Everything was going smoothly, and the people behind the stage were ecstatic. After the children sang the opening song, Artemis was next, and he gave a solo performance using his violin to play N. Paginini's Caprice No. 5.
The sequence of the performances kept on moving, until finally, they were almost at the end of the program. The performers did not notice anything strange as they were backstage, but the people assigned to roam in the area for security were getting worried.
About half of the people who attended the event were from the middle class and some even from the lower middle class. Thus, they were not tactful when they make their comments.
"How long still? I did not come here just to watch something like this. I hope we'll get to the most awaited part already." One man who was not shy to release a yawn loudly commented.
"Yes, me too. I used all my savings just to come here and hear the new song that would be released." Another person stated.
"You too? Ugh… this is already getting boring. The first part was okay but it's getting tiresome to listen to those performances."
"We're three quarters into this as it's already 3:30. The concert is ending soon, so I guess they saved it for the last performance." One person said positively.
"Yes, it must be scheduled there. If not, I will be truly disappointed and would just throw them some tomatoes. This is boring as hell." A man said while laughing rambunctiously.
Thus, the audience remain seated and applauded every time one performance would end.
--
When it was announced that the last performance was next, the audience became excited. The curtains were again parted only to reveal Charlton and Emily ready with their instruments. Then they started playing Rachmaninoff's 14 romances Op. 34 No. 14.
"Is that the finale? What's going on?" a man asked loudly.
"Maybe not, perhaps it will be after that song."
"I will really start demanding for a refund it that's the case. This is not worth it. I get that it's for a fundraising, but I'm also barely making enough for my daily life. I came here for the new song!" the man who laughed earlier said a little angrily.
"Let's wait until this one finishes. We'll know clearly then."
Hearing the words, the head of the security assigned could not keep the words he heard to himself any longer. So, he decided to look for their boss, Mr. Edward Easton, to report this matter. Before leaving, he instructed his colleagues to keep their eyes open.
--
When he arrived backstage, he saw Mr. Easton talking to Serena, Geoffrey, and Leonard. If it were not an emergency, he would not dare to interrupt their conversation, however, it is, so he could only do that.
"Boss Edward, we have a situation. I'm sorry to disturb you while talking, but I believe you must hear this matter urgently."
The four of them quickly turned to look at the man.
"Sorry, I'll just talk to him first. We can continue our discussion later." Edward said.
Serena, the person who was just speaking nodded her head in agreement. "alright."
However, Geoffrey felt that there must be something wrong, so he asked. "What's going on?"
The man looked at Edward for permission. Edward who knew that they too should know whatever the situation was nodded his head.
"It's like this, we heard from the audiences that they were expecting to hear a new song to be sang today. Some were already voicing their complaints even before I got here. I'm afraid that if their expectations were not met, there will be mayhem later."
"What!?" Leonard could not help but express in surprise as he furrowed his brows.
Edward rubbed his temples. As he thought, this would pose as a problem. "They must have mixed up what was said during the signing event. Serena, if you recall, you said that you would be releasing a new song in mid-April. I did not want to tell you earlier as I thought that it was just the thought of one person."
Their discussion was put to a halt when Charlton and Emily finished their performance. First, they heard some people applause, then there was ensuing silence, then, one person shouted his protest and everyone else started murmuring.
--
Emily smiled after she pressed the last key of her duet with Charlton. She knew that they played the finale performance masterfully. Then the thought that it was over and the concert can finally be called a success reigned in her mind. She turned to face the audience. She was waiting for their response, however, instead of the thundering applause she expected, their claps were unenthusiastic. She wondered what was wrong. Then there was silence.
She took a glance at Charlton who was still seated, and she wondered what was wrong. Suddenly, from the upstage portion of the opera, a man suddenly shouted.
"Is that it!?"
Then the audiences started murmuring.
--
Charlton already had his doubts from the start. He felt that the response to this event was so excessive, and he could only think that the audience must be expecting something from today's concert. When the man shouted those words, he immediately understood what that meant.
He suddenly recalled Serena's words during the signing event and came to the conclusion that these people were expecting a new song to be sang today.
He looked at the side which they used to enter the stage and saw the members of the student council along with some of the facilitators from the orphanage. He saw their confused expressions filled with concern.
Then he turned to look at the other side, there he saw Serena staring at him as if wondering what he will do in this situation. Beside her was Edward whose face was filled with worry. Behind them were Geoffrey, Kylo, and Leonard sporting same expression on their faces.
He turned to look at the audience again. It was pressuring. Truthfully, he had one song he wrote for Serena. However, he didn't want to sing that song for everyone to listen to. Also, if he does, anyone who had an inkling about his past relationship with Serena will understand it. It felt too personal to share. But what should he do in this situation?
As if not happy with the speechlessness of the people on the stage, one man shouted, "What's next!?"
The atmosphere was not good, and he was afraid that tomatoes would he hurled at them if he waits a second longer.
He was just about to say fuck it all and borrow Kylo's guitar, when he heard the clicking of someone's heels. He turned to face the person who was walking into the spotlight, and there he saw Serena with a resolute face.
--
TBC