REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 34: Private lessons. After hours.

That day at the restaurant is very long and troublesome for Elara. Mainly because of that footballer guy who had tormented the hell out of her.

By the time it was already past midnight, the restaurant had quietened. Jeni stretched and turned to Elara.

"Are you coming? We’ll walk together."

Elara wiped her hands with a towel and shook her head lightly. "I still have some things to finish. You two go ahead."

It wasn’t entirely a lie, there were things to do. But they were not truly enough to justify staying. She simply preferred walking alone.

After they left, Elara quickly rounded up her work, finishing what little thing remained. When she finally stepped out, she bid the senior staff goodnight and pushed the glass door open.

The streets of Starfall were nearly empty. But still, she could walk home fearlessly because the crime rate of the city was very low.

She slipped her phone from her bag and glanced at the screen. A message from Ziva popped up.

Have you arrived home yet?

The same message as yesterday.

Elara thought back to earlier that morning, how Ziva was very much different from her usual self.

Elara typed quickly not wanting to worry her.

"Yes. I’m home already."

She pressed send.

The breeze brushed her hair aside as she continued walking, thoughts circling. But she jerked out of her thoughts when the soft hum of an engine approached from behind her. Before Elara could react, a car slowed and stopped beside her. Elara moved back instinctively, eyes sharp with alertness.

The passenger window lowered and Relanie’s flawless face emerged from inside the car.

"Get in, we’re heading to Voice." she said calmly without her usual elegant smile.

Elara hesitated. Voice was not far. She could walk. If she was very exhausted, she could call a cab. She did not need this ride. But refusing might create unnecessary tension.

After a brief pause, she walked around and entered from the other side.

The door shut softly beside Elara and the car moved.

Inside the car, Relanie did not speak. Elara did not initiate conversation. When they arrived at Voice’s parking space, Elara stepped out first.

"Thank you," she said politely but not overly grateful. She would not act indebted. Relanie is the one who offered to help.

Elara was walking toward the entrance when she heard heels clicking behind her. It was Relanie. Up close, Elara noticed the gown she wore, definitely not something worn casually. She might have come back from a party or show.

Relanie stopped in front of her.

"How have you been these days?" she simply asked.

"Fine." Elara nodded.

Relanie smiled as if extremely satisfied. Her gaze lingered on Elara’s face a second longer than necessary, then she spoke up.

"I heard about what happened between you and Perri."

Elara remained silent. Relanie’s lips curved slightly.

"You shouldn’t worry. It’s normal for lower grade singers to get bullied."

She seems to emphasize on the words ’lower grade singers’

Elara gave a wry smile but she didn’t say anything.

Relanie watched her expression carefully before speaking again.

"I also heard Adrian defended you. Is that true?"

Elara’s brows lifted slightly. So this is where she is going. Did Relanie think there was something between them? If only she knew how much Adrian disliked her.

Still, Elara nodded.

"Yes."

Relanie’s expression did not change, but something flickered behind her eyes.

"He did the right thing," she said casually. "He shouldn’t let anyone bully his sponsor."

Of course, Elara knew, what other reason could it be. But before Elara could respond, Relanie waved lightly.

"Goodnight." She said and walked away without waiting for an answer from Elara.

Elara stood there for a few second. A few people still passed by outside so she walked into the building.

Relanie was both the same and different. In her previous life, Relanie had destroyed her slowly, without Elara noticing at first. Even when they were under different companies, their paths still crossed and Elara was the one who kept losing brutally.

Now that they stood under the same roof. Would history repeat itself? Or had the script changed?

Elara walked through the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly. She was already halfway down the corridor when her footsteps suddenly wavered. She could hear hurried breath from a corner. Elara almost ignored it. It is not her business anyway.

But her steps came to an abrupt stop when she heard a familiar voice.

Out of curiosity, she slowed, moving carefully toward the corner. Just as she reached it, she caught sight of two figures pressed against the wall.

She stepped back instantly, hiding behind the edge of the corridor.

The figures glanced toward the faint sound she had made but seeing nothing, they resumed.

Elara couldn’t believe what she had saw. Perri and Mr Kain. Perri’s back against the wall while Mr Kain pressed against her intimately.

Elara’s fingers curled slightly. Without allowing herself to stare longer, she turned away, walking quietly in the opposite direction....

