Aurelia stepped out of the lounge and back into the table, her mood tumultuous, swayed by Leopold like waves in an unpredictable sea.
The jam session had begun.
The hall was full of an array of musical instruments. Everyone could pick their favorite and take the stage for an impromptu performance.
Marianne, ever the social butterfly, was the first to step up. She chose a guitar.
It was a melody she had composed herself, infused with the charm of country tunes that filled the air, sounding lilting and sweet.
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After playing for a bit, she began to sing. Her voice was mesmerizing, almost ethereal.
"Wow, Marianne's got some serious chops!" William cheered, clapping his hands in admiration.
Skyler nodded vigorously. "I had no idea she could sing like that!" Leah peeked at Avery, who was entranced by Marianne's performance. Who wouldn't be attracted to a woman as dazzling and musically gifted as her? Her heart felt like it was plummeting into an abyss, sinking endlessly.
Avery had a voice that could melt butter. It was so warm, sultry, and full of magnetic allure that made him a natural on stage, never needing a dub for his acting roles. He always sang live.
And Leah, despite being a brainy beauty, had a blind spot when it came to singing. She was tone-deaf, to put it mildly.
Whenever the cast went out for singing, she'd shy away from the mic, fearing she'd send everyone running for the hills.
She propped her cheeks with her hands, sighing wistfully.
While everyone was engrossed in the performance, only Aurelia, with her keen senses, noticed Leah's distress.
She also felt the sting of being a terrible singer and knew the troubles it brought.
After all, nobody's perfect. Even the most brilliant and flawless among us have their flaws.
Leopold, for instance, was a knockout, the envy of gods and mortals alike, with a towering intellect and emotional intelligence. But his personality was riddled with faults. He was arrogant, cold-hearted, and as changeable as the wind.
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Lost in thought, she secretly glanced at Leopold not far from her. He was looking back at her, and their eyes sparked a chemistry for a brief instant.
She quickly averted her gaze to avoid the chill of his icy stare.
When Marianne finished, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Arnold, with a wry smile, teased. "Avery, that song's a hit. Perfect for your new show's theme, huh? Thinking of buying the rights?" Avery shrugged casually. "Depends if she's up for selling." "I bet Marianne would agree," Beverley said with a smile.
When Marianne had returned to her seat, Beverley tried her luck. "Marianne, Arnold digs your tune. We hope to buy the rights for Avery's new show's theme song." "Really?" Marianne's face lit up with excitement. "If Mr. Stirling and Avery truly like it, I'd be rather happy to give you the rights for free." Arnold insisted. "We'll pay for the rights, of course. Let's do this by the book." Marianne beamed, her eyes curving like crescents. "Avery's my muse. When | wrote the song, | envisioned him in a crisp white shirt, ethereal as an exiled immortal." William pulled a face. "Miss, you sure you're not harboring a crush on my uncle?" Marianne waved off the suggestion, a sly twinkle in her eye. "Oh no, that's a misunderstanding. He's like the moon to me. | can only admire from afar but can ever approach or have him." Leah felt a jolt. Could she have been mistaken? Wasn't Marianne her rival, after all? Beverley laughed, easing the tension. "Marianne, relax. William's pulling your leg." Avery reached and ruffled William's hair."No more teasing her with that kind of joke, okay?" William stuck out his tongue. He wasn't joking, though. He had asked a serious question.
He had to help Leah eliminate any potential rivals, ensuring her position as Avery's future wife was rock solid for centuries to come.