Anthony's inner turmoil as he struggles with the memory of his lost love, Donna. Despite her tragic death in a plane crash years ago, Anthony clings to the necklace she gave him as a symbol of their eternal bond. Music becomes his solace, as he pours his pain and devotion into heartfelt melodies on the keyboard. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Anthony's dual life: a celebrated member of the music group "Flower Boys," idolized by fans yet harboring disdain for women, a sentiment stemming from his inability to replace Donna in his heart. This leads to his harsh behavior toward female classmates and others, demonstrating his struggle with unresolved grief. The narrative shifts to Nancy, a hardworking and optimistic young woman seeking to support her struggling father. A babysitting job introduces her to Anthony, but their initial encounter is marred by his cruelty and dismissiveness. Despite the humiliation, Nancy maintains her composure, showcasing her resilience. Fate brings their paths together again during an audition at Anthony's prestigious music school, where Nancy's passion for music shines through her emotional rendition of "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran. Despite Anthony's attempt to disqualify her, she earns her place through the support of the other judges, setting the stage for a tense yet intriguing dynamic between the two. The novel weaves themes of loss, love, resilience, and the transformative power of music, drawing readers into the complex lives of Anthony and Nancy as they navigate their intertwined destinies.
Anthony's POV
I had just woke , sitting on my bed with my chin resting on my right palm like someone lost in thought.
Yes! I'm truly lost in thought. Everyday I wake , the memories of Donna and I springs afresh in me.
Even though, Donna is no more, her memories with me is stuck in my brain. The pain I feel everyday, anytime I remembered the day I met her
Do I need to think about her smile or our days of going out together, being together, laughing together and crying together
We started dating when I was 19 years, she was 17 years. Our love grew beyond our expectations and at a time when I never expected, Donna travelled with her family out of the country and on their way coming, they had a plain crashed. Everyone in the plane died including Donna and her family members.
When I heard, I felt the greatest shock of my life. I held the necklace she gave to me as a gift on my 22nd birthday and sunk to my knees, I cried the hell outta me
I promise myself to keep loving her even though she is no more, I had never seen any girl, nor will I ever see any girl that would replace the love of Donna in my heart.
I put on the necklace she gave to me everyday, it's my greatest treasure, it's always on my neck even when I'm sleeping. Anytime I hold the necklace, it's like I'm holding Donna
I miss her every morning, I sing songs and play my keyboard
in remembrance of her. Anytime I sing and play, the feelings of her love radiates and fills my soul and body.
Who am I?
I'm Anthony Nicholas, the only son of Nicholas.
My father owned the largest music school in New York.
Music had always being my passion, attending the school is never an issue for me.
I and my two closest friends, Brian and Scot are a brand of a artistes called FLOWER BOYS.
My dad created the record label for us, just the three of us in the record label and most songs that we had released hits the whole of America which makes us very popular,even though we are one of the most popular and cute artiste in America, I dislike being on news, I like a private life.
Most ladies in school adore us , they claim we are the most handsome in the school, they say I'm cute, they treat us almost like god and I use that privilege to bully many students
I dislike ladies , I dislike to see them, my class is filled with boys alone cus I always frustrate and make life hell of a living for any girl that attends my class. They always end up changing classes or leaving the school
More so, I have the power to expel any student,my dad is the owner of the school. Most ladies who prove stubborn after I must have frustrated them for being in my class, I always end up expelling them from the school. I dislike ladies with passion. I may not see the one I Love but she lives inside of me
I stood from my bed and went to sit at the extreme edge of my room where my keyboard is. I must confess that I'm very good in playing keyboard. Dad made me learnt it since I was 8 years
I placed my hands on the keyboard and the memories of Donna kept flashing across my head.
Tears rolled gently from my eyes as I played and sing
I'll be loving you forever
Deep inside my heart you'll leave me never
Even if you took my heart
And tore it apart
I would love you still
Forever
You are the sun
You are my light
And you're the last thing on my mind
Before I go to sleep at night
You're always round
When I'm in need
When trouble's on my mind
You put my soul at ease
There is no one in this world
Who can love me like you do
That is the reason that I
Wanna spend forever with you
My phone buzzed during the middle of me enjoying the memories of my Love with Donna while singing and playing the keyboard
With tears filled on my eye, I stood up and went to pick the call
" Anthony, please don't come late to the auditioning, we are to meet with the chairmen of Universe record label before the commencement of the show "
Brian's voice sounded softly on the phone
Oh! I'm gonna try to come early
" I said and hanged up
One of my closest friend had just called me, yes! I need to prepare for the auditioning today.
My Father's music school is named "Nicholas High"
We do not admit student based on their intelligence or how good they are in a particular subject, the auditioning is the test we give to those wanting to be admitted in the school, Brian, Scot and I are always the judge.
The auditioning is the time where every one who collects a form of wanting to he accepted to Nicholas high , they come to the stage one after the other to display their musical talent, If two among us agreed that the person's song is cool, the person has being automatically admitted to the school. And if two amidst us refuses, the person is automatically disqualified
I sighed and dropped my phone on the bed , I went inside the bathroom to dress but the memories of Donna kept flashing across my mind and I kept enjoying it. I came out of the bathroom , dressed and went to Nicholas high for the auctioning
Nancy's POV
I heard a knock on my door, I had just finish cleansing my husky face with ordinary water in the bathroom
I walked towards the door and twisted the knob
"Good morning dad" I greeted my dad
"My beautiful daughter, hope you slept well, I came to tell you to be quick in whatever you are doing so you can get to the school quiet early for the auditioning" My father said with a welcoming smile on his face
I blushed and smiled
"Dad, I'm gonna make my dressings snappy" I said
He nodded and walked away
I watched as he left, I love my dad, my mum divorced him for another man because of infidelity, but I do not think my dad is guilty of such.
