REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight

Chapter 178: Way too young to be her mommy.

Adrian felt her palms push hard against his chest again.

She was still fighting him, refusing to give in. Her jaw was tight with that stubborn pride he knew so well.

But Adrian had no plan to step back. Instead, he shifted his weight and turned her around, pushing her backward until her lower back meet with the edge of the piano.

A messy, out of tune sound rang through the empty hall. Before she could pull away, he stepped fully into her space, pressing his body against hers and pinning her against the piano.

The sudden, firm pressure of his hips against her thighs made her words stop in her throat. Whatever sharp thing she was about to say again disappeared.

Adrian felt her go completely still under his hands. Her palms rested flat on his chest as she realized exactly what was happening between them. He hadn’t meant for his control to break like this, but being this close left no room to hide it.

She didn’t look away. Her eyes stayed silently locked on his.

Adrian stared down at her changed expression. His jaw tightened as he kept her pinned beneath his weight, his own heart beating hard in his ears.

"Explain this... Elara," he said, his voice sounding rougher than he intended. "Then you can leave."

* * * *

"Elara Veyne."

Several screams and rounds of applause instantly erupted throughout the hall as the host called her name.

A small amused smile appeared on Elara’s lips as she looked toward the stage.

"Come on hurry up and go before they change their mind and give it to someone else," Ziva teased, nudging her gently at the waist. Her face looked calm, but Elara could clearly see the excitement dancing in her eyes.

Elara slapped her hand away playfully before standing up. The smile remained on her lips as she made her way toward the stage.

With each careful steps up the small stairs, the screams and applause only grew louder. By the time she stepped onto the podium and stood beside the host, camera flashes were already bursting from every direction of the hall.

"Tonight, we’re honoring one of the fastest rising voices in the industry," The host smiled, stretching the award toward her. "Elara Veyne."

As Elara gave a small nod and accepted it, several flashes lit up her face immediately. "Thank you, I didn’t expect this." she said softly.

A few laughs sounded from the audience.

Elara lowered her gaze briefly to the award in her hands. "I think music is..." She paused, taking time to pick her words. "Something you don’t really control. You just keep doing it until it becomes something people can hear."

She looked back up at the audience. "Anyway... thank you for listening."

Another round of applause filled the hall. Before she could turn and step away, an arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulders firmly.

"You’ve worked too hard for a moment like this." Carris’s voice came from beside her. Elara turned and looked at him, the corner of her lips lifting in appreciation.

"Congratulations," he said. Then before she could react, he leaned forward and pressed a small kiss against her cheek. "I’m proud of you."

"Oh." Elara exclaimed, her brows lifting in surprise. The smile on her face turned awkward for a second before returning. "Thanks," she muttered anyway.

Carris only laughed and patted her on the shoulder, then he stepped away from the podium.

The audience exploded instantly. The screams were almost deafening.

"Oh my God I’m dead."

"Somebody tell me this is a dream. Please wake me up."

"I don’t care what they said. They’ll always be my biggest ship."

Elara shook her head helplessly and started walking toward the backstage stairs.

"And of course we have voices that have shaped this industry for years," the host’s voice sounded again behind her, "Relanie Ardent."

Elara’s steps didn’t stop as Relanie passed her on the way to the stage, elegance and confidence put into her every movement. Before her feet could even reach the floor below, a crowd of reporters rushed toward her.

"What are you feeling right now, Miss Veyne?"

"Did you expect to be nominated at the ASA?"

"Is it true that you turned down Boure before becoming the global face of House of Velouris?"

"Hm." Elara answered calmly.

"Was that intentional?" another reporter asked immediately.

"No," she replied. "I chose what suited me."

More microphones stretched toward her face but before they could get any closer, Ziva suddenly stepped in front of her. "Everyone, please move back a little. You’ll still get your answers."

Unfortunately, nobody seemed interested in listening.

"Elara, did you expect your latest release to overshadow Relanie Ardent’s recent song?"

Elara paused, her lips pressing together briefly. "I didn’t create it to compete with anyone," she said calmly.

Thankfully, security finally managed to create enough space for her to move but some reporters still followed behind stubbornly. From a distance, she spotted Carris standing near one of the exits. Beside him stood Zia.

"Elara!" The little girl shouted excitedly. She wore a pink dress that reached above her knees with artificial butterfly wings attached behind her back. Carris had bought the outfit for her the time he went back to Valmont.

Zia immediately slipped free from his grip and ran toward Elara. A moment later, she crashed into her legs.

Elara handed the object in her hand to Ziva and wrapped an arm around Zia. A smile appeared on her face.

The cameras immediately started flashing again. One of the reporters stepped forward. "There’s been a rumor about this little girl. Em... Little Minky Zia, right? Is she your daughter?"

Carris nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Zia giggled at the question. She released Elara, planted both hands on her waist, and made a funny face at the reporter. "Sorry, but no." She said, shaking her head seriously. "She’s way too young to be my mommy."

Several people immediately burst into laughter.

Zia pointed at the reporter, lowering her voice. "But if you give me candy... I’ll tell you who her boyfriend is."

The journalists laughed recklessly, even Elara had to look away to hide her smile...