REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 75: Around 3:00 in the morning.

The next day after Elara received the call from Zia, she packed a few clothes and took a leave from voice. With the help of Zia’s mother, she quickly found the hospital. It was in Lorien, and it was truly not far from her training school, yet she had never noticed it before.

The hospital was very big, not much different from the ones in Starfall. It was clearly a private hospital. As she stood outside the hospital, she couldn’t help but wonder how her grandpa could afford a place like this.

When she finally went inside and saw him lying on the bed, she was surprised.

He didn’t look like someone who was seriously sick. In fact, he even looked better than before, as if he had gained a little weight.

That only made her feel more confused.

She thought about how he hadn’t told her anything and had even told Zia not to call her.

Zia’s mother didn’t stay long. After bringing Elara there, she came back later to take Zia away, leaving Elara alone in the room with her grandpa.

He looked at her and said it was nothing serious, that she shouldn’t have listened to Zia and come all the way here.

Elara didn’t respond immediately. She sat beside him for a while before finally asking why he had left the clinics in Crelou and come all the way to Lorien just for a small illness.

Her grandpa stayed quiet for a long time after that. Then he said that a man had arranged everything for him. He didn’t know where the man came from, but he said the man had taken very good care of him.

After saying that, he suddenly looked at her and asked if she had someone she was seeing.

Elara stared at him, clearly not expecting that question. Her expression turned a little awkward before she sighed and said no. Even as she answered him, her mind was already thinking about who that man could be.

Later, she heard from Zia that it was a "scary suit uncle."

For the next few days, Elara stayed at the hospital. She spent most of her time thinking about it, trying to figure out who would do something like that without telling her.

The only person she could think of was Lioren.

–

The single Elara had recorded at Rye was released on Aurelia’s music charts on a Thursday, two weeks after she finished the recording.

That day, Elara only knew the song had been released. She did not think or worry much about it, she only continued her usual schedule.

In the evening, she went to the restaurant. She only returned to Voice a few minutes past midnight. The day’s work had been tiring as usual, and as soon as she lay down on her bed, she fell asleep.

At around 3:00a.m the next day, Friday, she was suddenly woken by a series of notifications on her phone. It was still dark outside, and everywhere was very quiet.

Elara slowly reached for her phone and unlocked it while still half asleep. Ziva’s messages and missed calls appeared first on the screen. Her eyes were heavy as she tried to read them. Most of the messages were short and repeated the same thing: "Elara??"

"Pick up your phone."

"You’re not going to believe this."

Still lying on the bed, Elara dialed Ziva’s number. The call had barely rung twice before it was picked up. Ziva’s voice came through immediately, and she did not sound sleepy at all. Elara even wondered if she had been awake the whole time.

Elara asked what was wrong, but before she could finish speaking, Ziva quickly interrupted her and said she should check the charts. Then she cut the call just as quickly.

Elara lowered her phone and yawned.

She could just check it in the morning.

As she closed her eyes again, another notification came through.

She grunted lazily, opened her eyes, and reached for her phone again to silent it. That was when her eyes caught the message on the screen.

"Your single has entered top charts."

She paused. Then her gaze moved lower.

"Your track is gaining rapid traction."

Her eyes opened wide fully. The phone slipped from her hand and fell onto the bed. Her heart began to beat faster as she sat up.

She had almost forgotten that her song had even been released.

She stared at the notification on the screen, her mind trying to process it...

–

Adrian sat in front of an easel in his study. A brush was in his hand, but he had stopped painting several minutes ago. His eyes were fixed on the painting in front of him.

After a while, his phone on the table beside him began to ring.

Adrian glanced at the screen. It was Harris. Without much hesitation, he picked up the phone and turned his attention back to the painting.

Harris’s voice came from the other end. "Sir, Kai Corporations has started expanding into our operational area."

Adrian’s hand paused for a brief moment. He still did not look away from the canvas. After a short second of thought, he spoke up. "Is that all?"

Harris stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again. "Should I notify the board of..."

"No need," he cut in calmly and ended the call at once. He lowered his phone and turned his attention back to the painting in front of him.

He let out a self mocking snort as he continued to stare at it.

Although the painting was not complete and had only been drawn casually, the face on the canvas was clear. It was easy to recognize, even without trying.

A thought crossed his mind. He stood up and walked over to his desk, then he sat down on it. He opened the locker and took out a box.

Adrian stared at the phone box in his hand. As he looked at it, her words came back to him.

He did not understand why he had still kept the phone. She had refused it, and it had no use sitting there. He could have simply asked Harris to handle it instead.

Adrian returned the box into the locker, then he stood up and walked into his room.