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It's Friday night and I'm currently singing the final few lyrics from my latest song that's just hit number one. Looking out at the audience, it's the first time I think about how far I've come throughout the years.

Tears fill my eyes, smiling down at the amazing fans I love with all my heart.

It's been an emotional ride. I couldn't be happier than right at this moment.

"Thank you," I speak through the microphone after my last performance of the night. "I love you guys!" the crowd cheers with excitement. I walk off stage, the audience screaming my name and I sigh in contentment.

"You killed it up there!" my manager beams at me as I wrap my arms around him. "Thank you. It was another successful night." I smile ear to ear, feeling elated. My heart pumps with adrenaline and the endless love I've received from my fans.

Theo's phone lights up and he looks down at the device in his hand with a small frown. "I need to take this. I'm so proud of you, I'll be right back." I grin, nodding my head as he walks away.

After an hour of speaking to a few of my fans, signing photos and taking pictures, I step inside my dressing room, blocking out all the loud noise from the stadium.

I sit down in the makeup chair, glancing at all the letters that sit on the left side of my table. I gasp at the amount of fan mail I've received today. It's doubled since last week.

I love reading my mail, I feel overwhelmed with emotions knowing that people look up to me and like my music. I want to inspire people, especially younger girls. I want to encourage girls to be themselves. That they don't have to worry about how they look or how many friends they have or their followers on social media. I want them to love themselves. That is so important to me.

I grab a single letter, tearing the cream paper open when I hear a faint knock on the door. "It's open," I announce over my shoulder and proceed to unfold the thin paper in my hands. The paper is pink and has a faint smell of strawberry.

I hear shuffling behind me and the sound of the door clicking shut. Theo is the only person who comes to see me after I finish my shows, he's probably here to tell me about my interview tomorrow.

There is a moment of silence which is unusual, Theo is almost always talking when he's here.

"Are you okay Theo?" I frown as I continue to read my letter.

More silence fills the room and I furrow my eyebrows. "Theo--" my eyes snap up at the wide mirror facing the door and my heart stops. The whole world stops and my body remains frozen.

My eyes widen when I see him walk closer into the room. I never expected I would see him, ever again.

Looking at this person brings back all those memories from high school. The good and the bad. It felt like a lifetime ago, but it also felt like we broke up only yesterday.

I'm always thinking about him, hoping he's well. Fantasising about the possibility of our paths crossing again. And here he is in the flesh -- standing inside my dressing room.

He flashes that signature smirk of his and it does something to me, a feeling I haven't felt in years. My eyes travel his handsome face -- from his rose petal-coloured lips to his forest-green eyes and I intake a sharp breath.

I've dreamed about those forest orbs for years, but seeing them again makes me realise how much I've missed him.

How I wish things had been different.

By the time I fell for him, it was too late.

He changed my life. In return, I suffered a broken heart.

"Reese," I manage to choke out.

This feels like a dream. I mean, I'm staring at my high school boyfriend. The man who I fell for, the man who broke my heart.

He's standing inside my dressing room, looking handsome as hell.

"Hey Marns," he smiles, a small dimple appearing on his left cheek. Butterflies swarm my belly, my body heats up and suddenly I feel the room closing in on me.

"What are you doing here?" I stutter. What could Reese Black be doing in my dressing room? Is he lost or something?

Oh God, that would be super awkward.

I look over Reese's appearance, admiring how good he looks in his dark ripped jeans and black leather jacket.

Marnie, stop.

"I watched your show. It was incredible, you blew the roof off tonight." his voice is like honey to my ears, rich and masculine. He steps closer into the room, leaning against the wall, eyes focused on me. "I knew the world would be blessed by your talent one day." I can't believe what I'm hearing. Did he really come here to watch my show?

By the shell-shocked expression on my face, his smile grows. "I hope I'm not overstepping, I just wanted to come by and say hello." my mouth is like sandpaper, why can't I talk? Come on Marnie, say something.

"Hello."

Christ.

Reese chuckles, causing that cute dimple to appear on his face again. I missed his laugh, it's so soft and smooth. I close my eyes and let his voice soothe my ears.

"You always did make me laugh back in high school, Marns."

I open my eyes, gazing at him from across the room. Seeing Reese stirred up things that had been pushed down and hidden away behind an imaginary lock and key for years.

