We arrived at the concert later than I had expected, but I had never experienced VIP access before and wasn’t quite sure what to anticipate. Instead of waiting in the long line that snaked around the building, we entered through a side door. Once inside, we ascended a set of stairs that led us to a balcony overlooking the stage.
The venue wasn’t a huge arena; it was a regular theater, which relieved me. Although I knew people would notice us and there would be some commotion, it was comforting to realize we weren’t surrounded by thousands of fans—just a few hundred on the floor below.
Still, as we settled into our seats in the balcony, a wave of nerves washed over me, and Alexander must have sensed my unease.
"You’ve been quiet tonight," he said, his voice low and observant.
