Island Love

Chapter 33: Hidden Talents

The house was quiet, the hum of the city outside barely audible through the thick glass windows. Beyoncé had fallen asleep earlier than usual, worn out from another packed day. YN, however, couldn't sleep. Her mind was too restless, thoughts swirling as she lay in bed beside Beyoncé.
After a few minutes of trying to relax, YN quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Beyoncé. She grabbed a book from the nightstand and tiptoed down the hallway, heading toward the home studio. It had become a bit of a sanctuary for her when she needed a place to unwind. The equipment, the vibe—it all gave her space to think.
As she stepped inside, she flicked on a small lamp, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. She set the book down on a nearby chair, intending to read for a while, but something about the space called to her. It was quiet, and the energy was peaceful, so she found herself moving toward the microphone.
Without really thinking about it, YN began to hum. At first, it was just a soft tune, something to settle her nerves. But soon, she found herself singing the opening lines to one of her favorite Beyoncé songs—Spirit. It was a song that always spoke to her, the power and soul of it resonating deep within.
Her voice was soft at first, hesitant, as she sang the familiar lyrics. But as the song continued, YN's confidence grew, and she allowed herself to lose track of everything else around her. The song flowed from her effortlessly, her voice lifting in the quiet of the studio.
She hadn't sung in front of anyone in years, not since her teenage days, but the words felt natural, her voice raw and pure. She wasn't trying to impress anyone—it was just her and the music, a moment of vulnerability and expression.
What YN didn't know was that she wasn't alone.
Beyoncé, having woken up to find YN missing from their bed, had wandered through the house looking for her. When she heard the soft sound of singing coming from the studio, she stopped outside the door, listening in silence.
For a moment, Beyoncé thought it was a recording. But as she listened more closely, she realized it was YN. Her eyes widened in surprise as YN's voice filled the air, carrying the song with grace and emotion. It was incredible—a side of YN she hadn't seen before.
Beyoncé was so taken aback by the beauty of it that she couldn't help but stand there, absorbing every note. YN had been full of surprises since they met, but this? This was something else.
When the song came to an end, Beyoncé couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped into the doorway, her voice cutting through the silence.
"What else don't I know about you?"
YN jumped, startled by the sound. She spun around, wide-eyed, clutching her chest. "Beyoncé! You scared me," she gasped, catching her breath.
Beyoncé smiled, walking further into the room. "Sorry, baby. I didn't mean to scare you, but... wow. That was beautiful."
YN blushed, feeling embarrassed now that she knew she had an audience. "I didn't know you were listening."
Beyoncé shook her head, still in awe. "Not too many people can sing my songs and do them justice. But you just did, YN. I had no idea you could sing like that."
YN laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. "I used to sing a lot when I was younger. I just never really pursued it, you know? It's more of a thing I do for myself now."
"Well, you should be doing it more often," Beyoncé said, her voice soft but serious. "You have a gift, YN. That wasn't just good—that was incredible."
YN looked down, still processing Beyoncé's words. It wasn't every day that one of the greatest performers of all time complimented your singing. "Thanks, Bey. I don't know... I guess I just never thought it was a big deal. It's your world, not mine."
Beyoncé tilted her head, walking over to stand in front of her. She lifted YN's chin gently, making her look into her eyes. "You have more talent than you give yourself credit for. And it doesn't have to be my world for it to matter. I'm blown away by you, YN—every part of you."
YN's heart fluttered at Beyoncé's words. She could feel the sincerity in her voice, the way she looked at her with pride and admiration. It was overwhelming in the best possible way.
"I guess I've just kept it hidden for so long," YN admitted. "I never thought anyone would want to hear me sing."
"Well, I do," Beyoncé said, her voice tender. "And not just because you're singing one of my songs. You have something special, YN. And I want to hear more of it. No pressure—just whenever you feel like it."
YN smiled, her heart warming at Beyoncé's encouragement. "Maybe I will. If you're lucky."