The room fell quiet for a moment. The air held a certain stillness, as if even the walls were listening. Anaya stood beside the massive CEO's desk, still trying to understand all the words Jiya had said moments before.
"Come in," Jiya said, her voice firm and steady.
Anaya fell into her imagination..
In her imagination, "Why did sister say all those things?"
Anaya lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously fiddling with the edge of her shirt.
"Maybe… I'm too sentimental.
But it was my first time being like this with someone. "
"Or maybe… sister's hinting at something deeper.
That when I'm with others, I have to be strong. Strict. Professional."
"Does that mean I shouldn't laugh?"
"No… she told me to laugh whenever I want to laugh.."
"maybe it just means I need to carry my joy gently. Not loudly… not carelessly."
"I guess… she meant to say that I have to be serious when it comes to the work I love."
The door opened,.. Anaya back out from her thoughts.
and a woman stepped inside dressed neatly in a dark blazer, her hair pulled back in a smooth ponytail. She wore a polite smile, but her eyes had the sharpness of someone used to precision and responsibility.
"Good morning, ma'am," the woman greeted.
"Good morning," Jiya replied, her expression now calm and composed again. "This is Annie, our new singer."
Anaya blinked. Annie…? She realized Jiya was introducing her with the name they had agreed upon for professional use.
Jiya continued, her tone cool, "I asked you to make space in the training room. Is it ready?"
The woman gave a quick nod. "Yes, ma'am. Everything is arranged."
"Good," Jiya said, her words crisp. "Then take her. Let the coach begin her training."
There was no warmth in her tone now. Only the poised authority of a leader at work.
Jiya didn't say anything more, but her eyes met Anaya's with a soft flicker of reassurance. A silent message passed through that gaze:
"Go. It's time."
Anaya gave a slight nod, understanding. Her heart beat fast, but her footsteps were steady as she followed the woman out of the room.
As they walked down the quiet hallway, Anaya glanced at the endless glass walls, the posters of albums and stars, the echoes of footsteps against polished floors. The woman beside her walked briskly, saying nothing.
The sound of their footsteps echoed as they walked down the hallway, and Anaya felt a growing mix of excitement and nervousness. The woman leading her, who had been silent until now, finally stopped at a door, its smooth surface gleaming under the lights.
"Ms. Annie, please wait here. The guide will be with you shortly," the woman instructed.
Anaya nodded and stepped inside the training room.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, she was met with an expansive, quiet space. The room had high ceilings, with soundproofing panels lining the walls in deep blue and black. The lighting was soft, designed to make the space feel comfortable rather than intimidating.
At the far end of the room, there was a stage area, a spotlight hanging above it, ready for a performance. Along the walls were shelves, stacked with various instruments like guitars, keyboards, a few violins, and even a couple of drums, each one carefully placed like tools of the trade.
The floor was a smooth wooden surface, and there was a grand piano sitting near the middle, waiting to accompany someone's voice. On one side of the room was a wall covered in mirrors, allowing anyone inside to see their movements, their posture. Several chairs were scattered about, and Anaya chose one near the piano, looking around in awe.
She sat down and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. The room was nothing like she'd ever seen before, a mix of comfort and professionalism that made her feel both out of place and right where she needed to be.
As that, Anaya playing the piano with a gentle notes.
(Piano music sound...."
It wasn't long before the door opened again. A woman stepped inside.
She is a beautiful woman with long, dark hair, her posture elegant and poised. Her eyes were bright, her expression calm yet welcoming. She wore a simple black dress, a gold pendant hanging from her neck, and exuded an air of quiet confidence.
"Hello," the woman said, her voice smooth like velvet. "I'm Emily, your guide and vocal coach."
Anaya stood up quickly, a bit flustered. "Hello, I'm Annie. It's nice to meet you."
Emily smiled, her eyes scanning Anaya with a kind, knowing gaze. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Annie. Seems like you know piano, the notes was cool and gentle."
Anaya said, " maybe a little bit."
Emily said, " oh.. that's good. Then, let's get started, shall we?"
Anaya nodded, her heart thudding in her chest as Emily gestured for her to take a seat again. The coach moved to a small console and pressed a button, bringing up soft background music. She then turned to Anaya, her eyes sharp and focused.
"Before we begin, I'd like to understand your voice, Annie," Emily explained. "I'm going to ask you to sing something. It doesn't matter what, just something that shows your natural voice. A poem, a song, or just a few lines you love."
Anaya felt a bit taken aback, but she wasn't going to back down now. She stood up, cleared her throat, and decided to recite a short poem she'd once written as a child. It was something simple, but meaningful, a reflection of how she'd always felt when the world was too loud. She closed her eyes, letting the rhythm of the words guide her.
"In the silence of the night,
When the stars fade from sight,
I search for the sound,
Of peace all around."
When she finished, she opened her eyes and saw Emily nodding thoughtfully, her gaze warm but calculating.
"That was lovely, Annie. You have a soft and soothing tone, but your breath control could use a little work. There's power in your voice, but it needs to be focused, not scattered," Emily said kindly, yet her words were precise. "Let's start by working on that."
Anaya sat back down, her hands nervously clasping each other in her lap. She had never had any formal vocal training, but she was willing to learn.
Emily began to guide her through a series of warm-ups. "Take a deep breath in, and then sing a simple scale on the word 'ah.' Keep your tone steady and controlled."
Anaya followed her instructions, breathing deeply and slowly exhaling while she hummed the note. Her voice cracked a little at first, but Emily didn't seem concerned.
"Good," Emily said. "Don't be afraid of the cracks. Let them happen. Just focus on your breath and your core. It's not about hitting the perfect note right away. it's about knowing your body, and your voice."
They continued with the exercises, Emily explaining each step with clarity and patience. Anaya followed along, focusing entirely on her breath, on the way her body felt as she made sound. It was hard work, but somehow, it felt like she was unlocking something inside herself.
After about an hour, Emily paused and looked at Anaya. "You're doing well, Annie. Your range is impressive for someone who's just starting out."
Anaya smiled shyly, her cheeks pink from the exertion. "Thank you."
Emily nodded, her expression softening. "Don't be afraid of what you're capable of. Music is a journey, not a destination."
Anaya sat there for a moment, taking it all in. It was a lot to process, but she felt a fire inside her, a flicker of something she hadn't known was there. A dream that seemed so distant was now right in front of her.
"Now," Emily continued, "we'll start on a piece that will test your control and range. I'll teach you the basics of a song, and I want you to feel the emotion in it. Not just sing it, but feel it."
Anaya nodded eagerly, ready to dive deeper into this new world of music that had been waiting for her all along.
Anaya continued with her training..