Undone

The city glimmered in evening light, golden tones spilling across streets and rooftops. Backstage, Liam adjusted his guitar strap, the hum of anticipation vibrating through the arena. The crowd would be loud tonight, every cheer and clap demanding everything he had—but even as he tuned the last strings, a whisper of unease tugged at his mind. Something was… different.

Max leaned against the soundboard, clipboard in hand. “Crowd’s filling fast. Paparazzi lined up outside. Should be interesting.”

Liam nodded, brushing his fingers over the strings. “Everything set?”

“All set,” Max confirmed, eyes glinting at the tension. “Just… don’t trip over your own feet this time.”

Claire slipped past the crew, glancing toward the entrance with a faint grin. “Just making sure nothing catastrophic happens tonight.”

Before Liam could ask why she was there, Sophie stepped through the side entrance. His chest constricted. She had claimed a last-minute shoot for a commercial, something she supposedly had to attend. But here she was, striding into the arena in black leather pants, a fitted band tee, and a jacket spangled with studs that caught the stage lights. Every step seemed deliberate, every movement humming with mischief.

“Wait… you’re here?” Liam breathed, frozen in place.

Sophie’s grin was teasing, impossible to read. “Surprise.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “She wanted to come.”

Liam’s jaw dropped. “You… canceled the shoot… for me?”

“Of course,” Sophie replied, stepping closer, letting the lights dance across her jacket. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. “Why are you dressed like this?”

Sophie cocked her head, eyes glinting. “Do you like it?”

Max peeked from behind the monitors, suppressing a snicker. The band in the wings exchanged knowing glances. The drummer whispered, “She’s totally breaking him,” while the bassist smirked, nudging the keyboardist.

Claire muttered sharply, “Don’t do anything stupid,” though her lips betrayed her amusement.

Liam forced himself to focus on the stage. “Okay… breathe. Just play,” he reminded himself.

The crowd erupted, and Liam poured himself into the music. Every note, every beat demanded his full attention. And yet, in the corner of his vision, he saw her: Sophie, leaning on the railing, radiating energy that made his pulse spike. Even amidst the chaos, she seemed untouchable, alive, teasing him with her presence.

During the second song, he caught her glancing at him. She winked—a quick, playful blink—and suddenly the lyrics felt heavier, every chord richer, every note carrying a spark he hadn’t expected. His fingers faltered just slightly, heart hammering.

The band noticed. The drummer muttered, “Oh no, he’s done,” while the bassist elbowed him lightly, grinning. The keyboardist shook his head, trying not to laugh.

Between songs, Liam stepped back from the mic, taking a breath as the crowd cheered. He glanced at Sophie briefly; she returned the smile, a mischievous tilt of her head. His chest tightened, a familiar heat rising. He forced his focus back to the audience, though the flutter lingered.

During a short break, Sophie leaned against the railing, whispering to Claire. “I think he noticed me.”

Claire smirked. “You think?”

Sophie smiled. “I just… wanted to see if I could rattle him.”

“You succeeded,” Claire admitted, laughing softly.

Meanwhile, Liam crouched at the edge of the stage, scanning the crowd but stealing glances at Sophie every few seconds. Her presence was like a live wire, pulling at him with each laugh, each movement. He wanted to cross the stage and pull her into his arms, even as the spotlight demanded his performance.

Backstage, Max adjusted monitors, grinning. “She’s doing it on purpose. He’s completely undone.”

The band chuckled quietly, muttering about how ridiculous Liam was, while occasional camera flashes from the paparazzi outside lit up Sophie, who seemed to bask in the chaos. She knew the cameras were there, knew people would see, and yet she wasn’t hiding. She was in her element, daring him with every glance.

The final song began, slow and melodic. Liam’s eyes swept the audience, strumming with intensity. And yet… Sophie remained in her spot, leaning forward slightly. He caught her gaze, and she winked again, just a flicker, enough to send his pulse racing. The music became secondary; the crowd’s roar blurred into white noise behind his pounding heart.

When the last chord rang out, Liam let it linger before raising his hand to the audience. Sophie clapped loudly, laughing softly. Claire gave her a gentle nudge.

