A Gift That Keeps On Giving

🎹🎶🎼🎤

I'll leave before you break my heart again,

So save your goodbyes for another man…

🎹🎶🎼🎤

Finishing up the song's outro while stretching the notes as high as she could, Lily then whipped the violin back out and ended the song with another show of her immense skills.

🎻♪

…

🎻♪

The moment she was done, the crowd immediately erupted into a sea of rousing cheers, claps and whistles.

"That Sweetie, was a truly sensational performance! I was genuinely impressed!" Kiara instantly complemented her while Blake added.

"You have the voice of an angel my dear and it's mind-boggling to me how much mastery you have over it. Fantastic! Just fantastic!"

"This is why the show's made people. To showcase talented singers like you. Stellar performance Lily!" Jack concluded with a wide smile, a feat that very few in the show had ever achieved.

"Thank you so much!" the dark-blonde beauty responded with an ecstatic grin on her face and the crowd cheered even louder.

Waving over to audience for a few seconds in appreciation, Lily soon walked off the stage while making way for the next contestant been called up.

Getting back into the filming studio off-stage, everyone just stared at her in amazement. Everyone except Steven whom she purposely directed a radiant smile at.

Rolling his eyes in a slight wave of annoyance, the Swedish man once again accepted his loss and just gave a small sigh of resignation while telling himself he still had more chances to outshine her.

Following all that though, a few more other contestants were called and only one out of them, June Roberts to be specific, was promoted to the next round.

And then, Kyle's turn eventually came around.

Taking a deep breath, he confidently made his way onto the stage as his name was called.

Having given Lily his blue jean-jacket few minutes ago for obvious reasons (the chilling atmosphere backstage), Kyle was only left with his light blue shirt, slim-fitted black jean pants and suede black shoes.

Standing on the stage, the judges chair already facing backwards again, he awaited the instrumentals of his song to begin while [Resonance] activated on its own, small silk-like threads extending from his body and towards the panel of judges and the audience.

Some people in the audience, most of whom were usually just production staff relatives or people who had connections to the industry, had a slight wave of disbelief wash over them as they saw Kyle's new appearance.

Beginning with a mellow acoustic guitar melody that set down a reflective tone, the song soon started shortly and Kyle's gentle vocals entered and created a narrative.

🎸🎶

Broken heart with smudged up make-up,

Tears streaming down her pretty face,

Tired of having her heart played with,

So done with all the lies and games, hmmm~

🎸🎶

The first verse of the song vividly painted the story of a woman struggling with the pain of multiple heartbreaks and failed relationships.

Among the three judges, Jack and Blake who were long-time composers and music coaches, instantly realized that the song that was being sung was an original!

And there was only one person who had been singing originals from day one.

Kyle Kestis!

🎸🎶

Shards of broken glass lying around,

Mirrors her fragile heart unhealed,

Masks her pain with a broken smile,

And yet she still yearns for love...

🎸🎶

Following the completion of the pre-chorus that further emphasized the pain and challenges of the woman with a broken heart, Jack, surprisingly, was the first to turn his chair around!

This greatly surprised everyone in the hall, especially his fellow judges.

Even Kyle was just as visibly surprised but he just kept singing without messing up the flow of his song.

Moving over to the chorus, a blend of pop and rock elements were introduced into the song as it picked up and enhanced the emotional depth of the song.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Find the girl with a broken heart,

Hold her tight and never let go,

Tell her she's a beautiful soul,

'Cause she needs to be loved…

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Instantly, Blake followed through and also turned his chair around, a look of mild disbelief on his face as he watched Kyle raise his voice quite high on the last note.

Considering they were long-time coaches who could accurately gauge a person's skill level, this was a feat neither of them had ever expected from him with his previous skill level but right here and now, he was proving them wrong.

Kiara on the other hand, was probably the most affected by the song and as it evoked some very strong memories of the past.

A lot of females in the audience were also in the same state, each and every one of them reflecting on the pains of their past failed relationships and the wishes they had back then, hoping someone would just genuinely love them.

But without even the slightest idea about it, Kyle whose eyes were now closed in immersion, moved on to the second verse, the pop-ballad tune now in full swing as he continued.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Let me heal your old wounds darling,

Give you all the love you need and more,

Brighten your world 'cause I've got enough for two,

Make you believe in love anew, oh~

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

'This kid… he just keeps surprising us at every turn!' Blake thought to himself as Kyle who was enjoying every second of his own performance, moved on to the second pre-chorus of the song which had become more uplifting.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

I won't mind spending every day,

Driving over to you when you call,

Come rain or shine love,

Ask for me and I'll come running yeah~,

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Kiara did not even wait for him to move over to the chorus this time as she also joined the rest of her judges who had already promoted Kyle to the next round.