–

When Elara opened her eyes the next morning, the first thing she saw wasn’t the ceiling of her room but something else.

The hallway where she’d caught Mr Kain and Perri. She was still surprised about everything.

Her jaw tightened in disgust. Today she had to meet him. The very man who had been entangled with his own student.

Shameless.

Still, she forced herself through her routine. Class. Training. Vocal rehearsal. The thought about what Mr Kain is planning to didn’t leave her mind.

After rehearsal, she stood outside his office door and knocked after few seconds of calming herself down.

"Come in."

Mr Kain’s voice sounded from inside the office.

Elara pushed the door open and entered.

Mr. Kain sat behind his desk, eyes on his laptop. When he noticed her, he glanced up briefly before returning to his screen.

"You’re here. Sit."

He gestured not to the chair opposite his desk but to a cushioned seat placed at a side of the office.

Elara stood still for a moment. If this was something official, shouldn’t she sit across from him?

Her mind went back to yesterday night. Then to the day she had helped him carry books to this same office. She felt something cold settle in her chest.

When Mr Kain noticed her hesitation, he said casually, "Wait a moment. I’m busy."

"I can come back later sir," she replied immediately.

"You won’t disturb me."he said shaking his head in negativity.

Elara snorted inwardly. Who exactly is disturbing who?

After a brief pause, she walked to the cushion and sat down. But she didn’t settle down.

Mr Kain took a hell lot of time in whatever he is doing. Elara could feel her patience running out.

To distract herself, she took out her phone and began idly scrolling. Pretending to be occupied.

Then thinking that it’s been long since she opened Echohub, she clicked on it. Posts flashed by.

Performance clips. Collaboration offers. Industry gossip. But she idly scrolled them, half bored. Then a post popped up.

"Rising Voices Challenge – For New & Upcoming Singers Only!

Upload a 60-second original clip.

Top 10 will be invited to LIVE showcase in Starfall City.

Prize: Contract + Cash Reward.

Sponsored by Rye Entertainment."

Her thumb stopped mid-scroll. She read it again. Contract. Cash prize. Live showcase.

For new singers. No grade requirement.

Her heart beat faster. She could do this. If she could get in, it would be her own way up. No Vales. No waiting for sponsors.

She opened the link and scanned the rules carefully.

It must be an original song. Live event next week. Limited entries.

If she recorded tonight, she could still enter. Her mind began calculating arrangements, lyrics, recording quality. She was still thinking when suddenly...

A hand brushed lightly through her hair.

Elara froze. Her body stiffened before her mind even caught up. She turned sharply to the back.

Mr. Kain stood behind her like a ghost. She hadn’t even heard him approach. Her eyes darkened immediately, not in confusion but in anger.

He looked at her openly. Not teacher to student. But with naked infatuation. His fingers trailed lightly along her arm.

Elara stood abruptly, shrugging his hand off.

"What do you want from me?" she said, her lips curving in dissatisfaction and disgust. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The annoyance in her voice was very obvious.

Mr Kain stepped closer to her but she did not step back. In her previous life, hesitation and timidity had cost her everything. Never again.

His brow lifted slightly in amusement.

"Elara, your voice is good. But you need... extra help to stand out. Not everyone gets that opportunity."he said softly.

Hmmph

Extra help.

Was that how he had "helped" Perri?

Elara’s disgust was now very evident in her facial expression and voice as she asked through gritted teeth.

"What kind of help?"

He smirked.

"Come on. Don’t pretend to be innocent. You’re sponsored. You should understand that these things don’t come free."

Her fists tightened.

"What do you mean?" she forced out while he sighed dramatically.

"Fine. I’ll play along then and say it clearly."

He stepped closer again. "Private lessons. After hours. Just the two of us. I can push you to grade four very quickly... if you cooperate."

His eyes lingered on her face for a long time. Elara could barely breathe.

"I don’t need that kind of help."she said, moving to walk past him.

But his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "Why are you playing hard to get?" he said. "Most top stars did something to rise in this industry. Don’t act superior."

Elara pulled her hand free with force and glared at him.

"Touch me again and I will report you."

Her voice did not tremble or waver. For a second, his expression changed but Elara did not wait to see more.

She strode toward the door and opened it immediately. Without looking back, she walked out.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, not from fear, but in fury.

This life would not be the same as the last. If Mr Kain thought she would become another Perri, then he was gravely mistaken...