That’s a new one. He leaned forward. Look, I’ll be honest with you. When Zach called, I assumed he was overselling.
Famous people exaggerate. Artists exaggerate. Everyone exaggerates, but Zach doesn’t. He’s physically incapable of saying something he doesn’t mean.
No’s heart was pounding. So, you want to hear me sing? I want to hear you perform.
Darius stood and gestured toward the recording booth. Nothing formal. No pressure. Just sing something.
Anything. Let me hear what made Zach Brown use the word transcendent. No’s legs felt like jelly as she walked toward the booth.
This was it. This was her chance. Don’t screw this up. Don’t screw this up.
Don’t. She stepped into the booth. The headphones went over her ears. The microphone loomed in front of her face.
And suddenly, everything went quiet. Darius’s voice came through the headphones, warm and encouraging. Whenever you’re ready, take your time.
Novi closed her eyes. She thought about her mother, about sitting beside her bed in that tiny apartment, singing her to sleep while cancer slowly stole her away.
She thought about Zach, about the balcony and the moonlight, the way his face had softened when he finally let himself rest.
She thought about all the years she’d dreamed of this moment and all the reasons she’d been told it would never come.
And then she opened her mouth and she sang. The song started soft, barely more than a whisper.
But it built like a wave gathering strength before it crashes on the shore. I’ve been waiting for so long for someone to see me.
Standing in the shadows, hoping to be free. Her voice rose, filling the studio with sound that seemed to come from somewhere beyond her body, rich and warm and aching with emotion.
>> Found my strength in the dark. And let >> the notes poured out of her like water from a broken dam.
>> Years of pain and hope and longing translated into pure, devastating sound. When the last note faded, Novi opened her eyes.
Darius was standing at the glass, completely still. His expression was something between awe and disbelief.
For a long, terrible moment, he said nothing. Then he spoke into the microphone. Where the hell have you been hiding?
Y’all, did you hear how Darius reacted? This man is one of the biggest producers in Chicago, and he’s looking at Novi like she just fell from heaven.
If you think Novi’s life is about to change forever, type go ANF Shine Novi in the comments, and hit that like button because we’re just getting started.
2 hours later, Novi walked out of Monarch Records with a contract in her purse and a development deal that made her head spin.
This is This is really happening, she said for the fifth time. Darius laughed, walking beside her toward the elevator.
It’s really happening. 3 months of vocal coaching, professional training, then we start recording your debut EP.
He shook his head. I still can’t believe you’ve never had formal training. Your voice is transcendent.
Novi offered with a small smile. Zach’s word, not mine. But yeah, something like that.
They stepped into the elevator. Darius pressed the button for the lobby, then turned to her.
Can I be honest with you, Novi? Please. I didn’t believe Zach when he called.
I thought he was doing a favor for a friend or trying to help out a charity case.
Darius’s warm eyes met hers. But you’re not a charity case. You’re the real thing.
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