The Billionaire's Little Miss Superstar

The Morning After

Chloe woke up with a splitting headache. Under the sheets, she perked her ears and listened eagerly for any signs of movement. There was none. Levi was not next to her either. Relieved, she pulled down the blankets, feeling her entire body sore – specifically her legs and waist.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, the scenes from last night flashed into Chloe’s mind. Her cheeks heated up and thought that the experience with Levi was physically taxing. Yet, she would be a hypocrite if she said she wasn’t satisfied.

Well, now that she knows what s*x feels like…

The loud ringing of a familiar ringtone pulled Chloe’s thoughts back to the present. She looked around and found her jeans lying on the floor. Sluggishly, she rolled out of bed disregarding the soreness. She made a mental note of dropping by the pharmacy for some painkillers and contraceptives. It was her first time. She could not take the risk of getting knocked up.

“What’s up?” she spoke the moment the line connected.

The caller was Jack.

“Jesus! I thought something bad happened to you!”

“Really? So, it took you ‘til morning to check up on me?”

“Well, I saw you dancing with Levi Bowman last night. So, I thought you guys hit it off… Who am I to disturb you?” Jack teased.

Chloe felt her cheeks burn. Pulling the hem of the fresh robe she was wearing, she remembered how Levi patiently and carefully bathed her after they did the deed. She found the gesture thoughtful.

“Nonsense! We just talked. He found it amusing that I was not a fan and you were the one who wanted the autograph,” she reasoned. It was not a lie but not the whole truth either. How could she possibly tell her best friend that she slept with the football star?

Jack fell silent for a moment before letting out a roar of laughter.

“Damn! And here I am thinking you finally got rid of your precious!”

“f**k off! Did you call just to piss me off?”

He coughed. “Of course not. Just checking since you left without a word last night. Mikey mentioned that someone had come looking for you, too. So…”

She blinked, struck by the memory of her conversation with Brandon. She had planned to give her response today. In fact, she could leave Wellington if the producer was willing to take her away. She believed the sooner they started the preparations, the better. After all, she had waited long enough to finally get the one-in-a-million chance!

“I’m fine. I was feeling under the weather so I left without saying goodbye. Sorry about that. I’ll bring the knapsack for you. Are you still at the bar?”

“Uhuh. I had to cover for Dean. I heard his mom had been hospitalized. So, he had to take care of his daughter while running some errands.” Jack sighed, then added, “I can’t imagine myself having a child. It must be a chore.”

Chloe laughed as an image of Jack carrying a baby and a feeding bottle crossed her mind. It was indeed a funny idea. She quietly looked forward to such a day happening. It would be a sight to behold!

“But I think it was a wise choice to keep the child. Imagine dumping the baby in the orphanage. She would grow up utterly oblivious to her roots. Besides, Dean has gotten more mature since then. I’ll hang up now. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

Dean was one of their closest friends. He was in the same year as Jack when they attended university. But one morning, Dean found a baby with a note on his doorstep. It was his daughter with one of the girls he hooked up with. It was quite a shocker. He didn’t even remember who the lady was. So, his mother insisted on keeping the child. Four years later, Dean was a single dad with a three-year-old little girl. Chloe thought he had become a lot more cheerful and optimistic ever since the arrival of the youngster. Maybe it was the magic of parental love.

“Okay. I’ll whip up some breakfast.”

“Thanks,” she murmured before ending the call.

Gathering strength, Chloe collected her crumpled clothes sprawled on the floor. She would bury the experience from last night in the deepest parts of her memory. It was the conclusion of her innocence and the life of busking and performing on small stages in Wellington. The moment she walked out of that room, she would be starting another chapter.

After washing her face, Chloe slipped back into her clothes. She was glad she wore a long-sleeved polo yesterday that hid the hickeys and bruises from last night’s ordeal. She scanned the luxurious hotel room and found that her guitar was missing. She recalled Levi putting it in the backseat of his truck. But she did not have the means to contact him. Besides, her pride prevented her from asking about the man. It was not like she wanted any further connection with him.

Right. It was better to leave it at that.

It was just a one-night stand with no strings attached. They were just two strangers who shared a few hours of comfort in each other’s arms.

Moreover, she would be signing a contract with Brandon soon. What’s a few days without a guitar? She could just get another one!

