The Rockstar and The Balladeer: An MM Rockstar CEO Romance

In My Head Rent Free 24/7

AUGUST

Of all the things that happened during my high school senior year, one of the few good things I got was my now best friend, Tanner, who had refused to be pushed out of my life after the school scandal that almost ruined our lives. Perhaps out of guilt at first for being the catalyst to the breakdown of my relationship with Azi, having revealed said secret relationship to the public.

Eventually, when I learned to forgive and understood that the relationship was always bound to fail anyway, Tanner became the sibling I never had. Although he had stayed in Alem, studying Business Management at Alem University, he had flown out to visit me a couple of times during my five-year stay in the US studying Music Business/Management at Berklee.

After graduating mere months apart, I was poised to take on my master’s while Tanner had been hired to work at a famous corporation, all thanks to his stellar academic records. Then my mother passed away suddenly. Coming home after so many years had left mixed feelings in my heart.

Always having known that I was going to take over my mother's company, I knew the career I wanted was not an option. Tanner, ever the most loyal friend had given in to my request to be my executive assistant and thus combined both our knowledge in music and business to run the Eclipse Records. The premature appointment as CEO at only 24 had left me reeling from the intimidating responsibility of running a big company with hundreds of people. My mother too would not have known that she would pass away at only fifty-six and she hadn't even trained me for the position which she also took over after my father died when I was merely 5 years old. Still the daunting tasks, I faced head-on with Tanner by my side. I finally felt settled enough after three months to think about doing a little something that was just personal, away from the life that had been forced upon me.

It was while I met Walter and Kyle yesterday to finally have dinner after three months of being here. The hesitance was long and torturing but I had my trepidations. Surprisingly though, Kyle and Walter with Tanner had been nothing but fun and Azi was never mentioned the whole time. When they took me out to post-dinner drinks, that's when I saw the sign posted in ISLE. I thought this was my chance and I took it.

Tonight was liberating. I finally got a chance to sing on stage again. I had steadily worked part-time as a singer in a small local bar in Boston all these years. Frankly, I loved it except, when I recall those lively doe eyes made of molten lava and fire on a dangerously rugged handsome face and those legs for days, I begin to doubt my decision.

Having gotten used to separating my real life from the few hours I was a singer, I had consistently used River as my stage name. Only very few people are aware that I had a different real name and a different real life. Tanner being one of them had been supportive. Offering to drive me whilst I was still waiting for my car to arrive from the US.

My mother's car, I had given to her driver who had been with her for more than twenty years as part of his severance pay and compensation. I didn't want anyone driving me around. I also packed up all the household staff, not wanting to share the house with anyone, opting to hire outside services to do the cleaning and laundry weekly. I was used to my independence and I know how to do the chores, so I preferred this arrangement. Thankful to be left to myself to grieve on my own after my mother's passing.

Thanking Tanner as he reminded me he'd pick me up at eight-thirty in the morning so we could go to work together, I gazed at the large two-story house that had always been home since I was a kid. It's far too large for a single man but I felt bad thinking of letting it go. Despite the dark, I walked in relying on muscle memory to guide me to the light switch that I've known the location of since I was five.

Now sitting on my bed after a shower, taking out my iPad to get rid of some emails that need responses. Feeling restless and unable to concentrate, I went to my social media and smiled looking at a photo of the four of us uploaded by Walter in his i********:. Laughing at Kyle's obnoxious comment and Tanner's stern tell-off. Then there's Nile, who had commented that next time he should also be invited, tagging me saying he was glad to finally see my face even in just a picture after five years. Briefly wondered if Azi had an account and if he was friends with any of them. Well, certainly not Tanner, but maybe the rest of them.

Would he be mad that I was hanging out with his friends now? Not to be mean but it was a relief to know he's to Paler because I didn't have to face him anytime soon.

Reposting the picture and replying to Nile, telling him to come join next time. Walter had DM'd me asking me if I had started my "secret job" as he referred to it. Told him I did and he promised to come by Friday, to watch and hang out. Telling him that would be nice since Tanner and Kyle were going back home to Casper for the weekend.

