"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us all welcome the winner of the Billboard Music Award, Ms. Roxanne Anderson!"

The entire stadium erupted with shouts and applause.

Roxanne Anderson, once a well-known child singer, had stepped away from the spotlight in the midst of her career to focus on her studies. 

However, at the age of 18, she made a triumphant comeback, captivating the nation once more with her angelic voice and unparalleled beauty. Now, at 24, Roxanne Anderson was once again embraced by the world to celebrate her undeniable talent.

Roxanne took a deep breath before delivering her message, "The child star. That is what they always call me. I will always be that child star and will never have the chance to compete with this generation. Being an orphan, no one was supposed to be there to offer comfort and support ever since I was a child, that is why I want to dedicate this award to my fiancé and my one and only best friend, Elara."

In the front row, Elara, Roxanne's best friend, smiled radiantly, as if she was so happy for her best friend who had now achieved her dream.

"Elara, thank you for supporting me and having my back in tough times. I never gave up on pursuing this dream because you never gave up on me. Thank you. Thank you, everyone!" Roxanne expressed before bowing.

After expressing her bow, Roxanne sighed happily and sang her song once again to the audience.

"I had a dream

A star shining brightly

It was twinkling 

And I held it 

It stopped shining

That was a nightmare........."

The audience was deeply moved by her heartfelt speech and emotional song, almost brought to tears.

Except for Elara.

She clenched her fists.

That fiancé, those applause, and that trophy were meant for her.

'Roxanne, I will never let you go.' Elara vowed silently before making her way backstage.

...........................

"Hey!" Roxanne snapped Elara back to reality with a poke on her forehead.

Elara rolled her eyes and asked, "What was that for?"

Roxanne chuckled mischievously and proudly displayed the trophy in front of her, "Look at our dream trophy! It shines like a diamond, and the applause made me feel like a goddess. It was a heavenly experience!"

As Roxanne continued to share her excitement, she noticed Elara's silence as she gazed at the trophy. Concerned, she inquired, "What's troubling you today?"

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Elara shook her head and stood up from beside her best friend.

Sensing Elara's unease, Roxanne playfully hugged her from behind, calling out, "Elara-ra!"

Unexpectedly, Elara forcefully grabbed her hands, causing Roxanne to stumble backward and fall to the ground with the trophy in hand.

Angrily, Roxanne demanded, "What is wrong with you?"

Elara laughed in response, "What's wrong with me? You took everything from me! From my suitor to my family, and now, my dream. That trophy was my dream, Roxanne, my dream. But you snatched it away as if it meant nothing!"

Three years ago, Elara had rejected a suitor, only to discover six months later that he was now courting her best friend, Roxanne.

Defensively, Roxanne retorted, "You said it was okay! You encouraged me to accept his affections. And as for your family, I didn't-"

"Stop! What about my family? You stole their attention from me because you lacked a family of your own." Elara interrupted.

Struggling to hold back tears, Roxanne tried to explain, "I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean it? Stop kidding me! Do you think you would be the famous Roxanne Anderson now if I hadn't taken you away from that shabby bar? You are nothing! And even your surname was mine!" Elara said angrily, grabbing Roxanne's hair while holding the trophy.

Finally, Elara stopped, staring at the angelic face of Roxanne, now full of tears.

Roxanne wiped her tears and then glared at her best friend, no, it should be her mortal enemy.

"Loser." she whispered.

"What did you say?" Elara asked angrily, provoked by her ex-best friend's words.

Roxanne smiled mockingly and said, "You cannot win against me. You are a loser, that's what I said."

Growing increasingly agitated, Elara grabbed the trophy from Roxanne and hurled it at her.

"Go to hell, Roxanne!"

"Agh-!"

Blood began to flow from Roxanne's forehead. The physical pain was bearable, but the emotional torment inflicted by her best friend's betrayal was unbearable.

Had she truly destroyed Elara?

If given the chance to turn back time, Roxanne would have chosen to remain in that humble bar, singing her heart out, rather than crossing paths with this treacherous friend of hers.

Even as the blood continued to flow, Roxanne continued to laugh, as if she was crazy, "Haha! Even if you kill me right now, the fact that you lose to me cannot be changed, witch!"

Elara's eyes darkened.

She grabbed the trophy again and smashed it against Roxanne.

Even if she died here, Roxanne would make Elara insane first to avenge this misery she caused.

"Oh my God!" a voice exclaimed in shock from outside the door as Roxanne began to lose consciousness. "What have you done wjjfkwmqmzl!"

As her consciousness faded, the last words became indistinguishable to her.

......................

Black.

Like a void, empty and silent.

She could see nothing, hear nothing.

Was this the afterlife?

Suddenly, a blurred screen appeared before her.

It was a man, no, a god-like man.  In Roxanne's entire life, she had never seen anyone as perfect or handsome.

Silky silver hair and emerald eyes. Even Apollo, the most handsome god in Greek mythology, could not compare to him.

Then she heard him say, "I'm so excited to see this unborn child, with my blood flowing into it along with yours."

Child?

Suddenly, she heard a woman's voice. It came from everywhere, not just the screen before her.  "Me too. I'm sure this child will inherit your beauty."

The handsome man laughed and said, "And yours too."

Happy bubbles suddenly appeared before her, as if they were celebrating. The woman's voice said, "Then she will be a peerless beauty."

A palm covered the screen. She felt it, a warm palm as if embracing her, welcoming her arrival.

"No way! Many boys will like her and snatch her away from us. I can't accept that!" the god-like man said, pouting childishly.

Just what in the world was going on here?