Rise To Stardom - Chapter 141

Chapter 141: Bamboozled
Music that could touch the soul.

Nothing else could characterize the original wedding song from Kyle.

Amy whom had been recording from the moment the song started, casually posted it onto the fan group, instantly getting the entire group lively again.

And yet, as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb, she purposely chose to not explain a thing but instead, watched as the chaos in the fan group unfolded, another proud gloat on her features.

That said, a lot of couples in the reception hall, couldn’t help but feel fulfilled after the song had ended while the singles amongst them became wishful, hoping to also find their special someone in due time.

Now that the bridal waltz had rounded up and guests were now allowed to take the dance floor, most hoped that Kyle would at least sing the song once more so they could also dance to it with their respective partners.

However, the proceedings had to go on, and on it did.

The sun was setting and evening was slowly approaching.

Dessert, which was also the wedding cake, was currently being served.

Kyle on the other hand though, had casually strolled outside of the hall in need of fresh air.

Sure he could’ve used the opportunity to check his system notifications but honestly, he refrained from doing that at the moment as he simply took in the serenity of the cool breeze, lush lawn and tranquil lake.

“That was a beautiful song man.” Joe whom had excused himself from the hall for the exact same reason as Kyle, said to the young man as he stood on his right.

“Yeah. You seriously need to tell me how you do it. I always struggle to even write a single verse in a month…” Steven added, his tone impressed as he stood on Kyle’s left while handing over the extra glass of wine in his hands to him.

Receiving the glass of wine, chuckling a bit at their words, the trio, simply stared at the orange horizon that casted a similarly soft glow over everything else in comfortable silence.

A few seconds later though, Steven broke the silence with a curious question;

“Say Kyle… Why exactly aren’t you interested in a romantic relationship?”

“Yeah. Been meaning to ask that too for some time now…” Joe casually added, glancing over to the young man.

“It’s not just because of Hollywood and the issues that comes with dating as a celebrity, is it?” Ryan, who had also excused himself from the hall a few minutes earlier, casually stated as he walked over, standing on Joe’s right.

Currently, the young man wasn’t wearing his suit jacket, leaving him with just his black shirt, white suit pants and a loosened tie.

“Don’t worry. I can afford to spare some time with you guys. Katie’s getting ready to toss her bridal bouquet.” Ryan assured all three with a light smile, after which he then arched an eyebrow in Kyle’s direction.

Briefly glancing over to all three from his periphery, realizing that they were quite curious about his decision to stay single, Kyle sighed softly, after which he then spoke;

“It’s really just a personal preference but, for me, love isn’t just an emotion.”

“Love is a promise…” Kyle continued.

“It’s loyalty. It’s responsibility. It’s a sacrifice…”

“And most of all, it’s a lifelong duty of care.” he concluded with a light smile and a warm, empathic gaze while staring at the orange horizon reflecting on the lake.

Glancing over to his buddies who now had noticeable glints of realization in their eyes, Kyle soon spoke again.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for all that, really…”

“And yes, I’m afraid but… I think that’s perfectly fine too. I am human, after all…”

“That’s why I know, I’ll work it out in due time, but, for now, I think I’ll focus, solely on my career. And well, if love comes along the way, then, so be it.” he concluded with a subtle nod and a gaze of acceptance in his eyes.

Staring at him as they always did whenever he occasionally said things like this, all three, soon spoke in unison;

“Spoken like a true sage…”

“Oh shut up.” Kyle quipped back at all three, resulting in a hearty laughter being shared between them.

“Well. I completely understand where you’re coming from.” Ryan was the first to speak after their laughter had subsided with a genuine gaze of understanding.

Obviously, considering he was now wedded and had been in a beautiful relationship with Katie since their tweens, he perfectly understood Kyle’s view on the matter.

Steven and Joe on the other hand, simply shrugged.

Both, couldn’t exactly relate to Kyle and Ryan but at least, they understood where both were coming from.

And so, they stayed in comfortable silence once more… only to have their ambience interrupted by the bridesmaids and other single ladies who were giggling in excitement as they flocked outside.

In addition to the excited ladies, were the guests who trooped out of the hall in curiosity of whom would catch the bouquet.

“Well, this’ll be interesting.” Steven whom had already turned around alongside Kyle, Joe and Ryan, took a sip of his wine, hints of amusement in their gazes.

Watching as Katie, stood at the top of the reception hall’s slightly elevated staircase with her back turned, all four, watched as the lady, tossed the bridal bouquet into the air.

Swooshing downwards after staying suspended in the air for a fraction of a second, all the ladies, positioned themselves to catch the bouquet.

