REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight

Chapter 118: A temporary distraction.

Filming continued as usual. Even though so many things had happened between Elara and Relanie, it did not affect how well they worked together on set. Their scenes still flowed smoothly as if nothing had happened at all.

Elara noticed that the minor actor who had searched her room that day had suddenly disappeared after he went out with Harris. No one talked about it, and no one even asked questions. It was as if he had never been there in the first place.

As for Adrian, she never saw him again after that day. He did not come back to the building, and there was no sign of him anywhere. Yet, whenever her thoughts drifted to him, Relanie’s words would repeat themselves in her mind.

On a day off, Elara decided to visit Grandpa. She insisted Ziva stay behind, telling her to take the opportunity to finally get some decent rest.

As she walked through the streets of the neighborhood, she came across some familiar kids, most of them Ziva’s friends. They called out her name happily and ran up to her, wrapping their arms around her.

"Big sister, when will you sing for us again?" one of them asked eagerly while Elara smiled and patted their heads fondly.

"Next time," she said before continuing her walk.

When she was only a short distance away, her steps suddenly slowed as her eyes caught sight of something ahead.

A car was parked right beside their gate.

Her steps faltered, then came to a complete stop as she stood in front of it. She stayed there for a long second, staring at it calmly.

Though her expression had gone cold, she still walked past the car with full control and stepped into the compound. Her hand paused on the doorknob when she reached the door. At first, she hesitated, but then she made up her mind and pushed it open.

The moment the door opened, Zia who had been sitting on a stool suddenly stood up and ran toward her excitedly, grabbing her hand. "Elara, you came. Look who’s here!"

Elara patted her head and looked up. Her gaze landed on Grandpa.

He froze immediately, his face changing. His mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to speak but no words came out.

Her gaze did not stay on him for long before it shifted to the man sitting calmly beside him. The moment their eyes met, hers turned several shades colder.

He sat there as if he belonged in the house. And even as their eyes locked, his expression did not change at all.

So it’s him... again.

That was the first thought that crossed her mind.

He was always appearing everywhere. With everything that had been happening, she was no longer sure if what she had achieved since coming to Starfall was because of her own skills and effort... or because of him, just as Relanie had said.

And now here he was, even stepping into her personal life. What exactly was he trying to gain from all this? Whatever it was, she knew it could not be anything good.

He did not look surprised. He simply looked away calmly and turned to Grandpa, giving him a small nod before standing up.

"He’s leaving," Zia said sadly, still holding Elara’s hand.

Elara did not flinch as he walked toward her and stopped right in front of her, but her hands clenched slightly at her sides when his gaze swept over her face.

After a short pause, he spoke.

"Move."

Elara clenched her jaw and met his eyes directly, not moving an inch. Zia looked between the two of them, then she lowered her head quietly.

"You’re blocking the way," Adrian said again when she still did not move.

"Then go pass the window," Elara replied through gritted teeth, her eyes so cold they could freeze the air around them.

One of Adrian’s brows lifted a bit at her words, a faint trace of amusement flashing across his face.

"A window?" he let out a short, mocking snort. "You’re not a wall... just a temporary distraction." His voice dropped low and cold. "So don’t flatter yourself by thinking you can block my path."

Before she could even react, he had reached out and placed his hand at the small of her back. With a smooth, effortless motion, he pushed her gently to the side, turning her until her back met the doorframe.

Elara’s heart jumped at the sudden contact. He was too close, but just as quickly, he let go and stepped away as if nothing had happened.

He did not look back. He simply walked past her, adjusting his sleeves like he had only moved an object out of his way.

Elara stood there, staring at his back as he walked. Even after he stepped outside and drove away, her gaze did not move.

She feels just like a bird locked in a cage... and the man who had just left was the one holding the key.

Slowly, she raised her hand and touched her back, right where his hand had been. The spot still felt warm and this made her jaw tighten.

"You think you own me," she muttered under her breath. Then she let out a small scoff and turned around, only to meet Zia’s wide, curious eyes.

"Elara, why are you making that face? It looks scary."

"I’m fine," Elara replied calmly, forcing a stiff smile.

Zia’s face brightened and she stepped forward. "Can you believe scary suit uncle drank my tea again? I think he likes it." She giggled softly, then she sighed. "But the problem is, he doesn’t talk. I asked him if his suit is made of magic because it never gets dirty and he just looked at me like this..."

She immediately put on a serious, blank face and stared at Elara from the corner of her eyes.

"Elara, you came. I thought you had scenes to shoot today," Grandpa said suddenly, finally finding his voice.

"I had a day off, so I decided to come," Elara replied calmly. "I didn’t know you were busy hosting guests... especially ones who seem to know their way around our house so well."

"He’s not a guest," Zia cut in quickly. "He comes here often. He even gave Grandpa some paper today. Grandpa got happy, then he got sad, then he hid the paper when he heard your footsteps."