Prologue
My slumber was disturbed by the incessant buzz of my phone perched on the nightstand. I ignored it as I buried myself deeper in the covers; hoping to get at least another hour of sleep.
I had a late night in studio, recording songs for my upcoming third album that was scheduled to be released in a month.
To say I was excited would be an understatement.
However, my effort to drift back to sleep was futile and with a groan, I rolled over and fumbled for my phone. I squinted my eyes to shield them from the device’s brightness as I accepted the call.
“Hello?” I answered, my voice hoarse with sleep.
“Kalen, tune in to the Talk Show right now!” The voice on the line instructed and I instantly recognized it as my manager’s, EJ.
My brows furrowed in question but I didn’t voice it, instead, I followed his instruction and tuned in just in time for the show to return from commercials.
My facial expression morphed into surprise when I gazed at my girlfriend on screen. As per usual, she looked breath-taking; her blonde hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, giving way to her delicate facial features.
The royal blue dress she had on complimented her smooth skin and brought out the blue in her eyes. Despite my surprise, I couldn’t help the smile tugging at the edge of my lips. I was as enamoured with her as I was two years ago.
“Welcome back to the Talk Show. Twitter has been going crazy since actress, Alina Hall, tweeted an hour ago that she had a big announcement to make and I know I’m not the only one on the edge of my seat, burning with curiosity as to what the big announcement is.” The host said while looking at Alina expectantly.
I was intrigued as I had no recollection of Alina mentioning any of this when I spoke to her over the phone last night.
“Thank you once again for having me at such short notice.” Alina said, earning a nod from the host. “This is very difficult for me to say but I’m just going to come out and say it because I know the suspense is killing you.”
Something about her tone made my body rigid with tension as I awaited her next statement.
“I have HIV.” She solemnly uttered and the studio audience gasped.
In that instant, my blood ran cold. Her words were like a bucket of ice-cold water, chilling me to the bone.
“I was just as shocked when I found out. I had been faithful to Kalen throughout our relationship and never thought he could endanger my health in such a manner.” She murmured sadly as a lone tear slipped from her eye.
The air was knocked out of me as the weight of her words registered in my mind.
