Minutes Before The Miracle

CHAPTER - 2

Dedicated to all my readers.

Hope you enjoy.❤

Thought of the chapter:-

Confidence comes from keeping the promises you made to yourself.

-x-

EMMA

Even after clearing my throat for the millionth time, I feel super nervous and I hate to admit it. Clutching the sheets of paper, I try to practice for one last time but all I am doing is convincing my own self that everything will be alright.

"Boy, look at you! You look as if you have run a hundred miles with a pack of wolves chasing you." I see Mikey chuckling at me as Ariana rushes inside the room.

"Emma, he has arrived. You need to go right away." she says, catching a breath.

My heart is thumping at a pace that I fear it will rip off my skin and come out of my body. Suddenly, I feel the touch of cool fingers on my arms, to which I look up.

"Calm down. Believe that you can do and you will. Let confidence emanate from every pore of your being."

I nod at Ariana and walk towards the auditorium, crushing my fears.

Show time

-x-

I stand over the lectern as I literally gawk at the guest of honour. However, gathering and putting my thoughts aside, I initiate as quickly as humanly possible.

"Reading is an emotion that captures the heart of the passionate ones. With every turn of the page, each character becomes a part of our mind, a part of our soul, a part of who we are. We turn into a different person, utterly lost in an unchartered territory when we go down the lines of a book.

A very pleasant evening, ladies and gentlemen. We all have gathered here to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of Bluebells Publishing House.

Owing to the pleasures of reading, Bluebells Publishing House has catered to the needs of the ever-growing readership globally.

Today, we have a very young man amidst us who has settled his position at the top and is the bearer of great respect not only in the field of business but all possible spheres. So, please join me in welcoming Mr. Steven Bradshaw, America's leading business tycoon."

I empty the lectern as he walks towards it. His graceful gesture in his white formal shirt tucked in formal pants, coupled with a jet black blazer and a striped tie screams elegance.

If guys would have been girls, then the entire universe would have fallen for this guy.

Glancing me for about half second, he starts,"Good evening. I feel extremely honoured to stand here facing a crowd which has experienced the pleasures of reading all through their lives. We all might have read hundreds upon hundreds of books, but there is a single genre that changes our life, our angle of looking at things and at objects. A single genre that carves it's effect on us.

I am not really an expert in reading faces but I can witness that a lot in the lot agree with me.

In my case, the game-changer was business. It elevates people, brings them together, changes them, makes them self-reliant, independent and successful. Like me.

Thank you."

Must be a hardcore businessman. Heaven knows if he is aware of anything apart from business.

I think to myself as I continue,"Thank you, Mr. Bradshaw. It was a pleasure to hear you..."

Back to back book inauguration ceremonies and other programmes smoothly flow as the function moves on.

I finally address the crowd for one last time,"...With this, I would like to wind up the programme. I thank every person who played a part in today's success. I can never forget to thank all the literature lovers who came and became a part of today and played their role of being an appreciative audience. My special regards to our guest of honour, Mr. Steven Bradshaw. I, Emma thank you all. Have a pleasant night."

The crowd patiently disperses through the giant furnished doors as I allow myself a breather.

"Oh my god. You were so fluent." says Mikey as he comes running to me.

"Yeah... I mean that was fabulous. You have damn fine oratory skills." Ariana adds.

"I was so nervous yet I did it." The rise in the pitch of my voice reveals the intensity of my joy.

"Someone is as happy as a lark. So, considering an idea to party won't be wrong." Ana says.

"But I am knackered." I whine.

"Who the hell is saying that we'll party today? We'll party tomorrow." said Mikey with a smirk.

"What was that smirk for?" I ask.

"Oh... You will get to know." announces Mikey, flashing a naughty grin.

And I know that my friends are up for some serious craziness but who is complaining ?

After all, all's well that ends well.

-x-

That's Emma Grey for you. How did you find her ?

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❤Soumya