NOVEL NEXT Chapter 782: The Morning After
Chapter 782: The Morning After
The soft light of the early morning sun filtered through the thick curtains of Theo's hotel room, casting a warm glow across the plush interior. The bed beneath him, with its layers of crisp white linens and pillows, seemed to cradle him in a cocoon of comfort. For a moment, Theo just lay there, savoring the softness of the mattress, the quiet hum of the city below, and the feeling of deep relaxation after the whirlwind that had been last night.
The concert-the culmination of months of preparation, rehearsals, and emotional investment—had been everything he had hoped for and more. But it had also left him physically and mentally drained in a way he hadn't fully realized until his head hit the pillow last night. Now, as he slowly woke up, the exhaustion still lingered in his bones, though it was tempered by a profound sense of satisfaction.
Theo opened his eyes to the luxurious surroundings of his five-star hotel room in Catadrid, letting his gaze drift over the elegant furnishings. The room was spacious and modern, with a sleek design that offered both comfort and style. To his left, the large floor-to-ceiling windows provided a breathtaking view of the city skyline, though the curtains remained mostly drawn, blocking out the harshness of the daylight and leaving the room bathed in a soft, golden hue.
He glanced at the clock on the nightstand 8:00 AM, Sunday, March 28. He had slept longer than he usually did, but considering the energy he had poured into last night's performance, it didn't surprise him. He stretched beneath the covers, his muscles aching slightly from the physical demands of the show. Every part of his body felt the effects of the night-the singing, the dancing, the sheer adrenaline that had pumped through him for over an hour.
After arriving at the hotel last night, he, Ayia, and Aurora had shared a quick dinner in the hotel's private dining area. It had been a relaxed, quiet affair-a stark contrast to the intensity of the concert. They had all been too tired to stay up long, and after a few lighthearted jokes and a recap of the night, they had all headed to their rooms for some much-needed rest.
He had agreed to meet Ayia and Aurora for breakfast at 9 AM, which meant he still had some time to enjoy the comfort of the bed before starting his day. Theo leaned back into the pillows, pulling the covers up around his chest as he reached for his phone on the nightstand. Despite the exhaustion, his curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to see how the world had reacted to the concert.
Unlocking his phone, Theo was immediately greeted by a flood of notifications. Social media mentions, fan messages, articles from music outlets-his online world was buzzing with activity. He opened Instapix first, scrolling through the endless stream of posts tagged with #MoonlightLive and #WakeUpConcert. Fans had uploaded photos and videos from every angle of the venue, capturing moments from the concert that even he hadn't fully absorbed in the heat of the performance.
One post in particular caught his eye-a stunning shot of the crowd during "Before You Go," when the audience had lit up the entire hall with their phone lanterns. The sea of lights, soft and glowing, looked like a constellation of stars spread across the audience. Theo smiled to himself, remembering the emotion that had swelled in his chest at that moment. It was one of those rare instances where the connection between the artist and the audience felt almost tangible.
Scrolling further, he saw clips from the "Believer" finale, where flames shot into the air as he played the electric guitar, and fans danced and jumped in time with the pulsing beat. The excitement in the posts was infectious, and even though Theo had experienced it firsthand, seeing it from the fans' perspective made him appreciate the night even more.
He switched over to Ruby, where the videos from the concert had already racked up millions of views. The duet with Tsukuyomi during "Save Your Tears" was one of the most-watched clips, with fans gushing in the comments about their stage chemistry and the emotional depth of the performance. Theo couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for Aurora, knowing how much the performance had meant to her as well.
One of the top comments under the video read:
"Moonlight and Tsukuyomi are an absolute dream team. That duet hit me right in the feels. Can we please get more of these two together??!"
Theo chuckled softly to himself. The fans always knew how to express exactly what they were feeling. He continued scrolling through the comments, taking in the love and support pouring in from every corner of the world. It was surreal to think about how far he had come since the release of his first album. The journey to this moment-standing on stage, performing for thousands of people-had been a whirlwind, but it was moments like these that made it all worth it.
He opened up a few of the articles that had been published overnight. Journalists from major music outlets had been in attendance, and their reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Even those who tried to maintain a degree of journalistic impartiality couldn't help but shower praise on his performance.
"Moonlight's first live concert was nothing short of a triumph," one article began. "From the intimate moments in ballads like 'Before You Go' to the explosive energy of 'Believer,' he proved that he's not just an artist on the rise-he's a star who has already arrived."
Theo felt a flush of warmth at the words, though he quickly moved on, trying not to dwell too long on the compliments. He didn't perform for praise; he performed because he loved it, and because he wanted to share the amazing songs from his past life with the people of Azure Star. Still, reading the positive reactions did make the exhaustion feel a little lighter.
As he continued scrolling, one headline jumped out at him:
"Could Moonlight Sweep the Sapphire Awards?"
Theo's eyebrows shot up slightly as he clicked on the article. The Sapphire Awards, one of the most prestigious music awards on Azure Star, were coming up later that very day. He had been nominated in several categories, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "Perfect." The article speculated about his chances, with many fans and critics alike confident that he was a strong contender for Best New Artist at the very least.
"Moonlight's debut album has been a chart-topping phenomenon, and after last night's performance, there's little doubt that he's solidified his place as one of the industry's most exciting new artists. While he faces stiff competition in categories like Song of the Year and Album of the Year, it's hard to imagine anyone else taking home the title of Best New Artist." the article concluded.
Theo set his phone down on his chest, letting the information sink in. The Sapphire Awards were a big deal, and while he didn't like to focus too much on winning or losing, he couldn't deny that it would be a huge honor to win. But even if he didn't, the fact that he was being recognized at all was more than enough for him.
He glanced at the clock again-8:45 AM. Time was slipping by faster than he realized, and he still needed to get ready for breakfast. He had told Ayia and Aurora they'd meet at 9 AM, and though he was tempted to stay in the comfort of the bed a little longer, he knew it was time to
get moving.
With a groan, Theo pushed back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the soft carpet beneath his feet. His muscles protested as he stood, but the stiffness was a small price to pay for the night he'd just experienced.
As he stretched and headed toward the bathroom to freshen up, Theo couldn't help but smile. The concert had been a resounding success, and the world seemed to be buzzing with excitement in its wake. But more than that, he was looking forward to a quiet breakfast with the two people who had been with him through it all-Ayia and Aurora.