REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 40: We have a situation... and it’s not small
Livienne.
Elara muttered softly under her breath. That was when she noticed Livienne’s pictures amongst the several posters glued to the wall. It seems Rye entertainment is the music company which had sponsored her after winning in the Starhunt competition.
She had known it. People like Livienne would never disappear completely. They would always appear again at some point, standing in bright places as if they had always belonged there. And now it was true. They had met again.
From the way Livienne entered the verification office without anyone stopping her, it was clear she was doing very well here. The woman in front of Elara did not even question her. She walked in as if she owned the place.
Elara remained seated but her face still stayed calm and blank as she slowly looked away from her.
"Wow. Long time no see."
Livienne’s voice came smoothly and pleasantly from behind Elara.
Elara did not respond. She only kept her expression straight. Inside, she sneered. Schemeful bitch.
Livienne did not look surprised to see her. It was almost as if she had expected her to come. Maybe she had seen the top ten list already. Perhaps she had been waiting for this moment.
The staff woman looked up with curiosity when she heard Livienne’s words. "Do you know each other?"
Livienne smiled gently and nodded. "Yes. We were from the same training school in Lorien. We were very close back then. Elara was always hardworking. She used to stay up late to practice, even when everyone else had left. I admired that about her." she said everything sincerely, as if she really meant all what she had said.
She even added softly, "I was really happy when I saw her name amongst the top ten winners of the first phase. It feels like meeting an old friend again."
The staff woman smiled warmly. She was clearly touched by the story.
Then Livienne tilted her head slightly and looked at Elara. "By the way, your voice used to struggle with higher notes, if I remember correctly. I hope it has improved. This isn’t training school or a small show."
Her words might sound normal and concerned to other people. But to Elara, the hidden meaning was very clear.
She only nodded once and did not speak.
Inside, she scoffed. She still had not changed. Still wearing that gentle mask while hiding sharp intentions underneath.
Elara stood up calmly and faced the staff woman. "Am I free to leave? I still have important matters to handle."
Before the woman could answer, Livienne walked closer and reached out to gently hold Elara’s hand.
Elara quickly pulled away out of instinct. The moment she did, Livienne retracted her hand slowly and lowered her eyes as if hurt. "I’m sorry. I just missed you. I never knew you were the type to move on so quickly after separating from friends."
Elara felt a cold laugh rise inside her chest. Friends? When were they ever friends?
Livienne glanced at the staff woman, who was now watching them closely, as if witnessing two former best friends who had now drifted apart.
"She’s never like this," Livienne said softly with a pause. "Even though she could be a little aggressive whenever she felt down, she was always honest. She’s not usually like this to me. Not after parting with me for several months."
She kept explaining on and on though no one had asked her anything.
Elara could feel that the staff woman’s expression had changed.
She had no patience for all these performance.
"Goodbye," Elara said calmly and turned to leave.
"If you’re in a hurry now," Livienne spoke quietly again, "why don’t we plan dinner together when you’re less busy?"
She paused slightly and lowered her voice in a soft and almost playful tone. "For old times’ sake."
The sarcasm in those words was mirror clear to Elara.
For old times’ sake.
Elara stopped and looked at her for a moment without expression.
The staff woman finally spoke, unable to stay silent. She said that if they had any misunderstanding in the past, they should settle it properly. That was how friendship worked. Since Livienne was taking the first step, it probably meant she felt sorry for whatever had happened between them.
Elara did not wait for her to finish.
"I’m sorry," she said calmly, looking at Livienne. "I’m very busy by nature. I don’t really have time for unnecessary social matters."
Her tone was polite and her words were simple. But the meaning was clear.
Livienne’s face changed for a brief second before she controlled it again. The staff woman also looked slightly uncomfortable as she glanced between them.
The necessary procedures had already been completed, so Elara believed she could now leave without any more delays.
She thanked the staff woman politely and walked out of the office without looking back.
When Elara stepped out, Ziva was still standing by the wall near the door, scrolling through her tab. The moment she saw Elara, she straightened up as usual.
Elara gave her a small nod to show that she was done and they could leave. Ziva also nodded back immediately in understanding.
They began walking side by side toward the elevator. Only a few people were passing by and most of them were staffs and not singers. After a few seconds, Ziva spoke up. "You knew that lady who came in, right?"
Elara already knew who she was talking about.
"Yes, we came from the same training school." she replied calmly.
Ziva hummed softly. "I know."
Elara was not surprised. If Ziva suddenly claimed she knew Elara had a grandfather living somewhere far away, she would not even blink. It was very likely that Ziva had been given detailed information about her before becoming her assistant.
Ziva fiddled with the device in her hand and smirked slightly. "So, do you two get along?"
Elara let out a faint scoff. "We got along very well. A little too well to be called friends."
Her voice was very casual but the meaning behind it was clear.
Ziva nodded slowly as if she had just confirmed a theory. "I could feel the love coming from inside the room. It was shining and very touching."
Elara glanced at her with an unreadable expression. Ziva lifted her hands slightly in surrender. "Alright, alright. I get it. That kind of ’very well.’"
The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. Ziva leaned against the wall and added calmly, "She looks pretty and hot though."
Elara did not respond, she just kept staring forward.
–
The next day, Elara was still lying on her bed, facing upward. Her eyes were open, and she had been awake for a while, but she did not feel like getting up.
It was Sunday, the only free day for Voice singers. There was no training schedule or sessions. For many trainees, Sunday was a small festival. Some went home to visit their families. Some dressed up and went out with friends. Others spent the whole day outside, shopping, eating and laughing. A few overly serious ones still locked themselves in practice rooms.
Elara usually belonged to the group that rested the entire day. But tomorrow was the live showcase at Rye entertainment. Even if she wanted to be lazy, she had to practice for at least a few hours before night came.
She sighed softly and covered her face with her arm. She needed to get up, wash her face, and eat something first. She began to count in her head.
One. Two. Th—
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
Elara lowered her arm slowly.
What a timing.
She pushed herself up from the bed and slid her feet into her slippers. It could not be Ziva. She never came on Sundays. It was more likely to be Mia or Jeni.
Elara walked to the door and opened it slightly. She froze for a second.
Ziva was standing outside. She was dressed neatly but weirdly as usual, but her expression was more serious than normal.
Before Elara could ask what was wrong, Ziva quickly spoke up.
"We have a situation," she said in a calm and serious tone. "And it is not small."
Elara furrowed her brows slightly...
