"Paul, what are your thoughts?"
Georg understood the mindset of the company executives. However, he also knew that these people didn't have any bad intentions. After all, if someone could secure steady and reliable profits in the safest way, they wouldn't want to take risks on ventures that could end up being unprofitable.
It's not wrong to be cautious. But sometimes, you need to take a leap of faith... And this could be it, he thought.
Right now, this was how it was with Paul's case. If he succeeded, his fame might rise even further. But if he failed… the status of Germo Entertainment in the music industry would be at serious risk. They knew all too well how hard it is for a singer to recover from a scandal.
Georg didn't blame him. Instead, he tossed the question back to him, wanting to hear this young man's true thoughts.
Paul looked surprised. "My thoughts? I didn't think you'd ask."
"This is your career, your music. Your voice matters here."
"I… have loved singing since I was a child… and when I grew up, I wanted to become a singer. But it's been many years since I've truly sung the songs I love on stage."
He spoke sincerely, but both Georg and Jasmin were puzzled. Even if he hadn't had the opportunity to sing at every concert, how could he say it's been years since he truly sang?
Hadn't it only been two and a half years? How could two and a half years become many years?
What they didn't know was that Paul was also counting the time before he crossed over to this world. In two different worlds, one where he was famous but had no chance to sing the songs he loved, and another where he was unknown but could sing freely.
But in that world, no one cared about what he sang. For him, neither of these lives was what he truly wanted.
"I understand your concerns and worries. It's true, no matter how good a song is, it doesn't guarantee success. I've experienced this myself."
"But it's precisely because I've lost before that I deeply understand how precious everything I have now is. Today, I still hope you'll allow me to be a little selfish."
After speaking, he glanced around at everyone in the office before continuing, "Of course, words alone have little power, so I want to show you that I've fully prepared for the next concert and for these new songs."
"One of the songs, I feel, is particularly suited for me. Let me sing it for you."
Without any hesitation, he began to sing. It wasn't 7 Years but another song—This Path.
𝅘𝅥𝅯So I walked along this road
And the road led to me
The song you sang last night
Now played within me
Just a few more steps and I was there
With the key to this door
This path won't be an easy one
This path will be rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more
It was just a small moment
For a moment I wasn't there
After that I took a small step
And then it became clear to me
This path won't be an easy one
This path will be rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more𝅘𝅥𝅯
As Paul began to sing softly, the entire office fell silent. The seasoned arrangers, who had been vying for his new songs earlier, now focused intently on him. His voice carried a pop style, departing from his usual folk signature. Unlike his typical love songs or relationship ballads, this time he was singing about himself.
My God, it's like he's singing directly to my soul. How does he do that? Lars thought.
Just the words—'So I walked along this road'—felt like an electric current piercing through everyone's hearts. The next line, 'And the road led to me' was even more touching, as if Paul was rediscovering his true voice.
It didn't seem like he was singing to anyone present; it was more as if he was expressing his deep frustration and yearning to be heard. Everyone thought he was a rising star in the Germo music industry, with his concerts constantly topping the trending charts.
Yet, despite this success, Paul felt incredibly conflicted. He was, above all, a singer, but ironically, he could barely sing at his own concerts.
The line 'This path won't be an easy one' perfectly reflected his current emotional state. Though he had countless adoring fans, their enthusiasm had become a double-edged sword. Their passionate sing-alongs drowned out his voice, leaving him silent on stage during most of his performances.
The irony wasn't lost on anyone in the room. He had achieved such fame that he had lost the most basic right of a singer—to be heard singing.
Especially when he expressed how he felt, others found it absurd and laughable. They didn't understand. How could he not be satisfied with such devoted fans? If it were them, they'd be overjoyed, even in their wildest dreams!
All this time, we thought he had it all. But he's been struggling to actually perform, to share his gift, one executive thought.
At that moment, everyone in the office seemed to become Paul, standing on the concert stage. They imagined looking out at the sea of people, hearing the crowd sing along in unison, drowning out his voice. They felt his frustration as he lowered the microphone, ready to give up, feeling bitter and defeated.
Just then, in their shared vision, Jasmin appeared. She gently took his hands, still clutching the microphone, and raised them back up. In the office, the real Jasmin mirrored this action, handing an imaginary microphone to him. "Here, Paul. Show them what you can really do," she said softly.
He nodded, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Jasmin. For everything."
Across the room, Georg caught Paul's eye, giving a slight nod. The message was clear: This is your moment. Take it.
𝅘𝅥𝅯Some kick you, some love you
Some give themselves up for you
Some bless you, don't set your sail
When the wind whips up the sea
Some kick you, some love you
Some give themselves up for you
Some bless you, don't set your sail
When the wind whips up the sea
This path won't be an easy one
This path will be rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more
This path won't be an easy one
This path will be rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more
This path won't be an easy one
This path will be rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more
This path
This path is rocky and hard
You won't agree with many
But this life offers so much more
This path
This path𝅘𝅥𝅯
At that moment, everyone in the room seemed to forget time and space. They felt like they were in the audience at one of Paul's concerts. They now realized not only could he write songs, but he could also sing them beautifully.
As he sang, smiles began to appear on the faces of everyone present. Though the song started off filled with melancholy and confusion, somehow, as his performance progressed, they couldn't help but smile.
They had, of course, listened to his music before, but that was always after it had been professionally edited. As for his concerts? He had never needed to sing live.
So, including Jasmin, this was the first time they realized—Paul could sing this well. This song, This Path, seemed as if it were tailor-made for him.
It was as though the song had chosen him, not the other way around. The song represented countless people like Paul, caught in a struggle between choices in life, feeling lost and helpless, but finally seeing the light at the end.
No matter how difficult or far that road was, they knew they had to walk it, never speaking of defeat or giving up.
"Excellent!"
"Paul, you sang wonderfully!" Georg's face broke into a rare, satisfied smile. His judgment had been right—Paul represented the future of Germo Entertainment.
Both Paul and Jasmin appeared young, but because of this, they were full of energy. Completely different from the conservative, cautious executives. This was why Georg had entrusted the company's direction to Jasmin. He wanted Germo Entertainment to go further.
Though it was challenging for her as a woman, things were different now. With Paul, everything felt full of hope!
Seeing Georg's emotional expression, everyone else finally understood—the decision of this meeting was now clear.
Like a switch had been flipped, the once-hesitant executives now tripped over themselves to shower Paul with praise.
"Paul's voice is a gift from heaven. He was born to be a singer!"
"Exactly! I've always said Paul is talented. There's no issue with singing new songs at the next concert."
"Of course. This was just an a cappella. Once our company's arrangers polish it, it'll be a nationwide hit."
"Honestly, even without editing, I could listen to this all day. I wish I could record it and take it home to play over and over!"
"You know, I've supported him from the start!"
Hearing the executives now flattering Paul, even Jasmin couldn't help but smile. The tension she had been holding onto finally eased.
Oh, how quickly they change their tune. But as long as it works in our favor... she barely suppressed a chuckle.
Jasmin walked up to Paul and whispered in his ear, "How do you plan to thank me this time?"
"Um… how about I teach you how to sing? Then, you can become a singer too!"
"Me? Why would I want to be a singer? I'm not interested!"
"Didn't you say you're a great singer when you're showering? It would be a waste not to support that, right? It would be an interesting solo concert," he teased her with a smile.
Jasmin blushed and, without warning, playfully pinched his waist.
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