Once Ariana regained her balance, she got out of Mitchelâs embrace.
She cleared her throat, striving to mask her shame, and inquired, âWhat were you thinking just now? Something weighing on your mind?â
âItâs nothing,â Mitchel replied before continuing, âI wished to inquire if youâd do me the kindness of accompanying me this forthcoming weekend.
My granddadâs marking another year on this Earth, and thereâs to be a party.
Iâve yet to secure a companion, so Iâd be honored if youâd accept my invitation.
â
âOf course, no trouble at all,â Ariana readily assented.
Mitchel had rendered her invaluable help, saving her and Melon during those trying times.
Serving as a companion for such a straightforward affair was a small favor.
She would willingly wear many hats for his sake, even that of a caretaker.
After their repast, Mitchel dropped Ariana and Melon off at her house and left.
Shortly after Ariana got home, she received the new schedule and song options from the show organizers.
This time, those at the top of the pecking order were given the privilege of selecting their songs first.
Alas, Arianaâs squad found themselves at the bottom of the list, leaving them with the doughtiest one to tackle.
Ariana informed her team members about the song choice in the group chat, and before long, a chorus of lamentations echoed through the virtual space.
Ariana made an effort to console them, remarking, âFear not.
We can enlist guest vocalists for our next performance, and I shall endeavor to procure a splendid guy for you.
â
Having experienced Ariana inviting Julio, the six rookies were now intensely intrigued by her proposition, all eagerly awaiting the revelation of their mystery guest.
Shrouding herself in an air of intrigue, Ariana declined to disclose any further details.
She merely replied, âYou shall have your answers during tomorrowâs rehearsal.
â
The next day, Ariana got to the training room, only to find the Chamberlain brothers and another member of their team standing outside, looking puzzled and refusing to go in.
Approaching them with a perplexed look, Ariana inquired, âWhatâs happening? Why are you standing outside?â
Woodrow met her gaze and explained, âSomeone took control of the practice room, and they wonât allow us entry.
â
Ariana frowned as she heard this.
The practice rooms were assigned by the production team, and there shouldnât be a situation where someone was denied entry.
It was clear that this was a conscious act against them.
Ariana didnât hesitate as she entered the room.
What had initially been designed for ten people now had only three people practicing vigorously to blaring music.
She immediately recognized these dancers as contestants signed by Rollingrock Media.
She walked over and turned off the music.
As the music stopped, all eyes in the room turned in her direction.
Among them, a young man with fiery red hair and wearing a sleeveless T-shirt walked towards her.
He exuded an air of arrogance.
Ariana vaguely recalled his name from the program list.
It appeared to be Carl Manny.
âDo you want something? If not, kindly refrain from disrupting our rehearsal,â he mocked.