Then came the one, my shiny star.
Solnyshkuh, a beautiful song.
You sang to me, you’re where I belong.
This is something real, this is something new.
Love took pain’s place, and it’s because of you.
You lift me up and bring me peace.
Because of you, now I believe.
You show me love and how to laugh.
I finally found the missing half.
How could I know, how could I see,
Just what you would bring to me?
Little sunshine,
Love of mine.
Little sunshine,
Love of mine.
Then came the sun, there you are.
Then came the one, my shiny star.
Solnyshkuh, a beautiful song.
You sang to me, you’re where I belong.
This is something real, this is something new.
Love took pain’s place, and it’s because of you.
The notes of the music faded and those in the bar applauded wildly. Azelie couldn’t look at Lana, or anyone else. She could only see Andrii. Her eyes met his across the room and her heart stuttered at the way he was looking back at her. His face was usually a mask, expressionless, impossible for most people to read. Right at that moment, he was looking at her with open devotion. Even love. If she hadn’t already been free-falling right off the cliff, she certainly was now. He was the most amazing man in the world as far as she was concerned. She didn’t understand what it was about her that he found so wonderful, but it was evident from the song he’d written that he believed she was the one for him.
How could she not fall in love with him after that? How could she continue to hold part of herself back even when she knew he was holding back some truths? Lana made a single sound distracting her, then put her hand over Azelie’s.
Lana leaned in close. “Isn’t that the man who was at the bus stop when we first met?”
Azelie looked wildly around the room. Billows and a tall woman who looked familiar, like a model out of a magazine, were at the door being greeted by the hostess. Terror froze her in her place. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She was risking Andrii’s life for selfish reasons. What was wrong with her? Andrii deserved so much better, someone who would put his wants and needs first. His safety. He was thoughtful and protective. She couldn’t allow Billows to know she was dating Andrii.
Azelie could only be thankful that Billows hadn’t come in when Andrii was playing the piano and singing her song.He was back playing the guitar. She knew he noted Billows the moment he entered the club.
“I’m not feeling very well,” she told Lana. It was the truth. She texted Andrii that she’d meet him at her apartment. “I’ll take an Uber home.”
“We’ll see you home,” Kasimir said immediately. “We have a car.”
It was too late. Billows headed straight to her table, while the host escorted his supermodel to their much more intimate table.
Azelie plastered on a smile. “Alan. How good to see you, although we were just about to leave.”
