Heyyy guys.

So before we start I would like you all please note: This is a slow burn book! Nothing here happens really fast, especially the romance.

Music recommendation: Keep it Movin by Tiana and Hakeem

Empire Soundtrack

ENJOY!

******

NARRATOR'S POV

“Thanks for coming out to watch us play guys! We're finally back and here to stay! We love you all!”

The crowd went wild and Angelo couldn't help but chuckle to himself. As always, they had this show in the bag and hundreds of people turned up for this show. The the Extremes weren't the best for nothing!

*******

BACKSTAGE

“Hey Helia, were you trying to impress Layla with your smooth rhymes? I could see you winking at her during the show. Dude your PDA is getting too heavy. Get a room!”

“Not my fault you can't hold a steady relationship, Angelo. PDA is just one of the things you can't handle. Hehe”

Angelo gave Helia a sour look. He is their second vocalist and rapper for the Extremes band. Plus, he was always reminding Angelo of how single he was and his non-committal views towards relationships but he did not care, after all, he thought he was popular and could have any girl he wanted!

He is am Angelo, leader of one of the best bands in the country, "Extremes". They had just completed our world tour and decided to base back in City D. Where it all started.

“Guys I want to head out for a drink. I'm not exactly comfortable after the whole screaming and all.”

“Pfft you never get used to this do you Angelo”. Damien their bassist joked.

“I never do Damien. I'll see you all later tonight.”

He took a hat to cover up his hair. He did not want to run into any crazy fans this evening. All he wanted was some alone time and a disguise would help him achieve just that!

He needed some fresh air and a walk would do the job. Walks always made him better.

****ASTRIA'S POV***

“Sigh....”

I want this shift to be over! Lucy kept nagging and complaining bitterly about how she missed the Extremes show.

I never knew why she was so obsessed with them. I'll admit though, their music was good but I never cared about them on a personal level. I just listened to their songs. Hearing her bitching about missing the show was getting exhausting.

*****

***NARRATOR'S POV***

Angelo hadn't gone too far on his walk when he spotted this cozy little bar. A drink wouldn't hurt. Plus he needed one.

He walked in and went straight to the stand.

“Scotch on the rocks please.”

“People still drink that? I thought Martini was the thing around here.”

“Well, who says I'm from around?”

He smiled and looked directly at the person he was talking to.

“I am damn lucky tonight! My bartender tonight is a female. This should be easy”. Angelo thought.

“You aren't from around huh? Well you're welcome to Ricky's bar and Angel Avenue. Hope you have a good time during your stay. Here's your scotch”.

“Thanks, baby girl. I'm really lucky tonight. An angel is tending to my needs”.

“Well this angel has someone else to tend to Mister and she is no one's baby”

The bartenderess quickly moved to her next customer but Angelo could feel her straight turn down!

“Damn was she trying to play hard to get interesting. I would love to see how long this one could last.”

Angelo smiled to himself and sipped his drink.

****

***ASTRIA'S POV***

Sigh... I just knew that the guy with the hat had to be a cocky bastard. Sure he was a looker and all but that attitude and baby? Who in the world used that line anyway?! I could feel my annoyance brewing. Good thing I shut him out quickly. My shift was almost over and I'll be out of this place.

****

****NARRATOR'S POV****

Angelo waited for most of the people at the bar to clear out and in the meantime, studied the bartender. She wore this whole goth look on her and white hair was spiked with black dye.

But he had an idea that all that makeup was just to cover up everything. Her eyes gave it away. She had these adorable blue eyes and his gaze couldn't help meeting hers a few times. Well, she was not his type but it would not hurt to try other flavours, would it?

“Hey I am sorry about the baby thing but could I know your name?”

“It's Astria and your apology is accepted.”

“Astria. Really interesting name. Quite suitable for an interesting girl like you.”

Her expression changed at once and he could almost see the dark clouds gathering but he did not want to stop. He wondered how long she was going to hold out on him.

“Dude, is this your idea of flirting?”

“Not usually but it seems I've lost my touch when it comes to you.”

“Oh, so it's a thing huh? Well, word of advice though. Stop while you still can. You never know who you're dealing with mister. It could be a depressed lady, a psychopath, whatever.”

“Well I have seen all that and then some. Do you have any idea who I am?”

****

****ASTRIA'S POV***

“The gall of this guy! Was he trying to play important or what?”

“Listen, dude, I have no idea who you are and I don't care but could you tone down the cocky attitude? Not everyone swoons over this fu......” I am almost cursed!

I was so mad, I banged my glass on the table, and the drink I was mixing spilled on his shirt.

Oh no! If he complained to Ricky, my manager, I could get into a lot of trouble for that!

“Oh my goodness! I am so sorry to let me clean that up ”

He looked at me confusedly at first but let me clean up the stain.

I was a bit clumsy and he moved closer resulting in his hat falling and long blonde hair spilling from it.

The whole bar went silent for a minute and suddenly a phone went up and took a picture.

“Click”

Other phones came up and I could hear the shutters.

Huh? What is going on and why were pictures being taken?.