a dance?

Thirty - Two - Valerio

Thirty-Two - Valerio

My fists that were clasped together, broke free. "Okay boy, we might need to postpone your album." I glance at Renee before my manager. As much as I want to hear his explanation, because it's always valid- Renee's in astonishment. Joan's looking at Raph like he needs some explaining to do. This has something to do with Renee's statement on being creatively burnt out. I sigh.

Sometimes I have such strong concepts for my songs, and the fact that this is my first album - I want to give my best. To my surprise, the universe has sent an angel and changed my entire outlook of life just by a glance. I patiently wait for my manager to briefly explain the situation.

"Renee, could you please elaborate further on your statement?" He asks her formally, making the entire room stay still. "The statement about being creatively burnt out?" She recalls, her eyes widening. He nods softly. I breathe casually, feeling at ease that it's one of Renee's stories. She would be a great storyteller.

"I am a florist-" My manager and best friend let the fact surprise them, and apparently it makes Raph smile. "Yes, it may sound surprising but no one said growing, nurturing, and selling flowers was easy. You have to come up with your own style and own presentation of flowers." She breaks the story down for all of us to understand. Her voice sounds like the breeze by the trees. "Sometimes I get fascinating ideas to combine flowers for bouquets, sometimes the customers know what flowers they wish for, and sometimes I sit on my stool and ponder on what I would have done differently." She continues, and this reminds me of when I hesitated to write songs. "Not all the time you can be productive, and not all ideas work out. That's totally okay!" She smiles, looking down at her feet.

She looks up again, and this next line is what changes everything. "Take a break, feel yourself, but if there's something I have learned whilst discovering my style of flowers is that I am taking a creative risk regardless. Because this is something I love doing, and even when you feel creatively burnt out, it's like the universe trying to tell you that what's coming up is better!"

"In the end, this is your passion, and if some lyrics don't come together it's trying to say, 'I am better off with other ideas,' and that's when you will realize that when something is destined for you, it will always find its way back to you no matter what comes your way. Trust me!"

Silence fills the room for the next few seconds, her voice leaves a bold impact on all three of us, it may not be shown on our faces, but it undoubtedly makes us feel secure.

This, my friends, is where I fall in love with her all over again.

Suddenly, the room echoes applause. We all look at the source; it's Joan. "Now, that is what I call a motivational speech, kids. Take note!" He stands, as Renee plays along. She gets up and curtseys. Raph breaks into laughter, and I couldn't feel any more accomplished. "I hope this explains why we need to postpone your album young man," My manager turns to me, making me sit straight immediately. His voice seems tough, but his smile tells me otherwise.

"Your first album is going to be one of the best things happening this year, as long as you promise me that you need some more self-discovery," He continues. "Also, not to mention that auditions are coming up, and Joan and I got this covered." He goes on, my smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. These are some of the reasons he's my manager.

He knows what's expected when and where, and he knows me inside and out, He knows when I need to take a break and this is exactly what I need. "Plus, you can use this opportunity wisely to spend time with your lovely woman right in front of us," Joan nudges my elbow, while I bite my lip. I watch Renee blush and look away.

"But boy, don't forget to take your Lil notebook everywhere!" My manager calls out in my ear, making the room burst into laughter. He really knows to make passion and leisure have a fine line. He looks at me like I have grown so much, "Now that I think about it, you haven't really taken a break," He admits.

"What!" We all turn to Renee exclaiming with disbelief. Yeah, I saw this coming. "Rio!" I can't help but smile at her adorable remark. "You heard her!" Joan joins her, and it hasn't even been a day and they're already a dynamic duo. "How about two months off?" Raph asks me, with a please-say-yes look, and since I know I deserve it. I nod without hesitation and the room is filled up with cheers.

Joan's in the air, Renee's over the moon, and Raph...Raph calls me in for a hug. "Come here boy," I hug him, and he holds me tightly. "I am not leaving the agency, I am only taking a break!" I say, trying to speak within the hug, he looks at me and raises his eyebrows. Next, Joan gives me a fist bump, "Mate, may the creativity flow through you," He says. He's like the older brother I never had. "Renee, take care of him will you?" Joan walks to Renee and she nods, "I promise,"

I hold Renee's hand, and wave goodbye...for now.