62

Mia was standing in the dressing room, warming up her voice and going through the routine in her head. She wanted to shut out the thoughts of her guest. It was go-time, and she needed to focus.

“Mia, you’re on!” The stagehand yelled.

Carrie took her hand. “Go out there and blow their minds. You got this.”

The show announcer boasted, “How was that last performance? This is a great show tonight, right folks! Now. Coming to the Glass stage for the first time as a headlining act, Miss Anastasia Wild!

The stage lights went down, making the place completely dark. Mia walked onto the dimmed stage taking a calming breath and took her spot. A light shown behind her, lighting only her silhouette.

Cyrus’ eyes fixated on her voluptuous form as his body shuddered seeing Mia look like the true goddess.

As the music intro played, she turned seductively to the microphone. Quickly she got into character as the stage lights surrounded her. Mia turned to the crowd and took the vintage mic in hand, softly and gracefully as her long eyelashes batted slowly at the crowd. She could see her friend out of the corner of her eye watching from the side stage, smiling proudly.

As the song began, her soulful voice filled the room as the club went silent. Everyone swayed to the sweet sounds of Mia’s voice, as her alluring form paced the stage. Feeding into the mood of the crowd, she let the soulful music take over.

Cyrus raised in his seat at the corner table, watching her curvaceous hips sway like she was one with the song. Her full breast rising and falling as she sang, inviting him in. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her beautiful presence, and her body made him restless. Thoughts of having his way with her backstage flooded his mind like a tsunami as he licked his lips and ran his eyes over her curves.

The two men beside him chatted quietly to each other, intently watching the woman. Cyrus barely acknowledged his guest and kept his eyes locked on his flower. This woman was talking over every inch of him and he knew it. He didn’t care. She was going to be his, even if he had to beg. She was becoming a drug, and he needed his fix.

Mia had got fully into the song, performing like the star she was. On that stage, she felt anything but average.

The crowd erupted in applause as the last breath escaped her. Mia looked at Carrie for approval, who had tears in her eyes. She proudly gave Mia a thumbs up and wiped her eyes. She could see her salon sisters sitting in the front row and gave them a little wave.

“Thank you. I am Anastasia Wild. Let’s give a big hand to the house band. These guys make me look good.” The crowd laughed and clapped. “I see my salon sisters in the front row. I hope you girls are having a great time.” They clapped and whistled to her.

Mia moved across the stage, talking to the crowd. “Calvin, can I get a cordless mic up here? Thank you.”

She took the mic off the stand and moved across the stage. It was time for her to give something to Cyrus. To show her true self.

“My next number is a song I hold dear to my heart. Loneliness is something that consumes many people. This is for those in the crowd who know exactly what loneliness is. Eventually, loneliness becomes a lack of trust. Trust in yourself. Trust in other people. So, you shut out the world. You sit in your room alone, wanting to hear a voice other than your own.”

Cyrus felt a lump rise in his throat. She was speaking directly to his heart. He knew she was lonely, but so was he.

“We long for someone to share your innermost thoughts. To feel safe, strong arms around you. To know what passions that can come from the simplest of a kind word can do. I was hesitant to sing this song tonight because I’m one of those people who knows exactly what it was like to be lonely. I recently met someone who I can talk to for hours and each moment feels special. We talk about love, life, and our dreams. Our future. This song is for the man who showed me that just a kind word from a stranger can make you happy.”

Mia swallowed down her emotions and stood silent for a moment before speaking again.

“You know, even the most successful people in the world can be lonely. Sometimes we must learn to trust someone that you may be worlds apart from. It's hard to find love when you’ve been alone for so long. When I first wrote this song, it reminded me of this man. For those of you who are lonely in the crowd, and to Cyrus. This is for you.”

Cyrus felt his heartbeat rapidly. She was talking about him. Their long conversations online had meant so much to him, she felt the same way he had. It was like she knew. He had felt lonely, and that’s why he sought her out. Since his divorce, he had become less of the man he used to be. Mia changed that. At that moment, he knew what he was looking for. A companion. He had known for weeks he wanted her. Now he knew for sure. He was falling in love again.

Mia stepped back and took a deep breath, preparing for the most emotionally driven song she had ever sung on stage. The mellow music played, and she felt her body sway. Her eyes felt heavy as they closed, taking in the melody. She walked back slowly to the mic stand, placing it back in its place. The music played and… she missed her mark.

The audience went quiet waiting for her to start and the band stopped. She could feel a weight on her chest as she tried to recover. Taking a slow, deep breath, she waved to the band.

“Please? Can I start again?”

Mia felt her heart shutter. The crowd’s silence made her heart race. She took a breath and nodded to them to start again. The music began, and she found her courage once more.

“My love… I’m drawn to you…”

Pulling the mic off the stand once more, Mia worked her way down to the crowd. Passing by her friends, she walked while singing to them.

She worked her way back to the corner table where she thought Cyrus would be. His eyes were drawn to her like a magnet. Swallowing hard, he sat up straight as she approached his table.

His boss, Davis Preston, seated next to him, spoke in his ear. “Your right, Cyrus. She’s beautiful and incredibly talented. I think we have a star on our hands.”

Cyrus shook his head in agreement. Cyrus looked over and toasted his mystery guest with his beer bottle.

Gage smiled, watching his friend as he looked over to Davis with a nod. They had found what they had been looking for. The missing piece of IWX.

Mia finally reached the table and sang directly to Cyrus. Tears welled up in her eyes and she fought to keep singing.

“I found someone I can share my secrets with…” she sang.

She reached and grazed the back of her hand down the side of Cyrus’ face, leaving a tingle across his scar in the wake. Looking into her eyes, he felt nothing but love and adoration for this woman.

Mia released her hand and made her way back to the stage, singing to couples as she went. Once on stage, she regained her composure and with more emotion and passion than she had ever felt; the words escaped her with ease. She reached for her chest and emotionally sang the last verse, feeling her heart pounding beneath her ribcage.

Hitting the last note, the crowd stood for a standing ovation. Mia struggled to catch her breath from emotion while looking in Cyrus’ direction. She bowed to the adoring crowd while hearing the cheers and whistles reverberating across the room.

“I’ll be right back with one more song. While we set up for the next set, please enjoy some great food and drinks. We’ll be back in five.” Mia waved and went off the stage.