The Rockstar and The Balladeer: An MM Rockstar CEO Romance

The Key

SHAUN

Slowly waking up after a night of binge-drinking almost makes me wish to stay asleep until the headache of the hangover passes, but I needed to be somewhere important today.

Slowly, consciousness leaked into my sleep-induced fog and I briefly wondered why my bedroom's color and decorations seemed all wrong. What happened to my band posters? Sitting up in astonishment upon realizing I was in August's room. Wracking my brain for an explanation. I was pretty sure I was drinking with Nash and Brody last night. Did I come here? Surely I was too drunk to drive.

Looking around for August, terribly embarrassed, wondering if I had said anything outside the line last night. Realizing he wasn't in the room, I was about to get up when I found a note on the bedside table with a bottle of aspirin, water with honey, and a key. Saying he had to leave early due to an early meeting and that I should take two aspirins and drink all the honey water. At the bottom, as if hastily added, he said to take the key to the house and lock it up when I left.

For some reason, I felt ridiculously happy at the gesture. August gave me the key to his house when he told me he didn't want anybody else in it, hence the dismissal of all the staff. He also reminded me we have a three o'clock meeting today at the company. Oh s**t! Scrambling off the bed, wincing from the headache, I took two aspirins as instructed and drank the whole glass of honey water. Anything August prepares tastes better.

Finding a simple soup and toasted bread at the counter, I ate everything and dashed out. Not wanting to be late for my meeting with the CEO, I called Nash while I was eating, and he told me I left my motorcycle at ISLE, just blabbering about going to a guy named August. He was confused because he thought I was dating River, but I was boarding a cab before he could stop me. Scoffing at my almost mishap, thankfully I didn't reveal the truth to Nash.

Still smiling to myself as I walked into the Eclipse Records building a little after two in the afternoon. Feeling ridiculously happy for some reason, even if I didn't get to see August this morning. My manager raised an eyebrow at my surprisingly cherry behavior. Shrugging, I discussed some of my upcoming schedules with her and everything I had to prepare. Telling me she sent the details to my line too, I absently nodded when I heard.

"So this is your first time to come face to face with the whole team and the ever-elusive CEO. Are you excited?" Beth asked, handing me a cup of coffee.

"Thanks and yes, I am very excited. I wonder how he is at work," I mused out loud.

"Who?" Beth asked, confused. "Oh, you mean the CEO? Yeah. He is absolutely a perfectionist at work, so you should think about whatever you want to say during the meeting before saying it. He could slit your throat with his words. I remember you being all flirty with him during the ball. He might not like it if you did that today," she warned.

Nodding in acknowledgment, yet having a hard time picturing the August I know with the image of the one she is describing. Walking into the meeting room, with almost all the department leaders and front and center, is the man I've been thinking about since I woke up this morning. Gorgeous but looked exhausted and pissed off. He was discussing something with the person on his right and only looked up when Tanner whispered I had arrived.

Looking straight at me but with an impassive face, I couldn't help the big smile on my face. August momentarily paused, looking at my face when he saw the smile but was tapped by Tanner, bringing him back to the present.

We discussed the song lineups, album covers, promotion plans, and everything that an artist needs to become popular. August had a vision for my career path, but before he voiced his opinion, he always let me speak first after each presentation.

A few wide-eyed stares were thrown my way but no one said a word about the obvious difference in our interaction with the way August deals with his other artists. With most agreeing to my song choices except for two. He said we have got to remove Crescent Eyes and Secrets from this album. Ironically, both of those songs I wrote for him, so I couldn't help but ask.

"With all due respect, Mr. Kisler, do you mind telling me why you want those two songs removed? I love those songs and they are very important to me," I eyed him curiously and a little indignantly because they were for him. Did he not like them? How can he throw those songs away?

A series of shocked gasps could be heard across the room, everyone probably questioning my sanity for speaking up to the most powerful man in the company. August looked at me for a tad too long. I was beginning to regret asking. Mentally prepared myself to be told to shut up and just do as I am told.

Instead, August drank from his coffee cup before answering. "All songs on this album are about heartbreak, trying to forget and move on. It created a theme for your album. Dark, angsty, broken rockstar. I assume all these songs are personal and the time you wrote them you were going through each emotion. Crescent Eyes and Secrets are the exact contrast to the rest. It's about the joy and hope of falling in love again, the journey to recovery, and it's written for someone else, not the one you were singing about for all those other songs. Don't get me wrong, these two songs are great. I think Crescent Eyes is my favorite. But if you want them released, I suggest you wait to put them on your next album. Won't it be better for you to create Unchaste and be able to hand them to that person, knowing you moved on from them by putting everything down into your melody and lyrics? If you include Crescent Eyes and Secrets in there, he'd think they were about him." He pointed out included, but there was no anger.

