Chapter 145

Aria’s POV

Julian had already made his way over to me.

Following our rehearsed routine, I picked up the microphone to answer his questions before heading backstage until my mid-show performance.

“Ms Aria, many of our shared fans are here today. Is there anything you’d like to say to them?” he asked.

I smiled at the camera projecting to the large screen. “I’m truly grateful for their support all these years. It’s an honor that we share so many fans p>

“The honor is all mine, Miss Aria p>

Julian had planned to ask about my experience performing today, but suddenly a woman’s voice pierced through the air: “Aria, I love you! I’m your die-hard fan p>

The voice came from nearby. Looking down, I spotted Claire and Lillian shouting at the top of their lungs.

I felt embarrassed, worried I might be stealing Julian’s spotlight.

But Julian didn’t mind at all. Instead, he noticed the light-up signs Claire and Lillian were holding: “Oh, those are support signs for Miss Aria p>

He walked closer and joked, “Only signs for Miss Aria and none for me p>

Lillian quickly pulled out another sign: “We have yours too p>

“Seems like you still love Miss Aria more than me,” Julian teased.

The audience erupted in laughter, with many taking the opportunity to shout their own declarations of love. The atmosphere was electric.

With the planned questions forgotten, I left the stage to Julian’s thank-you speech.

As soon as I stepped off, Summer rushed over with a thumbs-up: “Babe, you were amazing! I recorded everything-you looked absolutely gorgeous! Where did they find such a beautiful fairy p>

We were surrounded by staff members, and Summer’s excessive compliments made me blush.

My face burning, I pulled her to a corner. “Really? Let me see the video p>

Summer handed me her phone. I had to admit, the dress combined with the special lighting really did enhance my appearance.

“Send me the video. I need to change out of this dress now,” I said.

The dress was borrowed from a designer brand through Julian’s connections- worth several million. I couldn’t afford to damage it.

“Go, go! That dress costs a fortune!” Summer urged, suddenly very concerned about money matters.

For my mid-show performance, I wouldn’t need such an elaborate dress. Instead, I had a black spaghetti strap gown that reached the floor-elegant with a touch of subtle sexiness.

Feeling self-conscious about walking around in my mid-show dress, I changed back into the one I’d arrived in.

After changing, I decided to check out the audience area.

Summer, not knowing I’d given Aiden a ticket, assumed I was going to see Lillian.

The VIP section held over two hundred people, with Lillian and Claire sitting in the front row.

As soon as I approached, Claire jumped up and ran over: “Aria, you looked absolutely stunning! Breathtaking p>

Everyone around us was Julian’s fan. Claire was wearing my light-up sign on her head, and I worried she might attract hostility, so I quickly removed it. “You should wear Julian’s sign instead p>

“Why? I came here for you!” she protested.

Just then, Lillian joined us: “Well, Aria? Are you touched p>

She waved her sign proudly in my direction.

I grimaced. “Yes, very touched p>

But could they please not do this here?

These were all Julian’s fans, and I didn’t want to get hated on!

“Could you tone it down? This is Julian’s concert after all p>

Lillian made a dismissive sound. “Don’t worry, when you’re not on stage, I wave this one p>

She raised her right hand, showing Julian’s sign.

“See? That’s true love, supporting you at my idol’s event p>

“Thanks, but I’d still prefer to keep a low profile p>

While talking, I scanned the area, but couldn’t spot Aiden among the two hundred faces.

Did he not come?

My searching didn’t go unnoticed by Claire and Lillian.

Claire obediently removed her sign and asked curiously, “Aria, who are you looking for p>

Lillian looked around too. “Yeah, did you invite someone else p>

I pulled my gaze back. “No one. You should return to your seats. I need to get backstage and prepare p>

The intermission was approaching quickly. I’d only changed clothes and come out for a few minutes, but fifteen minutes had already passed.

“Okay, go ahead p>

Claire, who’d apparently come mainly to see me, grabbed my hand. “Aria, can I come backstage with you p>

Lillian, who’d somehow become buddies with Claire, chimed in: “Let her go with you. She’s been talking about you in my ear all night p>

I sighed. Fine p>

I was mainly worried that Claire might keep discussing me with Lillian, which could

irritate Julian’s fans if overheard.

We left the VIP section and headed backstage.

As we walked further, the crowds thinned until only staff remained.

Claire looked at me. “Aria, were you looking for Aiden earlier p>

Her question nearly made me trip over a staff member’s dress. No, I was just looking around p>

“You were staring at our section for a long time while on stage p>

When it came to me, Claire noticed everything.

Before I could change the subject, she continued: “Did he promise to come but didn’t show up p>

She remembered that there had

been an empty seat next to them at the start, which was filled later by someone staff had escorted in. That seat, she figured, must have been

Arden’s.

I quickly explained: “No, that’s not it. He never promised to come p>

I’d just assumed he would.

People really shouldn’t make assumptions. Last time at the charity concert, I hadn’t expected Aiden to come, and seeing him there was a pleasant surprise.

This time was completely opposite-he hadn’t promised anything, but I’d assumed he would come.

Now I felt disappointed and hurt for no reason.

It wasn’t like Aiden had done anything wrong.

He never said he’d come.

I lowered my head slightly. The dim lighting in this area only emphasized the disappointment on my face.

Claire looked at me with sympathy, nearly gritting her teeth: “That dog of a man!

Next time I see him, I’m going to beat him up p>

I felt awkward. “It’s nothing. Just a small thing p>

“How is it small if it made you sad p>

I had to admit, her concern touched me.

“Let’s not talk about him anymore. Look at the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts I’m

preparing for you—tell me which one you like p>

It was only August—how had we jumped to discussing the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Claire took out her phone and

scrolled through photos of beautiful dresses. “Aria, which ones do you like? I think they’re all gorgeous and would look amazing on you! Pick a few to wear at your performances want to take photos p>

I stared at her in shock. “A few p>

Is this how rich people give gifts?

Claire misunderstood my reaction. “Is that too few? I’m sorry! I can give you all of

them if you like. They’re not expensive, really p>

I glanced at the prices—dresses costing over a hundred thousand, and she said

they weren’t expensive?

“But I spent so long choosing these. Don’t you like any of them p>

I realized Claire and I had a fundamental communication gap. My polite refusal was

being interpreted as criticism of her taste.

After some back and forth, I was forced to accept one dress.

“Great, just this one then! I’ll have it delivered to your home in a few days! Would you like to pick out a handbag too? We have some collector’s items. You can choose one or two, but I can’t give you too many-my mother’s a collector p>