The Limelight Lust

BLURB Callie Kim, a trainer for aspiring pop idols, is desired by many, even wooed by the CEO of EZQ Entertainment, where she works. Because of her innate talents, captivating beauty, and charming personality, her best friend’s brother, Kirby Scott, was madly infatuated with her. Who would have thought that a shy and apathetic boy would pursue stardom and be the world’s sensational pop superstar after she trained him? They even had intimate moments during their training years. While the world is busy chasing Kirby, Kirby is too busy pursuing Callie until he finally wins her heart. With millions of Kirby’s delusional fans, Callie’s possessive CEO fiancé, and scandalous murder crime, will they be able to withstand these struggles for limelight, lust, and love? CHAPTER 1: The Superstar Kirby's PoV October 2023  To the woman who could never be mine… Thinking about you on this lonesome starry night. How you lighten my gloomy day when I am a mess. Claim my lips to fill the athirst feeling of emptiness. "Kirby! Time for final rehearsal before going to soundcheck." My wandering mind was interrupted by Callie, as she entered my dressing room during my pensive mood. I was in the midst of finalizing the lyrics of the song I planned to gift Callie on her birthday. I feel like something is missing in my heart that is preventing me from completing it. So, I guess, I'll just continue this some other time. I am Kirby Scott, hailed as the World's Sensational Pop Superstar. The heck. Being called such a title sends a chill down my spine. Never in my wildest dreams would I be a performer much more to be famous. I used to be a simple and shy boy who admired Callie from afar. She's my older sister's best friend. A very charming lady and has immense talent. No wonder she became the head trainer of EZQ Entertainment at the age of twenty, when I was eighteen back then. She's the sole reason why I got interested in pop music, singing, and dancing. I even auditioned for a pop superstar competition just to get closer to her. I can say I'm at the peak of my career, though my initial intention was just to be with Callie. Plain and simple. But love makes you do naive things and pushes you to your fullest potential. Now I am living my life the way I want it. All my hard work and perseverance paid off. Thanks be to Callie. The whole world is about to watch me perform. I ready myself for the soundcheck where I would meet my VIP fans, final checking for the audio system, and stuff like that to ensure that everything is still intact and working fine before the actual concert begins. Tonight, we will all have a blast! I went to the stage where hundreds or even thousands of fans were enthusiastically waiting for me. Their loud screams and giggles gave me a mini-heart attack as my feet stepped onto the center stage. It's still early, yet a lot of fans have already filled the VIP and patronage seats. I'm just chilling for now and feeling the vibe, but for sure, I know my heart will race with unfathomable excitement once the actual concert starts. Though I've been performing for two years already, I can still feel the nerve-racking pressure whenever I'm about to perform. Another purpose for this soundcheck is to ease this nervousness and let the excitement get through my veins. I should enjoy the limelight dawning on me, because I know someday it will fade. Who knows when... Just a thirty-minute stay for fan service and audio testing, then I went back to my dressing room for final preparation. I took a power nap while my makeup artist worked on my makeup. "Kirby, wake up, sweetie." I heard Callie's sweet voice. At first, I thought I was still dreaming, as if I had ascended to heaven and an angel was calling me 'sweetie'. But then, Callie gently tapped my cheek and woke me up. I opened my eyes and got up. "It's time to unleash the beastly performer within, Kirby. You've got this! This is your biggest night. Fighting!" Callie exclaimed in her adorable fake Korean accent as we gazed at ourselves in the life-size mirror. "Look how stunning you are. I can't believe you've come this far. I couldn't be prouder." she said seriously this time. With a gleam of pride in her eyes, she smiled widely. "Thanks, Teacher. I owe you big time," I said, mimicking her fake Korean accent. She chuckled, and her sweet smile melted my heart. I paused and looked at her sternly through the mirror. She stopped giggling when she noticed my serious expression. "I owe you everything, Callie. I wouldn't be here if it were not for you," I sincerely said. She just squeezed my shoulders and gave me a half-smile. "Oh, Kirby, you worked harder than anyone to get where you are now. I'm just here to guide you, to hone the innate talent you have. But you should thank your mom and dad for your gorgeous genes. Charisma can never be learned--" That fired me up. Getting compliments from her, which she seldom does, ignites my inner swag. I had low self-esteem before, but she boosted my confidence. It pushed me to thrive, to be the best that I could be. Get ready, Kirby! We were startled when the floor director called out from the doorpost. Callie tapped my back while I took a final glance at myself in the mirror. The stylist and makeup artist did a great job on me. I'm not used to wearing glitzy, gleaming leather outfits or applying cosmetics. It's not my own taste, but for the sake of it all, I'm willing to get used to it. "That's enough, you damn hottie!" she said and took hold of my wrist, then dragged me out of the dressing room to go to the stage. I was just a few steps away from the stage when I heard the voice-over stating her intro. The multitude of fans was screaming wildly as I approached the center stage. Their deafening screams made my heart throb a hundred times faster and my knees tremble in excitement. All my nervousness and tension vanished as soon as the spotlight shone on me. The raging beast performer within me unleashed as I seized the mic on the stand. I gave a headshake to kick off my act. The crowd went wilder. I can no longer hear their shrieks, I am in my own world when I start performing. I pour my heart out from start to finish. The years of practicing, shedding sweat and blood for a moment like this is all worth it. . Finally, my last act. After all this tiring choreography, throat-drying high notes, and exhausting dance breaks, these will live on in my memories, and will treasure them for the rest of my life. My supporters' cheers of praise and appreciation overwhelmed me and moved me to tears. I'd never thought that the limelight that I once hated would bring so much happiness to my heart. In the midst of the rowdy crowd, I saw Callie, tearing up, watching me perform the biggest performance of my life thus far. The pride in her eyes, her applause, and the smile she gave me... I want the whole world to know how much I adore her, how grateful I am, and madly in love with her. This would be a great opportunity to do so. Miss Callie Kim. . . I whispered to myself, still trying to gather all the courage that I could muster. But everything fell apart. I felt heaven and the world collide when I saw Mr. David Alfonso, our CEO, held Callie's hand. Her ring finger caught my attention-she was wearing a diamond ring. - - - - - - - TO BE CONTINUED. . .