The Celebrity playboy
Chapter 1
TESSA'S ROOM
The blast of music shook the thin walls of the little apartment.
Inside her room, Tessa's hips moved with practiced rhythm, her bare feet sliding over the worn carpet. Her favorite group.The Rock Girls was on full volume, and Cathryn's raspy, powerful voice filled the space.
We rise, we burn, we're diamonds in the storm _ No chains can hold us, we'll rewrite the norm Step back-watch us light the night in gold This is our story, fierce and bold...
Tessa sang along word-for-word, clutching her hairbrush like a microphone, eyes closed as she imagined blinding stage lights and roaring crowds. In her head, she was a Rock Girl. confident, unstoppable, the kind of woman who didn't second-guess herself.
The chorus swelled, and she spun in place, sweat dotting her forehead, heart pounding with the beat.
"Tessa!" her mom's voice suddenly cut through the music like a cymbal crash. "Turn that down before someone calls the landlord!"
Tessa groaned but hit pause, the silence feeling almost wrong. "It's Rock Girls, Mom. You don't turn that down."
"You wanna get us kicked out?" Mrs. Cristin appeared in the doorway, a hand on her hip, the other clutching her purse.
"At least use your earphones. Not the whole block needs to hear your concert."
"Fine, l've heard you." Tessa eyed the handbag. "You heading out?"
"Yeah. And while l'm gone, no loud music. Clean up and study, Tessa. College isn't gonna pass itself."
"Yes, ma'am," she said, drawing the words out with mock obedience. "And... don't forget my snack on the way back."
Her mom shook her head with a small smile before leaving.
The front door clicked shut, and Tessa stood in the middle of her room, brushing damp hair from her face.
For a moment, the room felt too quiet.
She glanced at the paused song on her phone.
A small grin tugged at her lips.
Maybe... just one more play. She muttered as she turned on the song and began dancing again.
HAMPTON-STYLE VILLA | LIVING ROOM
Cathryn sat cross-legged on the cream sofa, her phone in hand, while Caroline and Sabrina lounged nearby.
"Shit! Hardin is so f***ing hot," Caroline said, eyes glued to the livestream playing on her tablet.
Cathryn's glare was instant-cold, sharp.
Sabrina, sensing the tension, spoke up. "Uh... so, Cathryn, what's up with you and Hardin?"
"We're dating," Cathryn said flatly, as if daring anyone to question her.
"Oh my god! You're serious?" Sabrina gasped.
Cathryn smirked. "Tomorrow night is the Crimson Kiss concert. I'm gonna go up to him and kiss him on stage."
"The crowd will go insane," Sabrina chuckled.
"I'm so famished right now," Caroline muttered.
"Then go cook and stop disturbing my ears," Cathryn hissed.
"Whatever," Caroline said, heading toward the kitchen.
"Ouu... my baby," Cathryn cooed under her breath as she turned back to Hardin on the screen.
From the kitchen, Caroline's voice carried: "Hardin is for everyone, girl."
"F*** you," Cathryn shot back without looking away.
Sabrina sighed. "You two still haven't settled your issues.
You'd better make up."
"Caroline is the one pissing me off," Cathryn said coolly.
"That's between you two. But honestly, we need to start attending classes-we've missed too many. I'm so stressed, and we've got a concert soon. That college is exhausting." Sabrina rubbed her temples.
"I'm only going to that God-forsaken college if Hardin's in class. I don't care about learning. I'm already living my dream," Cathryn replied.
"I just hope Hardin doesn't play you. You know he's a playboy-and he doesn't resist anything in a skirt," Sabrina warned.
Cathryn's lips curled into a smug smile. "I'm not letting any girl near him. He's mine. Mine alone. We're a perfect match from heaven."
Sabrina gave a small laugh. "Is it the Hardin White I know?
Thousands of girls throw themselves at him. But since you say you're dating, no problem."
"You're already spoiling my mood, Sabrina. I'm hot as f*** and Hardin can't resist me. I'm a 10 out of 10."
"Alright, ma'am," Sabrina replied dryly.
Cathryn's eyes stayed locked on the livestream. Hardin was shirtless, his abs glistening under stage lights, moving effortlessly to one of his songs.
