Side Story: Dite

(Dite's POV)

I had finally been signed on for a record label. The contract made me promise to only produce music with them for 5 years. I took that as meaning they believe I have potential and want to hold onto me. If I do well I can renew my contract or move up to a more major label. It was just by chance but I saw one of the company's owners in the hallway while I was leaving that day. My agent whispered to me what his status was and he must have caught me staring at him because he approached me smiling 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 in real life!

"Oh, you're the new talent Clara brought in... Nice to meet you." I nodded and said,

"Nice to meet you too!" After that, he walked away with an older man. The man had dusty brown hair, a light beard, and glasses. He was good-looking as well... I'm so glad I got this job, it's looks like I'm going to get blessed with eye candy every day!

I came to the studio to practice, record, talk about future projects and it was months before I saw Zaikel again. The day I saw him it was from a distance and he was just as hot as I remember. He was having a conversation with a boy who had medium-length crimson hair and casual clothing. From their body language the conversation seemed serious. They were just outside the building standing near a fountain. I couldn't see the other guy's face from so far away. Anyway, I decided to shake off my manager and possibly make a connection. This is my chance to finally talk to Zaikel! I had to run down the stairs in heels and sneak out the back exit and then I had to catch my breath before pretending to approach Zaikel and the man he was nonchalantly. "Hey! Fancy meeting you here!" I chirped. Zaikel turned to me and smiled but the boy with him frowned. He was about 7 inches shorter than Zaikel, 2 inches shorter than me, and his face looked sweet even though he was scowling at me with all his might. 

"Hey... Aphrodite right?" I nodded,

"Yeah, but you can call me Dite." At my response, he laughed softly and said,

"I was just about to have lunch with my brother." Brother?!... They don't have any features in common but they are both so beautiful that it makes sense. "Bye." He started to walk away so I yelled,

"Wait! I... can I join you for lunch?" I made eye contact as I made my request because no one could resist my full-on attack.

"No." Except Zaikel...

"Why not? I don't mind." His brother chimed in indifferently. The sound of his voice was almost hypnotic, and with it his ranking just went up, a perfect 10/10... Even if he is shorter than me... The brother began walking away and Zaikel said,

"I guess if Valin doesn't mind... fine but we're going to discuss work after eating... I hope you don't mind?" I almost leaped for joy but assured him I didn't mind. "You can call me Zai... by the way." We carpooled to a nearby restaurant in Zai's car. Once there and seated he ordered steak, Valin ordered cake and I got a smoothie. They really did discuss business, everything they spoke of used so many names I didn't recognize, numbers, technical terms and future appointments that I got a headache just trying to keep up. My manager and agent called me a few times my phone was vibrating so much that I silenced it. I'm not letting them interrupt this moment. Even if I don't understand what they're saying, just sitting at the same table as these 2 hotties is like a dream. One of my goals for becoming famous was to be near more beautiful people and I am glad I'm accomplishing it so soon. "Dite... We should be heading back..." Zai said, his conversation with his brother seemed to be over but they exchanged paperwork and Valin left. Zai drove me back, but his brother walked off on his own.

"I had a good time," I revealed, happy to be in the passenger seat.

"Hmm... you're odd if you enjoyed that." Zai's dimples showed each time he spoke and when he caught me looking at him again he smiled. "You're a weird one, aren't you?" I'm not sure why but his response has my heart racing. A few seconds later we were parked and I called my manager to pick me up. I'm nowhere near famous yet... but I'm pretty... especially when I put in some effort. I might be a bit delusional but I think I got closer to Zai today.

A week later I was practicing the choreography for my new music video in the dance room late one evening when I saw a boy with familiar crimson locs pass by the doorway... so I yelled

"Hey Valin!" I was so excited to see him that I completely forgot that we were not close enough for me to call out to him like that. It only took me half a second to regret it, and the regret intensified when he turned around and entered the room.

"Do I know you?" That hurts! He doesn't even recognize me... well damn...

"We... had lunch about a week ago." I reminded.

"Oh... the girl who has a crush on my brother." My face heated up.

"What?!" His eyes met mine,

"Do you deny it?" This is where I made my first mistake. One mistake is repairable but I made so many mistakes with Valin... that he couldn't overlook all of them.

