The Scandal (Under Edit)

CHAPTER 27

Saturday came, and Noah was helping me set up and instruct the staff on the 5th floor for the mini fan meet. After all the arrangements were made Noah went back, telling me to call him if ever I needed any help.

It was time for the fans to enter. Their loud yells and chatters were echoing throughout the whole floor. I was just here pretending to be a normal staff member overlooking things but low-key I was here gathering intel.

They all gathered in the sitting area and another staff was giving them instructions on how to carry this project and complete the exhibition. With the fans, coordinating staff and a few people from the media the whole place was abuzz.

Shortly, after the instructions the fans dispersed and started doing their art work/writing work. They all ranged in different age groups but did not have trouble mingling with each other.

A short girl wearing thick rimmed glasses, bangs covering her forehead, and wearing a very large hoody for her size caught my attention somehow. She seemed to be the youngest in the group and looked around 13-14 years old amongst the group of teenagers and young adults.

At first, even though she was shy, she looked thrilled but now it looked like she was having trouble fitting in. The other girls were not so discreetly talking about her.

I was going to approach her to check if she was fine but then suddenly loud yells erupted and the girls started rushing towards the lounge area near the entrance.

Even I went to check out and mentally faced palm myself when I saw who it was. 

Should've known it

All the girls were crowding around him and I saw the same shy girl getting pushed out of the way, she was on the verge of crying and quietly slipped out from the back. I was starting to get irked but somehow controlled myself because I want things to go down smoothly.

Ashton was having a mini meeting/concert of sorts and seemed to be having a good time interacting with the fans. Since, the other staff were here to manage things, I quietly snuck out too deciding to check up on that girl, but it didn't miss Ashton's notice.

I saw the girl going towards the restroom furiously rubbing her eyes and I too went there.

She was softly sniffling and washing her face with water, seeing me enter, she got surprised.

"Hey", I told her softly not wanting to scare her.

"Hi", she answered timidly.

I did not know what to tell her, so I blurted out whatever came in my head.

"Want to grab a muffin with me", I mentally chastised myself at my poor attempt to strike a conversation with her. I'm pretty sure, she must be thinking I'm some lunatic kidnapper.

My out of the blue question seemed to have amused her because she chuckled lightly and thankfully agreed to join me.

I took her to the cafeteria in the floor upstairs and bought us some muffins and juice.

Sitting at the table with our goods, I slowly initiated the conversation asking her name and even she slowly got comfortable and opened up to me.

Apparently the girl whose name is Anna, is indeed thirteen years old. She loves art and listening to music. Ashton is her favourite singer she blushed and said, well no surprises there. I was surprised by her because she was smart for her age. Anna said she ran some website on the internet as a hobby whose name I didn't quiet catch.

Honestly she was such a fun person to talk to that I didn't notice that a lot of time had passed. When I realized it, I immediately apologized and took her back to the gallery but she told me it was fine.

When we reached back, we were late. Ashton was done with the meeting and he left, and the girls were back to their work. From the looks of it, he took a group picture with everyone and signed autographs too.

Now I really felt bad for robbing Anna's time with Ashton. I once again apologized to her but she smiled sweetly and said she was happy to spend time with me.

Seeing Anna was back, a few girls came to her and handed her something. I was watching from a distance ready to intervene if they caused trouble.

"We saw you weren't there during the group photo and also when Ashton was giving autographs, so you can have this", one of the girls told Anna.

Anna opened it and it was an autographed poster and a wrist band, making her smile.

"We follow your blog and love your covers and art works. Sorry, we never really figured such a young person was behind it and we were shook seeing you. Omg, you do an amazing job", they all started telling her about how they admire her work.

It is then I realized, that the girls weren't talking negatively talking about Anna but were rather admiring her and they themselves were hesitant to approach her because they didn't want to bother her.

Well now looks like Anna and the other girls got comfortable with each other and were having fun together.

All these girls were sweet and I felt bad for judging them. I again mentally slapped myself.

Taking my phone out, I sent out a few msgs and made a call.

The event was now over and all the girls were leaving, I went to Anna and asked her to wait.

"I want to take you somewhere, do you want to come with me?", I asked her

"Sure", she replied.

I took her to a private meeting room, where someone was already waiting for her.

As soon as she entered, her jaw dropped seeing the person in front of her. Her eyes literally had stars in them, no one can miss that look of awe of her face.

Ashton smiled politely at her, and they started talking. Deciding to give them some time, I waited outside but kept the doors open.

After sometime Anna came out grinning ear to ear and her face was red. She looked so happy and I was glad to have fixed things.

"You did not really have to do this for me but thank you so much! It really means a lot to me Aubrey", she said with a little happy tears in her eyes.

I guess I maybe had a dumb expression on my face because she figured my name, so she laughed lightly, immediately apologized and said she read my staff name tag. 

Today I really am making a fool of myself.

"It's alright, you don't have to apologize but..",

"but don't tell anyone about this", she completed it for me.

"Don't worry I really won't tell anyone.", she reassured

"Thank you", I smiled at her.

She then told me bye and left happily.

Ashton who was inside the whole time, came out and winked at me, "You owe me one"

"I'm sorry to have taken undue advantage of you but I just wanted to..."

"Ssshhh", he stopped me. "You can always take undue advantage of me.", he said smiling teasingly at me.

It is then I realized my poor choice of words during my word vomit. Blushing, I shoved him aside telling I need work to do and walked away.

But not without hearing his boisterous laugh at my reaction.

Well, even though I was being extra stupid today but still I was glad the event turned fine and in the end everyone were happy.