Her eyes seemed watery but there was a wide smile on her face because the tone of the song currently also reflected that vibe.

Even the crowd was so invested in the song now and Kyle just kept singing his heart out as he moved over to the chorus again.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Find the girl with a broken heart,

Hold her tight and never let go,

Tell her she's a beautiful soul,

'Cause she needs to be loved…

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

As the music built up to a crescendo, everyone already expecting him to stop there, they watched as the tune of the song had a small noticeable shift and the handsome young man sang the bridge.

🎹🎶🎸♫

I know that you've cried, alone in the dark,

Ran around in circles for an answer,

Tried so hard to not give up on love,

So please save your tears for another day,

'Cause in time, you'll meet a man who cares…

🎹🎶🎸♫

Suddenly, the tune of the song came to an abrupt halt, causing a slight disconnect in the minds of everyone present in the hall.

Already thinking the song ended there, the judges and everyone in the audience, felt like it really shouldn't have as it felt very anti-climactic.

But as if already achieving his goal with the sudden stop, the pop-ballad tune immediately picked up again and Kyle immediately followed up, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Found a girl with a broken heart,

Held her tight, won't ever let go,

Told her she was a beautiful soul,

'Cause she needs to be loved…

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

'Unbelievable… Totally unbelievable…' Jack thought to himself, realizing the extent at which Kyle was improving.

Asides changing the last chorus a bit to fit the uplifting tone of the narrative, there was something else that was running through the long-time coach's mind.

'He knew exactly what we wanted and he played with those expectations with that slight pause after the bridge to deliver a memorable performance… That's a skill only top musicians and artists have!'

Gazing at Kyle, genuine amazement in his eyes, he then watched as the young man used a falsetto to further amplify the post-chorus of his song as it gradually came to an end.

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

'Cause she needs… to be loved…

'Cause she needs… to be loved…

🎹🎶🎼🎸🎤

Finally ending the song on a really high note, the crowd erupted into a massive scream of cheers, whistles and claps… mostly from the female audience.

There was a wide, happy grin on Kyle's charming face as he blew a few strands of hair away that had obstructed his view during his performance, further accentuating his boyish charms.

"First off, you look stellar with that make-over. Such, a heartthrob!! You'd better keep that look young man!" Kiara began and everyone in the audience along with Kyle himself chuckled at her advice while some whistled!

"You, Kyle, have already left a strong mark on this show with your performance! Even if you don't make it to the end, I'm sure there's no shortage of record labels who would be willing to give you an offer after this."

"Thank you ma'am!" he grinned in reply to Kiara's words.

"I presume this is something you've been working on for a long time?" Blake then asked with a smile.

"Yes. Four to five years give or take" Kyle gave the honest truth, although it was based off of his past life.

Some of the people in the audience gasped in disbelief when they heard that but it only served to make Blake even more impressed.

"That's amazing. Fantastic even! That was a truly memorable performance. Good job!" the judge replied to which Kyle gratefully thanked him for.

"Thank you sir!"

Following that, Jack then gave his own verdict.

"Kyle, you are, literally, a gift that keeps on giving, and I'm sure you have what it takes to get you very far. Congratulations on making it to the next round" he said with a wide smile, which in no uncertain terms, was genuinely high praise from the man.

"I appreciate it sir!" Kyle gave a slight, respectful bow in response.

After this, he then waved a bit to the crowd who were still cheering loudly and shortly after, he made his way off stage.

"Congratulations man! That was amazing!" Steven was the first to congratulate him after which he then added, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Man I really look forward to facing you now!"

"Sure. Maybe I'd even give you a run for your money" Kyle replied genuinely, a similarly excited glint in his sapphire eyes.

Lily on the other hand, raised her hands up to offer him a high-five, a gesture Kyle partook in.

Normally, the production team was expecting a fierce declaration of competition from all three after Kyle's performance but, the more most of them though about it, the more they felt that this interaction of theirs was better left untouched and unedited.

* * *

"This guy… he's truly a dark-horse!" Howard grinned from ear to ear.

Although he hadn't been able to recognize him before he went on-stage, now that he had, he was so excited at the views and ratings this scene alone would generate, especially with the teen girls and young women demographic.

Rubbing his hands in eager anticipation for when this episode would air, the producer knew that this season was going to be a massive hit for them.