Ironically, I think it's August's way of telling me he knows I wrote the last two songs for him, and he doesn't want to be on the same album as the one I made for Bryan. He is making sense, but the next album could take two years. I don't want to waste the songs I wrote for August.

The meeting room had gone so quiet after August's explanation. No one even dared to breathe in case it pissed August off, who had put his chin on his clasped hands on the table, looking at me challengingly.

"What happens if I don't agree to take them off the list?" I asked him directly, also looking him in the eyes.

"Normally, I'd tell you I don't give a f*****g damn what you want. I'm the one who will sign off everything. But for your guts newbie, I'll make an exception just this one time. I'll let you decide if you want to keep them or wait for your next album. Which I'm pretty sure would be one hundred percent about this new person. I already have an idea of what that album would look like in contrast to Unchaste's dark theme. I think Rebirth would be a good album title," he smiled, and the room was quieter. The reason no longer being fear, but absolute wonder at the rare beautiful smile on their boss' face.

"You're right, your vision seems better than mine and I have one hundred percent trust in your expertise and experience. I'll follow your suggestion, Mr. Kisler," I assured him. Feeling lighter than ever, knowing I am in great hands and August knows what he is doing. The way he's already planning for the next album, while we are still working on the first.

"All right, is there anything else?" August asked everyone in the room.

A hesitant hand was raised and August gave a nod for her to speak up.

"Hi Shaun, I'm Sara, the head of the PR department. I'm pretty sure this question sounds too personal but for us to be prepared for all circumstances, I need to get this out of the way. Are you currently in a relationship? We just want to know, so we can prepare in case there'll be a scandal in the height of your promotions," she asked.

"I'm not sure yet, but I started seeing someone just recently," I answered briefly, glancing at August as I did.

"Hmmm... well, getting into a new relationship when starting a showbiz career is a pretty bad idea, you might want to rethink this," Sara pointed out.

"You're the third person who told me that. The first one would be the one I am dating, the second his best friend and now you. I'm pretty sure my answer would still be "I'll take the consequences if something happens," I told her.

"You must remember, if you wreck your career you are not only doing damage to yourself, the company is spending a lot of money on you," Sara told me directly. I could feel August and Tanner's stare, but I ignored them.

"I'll be careful. Also, I don't know if it is important for you to know now, but I'm Bisexual. If that information gets out in public, would that be a problem?” I asked her frankly.

Wide-eyed and glancing at August as if evaluating what's the right thing to do, when I opened up about my sexuality so easily.

"But this kind of thing will have a big impact on your career," she said slowly.

"I know. I wanted to be a voice for the l***q community, and that is why I'm pursuing this career. We just want to be treated like everyone else. Gender shouldn't matter at all," Making my stand on the matter clear, if she ever suggested we keep this a secret.

"We can safely assume a lot of people already know this, right?", it was August who spoke and I nodded.

"Then I suggest Ms. PR leader, find a way to disclose this information ASAP during his promotions and make it so it will be beneficial for him instead of another hitch in his career," August told the PR Director acidly.

Nodding in fear, she had started writing on her iPad. After checking there were no more questions, August dismissed the meeting. He put his head in his hand as if he were having a migraine and told Tanner to close the door after everyone left and to dim the lights.

AUGUST

My migraine must be caused by both a lack of sleep and the early start of endless meetings today. Thankfully, the meeting with Shaun had been the last. Asking Tanner to close the door and dim the light before leaving, wanting to get back my bearings before heading home. Finally picking up my car tomorrow would prevent me from further inconveniencing Tanner by making him leave home earlier to also pick me up.

Recalling how I had almost run to the curve this morning, preventing Tanner from barging into the house, regretting giving him a spare key for an emergency. After all, I was living alone. If no one else had a key, if something happened I'd be left there helpless.

I barely slept at all after Shaun arrived drunk last night. He had clung to me all night, whispering sweet nothing's and kissing. He'd probably be embarrassed if he found out, but I should be more embarrassed because I was sober, and I let him. I even left him a spare key so he would be comfortable to leave whenever he is. Groaning at my stupidity, I heard the door creak open. Thinking it was Tanner asking if I was ready to leave, I told him to go home without me because I could call a ride home later.

Placing a couple of aspirin in my hand and water, I looked up to find Shaun gazing at me in concern.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.

"Drink that first. You look like you are about to pass out," he instructed. Feeling too tired and in pain to argue, I drank two of the pills.

"You shouldn't be here. People will get suspicious of why we are both here when the meeting's over," I told him.

"Most people had gone home now and I made sure to have an excuse to come back. I told Beth I left my guitar here," He smirked pointing at his guitar, still propped against the wall.

Grimacing at the pounding headache, I sighed. "Did you leave it here on purpose?" Head in my hand, I kept my eyes closed, willing the medicine to take effect.

"Yeah, I saw you weren't doing alright. Why don't I take you home?" Shaun offered.

