CHAPTER 2: 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Early morning everyone in the art gallery is so busy. Goodness! I never thought holding a party for the 20th anniversary will be this busy. Well, we were like this way back our 15th anniversary.

“Okay guys, let’s have a short break first then to all those staffs that will take part in the opening ceremony and of course the tour please meet me at the conference room.” William said, so we stop on working then rest first.

“I am really tired goodness!” Sky said then sit beside me.

“I know right, imagine I finished my artwork for only a day and I put an all night-er!” I said then I remember that I am also a part of opening ceremony as well as the tour in the art gallery.

“Sky, I got to go I forgot that I need to go the conference room.” I said then started walking. Crap! William is in bad mood today because everything today is really hectic. I hope he will not yell at me for being late. As I reached the conference room, I knocked first before entering. Thank goodness, the moment I reached the conference room, William is still not here so I immediately sit beside Legacy.

“Wow, thank goodness you finally arrived I am really nervous, because Mr. William looks so stressed and we know that when he is like that even if you are a second late he will blame you. Geeze!” She said

“I know right? I thought he is already here, crap! I can’t take another yell from him.” I said then we laughed together. After a few minutes of waiting William arrived with an obvious dark aura. Geeze! It’s giving me chills!

“So I am expecting everyone is here. Let’s start!” He said then opened his laptop and connected it to projector.

“So for today, of course the opening ceremony that will be led by me and Ms. Kimora, then after that it will be the day one of the tour, and who is the guide for today?” William said so I raised my hand.

“Oh! I never thought you will be this busy today, but do your best.” He said so I just nod at him

“Okay, so for the opening ceremony since Ms. Kimora is our host you will be the one to make our program for today, you can make it after our meeting.” He said. The meeting goes on and yes like what I’ve expected today will be a long day.

“That’s all dismiss. Ms. Kimora and Ms. Legacy stay here, we will talk about the opening ceremony and of course the tour.” William said. We waited for the others to leave the room, then after that we went towards William.

“Mr. William I am thinking about the opening ceremony, ahm first will be I will introduce you then you will give your speech, then after that I am also thinking about the department heads to give their messages?” I said

“Okay, then after that?” He said

“Then the tour will start.” I said I look at him and it seems that he do not like my proposal.

“Okay that is fine, but it seems like we lack at something.” He said

“What is it?” I asked then he looked at me

“How about entertainment?” He asked. Oh yes! That would be great, but how will I get one?

“That would be great Sir, but we lack time for preparing the performer.” I said and it looks like I hit something.

“Mr. William did you know that Ms. Kimora is really good at singing?” Legacy said then smiled at me.

“Really? Then it’s settled! Legacy you will be the host for the opening ceremony, then you Kimora prepare for a song okay?” He said while smiling at me.

“But Sir, I do not sing in front of crowd.” I said when he was about to leave

“Then this will be your first time. Come on, there is always a first time for everything.” He said then tap my back. What the hell was that? I looked at Legacy and it seems that she is enjoying it.

“Legacy you will pay for this.” I said then sit beside her.

“Come on, your voice is really beautiful, and believe me or not the first time I heard your voice I thought I am listening to an angel. Come on don’t be mad.” She said while clinging on me. I let out a heavy sigh before answering her.

“You are exaggerating at the angel thingy but okay I guess I have no choice but to accept it, and knowing William when he decides on something its final.” I said. We stayed at the conference room preparing for the opening ceremony and to the tour when we heard William’s voice over the speaker.

“Kimora and Legacy please proceed to the back stage now, I repeat proceed to the back stage.” He said. We immediately fixed our things then headed towards the backstage. As we arrived, we saw that there are many busy people here, we saw William behind so we immediately head towards him.

“Sir.” Legacy said as we went near him.

“Oh there you are. Are you done with the program Legacy?” William asked. Legacy nod at him then handed him the paper.

“Okay. Get ready, you have an hour to get ready. Your dresses are already at the dressing room. Kimora, about your song what will it be?” He asked me.

