REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 22: A nervous assistant...

In a wide music room at Voice. Relanie sat at the grand piano, her back straight, her fingers moving with calm ease over the keys. Her blue-tinted hair fell lightly over one shoulder as she sang. Her voice was smooth and steady, carrying emotion without force. When the last note faded, applause rose immediately.

Several people stood around her, most of them grade six singers like herself. They clapped openly. Some smiling while others shook their heads in quiet admiration. Even though they trained together and stood on the same level by rank, none of them truly believed they could compare themselves to her. Relanie was different. She had talent that could not be copied, and at such a young age, she had already carved her name deep into the music industry of Starfall City.

"You were amazing, as always," one of them said warmly.

"That song fits you so well," another added. "I don’t think anyone else could sing it like that."

Relanie stood up from the piano bench, her lips curved into a polite smile. She accepted the praise with grace, neither proud nor false, as if she had heard these words many times before.

After a while, one girl laughed softly and said, "You really deserve to be betrothed to Adrian Vale. The two of you are perfectly matched."

At those words, Relanie’s smile stiffened but it was only for a moment. If one did not look closely, they would have missed it. She quickly lowered her gaze, then lifted her head again, her expression calm and gentle, a small smile returning to her face.

Someone else chimed in, praising her beauty, her grace, the way she looked like she was born for the stage. Relanie thanked them lightly but her thoughts were already drifting elsewhere.

Then another voice spoke up curiously. "I heard Mrs Vale is holding a party tomorrow night. Is that true?"

"Yes." Relanie said nodding.

The girl leaned forward slightly. "And is it true that the new singer, Elara Veyne, will be the one singing for the guests?"

This time, Relanie’s expression froze again.

Her fingers tightened just a little at her side, but she did not let it show for long. She nodded once more, her voice steady. "Yes, that’s right."

There was a brief murmur among the group.

"She’s really lucky," someone said. "To catch Mrs Vale’s attention so fast."

Relanie smiled faintly. "Elara is very talented. I wouldn’t be surprised if she rises quickly in Starfall."

The others agreed at once, nodding and smiling, though one of them laughed and said, "Even so, she could never outshine our Starfall City’s Voice."

That nickname followed Relanie wherever she went. She lifted her hand lightly. "That’s enough," she said, half amused. "You’re flattering me too much. She turned back to the piano, her fingers returning to the keys. And without another word, she began to play a new piece, the melody flowing gently through the room, smooth and controlled, hiding all the thoughts she did not share.

–

Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, one hand resting in his pocket as he looked down at Veston’s cityscape below. The city below was awake and restless. From this height, everything looked orderly.

Between his fingers was a half-smoked cigarette. He did not rush it. He took one last drag, calm and unhurried, then removed it from his lips. Without turning, he threw it into the waste bin near the desk. The cigarette hissed softly as it died. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

A brief knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Adrian said, his voice flat.

The door opened and a young man in a well-fitted suit stepped inside. Neat and alert.

He closed the door behind him and stood near it. His posture straight.

Adrian did not turn or say anything. The man waited. Then, when the silence stretched a little too long, he stepped forward and stopped a few feet away. He extended the documents in his hands carefully.

"I’ve finished the review," he said.

Adrian glanced at the papers but did not take them.

"Mm," he replied, that was all.

The man froze for half a second, unsure of what to do next. Then he cleared his throat softly and turned, walking to the worktable. He placed the documents neatly into a shelf, aligning them with the others carefully .

When he reached the door again, his hand touched the handle. Then he hesitated and turned back.

"There’s also the salon dinner," He said. "Mrs Vale asked me to inform you. She said Miss Veyne should be picked up properly."

Adrian finally moved. He turned from the window and walked to his chair, sitting down with controlled ease. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then he nodded.

"Understood."

The man blinked. "Should I arrange a driver?"

Adrian looked up at him.

"You go," he said. "Pick her up yourself." The man stared at him, clearly thinking he had misheard. "Me? Personally?"