Yet, as if completely disregarding their individual plans to get the bouquet, a slightly strong gust of the cold evening air, blew past, altering the trajectory of the bouquet.

Casually watching as the bouquet landed in her hands, especially because she had only come to spectate, Tiana confusedly blinked her eyes a few times before she then widened them in shock!

Yet, for Kyle, Jasmine, Lily and Christina, their gazes, were that of pure, unadulterated delight!

Kyle, not even a second wasted, glanced over to his agent with playfully flexed eyebrows, his sapphire irises, laser-focused on the man as he mouthed the words;

‘Wedding bells!’

Oliver, in response to this, couldn’t help but mirthfully laugh, causing Tiana to turn around to face him, her expression now slowly devolving from a mix of befuddled confusion to delighted warmth.

At the exact same time, just before the day ended, the MC, informed everyone the there was only one more event on the agenda before the farewells.

The final dance with the newlyweds!

Quickly, everyone who interested, grabbed a partner and made their way back into the reception hall.

Ryan in fact, and understandably so, had been the first to make his way back to his wife, effortlessly sweeping her off her feet as she let out an excited squeal!

As for Kyle, just as he shook his head in amusement as everyone else including Steven and Joe, casually made their way back into the hall, he too, did the same… only to slow down his steps to a halt due to a strange phenomenon in his field of view.

| Passive skill, [Bleeding Effect] has fully analyzed, The Curator! |

| Error! |

| Hybrid physiology cannot be applied to host! |

| Searching for alternatives… |

| High-grade active skill, [Detoxification] has been awarded! |

| [Detoxification] has substituted for dual livers! |

| High-grade passive skill, [Peak Human Conditioning] has been awarded! |

| [Peak Human Conditioning] has substituted for Metamorphosis! |

| You have performed another original song and impressed everyone! |

| Huge bonus will be applied! |

| You have obtained a huge amount of exp. points! |

| 5000 exp. points have been awarded! |

| Total exp. points available (25,300) |

| [Resonance] has increased from Grade B to Grade A! |

| Singing has advanced from level 12 to level 13! |

| Composing has advanced from level 12 to level 13! |

| Advancement in singing and composing will become harder from here on out! |

| Keep singing and composing to improve your skills! |

‘What the?!!’ Kyle inwardly exclaimed, shocked by the rapid barrage of notifications from his system as he struggled to maintain a casual, warm expression on the outside.

Coupled with that, it was also the first time in a very long time that he was bombarded with so much notifications in one fells swoop.

But more than that, what had Kyle genuinely bamboozled, was the two new skills he had suddenly acquired.

Sure he knew he must’ve had to retain something from The 10th Curator but, honestly, Kyle never really knew what he would retain since most of what made The Curator a such an interesting character, was his actual persona and not his hybrid physiology.

Simply put, The Curator didn’t really have any major skill set per say, save for his hybrid physiology and gadgets.

As a result, Kyle hadn’t even expected anything major from [Bleeding Effect] this time…

Yet…

‘It found a workaround instead…’ Kyle inwardly commented, bewildered but not realizing that a certain someone, was already making her way up to him as others walked past.

Trying to wrap his head around just how busted his system and [Bleeding Effect] as a skill was, Kyle’s eyes, soon lingered on the glass cup, half full of wine in his hands.

Honestly, the young man had never planned to drink it since he was a bit wary that it contained a bit of alcohol.

Rather, he had only received it from Steven out of consideration for his gesture but still had the intent of returning it back onto one of the tables later.

However, as of the moment, just as a way to test the effects of one of the new skills, Kyle, still wary and reluctant, pursed his lips for a few moments before he then took a few gulps.

___________________________

[Detoxification]

Slight intoxicating substance has been spotted in host’s system!

Detoxify?

___________________________

Mentally accepting to have the slight bit of alcohol removed from the wine he consumed, Kyle felt a slight change in the taste of the wine as another panel popped up almost instantaneously.

___________________________

[Detoxification]

Detoxification successful!

___________________________

Gazing at the panel, still finding the entire scenario equal parts shocked yet amazed, Kyle soon felt as someone dragged him by the hand, the emptied wine cup still placed on his lips.

<Don’t miss the final dance!> Christina signed with one hand as she pulled him along, a genuine beam on her face!

He was her partnered up groomsman after all so he pretty much owed the lady one dance at least.

Finally realizing that he had been standing alone in the lawn though, probably because everyone else thought he was finishing up his wine as they walked past him previously, Kyle soon shook off his perplexity and instead, focused on the moment with a light smile.

His skills could wait…

But the limited time for the final dance before the wedding’s farewell, wouldn’t.