Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

"Wh– what do you think about my–" she couldn’t finish the question and hoped he understood what she meant.

"Your vocal needs training. You ruined it when you picked up songs that weren’t meant for your voice." He answered honestly.

Jeslyn’s heart dived headfirst into her stomach. She felt her world crushing underneath her feet. Sadness consumed her as her mind flashed to the criticisms she got when she was still singing.

A lot of fans and haters had talked down on her singing and called her untalented so many times but because of the review she got from the world’s most strict and impartial judge, Mr. Ryan Shen, Jeslyn didn’t take the haters’ words to heart.

During her days in high school, she participated in a singing contest organized by some unknown bodies. The judges were impressed by Jeslyn’s singing.

While other judges gave Jeslyn 9 – 10 out of 10, Mr. Ryan Shen, the only judge in the world who thinks no voice is good enough to earn anyone 8 out of 10, gave Jeslyn 4.5 out of 10.

The 65 years old man had never given anyone over 4 marks in ten years, which was why Jeslyn’s rating took the entertainment industry by storm.

Mr. Ryan Shen was a music legend. He retired in his thirties and decided to become a teacher and reviewer. He had tutored three super successful artists whom Celestine Xuan was a part of. Breaking his record was every musician’s goal. His music stood at the pinnacle of the music world for decades without any music being able to pull it off the chart. The old man’s music, until tomorrow, would still be the world’s best.

Thanks to that rating, Jeslyn became a sought-after newbie by different agencies, including those from Country M and Country Y, a Country of music. However, no matter how many invitations she received, Alice refused and wouldn’t let her take the offer.

It was only after her mother died that she finally chose Delly entertainment while using the opportunity to attend college, and also creating a strong bond with her grandfather who wouldn’t allow her to leave the country.

Jeslyn’s debut song shot her to fame. She got a handful of critics and all of them complained about the song she was made to sing. Nobody talked badly about her voice. A few months later, her manager was changed to Ms. Miles and the first thing she did was change her music.

Ms. Miles made her start to imitate the top singer in the company. She was the highest-paid manager with tons of successful artists. Her artists were the best in Delly entertainment which was why Jeslyn didn’t suspect her of foul play when she started to make her sing music that didn’t agree with her voice.

The top singer, Mabel’s style, and Jeslyn’s weren’t compatible. Jeslyn was a quiet singer adept in low belt and whistling, while the other singer was great at singing really loudly, coupled with incredibly high notes.

When Jeslyn was having trouble with her voice, Ms. Miles told her to shout instead, giving her a huge challenge. She didn’t want to accept it then but Christine and Maya, plus other top artists Ms. Miles was managing convinced her.

Only her grandfather kicked against it. Sometimes, he playfully mocked her or told her, "your old voice sounds sweeter. It gives me an angelic feel and makes you sound and look Innocent. You know I’m old now, hearing you shouting and shrieking all in the name of singing gives me migraines. Just use that melodic voice when you sing for me, dear."

However, the ’melodic voice’ went out the window and no matter what she did and how she tried to sing, she went the screeching way. Until her grandfather stopped listening to her music.

The internet also started cussing her, saying she was only a pretty face with no talent. Mabel’s fans became Jelsyn’s number one anti-fans, claiming she wanted to kick their goddess out of the company because she was a rich brat.

Her reputation went from good to bad and after she started dating Ray, it went from bad to worse. Every day, there was a person spewing mean things about her on the internet. Ask about the most hated upcoming celebrity, it was Jeslyn.

About her voice and singing, she complained to her manager and she assured her that those people spewing hate were her competitors.

Jeslyn had grown used to her voice and singing, thinking it was better than her original but now...

She suddenly lost her zeal and turned around to check on what she was cooking. Maverick wrapped his hands around her waist and made her rest her back on his chest.

"Are you giving up?" He asked. He didn’t sound friendly or overly serious. Just enough to get Jeslyn’s attention.

"I don’t know. I’ll think of something." She replied while stirring the rice on the fire with a wooden spoon.

"Hmm," he replied before kissing her on the neck and walking away.

After he left, Jeslyn was left in deep thought. She could change her voice but it would be difficult and she would also need the help of a good voice specialist or a music teacher. However, she doesn’t know anyone. Her voice trainer way back in high school and the university died a few years ago, so she was a little lost on what to do.

The thought of using Maverick sprung up again but she shook it off. She would be using him for her bigger revenge, so she didn’t want to disturb him with her minor issues.

...

At lunchtime, food was served but at the dining table, Jeslyn said nothing to no one. The two and a half men noticed but nobody said anything to her either.

However, from time to time, Valen glanced at her, hoping she would look at him for once but she didn’t. The boy’s mood also dropped, making two depressed people on the table.

This atmosphere didn’t sit well with Rex. He clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention before he beamed and continued eating.