Chapter 146
Aria’s POV
I hated waiting backstage. Summer had been looking for me for nearly twenty minutes now. I’d promised to return in ten minutes, but here I was, still caught up with Claire, and with just one song left before my performance. Summer finally came searching for me.
She didn’t have to look far. Just a few steps from the rest area, she spotted Claire and me chatting in the hallway.
“Why are you two just standing around here?” she asked, exasperated.
Seeing Summer, I felt immediate relief. “Is it time for me to change?” I asked, giving her a meaningful wink.
It was the first time I’d ever sent Summer such a signal, and for a moment she looked confused.
But we’d worked together for years. After half a second’s hesitation, she caught on. “Yes! The director’s been asking for you. You need to change and get to the backstage area right away p>
Hearing this, Claire didn’t dare keep me any longer. “Then go change quickly, Aria! I’ll head back to the audience seats and wait for you to come on stage p>
I nodded repeatedly. “Okay, okay. Be careful on your way back p>
Claire waved her light-up sign happily as she headed back to the audience area.
Once she was out of earshot, Summer asked, “What was that all about p>
I grimaced. “Don’t even ask. She insisted on giving me a dress p>
“So what? How much could one dress cost p>
“She wanted to give me the ‘Starry Night’ dress I wore tonight p>
Summer’s eyes widened. “She’s giving away a 2.8 million dollar dress just like that p>
I snorted. “That’s nothing. She tried ordering a piano worth several million in the
middle of the night to give me p>
Summer looked stunned. “Did you save her life or something p>
“Actually, you’re right-I did save her life p>
Summer glanced in the direction Claire had gone. “These rich people have very… practical ways of showing gratitude p>
“Too practical. I can’t handle it p>
After Claire had given me a dress worth over a hundred thousand, she’d insisted I pick out a handbag too. When I saw the prices, I didn’t dare choose one.
I’d tried changing the subject, but then Claire suddenly asked, “Aria, is that dress you’re wearing today from Designer A’s haute couture line? Julian lent it to you, right? It suits you perfectly! Let me buy it for you p>
I was completely dumbfounded. Claire’s “I’m rich and want to throw money at you” attitude every time we met was too much for me.
Summer thought for a moment. “When someone gives you gifts, you feel obligated. Good for you for holding your ground p>
To be honest, I wasn’t that strong-willed. What woman doesn’t want beautiful dresses and handbags?
But enough of these unrealistic thoughts. A decent person earns their money honestly.
Setting those thoughts aside, I rushed to the makeup room to change.
The makeup artist touched up my look, instantly transforming me into a sexy yet adorable sprite.
With two songs to go before my performance, I was already waiting backstage.
I found myself instinctively scanning the audience area. All two hundred seats were filled, but among the crowd near Claire and Lillian, I couldn’t find that familiar face.
He didn’t come.
Rationally, I knew it was normal. Emotionally, I felt disappointed and a little hurt. My gloomy mood was quickly interrupted by the stage director.
My stage time was approaching, and I had an extra task-delivering a surprise gift to Julian from his fans.
It was a surprise even to me. I’d only just learned about this last-minute assignment, having not practiced it during the afternoon rehearsal.
Fortunately, I’d carefully memorized my stage directions to the piano earlier, so I wasn’t flustered despite this unexpected task.
The director explained that the gift was placed beneath my piano. I was to pretend there was an issue with the piano, and when Julian came over, I’d present him with the gift.
Everything went smoothly, though I was surprised to discover the “surprise” was a bouquet of “flowers.” I quickly read the gift description card on my piano.
When Julian approached, I lifted the “bouquet” from beside me. “Surprise p>
“Happy birthday, Julian! These are 999 paper roses folded by your ‘little alarms.’ Each rose contains their best wishes for you p>
I smiled genuinely. “Wishing you a happy birthday, a happy today, and happiness forever p>
I had no idea today was Julian’s birthday!
Julian was visibly surprised. “Thank you. So this was deliberately arranged p>
“I’m just following orders-you’ll have to ask the director about that p>
Julian looked at me, starlight reflected in his eyes. “Thank you, Miss Aria. I’m truly happy. You helped my fans deliver this surprise p>
“Happy birthday p>
“Thank you love you all forever p>
Julian called out, leaning against the piano, holding the handmade roses in one hand and the microphone in
the offer “This song, Ocean of
People,’ is for you all p>
I sat back down and, following my cue, began playing the accompaniment.
Five minutes later, I left the stage, my work for the evening complete.
Three million in my account. Sweet.
I scanned the audience area again but didn’t see the person I most wanted to see.
Well, that dampened my mood a bit.
“So, three million in your account?” Summer asked.
I removed my hair accessories while responding, “I hope Julian has more gigs like this for me in the future p>
Summer laughed. “That variety show offered you five million for three episodes, and you turned them down p>
“As you said—five million for three episodes. That’s at least three weekends of filming p>
I wasn’t going to do that! Too much work for too little money!
Summer considered this and nodded in agreement.
“I’m going to change now p>
After changing out of my dress, Summer and I took our reserved seats to watch
Julian’s performance until the end of the concert.
This was my first time attending Julian’s concert. On stage, he sang and danced, his breath control steadier than an oxygen machine. had to admire his physical stamina.
Time flew by as we watched from our seats. In just six or seven songs-barely half
an hour-most of the concert had passed.
Now came the finale, with Julian interacting with his fans.
It was already 9:30 PM, and I was exhausted. I leaned against Summer’s shoulder
and immediately fell asleep.
Julian looked down at me from the stage, his lips curving into a smile. “Number 19 p>
I jolted awake. “What’s happening p>
Summer pointed to the number on my chair. “Julian’s drawing numbers on stage to give away prizes. Would you believe it—he picked yours, Miss Aria p>
I felt mortified and instinctively looked behind me.
Sure enough, my sleepy face was displayed on the big screen.
Could this get any more embarrassing?
On stage, Julian feigned sudden realization. “Oh, it’s Miss Aria! She’s had such a
long day that she fell asleep even in this environment p>
Red-faced, I was led up to the stage by staff members.
The spotlight immediately woke me up, though my body was awake before my brain
fully engaged.
“You must be tired, Miss Aria?” Julian asked.
I took the microphone, embarrassed. “A little. It’s actually fine—I just normally go to
bed early p>
“Early to bed, early to rise? What a good girl p>
I looked at Julian. “Does that make Mr. Julian a bad boy p>
Julian laughed, and the audience followed suit.
“I sleep late and wake up late,” he admitted, refusing to accept the “boy” label.
Standing there with my face flushed, I asked, “Did I win something p>
“Miss Aria seems very excited about her prize p>
“Who wouldn’t want something free?” The words came out too quickly as soon as I said them, realized how wrong they sounded.
“No, that’s not what I meant meant
to say p>
Seeing my distress, Julian stopped teasing me and handed me the gift. “Thank you
for your hard work, Miss Aria p>
I practically fled the stage, convinced Julian’s fans would hate me forever.