The Lucifer's Muse

Sky Building, 3rd Floor, Room 5

The ticking clock was the only sound filling the tiny room.

6:00 AM.

"I overslept again..." Ixora mumbled groggily, rolling out of bed and heading straight for the bathroom. A splash of cold water jolted her awake. Minutes later, she was dressed in a simple sport attire, switching on the TV to her usual morning workout channel.

Today's the selection, she reminded herself, her heart sinking a little. Three years at Star Academy and not once had she been chosen for the national stage. Not even as the Black Swan. Yet, she kept hoping.

Lost in thought, she stumbled over her gym mat.

"Ahhh!" she winced, covering her mouth quickly. Her neighbor hated noise - and in this cheap apartment she hadn't paid rent for this year, she could hardly afford complaints.

Her phone rang.

It was Rita.

"Happy birthday, Ixora!" Rita's voice practically burst through the speaker. Ixora had to pull the phone from her ear.

"Oh baby, you must be exercising. Listen - tonight we're celebrating at Midsummer Club! It's the start of your youth!"

Ixora smiled faintly. "Yeah, thanks. I almost forgot it's my birthday."

"Don't tell me you're in a bad mood again. Once I'm off shift, we're running the town of silicone tonight, baby!"

"With that sad salary of yours?" Ixora teased.

"Anything for you. Hey - has Jayden called you? He's probably planning something special. You two have been together since we left school."

"He's been on a trip for a month now. No calls, no messages. Nothing." Her voice cracked.

"Maybe he's busy preparing the best birthday gift ever."

Before Ixora could reply, something outside caught her eye. From her small balcony, she spotted a familiar black car pull up. Jayden's car.

"Wait - that's his car." She blinked.

"Okay, my boss is here, gotta run! Love you!" Rita hung up.

Ixora leaned over the rail, watching as Jayden stepped out... and opened the passenger door for a girl. The girl pecked his lips, and he kissed her forehead tenderly.

Her heart cracked.

It's not me...

Fingers trembling, she dialed his number.

Downstairs, Jayden's phone lit up. He glanced at the caller ID, sighed, and switched it off.

He's ignoring me.

A memory from a year ago stabbed at her - the night she gave him everything on her birthday. His promises of forever. His gentle care. And then four months ago, the excuses began. Work, meetings, trips. She swallowed a sob.

Unable to stop herself, she called Diana - her former roommate, who worked at the same office as Jayden.

"Happy birthday, girl! I sent you a red envelope! Midsummer tonight, right?"

"Thanks. Hey... can you send me Jayden's new number? I lost mine." Ixora forced her voice to stay light.

A pause.

"I thought you guys broke up two months ago?"

"What?"

"Didn't you hear? Jayden announced his new girlfriend three weeks back. Hera. The intern. They've been everywhere together."

The room spun.

"Ixora... are you okay?" Diana asked, her voice filled with guilt.

"It's... the breeze," she whispered, but tears poured freely.

"I swear, I didn't know you weren't aware. I kept meaning to tell you but things got so hectic. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. Thanks for being honest."

"Come tonight, okay? Don't be alone."

Ixora hung up. She cried until there were no tears left. She trusted him. Body. Soul. Everything. What a fool.

A message lit up her phone.

'Hey babe, sorry - crazy day at work. Missed your call.'

She stared at it for a moment... then blocked the number.

Not even rage. Just emptiness.

Then, a call from Director Wendy.

"Ixora, about the lead role - I know you were selected, but one of our top sponsors wants Tasha to play it. Actually... you won't be appearing on stage at all."

"What?"

"Don't worry, you'll get 5000 bucks. It'll keep you afloat for the year. Maybe next time." The line went dead.

She wasn't asked. She was ordered. Last year it was her accent. The year before, inexperience. Now, money.

The bathroom mirror reflected a girl she no longer recognized.

Empty.

She sat for what felt like hours before forcing herself to dress. Loose blue jeans, an oversized white T-shirt, white canvas sneakers. She tied her dark blue hair up, leaving soft bangs in front.

