Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

"Alright, I'll take her home," he said reluctantly.

Aubree rolled her eyes. "Her? I have a name, you know. It's Aubree."

After making her point, she glanced at her phone and noticed her follower count had just hit five million. With a raised eyebrow and a hint of pride, she cleared her throat.

"King Keiran, I'm Aubree. Let me buy you another drink. Please, accept it with a smile."

Keiran didn't refuse this time. He downed two glasses in quick succession, and with a grunt, he collapsed onto the bar, out cold.

It happened so fast, everyone was caught off guard.

Brielle frowned, concern etched on her face. She nudged the lifeless Keiran. "Keiran?"

No response.

"Keiran?"

Still nothing.

The bartender, bless his heart, spoke up. "The guy's plastered. Better get him home."

Two drinks and he's out?

Brielle had never seen anyone get drunk so quickly. She rubbed her temples, feeling a touch exasperated. With the evening's goal achieved, there was no reason to stick around. She tried hoisting Keiran up. But he was completely limp, like overcooked spaghetti, and his arm flopped helplessly over her shoulder.

Both Brielle and Aubree, being women, found it nearly impossible to haul Keiran's drunken form home.

Brielle pulled out her phone, thinking of calling Aiden for help, when she heard a familiar voice.

"Brielle?"

She looked up to see Kenzo, Jaired, and Andrew approaching.

It had been ages since she'd seen the trio together. It seemed Kenzo had just returned, and the other two had taken him out for drinks - a little welcome-back celebration after what he had been through. "Kenzo," Brielle greeted him, noting his gaze fall on Keiran.

She introduced him smoothly. "This is Stellar Stage Entertainment's new talent, set to play the lead in your script, Kenzo."

Kenzo nodded. Being in showbiz, he knew of Keiran. "Talented actor, huh? He's drunk?"

"Yeah, first time at a bar, and two drinks did him in."

Kenzo looked to Jaired. "Help get him to the car, will you?"

Jaired, ever the stoic figure, straight as an arrow, effortlessly lifted Keiran.

Brielle tugged at Aubree's sleeve, and they hurried to keep up.

Aubree avoided looking at Andrew, ready to leave with the group, but Andrew grabbed her wrist.

"Let go."

Her tone was laced with impatience.

Andrew opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. He just followed her hesitantly.

Aubree used to frequent Tequila

Sunset and had plenty of encounters with Andrew in the restrooms and private booths, which explained her initial pause upon entering

But you can't stay stuck in the past.

"Aubree," Andrew hurried to catch up, tentatively tugging at her sleeve.

She stopped, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

A love of more than a decade

doesn't just disappear - even if herContent © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

fawed disdain, her heart still

We

d at the sight of him.

For a moment, she felt as though all the love and hate didn't matter.

"You're getting involved with Keiran? He's not right for you."

Andrew stood behind her, stepping forward until his chest brushed against her back, his breath warm on her ear.

"If you want into showbiz, I can support you. Whatever you want, I'm here. Come back to me."

Aubree took a deep breath and strode forward.

Desperate, he grabbed her wrist tightly.

"He'll never accept your past, but I can."

On hearing this, Aubree froze, then turned to face him.

Andrew regretted his words, born of urgency, and looked away, apologizing.

Aubree smiled bitterly. "Don't worry. I won't be with anyone. I know how tainted I am. Why would I inflict myself on someone else?"

With that, she headed quickly toward Brielle's car. Blinded by tears, she nearly tumbled down the steps.

Andrew's quick reflexes saved her

from falling, but he stumbled too slamming into a post behind him. His back was still healing from a recent injury, and the impact whitened his face.

Aubree didn't bother with him and tried to break free, only to hear his voice crack with emotion.

"Then, please, come back and ruin me instead?"