Strings of Fate

Chapter 17: Showtime

Y/n's POV:

 

 

-I can't do this!

I exclamed, stuck on the black leather chair in one of Arabelle's bistro's artist room. The blue outfit was already on me, Alexander taking care of my makeup, my hair already done for a long time.

-Of course you can do it, you have to!

-Did you ever tried to sing in front of a full room to say this?

-No. But I'm sure I could do it.

He proudly said out loud while finishing the mascara in one eye. Now I see it more why he is a peacock. Not just for how big I think it is between his legs this time.

-You don't even know how to sing.

He got offended as he immediately answers back.

-I do know, you little miss. Look and learn.

That's when he started singing opera, one that I never heard of... But I could definitely tell his voice was way off. He also noticed shortly after, but only stopped and didn't confirmed I was indeed right. Too proud to admit he was wrong.

-I'm sure you'll do great. You already did it, you can't mess it up that much.

-Yeah, but it was one song! You guys want me to sing a whole show!

Was I stressed out? Yes. Was he annoying? Definitely yes!

-Nah, 2 minutes or 50 minutes, that's nothing! See it like this: a show always has multiple parts. One song is a small part of the show, another song is another part. Just take a breath between the songs and you'll be fine!

He says, finishing the makeup around my eyes and left me alone to think about what he just gave me for advice.

Sure, he was very proud, and somewhat annoying, but I couldn't shake this feeling that he looks to really care about me. Of course he made some comments yesterday on what I usually wear, how it was too dated and a pinch frumpy on me. But it is true that he also complimented the fact I got enough courage to walk in front of all those people with trousers on, which is very controversial for our time. Maybe he isn't as annoying and selfish as I thought...

But no time to talk more, I could already hear Arabelle on stage, speaking how Amber wouldn't be the one singing tonight, but someone else, me, will be the one replacing her for an unknown time. The anxiety came back like a slap to the face, a painful one.

What if I wasn't enough? What if I wasn't as good as Amber was?

What if I failed the contract? What will happen to me?

Why did I accept this masquerade?

 

My whole body moved by itself while my mind was overthinking what could happen, my heart beating enough loud in my ears that I felt like everyone around me could hear it. And because I could notice myself...

I was on stage.

At least a hundred pairs of eyes were looking straight at me, piercing me through my soul. Piercing against the black trousers, piercing this light sapphire blouse made in a way my shoulders were almost at their view. At least my arms don't have that awful memory, or I would had never accepted to have those three-quarters sleeves for this.

I need to calm down...

After a short breath, i could hear the melody starting and let me take another breath before singing that song my father used to sing to us when we were younger, and how that story of his he was singing, lyrics that represented what he lived, was always what Vic and sang together our heart open and a smileon our face. Today, that's what I think could give the courage to start the show.