UNDER THE SPOTLIGHTS
The first notes echoed through the entire hall. Ryder, Daniella, and Andréa stepped onto the stage amidst the applause of the fans. Bright lights, a thin mist, electric energy: everything was ready for a memorable evening.
They sang their first song with passion. The audience was happy, clapping, shouting their names... but the atmosphere still felt a bit lukewarm.
— "Thank you, Kinshasa! We're so happy to be here with you tonight!" Daniella shouted into the microphone, breathless but smiling.
A few enthusiastic screams rose up, but the excitement seemed moderate.
**
Backstage, Dylan calmly observed everything, ready for his turn. Beside him, Diego was adjusting the final details.
— "Remember, Dylan. When you step on that stage, it's your world. Let them fall in love with you," Diego whispered.
Dylan silently nodded.
**
On stage, after three songs, Ryder, Daniella, and Andréa finished their set with one last smile. They bowed and received some applause... but it wasn't the explosion of energy they had hoped for.
Then, the lights went out.
A heavy silence settled over the room.
The deep voice of the announcer echoed:
— "Ladies and gentlemen… Get ready… Here is the one you've all been waiting for… DYLAN LENOIR!"
Instantly, a thunder of screams tore through the air. Fans jumped to their feet, waving glowing signs with his name on them. Some were already crying before even seeing him.
Backstage, Ryder, Daniella, and Andréa exchanged surprised looks.
— "Wow… They're completely crazy about him," Andréa whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
— "It's like we're invisible next to him," Ryder added, his smile faltering.
Daniella said nothing, but her heart tightened a little.
**
On stage, Dylan appeared.
Dressed in a sharp black suit, simple yet elegant, he walked forward confidently. He grabbed the microphone firmly.
— "Good evening, Kinshasa," he said simply.
The crowd roared.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then launched into the first song, an emotional ballad that struck the audience right in the heart. Camera flashes flickered everywhere. The fans sang along with him, word for word.
It was magical.
**
Throughout his set, Dylan performed song after song flawlessly. His voice was powerful, full of emotion. Each note seemed to vibrate deep in the souls of those listening.
After a particularly poignant song, the audience broke into tears and hysterical screams.
— "Dylan! Dylan! Dylan!" the entire hall chanted.
**
Backstage, Ryder clenched his fists.
— "Why is he so successful?" he muttered.
— "He's just amazing, that's all," Daniella answered softly, fighting off a slight jealousy she didn't dare admit.
Andréa, more realistic, added:
— "We just have to work harder. It's not a competition."
But deep down, they all felt a growing distance between themselves and Dylan.
**
After his show, Dylan returned backstage, sweating but beaming.
Diego congratulated him:
— "You set the place on fire. It was perfect!"
Daniella, Ryder, and Andréa approached timidly.
— "It was really beautiful," Daniella said with a small smile.
— "Thanks," Dylan replied without much emotion, as if his mind was already elsewhere.
An awkward silence floated between them.
**
Then Diego clapped his hands:
— "Come on, the press conference is waiting!"
They all headed together to the press room, but even there, 90% of the journalists' attention was focused on Dylan.
— "Dylan, how do you feel after such a triumph?"
— "Dylan, what are your upcoming tour dates?"
— "Dylan, who would you like to collaborate with?"
No one asked a single question to Ryder, Daniella, or Andréa.
Their faces gradually darkened.
**
In the car ride back to the hotel, silence reigned.
Daniella looked at Dylan, who was staring out the window, impassive.
"He's become someone else..." she thought sadly.
**
That night, each of them fell asleep with a heavy heart.
They all knew that something had changed between them... but no one dared to admit it yet.
And the truth about Dylan remained, for now, buried in the shadows.