Mic Drop Harmony (BINI_Aiah & Female!Reader Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 11 - GRAND BALL

The shadow of your expiring contract loomed large, casting a bitter aftertaste over the impending festivities. Management, in a rare show of "generosity," had secured spots for you and your bandmates at the ABS-CBN grand ball. But the gesture felt hollow, a thinly veiled attempt to control your narrative. It stung all the more considering they'd arranged an interview with the same interviewer who'd cornered Aiah with the public courtship proposal.

Your most recent single, a pre-selected song chosen by the management, had garnered some traction. Tiktok videos featuring the catchy melody flooded your social media feeds. Yet, a nagging suspicion gnawed at you and your bandmates. Despite the fleeting popularity, you weren't convinced it would be enough to sway management's decision. They still subjected you to the same stifling routines, the same lack of creative freedom you'd yearned to escape for so long.

The day flew by in a flurry of preparations. You opted for a bold new haircut – a short, edgy mullet  – your defiant spirit finally finding an outward expression. They didn't force a dress on you tonight, a small victory in the grand scheme of things. A sleek suit and pants became your armor for the evening, a symbol of your growing independence.

The arrival at the venue was a sensory overload. Blinding flashes from cameras assaulted your eyes, a cacophony of shouts from paparazzi filled the air. "Y/N, give me a pose!" "Donny, look over here!" "Syd, you look stunning!" "Zild, you look good in that suit." The barrage of voices drowned out the background music, an ironic detachment considering you were musicians. You navigated the red carpet with forced smiles, your bandmates by your side, a silent pact of solidarity binding you together.

Stepping inside the venue provided a brief respite from the chaotic welcome. The ballroom buzzed with activity, celebrities and socialites mingling in a glittering display of wealth and status. Relief washed over you as you scanned the room – no sign of BINI members.

The arrival of dinner was a welcome relief from the relentless cameras and forced smiles. The menu, however, presented a minor cultural clash. A glistening steak and a pile of golden fries sat before you.

"Wala bang kanin?" Zild quipped, breaking the tension with a playful jab.

A wave of laughter swept across your table, the shared understanding unspoken but profound. Rice, the staple of your Filipino diet, was conspicuously absent. It was a small detail, but it served as a reminder of the controlled environment you found yourselves in.

Plates were cleared, replaced by the infectious rhythm of the opening dance. As the music pulsed through the room, a beautiful woman approached your table. You recognized her instantly - Gigi De Lana, a talented singer whose music had graced your headphones on countless occasions. Nervous excitement flickered across Zild's face when she extended a hand towards him, inviting him for a dance. He accepted with a grin, his excitement barely contained. Gigi had been his celebrity crush for years, and the chance to dance with her was a dream come true.

Another woman materialized by your side, interrupting your amusement at Zild's starry-eyed stupor. Her face was unfamiliar, yet the surprise on Donny and Syd's faces told a different story.

"Would you like to dance?" she inquired, her voice polite yet laced with a hint of amusement.

Intrigued, you readily accepted. As you stepped onto the dance floor, the woman's height became apparent. You instinctively offered her a hand, which she looped around your neck with a playful smile.

"Please be bear with me," you chuckled, "I'm a bit rusty with my dance moves."

She laughed, a warm melody that echoed through the room. "Just follow my lead," she instructed, guiding you into a gentle sway.