Chapter 43

Papa saw me in different light after that day. There was a mixture of pride and satisfaction on his face. I cast my gaze down in shame. Little did I know that the song I sang with Vine yesterday would go viral.

"My business partner called me, he said you sing well," he praised.

I snorted. "It's been a while, Pa. I'm ashamed of what you're saying."

He laughed. "Why? I saw the video and it looks like you inherited your mother's talent."

"Really, Pa?" I grinned. "Mama sings well?"

"Stop it, you two! We're in front of the food," Mama scolded us, huffing in annoyance.

Papa and I laughed together. The assistants hid their smiles. Mama's eyes narrowed but she didn't say a word. I just shook my head. I remembered when I heard Mama sang once, and it's really quite... passable.

"But you didn't ask permission yesterday, Rishel," Papa said sternly.

I lost my smile. "I forgot, Pa. Sorry."

"Who drove you home yesterday?" he asked.

"Uh..." I remember what happened yesterday. After the gig, I said goodbye to Maingey. I took a taxi home from Boljoon. I shrugged. "I know how to commute, Pa. Don't worry."

"I was just worried that you might get attacked. There are a lot of bad people nowadays, always causing trouble in the public." Dad shook his head. "Criminals are no longer afraid to make trouble in the public eye. Even if the sun is still up, you can still be stabbed in a crowded place."

"You are scaring your daughter," said Mama.

Papa frowned. "What I'm saying is true. There's a news reported recently that someone shot his friend in front of the store where many people were watching. Tsk tsk. He didn't hesitate to hide his face."

"Maybe too angry with the victim," I said while taking a spoonful of rice.

After we ate breakfast, I went straight to the room. I opened my phone and received a series of texts from my classmates and schoolmates. Alas, Tiden and June stop contacting me. Luckily, yesterday at the concert, I saw them. But June seems to be angry with me because he ignored me. Tiden, on the other hand, yelled at me. I snorted.

I don't know what happened why they hate me. Our relationship was fine when I said goodbye to them yesterday. Maybe they are too stressed at work. I'd rather not talk to them.

But... I stared at Levi's number. I sighed and called.

"Rishel," he greeted. Levi's voice is quitelively? He seems happy now.

I smiled. "Hi! Thank you for the good performance yesterday." I tucked a strand of hair in my ear and happily recalling our beautiful performance, the reason why Papa has a big smile plastered on his lips earlier.

"Welcome. Why did you call?" he asked.

I looked down. "Nothing at all. I just want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform on stage."

"Rishel," he suddenly call my name.

"Why?"

"If you'll be given a chance to work with us, will you join us?"

I was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm serious. The management saw your potential. They're curious about you."

I bit my lip hard. "What about Nicole?"

"Don't think of Nicole, okay? If they want you in, it's because you have a talent." I heard him sigh. "I've sent your contact number to our management. Maybe later, you'll receive a call from them. Please tell me what's your decision later, Rishel."

"Okay."

"Alright. Take care," he finally said before hanging up.

I was startled when my cellphone rang again. An unknown number was calling. When I answered, I found out that it's the management holding Vine. She said she saw my video yesterday with Vine and she wants to meet me.

I breathed deeply. I hesitated for a while before sending it to Levi.

To Levi: Agree to it.

I smiled and immediately went to the bathroom to take a shower.

The female recruiter explained about the contract I was about to sign. It is said that the manager (Maingey) did not agree to include me in Vine as the sixth member, that's why the contract that the management will give is for solo artists.

I smiled wryly. "Actually, I haven't joined a band yet. Is it really okay for me to be a solo artist?"

"My boss is fond of you, Miss. He really wants to make you an artist. If not a member of the band, a solo artist."

"Oh. I'm lucky then," I just said.

"You really have talent, Miss. I was there yesterday at the Vine gig and I must admit that you are even better than Miss Nicole." She crouched down on the table. "This is just ours, Miss. But I thought that's why Maingey didn't agree because she was afraid you'd exceed Nicole's talent and popularity."

I bit my lip and laughed. "Is that so?"

"Yes, Miss." She still nodded. "Once you sign this contract, I promise, you will never regret it."

"Ugh." I looked at the contract. "Who will be my manager?"

"One of the excellent managers of management. Mister Ratunil."

I blinked in shock. Mister Ratunil? The manager of the local girl group that had gone international? "Really?"

"Yes. He quit being the manager of the Kumarera girl group when they went international. There is a new foreign manager who took care of what his girls. So Miss, you will have a greater chance of being successful when Mister Ratunil becomes your manager."

"Alright! I'm going to sign the contract."

Her smile widened and quickly took a black pen and gave it to me. I accepted that and rudely signed about ten papers. I haven't even read the entire document. I'm too lazy to read all that.

"There," I smiled at her.

She smiled and nodded. She took the black pen and contract. "Welcome to ANEW Entertainment Group, Miss Rishel." And held out her hand.

I accepted that and shook hands with her. Then she offered me a wine. I smiled again as I accepted and we toasted. I took a sip of wine. I was stunned by the taste of wine. It tasted familiar.

"Is there a problem, Miss Rishel?" she asked.

I shook my head. I put the wine glass down on the table between us. "When will I meet this Mister Ratunil?"

"He's still on vacation right now, Miss. Maybe next week."

"And when can I meet your boss?"

She smiled. "When you've recorded a song, Miss. He's busy right now."

"Ah, is that so?" I smiled again. Since I couldn't think of anything else to ask, I picked up the wine glass again and took a sip. I gulped it down.

She suddenly reached for her calling card. "When you have a question, Miss, just call me."

I accepted that and thanked her. The woman said goodbye because she had something else to do. I smiled and waved at her until she disappeared from my sight.

Once I release a song, I'm sure, more people will know me. I remembered my blockmates and Jamaica. What will be their reaction?

I looked up when I felt someone sit in the seat vacated by the recruiter. I saw Levi. I blinked for a moment and lightly slapped my cheek. It's true, Levi is here!

"What are you doing here?" I even looked around the restaurant, afraid that might recognize him and we would be mobbed by fans!

"Relax." He even lowered the bull cap to cover his eyebrows. "They won't mind."

I looked back at him. "How did you know I'm here?"

He shrugged. He reached for the wine glass I used and poured wine into it. I was dumbfounded when he took a sip. "That's my glass," I scolded.

He lowered the wine glass. "I know," he said then ran his tongue over his lower lip. "You signed the contract?"

"Yes."

I was surprised when he stood up and pulled me out. He brought me to the hidden alley and pushed me in the dark. My back hit the wall so I looked up at him.

"Levi what are you ---"

My eyes widened as he lowered his face and kissed me on the lips.