I Love You

The sprawling sea of seats below the Celestial Private Room was a chaotic mess of noise and warm bodies. Since there were absolutely no private rooms left in the entire theater when they arrived, Audrey, Preston, Bryce, and Chloe were forced to squeeze into the cramped, uncomfortable chairs in the general audience section. The air down there was thick, buzzing with the loud chatter of thousands of excited fans waiting for the show to begin.

Although their seats were shoved incredibly far away from the massive main stage, Audrey sat quietly, her back straight and her eyes shining with eager anticipation. She could hardly contain her excitement. She was finally going to see her absolute idol, Harper Quinn, up close and in person. Audrey idolized the famous singer greatly, adoring every single one of the diva's hit songs. To her, the cramped space and the deafening noise of the surrounding crowd were completely irrelevant as long as she got to hear Harper's angelic voice.

Beside her, however, Preston felt completely out of his element. He shifted uncomfortably, constantly adjusting the cuffs of his expensive, custom-tailored suit. He despised being lumped in with the commoners in the cheap seats. His arrogant gaze constantly wandered around the massive, multi-tiered architecture of the theater, looking anywhere but the stage. Suddenly, his wandering eyes snagged on a brilliant, piercing light cutting through the shadows high above the top balcony.

The massive, heavily tinted glass window of the legendary Celestial Private Room had suddenly illuminated.

A wave of utter disbelief washed over Preston, washing away his earlier annoyance. He leaned forward, his jaw practically dropping in shock. "Wow! Someone is actually using the Celestial Private Room!" Preston exclaimed, his voice thick with palpable excitement and an intense, burning jealousy that he couldn't quite hide.

Sitting on the other side of Preston, Bryce leaned over, squinting his eyes as he looked up at the glowing box suspended high above them. "What's the big deal with the Celestial Private Room?" Bryce asked cautiously, not understanding the weight of the situation.

Preston scoffed, eager to show off his extensive knowledge of high society to Audrey. "How do I explain it to someone like you? Well, let's put it this way. Even the absolute richest man in all of Oakhaven, Winston Rutherford, is not qualified to use that particular room! It's practically a myth!" Preston was beyond excited now. He squinted his eyes fiercely, straining his vision as he tried desperately to get a glimpse of the god-like man sitting inside the room.

However, the legendary private room was flawlessly designed to ensure absolute privacy for its occupant. Though the person sitting inside could see every single detail of the situation outside, absolutely no one could get even a tiny glimpse of what was happening inside from the exterior. The massive one-way mirror serving as the front wall was constructed with cutting-edge, military-grade high-tech materials.

It wasn't just Preston who noticed. Many people in the packed general seating realized that the mythic Celestial Private Room was finally occupied. The entire crowd just could not stop talking about it, their voices rising in a feverish crescendo of wild speculation. Everyone was dying to know the true identity of the impossibly powerful person who had claimed the ultimate throne of the opera house.

The sudden illumination of the Celestial Private Room also immediately caught the sharp attention of the wealthy big shots occupying the regular private rooms ringing the lower balconies.

In one of the lavish side suites, a wealthy socialite named Diana narrowed her eyes at the glowing window. "How interesting," she murmured to her bodyguards. "Do check who exactly is occupying the Celestial Private Room right now. I need to know."

Meanwhile, inside the highly exclusive Private Room No. 2, Winston Rutherford sat in a plush armchair. He subconsciously tapped his fingers in a rhythmic, calculating beat against the polished wooden table in front of him. After taking a slow, deliberate sip of his premium tea, a knowing smile played on his lips. He murmured softly into the shadows of his suite, "Lord Kensington is here."

Outside Winston's room, his subordinates and other wealthy figures were frantically barking orders into their phones. "I want you to investigate the identity of the person occupying that room right now! Use every contact we have!"

"Has a massive big shot from the capital finally descended upon Oakhaven?"

