Enchanted Nightfall: Falling for Destiny

On the other side, Quintessa shivered in her sleep. She had no idea when she had drifted off or for how long, but the clatter on her balcony jolted her awake. Someone was tossing empty soda cans onto her space, creating a relentless metallic symphony.

Rubbing her eyes, Quintessa rose and stepped out onto the balcony.

There, on the neighboring balcony, stood a figure who called out to her, “Hey there, you up?”

The chilly early spring breeze nipped at her skin, jolting away the remnants of sleep, “What’s up? Planning to have another epic showdown on the balcony for me to witness and critique your performance?”

Snow grimaced, “Wow, you really don’t hold back, do you?”

Quintessa stretched lazily, “As if you can hold back.”

“Got plans tomorrow?”

Quintessa responded coolly, “What do you think? I’m just a small–time actress, remember?”

“How about you join me at the studio tomorrow morning? We’re shooting a music video.”

“Sure, but did you settle on a rate with Violet?”

Snow chuckled, “For someone who compliments my stamina, I wouldn’t dream of shortchanging you.”

A rare smile flickered across Quintessa’s face, her mood lightened for a moment.

She turned to look at Snow, his features obscured in the darkness. It felt surreal to be having this casual conversation just a few feet away with the superstar; the man was utterly different from the one who shone brightly on stage.

Quintessa asked, “With all your money, why do you still live around here?”

Snow retorted, “Am I bothering you?”

“Not at all.”

“The night’s still young, and since neither of us can sleep, why not invite me over?”

Quintessa leaned on the railing, her chin resting on her hand as she eyed Snow, “Is this your way of hooking up?” Her face seemed to glow in the night, her eyes bright and fox–like. Snow felt a tingling sensation when he met her gaze.

“So, is that a yes?” He asked.

Quintessa replied, “I prefer causing trouble for others over harming my own kind.”

Snow burst into laughter after a moment’s surprise.

“I like your spirit. Knew we were kindred spirits the moment we met on the balcony. If not a hookup, how about a drink?”

“Absolutely.” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Snow grabbed two cans of beer and tossed one to Quintessa across the divide. Jokingly, he said to Quintessa, “Really, why work so hard? A little scandal with me and all your problems would be solved.”

Quintessa nodded seriously, “True, riding the coattails of your fame would rocket me to stardom. But why help me?”

Why would someone she barely knew offer assistance?

18:24

No up–and–coming celebrity wanted to hit the headlines for a scandal, especially not someone like Snow. There was no such thing as a free lunch.

After taking a sip of his beer, Snow grinned, “Because I want to sleep with you.”

Quintessa remained silent, just watching him. Seeing this, Snow laughed, “I’m kidding! You think I’d go for just anyone? It would have to be a top–notch star. Look at you, you’re not even on the radar.”

Quintessa just smiled, not taking it to heart. She was tired tonight. After chatting with Snow for a couple of hours, she was overcome with drowsiness and excused herself, leaving him alone as she headed back to sleep. Snow stayed on the balcony, smoking three cigarettes back–to–back before chuckling at himself. In this day and age, he had actually found someone who didn’t look at him like a piece of meat.