(Dite's POV)
I had finally been signed to a record label. The contract required me to produce music exclusively with them for five years. I took that as a sign that they believed in my potential and wanted to hold onto me. If I did well, I could renew my contract or move up to a major label! I had sent my music to multiple places, but this was the first one to give me a shot. I was relieved my career was finally going in the right direction.
The corridor was quiet, echoing with my heels as I walked past the frosted-glass doors. I nearly missed him—tall, sharp-suited, radiating an effortless confidence. The golden lighting caught in his eyes, and when he smiled at me, it felt warm enough to melt the linoleum tiles.. My agent whispered to me who he was, Zaikel Walker, and he must have caught me staring because he approached me and said,
"Welcome to Ziren Studios. We're glad to have you. My name is Zaikel Walker."
"I'm Aphrodite White... you can just call me Dite." I had never seen someone so handsome up close and in real life!
"Oh, you're the new talent Clara brought in. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too!" After that, he walked away with an older man with dusty brown hair, a light beard, and glasses. He was good-looking as well. I'm so glad I got this job—and it's a bonus that I'm going to be surrounded by eye candy!
I came to the studio daily to practice, record, and discuss future projects, but it was months before I saw Zaikel again. I noticed him from a distance, and he was just as hot as I remembered. He was talking to a boy with medium-length crimson hair and loose-fitting clothes. From their body language, it looked like a serious conversation. They stood near a fountain outside the main building. I couldn't see the other guy's face from so far away, but I decided to shake off my manager and make a move. This was my chance to talk to Zaikel!
I practically flew down the stairs in heels, ducked through the back exit, and had to pause around the corner to catch my breath before casually strolling up to them like I hadn't just sprinted like a maniac.
"Hey! Fancy meeting you here!" I chirped. Zaikel turned and smiled, but the other guy frowned. He stood about seven inches shorter than Zaikel—two inches below me—and even with that fierce scowl, his face was sweet, like someone trying to be mean but just too adorable to pull it off.
"Hey... you're Aphrodite, right?"
"Yeah, but you can call me Dite." He chuckled softly.
"I was just about to have lunch with my brother."
Brother?! They didn't look alike at all, but they were both so beautiful that I didn't question it.
"Bye." He turned to walk away.
"Wait! I... can I join you for lunch?" I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.
"No."
"Why not? I don't mind," his brother said casually. His voice was hypnotic, and his attractiveness jumped up to a perfect ten. He began walking away, and Zaikel sighed.
"I guess if Valin doesn't mind... fine. But we're going to discuss work after eating. I hope you don't mind."
I assured him I didn't. "You can call me Zai, by the way."
The booth we slid into was leather and dimly lit, with a tiny flickering candle between us. Zai ordered a steak so rare it looked alive; Valin, inexplicably, ordered three layers of decadent chocolate cake and nothing else. I clutched my smoothie like a lifeline as they spoke in fast, clinical tones, the names and figures like static in my ears. I nodded along, pretending to follow, while sneaking glances at Zai's jawline and Valin's lashes. My manager called multiple times, but I silenced my phone. I wasn't letting this moment slip by.
Just sitting at the same table as these two hotties felt like a dream. One of my goals for becoming famous was to be near beautiful people, and I was checking that box fast.
"Dite, we should head back," Zai said, his conversation with Valin wrapping up. They exchanged paperwork, and Valin left. Zai drove me back, while his brother walked.
"I had a good time," I confessed.
"Hmm... you're odd if you enjoyed that." Zai's dimples showed each time he spoke. When he caught me looking at him again, he smiled. "You're a weird one, aren't you?"
His words made my heart race. A few seconds later, we were parked. I called my manager to pick me up. I'm nowhere near famous yet, but I am pretty—especially when I put in the effort. Maybe I'm delusional, but I think I got a little closer to Zai today.
A week later, I was practicing choreography in the dance room late at night. The mirrored walls caught the movement of his crimson hair just as he passed by. It gleamed under the studio lights, framing a frown that could probably curdle milk. I called out "Hey, Valin!" before I could stop myself, the name escaping my lips like a secret. He stepped inside, the room suddenly colder and sharper with his presence.
"Do I know you?"
Ouch. "We had lunch... about a week ago."
