Prologue
Seven Years Earlier
If you only had ten months to live, what would you do? The most common answer was to make the most out of your time left. And that was what I did. I lived like there was no tomorrow in sight because, in the grand scheme of things, my life was exactly like that.
The strobe lights flickered and danced to the beat as the DJ played one music after another. Bodies writhed and swayed on the open floor, their silhouettes creating a tantalizing show of shadows. I was smack dab in the middle of the festivities with one of my friends.
I didn't know her name. When you're constantly traveling, faces become a blur, and it is hard to remember people that you would never see again once you leave the place.
Except for one person. Although, I had yet to decide who that lucky man would be.
"Hey! You up for a fun night?!" One of the guys dancing beside us shouted, raising his voice so he could be heard over the loud music. I looked at him, but he wasn't the one I needed.
"She's looking for someone more famous!" My friend answered for me. The guy rolled his eyes, but thankfully, he didn't look offended.
A commotion broke inside the club, and we all stared at the source of chaos. I could see that everyone was trying to get close to a group of men who had just entered the establishment. Cheers and whistles resounded over the packed room, and the DJ temporarily lowered the volume so he could speak on the mic.
"Ladies and gents, we have a surprise guest tonight! Give it up for... Keelan and Creed!"
There was another round of hoots after that announcement, and the bodies surged toward the two people like they were magnets attracting all the attention. I locked my eyes on the taller one with black hair and the bluest eyes I had ever seen.
Before the night ends, my bucket list would be getting shorter.
Present Day
But living like there would be no tomorrow could lead to terrible decisions. Decisions... that would either make or break your life when those ten months suddenly turned into a year, into a decade, into a lifetime. When suddenly, you were left with no choice but to push beyond your end because you actually lived beyond tomorrow.
"Mommy, I'm tired of eating pasta," whined Tiffa.
My little daughter had been the reason why I fought and was still fighting against my fate. The little helion could be picky, though. However, I did understand her sentiment.
It had been pasta for an entire week now. Just plain carbs with a bit of catsup and spices. It was a quick and cheap recipe, but even I was getting tired of it.
"I'm sorry, Tiffa. Mommy promises to cook something else next week." I smiled at her and ruffled her hair.
Why did it say to me that I couldn't even provide healthy and delicious meals for my daughter? I am trying. I really am. But life had been hard for both of us. Between my medication and my daughter, money was stretched tight.
That made me remember that I still had to buy my prescription meds. I had nothing left. Our food had also run out.
I couldn't believe that this was just one of the numerous times when I had to choose between living or dying. Get my meds or let my daughter starve.
I pinched Tiffa's cheek, and she giggled, pushing away my dreadful thoughts for a moment. "How about this? I will go grocery shopping tomorrow and you can come with me."
Tiffa squealed and clapped her hands. "Yes! I want to!"
"Do you remember our rule?"
Tiffa nodded. "No touching or picking any item unless Mommy says so."
I kissed her forehead as a reward for remembering. Inside, my heart was breaking. How I longed to just buy her all she wanted and never worry about the money.
I let Tiffa continue eating while I sit with her at the table, pretending to work. In reality, I already ate what was little left on the pan where I cooked our food. My next meal was if Tiffa hadn't finished her food, which I didn't want to happen in the first place. The portion I gave her was small enough. She needed to eat.
I stared at the paper with scribbles and numbers written all over it. No matter how I computed it, the budget simply wasn't enough. If I worked overtime for a week straight, maybe it could be. But then, who would watch over Tiffa? I couldn't leave her with my neighbor for an entire week.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was like an object fit inside a museum, old and historic. Nevertheless, it was working. The call was from an unknown number. How likely would it be for it to be coming from a debt collector? Should I answer it?
I sighed and pressed the green button.
"Hi! This is Stefanie Meyer. How can I help you?" My voice was smooth and professional from the years I spent working in a small store as its sales clerk.
"This is Lydia calling from the Global Music Publishing Group," said the voice from the other line.
Why the heck would a music studio contact me? Ever since that night, and that man, I had been avoiding anything music-related like they were a plague.
My question was soon answered when Lydia continued. "I'm calling for a job offer. Your current employer was a friend of mine and she recommended you to me. I'm handling the recruitment of additional support staff for our upcoming Magnificence Tour. As long as you pass the initial screening and interview, the job is yours."
I gripped my phone tightly. I would not scream.
But this was the first time I managed to get something other than minimum wage jobs. Corporations like this offered benefits and good pay, even if you only had a support job. The money would greatly help Tiffa and me.
However, I didn't want to associate myself with these folks again. The last time I did, it turned out to be a disaster.
But the money...
Argh, the world was huge! There would be no way I would see him on this tour. And I would only be working as a support staff. If ever he would be there as well, I could easily avoid him. What were the chances, anyway?
I took a deep breath and asked, "When is the screening?"