Dozens of powerful people were violently racking their brains, desperately trying to uncover the identity of the terrifying titan sitting above them.

Down in the noisy general seating, Bryce stared up at the glowing window, completely green with envy. "Amazing!" he muttered under his breath, his eyes wide with greed. "I seriously wonder when I will ever be able to sit in a private room like that."

"Watch your words," Preston warned in a sharp, low hiss, glancing nervously around them.

Bryce flinched violently when he heard the stern warning. He immediately swallowed his bitter words, shrinking back into his plastic seat and sealing his mouth shut.

Preston then turned his attention back to Audrey. He noticed her visible disappointment at being shoved so far back from the stage, separated from the action by a sea of heads. Wanting to play the powerful hero to win her elusive heart, Preston assumed her quiet demeanor was because he had just harshly reprimanded her brother. He quickly leaned in and apologized, "I'm sorry about that, Audie."

Audrey shook her head, gesturing toward the balconies. She thought for a moment before saying, "It's not that. It's just... that top room obviously has the absolute best view of the stage. You can see Harper so much closer from up there. The same goes for all the other regular private rooms, too."

Preston understood her meaning instantly. But at the same time, a cold knot formed in his stomach because he knew perfectly well that he could not do absolutely anything about it. The people who occupied those private rooms were terrifying big shots. Even Preston's wealthy father, Reginald, would bend over backward to avoid pissing them off.

But Preston couldn't look weak in front of the woman he was trying to conquer. "Let me think of something," he said smoothly, puffing his chest out. "I'll try to use my connections to get you into one of the private rooms." With a confident smirk, Preston pulled out his expensive smartphone and dialed his father's private number.

The line rang twice before connecting. "Hey, Dad," Preston spoke loudly, ensuring everyone in their little group could hear his commanding tone. "I would like to have one of the private rooms in the Oakhaven Opera House arranged for us tonight. Make it happen."

For a split second, there was dead silence. Then, a furious, completely terrified roar blasted through the receiver, so loud it nearly blew out Preston's eardrum. "Do you have a literal death wish?!"

The line went instantly dead.

Preston froze. A cold sweat broke out across his spine. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly bone-dry as he desperately tried to hide his deep, burning humiliation. He slid the phone back into his tailored pocket with a practiced, casual motion and smoothly lied to the group. "I've called my dad," Preston said in a perfectly natural voice. "We just need to wait for a while for the staff to arrange it."

Audrey had faintly heard the furious, panicked roar coming from the other end of the phone line, but she chose to remain perfectly silent. She merely sighed softly and turned her gaze back toward the empty stage.

Agonizing minutes ticked by. Preston sat in a pool of his own silent anxiety, praying the concert would start so they would forget his empty promise.

Just then, a sharply dressed usherette approached their crowded row. She moved with practiced elegance, navigating the narrow space between the seats. She stopped directly in front of Audrey. With pristine, white-gloved hands, she respectfully presented a heavy invitation card forged entirely out of pure gold.

"Miss," the usherette said, her voice carrying a tone of absolute reverence. "Here is your access pass for Private Room No. 28. Please head in as soon as possible."

Audrey's jaw dropped. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers as she stared at the gleaming solid gold card sitting heavy in her palms. She was completely paralyzed with shock.

Preston was equally stunned. His eyes practically bugged out of his head. His mind raced frantically, trying to process the absolute miracle that just occurred right into his lap.

Bryce immediately leaped to his feet, knocking his knees against the chair in front of him. "You are absolutely amazing, Preston!" Bryce yelled, loudly heaping praise on the wealthy heir. "I honestly couldn't believe that you could actually get us a private VIP room! Your influence is insane!" Bryce greedily snatched the golden invitation card from his sister's hands to inspect it.

Preston quickly recovered from his initial shock. He smiled reservedly, puffing his chest out to its absolute limit. "It's nothing, really," he replied, happily and shamelessly taking the full credit for the impossible miracle. He soaked in the admiration.

