CHAPTER 14
REMI
As soon as Sebastian reappears on stage, my heart starts racing. Now that I’ve seen what he’s capable of, what kind of magic flows from his fingertips, I find myself even more drawn to him, more enchanted by that quiet, enigmatic aura he carries like a second skin.
Sebastian is a riddle made of contradictions. Just when you think you’ve begun to understand him, he shifts, unexpected, disarming. He’s the only person I know who can be sharp-witted and sensual, sarcastic and tender, sweet and unguarded one moment, then fierce and resolute the next.
The thought of getting closer to him still sends a shiver of vertigo through me, but I’m starting to think it’s inevitable. I don’t believe there’s anything in this world strong enough to keep me away from him now.
When his delicate, slightly trembling hands return to the keys, the spell resumes. I’m swept away by the music, by the depth of feeling he pours into every note. Time dissolves. The room fades.
It’s as if we’re suspended in a bubble, just the two of us, adrift in a world made of sound and light and something else entirely. Something he conjured. Something I never want to leave.
At one point, the rhythm grows faster and faster, almost hypnotic. I blink out of my trance and realize everyone around me is holding their breath. The audience is completely captivated. It feels like an enchantment has settled over the hall.
Seb plays feverishly, drenched in sweat, his hair flying wildly across his face, his gaze lost somewhere far away. And yet, he hasn’t lost a shred of that grace that seems to belong only to him.
Then, suddenly, his hands freeze over the keys.
Silence.
For a heartbeat, there’s only deafening stillness, then the hall erupts into applause. Bit by bit, the entire audience rises to its feet. Sebastian stands, bows with a stunned expression, and thanks the crowd again and again, until an assistant hands him a massive bouquet and escorts him backstage.
All of us are on our feet, clapping. Then we turn to each other, speechless.
Jamie is the first to break the silence, his voice buzzing with excitement. “Well, guys, Sebastian absolutely nailed it. I mean, wow!”
Not exactly the technical review I expected from him, but honestly, I think it sums up how we all feel.
Noah chimes in right after his boyfriend. “Scriabin, or whatever his name is, our Seb totally won that bet! That piece was insane. I’ve never heard anything like it.”
He sighs dreamily and leans into Jamie, who kisses the top of his head with casual affection.
Amid the buzz and chatter, Anne elbows me in the ribs to get my attention. “Remi, look! That woman getting up down there in the front row, that’s May Morris!”
“The curvy brunette? The one who looks like a Kardashian?” I ask, laughing.
“Yep, that’s her. But don’t let the sexy looks fool you, she’s a shark. She’s had Sebastian on a leash for years, with help from his parents…”
I frown. “What do you mean, Anne?”
“That boy’s been squeezed dry since he was a child. I’ve always thought that his parents would realize they had a little genius on their hands, but they got blinded by the prestige, by the potential… and by the money that came with it.”
She bites her lip, looking uneasy, like she’s suddenly worried she’s said too much. But knowing Anne, I trust her instincts. And if she’s concerned about Sebastian, there must be a reason.
Most of the audience has started to trickle out, but we’ve been invited to a private reception in one of the upper rooms, along with a handful of other guests. Sebastian was kind enough to put us on the list, so there’s no need to rush.
I take the opportunity to ask her more.
“But Sebastian’s not a child anymore. How can his parents and that agent still have so much control over him?”
Anne’s eyes narrow as she thinks. “From what I know, the Arnettes have always managed his finances. And May Morris takes a hefty cut from the gigs she books for him. I hate gossip, you know that, but I find it absurd that even now, as an adult, Seb doesn’t have full access to the fruits of his own work. ”
And suddenly, it all clicks.
That’s why, despite being a successful musician, Sebastian is still living frugally. Why he’s been searching for a cheap room during his time in London. Why he never talks about money, not in the way someone with his career normally might.
Still, I can’t understand why he hasn’t broken free from all that control. I ask Anne directly.
“Seb’s an only child, and from what I remember, he’s always pushed himself to the limit, school, piano, everything, to meet his parents’ impossibly high expectations.
Especially his mother, Isabel… Honestly, I’m amazed he hasn’t cracked under the pressure.
I think moving to Paris was, at least in part, a way to put distance between them, and maybe Maddie too. ”
At the mere mention of Maddie, I flinch. Anne doesn’t notice; she’s still lost in her thoughts.
