The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,46

see you tomorrow,” he says to Adriana as he kisses her cheek and glances at me one last time. So much for Reckless’s agenda tonight.

Chapter Eleven

Erin

The owners of every major design house in Milan have sent a representative from their company here tonight. The building we rented belongs to one of Rafe’s most influential friends, a man who owns several properties in the historical part of the city.

Luca and Carla worked all day setting up the high rise center stage. The finalized version of the logo Alek and I designed a few days ago hangs above the stage. My butterfly with the light blue and black wings now sits on a plaque situated above the stage. The word Mystical is etched in gold letters along the bottom of the circle surrounded by soft flames.

Seeing my creation in 3D sends fluttery excitement through my chest. Especially when I recall the way I was, eh-em, shown how to add the finishing touches. Rafe doesn’t want anything that looks unprofessional to represent Black Butterfly tonight.

Along with my excitement, there’s this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I can’t seem to stop the quiver in the top of my left forearm. Yeah, I’m nervous. No, I’m way past nerves. I’m scared as hell. Tonight Mystical will either fly or sink to the bottom of Milan’s well of completely forgettable designers.

I steal a moment to glance out at the crowd. Photographers, industry gurus, gossip columnists, and other moguls in the fashion and entertainment businesses sit along either side of the extended platform, chatting with one another. But that’s not what has caught my attention. About halfway down the middle of the aisle on my left, I spot him. Alek.

Adriana sits on his right side. She’s already snapping pictures of anything that talks or walks. Her enthusiasm excites me. From on the left side, a redheaded woman leans toward Alek. The two of them seem to be really enjoying themselves. It’s Lila Davis, the singer who’s taking my place in Alek’s production.

Wait a minute. Aren’t you the one who turned down his offer? Yeah, yeah, that was me. I’m guilty.

Still, I don’t know how to describe the way I feel as I stand behind the curtain staring out at the two of them. This must be his idea of a challenge. Is he trying to make me jealous?

It’s hard to believe he’d do something like this after what happened between us the other day. But there he sits with his singer, laughing and pointing at the emblem we created together. Behind Alek and Adriana, Katerina sits. Our gazes lock, and she smiles. I move back behind the curtain. Could she actually be smiling at my distress? I’d bet a thousand pairs of silk undies that she has a sizable part in the Alek and Lila show I just witnessed.

I cross my arms and lean back against the wall. A knot forms in my stomach and suddenly I feel kind of like time has stopped altogether. I’m about two seconds away from leaving the showing, when Rafe approaches me. I almost don’t recognize him. The slicked back hair paired with the bright violet-colored suit he’s wearing works for him. Only someone like Rafe could get away with such a creation.

“Erin, my love, there you are. I have looked everywhere for you.” He takes my hand and leads me toward the dressing rooms where the models Luca hired are preparing to go on stage. Outside in the main room, a song starts playing, a tune by Madonna called Some Girls. Luca chose a disco theme even though Alek’s show involves a symphony.

The song’s lyrics touch me. The singer basically tells the guy how she’s unique and that there’s no other girl in the world closer to his dreams. I steal another peek at Alek and Lila. She’s doing her best to work her charms on him. And then he leans over and whispers something in her ear.

A rush of energy flows through me. Mr. Dostov wants to play rough. I intend to give it to him. I pick my confidence up off the floor, and like Katerina did the night I had dinner with them, I put on my bitch face.

The show begins. The models work my outfits with no problem. Chills shower my body as I watch them head out one by one. Luca gives me a high five each time we hear the crowd applaud loudly. He also has a few pieces from