Until I found you

Taking a deep breath, Prince stepped onto the stage as his name was called. The judges' chairs remained turned away, waiting in anticipation. He took his position, the dim lighting casting a soft glow around him.

As the first chords of the acoustic guitar melody filled the air, a quiet hush fell over the audience. The warm, mellow tones set the stage for something intimate—something personal. And then, with a voice as gentle as a whisper carried by the wind, Prince began to sing.

"Kitty, wrap me up in all your..."

"I want you in my arms."

"Oh, let me hold you."

Anos and Dexter, both seasoned composers and vocal coaches, immediately recognized something special. Their ears perked up, their brows raised.

"Wait a second..." Dexter muttered under his breath.

Anos, already suspecting it, glanced toward his co-judge.

"This is an original."

But it wasn't just any original. The very first name uttered in the song—Kitty—was enough to make Dexter smirk as he leaned toward her.

"Hey," he teased, nudging her playfully. "Looks like the dreamboat wrote you a song."

Kitty, caught off guard, let out a light chuckle. A smile lingered on her lips, but there was something else in her eyes—curiosity, warmth… maybe even something deeper.

"I'll never let you go again like I did..."

"Oh, I used to say..."

The pre-chorus wove a vivid narrative—regret, longing, and the bittersweet feeling of rediscovering love. The depth of emotion in his voice was undeniable.

Then, in a move that stunned the audience, Anos—known for his strict standards—was the first to turn his chair. Gasps rippled through the hall.

Prince blinked in surprise but didn't falter. He kept singing, his emotions pouring into every note.

The chorus swelled, carrying a nostalgic, almost vintage feel, reminiscent of a timeless '50s love ballad.

"I would never fall in love again until I found her."

"I said, I would never fall unless it's you I fall into."

"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her..."

"I found you."

At that moment, Kitty reached for her button, spinning her chair around. But unlike Anos, her reaction was deeply personal.

Her expression softened, her eyes glassy as the song stirred something deep within her. Memories surfaced—past loves, what-ifs, and the bittersweet ache of realizing how things could have been different.

In the audience, couples clutched each other's hands, some whispering words of love, others lost in their own reflections. Prince's song had become more than just a performance—it was a shared experience.

And then, he moved into the second verse, fully immersed in the moment.

"Kitty, pulled me in, I asked to..."

"Love her, once again."

"You fell, I caught you."

"I'll never let you go again like I did..."

"Oh, I used to say..."

Dexter, tapping his fingers against his armrest, finally caved. "Alright, kid. You got me." He pressed his button, his chair spinning around to face the stage.

Now, all three judges had turned.

The song surged into its final chorus, the melody soaring, brimming with emotion.

"I would never fall in love again until I found her."

"I said, I would never fall unless it's you I fall into."

"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her..."

"I found you."

Kitty's eyes glistened slightly, but a soft, almost bittersweet smile graced her lips. As she listened, she couldn't help but wonder—what if her past love had lasted? What if they had found their way back to each other?

But before she could dwell on it, the song ended with a final flourish.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—the entire crowd erupted into a deafening roar of applause, whistles, and cheers.

Prince, breathless but grinning, blew a few strands of hair away from his face—only adding to the effortlessly charming aura that surrounded him.

Dexter was the first to speak, shaking his head in admiration.

"That was absolutely phenomenal. Your voice? Smooth as silk. The songwriting? Outstanding. And the way you delivered it—like it was ripped straight from your soul? Incredible."

He leaned forward, gesturing toward Prince with an approving smirk.

"You, my friend, have already left a mark on this competition. Even if, by some crazy chance, you don't make it to the end, I guarantee there won't be a single record label out there that wouldn't want to snatch you up after this."

Anos, leaned forward, clasping his hands together. His gaze was sharp yet appreciative.

"Prince, I turned first because I recognized something special—not just in your voice, but in your artistry. You're not just a singer. You're a storyteller. That song had weight. Emotion. I felt every word."

Then, after a thoughtful pause, he asked, "I presume this is something you've been working on for a long time?"

Prince, keeping a straight face, nodded. "Yes. About a year and a half," he said smoothly, though in truth, the song had already been written by a composer in his past life.

A ripple of disbelief spread through the audience. Some gasped, while others murmured in awe.

Anos, however, only seemed more impressed. "That's amazing. Fantastic, even. A performance like that is rare—one that lingers in people's hearts. Well done."

Prince bowed his head slightly, offering a sincere, "Thank you, sir!"

Then, all eyes fell on Kitty, who had yet to say a word. She exhaled, as if still processing what she had just heard.

"You know," she finally said, voice softer than usual, "it's been a while since a song made me feel something like that. I was there, lost in it. It wasn't just a performance—it was a moment. And moments like that?" She gave him a pointed look. "They're what make artists unforgettable."

The audience erupted again, and Prince couldn't help but chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

"But…" she added playfully, tilting her head, "I gotta ask—why was my name the first one in the song?"

Prince blinked in confusion before realizing what she meant. His face heated slightly, and the audience laughed at his reaction.

Not missing a beat, Kitty smirked and leaned closer to the mic. "You wouldn't happen to be serenading me, would you?" she teased with a wink.

The crowd lost it.

Prince, caught completely off guard, simply ran a hand through his hair and chuckled, shaking his head.

"You'll just have to keep wondering," he replied smoothly, causing another round of cheers and laughter.

Kitty feigned a dramatic sigh. "Ah, such a mystery. I love a good puzzle," she purred, making Dexter and Anos roll their eyes in amusement.

Kitty leaned back in her chair, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Now the real question is... who are you picking as your coach?"

The room buzzed with excitement as all three judges waited for his answer.