close and in real life!
"Oh, you're the new talent Clara brought in... Nice to meet you." I nodded and said,
"Nice to meet you, too!" After that, he walked away with an older man. The man had dusty brown hair, a light beard, and glasses. He was good-looking as well... I'm so glad I got this job, and it's a bonus that I'm going to get blessed with eye candy every day!
I came to the studio daily to practice, record, and talk about future projects, but it was months before I saw Zaikel again. I noticed him, it was from a distance, even so, he was just as hot as I remembered. He was having a conversation with a boy who had medium-length crimson hair and casual, loose-fitting clothing. From their body language, the conversation seemed serious. The two were just outside the main building, standing near a fountain. I couldn't see the other guy's face from so far away. Anyway, I decided to shake off my manager and possibly make a connection. This is my chance to finally talk to Zaikel! I had to run down the stairs in heels and sneak out the back exit, also, I had to catch my breath before walking up to them. Doing my darnedest to approach Zaikel and the man he was with, nonchalantly. "Hey! Fancy meeting you here!" I chirped, probably making myself so obvious with that cliched line. Zaikel turned to me and smiled, but the boy with him frowned. He was about 7 inches shorter than Zaikel, 2 inches shorter than me, and his face looked sweet even though he was scowling at me with all his might.
"Hey... you're Aphrodite, right?" I nodded,
"Yeah, but you can call me Dite." At my response, he laughed softly and said,
"I was just about to have lunch with my brother." Brother?!... They don't have any features in common but they are both so beautiful that I won't question it. "Bye." He started to walk away, so I yelled,
"Wait! I... can I join you for lunch?" I made eye contact as I made my request because no one should be able resist my full-on attack of puppy dog eyes.
"No." Except Zaikel, apparently...
"Why not? I don't mind." His brother chimed in, indifferently. The sound of his voice was almost hypnotic, and with it, his ranking just went up, a perfect 10/10... Even if he is shorter than me... The brother began walking away, and Zaikel said,
"I guess if Valin doesn't mind... fine, but we're going to discuss work after eating... I hope you don't mind?" I almost leaped for joy. I assured him I didn't mind. "You can call me Zai... by the way." We carpooled to a nearby restaurant in Zai's car. Once there and seated, he ordered steak, Valin ordered cake, and I got a smoothie. They did discuss business. Their coversation used so many names I didn't recognize, numbers, technical terms, and future appointments that I got a headache just trying to keep up. My manager and agent called me a few times,, causing my phone to vibrate so much that I silenced it. I'm not letting my manager interrupt this moment. Even if I don't understand what they're saying, just sitting at the same table as these 2 hotties is like a dream. One of my goals for becoming famous was to be near more beautiful people, and I am glad I'm accomplishing it so soon. "Dite... We should be heading back..." Zai said, his conversation with his brother seemed to be over, but they exchanged paperwork and then Valin left. Zai drove me back, but his brother walked off on his own.
"I had a good time," I confessed, happy to be in the alone with him.
"Hmm... you're odd if you enjoyed that." Zai's dimples showed each time he spoke, and when he caught me looking at him again, he smiled. "You're a weird one, aren't you?" I'm not sure why, but his response has gotten my heart racing. A few seconds later, we were parked. So I called my manager to pick me up. I'm nowhere near famous yet... but I'm very pretty... especially when I put in effort. Maybe I'm delusional, but I think I got closer to Zai today.
A week later, I was practicing the choreography for my new music video in the dance room. It was late, that I saw a boy with familiar long, wavy, crimson locs pass by the doorway... so I yelled
"Hey Valin!" I was so excited to see him that I completely forgot that we were not close enough for me to call out to him like that. It only took me half a second to regret it, and the regret intensified when he turned around and entered the room.
"Do I know you?" That hurts! He doesn't even recognize me... well damn...
"We... had lunch about a week ago." I reminded.
"Oh... the girl who has a crush on my brother." My face heated up.
"What?!" His eyes met mine,
"Are you going to deny it?"
This is where I made my first mistake. One mistake is repairable, but I made so many mistakes with Valin... that he couldn't overlook all of them.
"No... it's just I didn't realize it was so obvious! I'm embarrassed now." He rolled his eyes. "Hey! You should be my wingman!" I said, mostly as a joke. He wrinkled his nose.
"Why would I do that?"
"Um... because it'll be fun... maybe... and you get the honor of basking in my presence." I joked with false bravado. I wanted to make him laugh, he only smiled at first, and then he broke out into hearty laughter. I felt my heart flutter, and just for a moment, I was completely charmed by him.
