“Are you going to answer my question?” the man asked.
“You’re talking to me?” Star asked stupidly.
The handsome stranger chuckled. “Yes,” he responded. “It seems Kharon is not up for conversation this morning.”
“Kharon?” Star was a little confused about who the man was talking about.
“My driver,” he answered, pointing to the man driving the car.
Star wasn’t sure how he missed it, but Kharon was not dressed casually but was wearing all-black chauffeur attire, down to the hat. Star instantly scanned the car’s interior, noticing how lavish it was and resembling nothing like a taxi.
“Wait, didn’t I get into a cab? How the hell…” he rambled to himself. “Fuck, how many more times will I embarrass myself today?”
“You didn’t answer my question,” the man said, instantly distracting him from his thoughts.
“And that was?”
The handsome man crossed one leg leisurely over the other. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“What are you talking about?” Star was getting annoyed with the man but tried not to show it because he was in a sticky situation.
“The choices we make now can have consequences later. So don’t be so hasty. You have other options.” He pinned Star with a serious gaze.
“Dude, I do not know what you are rambling on about,” he huffed.
“You will one day.” He reached out, placed a finger on Star’s forehead, and he felt a chill run through him. “If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?”
Star quickly smacked his hand away in anger and fear. “Don’t fucking touch me,” he growled.
“So young and foolish, but I like you.”
Who gives a fuck?Star thought.
The stranger smiled. “If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?”
Star was about to respond to give a quick answer, but the man stopped him.
“Don’t answer yet. Think about it and give me your answer when you’re ready. I will hear it. We’ve arrived at your destination.”
Star turned and stared out of the car window, seeing they were in front of the Equi-Noxx Entertainment building. He didn’t know how things had turned so uncomfortable between him and the stranger, but before the guy could say more, Star got out of the car and hurried to the entrance of the building. But before he could open the door, he chastised himself for being rude. He could have at least said thank you.
Star turned and went to speak to the man, but the car was gone. He didn’t even see signs of it down the street. It was as if it had disappeared. Star thought about that encounter for a few days, then chalked it up to a weird conversation, but now, he couldn’t help but wonder if the man would be ready to hear his answer.
“I’m thinking nonsense. It was just a weird-ass conversation.”
Star sighed deeply, closing his eyes and clearing his mind, hoping he’d get a couple hours of sleep before the correctional officers woke them. At this point, there was nothing he could do about his situation. Well, not for another fourteen years when he would be up for probation.
Star’s chest was stabbed with a sharp pain, and he gripped his shirt, hoping to stop the pain, but he felt something wet and warm. He opened his eyes and connected with unrecognizable green ones, wondering who they were or where the person had come from. Star didn’t need to guess how the man had gotten into his cell when at least three correctional officers were on guard. But the question was, what happened to Dent? He fell asleep quickly but was a light sleeper, so Star figured he was dead.
“Who—?” was all Star could get out. But the man knew what he meant.
“Sundi Noxx sends her regards.”
Star’s eyes widened in understanding. The night he killed Thornton, he had also injured Sundi Noxx, slashing her in the face a couple of times, not even plastic surgery could repair the scars. Star hadn’t meant to hurt her. He was out of control and his wild swings struck her in the face.
The person raised their hand, and Star saw the sharp silver blade twinkling in the light. He went to scream, but the person covered his mouth and brought the knife down, stabbing him again. Star was going to die, and he couldn’t help but wonder why Sundi had waited so long. He’d been in prison for seven years, and she’d had ample time to kill him. He didn’t know if she was taking revenge for herself or Thornton.
After everything was said and done, Vee, his friend, told him Thornton and Sundi were in love and planned to marry. It didn’t matter now, anyway. Thornton was dead and wasn’t going to come back to life. If only he could change things, returning to the day he signed his contract with Equi-Noxx Entertainment. Then his life wouldn’t have turned out the way it did. He wouldn’t have disappointed so many people in his life—especially Vee, the only person who genuinely believed in him and his talent.