"Oh, the girl who has a crush on my brother."
"What?!"
"Are you going to deny it?"
I hesitated. "No... I just didn't realize it was that obvious. I'm embarrassed now."
He rolled his eyes. I laughed nervously. "Hey! You should be my wingman!"
"Why would I do that?"
"Because it'll be fun... maybe? And you get the honor of basking in my presence," I joked.
He smiled, then broke into hearty laughter. My heart fluttered.
"Fine, I'll help. My brother's never dated anyone before, so it might be fun to play matchmaker."
"He's never dated? With that face and body?!"
"What are you doing here so late, anyway?"
I told him about my choreography and upcoming concert. He asked to see the reference video my instructor left, so we watched it together, shoulders just barely touching. When it ended, he asked me to show him the parts I was struggling with. I felt shy dancing for him, but I pushed through.
Halfway through, he stopped me. He stood slowly, the overhead lights casting soft shadows on his toned arms. He approached me with a dancer's grace, adjusting my arm like I was porcelain. His fingers were warm against my skin. We moved together in rhythm, the floor squeaking beneath our feet, breath mingling as we practiced until sweat prickled my spine and my legs felt like jelly.
We practiced together for another hour. Breathless and sweaty, I collapsed next to him on the mat, bracing myself for another round of critique when instead, Valin surprised me with, "That was perfect."
As he stood up, I panicked at the thought of not seeing him again for days.
"Maybe you can help me practice tomorrow? And give me more pointers about Zai?"
He laughed and patted my head. "Yeah... same place?"
I nodded. "I'm Dite!" I blurted.
"See you tomorrow, Dite."
The way he said my name made my knees weak. As he walked off, I sank back onto the mat like all the bones left my body, staring at the ceiling in existential crisis. Am I seriously falling for the wrong brother?!
Valin showed up the next evening. He wore a grey tank top that revealed tattoos and a toned physique. I brought extra water, but I was so thirsty I might drink both bottles myself.
After 45 minutes, we slumped against the mirrored wall, bodies steaming gently in the cool room. The soft thrum of the music still played in the background. He smelled clean—like citrus and a trace of something herbal. His voice dipped low as he offered advice, and I let the sound of it wrap around me like a blanket.
"The thing about Zai," he said, "he's never liked anyone. If you want him to fall for you, you need to excite him. Even just for a moment. If you do, he'll hold onto you forever."
"So I just need to be sexy?"
He chuckled. "If it were that simple, someone would have done it already."
"You sure he's never liked anyone?"
He nodded.
"Then I just need to give it my all! Turn the sexy up to max!"
"You're already maxed out. Just focus on talking to him."
He said it like a fact, not a flirtation, not even a joke. Just truth. I glanced sideways and caught the smirk tugging at his lips as he sipped from his water bottle. His eyes stayed closed, but I saw the corner of his mouth twitch when I fumbled with my phone to exchange numbers. My heart was an entire percussion section.
"We should exchange numbers... for advice or hanging out."
"As friends?"
"Oh! Yeah, of course."
He looked relieved. "Oh good, then yeah."
We exchanged numbers.
"Are you that against dating me? Not that I'm trying to, but you seemed... turned off."
"I could never date anyone interested in my brother." His voice was calm but final, the kind of certainty that doesn't leave room for argument.
"Never?"
"That's right."
The gold case of his phone glinted as he slipped it back into his pocket. Then, with a smirk and a half-step backward, he was gone—leaving behind the scent of his cologne.
The stage lights were blinding, and the heat of the camera was intense, but I danced like my body had always known the steps. Cheers followed every take. Compliments came fast and easy. Yet the only thing that made me beam was Valin's message blinking on my screen: "How'd it go?"
Sure, he's hot and smart and hot again, but he's not my type. I usually like guys over six feet tall, and he can be abrasive. But then he's also thoughtful, bringing me energy drinks and making me rest when I push too hard.
It hit me as I lay on my hotel bed, makeup half-wiped off, limbs heavy with exhaustion. My thumbs hovered over his name in my phone. Every tiny thing he did—his teasing, his smiles, his blunt honesty—played on loop in my head. I clutched my pillow and screamed into it. I was falling for the wrong brother.
Why can't I stop thinking about Valin?!