Madison's brain flatlined. Completely flatlined.
This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
But there he was.
Ethan Hayes. CEO of AUREYA Entertainment.
The man she'd tied up with her red scarf last night.
The man she'd drunkenly hit on thinking he was an escort.
The man she'd given her virginity to.
The man she'd just kicked out of her apartment two hours ago.
The man she'd paid three hundred dollars.
'Oh my God. Oh my GOD. He's not a call boy. He's the CEO. THE CEO. And I paid him. I PAID HIM THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR SEX.'
Her life was officially a dumpster fire wrapped in a tornado.
Her stomach dropped so hard she thought she might actually pass out right there.
Two other judges sat beside him.
A woman with sharp features and silver hair pulled into a tight bun.
A younger guy with glasses and a clipboard.
But Madison barely saw them.
Her eyes were locked on Ethan.
He leaned back in his chair. Relaxed.
Like this was just another Tuesday for him.
Like he hadn't just taken three hundred dollars from her thinking she was paying him for services rendered.
Like he probably told this story at CEO brunches for laughs.
"Ms. Cole," he said.
His voice was smooth. Professional.
Like they hadn't spent half the night tangled in her bed.
Like she hadn't literally shoved him out of her apartment this morning with his pants barely on.
Like she hadn't paid him for sex like he was an Uber driver and she was rating the ride five stars.
"Whenever you're ready."
Madison's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
No sound came out.
Her brain was just screaming static.
The woman with the silver hair frowned. "Is there a problem?"
"No."
Madison's voice cracked. She cleared her throat. "No problem, ma'am."
'LIAR. PANTS ON FIRE. THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS.'
"Alright."
The woman gestured to the mic stand in the center of the room.
"Please proceed."
Madison's legs moved on autopilot.
She walked to the mic. Her hands were shaking.
She gripped the stand to hide it.
'Breathe. Just breathe. Sing. Don't think about the fact that you paid your potential future boss three hundred dollars thinking he was a sex worker. DO NOT THINK ABOUT IT.'
Except her brain was screaming.
Because Ethan Hayes. CEO Ethan Hayes. Was sitting right there.
Watching her.
Probably remembering every single mortifying thing she'd said last night.
Like "I always wanted to try being dominant."
Or "I'm going to take your virginity."
God. She'd said that. OUT LOUD.
To a CEO.
Who was now her judge.
'I'm going to die. Right here. Just collapse and die.'
The music started. A soft piano intro. Her cue.
She opened her mouth.
The first note came out shaky. Off key.
'Great. GREAT. Not only did I prostitute myself accidentally, now I can't even sing.'
She tried again. Better this time.
The melody steadied. Her voice found its footing.
She focused on the lyrics. Ignored the panel. Ignored Ethan.
Just sang.
The song was a ballad. Emotional. Raw.
The kind of song that stripped you bare if you did it right.
And Madison did it right.
Her voice filled the room. Strong. Clear.
She hit every note. Every run.
Poured everything into it. The heartbreak from Brandon, the embarrassment, the anger, the desperate need to prove she was more than what he'd called her.
And also the fresh new mortification of accidentally paying a billionaire CEO for sex.
When the last note faded, silence hung in the air.
The woman with the silver hair leaned forward. "Impressive."
The guy with the clipboard nodded. "Strong technique. Good control."
Ethan said nothing. Just stared at her.
His face giving nothing away.
But that smirk. That DAMN smirk was hiding in the corner of his mouth.
Madison's heart pounded.
'Say something. Anything. Or just let me leave so I can go die in peace.'
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Cole."
The woman stood. "We'll be in touch."
That was it? That was all?
Madison nodded. "Thank you."
She turned to leave.
Made it halfway to the door. Freedom was RIGHT THERE.
And then.
"Ms. Cole."
She froze.
'No. Nope. Not today Satan.'
She turned back slowly.
He stood now. Walked toward her.
Each step slow. Deliberate.
Predatory.
He stopped a few feet away.
Close enough that she could smell his cologne.
The same scent from this morning.
The same scent that had been all over her sheets.
"I'd like to speak with you privately," he said.
His voice was low. Meant only for her. "If you have a moment."