He descended the stage, ignoring the crowd, ignoring the paparazzi flashes. Only Sophie mattered.

“You’re insane,” Liam said softly, voice low, fingers brushing hers. “You just… showed up and threw my focus into chaos.”

Sophie grinned, stepping closer. “Did it work?”

“Completely,” he admitted, exhaling, letting the tension loosen, hand sliding fully into hers. “You’re dangerous.”

“And you like it,” she replied, corners of her mouth twitching.

Claire muttered from the side, “Just don’t do something stupid.”
Max shook his head. “Unbelievable. Two magnets. Can we leave before someone actually passes out?”

The band laughed, exchanging smirks and knowing glances. The keyboardist whispered, “He’s totally hers. No one stands a chance.”

Liam ignored them all, focusing solely on Sophie. “Okay,” he murmured softly, “so… about that distraction… think you could do it again?”

Sophie leaned close. “Maybe. But only if you survive it this time.”

He smiled, fingers brushing her palm. “I’ll survive. With you?”

“Definitely,” she said, eyes shining.

Outside, the paparazzi snapped endlessly, capturing only flashes, missing the subtle smiles and small touches—but Liam didn’t care. Tonight, it wasn’t a commercial, a staged shoot, or a routine concert. It was them, alive, electric, caught between the spotlight and the stolen moments that belonged only to them.

Evening at Liam’s Apartment – Post-Concert

The door clicked softly behind him, the last echoes of adrenaline still thrumming through his veins. His forehead was damp, voice tired, eyes bright. The air carried traces of the concert: metal, perfume, night.

Sophie followed him in, still wearing the rock outfit that had nearly short-circuited the backstage crew. Claire adjusted her purse before spinning toward Liam.

“Five minutes. That’s all you two get before something stupid happens,” Claire warned.

Liam raised both hands. “Me? I never do stupid things. She, on the other hand…” He gestured toward Sophie.

“Yeah, yeah. Just… use your brains,” Max muttered as Claire dragged him out.

The door shut behind them. Finally, they were alone.

Sophie turned to Liam with mischievous smile. Light from the tall windows washed over her, highlighting her like she belonged on a stage rather than in movies. Black shirt, leather accents, hair slightly tousled.

Liam froze, staring as if reality had shifted.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, stepping closer.

“I’m just… trying to figure out if you’re attempting to seduce me or if you’ve officially lost your mind,” he said, voice rough from singing.

She winked. “Am I succeeding?”

The words hit him low, deep in his bloodstream. She dismantled him.

She stepped closer. “Liam?”

“Yeah?”

“Stop pretending I’m not throwing you off.”

Her honesty hit harder than any blow. He looked at her face, lips, then eyes, already holding him captive.

“Come here,” he said softly.

Their hands found each other quickly, naturally, as if rehearsed a hundred times.

The kiss sparked like electricity. Not rushed. Not careful. Months of swallowed longing poured into it.

Sophie laughed softly against his mouth. Liam pulled her closer, arms tight around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him in as if she wanted to tuck him under her skin.

When they finally parted, both were breathing hard.

Sophie rested her forehead against his. “Just so you know, I’ve been planning this all night,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he exhaled. “A little too well.”

A soft silence followed, rare for people used to cameras in their faces.

Later, they sat on the couch, legs tangled, still warm from the closeness. Liam unlocked his phone to check the post-show chaos online.

Sophie raised an eyebrow. “We’re checking the internet?”

“Better now than tomorrow,” he said. “If the paparazzi were working overtime…”

Sophie slid her hand along his wrist. “Alright. Let’s see what crimes we committed tonight.”

Galleries and articles opened. Sophie in the front row. Liam singing directly at her. Sophie winking. Fans screaming. Comments exploding.

Sophie sighed—but not in panic.

“The best part is…” Liam swiped, “…this one.”

A photo of her in the background, smiling just for him. That private smile—bright enough to make him forget lyrics.

“This used to stress me out,” Sophie said quietly. “Now… it just feels normal.”

“Because we know the truth,” he said, cupping her cheek.

They stayed on the couch, the phone open, photos glowing between them—proof of everything they had finally allowed themselves to feel.

The world was watching. But for the first time… it wasn’t frightening. It was just them.