REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight

Elara’sfirstlifecrashedhard.Crueltricksruinedhername,brokeherdreams,andturnedthewholeentertainmentworldagainsther.Friendsbetrayedher.Loverssoldherout.Everyoneshetrustedstabbedherintheback.Thepainpiledupuntilshefelttrappedwithnowayout.Onenight,shecouldn’ttakeitanymore.Shewalkedtotheriverandendeditallinthecold,quietwater.Later,proofcameout.Messages.Recordings.Everythingshowedshehadbeenframed.Peoplepostedapologiesonline.Butitwastoolate.Shewasalreadygone.Theuniverse,though,clearlyhasatwistedsenseofhumor.Becausesomehow,Elaracameback.Shewokeupinherownpast,everyawfulmemorystillsharpinherhead.Rightthenshemadeapromiseshewouldneverbreak:protecthergentlegrandfathernomatterwhat,andneverletanyonepushhertothatdarkplaceagain.Thistimeshestepsintotheentertainmentworldwithherheadhigh.Shetrainsharder,singsbetter,fightssmarter.Thesamepeoplewhooncecrushedher?Nowtheygettofeelthepressure.Love?Nothappening.Herheartislockedtight.Butwhyisitthatassherisesandshinesbrighter,handsome,powerfulmenstartcirclingher—guyswhoneverevenglancedatherinherpreviouslifewerenowhoveringaroundher.Theactorsmiledatherduringapressinterview,leanedcloser,andsaidsoftly,“Weshouldhavedinnersometime.”Thefootballersentflowerssobigtheyblockedherroomdoor.Thesurgeonshemetatacharityeventcheckedherpulseandthenforgottoletgoofherwrist.Thesingershecollaboratedwithkeptcallinghernameduringrehearsals,asifthemiccouldnothearhimwellenough.Elarastaredattheceilingthatnightandsighed.Sheonlywantedtosing.Whydideveryonelookliketheywantedtoadopther,dateher,orboth?Buttheworstonecameaftertheconcert.Thelightshadjustgoneoff.Herearswerestillringing.Sweatclungtoherneck.Shehadbarelysteppedbackstagewhenashadowblockedherpath.Shelookedup.TheCEOofthegreatestcompanyinAureliastoodthere.Thesamemanwhooncesaidhervoicewas“notworthinvestingin.”Thesamemanwhodidnotevenknowhernamebeforerebirth.Nowheheldherwristlightly,butfirmly.“Let’stalk,”hesaid.Elarablinked.“About…sponsorship?”“No,”herepliedcalmly.“Aboutmarriage.”Herbrainfroze.“…What?”“Iwillgiveyoueverything,”hecontinued,asifaskingforaglassofwater.“Resources.Protection.Freedomtosing.Becomemywife.”Elarastaredathim,hermouthopen,herthoughtsrunningincircles.Thiswasnothowitwassupposedtobe.Whywastheworldnowskippingsteps?NB:Thisstorytakesplaceinafictionalworld.Aureliaisacountry.Solmere,Veston,andStarfallCityarethethreecapitalcitiesofAurelia.Othercities,suchasLorienandCrelou,aresmallercities.