Excited: Love, Career, and Fame: The Rollercoaster Ride of a Newly Signed Music Sensation

By Chrislan Manengs

Chrislan Treasure never imagined he would become a singer. Since being separated from his mother by circumstances beyond his control at age eleven, Chrislan has been focused on simply surviving. But when he decides to use his musical talents to win a girl’s heart, Chrislan’s journey becomes not just one of survival, but of glittering fame. As Chrislan’s dreams lead him to eventually sign a recording contract, he seems destined to rise to stardom. But just when Chrislan realizes he needs more than fame to be happy, a chance meeting with a girl sets a chain of events into motion. As Chrislan’s journey takes him to Paris, he begins to see the first signs that his world may not be ready to let him be the man he needs to be. Now it is up to him to discover if love has the power to conquer all. In this contemporary story, a rising music star faces his greatest challenges as he attempts to juggle his career, fame, and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Nov 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483460185

Book preview

Sensation

Excited

Love, Career, and Fame

a story by

CHRISLAN MANENGS

Copyright © 2016 Elite Entertainment KB.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6020-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6019-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6018-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016917355

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/10/2016

Contents

Chapter 1 An Unpredictable Journey

Chapter 2 A Long Road to Travel

Chapter 3 The Cost of Education

Chapter 4 Brotherly Love

Chapter 5 A Date with Destiny

Chapter 6 Is There Such a Thing as Love at First Sight?

Chapter 7 Lover versus Loyalty

Chapter 8 Views across the Water

Chapter 9 Old Friends

Chapter 10 Visibility Choice of the Heart vs. Reason

Chapter 11 Consequences; the Unexpected Storm

Chapter 12 Conforming

Chapter 13 Paradise Lost

Characters

Chapter 1

An Unpredictable Journey

Art001.jpg

An unpredictable journey and an unforgettable love story

From left to right : Mr Erickson, Patrick, Thomson, Fabrice, Eddy, Stephane, Chrislan, Laurie, Kathya, Trish, Bee, Manon and Nicola

Unlike many artists out there who will tell you they started singing in their mother’s womb, Chrislan had never imagined he would become a singer.

He thought back to his family and growing up in a house with three sisters. Normally he supposed that would have made him pampered and special, but his experience had been far from that. His home was a place of constant dispute and crisis, caused mainly by his father’s family, who for some reason seemed to see him, his sisters, and their mother as the enemy. As heir apparent to his father’s fortune, Chrislan was a particular focus of their fear and hatred; they could not allow the money they saw as theirs to go to him. They needed to get him out of the picture.

In New York, the streets were busy. It was a Friday night, and people were finishing off the work week and ready for the weekend. Under a streetlamp, a smartly dressed Chrislan stepped out of a taxi, giving the driver a few notes. The driver searched for change.

Keep it, buddy, Chrislan said, as the driver no doubt anticipated he would.

Chrislan stood at the entrance to a club that had music playing through loudspeakers into the street and a couple of scantily clad girls jigging to its beat as they smoked outside, their skimpy tops showing their nipples standing out in the cold air.

The girls, nudging each other, looked at the tall, handsome man. Chrislan, as he stepped up to the entrance of the club, did not look in their direction. Instead he paid the admission fee and went in.

As he descended the few steps to the body of the club, an explosion of light and color assaulted Chrislan. The club was decorated for the season and for the series of Christmas parties that would occupy the latter half of December. Beautiful women fluttered false eyelashes, and powerful men flashed notes and credit cards. All seemed to be engaged in very earnest conversations about nothing in particular. Chrislan looked around for a familiar face. A cigarette girl with a speculative, hungry expression approached him, dressed as Santa’s helper.

Marlboro, sir?

No thanks. Chrislan ignored the pouting lips.

The cigarette girl looked a bit disappointed, but she wasn’t giving up. You’re Chrislan Treasure, aren’t you? She smiled up from under spiky lashes.

Chrislan smiled. I might be.

"Well, can I have your autograph? I’d be really grateful, if you know what I mean." She thrust her breasts forward.

Chrislan did know what she meant. Well, let’s see now. Why not? Do you have a pen?

The cigarette girl pulled a pen out from between her breasts and handed it to Chrislan.

He took it with a brief smile. Have you got any paper? Where do you want me—?

The cigarette girl pushed her breasts forward again.

Are you sure?

The girl smiled, fluttering her spiky lashes.

Chrislan smiled and pressed down on one firm, brown globe, etching his signature on her skin, and then gave her back the pen. The cigarette girl kissed the end of her fingers theatrically and swayed off back into the crowd.

At the bar, Chrislan continued scanning the room for familiar faces.

Sir? The bartender was a short man with a sweaty brow.

A Jack, please, neat.

The bartender nodded. Chrislan sat on a barstool. Next to him, an attractive girl sat neatly, long, flawlessly brown legs crossed. Meeting his eyes, the woman gave him a flirty smile.

