Chapter 38 - Reigha POV

Reigha, his senses fully captivated, kept his gaze unwaveringly fixed upon the character of Romeo, portrayed with brilliance by the talented Viona. He had been keenly aware of Viona's acting prowess even before this performance, with her previous role as Sei serving as undeniable proof of her exceptional talent. Yet, even with his high expectations, Reigha could hardly have anticipated the sheer perfection with which Viona breathed life into the character of a young man.

Had Reigha not known that Romeo was portrayed by Viona, he would have naturally assumed that the character was tailor-made for a teenage boy. A satisfied nod escaped him as he acknowledged that Viona's performance would undoubtedly exceed his loftiest expectations. Her portrayal was a testament to her artistry, a testament that left an indelible mark on the audience's hearts.

As the play unfolded before them, Reigha's fingers lightly tapped his smartphone screen, his mind abuzz with the words he would convey to Viona later. He joined in the polite applause when fellow audience members did, all while listening intently as the narrator introduced the cast of Romeo and Juliet to the eager spectators.

Viona's presence on the stage radiated an infectious cheerfulness, as if she were born to grace it. Every graceful movement and nuanced expression bore witness to her natural affinity for the spotlight. Despite this, Reigha, a man of discerning taste and keen observation, had skillfully managed to pull Viona into his own orbit.

As the performance continued to weave its magic, Reigha found himself lost in contemplation. The seamless harmony between Viona's portrayal of Romeo and the unfolding drama left him in awe. He couldn't help but wonder whether this remarkable synergy would continue throughout the production or if the pressures of the stage might expose hidden tensions and grudges among the cast.

But beneath Reigha's sophisticated exterior lay a heart brimming with empathy. He saw Viona not as a mere means to an end, but as a kindred spirit in the world of theater. There was no desire within him to manipulate or coerce her into servitude. Instead, he longed to nurture the undeniable connection that seemed to have formed between them—a connection that beckoned to be explored and cultivated further.

In his mind's eye, Reigha marveled at the prospect of a creative collaboration with Viona. He envisioned the artistic magic they could conjure together, the stories they could bring to life, and the emotions they could evoke in their audience. Their partnership had the potential to transcend the boundaries of the stage, delving into uncharted territories of creativity and expression.

As the applause filled the theater at the end of the act, Reigha couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He knew that beyond the stage, beyond the final bow, there lay a captivating journey awaiting both him and Viona. With a heart full of anticipation, he began to formulate his plans, eager to see how their connection would unfold in the days to come.

When the VIPs extended a gracious invitation to the actors to approach them, Reigha couldn't help but observe an intriguing behavior exhibited by Viona. She discreetly distanced herself from the cluster of entrepreneurs and investors, almost as if she bore no interest in mingling with them. This peculiar distancing did not escape Reigha's discerning eye, and he pondered the motives behind her actions.

To be fair, it was understandable why Viona might choose to keep her distance from the wealthy and successful attendees. After all, these businessmen hardly represented an echelon of prosperity that surpassed her own family's achievements, let alone Reigha's. The context painted a picture of a confident and independent spirit in Viona, someone who valued authenticity over superficial connections and social posturing.

Reigha couldn't help but respect her for such a stance. It spoke volumes about Viona's character, revealing a person who wasn't swayed by the allure of wealth or the prestige of the event. In her presence, Reigha detected a refreshing genuineness that set her apart from the usual social climbers and opportunists that frequented such gatherings.

As he continued to observe Viona from a distance, Reigha's curiosity deepened. He wondered about the experiences that had shaped her, the principles that guided her choices, and the aspirations that fueled her passion for acting. There was a mystery about her that he found both intriguing and compelling.

With a sense of intrigue and a growing admiration for Viona's authenticity, Reigha contemplated how best to approach her and initiate a conversation. He couldn't deny that their encounter had the potential to be a turning point, not just in the world of theater but in their personal journeys as well.

The allure of the teenage girl, Viona, was undeniably captivating. Reigha found himself eagerly anticipating the opportunity to uncover the depths of her potential once they began working together. Her presence held a magnetic charm, one that promised exciting artistic collaborations and, perhaps, even deeper connections beyond the realm of the stage.

Yet, as Reigha contemplated the future, he recognized that there was one significant aspect that required attention—a matter of identity. While Reigha had grown fond of the name Sei, he couldn't help but feel that it projected an image of maturity that was somewhat at odds with the circumstances of their collaboration. He understood that appearances could be deceiving, and first impressions could be powerful.

In the eyes of those unfamiliar with Reigha and Viona's unique partnership, the use of the name Sei might lead to misconceptions. Observers might mistakenly assume Sei to be an older woman pursuing a relationship with a younger companion, completely missing the essence of their artistic bond. It was a potential misunderstanding that Reigha was determined to avoid.

"Pffttt!"

A soft chuckle escaped Reigha as he listened to his inner musings. It was something he had never anticipated contemplating. Nevertheless, regardless of these passing thoughts, his paramount concern at that moment was orchestrating an opportunity for Viona to approach him.

As he contemplated this, Reigha recognized the need for a thoughtful and honest conversation with Viona. They would need to discuss the possibility of adopting a different identity for her within the context of their artistic endeavors, one that better reflected the nature of their collaboration and the genuine connection they shared.

Reigha believed that such a conversation could serve as a catalyst for a deeper understanding between them, a bridge that would allow their partnership to flourish both on and off the stage. With this in mind, he began to formulate the words he would use to broach this sensitive topic with Viona, knowing that their journey together was filled with promise and the potential for artistic greatness.

"Because... this teenager is incredibly... um... what's the right word?" Reigha pondered aloud, his eyes still fixed on Viona who had distanced herself from the businessmen with a look of disdain.

With a knowing snap of his fingers, Reigha exclaimed, "Arrogant!" His words were followed by a proud smile that quickly transformed into unrestrained laughter as he watched Viona assertively swat away the hand of a man who had attempted to forcibly engage her in conversation.

"Ohhh... this is going to be quite intriguing!" Reigha mused with a mischievous grin as he approached Viona, who was firmly rebuffing the man's advances.