บท 29: Chapter 29. Echoes of Hope

But instead of texting or calling Rachel,. Harper disappears as soon as she touches down Berlin and calls Rachel, saying that she'll be on board to ship now. She told Rachel to be focusing on her career.

"You're talking to me like you're going to leave me." Rachel replied, worried.

"How come I'm leaving you? I'm your number one fan, Rach." Harper said, chuckling, "I just want you to focus on yourself and your career now; focus on that. Don't let anyone drag you down."

"Of course! I promise!" Rachel said with eagerness.

And after that call, Harper turned off her phone, and she went to deposit her money into Rachel's account. She deposited 20,000 euros and disappeared for real.

Harper Wilson vanishes without a trace for a whole two years after the last conversation she had with Rachel. No matter how much Rachel searches, she cannot find her missing best friend. Despite the desperation and heartbreak, Rachel maintains her professional composure, continuing to pursue her dreams and shine on stage, all the while hoping and praying that Harper is safe, wherever she may be.

Rachel tried to contact Harper's older sister, Dylan, but the latter didn't say anything. She only said to Rachel that Harper would be fine. She might be busy traveling and in the sea. There's not internet in the sea, and Rachel believed it for the first six months.

However, after six months, she didn't buy anyone words. Because she knows Harper, no matter how busy she is, she usually always leaves a trail of where she is currently. No matter how busy, Harper will leave her a message.

It was Hyejin, Rachel's closest friend among their teammates, who became the foundation that kept her going through the turmoil. Hyejin's support and encouragement were the driving force that allowed Rachel to maintain her professional composure and continue pursuing her dreams on stage.

"She'll come back, Rach," Hyejin would say, her voice soft yet filled with conviction. "Harper is out there, finding herself. You know how strong she is. She'll come back to you when the time is right."

Rachel would nod, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She clung to Hyejin's words, the only lifeline that kept her from drowning in the depths of her grief and worry.

As the years passed, Rachel's fame and success continued to grow, but a part of her remained incomplete, forever longing for the day when Harper would return and fill the void in her life.

In the quiet moments between performances, Rachel would find herself staring at the empty space in the crowd of people, where Harper's warmth presence once stood. She would whisper prayers, begging the universe to keep her friend safe, wherever she may be.

Deep down, Rachel knew that Harper's disappearance was not simply the case of a busy traveler. Something had driven her to leave, to embark on a journey of self-discovery. And Rachel, despite the ache in her heart, was determined to be there for her when she finally came back.

The world may have moved on, but not Rachel. She may have appeared bubbly and cheerful on the surface, but only her teammates knew the inner despair she carried. Even after two years had passed, she continued her relentless search for her missing best friend, Harper.

"Rach, maybe she just didn't want to do anything with you again," Minseo told her bluntly.

"Don't say that. She did everything to keep my dreams alive. She fought with my mom. She sent me money. She's not giving up on me; I know that for sure, Harper will not give up on me! The worst part is, she's giving up on herself," Rachel cried. There was always one day in ten when she couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

The youngest member of the group, Eunyong, stepped forward. "Unnie, lets make a song together. So that your voice reaches her ears, the call of your heart reaches her. Maybe, just maybe, she will come back."

For Ambrosia's second album, the eight girls discussed the idea of a song that they would all sing. Rachel pursued to have her song listed on the album, and at first, people were skeptical about her skills.

"The silence echoes, the darkness lingers... Trapped in a storm, you feel so alone... But hear me now, your life has value... Take a breath; your story's not done," Rachel sang, her deep, distinct voice conveying the emotions of the lyrics.

The fusion of pop, R&B, and soul music created a captivating sound that blended the best elements of these closely related genres. Hyejin and Eunyong helped Rachel harmonize the song, and the others joined in, singing the chorus together.

"Take five; you're worth it... The pain won't last forever, I promise... Look around; the world's still turning... Your light hasn't gone out."