I’m not ready to talk about the breakup. Not even with Maddie’s best friend. But deep down, I know I made the right choice.
If there had been any doubt left in my heart, tonight erased it.
What I feel for Sebastian is undeniable, stronger, deeper, more real than anything I’ve ever felt before.
Before Anne can say another word, I spot Sebastian entering the room with his agent.
His eyes find mine almost instantly, and a shy smile spreads across his lips. There’s a glint of mischief in his gaze as he lifts a hand to wave, drawing the attention of the whole group. As we begin moving toward him, I realize I’m walking faster, unable to hold back the urge to reach him.
The moment I do, the words catch in my throat. Without thinking, I wrap him in a hug, pulling his slender, graceful frame against mine.
He’s tidied up a little, but there’s still a flicker of something unsettled in him. I hold him close, my nose brushing against his hair, breathing in that familiar scent of vanilla and sweat, and it hits me like a spark, rushing hot through my chest.
I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. Damp curls have slipped loose from the half-bun and headband, framing his face in soft, chaotic strands. He looks up at me, breathless, caught between excitement and uncertainty.
“You were… incredible, Seb. Oh God, I don’t even have the words.”
He smiles, still catching his breath, eyes wide with disbelief. “You really liked it that much?”
He says it like he doesn’t quite believe me. Like part of him still doubts he’s worthy of the praise. I want to tell him a hundred different ways just how extraordinary he is, but the others are already crowding in, eager to share their own reactions.
The group gathers around him, all clearly moved by what they’ve just witnessed. In the midst of the excitement, I don’t notice his agent approaching until she’s right beside me.
She extends a perfectly manicured hand. “May Morris. Mr Arnette’s agent. You must be his guests?”
I shake her hand, though I hesitate. After what Anne told me, it’s hard not to feel a flicker of suspicion. Her long, blood-red nails are nothing like the short, chipped black ones Sebastian usually wears.
Almost involuntarily, my eyes drop to his hands, and for the first time, I notice he’s not wearing any polish.
Then I look at the shirt he’s wearing, immaculately tailored, its cut carefully chosen to hide every tattoo. Nothing visible on his neck, arms, or back. The defiant, expressive version of him is missing, tucked away beneath sleek fabric and a polished image.
And it hits me: this version of Sebastian isn’t entirely real.
It’s been constructed. Curated. Designed to sell, to please.
But it’s not him.
But that wild, creative hairstyle? That’s pure Sebastian. A quiet act of rebellion, and it suits him perfectly.
May is still waiting for my reply, watching me with a faintly irritated expression.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Morris. I’m Remi Elliott, Sebastian’s flatmate, and yes…” I gesture to the others, “We’re his guests.”
She offers a sultry smile, her eyes flicking over me in open appraisal. Unlike Anne, I don’t see a loyal protector. I see a snake. And the fact that someone like her is so close to Sebastian makes my skin crawl.
She nods politely to the rest of the group but keeps her gaze fixed on me. Then she gestures toward the side exit, where the other reception guests have begun to file out.
“This way, Mr Elliott. Everyone, please follow me to the upper salon, where light refreshments will be served.”
We fall into step behind her, bumping shoulders like a pack of overexcited teenagers. Somewhere in the shuffle, Sebastian sidles up beside me, his arm brushing mine.
Even that tiny touch sets something off, an immediate rush of adrenaline that shoots down my arm and spreads like molten lava through the rest of me.
Seb looks up at me with a shy smile, then bats those long lashes and flashes that infamous dimple. I’m done for. Completely undone.
“Thank you for coming, Remi. You don’t know how much it means to me, having you all here…”
“Don’t even joke about it. We wouldn’t have missed your performance for the world. Didn’t you hear how excited everyone was?”
He still looks unsure. “They weren’t bored? You’re sure?”
“Seb! Didn’t you hear all the compliments?”
“I did, but… I just wondered if they actually meant it.”
“Mate, the whole hall was in awe. I might not know much about classical music, but that was one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever witnessed. That standing ovation wasn’t polite, it was genuine. It said everything.”
Finally, he smiles, really smiles, his eyes gleaming with mischief as a soft blush spreads across his cheeks.
“Okay, okay, I get it. It’s just…”
Before he can finish, May suddenly appears at our side and cuts in, sharp as a blade, grabbing Seb by the elbow. “Sorry to interrupt, but our pianist needs to greet some important guests.”
She whisks him away before I can get another word out.