“I’m really glad you all think so highly of me that you would give me this opportunity, but the truth is, I never thought about this before. For now, I just want to be on my own. I’m open to label deals in the future.” He rejected it tactfully so they would not feel offended.“Did you really think this through, boy?” Susan frowned.“Yes, I have. I’m open to a label deal, but not now,” he replied calmly.“And what good will that do you? Do you think you can become a superstar just by being on your own? And what is your plan when you fail? Will you run back to the same label you rejected? Do you think we would accept a failure?” she pressed.“No, that’s not what I mean. It’s just that I haven’t thought about it before, and it’s something I need to consider carefully and weigh properly,” he replied.“Hm. Do you think you have the right to pick a top label whenever you want? We opened a window of opportunity to you, not the other way around. Once we close it, there will be no more opportu

By the time they reached the hall, it was already crowded.“The fuck! Do these people even walk?” Derek cursed.They took a spot at the back and waited. As usual, only the host appeared, with the three female attendants trailing behind him. He stepped up to the microphone and cleared his throat.“So, after the elimination round, twenty people were eliminated. The remaining eighty people will go directly to the live show round,” he announced.“Twenty people? I thought he said it was a mass elimination and that more than half would be eliminated?” the contestants whispered among themselves.“I don’t understand what these people are doing, but I just feel like something isn’t right,” Mathew said quietly.“Me too. I feel like there’s something secret about this whole thing,” Derek nodded in agreement.Alex frowned, but he didn’t say anything. He simply continued watching.“I will start calling the names of those who are eliminated. Frank Rodriguez.”The guy named Frank stood frozen in dis

He stood in front of the Lux Bay, waiting for a cab.“His Alex.” Someone said, standing beside him.“Oh, it’s you.” He turned away, clearly not wanting to talk to her.“I told you before, you are too prideful, but… you still have a chance,” Susan said.“But I’m already eliminated,” he pointed out.“Do you really think you need this show to blow up in the industry? This is just for exposure, but exposure is not everything. Only a few of them succeed later.”“Oh, I get it. You still want me in your label?” He smirked.“Yes. I’m just giving you this opportunity because I kinda took a liking to you.”“I don’t do older women, sorry,” he replied curtly.“You!” Susan gritted her teeth in anger. She looked like she was about to act, but she swallowed it down.“It’s my fault. I brought myself down to your level, so I guess this is what I deserved. Good day.” She turned and left.A cab pulled in front of him.****“Hei, how come you are coming back now?” the landlady asked when she saw him retu

By the time he returned to the stage for the second time, everyone was already pumped.“Kid, you are very good. I never expected much when Yeti brought you to the stage, but I must confess, I’m impressed.” A man stood up and praised him.Alex’s heart began to warm. At last, people were starting to appreciate his singing and his efforts. Finally, all his hard work was beginning to show.“The next song I’m about to perform is an original piece of mine. I wrote and composed it. The name of the song is ‘Stay For Real.’”Everyone began clapping. “Go on, kid. Do your best. We will all cheer for you.”Alex almost felt like crying at the support he was receiving in such a humble place. This was the last place he ever thought he would find encouragement, especially after it had seemed like the whole world was turning against him.He shut his eyes tightly, strummed his guitar with resolve, and began the tune of the song he was about to perform.Then his voice finally followed.Verse 1Saw you b

Alex finished his performance, with Jude playing the beat beside him. When he stepped down from the stage, a woman approached him.“Excuse me, sir,” she said.“You can call me Alex, ma. What can I do for you?” he asked.“It’s like this. A friend of mine is getting married tomorrow. She hired an upcoming artist and even paid him a fee of twenty thousand in advance, but the artist suddenly refunded the money and said he had a very important show to attend.”She paused, her voice carrying sympathy. “My friend has been sad since then, and she didn’t have time to start looking for another upcoming artist. I told her about this guy who sings in a bar, and she asked me to invite you to come early tomorrow morning before the wedding.”“You don’t mean it, ma?” Alex said, his face lighting up. “I’m really glad you spoke well of me to your friend. Just give me the address and I’ll be there.”“All right, but only you are needed. She needs someone to perform with a guitar, so your friend isn’t nee