"It's in my blood"
Ronan managed to catch a gleam of light in Alice's eyes. It was mischievous yet filled with positivity, which made Ronan burst into laughter.
From Ronan's song "In My Blood" to Alice's playful retort "This is what you were born with" though the subject had changed, the underlying message remained the same.
Ronan could also detect the humor in Alice's words.
"It seems there are many secrets hidden in my blood," Ronan replied in jest, prompting Alice to burst into laughter. She playfully "beat" Ronan, expressing her admiration for his wit.
Ronan, with question marks all over his head, retreated but couldn't escape Alice's playful assault.
Once the laughter subsided a bit, Alice adjusted her posture, trying to regain her composure, and delved back into the serious topic.
"The song you just performed, it's never been heard before. When did you compose it?"
Ronan didn't know how to respond. He felt a mixture of shyness and nervousness. Despite re-entering the world of music in his previous life, he hadn't received widespread recognition yet.
He was just starting out and was uncertain about his own skills and abilities. Moreover, after three years in the deaf world, his confidence and pride had been eroded, replaced by self-doubt.
Tonight, his creative inspiration felt different from before, more fluid and immersive. He couldn't tell if it was a result of his journey or merely a product of his imagination.
Ronan had never received formal education in songwriting, couldn't read sheet music, and lacked the criteria to objectively judge his own creations.
But just now, inspiration had flowed naturally, and the melody and lyrics had come to him effortlessly. The current Ronan was a mixture of emotions—unease, apprehension, fear, but also excitement.
It was the first time he had exposed his creation to someone without any preparation. Would he be able to handle criticism or rejection? What if he was deemed talentless and unfit for a career in music, despite his reputation as a genius?
Yet, deep down, Ronan yearned for praise and recognition, and a sense of joy welled up within him. He averted his gaze from Alice's eyes, concealing his emotions.
Although the description had been lengthy, the actual moment had passed in a flash. Alice was unaware of Ronan's internal turmoil and continued speaking.
"It seems that my filming plan aligns perfectly with your current situation. You've been contemplating your future and struggling in the quagmire. Those emotions of anxiety and fear have been beautifully woven into your melody. I must admit, I'm thoroughly impressed; the melody and emotions are so captivating."
"Captivating? Really?" Ronan keenly caught the keywords in Alice's praise.
His gaze gradually lowered, and his eyes brightened. "In simple terms, I enjoyed creating it tonight, thanks to your inspiration."
Alice believed him. She wasn't well-versed in music theory, chords, or arrangements, but she knew what moved her as an audience. Her compliments were heartfelt.
Ronan sensed Alice's sincerity, and a smile spread across his face. He couldn't easily praise himself, but he replied modestly, "I only created it tonight because your words inspired me to give it a try."
And that was the truth.
Ronan had taken small steps, from performing to composing, to truly feel the melodies and lyrics flowing from the depths of his soul. Even in the darkness, even without a clear path ahead, even when trapped in reality, he wouldn't be alone or afraid. He would keep moving forward.
Alice was honored to be the first listener. She shared her inspiration ideas and contemplated how to approach her next shoot.
"I need to go back to my room to organize my thoughts for tomorrow's shoot. I won't keep you any longer."
Ronan hesitated for a moment, then stopped Alice as she turned to leave. "Are you serious? I mean, did you really like that song I just performed?"
Despite knowing he shouldn't seek reassurance repeatedly, Ronan couldn't shake his lingering anxiety.
Alice halted and turned to face Ronan with a broad smile. "Yes, I'm serious. When you start singing, that's when you shine the brightest. Ronan, believe me, you're a truly captivating man, and I'd be the last person in the world to deny it."
Ronan was taken aback by her response, and then he burst into laughter. It reminded him of the Cooper siblings playing together, a warm and intimate feeling that erased his worries, even on this New Orleans night.
Ronan didn't linger by the pool for long. As his racing thoughts settled, he returned to his room.
The door was left ajar, revealing his teammates engrossed in various activities. Ollie was struggling to stay awake with "Advanced Mathematics," Cliff was sketching in a blank notebook, and Maxim was pretending to be a model.
Hearing Ronan's footsteps, Cliff and Maxim perked up, displaying their charm. Only Ollie, who had been dozing off, was still in the land of dreams. Upon waking up abruptly, he scrambled to his feet, rubbing his face, and muttered defensively, "I wasn't sleeping; I was deep in thought. Just deep in thought."