The once top idol looked at her coldly, "If you don't pass, you will no longer be HEAVENS' composer."

What....? Catarina couldn't process the words she wanted to say. Her mind went completely blank.

Raging continued, "Unless your next song breaks the twenty million sold record, you can't continue being HEAVENS' composer."

"I..." No voice came out from her mouth after heating the challenge.

"If you fail to do so, you will be shifted to Shining Agency as Quartet Night's composer and you will have to break off your relationship with Eiichi."

Catarina gasped loudly at the announcement. Her eyes dilated in dread and horror. She was going to be shifted to Shining Agency? No matter how shocked she became after hearing it, the later part of his announcement shocked her to an extreme.

. . . . .I have to.....leave Eiichi.....?

Eiichi had enough of his father's antics. He stepped in between him and his girlfriend. "Father, what is the meaning of this?" Eiichi growled.

"Exactly what I said."

"What are you planning?" The leader asked again.

"I'm planning nothing. Whatever I am doing is to improve HEAVENS. If Catarina fails to take HEAVENS to the next stage, it is obvious that someone better than her should take her place."

"Only Catarina can compose for HEAVENS," Eiichi stated firmly, without any doubt. The rest of HEAVENS agreed with him. "No one can compose for us better than she does."

"Are you sure about that?" Raging asked with a smirk.

"Very sure."

"Then how about this?" A projector from nowhere displayed the picture of a man on the now icy wall.

Catarina's eyes widened again. She knew who the projected man was. It was not only her. HEAVENS also knew that man. After all, the man, who's picture was displayed in front of them, was known as the 'God of Composition'.

Raging asked again, "You know who he is, don't you? It's the 'God of Composition', the million-hit songster who's won a mad number of awards. At present, he's the melodist who has written the most powerful music in Japan. If Catarina fails, he will make you surpass the twenty million record."

"So what?!" Yamato cut him off.

"He might be known as the god of composition. But that doesn't mean he can write the ultimate perfect song for us," Nagi declared.

"Rinna's music is perfect for us," Kira stated.

"That's right. Na-chan can write us the best song," joined Van.

"Her music envelopes everyone in pure white heavenly light," added Shion.

"Dad, you also acknowledged her music. So, why?" Eiji asked.

Guys... Catarina was deeply moved at their actions. Even when it was the god of composition with whom she was being compared to, they didn't leave her side. They were sticking with their beloved composer. It was enough to move her heart.

"It is true that Catarina is talented but how far can that talent take you? Can that talent break Saotome's twenty million sold record?"

". . ." Catarina bit her lips and looked down.

Eiichi intervened, "Why are you doing this?"

"It's the right time for you to reach the next level. Your new song for Maji Love Kingdom will have to break the twenty million record." The brunette leader gritted his teeth.

Raging looked at Catarina and told her, "If you were to fail to produce results, I'm afraid to say that you will become Quartet Night's composer. That shouldn't bother you so much since you are quite close with them."

No... The mere thought of leaving HEAVENS made her freeze.

"And HEAVENS will break Saotome's record with the songs of none other than the god of composition."

"I..." Catarina was so consumed by the fear of losing them that she couldn't speak.

"Why are you pressuring her like this?!" Eiichi snapped. The rest of HEAVENS were ready to snap any time too.

"It's necessary," was what his father replied. The director then looked at the blonde composer demandingly, "So what will you do? Take on this risky challenge or lose HEAVENS and Eiichi even before giving a try?"

Catarina opened her mouth to speak but Eiichi beat her to it. "Why are you interfering with our relationship?" He was glaring daggers at his father.

"I won't accept someone unsuitable to be in a relationship with my eldest son. Do you get it, son?" The tone Raging used to put extra emphasis on the last word told Eiichi that there was no room left for argument. He was to accept whatever his father had ordered.

However, Eiichi was Raging Otori's song. So, he wouldn't back down so easily. He took the hand of the blonde female and held it in his own.

...Eiichi...? Catarina looked at her side in confusion.

The leader of HEAVENS solemnly looked straight into his father's eyes and spoke, "Then I'll show you that she is more than suitable to be with me, father."

The room's atmosphere became densely thick and silence followed. The rest of HEAVENS watched them with batted breath. Even if they wanted to do something, they knew they couldn't do anything. Only their leader could help Catarina.

"Hmph,is that so?" Raging mockingly said. "Even if you say that, I want to hear it from the lady herself."

"...." Catarina looked down. I...

Suddenly she felt her hand being squeezed. She looked at Eiichi when he squeezed her hand. His lavender eyes were gentle yet powerful as they gazed at her hesitant and scared blue eyes. It was as if he was encouraging her.

Eiichi...

Taking in a deep breath, Catarina faced Raging Otori. ". . I'll do it. I will compose a song that will surpass Shining Saotome's twenty million sold record."

Raging smirked. "Very well. You have one week to complete the song." He turned around and walked towards the door. "And remember your love for Eiichi is on the line." With that, he left the training room which wasn't icy anymore.

"Catarina." Eiichi pulled the woman into his arms. Slowly, she moved her hands behind him and clutched his training jacket. The other members gathered around them.

