After dressing up that morning, Ziva had dragged Elara to the restaurant before anything else.
At first, Elara did not feel much. She only followed quietly, still half lost in the unfamiliar halls of Voice. But the moment the food was placed in front of her, warm steam rising, the smell rich and full, her stomach betrayed her completely. It tightened, loud and shameless.
She ate slowly, despite how hungry she felt.
After that came the scheduled things. Registration checks. Identity confirmation. Digital records. Ziva spoke for her most of the time, tapping on her tablet, correcting people, adding comments that no one asked for. Elara only nodded when needed, signed where she was told, and followed.
Later that morning, Ziva led her through parts of Voice she had not seen before.
The halls were more quiet and the floor changed from smooth stone to thick carpet that swallowed footsteps. The walls were lined with soundproof panels instead of glass. Fewer people walked here, but those who did moved quickly.
Other singers noticed Elara as she passed. No one looked hostile. Everyone was busy, walking back and forth, carrying sheets, instruments, drinks, files.
Elara and Ziva stopped in front of a large, quiet door. It has no sign or decoration. Just a handle and a small light beside it.
Ziva stopped and did not follow her further.
"Elara," she said, suddenly serious. "Walk in straight. Sit when you see the chair. Do not rush. Do not explain unless asked."
Elara nodded once.
The door opened suddenly. Inside was a large meeting room. Several people already seated. Their faces were calm, unreadable. At the far end of the table, one chair stood empty, clearly waiting.
Ziva stayed outside while Elara stepped in alone.
She did not look around the room or at the people. She walked straight to the chair and sat down, placing her hands neatly on her lap.
Her heart beat faster than usual, but nothing showed on her face.
The men did not say anything at first. They only studied her. Someone murmured that she was not bad and another nodded faintly.
Elara stayed silent.
Then a man spoke. His voice was polite. He told her that the Vale Group was the largest shareholder of Voice. That every year, they invested in one talent. He mentioned names, people who had gone on to become famous singers. People whose voices were now known across Aurelia. He told her what such an investment meant. Training. Exposure. Protection. Opportunity.
Then he said why they had chosen her. He spoke of her performance at the talent hunt in Lorien. Of the song she had written herself. Of how, in the history of Starhunt, no one had ever dared to sing their own work on that stage.
Elara listened without moving but she did not speak. Then the man turned slightly and asked someone else what he thought.
Silence followed. It stretched for several seconds. Then a cold voice sounded.
"Why should we invest in your voice?"
The question was aimed directly at her.
"Do you think your performance was enough?"
Elara raised her head abruptly. Her eyes met steel-gray ones across the table. They were deep, almost silver under the lights. Calm. Unmoving. His expression was cold and distant, as if emotion was something he had learned to set aside long ago. Dark hair, neatly cut. A face that demanded attention without asking for it.
For a brief second, Elara was stunned. Not by him as a man, but by the force of his presence. But thankfully, she recovered quickly. She forced a polite smile and spoke.
"I don't know what to say about why you should invest in my voice," she said calmly. "But I am confident in my abilities."
The room went quiet. Several people looked at her in surprise.
The man did not react immediately. He only studied her for a moment longer. Then he spoke again, his voice colder than before.
"Your voice is not worth investing in."
The words landed brutally on Elara's heart. They hurt. But Elara did not flinch. She did not argue or defend herself. Neither did she beg. She only stayed still.
No one in the room dared to speak. Someone leaned close to the man and whispered into his ear. "It's Mrs Vale."
Elara heard it clearly.
The man fell silent. After a moment, he said, "Since it is Mrs Vale, I won't press further."
Elara kept her gaze on him. Annoyance burned quietly in her chest, but her face remained calm.
"Hmph," she thought.
He stood up and the others followed followed suit. The meeting was over.
After he left, a woman in a fitted suit walked over to Elara. Her trousers were sharp, her jacket neat. Her hair was tied low behind her. She extended her hand to Elara.
"Nice meeting you, Miss Veyne.", she said.
Elara stood and shook it lightly. "Nice meeting you too."
The woman studied her for a brief moment, then smiled before walking past.
Elara's smile curved downward briefly. What was with that look?
