Chapter 20 - What Are You Doing Here?

The excitement in the room was palpable as the small stage, adorned with three sofas in a row and another set apart, filled with anticipation. Four individuals took their seats, two women and two men, each with an air of prominence about them. The separate sofa was occupied by Oscar, the host of the reality show "Passionate Beats," a charismatic man in his mid-40s with striking blonde hair.

As the director counted down, "3, 2, 1," the show sprang to life, the energy in the room spiking. Oscar, with his natural ease and confidence, began the introduction.

"Welcome to the new season of Passionate Beats! I'm sure you're as excited as we are. The previous seasons have set a high bar, but this time, we're taking it even higher," he announced, his voice carrying the thrill of the show's return.

He turned to the first judge, a woman of Asian-Korean descent, her black hair and stunning features commanding attention. "I'm sure you already know her. She's Heejin, a renowned star from Korea, an actress and singer with a massive fan following," Oscar introduced her with a flourish.

Heejin, acknowledging the introduction, faced the camera with a warm, engaging smile. "Thank you, Oscar. I'm thrilled to be here. After seeing the profiles of our contestants, I must say, I'm genuinely impressed and quite surprised by the talent we have this season," she expressed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Oscar nodded in agreement, "We'll delve into those profiles shortly, but let's first introduce our second judge."

Sofia, the second judge, with her radiant blonde hair and a youthful appearance in her early 40s, exuded an air of experienced confidence. 

Oscar introduced her with evident respect. "Sofia… many of you will remember her from the previous season. With her extensive skills and sterling reputation in the music industry, she's sure to provide invaluable assessments for our participants."

Sofia greeted the audience with a wave and an enthusiastic smile. "Hi! Oh my, I can't wait to see the couples that will emerge from this show. Following their journey, watching them find partners with complementary talents—it's always incredibly exciting."

Her excitement was infectious, and the others in the room responded with applause, sharing in her anticipation.

"Sure, Sofia and I'm just as eager to hear your thoughts on our participants," Oscar replied, turning towards the next judge.

"Next, we have David. He's a renowned music producer with extensive experience in the industry. Come on, David!"

David said with a calm, assured demeanor. "Hello, everyone. This is the moment I've been waiting for. I'm very curious about the participants in this event and the unique talents they will bring."

Oscar, taking back control of the conversation, turned towards Heejin. "Okay, let's start with something that really caught the judges' attention. Heejin, who interests you?"

Heejin, her attention turning to her tablet, browsed through the participant profiles. After a moment, she looked up, a hint of intrigue in her eyes. "Oh, what about Talon?"

As the screen lit up with a video of Talon, the room quieted down, all eyes focused on the display. He was sitting casually with a guitar, his fingers effortlessly strumming the strings as he sang with a raw, captivating voice. The scene then transitioned to a wedding party, where his performance added a special touch to the celebration, followed by a clip of him singing in a bar, his voice resonating with emotion and depth.

Oscar couldn't help but clap. "Doesn't he have natural talent?" he remarked, clearly impressed.

Heejin responded with enthusiasm, her eyes reflecting her genuine admiration. "The quality of the recording may not be the best, but Talon's talent shines through. He's really gifted, a natural at combining guitar playing with great vocal quality. I'm eager to see how he'll find his partner in this show."

The other judges and commentators took turns sharing their thoughts about Talon. Each one echoed Heejin's sentiments, praising his natural flair and expressing curiosity about how he would fare in the competition.

Oscar turned the discussion in a new direction. "What about you, David?"

"Oh yes, what about the girl, Claire?" David said.

The screen shifted to a video of Claire, a young woman in her early 20s with sunny blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. Dressed in bright, trendy outfits, she sang energetically in a recording room, her voice vibrant and full of life. The next clip showed her dancing with fluid, graceful movements.

The room erupted into applause as the video concluded. "She really is no less talented," Oscar commented, his tone filled with respect. "Her voice is beautiful, and she can also dance. It's amazing."

David nodded in agreement. "Yeah, her talent is beyond doubt. She brings a lot of energy and versatility to the table."

Heejin chimed in, "As someone from the music industry where singing and dancing skills are crucial, I believe Claire is a very rare talent. She has the complete package."

The attention then shifted to Sofia. "What about you, Sofia? Who caught your eye?"

Sofia considered for a moment before responding, "What about Derek?"

A video of Derek, a man in his mid-20s with an athletic build, stylish short black hair, and confident eyes, appeared on the screen. Dressed in trendy fashion, Derek was shown performing with a band, his voice strong and compelling.

"Derek is a former band member," Oscar noted, "and I'm sure he has extraordinary talent."

Sofia agreed, "Yes, his skill in singing is exceptional. He seems to have a strong stage presence and a deep understanding of music."

The other judges and commentators each took their turn to give their comments. The consensus was clear: Derek was a strong contender, bringing not just his vocal prowess but also his experience as a band performer to the show.

As the session progressed, each participant was discussed, and their talents and potential were analyzed. Talon, Claire, Derek, and the others, each brought their unique skills to the competition, making this season of 'Passionate Beats' one filled with promise and excitement.

***

Talon's eyes were fixed on the woman among the crew members, a faint flicker of recognition lighting up his face. She was the one who used to listen to him play guitar on the streets, a frequent passerby who always left a few coins in appreciation. He was certain it was her.

As if sensing his gaze, the woman turned towards Talon. She tilted her head, recognition dawning on her features, and then her face broke into a broad smile. She waved enthusiastically, confirming Talon's hunch.

"Oh, she recognizes me too?" Talon muttered to himself, a mix of surprise and delight in his voice. It was indeed the same person he remembered.

Just then, he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

The familiar voice that followed made him turn around in surprise.

Talon's eyes widened as he came face to face with Maya. "Maya? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I should be the one asking, what are you doing here, Talon?" Maya responded with a playful smirk.

"For the show?" Talon offered.

Maya's expression turned from playful to incredulous. "No way," she said, her disbelief evident.