Chrislan returned the smile. Hi. How are you doing?

Hi! The woman had dark-brown eyes and a mouth that was made to be kissed.

What can I get you? Chrislan put one foot on the ground, straightening his leg to reach into his pocket for his wallet.

A Macallan, thank you.

The bartender placed Chrislan’s drink in front of him and nodded to indicate that he had heard what the woman had asked for.

My name is Chrislan.

Lynn, and I know who you are.

Chrislan raised an eyebrow, his eyes briefly sweeping the long, elegant lines of her body, the rise of her breasts. When she moved, a waft of an expensive perfume reached him. He had always been drawn to elegant and beautiful women, and luckily for him they had always been drawn to him too.

Really?

Raising her drink to crimson lips, Lynn answered with her eyes. Chrislan felt the hairs on his arm raise in a primal response. It had been a long time since he had felt an instant attraction of this sort. She smiled faintly, showing the tips of very white teeth.

Don’t look so surprised.

Chrislan was mesmerized by a slight pulse that beat in the side of her elegant, slender neck. He said, I’m always surprised when someone I have never met knows who I am. He smiled playfully. It really is a terrible burden but one that I bear with humility.

Lynn chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that belied her slender frame. She offered her right hand, slightly bent at the wrist, as though she expected it to be kissed rather than shaken. Chrislan extended his own hand and took just her pearl-tipped fingers in his.

Pleased to meet you, she offered.

You have a beautiful name, Lynn. It’s elegant and classy, just like you.

Lynn tilted her head back again, and that throaty chuckle made the hairs on his neck rise. Oh, please. I find it pretty annoying, actually.

Why?

It’s very plain, not glamorous at all. Nothing special. She shrugged.

Is that what you want, to be seen as glamorous?

For the first time, this enigmatic woman looked discomforted. It’s just very plain.

It’s elegant. Chrislan smiled. He liked to have the last word.

Lynn lowered her head in an unconscious gesture of submission.

Just then, another attractive young woman arrived at the bar and wriggled onto the barstool next to Chrislan and opposite Lynn. Where Lynn was cool and elegant, this young woman exuded sex, from the top of her bleached-blonde hair to the six-inch heels that clung to her feet, with her long, decorated toenails. She smiled brightly, although her eyes were slightly glazed because of the amount she had had to drink.

Hello, Chrislan! she said, slurring slightly.

Chrislan turned to her, surprised. Sorry. Do I know you?

The girl giggled and swayed on the stool. You do now! she said.

Slightly irritated, Chrislan turned his back on her and looked back at Lynn with a dismissive gesture. The young woman, taking the hint, walked away.

How’s the Macallan?

Lynn looked up at him through sooty lashes. It’s perfect, thank you.

Chrislan smiled.

Are you surprised? Lynn asked, holding up the glass toward Chrislan.

About what?

My choice of drink. Women usually prefer to drink wine.

I must admit it’s a bit unusual, but then I love unusual. Chrislan smiled.

Well, I have unusual tastes. I suppose you could say I am a bit unusual.

And I’m just a regular guy!

They both laughed. Lynn looked him up and down. Take it from me—you’re no ordinary guy. There it was, that look again.

There’s nothing wrong with difference—as opposed to deference.

Lynn rewarded Chrislan with another smile. The two couldn’t be further apart.

Chrislan nodded. So, Lynn, what do you do when you’re not hanging around in bars?

I’m a model.

Chrislan allowed himself another inventory of her superbly curved body, the perfect contour of her calves, and the outline of her thighs under the dress that fit her like a second skin. There was not an ounce of fat on the body that culminated in a tantalizing glimpse of a high, firm breast where the neckline of her dress allowed it. Her arms were firm and smooth, and her whole body was a delicious café-au-lait color.

Of course you are, although I was thinking actress.

I’ve done a few commercials, but I’m having trouble getting a good agent. She gave a little shrug. So in the meantime, here I am, making my money by being a hostess.

She shot Chrislan a look from under her eyelashes, a look that questioned whether her last statement was going to be the end of their conversation, now that he knew she was a hostess. The look in her azure blue eyes changed to relief as he said, Can I offer you a ride home?

Chrislan got off his barstool and stood, his hand extended. Her earlier uncertainty had been banished. She smiled up at him and said, Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Treasure?

Chrislan gave a slight bow and clicked the heels of his expensive shoes together.

Please, call me Chrislan. He gave her a mischievous smile. And yes, I am.

Lynn took his hand.

It was a beginning.

Chrislan smiled to himself. It was a far cry from his beginnings.

He remembered when, at just eleven years of age, while his mother was suffering from a deadly stomach condition, his father’s family were busy trying to persuade their son not to pay for the surgery. Not only that, they had Chrislan shipped off to a place called Palm City, a place he had never been before. He had been distraught, worrying constantly about his mother and unsure when or if he would ever see his family again.

Chrislan’s mom was fighting for her life, while his father was influenced