Chapter 3

• Skylar's departure for Paris left me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I was excited for her and her modeling career, but on the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension about being alone in the bustling city of New York. Skylar sensed my unease and, as always, offered to cancel her shoot to stay behind with me.
• I appreciated her concern, but I didn't want to hold her back from her opportunities. "No, Skylar, please don't cancel your shoot," I reassured her. "I want to do this, explore the city on my own, and handle my work independently. It's a chance for me to grow."
• Skylar nodded, understanding my desire for independence. She then couldn't resist teasing me about Evan again, mentioning the confession he had made about being obsessed with me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I stammered in response, "He's just my investor, Skylar. Let's not make a big deal out of it."
• Skylar chuckled, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Alright, alright, I won't push it," she said. "Just remember to keep me updated, and don't hesitate to call if you need anything, okay?"
• I nodded, appreciating her concern and support. As Skylar embarked on her journey to Paris, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation about the days ahead. Little did I know that my adventures in the city would continue to unfold, taking unexpected turns that would shape my life in profound ways.
• Skylar's departure left me alone in our apartment, and I decided to make myself a sandwich to quell the hunger that had been gnawing at me. As I stood in the kitchen, my phone suddenly began to ring, startling me. When I glanced at the caller ID, I was surprised to see that it was Evan calling.
• I chuckled to myself, realizing that we had been exchanging messages for days, and I had canceled on him a few times. Curious about what he wanted, I answered the call.
• "Well, mister, you never give up, do you?" I said playfully, unable to resist teasing him.
• "A man in love never gives up," he replied, his voice filled with a hint of amusement.
• His response caught me off guard, and I found myself smiling. There was something about his confidence and persistence that intrigued me. Little did I know that this phone call would mark the beginning of an unexpected connection that would change the course of my life.
• The anticipation was building as Evan mentioned the upcoming studio visit with none other than Ariana Grande herself. I couldn't help but contain my excitement, not wanting to come across as too eager, even though meeting Ariana was a dream come true.
• Evan seemed a bit exasperated, teasingly commenting, "It's so hard to please you." But then he let his guard down and confessed, "You said she was your favorite. I was hoping you'd want to join me and meet her, you know a little live show from her as she will be rehearsing." He added.
• I pretended to mull it over, though deep down, I knew there was no question about it. "Let me think about it," I replied coyly, knowing full well that I couldn't pass up this incredible opportunity.
• Evan wasted no time and informed me, "It's in two hours." I agreed to go, and he sounded absolutely thrilled, his excitement palpable as he said, "Thank you. I'll pick you up in an hour."
• It was as if he couldn't contain his happiness, like a child who had just been promised a sweet treat. This was shaping up to be an unforgettable day, and I couldn't wait to see what the studio visit with Evan and Ariana Grande would entail.
• Thirty minutes later, Evan arrived to pick me up with his entourage of bodyguards, which included three cars. His car was positioned in the middle of the convoy. He opened the door for me and couldn't resist making a flirtatious comment, whispering, "You smell addictive." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his playful remark before getting into the car's passenger seat. The other cars trailed behind and ahead of us, forming a protective barrier.
• During the drive, I decided to break the ice with a question that had been on my mind. "So, how did you get here? I mean, the fame," I inquired, genuinely curious about his journey.
• Evan glanced at me while keeping his focus on the road. "Let's just say I had minimum help, but I worked hard for this," he replied, his tone somewhat cryptic.
• Wanting to know more, I probed further, asking, "How did it start?"
• Evan seemed surprisingly open about sharing his past. "Well, after my parents' passing, a great family adopted me. They loved music, and I learned to rap, play the piano, just to please them. Little did I know it was going to become my passion," he explained. His willingness to confide in me, a relative stranger, intrigued me even more, leaving me with a growing curiosity about his life and experiences.
• Evan changed the topic, asking me to share about myself and my journey. "Well, I'm from Africa, born in Nigeria but raised in South Africa. My parents are still back in Nigeria. I graduated last year but had been struggling to get a job until... until I met Skylar through that messy beef. She offered to assist, and, well, here I am, riding with a celebrity," I explained with a light-hearted tone, trying to keep things casual.
• "That way I'm indebted to Skylar," he added.
• "You or me?" I asked playfully.
• "Me, because she is the reason I met you," he replied calmly, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
• His response only deepened the mystery of his fascination with me, and I decided to leave that question for another time. The remainder of the ride was quiet until he finally said, "We're here."
• I peered out the window and caught sight of Cardi B entering her car, surrounded by her own guards. I couldn't help but gasp in surprise. "Yes, she records here too," Evan confirmed, noticing my wide-eyed reaction. It seemed like I was about to experience a day filled with unexpected celebrity encounters.
• Entering the studio, I was greeted by Ariana Grande, who seemed just as excited to meet me as I was to see her. She hugged me as if we were old friends, her warm and welcoming nature putting me at ease. We exchanged pleasantries, and she mentioned she had heard that I was a writer. Her enthusiasm made me feel like I was living a dream.
• "I'm good, oh my goodness," I stammered, still in awe of meeting her in person. "I can't believe I'm seeing you live."
• Ariana responded with a suggestion that made me smile. "You know what would make it even better? Let's take a selfie, so you'll have proof when you're at home alone."
• I laughed at her lighthearted humor and agreed. We took a selfie together, capturing this surreal moment for eternity.
• As the recording session continued, I watched Ariana perform live, and it exceeded my wildest expectations. She was incredibly talented, and seeing her sing in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Evan was also recording his music in the same studio, and at one point, he even recorded a live freestyle video for his fans. To my amazement, the freestyle was mainly about me, and he tagged me in the post with the caption, 'I'm gonna keep her.' It was both flattering and bewildering.
• After some time, Ariana had to leave for a shoot with Balenciaga. She graciously exchanged numbers with me and suggested I call her later if she didn't call first. I was on cloud nine, feeling grateful for this incredible day. To top it off, she followed me on Instagram, making it all feel like a surreal dream.
• As Evan and I walked out of the studio, he had just finished recording his song. He offered to take me to a restaurant or cook for me. The mention of cooking surprised me.
• "You cook?" I asked inquisitively.
• "Yes, love, that's just one of my skills," he replied with a smirk.
• "Okay, then I think I want homemade food," I said, feeling a connection that was growing stronger. He took my hand, and I couldn't help but notice his guards trailing behind us. It was beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable with their presence.