REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight

Chapter 93: I want an audition.

It was a Sunday evening.

Staying in her room had started to feel boring, so Elara came out with her music sheets in hand and headed for the studio on the third floor.

Her footsteps echoed softly in the corridor as she walked toward the main hall. Just as she turned a corner–

She bumped into someone and the papers in her hands flew everywhere.

"Sorry," Elara muttered, letting out a small tired sigh as she quickly crouched down to gather them. She picked them up one by one and straightened the edges as she went. After she had everything, she made to stand up. But she suddenly paused–

The person she had bumped into was still standing right in front of her. And when she looked up, Relanie’s face came into view.

She stood there, unmoving.

Elara rose to her full height, her brows pulling together slightly. "Pardon," she said.

Relanie let out a short, sharp snort.

Elara blinked in surprise as she stared at Relanie’s face. It was different from her usual calm and composed one.

Did someone offend her?

Well that’s none of her business.

Seeing that she stayed quiet, Elara cleared her throat. "Excuse me," she said and stepped past her. She had barely taken three steps when Relanie’s voice came from behind her.

"Next time, watch where you’re going."

Elara stopped for a second but didn’t turn immediately. Behind her, Relanie scoffed and walked away with quick steps.

Elara finally turned to look at her back. She stared at it for a long time. Then a faint smile touched her lips.

She shook her head lightly and continued on her way.

–

Since that day, Elara began to notice that Relanie had changed.

She wasn’t much surprised though. A part of her had always known this might happen. She had only hoped it would not. In her past life, Relanie had done far worse things than this.

Elara had thought this life might be different. Now, she was no longer so sure.

At some point, the thought crossed her mind again– about the pool incident, about the day of the concert, about the abduction. She had once suspected Relanie, but she had never fully believed it.

Now, that uncertainty began to shift.

Several days after Elara bumped into her at the corridor, the upper grade singers gathered in the third floor studio. A grade five singer was practicing for her first song release, and many people had come to listen.

When the girl was done, people began to give their comments one after another.

Relanie was seated among them, surrounded by a small group. She had been quiet the whole time with her expression composed as always. Then she suddenly looked up and her gaze moved past the people around her and landed directly on Elara.

She held that look for a brief second, then she turned her attention back to the singer and spoke.

"Your voice is fine," she said calmly. "But at least you’re trying. Some people don’t even try... they just rely on their face and pretend to be calm." She paused a bit before continuing. "Well I think what matters most is sincerity. Not everyone who looks composed is actually real."

The room went quiet and no one said anything, but the meaning of her words did not need to be explained. It was too clear.

After saying that, Relanie turned her head again and looked at Elara. "What do you think?" she asked.

Elara did not answer. She only lowered her gaze to the notebook in her hands and continued writing down a few scattered lines of melody and lyrics, as if she had not heard anything at all.

It did not stop there.

Another time, a group of professionals came to visit Voice. There was going to be a small gathering that night, something like a casual showcase. People were talking and moving around, preparing for the event.

Relanie was speaking with the guests when she suddenly called out Elara’s name.

Everyone turned to look.

"Elara can sing tonight," Relanie said casually as if it was the most natural suggestion. "You haven’t heard her live yet."

The attention shifted immediately.

Elara did not refuse. She did not have a reason to. She stepped forward without much reaction like it had already been decided.

But just before she walked past Relanie toward the stage, Relanie leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. "You don’t mind, right? You’re used to performing under pressure." she said.

Elara paused for a small second and then gave a small shrug. "Yeah," she muttered simply. She did not look at Relanie again. She just walked past her and toward the center.

*****

Well, Elara had too many things on her mind than to keep thinking about Relanie. In a way, it was better like that. If Relanie had started showing her true self now, then there was no need for guessing anymore.

What mattered more to her at the moment was something else entirely. For the past few days, she had been hearing about a film project.

At first, it had only been people mentioning it in passing and Elara had not paid much attention then. But the more she heard, the clearer it became.

This was not an ordinary film. It was a musical epic with a historical world setting.

Then one morning, the rumors stopped being rumors. Elara was still in her room when Ziva walked in, holding her tab. "The announcement is out," she said.

Elara looked up immediately while Ziva stepped closer and handed her the information.

The film was officially opening auditions. They needed three main characters– two female leads and one male lead. All of them had to be talented singers. In addition to that, they were also selecting six singers for supporting roles. The rest of the cast would be actors from the film industry.

Elara’s interest was pricked. She was not thinking about the main roles. That was not realistic to her. But the supporting roles...

If she could get one of those six positions, it would be a good opportunity. A chance to step into something bigger. A way to gain experience and maybe open more doors in the future.

It was enough.

She lowered the phone and looked at Ziva. "I want to audition," she said.

Ziva didn’t look surprised. Instead, a small smirk appeared on her face. "Trust me... I’m already working on it." she said, folding her arms under her chest. "From the moment the news dropped."