Adrian’s gaze did not change. "Is there a problem?"

"No. No problem at all," he said quickly. He straightened, bowed slightly, then nearly tripped over as he hurried out.

When the door closed. Adrian leaned back in his chair, his fingers resting lightly against the armrest. His expression tightened, just for a moment, as a memory surfaced without warning. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.

–

Elara sat in front of the mirror, her back straight, her hands resting quietly on her lap. Her reflection looked calm and almost distant. She had only used a light touch of makeup. A little on the eyes, just enough to make them clear. Nothing more. She had never liked heavy colors on her face. They felt like armor she did not need.

Behind her, Ziva stood with a brush in hand, working through Elara’s hair with great seriousness, as if she were handling something rare and priceless.

"Look at this," Ziva said, brushing again. "Healthy shine. Natural volume. Excellent skull shape. Truly wasted on a girl who doesn’t know she’s dangerous."

Elara sighed. "You say strange things before dinner."

Ziva nodded gravely. "That is when truth is strongest."

She tilted her head, examining Elara’s reflection like a critic at an art show. "If I were a rich man, I would cry."

"Why?" Elara asked.

"Because beauty like this cannot be bought. It only appears once every few generations."

Elara closed her eyes for a moment. "Ziva."

"Yes, legend speaking."

"You’re brushing too hard."

Ziva slowed immediately, offended. "I am refining, not attacking."

The room settled into a quiet rhythm again, broken only by the sound of the brush. Elara watched herself in the mirror, then a thought slipped in before she could stop it.

"Ziva," she said slowly, "you said Relanie is with Adrian Vale, right?"

The brushing stopped. Ziva paused, her eyes lifting to the mirror. Then she clicked her tongue. "Incorrect."

Elara raised her brows slightly. "You didn’t?"

"I said they are betrothed," Ziva replied. "Not together. There is a difference. A very large one. Like tea leaves and tea."

Elara blinked once, then she nodded. "I see." She wondered why she had even asked. The thought felt unnecessary the moment it left her mouth. She looked back at her reflection, her expression calm again.

Before Ziva could resume brushing, a knock sounded at the door. Ziva straightened at once. "Wait here," she said, adjusting her jacket while Elara nodded.

Ziva marched to the door and pulled it open.

A man in office wear stood outside, his posture straight. He looked neat and important, though his brows were drawn together as if he had practiced the expression in a mirror. He cleared his throat immediately.

"I am Harris Dielo," he said, "the honorable and trusted personal assistant to Mr Adrian Vale."

He bowed slightly. Then he added, "Very personal and trusted."

Ziva only stared at him with a calm expression, as if watching a show.

The man continued, "I handle schedules, documents, transport, communication, and occasionally emotional labor."

Ziva did not blink but after a moment, she smiled ’politely’. "You may proceed to the point."

Harris hesitated, clearly wounded. Then he laughed awkwardly. "Of course, of course. It’s not that I am cheap or lacking manners, but due to certain unexpected circumstances and unavoidable matters of great importance and responsibility—"

Ziva’s smile twitched.

"—I have been instructed," Harris continued, "to personally escort Miss Elara Veyne to Mrs Vale’s salon dinner this evening."

Ziva studied him slowly, from his shoes to his hair, then back to his face. He looked okay though, but he speaks too many words. Too proud too.

She straightened to her full height and nodded once. "Wait here."

Then she shut the door hard. The door vibrated so much that the handle rattled.

Elara looked up. "Who was that?"

Ziva waved a hand dismissively. "A little man who says he is Mr Vale’s assistant."

"And?" Elara asked.

"He wants to pick us up," Ziva said. "Personally. With many words."

Elara pressed her lips together, a faint crease forming between her brows. It all felt like too much. They’re even picking her up.

She exhaled slowly and stood up. "Let’s quickly round things up," she said.

Ziva grinned. "Excellent. Let us meet destiny. Or at least a very nervous assistant."...