Facade Read Online Free Page B

who I am.”
    Finally, they practiced.
    For the next several hours they played their music, went over how they moved, inflections in the singing and how they harmonized. Something about Carly’s performance always felt like glorified cardboard to her, as if the woman were simply going through the motions, but Carly had a background in the music industry and Ramon continued to say she was critical to their success.
    “I think I need to rest my voice, and I think Christine should work on sounding a little more like me.” Carly swiped her hair away from her face.
    Christine forced herself to show no reaction.
    “Anyway, I have an event to get to. I’ll be available in two days.” Carly exited the loft in the same whirlwind with which she entered.
    “How about I give you a ride home?” Like anytime Carly left, Ramon returned right to her.
    “I think I’ll just take a walk, thanks.” One to always make sure she didn’t take anything for free, at the moment it seemed much easier to leave on her own. Plus, she didn’t need Ramon following her to her home.
    Her home.
    Suddenly, her heart raced. Not only did she want to go home, she had a home to get to. “I have to go. Next practice in two days?” She gathered her things.
    Ramon gave her a thumbs-up. “I’ll get you at the coffee shop.”
    With a nod, she left. The walk was a little more than she was used to, but she enjoyed the fact she had a real destination. Just before she turned down the block of the theatre, she stopped, grabbed some fruit at a street vendor and smiled at a little rosebush growing between two buildings.
    It wasn’t much, and she wasn’t even sure if it was appropriate, but she picked one of the red roses for her benefactor. A little extra thanks for everything. She picked off the thorns and with it and the fruit in hand, made her way to the back door.
    As usual, the door was unlocked, and she went inside, through the back and over to her place on the stage.
    Today she received her gift a little early in the form of a large envelope on her bed with her name neatly written across it. She prayed to god if it was a bill inside, the payment would be one red rose.
    She didn’t even realize her hand was trembling until she tore the envelope open and pulled out two pieces of paper.
    The first a piece of music.
    “What?” She sat down at the edge of the bed and studied the document. This wasn’t the normal run-of-the-mill music printed or photocopied. This was handwritten the old fashioned way with real paper and ink. She ran her fingers over the notes and the words before looking at the next paper.
    This one was a note with the handwriting matching that on the envelope and the music.
    Christine,
    I have now heard you sing for well over a week. You have talent, but as with all talent it needs to be nurtured. I am offering you the chance to train with a true professional, namely myself. I am quite confident that we can get you ready to audition for the Stage of Stars as long as you go in solo without any other encumbrances. Should you choose to accept, I would like you to start with this piece of music and we will go forward from there.
    You deserve the spotlight. Never forget that.
    Your humble protector.
-  E
    Someone thought she deserved the spotlight. She put the documents aside and rose in hand, went to the front of the stage. “If I accept, do I get to actually see you in person?”
    Nothing but silence answered her.
    “You know, if nothing else, it would be nice to hear your voice.” She put her hands on her hips. “How do I even know you know what you’re doing?”
    “I wrote the music, little Cricket.” A deep, smooth voice rang around her, but she couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.
    “Cricket?” She bit her lip and looked around for someone else. Her heart pounded, a voice was better than nothing.
    “You came chirping around in my theatre. I find the name appropriate.” He let out a low chuckle.
    “So I ask again, if I