The session went really well and after more recordings, it was decided to keep the version with Cyrielle’s rap. The two teams said their goodbyes and separated, the staff from Angel-Minet exiting the studio to walk back to their van. A few minutes ter, only Manon Sarmer and her manager were left in the room, the singer rubbing her forehead with a hint of fatigue.

  “It was really good, I’m excited to see the final result. But I guess I’m not that young anymore, it was tiring.”

  The manager smiled.

  “You may not feel like it, but you are in your sixties now, it’s time to slow down. Mademoiselle Cyrielle told you she was free for a few days, you could have cut the session in small parts.”

  Manon waved her hand to chase away his words.

  “No, it’s better to do it in one sitting when the inspiration is here. Speaking of Mademoiselle Cyrielle…”

  She turned to the manager and squinted her eyes.

  “I saw the CEO looking at you with murderous eyes. Did you shoot your shot ?”

  The man slightly blushed and ughed.

  “Not even close ! I just tried to compliment her a bit but she didn’t react. I don’t even think she understood what I was doing, she didn't seem interested.”

  Manon ughed too.

  “Well she isn’t the easy type, that’s for sure ! Do you want me to help ?”

  The manager shook his head.

  “She is just starting her career, maybe she isn’t in the right headspace to think about that.”

  The singer crossed her arms, thinking for a bit.

  “I don’t know. She doesn’t seem to be the type to worry that much about her career, she already has a lot of money and she isn’t chasing after fame. From my point of view, she just really likes art and her craft in general, but doesn’t care about the success. So the fact that she is just starting her career probably doesn’t affect her much…”

  She suddenly opened her eyes wide and spped the desk as if she had just figured out something.

  “The abuse !”

  The manager raised an eyebrow in confusion.

  “Are you talking about the rumors ? What does that…”

  He stopped, his eyes widening too.

  “Wait, do you think she doesn’t trust men because of what she has been through in her past ? And I’m from the industry too… Doesn’t she think I will use her for my benefit like the others have done before ? Is that why she isn’t responsive ?”

  Manon Sarmer proudly leaned against the backrest of her chair.

  “It seems obvious, right ? Me, the internationally accimed singer, had to prove that I was a good person before she even thought about singing in my album. So what about a potential romantic partner ? You will have to make even more efforts to be acknowledged, Frédéric.”

  The manager didn’t even stop to think, he immediately nodded.

  “Okay, I’ll try. She is too perfect for me to give up so easily.”

  “What do you like about her, by the way ?”

  “Everything. Without talking of her beauty, her talent, her aura, her voice… She has a strong personality but is also vulnerable, very nice to her people but also can stand her ground when people are bad to her. The incident with the runway proves it, or that time an audience member insulted her on TV. She has probably been hurt so much in the past that she had no choice but to learn how to protect herself, but it makes her who she is. She is just a beautiful person, inside and out.”

  Manon Sarmer smiled, looking at the man who was rambling nonstop, a hit of red dying his cheeks. If he was a bad man, she wouldn’t have chosen him as her manager in the first pce. She knew how sweet and sincere Frédéric was, and it was the first time she was seeing him lovestruck, it was a new feeling.

  “Well, do whatever you want. Just be sure to not compromise the album’s release. If you want to date her, make sure to be respectful about it. No ugly fights, and no messy breakup. You are both adults with a brain and a good education, no need to create unnecessary drama.”

  The manager nodded.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t want to compromise the project of my favorite artist and the woman I like, that would be bad on my part.”

  “Perfect.”

  With that settled, they listened to the recording a few times. It wasn’t fully mastered yet, a bit of editing needed to be done, but it was already legendary.

  ***

  The media was turned upside down with the news that was picked up that day. Manon Sarmer was not only seen in her private recording studio, but she was also with Mademoiselle Cyrielle ! This was information that was sure to shake the entire country. And without any surprise, it was reyed on every TV channel and social media. Even the group ‘Angel’s Horseboys’ was abuzz, with new posts appearing every second.

  -Is it true ? We are not being pyed ?

  ?There are pictures, it must be true !

  ??with reporters you never know

  -Maybe they were just hanging out together, it might not be a featuring

  ?True, Manon Sarmer usually takes a yearlong break after an album, it’s unprecedented for her to go back to creating music right away

  ??Yeah, I think they are just spending time together. Which is a good thing ! After Coline Fntier, now our angel has a new friend and it’s the legendary Manon Sarmer !