"He's so hot... I'm already wet just looking at him," she murmured to herself, a slow smile spreading across her lips.
WHITE'S MANSION - HARDIN'S BEDROOM
Knock. Knock.
Hardin's jaw tightened. "Who's there?" he snapped, irritation clear in his voice. He was mid-livestream, shirtless, music blaring, comments flooding in-until the door swung open.
Mrs. White stepped inside without waiting for permission.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, instantly ending the live. "What now? Here to give me another lecture about quitting my career?"
"I would have loved if you focused on college," she said coolly, shutting the door behind her. "Graduate. Then take over your father's company. That's the future you should be thinking about."
Hardin leaned back in his chair, smirking like her words were background noise. "That's your future, Mom. Not mine."
Her expression hardened. "You think prancing on stage, half-naked, singing songs is a future? You're ruining yourself with this Crimson Kiss nonsense. Do you know what people say about you?"
"Oh, here we go..." Hardin drawled.
"They call you reckless. A playboy. The type who can't resist anything in a skirt," she said sharply.
He laughed, leaning forward. "And? Last time I checked, people still pay to see me. The band is selling out shows. I'm building something for me, not to sit in an office wearing a tie."
Mrs. White's tone turned icy. "And when it all crashes? When your so-called career ends, and no one's screaming your name anymore-what then?"
"Then I'll still have my music," Hardin shot back, eyes locking on hers. "And l'd rather die on stage than rot in a boardroom."
They stared at each other, tension thick in the air. Finally, she exhaled, shaking her head. "One day, you'll regret this stubbornness."
"Maybe," he said, grabbing his phone again. "But that day isn't today."
Mrs. White turned and walked out without another word, the slam of the door echoing through the room.
"F**k!" Hardin slammed his fist into the wall, the dull thud echoing through the room. His jaw clenched, chest heaving.
He stalked over to the ring light where his phone sat and quickly dialed a number
Jordan picked up almost instantly.
"Yo, man! Missing me already?"
"Shut up. I called for a reason," Hardin said flatly.
Jordan chuckled. "Alright, alright. What's up?"
"I need... a distraction," Hardin muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. "Some bitches to drill. I'm not in the mood for anything else right now, and that's the only way l'm calming down."
"Say less, bro. On service," Jordan replied smoothly. "They'll be waiting for you at my place."
"Good." Hardin grabbed a black leather jacket from his chair.
"I'll be there in a jiffy."
He ended the call, slid his arms into the jacket, and headed out without a second glance-leaving the livestream equipment still glowing in the empty room.
BACK AT THE CRISTIN'S SMALL APARTMENT*
Tessa was halfway through mopping the narrow living room when a sudden, sharp cramp twisted in her lower abdomen.
"Oh no..." she gasped, instinctively pressing a hand to her stomach.
A warm trickle slipped between her legs. Panic fluttered in her chest.
"I hope it's not what I'm thinking," she muttered under her breath, glancing toward her bedroom. "Of course... now of all days."
Her mind raced then it hit her. She'd run out of pads and completely forgotten to buy more
"Great," she groaned, setting the mop aside. "Just perfect."
She headed toward her small room, already trying to figure out if she had enough change in her bag to run to the store .
She rummaged through the drawer, relief washing over her when she found a few crumpled bills. "Thank God,' |." she
breathed.
Grabbing an old, soft piece of cloth from the back of her wardrobe, she folded it quickly, tucking it into place to keep her jeans from getting stained. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do.
Without wasting another second, Tessa slipped on her sneakers, snatched her hoodie from the chair, and rushed out the door.
STREET OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT*
Tessa clutched the crumpled bills in one hand, her hoodie pulled tight against the gray sky. The air smelled heavy, that damp warning that the rain was coming. She walked fast, praying she'd make it to the store before the clouds broke.
Halfway down the block, the first cold drop landed on her cheek. Then another. Within seconds, the sky opened up, rain falling in messy, uneven sheets.
"Perfect," she muttered, tucking her chin down and quickening her pace. The cramps in her stomach twisted again, making her wince.
A low rumble of an engine drew her attention just as a sleek black sports car turned the corner. It sped toward her side of the street, tires slicing through a wide puddle.
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