The catchy melodic hooks and infectious rhythms of pop music were seamlessly interwoven with the soulful, R&B-influenced sensibilities, resulting in a sound that was both commercially accessible and deeply moving.

"Rachel! You're a genius!" exclaimed Yoon Man Shik, the CEO of the company, and he decided that Rachel's song would be made into a lead single and a music video.

Ambrosia needed a color change, showing that they were capable of creating more colorful and soulful music, not just the bubbly and vibrant kind. This new direction was a response to the high suicide rates among young people, as the group aimed to bring a new breakthrough in the world of K-pop music.

Within a month, Ambrosia announced that they would launch their second full album after two mini albums. Echoes of Hope is the title of their album. 'Echoes of Hope' is a powerful and introspective album that showcases Ambrosia's evolution as a K-pop group. The album's artwork and packaging instantly set the tone, with a striking image of eight candles flickering against a dark backdrop, symbolizing the themes of resilience and finding light in the midst of darkness.

The minimalist yet impactful design of the CD booklet and gatefold sleeve creates a sense of contemplation, mirroring the album's introspective nature. Scattered throughout the booklet are subtle illustrations of flickering flames, the photoshoot of eight of them in an elegant and luxurious setting, further reinforcing the central motif and the group's desire to offer a message of hope to their listeners.

In three months, the CD booklet is released at the same times as the music video of Echoes of Hope. A rising young filmmaker painted a vivid portrait of the difficulties that today's youth face in the music video. Scenes of isolation, despair, and self-doubt were interspersed with moments of hope, courage, and community.

When the song and its accompanying visuals were released, the response was overwhelming. Fans flooded social media with messages of gratitude, sharing their own stories and expressing how the music had touched their lives or changed their perspective.

Rachel, with her deep, soulful vocals, became the driving force behind the song's creation. She's the lead singer for the Echoes of Hope, as she poured her heart into the lyrics, drawing from her own experiences, and the group harmonized the chorus; their blend of pop, R&B, and soul created a captivating soundscape that resonated with all who heard it.

"Ambrosia is finally using their platform to make a real difference," one fan commented. "This is the kind of music the world needs right now."

The group's bold move had paid off, not only in critical acclaim but in the knowledge that they had made a meaningful impact. Ambrosia had found a way to blend their signature sound with a message of resilience, shattering the mold of K-pop and paving the way for a new era of K-pop into the world.

Ambrosia have the year-end concert in Seoul before they go to Busan after two hours of pouring their hearts out on the stage. They finally finished, going back to the backstage to rest and go back home.

While the group is still talking and laughing when the door knocks and one of their managers opens the door, "Rachel, someone send you a flower." Then someone gets inside their room, holding a big bouquet of pink ambrosia.

"You guys are great today, especially you, Rachel; your voice touches my heart." The holder of the flower's bouquet has a deep, hoarse voice. A voice Rachel knows very well—a voice she's been looking for for two years.

Rachel stood up and was half running to the bouquet holder. She took the flowers from the person's hand, and behind the flower was Harper. Standing her in 180 cm tall, her oval face, with its high cheekbones and sharp jawline, seemed chiseled from marble, radiating an otherworldly elegance. Her eyes, green jade, like two dark pools of mystery, sparkled with an inner light, drawing all attention to herself.

Her smooth and unblemished skin glowed with a warm, golden sheen, as if kissed by the Mediterranean sun. The subtle wave of her dark hair cascaded down her back, framing her heart-shaped face with effortless elegance.

But it was her physique that truly left onlookers awestruck. Toned and athletic, her body seemed honed from years of dedication to fitness. Her slender waist, toned arms, and long, lean legs seemed to embody the very essence of strength and power.

As she smiled, her entire face lit up, revealing a warm, kind heart beneath the surface. "Hello Rachel."

"Holy fuck, that's Harper Wilson?" Hyewon screams in whisper, amazed.