After the fallout of the scandal, Tanner and Kyle had also separated for more than a year only to get back together realizing that they did love each other. Walter had briefly dated our teacher in high school whom he had a huge crush on in college but the age gap eventually caused them to collapse under pressure two years later. Staying single since Walter had spent all his energy studying film and working on indie movies. He is getting recognition now as a respected young indie film director. Kyle had been less predictable, because who would have thought he'd want to be a doctor? Currently in his third year Medicine Proper, he looks like such a clown sometimes but under that exterior is a very hard-working man who, Tanner says, barely gets four hours of rest every day to study.

Finally refocusing on my social media account, I logged into my other account as River. Notifications from the post from ISLE had flooded my phone, as hundreds of likes and comments were already under the picture and short video of me singing. Jag had officially introduced me as part of the ISLE Family, listing my MWF schedule below. Thankful that it seems quite a number liked my performance, while most of the comments had been about my looks and if anyone knew my contact information. Feeling tickled because most of them are women and being fully pledged gay since I was thirteen, I've never even kissed a girl before.

My eyes landed on the post for ISLE's main attraction. Shaun and his Band. Those have garnered at least a thousand likes. Does the bar even fit that many people or do they just see a hot, leather jacket-clad rocker and like it? Beyond the physical similarities, Shaun is leaner and thus his doe eyes seem larger in his smaller face compared to Azi's. He is also extremely photogenic. Some people are just blessed like that. Unreasonably tall, handsome, and talented. What's wrong with this guy? Well, maybe, if his songs are a mirror of real life, the way he sings about not wanting commitments is the one problem. He's commitment-phobic. He's probably aware of his good looks and doesn't want to be tied down. Oh, these poor girls.

Ineffectively dismissing my curiosity about Shaun, I sighed and closed the app. Laying down to sleep. I think large doe eyes are my curse. Remembering how cold it was in Brody and how hard I endured the first few months I got there just to run away from my cursed first love, I finally went to sleep convinced more than ever to stay away from Shaun.

SHAUN

As embarrassing to admit as it is, I knew the exact moment River had picked up his guitar and left. I was in the middle of our 6th song and despite the crowd, River looked crystal clear as he moved cat-like out of the door.

After that, my energy seemed to wane dramatically, I had to force myself to maintain a somewhat decent performance. What's up with this unhinged crush on that snobby rich boy?

That night, as I lit a joint and drank cold beer on my balcony, I started writing a song.

In you walked cat like in your designer outfit,

Smelling like expensive perfume,

That could pay for fuckin’ six months of rent.

I always hated them rich boys like you,

annoyingly flaunting your rich sassy ass,

Like you're mocking poor boys like me.

Still your sexy pout I can't unsee,

Like your crescent eyes as they fall on me.

You're so countless-s*x-all-night coded,

Like you're created just to please a man,

Baby, why don't I show you today,

My finger's great not only on my guitars.

Throwing my pen down when I realized, while I was writing it down, it was River on my mind. God damn it, I'm losing my mind! Berating myself for letting that boy affect me this much.

"What got your panties in a knot rockstar?" I looked up to find my roommate teasing me with a grin.

"Nash, when you met Brody what was it like?" Nash's brow rose at this very unexpected question.

"I mean, didn't you tell me you knew right away the first time you saw him that he was something special," I elaborated.

"Uh uh! Man, I couldn't take my eyes off of him the first time I laid my eyes on him. There's just no explanation for it, I just liked what I saw and I found myself only looking at him since," Nash shared. "Wait... what is this kind of question? Shaun! Did you meet someone?"

I shrugged. Nash was right on the money about being unable to take my eyes off him though. But I was still half convinced. It's just a crush. He's good looking after all, with a sexy voice.

"SHAUN! This is something! Since Bryan, you've never given anyone the time of your day! Who's he or she?" Nash asked curiously.

"Doesn't matter Nash. He hates me," I said.

