Helpless and Hearbroken

As the band struck the opening chords of the sultry classic "Fever," Olivia took a deep breath and stepped into the spotlight. The soft, intimate notes filled the room, and immediately, conversations hushed, glasses paused mid-air, and all eyes turned toward the stage.

Olivia's smooth and intoxicating voice wrapped around each lyric with a passionate intensity that resonated deeply with everyone present. With her eyes closed, she poured every ounce of her emotion into the song, each note carrying the weight of her heartbreak and yearning. Her voice was a siren call, pulling the audience into her world of longing and desire.

The familiar voice captivated Ethan, engrossed in a conversation with Lauren's father. He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto the stage. There, under the spotlight, was Olivia, her presence commanding and vulnerable all at once. Her beauty was undeniable, but the raw emotion in her voice struck him the most.

As she sang, "You give me fever, when you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight," Olivia's passion and pain were palpable. Her voice quivered with strength and fragility, making it impossible for Ethan to look away. Every word she sang was a testament to the depth of her feelings, and he could feel the intensity of her emotions washing over him.

The room seemed to hold its breath, enraptured by Olivia's performance. Each lyric, each note, powerfully expressed the tumultuous journey she had been on. And as Ethan stood there, watching her pour her heart out on stage, he realized how deeply he had underestimated the strength of her feelings and the extent of his own.

Olivia opened her eyes, locking her gaze on Ethan. The pain and betrayal etched in her expression hit him like a physical blow. Her eyes, normally so full of warmth and light, now reflected a deep hurt that made his heart sink. He was filled with a tumultuous mix of emotions: guilt, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of regret for not explaining the situation to her and for leaving her behind tonight.

As he stood frozen, watching her sing with tears glistening on her cheeks, the questions swirled in his mind. Why was she here? How did she end up singing on the stage? He felt the weight of his actions crashing down on him, realizing the depth of his mistake.

Just as he was grappling with his emotions, Lauren leaned over, her voice a sharp whisper in his ear. "Hey, isn't that your secretary?" Her words cut through the air like a knife.

Ethan stiffened, his eyes never leaving Olivia's tear-streaked face. He could see the hurt clearly now, magnified under the harsh lights of the stage. Each tear that fell felt like a personal failure, a stark reminder of how he had failed to protect her from this pain. 

Olivia's voice wavered as she continued to sing, the raw emotion in her performance making it impossible for anyone in the room to remain unaffected. Her eyes never left Ethan's, even as the tears continued to fall, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to run to her, explain everything, and make it right.

But he was rooted to the spot, caught between the expectations of the evening and the undeniable pull of the woman he loved. As the song drew to a close, the room erupted in applause, but Ethan's heart was heavy with the knowledge that he had let Olivia down in a way that words alone might never fix.

Jack pulled Olivia backstage, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Holy hell, woman! I didn't know you could sing like that. That was incredible. You held the whole room captive, and the way you poured out your emotions was amazing. Here's my card," he said, handing her a sleek business card. "Please, reach out to me anytime you're free and looking for a gig. We would love to have you."

Olivia smiled softly, a bittersweet expression crossing her face. "Thank you so much, Jack, for the opportunity."

As she began to walk away, she ran into a hard chest. Ethan stood there, his eyes filled with desperation and regret. He grabbed her arms gently but firmly. "Olivia," he spoke, his voice thick with emotion.

She looked up at him, the hurt in her eyes almost too much to bear. "Don't, just don't," she said, trying to pull away from him.

"Olivia, look at me," he pleaded. "I can explain."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I just can't tonight."

At that moment, Lauren sauntered up, her presence like a cold breeze. "Oh hi, Olivia, is it? Ethan's secretary? It's so nice to see you again," she said with a saccharine smile. As you can see, my dreams are coming true. Ethan has signed a deal with our company tonight, and we are going to his place afterward to celebrate."

Olivia's eyes flickered with a mix of pain and fury. She pulled herself free from Ethan's grasp, taking a step back. "I hope you both have a wonderful time," she said, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Olivia, please," Ethan started, but she raised a hand to stop him.

"I can't do this, Ethan. Not tonight," she whispered before turning and walking away, leaving him standing there, helpless and heartbroken.