Chapter 34: Mishap

Except for the little mishap during the contract signing process, our transition as a trainee artist under Little Starlight Entertainment was smooth.

Well, that was what I wanted to say, because it was too smooth.

Nothing really happened since that Friday. It was now Monday, the start of a new week, but there was nothing on our plates. Lumi, Daniella, and I only rested at home this weekend relaxing, sleeping, not even singing.

The viral videos of Lumi's performance at the di-college park were left to ferment. Though they were off the front pages, views were still steady in rising. I had expected our signing to the company to be that quick spark for Lumi's career and we'd be in the studio recording songs for albums left and right.

Daniella rolled her eyes when she heard my sorry complaints. "Do you really think stars are born with a snap of a finger?"

"No, but it just feels like a big waste of time," I answered, stroking Lumi's hair. "Two days. A lot can happen in two days."

She had rested her head on my lap. We were all lying on the couches, enjoying the warm rays of morning sunlight.

"Mhm," Lumi mumbled, turning over to her side. Her eyes slowly blinked back shut. "But I like these calm days, Dad..."

I felt her breathing on my thigh lull into gentle rhythm. I was careful in propping her up on my lap and let her sleepy head rest on my chest. My heart softened like the butter we had eaten with our breakfast.

"I guess... this is okay, too," I said, scratching the back of my head. Oh, how was my little dumpling so sweet and cute and adorable?

I found Daniella's prying, watchful gaze lingering on me. She crossed her arms and turned away when we made eye contact.

"She doesn't do that with me," she muttered, her tone full with traces of jealousy.

I grinned in my heart, but I dared not to let that show. It turned into a crooked smile which was unnatural at worst. I gave an attempt at consoling her instead.

"She's dropping her guard around you fast, though," I reassured. "Look at how she was with strangers like Clara and Casper."

"Yeah. She hid behind you like a frightened little animal. Her scars are still there, aren't they?"

I lowered my head along with my voice. "Yeah. It'll take a while for her to heal, but it is happening."

"I'm glad—"

"She told me she stopped flinching when you raise your voice," I interrupted all the sudden.

I guessed that either look on my face or the tone of my voice or both must have been quite alarming. Daniella had a cold shudder run up her spine and broke out into a sweat. She passed along a few nervous laughs and coughs before she stared in the direction of the piano, away from me.

"A-ah, hahaha, did she? Erm, I'm sorry about that, I should've been more considerate, it's just that I-I— I tend to immerse myself into whatever I'm doing, and I must've gotten too deep in this teacher thing and lost control of myself, oh my god, I can't believe I was harsh on her—"

"Alright, alright, you can relax," I said, chuckling. I thought she had quite the talent in rapping considering how she said all of that with one breath. "I won't eat you up or anything. I was quite glad to hear that. The example just popped into my mind."

Daniella only dropped a little bit of her wariness. "Well, I was worried."

"Eh?"

"I've seen the way you look at her and how you act around her. You can't argue or deny that there's a hint of possessiveness hidden in all that doting."

"There isn't," I protested. "I don't want to keep her all to myself. I want to share her talent with the world."

Daniella shook her head with an exasperated smile. "Stubborn old man."

It was my turn to be wary. Sure, I was haggard, pale-faced, and frail-looking from my past with substance abuse and addiction, but I made a grand effort to keep myself clean and kempt now.

"What? I'm only in my mid-twenties though," I said, raising an eyebrow. "My hairs' great too. I'm not anything old."

"Mid-twenties," Daniella said, taken aback. "That's around my age." Then her eyes widened. Her finger that pointed towards Lumi in my arms quivered. "W-wait, that means... then you had Lumi when you were... young."

"She's six this year, so yes. Fresh out of secondary. Is that surprising?"

"N-no," Daniella hurried to answer. Her gaff disappeared fast, though. "It must run in the family then, looking more mature than your age," she mused. "You and Lumi both."

I stifled myself. I wanted to continue and tease at the faint blush around her cheeks but could not. Why were the people around me so perceptive? Lumi was understandable because she had more experiences than any other six-year-old would have at her age. Yet I did not think my temperament was particularly mature for someone with a second chance and lived two lives.

"... and why do you say that?"

"Well, from the negotiations with them, Clara and Casper. You must've guessed by now my family's pretty well-off," she said.

"Lavish old money," I corrected.

"Oh, stop." Daniella rolled her eyes. "Anyways, you reminded me of those old fox coots in my family doing business. That contrast between the decadent you who loitered around the checkout register was so striking. I dunno, it's like you've been reborn with a lifetime of experiences with your transformation."

She was right on the money. She really was from a rich family.

"Ha, wouldn't that be crazy," I said, forcing laughter. "I'm glad I make that big change for Lumi."

"Yeah, me too. She's precious, not to mention her singing talent. If all six-year-olds around the world was as sensible, thoughtful, as well-spoken and can read the room as well as her, we wouldn't need school. Hell, we'd be in an advanced sci-fi civilization. Her too, it's like she's experienced more things than me—"

I waved my hands and hurried to cut her off. Her rambling on tangent was cutting too close to the mark. This turned into a mishap of a conversation real fast. She was going to guess everything about us.

"Hey, hey, hey... that reminds me... can we talk about Clara and Casper?"

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