"You don't have to Shaun, I also don't want to give my PR Team a problem before they can come up with how to package your sexuality," almost smiling, if only I wasn't in so much pain at the thought of the shocked PR Managers face when Shaun just directly said he was bisexual.

Sitting down beside me, he nods. "No one’s going to find it odd that someone who works for you offers to take you home Mr. CEO, when you're clearly not alright."

"Tanner's still here. I'll go home with him," I told him.

"Okay, I'll just stay here and be quiet. I just want to make sure you're alright," he says.

"Keep talking, your voice is kind of calming," I responded and he smiled brightly, his cute dimple showing their cuteness.

"Well, if you're sure. By the way, how did I end up at your house last night?" He asked curiously.

"You don't remember anything do you?" I glanced at him.

Shaking his head, I finally cracked a smile. "Too bad then, you'd be very entertained as I had been last night if you did," I teased him.

"Oh God! Did I do something uncomfortable? Did I sprout a lot of nonsense? I tend to do that when I'm drunk. I get all clingy if I like someone and I say things," he cuts his sentence feeling embarrassed despite not recalling everything.

Feeling myself blush despite the migraine, remembering Shaun's touch and intimately whispered words in bed last night. Refusing to look him in the eye anymore, I pretended to be in too much pain to save myself from answering.

Hearing a short rap on the door, Tanner strode in. Shocked to see Shaun and raising his eyebrows. Indicating this is not a safe environment to be nearby.

"I forgot my guitar, Tanner. I came back to get it but saw August here so I stayed for a bit to make sure he's alright," Shaun assured Tanner. Finally standing up to pick up his guitar, he looked at me a little too familiarly for a casual acquaintance before softly saying I should go home to rest now and that he was going to work in the recording room for a bit.

Sighing in relief, Tanner asked me if I needed to go to the hospital. Declining, telling Tanner I just needed to sleep this off. He nodded and told me he had my bag and we could leave now. Calling Kyle and telling him to drop by my house before going home so he could check on me, I smiled in appreciation at these two friends who had cared for me more than anyone would expect from their friends.

TANNER

August had fallen asleep finally. Kyle is currently still with him checking his vitals, worried that he has been getting more frequent migraines lately. I was in the kitchen making August porridge so he would have food when he woke up. Spotting two sets of everything in the dish drying rack made me curious. But then again maybe August had just not washed his dishes previously.

Glancing briefly at the clock, it's already Ten in the evening. We have to go home soon or Kyle won’t even get a decent sleep tonight. As if hearing my thoughts, Kyle had come down the stairs. Concern was etched in his eyes as he asked if I had the contact information of August's therapist in the US. Assuring him I'll get it, he nods and moves to pick up his bag when we both hear the lock on the door turn. Freezing in surprise, because only I had a spare key and August was certainly in bed. Kyle had swiftly moved over to me, placing me behind his back but the one who came in was certainly as surprised as we are.

"Shaun?" I uttered in surprise.

Large eyes bulged as he looked over to us, knowing full well there was no way out of this situation.

"Uh... hi. Sorry, did I frighten you both? I just finished recording and had bought August some porridge, thinking he must not have eaten anything," he smiled tentatively, holding out the packed food.

"You have a key?" That was all I managed to utter.

Before Shaun could answer, Kyle had dragged me out and told Shaun to take care of August. Telling him to call him through Gus's phone if something happens.

"But Kyle! I thought they just went on one date. How does he already have a key to his house?" I protested as Kyle placed me in the passenger seat.

Walking over to his side, he sighs and finally utters, "Babe, can't you see? If August likes him, it's none of our business and, technically, we should be celebrating. August hadn't been with anyone else besides Azi."

"No... that's the exact problem, Kyle. He looks like Azi! What if August is just confusing his feelings? What if he just reminded him of Azi, that is why he is taking things too far, too fast?" I insisted, now utterly worried for my best friend whose previous relationship had fallen apart due to my fault. Still felt guilty of the last five years that August had suffered and still hoped Azi would also forgive me someday as August had done. August had become the sibling I never had, but also, I was paying penance for the way I had ruined his and Azi's life. August will never tell me this, but I know at some deep part of his heart he still felt resentment at the fact that my revelation of their secret relationship had led to Azi's breakdown and, eventually, the very painful words said during their breakup that had wrecked August's psyche permanently.

"Kyle, what if Shaun breaks what August had so fragilely put back together? He won't survive it this time," I finally whispered my fear.

"Trust August to know how he feels. He finally let his emotions decide for him again, babe. I think Shaun really likes him and whatever happens, we'll be here for him," Kyle, who has always been my pillar of strength, assures me as he squeezes my hand with his free ones.

Unknowingly, as the lovers drove home holding each other's hands, Kyle's phone rang. It had been in silent mode since he had been at the hospital that day. It finally stopped ringing, and the missed calls appeared on the screen along with the messages that were about to change Shaun and August's story forever.