Back In The Game

CHAPTER 20

3rd Person's Pov

"It's just as I had imagined!"

Aleah is happy with the results of her hair. The stylist also took time to cut her hair and trim it. Aleah looked over the mirror countless times and turned to look at Linda.

"Can I keep my hair for a while? It looks so pretty." She puppy eyed. Linda had no choice but to nod because it is rare for Aleah to take an interest in such things.

Cory is busy taking pictures of Aleah

"You look like what the picture projects! A real-life Ruby Aspirant!" Cory is happy because of the results of their hard work.

"Thank you all so much for making this cosplay a success. We only got less than 24 hours but we have pulled it off." Aleah bowed towards them. She felt overwhelmed and teary-eyed.

"Aww, don't cry!"

"Yeah, it will ruin your make up!"

"It's okay."

They all comforted her which made her heart feel weak.

"I'll be sure to treat you all for a good meal!" she told them. The people present made a loud noise, celebrating.

"Off you go now, make sure to represent us!" They waved as Aleah went inside the car and waved at them by the window.

"I will!" she cheerfully replied as the car was moving.

"Oh my gosh! How did you managed to replicate your hair like Ruby?!" Maria was stunned because of Aleah's hair transformation. "And you dyed your hair for this?!"

Aleah shushed her. "I didn't have a choice, we couldn't find a perfect wig for Ruby, so might as well make use of my hair. It looks good on me, right?" Aleah wiggled her eyebrows.

"Well, yeah, but still. How did you manage to make your manager agree? I practically begged for mine to dye, but she wouldn't budge!"

Aleah giggled. "Well, maybe you were such a troublemaker that your manager wouldn't allow you to do any more trouble."

They are currently in the dressing room; their stylists are busy retouching and organizing their props.

"But still, your hair suits you. I'm so jealous that you've got to dye your hair." Maria complained. She glanced at her manager and complained more. Aleah shrugs and puts on her airpods so that she won't hear Maria's complaint to her manager.

A few minutes later, the staff event called them for the photoshoot session at the entrance. They were also briefed about what they will do during that time. As they are approaching the entrance, a swarm of audience were pushing each other to get a perfect picture of them.

The crowd was being pushed back by the security team. But, with the number of audiences. They are slowly causing a domino effect which alarmed all of them. Because of this, Maria took the initiative to ask the staff for a speaker and they quickly obliged. Aleah was uncomfortable because of the noise and wanted to go back inside.

The staff arrived and handed Maria the speaker. She turned it on.

"Hello?" she sound-checked, it was a loud greeting. "Everyone, if you continue doing that, we will not entertain you and will cancel this photoshoot session." Maria is mad. The crowd died down as they scolded each other, and they let the person beside them be quiet.

Maria smirked. "That's more like it." Maria's known for her temper. If she says something, she will make it happen. That's why others were trying to make the other person quiet so that it would not happen.

Aleah just sighed and massaged her temple because of a sudden headache because of the noise.

"Good thing that you're the one who handled it. If it were Aleah, she would just walk out and call off the event at once." Linda chuckled and stopped because it was heard by the audience.

"Woops!" her eyes widened. Aleah sighed again, she took the speaker out of Maria's hand and turned it off.

"That was the first time in a while that I saw you got caught off guard." Linda nervously laughed and averted her eyes. "Anyway, let's start the photoshoot because the teams will arrive in a while."

They started to pose and answer the interviews. They kept going until the staff told them that they should go to the next venue, which was on the other side of where they were being held to welcome the team players.

As they were getting ready, some of the audience were trying to get an autograph but were being pushed aside by the security for safety reasons. Aleah saw that there was a kid and was trying to get on the front. She approached the kid and asked the security to bring the kid near her. She saw that the mom is with the kid so she also asked if she can come near.

"Hi, whose autograph are you taking?" she asked them. The mom pointed at her and so as the kid.

"My daughter is a huge fan of yours." Aleah's face softened and take the paper and pen to sign.

"I want to be just like you." The kid said while smiling. Aleah smiled and pats the kid's head.

"I'm sure you can do it." she smiled at her.

"Can we take a picture with you?" The mom shyly asked. The security was about to bring Aleah back, but she stopped him.

"It's all right. Mister, can you take our picture?" The security took the phone, and Aleah, the mom, and her child posed for the picture.

"Thank you so much! I will treasure this moment." The mom was overjoyed. Her child is also happy with the autograph. "I will make sure that someday, my child will be great as you." Aleah smiled.

"I'll be waiting," she waved at them and went back to the carpet. Maria stared at her.

"And another child is being fired up because she saw her role model." Aleah squinted her eyes. "What? You do realize that almost half of your fans are inspired because of you. Well, in a positive way of course. Because you inspired them to chase their dream."

"And that's what I am always aiming for," Aleah replied.

Maria chuckled, 'I know how much you've sacrificed yourself to get where you are now. I hope you can take a breakout of stress and pressure.' That's what Maria wanted to say to her but she couldn't. Aleah treasured her career above all even if she was being discouraged by others.

"The players are here, let's get to work people! Remember to smile and pose for the camera!"