"Fine... I'll help you... My brother has never dated anyone before, so it might be fun to play matchmaker, as you've suggested." He's never dated anyone, with that face and body?! "What are you doing here so late anyway?" As a reply I informed him about my choreography, upcoming concert, and he asked if he could see the video that my instructor left for me. We watched together on my cellphone, our shoulders touching just slightly, overtime I became more conscious of it. After the video completed, he asked me to show him the parts I was struggling with. I felt a little shy dancing for him privately, but I'm going to do this in front of a live audience soon, so I buried those feelings and did my best. Partway, he stopped me to say,
"You need to lift your elbow more here," He stood up and gently repositioned my arm, "and be careful not to cross your left leg too far. If you're not careful, you'll fall." I nodded and we practiced together for another hour. I was exhausted. After expending all my energy I sat down next to him, prepared for more criticism that's when Valin said,
"That was perfect..." Thank goodness, praise is preferred. He got up, I assume to leave, but for some reason, the thought of going days without seeing him again bothered me, so I grabbed his pants leg and said,
"Maybe you can help me practice tomorrow... and give me some pointers about Zai too?" He laughed and pet my head, giving me another glorious smile, stealing my heart...
"Yeah... same place?" I nodded enthusiastically, "See you then..."
"I'm Dite!"... I forgot to introduce myself to him directly, I'm so dumb.
"...See you tomorrow, Dite." Oh my god... the way he says my name should be illegal. The heck was that?! Once I let him go, he walked away and I fell out on the floor mat... am I pining after the wrong brother?! Valin was cold at first, but he's the only reason I got to eat lunch with them and... Zai smiles so easily at everyone... I felt like I earned those smiles from Valin today. He even laughed for me. I feel special and breathless.
Valin is a man of his word and showed up the next evening. He was wearing a grey tank top today, so I could see the tattoos on his arm, as well as a clear outline of his physique. He's so fit! How was he hiding all those muscles before?! I brought an extra bottle of water for him, but now I'm so thirsty that I might need to drink both on my own.
After helping me practice for 45 minutes, we sat side by side against the back wall so I could catch my breath. Being so close made it impossible not to notice his scent. He smells nice, "The thing about Zai is... he's never liked anyone... if you want him to fall for you, you just need to excite him. Even if it's only for an instant... if you manage to do that even once, he'll hold onto you forever."
"Is that all? I just need to be sexy?" He chuckled then nudged me,
"If it were that simple, someone would have done it already." I sighed,
"You're right... You sure he's never liked anyone?" Valin assured me with a nod, "I guess I'll just need to give it my all! Turn my sexiness up to the max!" I shouted while balling up my fist and steeling my resolve. He laughed,
"You're already maxed out with sexy, just focus on talking to him for now." My heart skipped a beat, so I glanced at him, to read his expression and see if he intended to be as flirty as he came off. He was drinking water with his eyes closed, but he didn't look flustered or nervous at all. He called me sexy, right? Did I mishear him? Is that... really what he thinks of me? What am I getting excited about?! I barely know him.
"W-we should exchange numbers... so I can ask for advice... or we can hang out." He raised his eyebrows,
"As friends?"
"Oh! Yeah, of course." He sighed with relief at my answer,
"Oh good, then yeah." He pulled out his phone, It was gold and the latest model. I guess being the CEO's brother comes with some perks... After we exchanged numbers, I found the nerve to say,
"Are you that against dating me? Not that I'm trying to get with you, but I was shocked by how turned off you seem..." I tried to let it go, but his obvious repulsion was getting to me.
"I could never date anyone interested in my brother."
"Never?" I asked for clarity. He smirked and replied,
"That's right." Before putting his phone away and leaving. He continued to help me, even with things like my breathing and stamina over the next 2 weeks, so when it was time to finally film my video, the directors and other staff had nothing but praise for me. They even went as far as to call me a natural-born talent, and a one-in-a-million beauty. Even with all their praise, the thing that made me happiest was the text from Valin asking me how the filming went... Sure, he's hot and smart and hot but he's not my type. I've never liked anyone below 6 foot and he can be pretty abrasive with how he phrases things even if he makes up for it by being super sweet and considerate like bringing me my favorite energy drinks or insisting I take a break when I try to push myself too hard... WAIT! oh no, I'm going insane... Why can't I stop thinking about Valin?!