Golden Melody

Chapter 11.5

Zatariel Wov

His Pov

The taxi pulled up to the curb, and Mimi and I stepped out, buzzing with excitement.
She's in a pastel pink dress, her blonde ponytail wig a striking contrast to her usual dark hair.

The blue contact lenses transformed her eyes, making them sparkle like sapphires.
She looked like a doll, a beautiful, ethereal creature ready to take on the world.

The baseball cap and black sunglasses I was wearing were more than just accessories; they were a shield, protecting her from the scrutiny and judgment of the world.

"Gambatte, Mimi," I whispered, my voice filled with a mixture of pride and apprehension.
"You've got this."

"I'll give it my best, Riel," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened."

"Let's celebrate later, okay?" I said, trying to inject some lightness into the moment.

She nodded, her eyes shining with gratitude.
She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, her touch a burst of warmth against my skin.

We arrived at My Music TV, a gleaming testament to the power of music and entertainment.
The building, a sleek, modern structure, stood out against the backdrop of the Yellow City, which was slowly emerging from the grip of the Mimic Virus outbreak. Though the city had just reopened its borders a few days ago, the streets were still relatively quiet, the opposite to the usual bustling energy.

I took Mimi's hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
"It's okay, Mimi," I said, my voice calm and reassuring.
"You've worked so hard for this. You deserve to be here."

"I'm nervous," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"What if I mess up?"

"You won't," I said, squeezing her hand.
"You're amazing, Mimi. You're going to blow them away."

I led her through the throng of people, my gaze fixed on her, my heart filled with a mixture of pride and fear.

If she made it to the finals, she would enter showbiz.
Her family wouldn't be able to hide her anymore.
She would be known nationwide, her talent and beauty shining for all to see.

"I know you'll win," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
"I'll always be your number one fan."

I let go of her hand, my thumb brushing against her cheek.
I leaned in and kissed her cheek, my lips lingering for a moment.

"Go get 'em, mylove," I said, my voice filled with a mixture of love and encouragement.

She nodded, a smile gracing her lips.
She turned and walked towards the entrance, her back straight, her head held high.
She waved at me, a small gesture that sent a wave of warmth through my body.

I watched her disappear into the building, my gaze fixed on her retreating figure.

I took a deep breath, l really wanted to be her biggest supporter, her rock, her source of love and encouragement.

I turned and walked away.

The weight of the world settled on my shoulders.
I sighed, the air catching in my throat.
My phone buzzed, and I saw a text from Aleanna.

Today: 10:09am
"Zat, please make sure you'll live. Again, I'm so sorry."

I scrolled up through her texts, each one a chilling reminder of the danger we were in.

Today: 4:56am
"Thyron has found you and Ex. You have two choices: show yourself or hide. If you show yourself, your safety isn't guaranteed. If you hide, Exy will be in danger. You need to make a decision."

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a drum of fear and uncertainty.

What was I supposed to do?
My mind raced, trying to find a solution, a way to protect both Mimi and myself.
But there was no easy answer.

It was a lose-lose situation.

I washed my face with cold water, trying to clear my head, to think rationally.
For 25 days, I had lived with Mimi in a small house, hidden from the world.
I ignored my family's endless calls and messages, afraid that any response would only give them false hope.
I wanted to tell them I was okay, but the decision I had made made that impossible.
I removed my SIM card from my phone and snapped it in half, the sound of a final break from the past.
I then threw the phone against the wall, watching as it shattered into a million pieces.
I tossed the broken phone and the SIM card into the trashcan, a symbolic act of severing ties with the life I had known.

I chose Aleanna's first option. I would show myself.
I would protect Mimi, even if it meant sacrificing myself.

I left the auditorium, my steps heavy with dread, each one a deliberate choice to face the unknown.

The air felt thick with anticipation, the silence broken only by the distant hum of the crowd.
I knew what would happen next.
I knew Thyron was waiting for me.

Suddenly, a large hand clamped down on my shoulder, a cold, metallic grip that sent a jolt of fear through my body.
I turned to see a man in black, his face hidden in the shadows, his eyes gleaming with malice.
He was big, muscular, and I knew I wouldn't be able to break free.

He dragged me through the crowd, his grip tight, his movements swift and efficient.
We reached the parking lot, and he shoved me into a van, my body slamming against the metal seat. The doors slammed shut, and I heard the lock click into place.

My hands were tied behind my back, the rough rope cutting into my skin.
I felt a cold, sharp object pressed against my neck, the metal chilling my skin.

"Alpha host is ours," the man in black declared, his voice a chilling whisper.

My vision blurred, the world fading into darkness.
The last thing I saw was the cold, cruel glint in the man's eyes.