The crack of dawn marked the ungodly call time for Aunt Marion's show. It was already past five in the morning when I finally arrived at the set of Marion Mornings. The usual morning show setup greeted me – a long sofa for the guests, a fancy coffee table adorned with magazines and ornaments. Benches for the live audience lined the front, while cameras and stage lighting rigs were scattered around the set. Everything was ready and waiting.
The Ten Roses contestants trickled in, each finding their way to their assigned dressing rooms. Sylvia was by my side, her incessant teasing about last night still not fading away. She only stopped her relentless questioning when the morning show staff summoned her for a program orientation.
I stepped out of the dressing room after getting changed. I was in a black tuxedo with a red tie that screamed corporate. I hated wearing this stuff, but for the sake of my family duty, I shrugged it off. Some of the Ten Roses girls – Almira, Isabel, Daffy, Glory, Mitchy, Cess, and a few others whose names escaped my memory – had already arrived, dressed to impress and looking excited for their first TV appearance.
Sidney was nowhere in sight yet. I heard the murmurs of impatience from the staff – she wasn't exactly known for her punctuality. The live broadcast of Marion Mornings was just minutes away. I checked the time on my wristwatch and reached for my cellphone in my pocket. It was time to make a call.
"Hey!" A melodious female voice greeted me, stopping me in my tracks. I was pretty sure I knew who it was, but her tone was nothing like what I expected. She won't use that tone with me. Sidney won't. Sweetness was not in her vocabulary.
I turned my gaze toward the source of the voice. Sidney had transformed herself into a vision. She wore a body-hugging red dress that accentuated her curves and impeccable figure. She looked stunningly alluring, her light bronze skin confidently embracing the exposure. I hesitated to stare, but the more I tried to look away, the more I was drawn in. What on earth possessed her to wear such a sophisticated outfit? Her hair was elegantly pulled up, revealing her graceful neck that resembled those of the models I had dated. She even seemed taller in those black pumps. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, especially the bewitching pull she seemed to have over me. Why was she getting to me like this?
An eyebrow quirked on her end as she looked at me, and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Rayden, what are you doing?" Her voice dripped with a hint of mischief. I was sure I recognized the voice, but she wouldn't address me like this. Sidney wouldn't. Her vocabulary didn't extend to playful greetings.
My attention was drawn to her, and before me stood a vision of transformation. She was adorned in a dress that shattered her usual style, her features accentuated by makeup that elevated her to the status of a red carpet celebrity. My eyes widened in astonishment, my heart doing a double-take as I struggled to reconcile this new image with the girl I thought I knew. She exuded an aura of elegance and poise that left me gaping in awe. It was as if she had stepped out of a dream and onto that very set.
Caught in the midst of my incredulity, I failed to realize that her gaze was locked onto me. Our eyes met, and she even arched an eyebrow, seemingly amused by my stunned reaction. With a casual grace, she turned and entered her designated dressing room, accompanied by three other contestants. My heart raced, my mind reeling from this unexpected twist in the narrative.
I leaned against the wall, utterly lost in thought. Something was definitely afoot. I had a feeling – a certainty – that she was up to something. Why else would she so willingly agree to be part of the show? My mind raced through possible scenarios, each more bewildering than the last. And then there was that unexpected reminder of her urging me to play fairly with the eliminations, a notion that sent my equilibrium teetering.
The hours passed in a blur of activity, a whirlwind of interactions and rehearsals. Sidney, with her newfound persona, seemed to captivate the audience's hearts effortlessly. Laughter echoed through the air, her sharp wit inciting chuckles even from the most reserved members of the crowd. She had an uncanny way of charming everyone, leaving us all bewildered and wondering if we were caught in her intricate game.
As the time for the talent segment approached, the crew transformed the set into a stage of anticipation. The contestants were summoned, eager to display their skills. I took my seat on a single sofa, Sylvia at my side, Michelle seated between us, and Sidney positioned next to Marion. Tension buzzed in the air, palpable and electric, as the moment of truth drew near.
A roar of applause welcomed the return of Marion Mornings on air. This was Sidney's moment, and my curiosity was piqued beyond measure. She stood before the audience, brimming with confidence, microphone in hand. And then, to my utter disbelief, she began to sing 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri – a song that resonated deeply within me. My favorite song.
My heart skipped a beat as the first notes left her lips. The world around me seemed to fade, and I was entranced by the ethereal quality of her voice. It was as if time had suspended itself, and I found myself awestruck, unable to tear my gaze away. The lyrics resonated with newfound meaning, her voice weaving a tapestry of emotions that enveloped me completely. A sense of awe settled over me, a realization dawning that there was so much more to this enigmatic woman than met the eye.
As she concluded her performance, the studio erupted in applause. A standing ovation ensued, and I found myself clapping fervently, caught in the spell she had cast. The sheer power of her talent was staggering, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration coursing through me. It was as if, in that moment, Sidney had captured not only the audience's hearts but mine as well.
I was transfixed. "She doesn't sing," I mumbled, in disbelief at what I was hearing.
Sidney's voice resonated, and I found myself gaping at the spectacle. "She never sings,"
I found myself repeating the same thought, unable to tear my eyes away. The melodious resonance that filled the studio was nothing short of angelic, a perfect harmony that seemed to defy all expectations. This voice, emanating from the very girl I had once belittled, was a revelation I could hardly fathom. My disbelief hung in the air, mingling with the waves of astonishment that crashed over me. It was a performance that surpassed imagination, leaving me awestruck.
I attempted to divert my gaze, to free myself from this entrancing spell Sidney had unknowingly cast. But no matter how hard I tried, it was as if an invisible string tugged relentlessly at my attention, drawing my eyes back to her. The pull she exerted was magnetic, a force that refused to release its hold. My thoughts swirled, and a storm of emotions churned within me. What was this sensation that she awakened? Why was she having such an overpowering effect on me?
The applause cascaded around us, a symphony of appreciation that reverberated through the studio. Sidney's performance had resonated deeply, not just with the audience but with me as well. Marion's genuine amazement mirrored my own feelings, as if Sidney had woven a tapestry of authenticity that had us all ensnared. It was a connection that transcended the stage, a bridge between hearts that had begun to stir.
As the show progressed, time seemed to flow in a current of its own, carrying us along as each contestant unveiled their talents. Yet, even amidst the diversity of performances, it was Sidney's voice that continued to echo within me. Her haunting melody lingered, an imprint on my senses that I couldn't shake.
As the final curtain drew near, a restlessness stirred within me. It was time to offer my farewells to Marion, a necessary display to maintain appearances. Stepping into the corridor, my thoughts were momentarily disrupted by an unexpected sight – a man standing outside Marion's dressing room. A rush of surprise gripped me, followed by a pang of unease. Why was he here, and what did it mean for Sidney and me? The unease morphed into a heavy feeling in my chest, a mixture of concern and curiosity that left my heart in turmoil.