"I... do. I didn't realize it was so obvious! I'm embarrassed now." He rolled his eyes. "Hey! You should be my wingman!" I said, mostly as a joke. He wrinkled his nose.

"Why would I do that?"

"Um... because it'll be fun... maybe... and you get the honor of basking in my presence." After my reply, he only smiled at first then broke out into hearty laughter. I felt my heart flutter and just for a moment I was lost in admiration for him.

"Fine... I'll help you... My brother has never dated anyone before so it might be fun to play matchmaker, as you've suggested." He's never dated anyone, with that face and body?! "What are you doing here so late anyway?" I told him about my choreography, upcoming concert and he asked if could see the video my instructor left for me. After that he asked me to show him the parts I was struggling with. I felt a little shy dancing for him privately but I'm going to do this in front of a live audience soon so I buried those feelings and did my best. Partway he stopped me to say, 

"You need to lift your elbow more here," He stood and gently repositioned my arm, "and be careful not to cross your left leg too far over. If you're not careful you'll fall." I nodded and we practiced together for another hour, I was exhausted and prepared for more criticism when Valin said,

"That was perfect..." Thank goodness, praise is preferred. He got up, I assume to leave but for some reason, the thought of going days without seeing him again bothered me, so I grabbed the sleeve of his hoodie and said,

"Maybe you can help me practice tomorrow too... and give me some pointers about Zai?" He laughed and pet my head, giving me another glorious smile, stealing my heart...

"Yeah... same place?" I nodded enthusiastically, "See you then..."

"I'm Dite!"... I forgot to introduce myself to him directly, I'm so dumb.

"...See you tomorrow, Dite." Oh my god... the way he says my name should be illegal. The heck was that?! Once I let him go he walked away and I fell to my knees... am I pining after the wrong brother?! Valin was cold at first but he's the only reason I got to eat lunch with them and... Zai smiles so easily at everyone... I felt like I earned those smiles from Valin today, I feel special and breathless. He was a man of his word and showed up the next evening. He was wearing a grey tank top today, so I could see the tattoos on his arm, as well as a clear outline of his physique. I had brought an extra bottle of water, for him, but now I'm so thirsty I might need to drink both on my own. After helping me practice for 45 minutes we sat side by side against the back wall so I could catch my breath. Being so close made it impossible not to notice his scent, he smells nice, "The thing about Zai is... he's never liked anyone... if you want him to fall for you, you just need to excite him. Even if it's only for an instant... if you manage to do that even once he'll hold onto you forever."

"Is that all? I just need to be sexy?" He chuckled then nudged me,

"If it was that simple, someone would have done it already." I sighed,

"You're right... you sure he's never liked anyone?" Valin assured me, "I guess I'll just need to give it my all! Turn my sexiness up to the max!" I stated balling up my fist and steeling my resolve. He laughed,

"You're already plenty sexy, just focus on talking to him for now" My heart skipped a beat so I glanced at him but he was drinking water with his eyes closed. He called me sexy right? Did I mishear him? Is that... really what he thinks of me? What am I getting excited about?! I barely know him.

"W-we should exchange numbers... so I can ask for advice... or we can hang out." He raised his eyebrows,

"As friends?"

"Oh! Yeah of course." He sighed with relief at my answer,

"Oh good, then yeah." He pulled out his phone, It was gold and the latest model. I guess being the CEO's brother comes with some perks... After we exchanged numbers I found the nerve to say,

"Are you that against dating me? Not that I'm trying to get with you but I was shocked by how turned off you seem..." I tried to let it go but his obvious repulsion was getting to me.

"I could never date anyone interested in my brother." 

"Never?" I asked for clarity. He smirked and replied,

"That's right." Before putting his phone away and leaving. He continued to help me, even with things like my breathing and stamina over the next 2 weeks, so when it was time to finally film my video the directors and other staff had nothing but praise for me. They even went as far as to call me a natural-born talent, and a one in a million beauty. Even with all their praise the thing that made me happiest was the text from Valin asking me how the filming went... Sure he's hot and smart and hot but he's not my type. I've never liked anyone below 6 foot and he can be pretty abrasive with how he phrases things even if he makes up for it by being super sweet and considerate like bringing me my favorite energy drinks or insisting I take a break when I try to push myself too hard... oh no, I'm going insane.