Chapter 1561


    "Have you heard of Summer? She''s an international superstar, a singer whose face is never in the


    spotlight. We were hoping to have her close the show with David - a duet that seemed like a win-win.


    We thought, with David''s influence, she''d jump at the chance, or at least consider it. But her agent shot


    us down without a second thought."


    "Just now?" Arabe asked, her voice steady.


    "No, a few days ago. We expected the rejection, so we started looking for someone with a simr


    fanbase to David''s, around the same age. That''s when we thought of Merry from the pop scene."


    Merry and David were about the same age, both adored by fans, each with their own hit songs and a


    strong following.


    "Our Twitter teased a couple of days ago that the headliner would be a queen of the industry, and many


    fans guessed it would be her. But then, just now, Merry''s agent called to say that some paparazzo dug


    up dirt on her. They''re saying she''s been a homewrecker, the mistress of some rich guy, and that she


    secretly had his babyst month. That''s going to blow up tonight. Merry''s a wreck, not in any shape to


    perform a duet. She''s holed up at home, scared to step outside. Her agent called to cancel tonight''s


    performance, and now we''re scrambling to find someone to fill in."


    Jossie''s worry was evident; after all, Merry''s voicebined with David''s was sure to be an auditory


    delight, not something easily replicated with just any artist.


    "There are some big namesing to watch David''s concert, but we''ve advertised someone of his


    generation, a true diva, and that''s tough to find."


    In the pop world, there were only a couple of young divas, and they''d have to be in Summerfield and


    avable to make it work.


    "What does the agent suggest we do now?" Arabe inquired.


    "The agent wants me to talk to David, see if he wants to call up some veterans for an impromptu save,


    or if he''ll go solo," Jossie said, sighing. "If Merry can''t make it, David could just be honest with his fans.


    It''s just. David really wanted to do this duet with Merry, because of you."


    "Me?" Arabe was puzzled.


    "Yeah, the closing song was written by David for his sister, you. He wanted Merry''s unique voice paired


    with his to give you a surprise."


    That song had been meant for a duet.


    Arabe hadn''t expected such a surprise from David. After a second''s silence, she said, "Let''s go find


    David first."


    "Okay." Jossie led the way. "We''re nearly there, just up ahead."


    As they walked, Arabe sent a quick text.


    On stage.


    David finished his final dance move and spotting Jossie approaching with his sister, waved to his crew


    to take five.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Be!" He rushed over, ruffling her hair with a grin. "You made it!"


    "David," Arabe called out.


    "Hey, cutie. Have you eaten? I ordered your favorite takeout, it''s backstage. Let''s go have a bite,"


    David said, slinging an arm around his sister''s shoulder and fist-bumping Romeo.


    "I''m not hungry."


    Before Arabe could say more, Jossie cut in, "David, there''s something you need to know."


    "It can wait."


    "The headliner can''t make it," Jossie said bluntly. "Paparazzi are about to drop a bombshell on her.


    She''s a mess,pletely tied up, and won''t be able toe."