Gangster to Idol

EJ slipped out of the practice room, muttering something about needing a break, and made his way toward the bathroom.

It had been a long, intense day of episode, and now endless meeting on how to approach the next challenge. He just needed a moment to clear his head.

However, as he rounded the corner, he froze in his tracks.

There she was.

Raneisha, the goddess of the stage, stepping gracefully out of a studio room. EJ blinked, hardly believing his eyes.

It wasn't like he hadn't seen her before—they were part of the same industry, after all—but this was different. She wasn't surrounded by cameras or crowds of people. She was just . . . there. Explore more at mvl

Alone.

His heart started hammering in his chest. He'd dreamed of this moment—just a chance to talk to her alone outside of practice.

EJ wasn't just a fan; he was a superfan. His room was practically a shrine to her. Posters lined every wall, from her first album to the latest photoshoot. He owned every collectible, every limited edition, every piece of merchandise ever released with her name on it.

She was the reason he had started singing in the first place, the inspiration behind every note he had ever hit.

For years, he had imagined what it would be like to sing with her, to share a stage, to even just be in the same room. She was the pinnacle of everything he aspired to be.

And now she was standing a few feet away, her beauty even more breathtaking in person, her presence radiating effortlessly.

He watched as she closed the door behind her, her face slightly flushed, like something had happened inside the room. Her usually poised demeanor seemed shaken for just a moment, but then she straightened up, composed once more, and began to walk down the hallway.

EJ's mind raced. This was his chance. His heart screamed at him to move, to say something, anything. His legs, though, felt like they were made of lead.

What could he say? He wasn't ready. He had rehearsed conversations with her in his mind countless times, but now that she was here, they all vanished.

Go, he thought, clenching his fists. Go talk to her. Tell her how much she means to you. Ask her to sing with you. Anything!

He took a step forward, but something held him back. Doubt clawed at him. What if she ignored me? What if she thought I was just a nuisance?

The thought stung.

Raneisha wasn't like the others—she had this reputation, these rumors swirling around her, calling her strange, distant. No one really knew what went on inside her head.

That uncertainty weighed Ej down. She had this aura, this mystery that made her untouchable. People said she was hard to read, unpredictable, like she existed in a world no one could understand.

And now, standing here, inches from making his move, all of those doubts rushed in like a flood.

What if approaching her ruined everything?

The moment hung in the air, heavy and uncertain, as his heart warred with his hesitation.

She might think he was weird if he suddenly brought up how much he adored her. Would she laugh at him? Would she dismiss him as just another starstruck fool? Worse, ignored him?

EJ stood there, frozen in his thoughts, watching Raneisha walk further and further away. He wanted so badly to call out to her, but his voice caught in his throat.

He could almost hear the rehearsed lines he used to practice in front of the mirror: "You're my idol. I've looked up to you for years. It would be a dream come true to sing with you."

Each second felt like an eternity, his opportunity slipping through his fingers as she moved further down the hall. His eyes followed her, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words.

As she disappeared around the corner, EJ let out a shaky breath, cursing himself for not acting. The moment was gone. The woman he had venerated for so long had been right there, and he'd let fear hold him back.

Slowly, he turned and leaned against the wall, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes. I missed my chance.

His chest ached with disappointment, his mind flooded with images of her. How many nights had he stayed up, listening to her albums on repeat? How many hours had he spent imagining a duet, standing side by side with her on stage, their voices blending perfectly?

All those dreams felt so distant now.

Just as he was about to walk back, he paused, glancing at the door she had just exited from. There was something strange about her expression when she left, as though something unexpected had happened. Curiosity gnawed at him, and without thinking, he moved toward the door.

His hand hesitated on the handle for a moment before he pushed it open, and what he saw inside almost made him stop in his tracks.

C.C. stood in the center of the room, his usual composed expression tinged with something EJ had never seen before: confusion, maybe even vulnerability.

His brows were knitted, lips pressed together as though he was trying to piece together something that made no sense. His face was flush too just like Raneisha!

EJ blinked, realization dawning on him. They were together!

Whatever had happened between Raneisha and C.C in that room . . . Ej didn't like it!

Anger surged through EJ, and before he could stop himself, he stormed into the room, his voice trembling with fury. "You! What have you done with Raneisha?!"

Cain turned, his face calm as he took in EJ's flustered expression. His brow furrowed. "What?"

"Don't act like you don't know!" EJ's voice cracked, raw with emotion. "I saw Raneisha just walk out of here! What did you do to her?!"

Cain raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about? She asked me to duet. That's it. I didn't do anything to her." He paused, the memory of their moment together flashing in his mind. If anything, she had done something to him, something he couldn't shake.

EJ's heart stopped for a second. Duet? He stood there, stunned, his breath caught in his throat. Raneisha—the Raneisha—duetting with him?

What?! Why?!

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