Unwritten Melodies

Chapter 2

Offroad blinked, forcing a smile as he tucked his phone back into his pocket. 

"It's nothing. Just a headline," he murmured, attempting to brush it off. But as the evening progressed, he felt himself drifting, growing less present with each moment. The energy in the room—the laughter, the buzz of voices, the brilliant flashes of light—seemed muted, as if he were watching it all through a fogged window.

As models glided down the runway in dazzling attire, Offroad's mind kept returning to one name, an echo he couldn't shake.

Daou.

He hadn't thought of him in... how long? Time blurred whenever he tried to measure the distance. But seeing Daou's name again brought buried memories rushing to the surface, moments he'd convinced himself were safely locked away. He refocused on the runway, trying to immerse himself in the vibrant colors, the flowing silhouettes—reminders of the future he was building, of the life he'd chosen.

Yet, the past lingered like an uninvited shadow, slipping into his thoughts without permission.

A glimpse of his reflection in a large mirror caught his eye. The polished image stared back—successful, collected, a man who had moved on. He knew the mask he wore, knew the roles he played, but tonight, it felt thin, almost transparent. That name wasn't just in his mind; it was lodged in the space between his past and present, and he couldn't shake it.

A gentle nudge from Nu pulled him back. "Hey, you okay?" she asked softly, scanning his face with a knowing gaze.

Offroad gave a quick nod, maybe too quick. "Yeah, I'm good," he replied, the words more reflex than truth.

Nu raised an eyebrow but let it go. "Alright, well, we should wrap up soon. The brand's director wants to see you."

"Right," he said, grounding himself in the task ahead. Business. That was what mattered. This event, his brand, the future he was carving for himself—that's where his attention needed to be. He glanced around, breathing in the reality of his success, hoping to root himself firmly in the present.

But Daou's name lingered, faint and persistent—a reminder that sometimes, the past doesn't let go, even when you've built walls to contain it.

---

The brand director approached, his smile warm and approving. "Offroad! Great to see you back," he greeted, extending a hand. "It's so nice to finally see you here again. We missed you on the runway! You should do more shows like before."

Offroad smiled, shaking his hand, "Thank you," he replied, keeping his tone light. "It's good to be here, but I've been pretty focused on my own projects lately. It's... a different kind of fulfillment."

The director chuckled, not fully convinced. "Ah, I understand. But you know, there's a certain spark you bring to the runway. People notice it—no one else quite has that." He gave Offroad an encouraging clap on the shoulder. "Still, I'm glad you're carving out your own path. I just hope it doesn't mean we lose you entirely."

The brand director's gaze grew thoughtful, his smile widening. "Actually, Offroad, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about," he said, his tone shifting to one of anticipation. "We're launching our winter collection this coming October, and it would mean a lot if you'd consider presenting our signature piece. It's part of an exclusive line, and we believe your style aligns perfectly with it."

Offroad hesitated, carefully maintaining his composed expression. He glanced at Nu, who raised her eyebrows, subtly encouraging him to listen.

"Our goal is to create something both bold and timeless—qualities I think you embody perfectly," the director continued, "We'd love to have you as the face of this campaign. Just one show, but I believe it would make a real statement. What do you think?"