On the second-floor stairs, she heard it - Jayden's voice.

"See you later, baby."

Another kiss on the forehead.

Her heart stopped.

Her phone rang.

"I'm on my way," she said to Elisha.

She didn't look back. No hesitation. Head held high, she walked steadily past Jayden's car towards the alley, not sparing him a glance.

Downstairs, Jayden glanced at his phone, frowning. No reply.

"Something wrong?" Hera asked.

"Nothing." He pocketed his phone and smiled.

Star Academy

The moment Ixora stepped into the academy, she felt it.

Every gaze landed on her like invisible needles.

What now? she wondered. She hadn't said a word about the lead role. Not yet.

"Ixora!"

Amelia waved her over, her ever-gossipy grin in place.

"Hey Amelia. Did something happen?" she asked cautiously.

Amelia leaned in. "I heard from Tasha you're giving up the lead role for her."

Ixora's brows knitted together. "I never-"

"She even said you took money for it. Seriously, did you run out of cash? Why give up such an opportunity? Do you realize how many endorsements and overseas study offers come with being the Swan Princess?" Amelia rattled on, eyes wide.

"I didn't agree to anything." Ixora cut her off coldly.

Amelia blinked, then grinned. "I knew it. Only a fool would give that up. It's been three years - finally, you're first place."

Before Ixora could answer, a voice dripped with fake sweetness behind them.

"Teacher Elisha is waiting for you in the director's office." Tasha called.

Amelia shot her a glare. "Spreading rumors now, huh?"

Tasha's expression darkened, but she turned on her heel and walked away, faster.

Amelia leaned in. "Don't agree. Word is the sponsor's from the Colton family. But don't give in. Not this time."

Ixora gave a small nod and walked towards the office.

Director Wendy's Office

"Oh, you're here." Director Wendy adjusted her glasses without looking up. Tasha and Elisha stood nearby. Elisha's face looked conflicted, while Tasha's lips curled into a smug smile.

"There's the contract. You can sign it." Wendy pointed at the papers.

Before entering, Ixora had discreetly hit record on her phone, tucking it into her pocket with the camera peeking out.

"I didn't agree to sign anything," she said evenly. "This morning you didn't even let me speak. So when exactly did I agree?"

"Auntie..." Tasha whined in a childlike tone.

Wendy glared at Ixora. "You have no choice. Didn't I tell you? Next year."

"Next year?" Ixora's voice broke, anger and despair swirling in her chest. "Everyone here knows the rules - ballerinas debut between 18 and 21. After that, what kind of Swan Princess could I be? I've worked myself to the bone for three years. Every time, you came up with pathetic excuses. And now, you're not even pretending anymore. You're forcing me out."

Wendy's expression hardened. "I pitied you and the orphanage director. That's why I let you study here, among people you don't belong with. Now you want to turn this on me? If you aren't good enough, accept it. Stop blaming others."

"Director, she-" Elisha tried, but Wendy cut her off.

"Enough! I told you not to let her enter the competition. Either she signs, or she leaves. No in-between."

Elisha looked helplessly at Ixora. "Follow your heart. Do what won't shame you years from now," she whispered.

Wendy smirked. "And remember - if you leave, no other academy will dare accept you. No one crosses Star Academy without paying for it. Think wisely. It's just a year. And you're being paid generously for it."

"Senior Ixora," Tasha chimed in, voice syrupy. "Please? Just give me this one chance, okay?"

Ixora's tears slid down her cheeks.

"If you're so rich, why not just go abroad now? Why steal someone else's chance?"

Tasha scoffed. "Me asking you elevates your status already. Aunt, it seems-"

"No need," Ixora cut in, standing tall. "I won't sign. I'll leave. It's obvious I don't belong here." She bowed to Elisha. "Thank you for everything, Teacher."

Without another word, she turned and walked out.

"Stubborn little thing." Wendy slammed the contract on the table. "What's the big deal? I was even thinking of making her a teacher next year."

Elisha clenched her jaw.

"Director, she's-"

"Say one more word, Elisha, and you can leave with her."

Elisha fell silent.