"Good evening everyone. Just before my actual performance, I would be doing my performance from two years ago again."
After Zabrin finished speaking, the music started. Along with the pretty light purple dress Zabrin wore with her shimmering black mask, the background of the stage changed, looking very majestic.
'Your freckles in the way
I'll chase your constellations….
Now look at me and this opportunity, it's standing right in front of me
One thing I know it's only part luck and so
I'm putting on my best show….
Under the spotlight, I'm starting of my life....big dreams becoming real tonight
So look at me and this opportunity...
You're witnessing my moment you see.'
The sound from the crowd had long died down since Zabrin started singing so after finishing the song for over a minute, the crowd regained their momentum breaking out in loud applause.
Few seconds later, another tune began. Zabrin stood in the middle of the stage, eyes closed, looking very regal and elegant. All her movements looked gracious and with the flicker of a note, Zabrin lips whispered a sound.
'Little girl, why are you hiding?
You are more than you believe
You are more than who they pan you to be
You are great just how you are...'
As if the lyrics connected with each soul in the building, the lights turned deem and the crowd used their phone lights to form of soft atmosphere swaying their hands to the song.
'I am brave, so why do I hide?
Why should what they say hurt me?
Why should what they say destroy me?
I need to let go….of my care
It's time for me to just be me
And for me to just admit…..1,2,3'
Getting to the chorus of the song, the crowd counted down with Zabrin and with a thunderous voice sang the chorus with her.
'You don't like me, I'm sorry but I am who I am.
You can't stand me, I'm sorry…not so sorry
You hate my guts, sorry you don't have my guts
Should I be sorry, am I sorry…not so sorry
Point blank, I'm not sorry
Just accept I am who am, unpleasant but I'm who I am
Unwavering I am who I am, forever...I am who I am….'
Zabrin concluded the song before opening her eyes and smiling to the cheers from the crowd.
"Ze-Ro!"
"Ze-Ro, Ze-Ro!!"
"We love you!"
"That concludes the performance of our star, Ze-Ro. Thank you so much to everyone who came and to Ze-Ro for being here." The host closes out, sharing a cute sisterly hug with Ze-Ro before the show ends.
As Zabrin made her way home in her minivan, her mind wondered to how she got her stage name.
It was few days before her audition in EGT when she was practicing for her performance.
"Hello, how are you?" Yeres acting as the judge asked.
"I'm fine, thank you." Nerves on edge and trying her best to stay calm, Zabrin replied.
"So tell us about yourself."
"I'm Z-I have no name for myself!" Zabrin panicked.
"Calm down. You remember people call you Z-Hero, so why not use that?" Yeres suggested getting up from his chair and approaching Zabrin.
"The name is not too good. Let's think of something else." Zabrin said as they both began searching for appropriate names.
Five minutes later, Zabrin exclaimed
"How about Ze-Ro? Short for Z-hero?"
"That's perfect, Zab!" Yeres pulled Zabrin into a hug staying there for a good minute before they break up.
"Back to the rehearsal. Good day, I'm Ze-Ro and I'm twenty-three years old. I only perform with my mask on. Thank you."
.....
Snapping out of her memories, Zabrin glanced out of the window of the van watching the world go by.
"Please, take me to IdolHub entertainment." Zabrin instructed as she watched the driver turn the wheels.
Ten minutes later, Zabrin stood inside the IdolHub building.
"Sara, I was asked about the NET gala earlier today. Did Tina send any invite for approval?" Zabrin asked Sara Kilman, the CEO of IdolHub.
"She did before she left work. She said you didn't get a chance to see the invite since you had something on your itinerary today." Sara said as she picked up a black prestigious envelope from her table.
"True, since Tina was not following me to the show I thought she should give you the invite to help review it." Zabrin explained and collected the invite from Sara.
"I'll go dress fitting with Tina tomorrow." Zabrin commented causing Sara to nod.
"Alright. That's a good one. Though the invite came late, at least we are prepared."
"The issue was my mask right?" With a passive expression, Zabrin asked
"A little." Sara replied a little unnaturally.
"Don't make it sound better, I'm only going there because there are some celebrities I want to meet." Uncaring and unfazed, Zabrin commented.
"Bye Sara. Rest early." Zabrin bid Sara before she made her way out of her company.
Sara was a very nice and young CEO. She was only twenty-six and had been in the industry since she was twenty. She always had a soft spot for all her signed artist but Zabrin was different. They were friends and although Zabrin made it clear when they were signing the contract that she was not taking off her mask or going to be controlled, Sara had no problem because she saw the potential in Zabrin. The girl was already popular even before being signed.
After leaving Sara, Zabrin got into her van to start her journey home. Her house was still an hour ride from the entertainment company.
Getting her phone out when she got into her apartment, Zabrin sent a text to her manager, Tina.
[We'll be going to check out my outfit tomorrow. I already informed Mr Yeres so don't worry.]
The truth was that no one knew Yeres and Zabrin knew each other and that he knew the actual face of Ze-Ro. It was only Zabrin that saw the benefit of having a designer friend and she has been enjoying it for a long time. Yeres always made clothes for her whenever there was any event whether she was going or not. He was always happy to have Ze-Ro model the clothes he designed.