"Rin-chan, are you okay?" Eiji asked with concern. She lightly nodded and let go of her boyfriend. Eiichi released her but still held her hand.

"Rinna, don't worry," Nagi said in a soft tone.

"Rin." Shion simply hugged her from the side. She smiled at him for a moment, telling that she appreciated it.

"He has taken it too far!" Yamato punched the nearby wall, which, thankfully, wasn't covered with mirrors.

"No doubt. It's way too much," Van agreed in a serious tone.

"As if telling her she has to leave wasn't more than freaking enough, he told her to break up with Eiichi!" Yamato growled angrily.

"Rinna, are you really alright?" Kira gently placed his hand over her head.

". . .I guess," Catarina answered and sighed."....I don't have a choice but to pass this challenge. After all, director's words are absolute."

"Catarina," Eiichi called her. His expression and voice was solemn. "I promise I won't let him have his way with us." His facial expression softened. "Not that it would be necessary because I know you can do it."

"Yeah, you definitely have the ability to do it!" Van smiled at her.

"Like I said, only you can write us the ultimate perfect song for us, Rinna."

"Rin-chan, you just have to be yourself." After Eiji said that, Yamato gave her two thumbs up and said, "Don't sweat the small stuffs. Just write your awesome music."

"Rin's music will show us the way."

"Rinna, we believe in you," Kira said with a smile.

"Guys..." She smiled weakly. "I will do it." I have to do it.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Miserable was the word to express Catarina's feelings. Two days had passed and yet she couldn't come up with anything concrete.

Five days left. Catarina looked at the music sheets scattered across the music room floor. She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by those music sheets. She had come up with a good number of songs but none were what she was looking for.

"No,no,no,no! These won't do!" Catarina sighed heavily. She had been emerged in work for these two days. She didn't get a wink of sleep because she had been thinking about the song or trying to come up with one. She was pushing herself because so much was at stake this time. She was against the 'God of Composition'. Haruka had once told her about the drama just before STARISH's debut. Shining Saotome tested her by saying that that man would write the debut song for STARISH. Haruka and STARISH had passed the test. However, this was Raging Otori she was talking about. He wouldn't test her like this. He was serious. He was telling the truth when he said that she would have to leave HEAVENS if she were to fail.

"Twenty-million...." Catarina mumbled. Someone as amazing and incredible like Haruka didn't manage to break this record till now, no one broke this record... How can I surpass it?!

The blonde female pulled her knees closer to her chest. "Can I never have some peace?" She mumbled.  I just want some peace and calmness. But is there even an end to these difficulties..? First was my past, then the marriage proposal, the Triple S, the trouble to come up with Heaven Sky, trying to suppress my feelings for Eiichi, the kidnapping, difficulty to come up with 'LIFE~with thanks~' , troubling Eiichi because of my breakdown..... I'm never out of problems. . . . Am I even worth the faith everyone has put into me....?

The woman shook her head. No! I shouldn't think like that. They have put their faith on me. Catarina stood up and walked towards the piano. I can't let them down. I HAVE to come up with the ultimate song. That's  how I can repay them for everything they have done.

Catarina sat on the piano stool and opened the lid of the instrument. She stared at the piano keys, trying to think up of a new melody. But she couldn't. Maybe playing it will help thinking up new songs.

She moved her hands to play the piano. But her hands stopped mid air, just above the keys. Catarina widened her eyes when she saw her hands shaking. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she tried to play the piano again. Yet again, her hands shook. She placed her hands over the keys and tried to play.

No....! Her hands wouldn't move like it usually did. Instead, they shook over the keys, unable to play.

"Let's try again," she whispered to herself, her blood running cold. Her efforts were to no avail. No matter how many times she tried to play, she couldn't. No matter what, her hands wouldn't move on the piano keys.

"No....!" She slumped into her seat.  ........I can't compose...? .......Looks like I truly am unworthy to compose for them, much less break this record...

Catarina buried her face into her palms as tears filled her eyes. I... can't be with them anymore..!

......I'm scared. Her tears began to fall, wetting her cheeks and hand. She trembled and cried alone in the silent music room.

Eiichi closed the door to give Catarina some alone time. He put one hand in his jacket's pocket and the other over his eyes. Sighing heavily, he leaned against the door on his back. Her sobs that he could hear were painful for him to bear. He wanted to comfort her but he knew she needed her space at the moment. He understood he had to do something.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Night fell and Catarina returned to her room. Sleep was the last thing on her mind. Despite that, she knew she had to sleep, or at least pretend to sleep by turning the lights off and then work with her laptop. This was what she did these past two days.

But tonight she didn't feel like that. She didn't know what she wanted. She felt utterly hopeless and helpless. With those feelings, Catarina changed into her sleepwear. She lied on her bed as she recalled the events that happened earlier that day.

After crying alone in the music room, Catarina went straight to her room. Hopefully the others had not noticed that she had cried. The last thing she wanted was to add more on their plates. Skipping dinner, she stayed in her room doing nothing.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. ....who is it? It was past midnight. Everyone was supposed to be asleep by then. Getting up on her feet, Catarina walked towards the door and unlocked her door revealing,

"Eiichi?"

                                      To Be Continued.