Sitting on the edge of her seat, Chloe's eyes gleamed with raw, naked admiration and deep greed when she looked at Preston. She desperately wished she could sink her claws into a man with such immense power.

However, as Bryce eagerly read through the fine print etched into the golden surface, his excited grin vanished entirely. "Wait a minute," Bryce muttered, his voice dropping in heavy disappointment. "It says right here that this pass is only for exactly two people."

The celebratory atmosphere instantly died.

Preston, however, saw the perfect opportunity. He eagerly stepped up, adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket to look his best. "Well," Preston said smoothly. "Bry, you just stay down here with Chloe. I'll go up to the private room with your sister. You're completely okay with this, right?" He flashed his most charming smile, fully expecting to leave the loudmouthed brother and the envious friend behind to rot in the cheap seats.

In reality, Bryce desperately longed to enter the lavish private room. He wanted to take pictures of the luxury and show off his elevated status to everyone online. However, he wasn't an idiot. He knew it was incredibly unwise to piss off his literal source of income. "Yeah," Bryce forced a stiff, unnatural smile. "I'm totally fine with it."

"Let's go, Audie," Preston invited, reaching his hand out toward her waist.

But Audrey took a deliberate step back. She shook her head firmly, her expression hardening. "Chlo, I want you to come with me," she declared with absolute determination. She reached out and tightly grabbed Chloe's arm, pulling the other woman toward the aisle.

With that final decision made, Audrey completely ignored Preston's outstretched hand and prepared to head toward the VIP stairwell leading to Private Room No. 28.

Preston, Bryce, and Chloe were utterly dumbfounded by her shocking choice.

Preston's handsome expression instantly darkened into a terrifying, hateful glare. The public rejection burned like acid in his veins. He stepped into Audrey's path, desperately trying to change her mind and salvage his ruined pride. "Audie, listen, I really think..."

"I've made up my mind," Audrey cut him off sharply, leaving no room for argument.

Preston stood frozen in place, watching the two women walk away without looking back. His gaze became so terrifyingly dark that Bryce physically shrank back in fear, entirely too frightened to dare say a single word.

As he stewed in his silent rage, Preston's mind began agonizing over the reality of the situation. He knew his father hadn't done this. So who in the absolute world was the one actually pulling the strings exactly? Whoever he was, his hidden influence must be terrifying. Preston bet that only unreachable titans like Winston Rutherford could casually arrange for a top-tier private room right before the biggest show of the year started.

Unbeknownst to Preston, Audrey, or anyone else buzzing in the lower tiers, the mysterious benefactor pulling the invisible strings of their entire night was Vance.

High above the petty drama unfolding in the general seats, Vance was currently seated comfortably in the plush, genuine leather chair inside the lavish, untouchable Celestial Private Room. The thick, imported rug beneath his boots and the crystal chandelier above him framed his commanding presence. He stared down through the one-way glass, watching Audrey's safe arrival at the VIP section. The absolute privacy of his sanctuary meant no annoying waiters or ushers dared to interrupt him. He sat in total isolation, manipulating the board from the highest throne.

Inside Private Room 28, the atmosphere was entirely different from the chaotic mess below. As soon as Audrey and Chloe stepped inside, heavy velvet curtains automatically closed shut, instantly blocking out the roaring noise of the general audience. The interior of the suite was lavishly decorated. It featured a long velvet couch, a plush resting bed, an elegant coffee table, a secure guest room telephone, and a high-tech sound amplifier capable of disguising a person's voice.

A couple of beautifully dressed usherettes immediately approached the two women, bowing deeply as they began serving them premium floral tea and providing them with warm, scented towels to freshen up.

Audrey took a towel, her mind racing with unanswered questions. She turned to one of the servers. "Excuse me," Audrey asked, her voice laced with deep curiosity. "May I know who exactly arranged this private room for us?"