  ???She is having a good life, I love it !

  -No but imagine, just imagine, if there is a song O.O

  ?would die fr mdr

  They had to wait two days ter, when the public was still buzzing with the news and waiting for any announcement, to have the answer. With the anticipation and their names being repeated over and over again, Cyrielle’s album and the one Manon had just finished her tour for both exploded in popurity and saw a spike in their listening numbers on streaming ptforms. That’s when they decided to act. It first started with Angel’s Horseboys, where a message from Julie popped up.

  {Hello my dear horseboys, it’s Julie from Angel-Minet !

  You probably saw the pictures circuting online and were surprised. We were too ! We didn’t expect to be photographed on that day.

  Yes, it’s true that Mademoiselle Cyrielle and Manon Sarmer were spending time together in her private recording studio, and as a few of you had guessed, it was indeed for a feature in a new album !

  We are really proud of Mademoiselle Cyrielle to have taken that opportunity, and the song is amazing ! I hope you will be able to listen to it soon and continue to support our angel.

  With love, Julie Minet.}

  This was enough to ignite the fire, the message being screenshotted and shared everywhere on the internet and in real life with the family and friends of the fans. Before Angel-Minet had the time to post their official announcement, the news had spread everywhere. But when the notice popped up on their websites, it was immediately reyed by the reporters and another wave of excitement came over France.

  {[Scoop]Manon Sarmer is already working on her new album}

  {An Impressive line up, Mademoiselle Cyrielle to appear on Manon Sarmer’s new album}

  {Netizens are already predicting Manon Sarmer and Mademoiselle Cyrielle’s song}

  {Mademoiselle Cyrielle’s album reaches n°1 on the european charts ! When is the tour ?}

  {After her incredible moves on horseback, Mademoiselle Cyrielle surprises us again by being n°1 in Europe !}

  All of Europe was talking about her, and the news was slowly reyed across the world thanks to Manon Sarmer’s popurity. Cyrielle’s MyTube channel was growing at a rapid pace and more fan groups in other nguages were created. The need for a tour was clearly visible, however Cyrielle didn’t care about that at the moment.

  “Yes, I’m okay. It’s just an important day for me so I would like to stay at home. No, I told you, it’s nothing bad ! Yes, I promise. I’ll call you before going to sleep, alright ? Okay, good night Julie.”

  She finally hung up the phone and id on the couch, sighing while looking at the big golden clock of her living room.

  ‘It’s already the 8th of November… A whole year has passed. It doesn’t feel real. So much has changed even though it feels like only a minute.’

  [Are you happy now ?]

  ‘I think so, yeah. I wasn’t sure before, but now I think I am. In fact, I can’t even imagine being happier than this. I don’t want anything to change.’

  She was alone with the system tonight, so she could finally stop to think about things. It had been hectic and scary, but overall this year was very good. She was rich, famous, loved, and she was able to do everything she wanted without any obstacle. Of course, her paternal family was still a problem, but it didn’t feel as terrible as before.

  ‘Path ?’

  [Yes ?]

  ‘If you disappear one day, will I lose my gifts ?’

  [It has no reason to happen, but if it does you will retain your gifts since they were ingrained within you.]

  ‘That’s good. I was scared about what would happen if I lose ‘nerves of steel’. I will probably crumble and have panic attacks again, right ?’

  [No need to ponder, it won’t happen.]

  ‘Right.’

  Cyrielle stayed silent for a moment then continued.

  ‘But I will lose my abilities, right ?’

  [Yes, since the system is storing them for you. As long as you don’t master the capacity on your own, the ability will disappear.]

  ‘I will only keep the capacity I mastered ? Then, since I use ‘singing’ so much to the point that I know how to use my voice on my own, that means that I will still be able to sing even without you, right ?’

  [Yes. It will be of lesser quality, but still within the realm of a genius singer.]

  ‘I see.’

  After spending some more time in silence, suddenly a familiar message appeared.

  [Congratutions ! It’s been exactly a year since you started your journey with Path of Destiny. You have achieved tremendous results ! You are the first to advance so far in a year !]

  And then the window started to glitch.

  [Path of Destiny rewards you by offering a gift. a gift. a gifftkheittttttttttt]