REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 65: What do you think about moving things faster...

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: What do you think about moving things faster...

Relanie finally heaved a sigh of relief as the concert came to an end. A few coordinators walked beside her, speaking in low voice but Relanie only nodded when needed.

She was very tired. She can’t wait to get home and get onto bed.

Reine walked over to her without a word and placed a coat over her shoulders. Relanie glanced at her with a warm smile on her lips and nodded. "Thanks."

She adjusted the coat on her shoulders, and her body finally relaxed, but not completely. All she wanted was to lie down.

As they stepped out, the flashing lights of the cameras hit her again. Relanie blinked uncomfortably and lifted her head. Her expression softened instantly as she saw the view before her.

Her fans were gathered outside. And they were more than she expected. They started screaming immediately they saw her, calling her name again and again.

"Relanie, I love you!"

"Relanie, over here!"

She had seen this many times before. But still, her heart warmed each and every time.

She flashed a small smile at them, but that smile did not spend three seconds on her lips before it stiffened.

"Relanie! Just a few questions!"

"Miss Relanie..."

It’s the press. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

This is one of the scenes that Relanie fears. Press conferences.

She quickly glanced at Reine, and Reine stepped forward immediately, standing beside her. The securities also moved forward, setting a loose boundary.

"That was an amazing performance tonight, how do you feel?"

"How did you prepare for today’s performance?"

"What are your future plans in the industry?"

The press started asking questions nevertheless. Relanie answered some calmly with forced smiles, while others, she simply let pass.

And as she had expected, the focus of the topic shifted.

"Relanie, the person beside you... isn’t that your long-gone assistant?" A reporter asked.

Another person followed immediately. "Is she the same person from years ago?"

Relanie took a slow breath to calm herself.

"There were reports she was seriously injured... Many thought she... wouldn’t return."

Relanie paused at that question. Then she finally spoke up. "Reine has been doing well for a long time... She just went for a break."

She said nothing more and they kept moving.

Relanie wished that at least for once, the questions should stop. But they didn’t anyway.

"Relanie, we heard you hosted a private party three months ago!"

"Was Elara there?"

"Is it true the rising singer was involved in an incident that night?"

"Do you think someone might have pushed her?"

Relanie’s fingers curled tightly into her palm. She hadn’t expected to be asked questions related to this, and so she didn’t know what to say at first.

The questions kept overlapping each other, and when Relanie thought she would black out.

Reine quickly stepped forward. "That’s enough for today." She said sternly.

The questions dimmed instantly, and that was when Relanie had enough time to think straight.

She drew in a small breath and cleared her throat. "I’ve always admired Elara. So I just hope she wakes up soon." She said briefly.

They were already near the car. The security guard standing by it quickly opened the door.

Everyone was still screaming her name but she didn’t pay attention to it. Not until...

"Relanie! I love your bracelet!"

Relanie turned slightly from curiosity towards the source of the sound.

A tall young woman with blue-tinted hair was being held back by security, still trying to move forward. Her eyes were fixed on Relanie’s wrist.

"Isn’t that the latest model from Trové?" she called out loudly.

Relanie looked at her for a second, then her eyes shifted down to the bracelet on her wrist.

Reine’s expression changed instantly. "What are you doing?" she whispered.

Relanie didn’t answer. "Watch me," she said instead and then lifted her head again.

"Beautiful lady," she called while everyone stilled.

The blue-haired girl froze, then pushed forward again, her energy returning all at once.

Relanie removed the bracelet from her wrists and threw it forward calmly.

She was very confident at her throwing skills, so she prayed the girl had good catching skills too.

Several hands reached forward to catch it, but luckily, it was the blue-haired girl that caught it. Her face had widened in disbelief.

"Take care of it for me," Relanie said after watching the lady’s reaction.

Then, without waiting, she turned and stepped into the car...

–

Relanie and Mrs. Vale sat opposite each other at a white table in the garden. The sky was dull and covered in grey clouds. It was as if rain might fall at any moment. But neither of them seemed to mind.

"Eat more, I always tell you to stop picking at your food." Mrs Vale said and leaned forward to pour more tea into Relanie’s cup. "Try the fruits too. They were brought in fresh from Crelou this morning."

Relanie smiled while playing with her fingers. "This is too much. If I really listened to you, I would have turned into an elephant years ago."

"That’s an exaggeration." Mrs Vale scoffed but Relanie only smiled softly again.

Then Mrs. Vale looked at her for a long time before speaking. "Truth be told... did Adrian do anything to you?"

Relanie looked up, a small frown forming on her face. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... did he say or do anything... something unpleasant. Something that might have hurt you." Mrs Vale said clearing her throat.

Relanie paused and thought for a moment, but instead of answering, she asked, "Why do you ask?"

"Should I take that as a yes?" Mrs Vale said watching her closely. Relanie shook her head immediately.

"That’s wrong, everything is fine." she said.

Mrs. Vale let out a small sigh of relief. "You’ve just seemed a little down these days."

Relanie reached for one of the fruits and took a bite casually. "I’m fine," she said.

Mrs Vale nodded and straightened up, taking another sip of her tea. After a short pause, she spoke again. "You see... the board has been bringing it up again."

"What is it?" Relanie asked lifting her gaze.

Mrs. Vale set her cup down. "You and Adrian. It should have been settled by now." she said.

Relanie’s expression turned cold for a brief second before it softened again, as if nothing had happened.

Mrs Vale also continued. "The investors wants stability... because, you know.... In this line of work, a settled family life makes a man appear more reliable. It makes people believe that he will stay and he won’t act on impulse." she said looking at Relanie directly. "A man with a proper marriage is easier for them to trust."

After some seconds of silence. She asked again with raised brows. "What do you think about moving things faster?"

Relanie’s hand tightened around the fruit in her hand, barely able to control her breathing. "That depends on what Adrian thinks," she said.

Mrs Vale frowned and leaned forward, brushing a loose strand of hair away from Relanie’s face. "Of course not.. This is your decision to make." she said softly, almost sounding like a whisper.

"Once you say you’re ready, it will be done. Adrian doesn’t have a reason to refuse. Even from what I’ve seen, he has never opposed this arrangement." She leaned back in her chair. "Some things should not be delayed too long."

Relanie didn’t reply immediately. She only lowered her gaze, resting it on the snow-white table.

If Mrs Vale had paid close attention on her, she might have noticed how her face seemed to have harden.

Then a faint smirk appeared on her lips and she lifted her head slowly.

"You know best," she said..