She stepped out of the room. Ziva was still waiting by the entrance. When she saw Elara, she straightened up, cleared her throat, and pretended she had been standing perfectly all along.
"How was it?" She asked.
"It went smoothly," Elara replied.
As they walked, Elara spoke again.
"The man with gray eyes," she said. "Who is he?"
Ziva's expression changed at once.
"Oh," she said, admiration flickering openly in her eyes. "That's Adrian Vale. He's one of the youngest CEOs in Aurelia. Cold. Sharp. Terrifying. Rich enough to sneeze and buy a city. And yes, very handsome."
Elara sighed tiredly. That isn't what she was asking about. But Ziva mumbled on anyway.
At a point, she lowered her voice. "He's the new CEO of the the Vale Group. The company owns more than people like to admit. Voice included."
Elara eyes narrowed, but she didn't ask any more questions.
Ziva was about to continue when she suddenly slowed her steps.
"And that," she added, tilting her chin slightly ahead, "is Relanie."
Elara's steps slowed too, without her meaning to. She saw her before she reached them. Relanie was walking down the corridor from the opposite side, not in a hurry, not dragging her feet either. Her blue-tinted hair swayed gently as she moved. It framed her face neatly, falling past her shoulders. Her skin was fair, smooth, and her makeup was light, almost unnoticeable.
She wore a fitted top and slim trousers. Everything about her screams of elegance.
Elara's heart skipped a bit.
Ziva leaned closer and whispered calmly. "Grade six singer. Top tier. Also…" she paused for effect, "…Adrian Vale's lady."
Elara's expression didn't change, but something in her eyes did.
Relanie.
She knew they'll meet sooner or later, but seeing her right now made something in her mind snap.
In her past life, Relanie had always been ahead. Always just out of reach. Always smiling when Elara fell behind.
But this Relanie hadn't done anything yet. She was still at a distance, but Elara felt the faint tightening in her chest anyway. Not fear. Recognition.
Relanie noticed them then. Her gaze swept over Ziva first, quick and polite, then settled on Elara. She slowed, then stopped in front of them naturally, like this meeting had been expected. Up close, she was even more composed. Tall, straight posture, shoulders relaxed. Her eyes lingered on Elara for a second longer than necessary.
"You're Elara Veyne," Relanie said. Her voice sounded warm and friendly.
Elara inclined her head slightly, not smiling though. "Yes."
Relanie smiled again, eyes glistening.
"I'm Relanie," she said. "I heard of your performance at Starhunt."
Ziva straightened instantly, hands behind her back like she had been trained for this moment her whole life.
Relanie's attention stayed on Elara.
"That song is amazing." Relanie continued.
Elara didn't rush to answer. She tried to stay calm as much as possible, reminding herself that this Relanie hasn't done anything wrong.
"Thank you," she said simply.
Relanie studied her for a brief moment sighing.
"You chose a difficult path," she said. "Original songs are risky."
Elara nodded. "I know."
Something like interest flickered in Relanie's eyes. Most people would have defended or explained themselves. But Elara didn't.
"I admire that," Relanie said after a pause. "Most people want to sound like someone else before they sound like themselves."
Ziva looked between them, clearly impatient, but trying not to interrupt.
Relanie's gaze shifted briefly to Ziva then back to Elara.
"You're grade three now," she said casually. "That won't last long if you keep your footing."
Elara smiled faintly.
"I'll do my best."
Relanie's smile widened just a little.
"That's a good answer."
She hesitated, then added lightly, "You're lucky."
Elara met her eyes. "Yes."
Relanie tilted her head. "But luck doesn't last forever. You have to rely on your abilities,". The words were gentle and almost friendly.
Relanie stepped back and nodded at Ziva politely, then returned her gaze back to Elara. "I'll see you around," she said. "Voice is smaller than it looks."
With that, she turned and walked away, her back straight, hair swaying softly as she disappeared down the corridor.
Ziva exhaled loudly the second Relanie was gone. Her patience had almost ran out.
"She seems to like you," she said. "She didn't eat you alive. That's a good sign."
Elara didn't answer right away. She watched the empty space Relanie had left behind...