Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Aubree's hand was wrapped in his, the touch cold as if he'd been out in the early spring chill for too long.

"Day after tomorrow's Mom's birthday," he said, his voice a mix of command and plea. "She asked me to tell you. Come home for dinner, will you?"

The response was a door slamming shut.

Andrew had never respected her before. Whenever he wanted her, a single phone call was all it took. No matter what she was doing, she had to be there in thirty minutes, showered and clean. He wasn't one for foreplay either; always straight to the point for his own satisfaction.

After he was done, he'd return to Tessa, all lovey-dovey, buying her gifts, asking if she was warm enough.

Andrew had experienced the ultimate pleasure with her, and now he was reaping the most unbearable pain.

He stood outside her door, not daring to enter even though he knew her passcode by heart. He understood this place didn't welcome him anymore.

After entering her apartment, Aubree poured herself a glass of water to calm her nerves.

A hot shower later, she felt a bit more like herself.

Lying in bed, sleep eluded her, tossing and turning restlessly.

In the middle of the night, she wrapped herself in a robe and stood by the door, peering through the peephole. Andrew was still there, slumped against the wall, eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Aubree felt tears welling up. She used to wait for him just like that, bringing him hot soup on cold nights, standing outside because he wouldn't get up to open the door.

But now that it was Andrew's turn to be humbled, her desire for revenge was replaced by a hollow sadness.

She returned to bed, expecting a sleepless night. Yet, somehow, knowing someone was out there, she slept peacefully, without the usual midnight awakening to the gloom of an empty room. Come seven in the morning, she awoke refreshed.

Checking the door once more, Andrew was gone. Rewinding the security footage, she saw he'd left at 5:30 AM, likely off to work.

Aubree's heart was a tender one, as

I.n

her friend Brielle would say. Despite her dazzling and rebellious exterior she had a softness inside her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have hung on to Andrew, a crooked tree, for over a decade.

She got ready and headed to Stellar Stage Entertainment, not expecting to see Keiran there, chatting amicably with a man behind him. Approaching Keiran to greet him, the man, Chase, offered a warm smile and a handshake.

"Miss Aubree, a pleasure to meet you."

Seeing Keiran's furrowed brow, Aubree realized she had been forgotten.

Just as she was about to speak up, the elevator dinged, and Brielle stepped out.

Brielle had recovered from the previous evening's fatigue. Earlier, Donny had called to say Keiran would be at the office since the

script was nearly ready to shoonet

Recalling Andrew's words from yesterday, Brielle felt uneasy and hurried over.

Chase was still by Keiran's side, chuckling and patting his shoulder in a friendly gesture.

Keiran, oblivious to any undertones, laughed and returned the gesture.

Brielle's mind reeled with a clanging noise. After a brief greeting with Chase and Aubree, she quickly ushered Keiran into her office and closed the door behind them.

"Keiran, you do realize you've just met Chase, right?" Brielle asked, her tone edged with concern.

"He seems like a great guy. I mistook him for a friend, got into his car by accident, and he didn't kick me out. Even let me crash at his place for the night," Keiran explained innocently. Brielle's face stiffened at that. Was it not because of his stunning looks that Chase hadn't turned him away?

She had done some digging on Chase that morning. The guy was a notorious beauty chaser, a lover of all things gorgeous.

Andrew was right about one thing-Chase was a playboy, as infamous for his escapades as Dustin.

"You know, you might want to keep

your distance from Chase," Brielle advised. "You're about to become the face of Stellar Stage

Entertainment, and you've kept a clean reputation until now. If you get caught up in scandal right after signing with us, it won't bode well for your career."

Before she could add more, Chase barged into the office, clearly not one to bother with knocking.

"Keiran, are you going to be much longer?" he whined, feigning a shiver. "I'm freezing in these thin clothes."