Rhythm Of Deceit

Chapter 3: The Rival

Adler’s offer to come to a Y2K performance was a small gesture, but it felt like a doorway opening to a world Aniya never thought she’d be a part of. The next few days passed in a blur of excitement, and with each passing class, Aniya felt the tug of anticipation. It wasn’t just about the performances anymore; it was about Adler, his crew, and the chance to get closer to them. But there was something else, something she couldn’t put her finger on, that kept nagging at her—a strange tension that lingered around Rio.

She couldn’t quite shake the feeling that he was watching her, though she never caught him staring. And that smile—too smooth, too knowing—had left a mark on her. It wasn’t like Adler’s, which was warm and genuine. Rio’s smile was like an invitation to a game, one she wasn’t sure she wanted to play.

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The following week, Aniya arrived early for the Y2K performance, finding a seat near the front row. She noticed Julian sitting backstage, adjusting his headphones while chatting with a few friends. Adler was nowhere in sight, but the excitement in the air was palpable. The audience was buzzing, waiting for the show to start.

It wasn’t long before Rio appeared, strolling in with his signature swagger, clearly accustomed to the attention that followed him. He caught sight of Aniya and gave her a wave, striding over confidently.

“Didn’t think you’d actually show up,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

Aniya smiled awkwardly. “I said I would.”

Rio’s eyes gleamed, and he took a seat beside her, leaning back casually. “I’m glad you did. But I have to ask… What’s got you so interested in Adler and his crew? You seem… different from the other fans.”

Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t a question she was prepared to answer. The truth was, she couldn’t really explain it herself—not without revealing too much. “I just think they’re really talented,” she said, the words coming out easily enough.

Rio leaned forward, his gaze intense. “You know, a lot of people see Adler as the ‘golden boy.’ But there’s more to it than that. He’s not all he seems.”

Aniya’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Rio’s smile was faint, as if he were savoring the suspense. “People only see the surface, the flashy moves and the confidence. They don’t know about the competition, the way he’ll do anything to stay on top. Some people are willing to do whatever it takes.”

Aniya felt her pulse quicken. “You’re talking about rivalry, aren’t you?”

Rio nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “Yeah. There’s always a price to being at the top. But sometimes, when you climb so high, you lose sight of who you really are.”

His words were laced with something Aniya couldn’t quite place—was it bitterness? Jealousy? Or was there something more? Before she could ask him to clarify, the lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted in applause as the performance began.

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Y2K took the stage with all the confidence Aniya had come to expect from them. Adler stood at the front, his movements sharp and fluid, commanding the audience’s attention. Julian was right beside him, keeping the energy high, while the rest of the crew moved in perfect unison. It was mesmerizing.

Aniya couldn’t help but smile as she watched Adler, his face focused but alive with the music. He was lost in the rhythm, his body moving effortlessly to the beat, the crowd responding to his every move. It was obvious why he had so many fans.

But as the show progressed, she found her thoughts drifting back to Rio. His words, though cryptic, had struck a chord with her. What was it that drove his rivalry with Adler? And why did he seem to want to pull her into it?

The performance ended with a standing ovation, and Aniya clapped along with everyone else, caught up in the energy of the moment. As the dancers took their bows, Adler caught her eye from across the stage and gave her a brief, sincere smile. Aniya’s heart fluttered in response, and she found herself blushing, though she tried to play it cool.

Once the performance wrapped up, Aniya made her way to the backstage area, where she spotted Julian chatting with some of the crew members. Adler was leaning against a wall, talking to Rio, and their conversation seemed more intense than usual. Aniya hesitated, unsure whether to approach him now or wait for another time.

Rio noticed her lingering in the background and excused himself from Adler with a quick, almost dismissive gesture. He strolled over to Aniya with that same confident smile.

“Enjoy the show?” he asked, his voice low, his eyes lingering on her.

“It was amazing,” she said, trying to keep her composure. “You were great, too.”

Rio raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her response. “Oh, I know. But you know, there’s more to me than just being good on stage.”

Aniya frowned slightly, not sure how to respond. “What do you mean?”

He leaned in a little closer, his voice almost a whisper. “People like you—people who watch from the sidelines—are easy to impress. But you’ve got to remember, everything’s not always as it seems. Sometimes, the people you admire the most are the ones who have the most to hide.”

Before Aniya could respond, Adler walked over, his expression guarded but polite.

“Rio, can I talk to you for a second?” Adler asked, his tone firm.

Rio shot Adler a playful look, though there was something dark in his gaze. “Sure, Adler. But I think you already know what I’m going to say.”

Adler’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Aniya saw a flash of something that resembled frustration or maybe even a warning. She felt suddenly out of place, like she was intruding on a conversation that she wasn’t meant to hear.

“I think you should leave her out of this,” Adler said, his voice quiet but resolute.

Rio smirked. “Don’t worry, Adler. I’m just having a conversation. I wouldn’t want to ruin your little ‘fan club.’”

Aniya watched as Rio turned away with a final glance toward her. His words lingered in her mind like a warning bell, but she couldn’t decipher them completely. What did he mean by “leaving her out of this”? And why did Adler look so tense?

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As the evening wound down, Aniya found herself once again caught between the two men. Rio’s words had left her feeling unsettled, while Adler’s calm demeanor did little to ease the tension she felt building inside her. There was more to this rivalry than she had originally thought, and for the first time, she found herself wondering if maybe Rio was right—if there was more to Adler than met the eye.

But no matter how complicated things seemed, one thing was clear: she couldn’t walk away from this, not now. Not when everything was just beginning.

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End of Chapter 3

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