My eyes instantly lock on those intense green orbs and my heart beats faster. I remember how he made me blush with his flirty comments, cheeky smile and how sweet he was around me. No one made my body react the way Reese did, it was electric. I must be going crazy because I can feel that same energy in this very room.

"What are you really doing here Reese?" my stomach clenched and I braced myself for his response.

"I came to watch your show." Really? I can see so many emotions pass through his eyes as he speaks. "When I was sitting in the audience, watching you, it reminded me of the first time you sang in front of an audience. Do you remember the night of the party? I was blown away by your angelic voice."

I nod my head. Of course, I remember singing at my first high school party. That same song went viral all around the world. It kick-started my whole career.

I guess I have Reese to thank for that.

"I also wanted to see you. I've been wanting to talk to you for a while, I guess you could say I've been waiting for the right opportunity." he rakes his hair, a nervous habit he had back in high school. "Can I take you out for dinner and catch up maybe?"

I startle at his offer, he wants to take me out for dinner? As friends or a date? Why do we need to catch up? Is it normal to catch up with an ex you haven't seen in years?

I open my mouth to respond to him. I want to know what his intentions were with me before I agree to anything. The second I speak, Theo walks into my dressing room. He doesn't even notice Reese until he sees my facial expression.

Theo watches me, puzzled until his eyes meet Reese. The two men stare at each other, and suddenly recognition swirls in Theo's eyes, his jaw tenses and his chest puffs out. Oh no.

"What the hell are you doing here?" his voice is cold and demanding.

Reese stares at Theo with a raised brow and then he smirks. Does he have a death wish?

Over the years, Theo had grown into a broad, muscular man. He has a passion for boxing and martial arts and he has become my trusted bodyguard as well as my manager. He's the typical overprotective brother and he notices when I'm stressed out or upset.

Through the years he's seen me read articles about Reese. Of course, I was curious to see what he's been up to and who he was dating. My heart sank when I saw the pictures of various women hanging onto his side. I don't read any more articles because I know deep down I still have feelings for Reese. Theo knows that too.

"Theo, it's okay," Theo peers at my facial expression, making sure I'm being truthful. "Reese and I are grabbing dinner." I blurt out.

I guess the awkward situation made me panic and say the first thing that popped into my head.

Theo gives me a confused look and I smile sheepishly. He doesn't know what's going on here and neither do I. Why are we having dinner together? What does Reese want from me?

"Okay." Theo narrows his eyes at Reese, who looks mildly content and maybe even amused in the corner of the room. "Well make sure you keep your phone on you at all times and take Mike just in case those paparazzi go wild."

I'm pretty sure Reese has his own security though I think it would be a good idea to take one of my own bodyguards too. Paparazzi swarm around me wherever I go and if they see I'm with Reese Black -- my high school sweetheart -- they will never leave me alone.

The media knew Reese and I dated briefly in high school, sources claimed it was a fling and others claimed he broke my heart. I neither confirmed nor denied anything and I've had many interview hosts ask me the same questions when I promote my new albums. They want the dirt on our relationship.

I've always stayed silent. So has Reese from what I hear.

"Yes and I'll take Mike. Don't worry I'll be fine." I could feel my face warming up and I try my hardest not to look at the man who makes my knees wobble and my heart race.

"Good, and you," Theo points a stern finger at Reese, his dark eyes narrow into slits. "I'm giving you one chance. I'm trusting you to keep her safe tonight otherwise I'll kick your ass this time, understand?"

I stifle a laugh. Reese watches me with a small gleam in his eyes and a faint smile. As I look at him now, I realise how I fell for him so easily. I knew what we had was real and I've never felt that way since him.

"I will, I'll always take care of her." his husky voice sends shivers down my body.

I grab my bag, thankful I'm wearing a nice pair of jeans and a pretty peach-coloured top instead of the skin-tight black dress I was wearing at the beginning of my show.

"Let's go." I head out the door and towards my vehicle at the back of the building. There's no way I'll be able to hide from the paparazzi, they are relentless and will no doubt find out I'm here with Reese.

I could sense Reese trailing not far behind me and as I go to push the door open. Reese walks in front of me, shielding me from whatever is waiting outside.

I hold my breath as I'm bombarded with flashing lights and loud voices.

Oh boy. Here we go.

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