“Goodbye, Levi,” she whispered, turning on her heels, holding Jack’s knapsack.

She left the hotel and took a cab back to her studio, changed her clothes, and headed back to The Tempest. Chloe went around the backdoor and found Jack sitting by the bar. He was talking to a man whom she found very familiar.

“She’s here!” Jack exclaimed.

“Ah, Ms Brooks...”

It was Brandon. He gave her a friendly grin as he rose from his seat.

“Mr Schwimmer! I was just thinking of giving you a call!” she shrieked in surprise. She was not expecting the busy man to drop by again.

“Come, sit.” Brandon motioned impassively. He looked tired but the sparkle in his eyes when he heard her was evident. “I just thought I’d drop by before I fly out.”

Chloe chuckled as she settled next to him. Jack tactfully got on his feet to give them privacy. He must have known why Brandon was there, she thought.

“Here’s a sample of the contract I have drawn up for you. You will be getting the best deal and earn more than you can imagine. I have it all figured out and all I need is your agreement,” Brandon pushed a bundle of paper toward her.

With trembling hands, Chloe read the contract and found it nothing but great. She did her own little research about labels and the artists under them. As a rookie, the one she was holding was twice as much than those popular stars when they just started. Attached to it was also a thorough plan of her workshop on becoming a public figure, recording schedules, appearances, album releases, and even concerts! She was mind blown!

“This is not the whole thing, dear. After your debut album, brands will be able to check your appeal and charms to the public. We can also get you some endorsement deals.”

“T-This… This is so good, Mr Schwimmer…”

“If you work hard, you will get what you deserve. You are born for this Chloe. You have to believe that you are meant for all of this,” Brandon muttered reassuringly. He was not one to exploit an artist for his own benefit. He strived for quality and had faith that Chloe had what it took to bring a storm to the world. The young lady was a gem.

“I will personally arrange production for your albums. We will work together and put all your songs to a whole new level. I will make sure to provide the best so you can showcase what you have got in you.”

With teary eyes, Chloe looked at Brandon gratefully. For the first time in her life, someone has repeatedly reminded her of her value. It was something she had yearned for. It wouldn’t be an overstatement if she said he was her savior. He was the one who reached out and offered to pull her out of the quicksand of self-pity and doubt.

“I would love to be under your wing, Mr Schwimmer! It would be my honor to have the chance to work with you!” she cried. What’s there to think about? This was her dream and it was all coming true!

“Very well! I will have someone to arrange things and bring you to New Letherbridge for the contract signing with our lawyers. You did keep my card, right? Call me when you have settled everything here. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I will. Thank you!”

Brandon waved dismissively. “You don’t have to thank me. That will only make me feel guilty for not finding you sooner. I am relieved that you did not take the prior rejections to heart.”

Chloe shook her head. “It is my pleasure to work with you, Mr Schwimmer.”

“And mine…” Brandon extended an arm and they shook hands. They spent a few more minutes chatting until the man left for the airport. Chloe was ecstatic and she was unable to hold her tears when her eyes landed back on the contract in her hands. It was tangible – proof that everything was real.

“Stop crying! You deserve all of this, Chloe. You have to believe what Mr Schwimmer said. He’s not one to joke when it comes to his work. Your angels have finally started working. Make the most out of it!” Jack snapped, pulling the paper to take a look.

“I know… It’s just that… It's too sudden...” she sniffed.

“So, when are you packing up? You should start now. You’ve been waiting for this for years. You must make haste.”

Chloe laughed. Jack’s nagging reminded her of her mother.

“Thanks. I’ll drop by the cemetery before leaving. I can’t leave my parents without saying goodbye.”

“Alright. We have to celebrate. I’ll call Dean. We can hang out at his place since he’s babysitting. Let’s just grab a few cans of beer and groceries,” Jack suggested thoughtfully.

Well, considering that they were all broke, homecooked meals and a movie night as a celebration was not a bad idea at all. It was Chloe’s thing. She didn’t have many friends and enjoyed an intimate gathering with those closest to her.

“Have Mikey come over, too.”

With that, Chloe and Jack enjoyed brunch. Alas, she had completely forgotten about the hangover and body aches that dropping by the pharmacy totally slipped her mind!