“Ahm, I guess I will sing my favorite song.” I said while looking down. Crap! I am really uncomfortable when it comes to this topic.

“Then what will it be?” He asked. I can feel that he is looking at me

“Ahm, ‘superstar’ sir by ‘the carpenters’.” I said

“Hmmmm, that song is kind of, how will I say this, you know it doesn’t fit on the ceremony.” He said I nod at him.

“Okay sir, I guess I will just go with ‘there’s a kind of hush’.” I said

“Yes, that would be great. Just wait here.” He said then he leaves. After a few minutes of waiting he came back.

“Proceed to the stage you need a rehearsal.” He said and with that I can feel that my body froze. I cannot move my feet out of the nervousness I am feeling.

“Kimora? Are you okay?” William said then hold my shoulder. I looked at him then just nod. I walk towards the stage then calm myself. One of the staff gave me the microphone.

“Don’t be stiff okay? Just give us a sign when you ready?” He said so I just nod at him while calming myself. After a few minutes, I can feel that I am somehow calm, so I gave them a thumbs up then I heard the song.

“There’s a kind of hush, all over the world tonight.” I started singing while I am singing I am little by little enjoying it. The song ended and I admit it that I enjoyed it. I left the stage and I was welcomed by William.

“Wow, you don’t look nervous up there. Good job!” He said then tap my back.

“Thank you sir.” I said then started walking. I immediately head towards the cafeteria, because I need to eat first before going to the dressing room. while eating my food, someone sit beside me.

“Kimora!” Winter said while smiling.

“Oh! Hi Winter!” I said while smiling at him.

“Can I sit beside you?” He asked I moved a little showing that he can sit beside me.

“Of course.” I said then he sit beside me. While eating, we are talking about our tasks later. And also, I said to him about my performance later.

“Oh! I know you can do it Kimora, besides ever since you were little your voice is really beautiful.” He said, by the way Winter is my childhood friend, he lives in neighborhood, and long story short we became friends.

“Thanks, but you know I never sing in front of crowd.” I said then continue eating.

“Well, it will be your first time, come on I know you can do it.” He said.

“Well, I need to do it, if there is someone who can sing with me.” I said, then suddenly something pops up in my mind.

“Winter?” I said while looking at him. I know that he knew why I am looking at him using puppy eyes.

“No, besides I am a member of technical group, so no.” He said, but I do not give up.

“You know I can’t say no to you when you are using that, but I can’t do it this time.” He said and with that I knew that I am defeated.

“Why can’t you believe in yourself, like how I do believe in you?” He said and with that all the tears that I am keeping earlier suddenly flows.

“You know that I hate crowds.” I said while crying.

“If you can’t do it, then tell Sir William.” He said

“But-----” I said but I got interrupted by him

“If you can’t do it alone, then Winter please perform with her.” William said while looking at him.

“But sir----” Winter said

“No buts, I will tell the technical group that you will perform with Kimora.” He said then leaves. After that, I don’t know what to say, I am somehow relived.

“You can stop crying now, I will be with you.” He said then hugged me. Thanks God for listening to me. After eating, we immediately head towards the dressing room and prepare for the opening ceremony.

“Kimora, you are finally here.” Legacy said as I arrived at the dressing room.

“I’m sorry I ate first.” I said then sit beside her. The hair and make-up artist immediately walk towards my seat then started fixing my hair and my face. After a few hours, it’s all done. I changed my dress to the one that has been prepared.

“15-minutes standby, Ms. Legacy proceed to the stage.” One of the technical group said.

“And Ms. Kimora, proceed to where Mr. Winter is.” He said so I nod at him then immediately walk outside. I saw that Winter is already there waiting for me, I immediately head towards his place.

“You look so stunning Kimora.” He said then kissed my hand, I can’t help but to blushed due to his action.

“Thank you, you look so handsome Winter.” I said then cling on his arms. After a few minutes of waiting, the program started, and with that we prepare ourselves and proceed near the stage.