A Songbird’s Struggle

Aria Eversong was experiencing a myriad of emotions as she sat in the conference room with the man she called Father. He had raised her since she was young yet he constantly berated and screamed at her for looking just like her mother who had left long ago. 

In order to avoid his wrath, she had started to dress and act like a boy to appease him. Surprisingly it worked. He became invested in her and when he heard her sing for the first time, he quit his job and focused solely on her, pushing her towards stardom. 

She loved to sing more than anything so it was only natural that her devotion and natural talent made her a rising star in the entertainment industry. Yet things couldn't stay bright forever. Her father prevented her from performing at any concerts or making any 'live' content. 

He didn't even let her attend college. If it was because she was a celebrity that would be one thing but no, He just didn't want her 'defect' to be exposed to the public. 

'Is being a woman really that bad? Will I ever be free under Father's shadow?'

Aria was not popular, she had nobody besides her father, it was Ari who was the one loved by all. The meeting with the Samael Corporation was something she hadn't expected but left her horrified when Father spoke of 'fixing' her defect.

'When will it be enough? How much do I have to be mutilated to satisfy him? Why can't father just love me…for me.'

Yet there was no way she would ever be able to say that to him

She could feel her heart in her throat when the two men showed up to the meeting, one she recognized as someone who had been meeting with her Father quite regularly, while the other was someone she did not know. 

She gripped her knees tightly as her father's voice boomed beside her.

"Mr. Samael, I hope you are not wasting my precious time. You approached us for help in regards to your PR nightmare yet you still have the gall to make us wait?!"

He was just throwing his weight around, he lived for the feel of standing above others.

"M-Mr. Eversong. I am truly sorry. Adam, get in here and greet our guest!"

'So his name is Adam? Someone as attractive as him is going to mutilate me? What is he going to do to me?'

Adam was undeniably handsome, his black hair and amber eyes alongside his smooth skin and confident demeanor gave him a striking appearance that made eyes naturally focus on him. 

Aria was in awe as he didn't show any subservience to her Father unlike the other man, in fact he looked increasingly annoyed with each passing second. She even thought she had witnessed a spark of rage in his eyes for a moment. 

"Hmmm. You're right. His face is passable. I could see some ladies that would find him appealing. What do you say kid. After this, how about you quit and come work for me. I think I can market you somewhere."

'Father… Do you want to ruin yet another man's life? Every man you have taken as a client suffers under your hands'

Even though the two middle aged men had mocked his appearance, her father had expressed interest in making Adam a part of his clientele, but thankfully he was rejected with a professional response. 

"I am sorry Sir but I have no interest in the entertainment industry. If I may be so bold, could we please shift the focus to the main topic of this meeting?"

'Thank god…Wait, why am I feeling relief for this man?!'

When her father began to explain what her defect was in a vague manner., Aria was mortified, the two men had confused expressions but after a few moments, she could see what she could only describe as pity in the eyes of Adam. 

Her heart went cold as she saw Adam's gaze shift back to her father as his lips twisted upwards into a polite smile holding out his hand. 

"Mr. Eversong…I believe I can help but it will require that I take custody of the young Eversong for the next month or so to monitor their progress"

'Is he pitying me because I am being a guinea pig for whatever twisted experiments he wants to perform on me.."

At first indignation soared in the depths of her heart but then she began to question herself. 

'Take custody of? As in I would be free from Father for a month?'

She was conflicted, the idea that she would be the target of an experiment became tempting when it came with the condition of being separated from the abusive man she called father. 

Gerard's gaze shifted to Aria as he glared at her intently for a brief moment as if to tell her Don't do or say anything unnecessary! Before turning back to Adam and shaking his hand. 

"You have a deal, Young man. Start immediately while I work out the details with Blair."

"Yes Sir. Come along Mr. Ari".

Aria rose from her seat and meekly followed behind Adam as they left the room. She could feel her heart hammering against her chest, afraid of what was to come. They walked in silence for a few minutes before arriving at a spacious lounge. 

"Hey Ari.."

"Y-Yes Sir?!"

Aria's body stood straight up at being called unexpectedly, sweat dripping down her back as the man turned to her. She felt her heart skip a beat as the calm and collected smile was replaced with a carefree smirk. 

'That expression suits him more…Wait No! Don't get distracted Aria!'

"I have a question to ask you before we begin…'

Adam walked to the corner of the room, scanning around, looking for something. 

"Y-Yes…?" 

'Is he going to ask for me to write my will? Or is he going to try and save a piece of me from the mutilation?'

He walked back over to her and held out a small metal helmet towards her: A VR console. 

"Have you ever played a video game before?"

"...."

'Haah?! What is he talking about?!