"Hates you? Nobody hates you, Shaun! Everyone loves you! Do you know how many times I'm stuck as the ugly bestie and I'm not even ugly!" Nash exclaims.

"Well, he does. He hates me for some reason. I don't know," Putting down the guitar and stretching my leg.

The next day I spent it at The Eclipse Records, where I was scheduled to take promotional photos. My new manager Beth has been nothing but nice, although she is currently handling two other artists aside from me. Sitting through makeup, I heard several make-up artists gossiping. I was keeping my eyes closed though.

"Ria, have you seen our new CEO? My God, it's the first time I saw him today in person. We took the same elevator. Ria, he- is- a- GORGEOUS, gorgeous man! Ohhhh those eyes," Makeup artist whose name I didn't quite get giggles, obviously taken with our new Boss.

Personally, I have not met him. From what I know, we joined the company at about the same time, he took over after our previous CEO- his mother, passed away. He will officially be introduced next week during The Eclipse Records Yearly Ball, where all the new artists like me will also be introduced, as well as new records that are going to be released next year.

"Yes, Mr. Kisler is a very handsome man. He's cold and scary though," the one speaking is Ria I presumed.

"If you're rich as f**k and a CEO at 24, you'd not care about other people’s feelings too, Ria. I don't care how cold he is, if he bats an eyelash at me, I'd melt," Nameless make-up artist seems to have a huge crush on CEO, August Kisler.

Curious and looking forward to meeting this gorgeous CEO. I've been here at least three times each week because I was working on my album but I had not had the pleasure of meeting our mysterious Boss. I understand why our Boss was not too keen on socializing. After all, he was grieving his mother and now found himself responsible for such a big company. I'm also 24 and I just wanna write songs and sing. I think Mr. Kisler deserves admiration. From what I heard, the company is thriving better than ever, with the fresh new ideas and approach taken by the young CEO.

"Do you think he has a girlfriend?" Nameless #2 asked.

"He just came back from the US. If he does, she must be in the US," Ria points out.

Shaking my head at the amount of information gossips can acquire. Speaking of someone who just came back from the US, my mind once again drifts to ISLE's new singer. Opening the social media account of ISLE, I was surprised and pleased to find out that River is already getting popular. The comments alone had been full of praise for his voice and his beautiful face. Knowing full well that I was also one of those who banked on his looks to get noticed, I think having an attractive face is an advantage. River's pretty face is going to make him popular in no time. I won't be surprised if he gets scouted soon too.

Mentally chastising myself because I had been constantly thinking of the shorter man since yesterday. I was pulled out of my reverie by a tap on my shoulder and nameless #2 saying that I was done and the shoot was ready for me. Shaking off my thoughts of River, I smiled and thanked her.

“Now Shaun, you just have to look handsome for the photos. We need to be famous so we can play in the music festivals. Plus, it's not so bad being a contract artist, I no longer have to work at my other part-time,” I told myself as I stood up. I'm only continuing my stint in ISLE because I like it and I liked Jag.

The next time I saw River in person - because he basically lived in my head rent-free 24/7 since we met- was on Friday. I sat once again in the bar, chatting briefly with Plug who was surprised that I wasn't here for food but to listen to the acoustic singer. The now familiar sexy smirk is present as he reads song requests and messages from his new fans.

"Thank you for listening to me tonight. Before I end my set, I'd like to sing this song to someone who loved this song so much when we were in high school that he had this on loop in his Spotify. Walter, this song is for you... " Smiling sweetly at a handsome man who raised his glass to River, grinning happily. I could feel my blood boil and my grip on the beer on my hand tightened. Does he have a boyfriend? Did he say high school? How long had they been dating?

After his set, he stepped off the stage and went straight to the table in the middle, as the tall man, even taller than I am, stood up to hug him. Feeling like my oxygen got cut off suddenly, I walked out of the bar. Sitting on my motorbike I lit a cigarette. Great, the first one I was interested in after three years and he is taken. Mentally composing myself since my own set was about to start, I crushed the cigarette butt with the sole of my dirty Converse, imagining a certain tall man's face instead.