Beautiful Sorrows | LN4

1

"Thank you so much for coming tonight, stay safe and I hope to see you very soon ! Merci !"

I bowed one last time to the public and waved my arms before walking back to the backstage. The adrenaline was rushing in every single one of my blood cells and I couldn't help myself but jump everywhere as I met my team again.

"Oh my God, it actually feels like a dream, I can't believe it !" I hysterically high pitched my voice, not being able to stand straight.

"The public was so receptive, I am so proud of you I could actually cry." Austin shouted.

As I hugged him, my brain was remembering all the hard work we went through. The whole path from trusting and producing music with my teenage self to becoming my sound engineer at my own concert on tour. All the dancers soon joined in for a general embrace.

I sipped in my bottle of water, relieving my sore throat. A smile was still plastered on my face as I walked back in my resting box. I needed to share my happiness with granddad, I wanted him to be part of all of this. Actually, I believe teaching him how to use FaceTime was one of my biggest achievements so far in life.

"My little Deedee ! How nice it is to see your face." Granddad greeted me. His phone was placed flat on a table as usual, cropping half of his face out of the frame. Way too cute.

"Harabeoji, I missed you ! Are you up already ?"

"Of course I am, it is nearly 9 AM right now. Where are you at the moment ? Is it late ?"

"We performed in Paris tonight, you know, at the Olympia venue, I talked to you about it a few months earlier. It's 1 AM over here."

Granddad frowned his eyebrows, giving me an unhappy look. "You passed your bedtime, it is not good for your body to stay up this late."

"It's pretty alright ! I am used to it now and the time difference helps me to stay up."

He sighed for a long second before adding on. "You always have a good excuse do you ?"

"For you, always !"

"I did not tell you before but I would actually like to visit your parents back in Melbourne soon, it has been a while since I moved back to Korea. When will you be home ?"

"Oh.. It's been a hot minute for me as well.." I shamelessly lowered my head as I played with my nails. "I wish I could give you an answer but I have no idea."

"It is okay Deedee, I know you are very busy everyday. Just don't push yourself too much and eat well, alright ?" He threatened me with his finger pointed at his screen instead of the camera.

A vibration on my wrist suddenly sent Morpheus' arms far away from me. My hand reached for the connected watch to turn off the alarm and my head fell right away on the mattress that has never felt comfier. I let out a groan and stretched out my arms, trying to warm up my body. My eyelids were heavy but I opened them regardless, feeling a wave of happiness rushing to my brain as I remembered this evening's schedule. I pushed back the bed cover and got up to check my phone.

The only notification I had was a text from Julia: Do not nap for too long yeah ? You'll feel worse!!

Sent an hour and a half ago. Well. Too late.

I splashed cold water on my face and violently rubbed it, hoping it would help me wake up. A knock on my door echoed in my room as I wiped the water off with a clean towel.

I opened the door to meet Julia's eyes. "Were you getting ready ?" She suspiciously asked.

"Absolutely."

"Lies. Your eyes are all puffy from your month-long nap." My manager entered the room to sit on the couch. Touché.

"I needed it ! An eternal nap wouldn't be enough to repay my sleep debt."

"I know. You will be able to rest soon but not today, okay ? How are you feeling ?"

"Excited ? And stressed ? That pretty much sums up how I have been lately." I sat across from her, on the end of my hotel room bed.

"You will do well, don't worry too much, this is actually good stress. We will head to the festival site in about fifteen minutes and soundcheck almost right away."

I nodded. "What time am I performing by the way ?"

"I am not too sure about the time, it will depend on Martin Garrix's stage time length. He is the headline and you will be up right after him."

"Wow. Passing right after him is definitely not a gift though."

"You are saying this because you never actually attended your own concert. Me, personally, I will scream my lungs out for you." She gave me an accomplice smile that I instantly returned.

I could never express how grateful I was for having her in my life. The age gap between us wasn't that big but she has always been reliable. It was comforting to have what's closest to a family presence by my side, especially when I was always that far from home.

"Anyways, we should head downstairs now, the car will be here sooner than we think." Julia got up and took her bag. I quickly packed my stuff in my backpack and put my shoes on. "BST Hyde Park London Festival, here we come baby !" She shouted while passing the door again.

My hands were shaking. So much, that I wondered how I managed to hold a microphone for 40 minutes. I felt like floating, dissociated from my own body. I just sang in front of an audience of 65 000 people. I must be insane.

I passed by a mirror. My outfit was from another world, my make up was stunning and my cheeks were flushed by the heat. Damn. I slayed so hard.

When the adrenaline eventually went down, I thought I should join Julia. Knowing her, she was probably not far from the main stage, enjoying the show in the staff section. Too bad I had to cross the entire backstage to arrive at my destination, I would've not said no to a cart to spare me the effort.

"Ay-yo ! You killed it out there. You never told me you were a singer !" A man interrupted me when I was halfway.

"Oh- hello !" He was definitely the last person I expected to see here. "I guess I kind of do have stories to tell huh.."

An awkward silence sat with us for a moment. Was it okay for me to leave now that I said hello ?

"How come you are around here ? Aren't you racing ? Or whatever you usually do before a competition." I casually asked.

And now he seemed as surprised as I was seconds ago as his eyebrows lifted. "I reckon I actually never told you what I was doing for a living either."

"Well, I am afraid I do not live under a rock, mate."

______

Hiya !

I'm posting this first chapter not without any stress haha. Things are starting slowly but surely !  I believe introducing characters to you is important for the rest of the story, I hope you'll be able to bond with them soon :)

Tell me what you think !

Much love,

Sophia