Chapter 1 WORLDS APART

Atticus Monroe had grown used to the constant rhythm of life on the road. The flashing lights, the deafening roar of fans, the endless waves of applause-all of it fueled him, but it also left him feeling hollow. It was as if every scream added another layer between him and the rest of the world. His fame had come at a price-loneliness.

Tonight, he was backstage at the sold-out concert of his latest tour, the energy of the crowd vibrating through the walls. Atticus sat in his dressing room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His deep brown eyes, lined with smudged eyeliner, looked tired, as though they carried the weight of the fame he could never escape.

His best friend and manager, Jaxon, burst through the door, grinning ear to ear. "Another one in the books, Atticus! That crowd was insane! You're unstoppable!"

Atticus forced a smile. Jaxon had been with him since the beginning, back when they were just two kids dreaming of making it big. Now, their friendship felt like the only thing that still kept him grounded.

"Yeah, insane," Atticus muttered, running a hand through his jet-black hair. "But you know, I'm starting to wonder if this is all there is."

Jaxon frowned and sat down beside him. "What are you talking about? You're living the dream! Every guy in the world wants to be you, and every girl-and guy-wants to be with you."

Atticus leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. "Maybe that's the problem, Jaxon. I'm tired of people wanting the idea of me, the pop star. No one actually wants me."

Jaxon sighed, not knowing what to say. He wasn't the best when it came to emotional conversations, but he understood Atticus. "Look, you just need a break. After this tour, why don't we head to the coast? Take a vacation, get out of the spotlight for a while."

Atticus nodded, appreciating the thought, but deep down he knew that even a vacation couldn't fill the void. He wasn't sure what could.

---

Meanwhile, across the city, in a towering glass office that overlooked the skyline, Ivan Laurent was working late, as usual. The click of his keyboard echoed in the nearly empty office, illuminated only by the dim glow of his desk lamp. Ivan, the CEO of Laurent Enterprises, a global tech empire, was known for his ruthless business tactics and icy demeanor. His friends often teased him for being a machine, always calculating, always thinking ahead. But beneath his sharp suits and cold exterior, Ivan was hiding something no one knew about-a broken heart.

Ivan pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and rubbed his temples. He hadn't felt anything real in years. Sure, he had his circle of business partners and a handful of people he could call friends, but none of them knew him-the real him.

His phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. It was Aiden, his childhood friend and the only person who knew even a fraction of his secrets.

Come on, man. You've been locked in that office for days. Let's go out tonight. Just one drink.

Ivan considered ignoring it, but he knew Aiden would just keep texting. With a sigh, he texted back.

Fine. One drink.

---

Later that night, in a sleek downtown bar frequented by the city's elite, Ivan sat across from Aiden, nursing a glass of whiskey. The music was low, the atmosphere dim, with soft conversations buzzing around them.

Aiden, always the life of the party, leaned back in his chair, watching the crowd. "So, when are you going to stop pretending to be some emotionless CEO and actually live a little? You're rich, Ivan. Filthy rich. You could do anything, go anywhere, meet anyone-and yet here you are, sulking over a whiskey."

Ivan smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "And you think meeting someone is going to fix whatever you think is wrong with me?"

Aiden chuckled. "Maybe not, but you could at least try to enjoy yourself. When was the last time you felt anything? When was the last time you let anyone in?"

Ivan's gaze turned distant as he thought about it. He had built walls so high around himself that even he couldn't remember the last time he let anyone close. "I'm not interested in love, Aiden. People have ulterior motives. Trust me, I've seen it in business, and I've seen it in relationships. I'm fine the way I am."

Aiden sighed dramatically. "You're impossible. Anyway, there's this new artist in town-Atticus Monroe. Pop star. Huge right now. Apparently, everyone's obsessed with him. Maybe you've heard of him?"

Ivan shook his head. "I don't follow pop culture."

"Well, I do, and the guy's a total heartthrob. He's performing tomorrow night downtown. You should check it out. Who knows, maybe you'll feel something other than cold indifference for once."

Ivan gave a noncommittal shrug. "I'll pass."

But as fate would have it, Ivan and Atticus's worlds were about to collide in ways neither of them could have predicted.

---

The next night, Atticus stood on stage in front of a packed arena, the spotlight casting a warm glow over him. His eyes scanned the crowd, but for some reason, he felt a strange pull, as though something-or someone-was waiting for him beyond the sea of faces.

And miles away, Ivan sat alone in his office, unable to shake the feeling that his perfectly controlled world was about to change forever.