"So, here's the list of lyricists and composers who can help you with your songwriting," Kate announced as she flicked on her iPad, displaying a hefty 600-page PDF, and handed it across the table to Natalie.

It was eight in the morning, and the two women, having greeted the sunrise with a yoga session and a wholesome breakfast, were now sitting at the dining table, getting down to business.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to have done so much work already," Natalie swiped through the document on the iPad, quickly scanning the contents.

"But... I'm not planning to debut as a singing star again," Natalie said calmly, locking eyes with Kate. She picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. "I'm no longer that girl filled with dreams about the future. I can't sing those sweet songs anymore."

"These seven years have given me a new perspective on life; I want to challenge myself, I want to be on a performance reality show." She continued.

A smile had unknowingly crept onto Kate's face.

"I am serious, why are you laughing?" Natalie asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Guess what? Just yesterday, David called asking if I knew someone for a new acting reality show CBS wants to launch."

"David who, your dad, David Woodburg?"

"Yap!" Kate beamed.

"You know what," Kate stood up and headed to the bar to grab her phone, "I'm going to get the details of the show right now." She dialed David's number, tossing her sleek hair back in a habitual gesture, waiting for the call to connect.

"Hi Dad,"

"Ah, my darling girl, what perfect timing. We were just talking about you."

"Who's with you?"

"Simon Flynn, Louis's father, we're hitting some golf balls."

"Oh, um," Kate coughed, slightly choked up. "Why were you talking about me?" She felt her heart beating.

"He says he hasn't seen you in a while, misses you. So, how about this, join us for lunch at their place?" Before she could inquire further, the call ended.

"Wait—" Turning back to Natalie, Kate realized she had forgotten to ask the important questions, but it was too late. When she tried calling back, it was the caddy who answered.

Louis Flynn, Kate's college classmate and the object of her unrequited affection, was the star student on a full scholarship, while Kate had secured her spot with a generous donation.

From the first day of class, she was smitten with Louis. She adored his concentration during lectures, the way he patiently explained concepts to others. She had even tried wearing the SAME outfit for a WHOLE WEEK straight to catch his attention. It was only around him that her confidence waned.

At the end of the first semester, she had mustered the courage to slip a long love letter into his locker, only to witness him walking and laughing with the class valedictorian, who was holding a stack of letters including Kate's, unmistakably thicker than the rest.

Her emotions were a jumbled mess, a mixture of embarrassment over her letter and jealousy of Louis's companion, when they passed by.

Fleeing to her father's company, she stumbled upon Natalie's singing—a balm for her bruised heart.

Torn between avoiding school and her fascination with Natalie, Kate dropped out to become her manager.

Kate looked at Natalie, pondering the serendipity. "Nat, let's dress up, we'll have lunch with my dad and his friend."

__________________________

At half-past eleven, Natalie and Kate, both elegantly dressed, arrived on time at the doorstep of a cozy villa. Despite Simon's clinic bringing in substantial income, the family lived modestly.

The door was opened by a chicly dressed woman wearing an apron, Alice Flynn, the lady of the house.

"Oh, Kate, look at you, glowing as ever," she said, planting a kiss on Kate's cheek.

"Hi, Alice, I've missed you," Kate replied politely.

Then Alice's gaze shifted to Natalie, a mix of confusion and delight in her eyes.

"This is Natalie... Sterling," Kate hurried to introduce, opting to use "Sterling" despite the pending divorce.

"Oh my goodness, someone's going to be thrilled today," Alice exclaimed, gripping Natalie's hand. "My son's a huge fan of you; he'll be home for lunch too."

"Louis?" Kate inquired.

"No, his younger brother, Lucas."

"Come inside, make yourself at home, I need to rush back to the kitchen," Alice quickly ushered them in.

Natalie followed Kate into the kitchen to help Alice, but the doorbell rang. With both Kate and Alice busy, Natalie was asked to open the door.

She swung the door open to reveal a man with a chiseled chest, his white linen shirt hinting at the tanned skin beneath, sending Natalie's heart into overdrive and her cheeks aflame.

"Oh, sorry," the man started, " I mistakenly thought it was my house." and turning to leave.

"Wait, this is my house," he noticed his golden retriever bounding towards him in the yard.

As he turned, his deep blue eyes met Natalie's. There stood perfection personified: tall at six-foot-one, broad shoulders, a marble-sculpted physique.

A breeze passed, outlining an eight-pack beneath the fabric of his shirt.

Natalie swallowed hard, realizing he was also watching her intently.

She extended her hand in a hurry, "Hi, I'm Natalie Sterling."

"Oh, oh," he snapped out of his trance, giving her hand a cursory squeeze. "I'm Lucas Flynn."

"Oh, you must be the younger son here, nice to—" Before Natalie could finish, Lucas hurriedly nodded and strode past her into the house, heading upstairs to his room where he locked the door.

Collapsing onto the bed, hand over his racing heart, his gaze fell on the surrounding walls, plastered with Natalie's albums and posters.