The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1561

"Have you heard of Summer? She's an international superstar, a singer whose face is never in the spotlight. We were hoping to

have her close the show with David - a duet that seemed like a win-win. We thought, with David's influence, she'd jump at the

chance, or at least consider it. But her agent shot us down without a second thought."

"Just now?" Arabella asked, her voice steady.

"No, a few days ago. We expected the rejection, so we started looking for someone with a similar fanbase to David's, around the

sage. That's when we thought of Merry from the pop scene."

Merry and David were about the sage, both adored by fans, each with their own hit songs and a strong following.

"Our Twitter teased a couple of days ago that the headliner would be a queen of the industry, and many fans guessed it would be

her. But then, just now, Merry's agent called to say that spaparazzo dug up dirt on her. They're saying she's been a

homewrecker, the mistress of srich guy, and that she secretly had his baby last month. That's going to blow up tonight.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Merry's a wreck, not in any shape to perform a duet. She's holed up at home, scared to step outside. Her agent called to cancel

tonight's performance, and now we're scrambling to find someone to fill in."

Jossie's worry was evident; after all, Merry's voice combined with David's was sure to be an auditory delight, not something easily

replicated with just any artist.

"There are sbig names coming to watch David's concert, but we've advertised someone of his generation, a true diva, and

that's tough to find."

In the pop world, there were only a couple of young divas, and they'd have to be in Summerfield and available to make it work.

"What does the agent suggest we do now?" Arabella inquired.

"The agent wantsto talk to David, see if he wants to call up sveterans for an impromptu save, or if he'll go solo," Jossie

said, sighing. "If Merry can't make it, David could just be honest with his fans. It's just. David really wanted to do this duet with

Merry, because of you."

"Me?" Arabella was puzzled.

"Yeah, the closing song was written by David for his sister, you. He wanted Merry's unique voice paired with his to give you a

surprise."

That song had been meant for a duet.

Arabella hadn't expected such a surprise from David. After a second's silence, she said, "Let's go find David first."

"Okay." Jossie led the way. "We're nearly there, just up ahead."

As they walked, Arabella sent a quick text.

On stage.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

David finished his final dance move and spotting Jossie approaching with his sister, waved to his crew to take five.

"Bella!" He rushed over, ruffling her hair with a grin. "You made it!"

"David," Arabella called out.

"Hey, cutie. Have you eaten? | ordered your favorite takeout, it's backstage. Let's go have a bite," David said, slinging an arm

around his sister's shoulder and fist-bumping Romeo.

"I'm not hungry."

Before Arabella could say more, Jossie cut in, "David, there's something you need to know."

"It can wait."

"The headliner can't make it," Jossie said bluntly. "Paparazzi are about to drop a bombshell on her. She's a mess, completely tied

up, and won't be able to come."