The usherette bowed respectfully. "I am incredibly sorry, Miss. I have absolutely no idea. Our orders simply came from the top."

Audrey opened her mouth, desperately wanting to interrogate the staff for more clues, but before she could utter another syllable, the theater lights violently plunged into pitch-black darkness. This meant Harper was finally about to make her grand entrance.

The heavy, suffocating silence lasted only a second.

Then, a massive array of brilliant spotlights pierced the darkness, converging directly on the center of the stage. Slowly, a figure who looked exactly like a flawless, mystical fairy appeared, rising smoothly on a mechanical platform.

The entire massive theater became deadly silent. Thousands of eyes locked onto the stage, completely captivated.

The woman standing in the light wore a breathtakingly sexy, long black dress that hugged every single curve of her perfect body. The dark, shimmering fabric sparkled like a galaxy under the intense beams. Her dark hair was swept up elegantly in a tight bun, perfectly revealing her long, slender neck and her lovely, delicate collarbones. Her flawless face made her look as if she were a divine character stepped straight out of a priceless painting. Her sheer beauty brutally took everyone's breath away.

That stunning woman was Harper Quinn, the universally adored international celebrity.

Harper brought the custom microphone to her painted lips. "Hello, everyone," she spoke.

Her voice was purely angelic. It was captivating, rich, and as soft as a gentle spring breeze flowing through the massive room.

In an instant, the entire place erupted into an absolute, deafening uproar.

"Harper!"

"Harper! I love you so much!"

"Harper!"

Down in the general seating, Bryce screamed alongside the wild crowd, yelling her name out loud until his throat burned. He was so overwhelmed with excitement that his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Up in Room 28, Audrey was equally excited. She threw her hands in the air, jumping up from the velvet couch and pressing close to the viewing glass to cheer.

Chloe, on the other hand, sat frozen on the couch. Her heart burned with a bitter, highly toxic envy when she stared at Harper's absolute perfection. Chloe had always been deeply jealous of women who looked better than her, were vastly more capable than her, and held unimaginable wealth. She despised women like Diana, Valerie, and now, Harper. In Chloe's twisted mind, it was only fair that all women remained on equal footing, suffering in the dirt together.

On the stage, the deafening roar of the crowd slowly faded as a gentle, melodic instrumental began to play. The music softened, wrapping the theater in a deeply intimate atmosphere.

Harper smiled softly, a look of profound emotion crossing her flawless features. "My first song today," she announced, her voice echoing with raw gratitude. "Is dedicated entirely to the gentleman sitting in the Celestial Private Room."

Harper physically shifted her body, turning her gaze sharply upward, locking her eyes directly onto the impenetrable, glowing glass of the highest suite in the building. "If it weren't for him," she whispered into the microphone, her voice carrying through the massive speakers. "I absolutely would not be where I am today."

At that exact moment, thousands of heads snapped upward in brutal unison. Every single person in the massive crowd followed her intense gaze, staring up at the glowing window of the Celestial Private Room. The collective curiosity reached a boiling point. Everyone in the building was practically dying to know the true identity of the impossibly powerful man sitting hidden inside that room.

Harper wasn't finished. She delivered her final, earth-shattering strike to the audience.

"The song I am going to perform for him tonight," Harper continued, her voice filled with unmistakable longing. "Is I Love You."

For one suspended, breathless second, the theater was silent.

Then, the crowd completely erupted. The building descended into utter, unbridled chaos. The audience reeled violently at the shocking realization that had just hit them like a freight train. The song was a famous, desperate love ballad! Did this actually mean that Harper, the untouchable, universally desired diva, was deeply in love with the person sitting inside the Celestial Private Room? Who could possibly possess the power and charm to completely steal her heavily guarded heart away?

The male audience members practically gnashed their teeth, entirely consumed by a massive wave of intense jealousy. They stared at the glowing window, completely unable to believe that the goddess they worshipped had just publicly surrendered her soul to the mysterious titan sitting above them all.