Unmuted

The red "Recording" light glowed like a warning. Leona stood behind the tinted glass, heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't supposed to be here. Not behind the mic. Not using the voice she had promised never to let the world hear again. But Ava's voice was gone. And Bryan had begged her "Just this once. For the company. For us." Her fingers wrapped around the headset. The instrumental flowed in... and then she sang. Soft at first. Then strong. Painful. Beautiful. Real. In the control room, Bryan leaned forward, stunned. Even Ava, silent in the corner, watched wide-eyed.

Jason Carter, an unexpected guest on the other side of the glass, tilted his head slightly. He didn't know her name yet. But he knew power when he heard it. And this woman? She had just cracked something open. **** Leona opened her eyes to the sharp glare of sunlight streaming through her window. It usually felt warm and comforting, promising the start of a good day. But not today. Today, it was hot and hostile, as if the big LA sun was punishing her for something. Even the usual hum of the city outside felt ominous. She shook off the feeling and slid out of her king-sized bed. She refused to let negativity take hold not today, not when Bryan was picking her up. Today was supposed to be a big day for them. The cool water from her morning shower offered some relief. Still, an unshakable chill lingered in her spine. "Uhn," she muttered under her breath. "I'm overthinking." She dressed in a chestnut blazer with wide-leg pants and paired it with sleek black heels. A touch of blush, nude lipstick, gold jewelry, and a slick bun pulled her curls tightly in place. Everything had to be perfect. Leona checked her bag arranged the night before and peeked out the window. Bryan's car was parked right down the street, just like he promised. With one last glance in the mirror, she dashed downstairs. "You're looking stunning, Leona!" Bryan whistled as she stepped into the car. She chuckled. "Thanks, baby." Leona Blake. 5'7". Black American with a buttery brown glow. She carried her height with elegance and her curves with grace. Her commanding dark brown eyes told stories complicated, layered stories. At 26, she had an aura that could silence a room, but at her core, she was simply an optimist from Atlanta. The only child of two music-loving parents, her early life had been a song of laughter and warmth. Until the fire. "Leona?!" Bryan's voice pulled her back. She flinched. "Oh, just making a mental note of things," she replied quickly. Bryan chuckled. "That's my girl. But take it easy, okay? We don't want the best producer at KaneWave burning out." "You know today's a big day. I'd rather make physical notes, but I need to think through everything." He nodded. "Fair. Just don't forget to breathe." **** KaneWave Studios loomed in front of them, glass and steel, modern and proud. Inside, tension hung like a second ceiling. It always had, but it grew heavier each day. She felt it in the stares, heard it in the mutters. "Slut." "She only got here because Bryan's sweet on her." "So what if she's good? She doesn't have to act like she owns the place." Leona swallowed hard as she walked toward the escalator. She ignored the greetings, the smirks, the judgment. "Something wrong, mi amor?" Bryan's voice was low beside her. She glanced at him. Was he judging her too? "No... just nervous," she lied. "Nervous? You've been doing this for years. No need to fret." She forced a nod. ***** In the conference room, two suited men and KaneWave's rising star, Ava Monroe, were already seated. "Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen," Leona began. "You know women, it takes time to look that good," Bryan joked. The older man in the black suit chuckled. "We understand." "Let's get straight to business," Leona said, taking her seat. "TechGroove has been our sponsor for years. We'd love your support for Ava's upcoming project," she continued. The younger man raised an eyebrow. "We noticed something odd in the proposal." "What is it?" Leona asked. "You didn't specify the duration of the client's contract, which you usually do. It feels... suspicious." She turned to Bryan. He looked restless, avoiding her eyes. "It seemed like your five-year investment was trying to dodge scrutiny." Leona's voice was icy. "That's just an omission. Nothing more. Ava has potential, and KaneWave plans to work with her long-term. We've had a solid partnership with TechGroove for years, surely that counts for something." The older man leaned back. "The meeting was to clarify just that. You don't typically make silly mistakes." Bryan jumped in. "We're sorry. It was a one-time oversight. Please, overlook it." Both men stood. "We will, this once. The CEO expects a revised proposal by week's end. Let's hope... for your sake... he approves it." Leona stood, face unreadable. She extended a handshake. "We hope so too." Bryan sprinted after her. "Leona! Leona!" She didn't slow down, making her way to her office with razor focus. Bryan offered awkward smiles to the passersby who raised their brows at the scene. He slid in before she shut the door. "Leona," he panted. "I'm sorry." Her eyes didn't leave her tablet. "That could've cost us the deal." "But it didn't. I handled it." She looked up. "Handled it? The CEO isn't stupid. Of course, he noticed. My reputation handled it." "Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He raised his hands in surrender. "It's fine. But I'm writing the revised proposal. Alone." He nodded. "You're not mad anymore, right?" A smile broke through her frustration. "I can't stay mad at that face." He grinned. "I'm a specimen, aren't I?" She rolled her eyes as he kissed her forehead. "Let me make it up to you. Dinner? 7 p.m.?" Her eyes sparkled. "I'd like that." "Then it's a date. Byeee!" She waved as he left. Outside, the smile dropped from Bryan's face. He gripped the door frame, jaw clenched, veins rising in his forearms. "Are you good, Bryan?" a soft voice asked. He turned quickly, masking his anger with a smile. "Yeah, Lily. You want to see Leona?" She nodded, brow raised. "Yeah... she free?" "She is." He stepped aside. Lily walked in and closed the door behind her. "What was that about?" she asked as she sat across from Leona. "Nothing you need to worry about." "Bryan. You guys argue?" "It's all settled." "Doesn't look like it," Lily muttered. Leona looked up, eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Lily?" "Relax, tigress. Just need to borrow a flash drive." Leona reached into her organizer without breaking eye contact and tossed an old flash drive onto the desk. Lily groaned. "This thing is ancient." Leona smirked. "Do you want it or not?" Lily sighed. "Half bread is better than none. Thanks." **** When Lily left, Leona immediately picked up her phone. "Call Sasha Duvall." Two rings. Then that calm, confident voice. "Queen of Last-Minute Crisis Mode. What's up?" Leona exhaled. "I need your eyes on something." "Shoot it over." "I'm sending the revised TechGroove proposal." Her fingers flew across the screen. "And Sasha... Bryan forgot the contract duration clause." Silence. "You're kidding." "I wish I was." "Let me guess. You smoothed it over while he blinked like an unpaid intern." Leona chuckled. "Pretty much." **** On the other end, Sasha Duvall leaned over her dual monitors in her downtown LA loft. 5'11", statuesque and sharp-edged. Haitian-French. Dressed in sleek black with silver headphones resting on her cropped hair. Her polished mahogany skin caught the sunlight. Her chrome nails clicked rapidly against the keyboard. "You're clean," she muttered. "Needs polish." "You okay?" she added. "I'm fine." "Liar." Leona stared at her screen. "People keep saying I only got here because of Bryan." "Stop it. You carried this label. Your voice could raise the dead. Don't let their noise in." "You always know what to