Ever since my mom left, I had never seen any lady coming to visit dad. I loved my dad because he is a gentle and caring type. He is very understanding
I closed the door gently and checked the wall clock, it's almost an hour for the auditioning to commence
"I must not get there late, I need to be fast truly" I thought as I quickly went to the bathroom to take my bath
Three days ago
Flash back
Some weeks ago, I had being searching for jobs seriously , I need a decent job, while I was searching online, I stumbled across many jobs, but there is a particular request that got my attention, it's a particular woman requesting for a babysitter. Her mobile number was written underneath the request so anyone interested can call her
I really love the job of a babysitter cus I love to play and stay around children
I know a baby sitter to be someone who cares for one or more babies or children for a period of time in place of their parents or legal guardians
I was happy that at least, If I'm able to get the babysitter job, I would be able to gather enough money and support my father in payment of our monthly rent.
We pay rent monthly and my father is not rich, ever since mom divorced him, mom ensured he lost his job and ever since then, he had being struggling for a living, taking a job and helping him will be the best thing I could have done to help him.
I put a call through to the woman who requested for a babysitter, she picked, we discussed and she gave me an address to visit the following day.
I went to the woman's place and we discussed on the terms and conditions of the job, I gladly accepted.
The girl I'm to be babysitting was introduced to me, her name is Helen, she is five years old, she is smart , a little bit fleshy and beautiful.
"Helen" I called her name and smiled after her mom had introduced us
She smiled at me and hugged me, I carried her instead and pecked her .
I'm happy she likes me already, even on our first day of getting to meet each other
Her mum smiled
"You can resume work tomorrow" Helen's mum said and walked away
"Helen, you are really beautiful, I can't wait to play with you all day tomorrow" I said while smiling
"Why can't you stay, I want you to meet brother, he promised to buy me fortune cookie" Helen said
I smiled
"If that's what you want, I'll stay till he comes" I said and paced Helen on the chair
I sat beside her and we started playing games together, after few minutes, some people entered behind us.
Helen turned and saw them , she ran towards them and flew on the shoulder of the one in middle
I had stood already , stylishly looking at them since I'm a just stranger
"Anthony, see Nancy, she is my new friend, mum said she is gonna be taking care of me for the time being" Helen said and they walked towards me
That was when I saw them clearly, they are the flower boys, the one in the middle is their leader, his fans call him flower boy
"Omg! I'm your biggest fan, I've being crushing on you for long, I can't believe I'm seeing you, is this a dream, I have your posters all around my room, I have your song as my call ringtone, your picture is my phone wallpaper and also my profile pic on most of my social media account, can someone wake me! I like you, I like you so much, omg! I can't imagine" I thought crazily, I wish I could say that out but he might just sack me from the job I'd just received
I comported myself and lowered my head slightly
"Who are you?" Anthony asked
"I'm Nancy Ja..." I said but he interrupted
"Enough, I do not need your surname, you are Nancy right?, what are you doing here?" Anthony asked
"Erm... Actually, I'm the new babysitter for Helen" I replied gently
"You can't work here , you are fired, leave" Anthony said with an expressionless face
"But mom gave me the job and ..." Before I could finish the statement, he went to the center table in the sitting room, he took a water bottle and spray the water in it to me
"you are just an ugly ducking , husky face and shameless body structure, Leave, before I do something crazier right now" He said
His friends kept looking at me with an expressionless face
I looked at Helen, she looked at me pathetically. I knew she didn't like what his brother did, but she can't help it.
I walked out painfully
Flashback Ends
I dressed and bade my dad good bye, he wished me good luck.
I got to Nicholas high and entered the hall, I went to where the anticipating students stood.
They were calling them in one after the other with their names cus everyone that came had already collected Nicholas high form and registered including me
Many people were entering and performing, some passed, some failed.
I finally heard my name being called, I arched my brow in shock, my heart was beating.
I walked towards the stage and I was surprised to see that the flower boys were the judge
"They hate me, I've failed already" I thought painfully
"What song do you wanna sing for us Nancy?" One of them asked
I sighed and swallowed hard
"Ed sheeran, photograph" I replied
They gestured for me to commence
Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing makes us feel alive
We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
And time's forever frozen still
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home
I sang with all my emotions expressed with my voice, I waited anxiously on the stage ready to hear the result.
"Wow! I like your voice, for me. Yes" the first flower boy said and I almost jumped up happily but I had to wait for one more person to approve
"No, you have an ugly voice" Anthony said
I said it, he disliked me but I never stopped liking him, I still have a hope, if the last person can say yes, then , I'm qualified
"Well, for me, I'd say you did well, you have an awesome voice , Yes" The last flower boy said and I jumped up for joy
She had strong feelings for Dunfi, but she ultimately chose to be with Juru instead. It can be difficult to accept when someone we care about doesn't reciprocate our feelings, but it's important to remember that we can't control who others choose to be with. It's not uncommon for people to have different preferences when it comes to relationships, and it's okay to move on and find someone who values and cares for us the way we deserve. It's understandable to feel hurt and frustrated, but it's important to try to let go of those negative feelings and focus on finding happiness and fulfillment in other areas of your life.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town's richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. "Way to go, honey!"
To fund her father's medical bills, Helena stepped in for her half‑sister and wed the city's notorious deaf heir. On their wedding night, as she bared herself, he dismissed her hope with, "This is strictly business." Living beneath the weight of his unpredictable moods, she learned to fear every moment. When everyone bet on her ruin, he became her fiercest protector. But as their contract expired and she gathered her things, tears shimmered in his eyes. "Please… don't leave me."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."