"You're with Zo... Loria today, right?" Wolf asked again."Well, of course. What's going on?" Jacob was confused."Where is she now? What happened during the shoot?" Wolf hissed, growing more aware that something was wrong."Huh? What do you mean?" Jacob was completely clueless."Wake up and tell me what happened during the shoot. Right now!" Wolf repeated it in a louder voice."Chill, bro!" Jacob was obviously surprised by the unexpected insistence."Tell me quickly!""Okay... okay." Half confused, Jacob finally started recounting what he remembered during the shoot."Loria came; we practiced, but because the song was a bit difficult, she couldn't reach the pitch. Then it ended, and we'll continue shooting tomorrow. Extra because Loria needs to master that pitch.""Is that all? Nothing else happened?" Too ordinary. Wolf was not satisfied."Well, it's a shoot... Oh, she asked for permission to use the studio after the shoot. She wanted to practice on her own, she said." Jacob added wh
"Zoe! Open the door!" Wolf knocked—banged on Zoe's apartment door, which had been tightly shut since earlier.It had been about five minutes since Wolf stood in front of that door, continuously knocking. Wolf had followed Zoe home from Jacob's studio, though not at the same time.Zoe immediately took a taxi upon leaving the studio, but Wolf managed to follow her back to her apartment. Unfortunately, Wolf lost, as Zoe entered first before he could intercept her."Zoe! I need an explanation! You can't do this to me! I don't understand what you mean!" shouted Wolf, his hand continuously knocking.Wolf was well aware that Zoe was angry, perhaps having misunderstood something. But he didn't understand what went wrong. Wolf believed that he had not made a mistake severe enough to justify treating him as if he had broken a promise. He hadn't broken any promises."Zoe! I need...""HEY! YOU!"Wolf turned around to see someone poking their head out of the neighboring apartment unit's door."Get
Wolf could be this daring because, of course, he had a hard time finding Zoe when she was at her apartment during normal hours—so that no one would call the police. When Wolf arrived there in the morning, Zoe had already left, and she wouldn't be back until very late.Not to mention their equally crazy schedules. Wolf had to finish his pending work, while Zoe had to practice more often for the next round to start. Especially considering the fact that Zoe blocked Wolf's number. He couldn't contact Zoe at all for the past few days.After trying several times to meet and failing, Wolf knew it was time for him to be a little daring, and this is the result. Visiting Zoe during the shooting of the last footage before going live tomorrow."Can I wait here? I don't want to wander around anymore."Wolf asked permission from the producer, pointing to the crew behind him. Wolf wanted to wait with the film crew until they finished shooting. That way, Zoe wouldn't be able to escape."Oh, sure. Ple
"Avoid how? You didn't even tell me what happened, Zoe!" Wolf shook his head. He would defend himself if he knew what the problem was, but now Wolf didn't even know what he should defend himself against."Do I need to tell you? You already know what happened! You were with that woman and...""Which woman? Who was I with?!" Wolf interrupted. He felt slightly victorious because he knew he hadn't been with any women since they were together."Don't play dumb! I know what you did yesterday when you didn't come home!"Wolf was confused. No one should know what he did."You can't know. How... But nothing happened! What are you talking about?" Wolf emphasized the fact that nothing had happened that night."You still won't admit it? How ridiculous. You were with another woman, weren't you? You were with her, and you KISSED her!" Of all the disturbing words in the message that was sent, perhaps 'kissed' angered Zoe the most.Women often spoke sweet words to Wolf, and Zoe was accustomed to hear
"No... don't do this again..."Clay immediately groaned with a long exhale as he saw Wolf approaching him. Almost the same as yesterday, disheveled with sunglasses. Worse yet because his bangs were probably a week overdue for a trim.Clay had to look around, hoping that his unkempt appearance wouldn't attract the attention of the people around him. They were currently in a public place, one of the studios owned by the production house collaborating with Clay's company. Clay was working, of course, and had to make time for Wolf, who requested—or rather forced—him to meet.Seeing the rough appearance, Clay knew something bad had happened—perhaps even worse. "Can't you wash up? I..."Wolf waved his hand in front of Clay's face, asking him to be silent. "I want to talk to you! Your friend is a jerk!" Wolf cursed loudly, undoubtedly drawing attention."Are you drunk?" Clay asked, "Are you drunk?" as Wolf stood there with an unsteady stance."Your friend...""Okay... okay..." Clay surrender
Zoe gazed at the tall building in front of her. It had a unique shape—not the usual box-like structure, but triangular. The Wolf building had all its sides covered in black glass with gray walls, and each side had a large letter W emblem attached.After only seeing it from afar, Zoe finally had the opportunity to visit it. Jacob scheduled the shoot today at his studio. Zoe couldn't refuse. Jacob had mentioned that the equipment in that building was more modern than in his own studio. Zoe accepted that explanation as normal because Jacob had to compose a song for her.Jacob prepared a new song for her to sing. Among the three mentors, only Jacob had the ability to create and produce songs. Both finalists would sing the song.Today was Zoe's turn to hear the new song and practice. The other contestant—Julio, a singer from Billy—had already practiced yesterday. They continued to practice separately, even though they both met Jacob.Zoe was startled as the front door of the building opene
"May I hug you? You deserve it," Jacob asked as the camera stopped recording. Zoe chuckled softly."Of course," she said."Congratulations! You finally made it to the final." Jacob gave a brief hug and a pat on the back, showing his true feelings off-camera. Such a hug could spark gossip if he's not careful. Zoe knew and appreciated Jacob's effort to protect her reputation.The hug only meant congratulations because Zoe had gone through two tough weeks and finally made it to the final. Another contestant performed even worse, saving Zoe from elimination—a stroke of luck.Two days ago, Zoe advanced through the semifinals with the last song arranged by Wolf. An easier song. Zoe managed to get through it smoothly, although Syanna said Zoe didn't perform a hundred percent. That achievement was almost unimaginable for Zoe because of her messy performance."Thank you once again for everything you've done," Zoe said. She was genuinely grateful to Jacob for being a patient mentor."I'm paid f
"Correct, it was Wolf who made it," Jacob easily guessed whose name crossed Zoe's mind."And I guess the song couldn't possibly be for Julio," Jacob smiled.The possibility of Wolf creating the song for Julio was as likely as snow falling in July in New York. Everyone in the building knew Wolf's nature and about his collection of women.Jacob rested his head on his hand. He was undoubtedly itching to ask what had happened to Zoe and Wolf, but he restrained himself. He didn't know Zoe as well as he knew Wolf. However, Jacob could still offer advice."I don't mean to meddle, but I can tell when a singer isn't singing with their whole heart. And that's what I've been seeing for the past two weeks."Zoe lowered her head upon hearing Jacob's words. She could already guess that Jacob must know something when he mentioned Wolf's name so easily earlier."Your performance yesterday was indeed better than it was two weeks ago, but it's still not satisfactory. Your emotion is strain, and your vi