Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 23.

"Let's now welcome our one and only Aurora to the stage!" Sandy Barton's voice rang across the buzzing event hall, and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped onto the stage, bathed in bright lights, surrounded by people who actually came for me. I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face. For the first time in a long time, I felt... loved. Appreciated. Seen.

Sandy handed me the mic with a proud grin, and I took a deep breath. "Hello everyone," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "Thank you so much for coming to my album release party. I really don't even know how to thank you all enough." A wave of cheers swept through the audience again, filling my chest with warmth.

"Well..." I hesitated, then smiled. "I guess I'm going to sing for you guys."

A louder roar of excitement erupted, with voices yelling out requests. The loudest chant? "I Choose You!" over and over again like a heartbeat pulsing through the crowd.

I laughed softly into the mic. "Okay, okay... I'll sing I Choose You."

As the first notes of the instrumental echoed through the hall, I closed my eyes, took a breath, and let the music carry me.

🎶🎶
All of my life, I thought I was right,
Looking for something new,
Stuck in my ways, like old-fashioned days,
But all the roads led me to you...
🎶🎶

As I sang, everything faded, the lights, the crowd, the worries. It was just me, the music, and the truth of the lyrics. When I hit the final notes, a wave of emotion surged through me. I opened my eyes to find the room erupting in applause and cheers. Some people were even standing, clapping above their heads.

Sandy walked back onto the stage, hugging me tightly. "Wow! That was so beautiful, Aurora. Let's give another round of applause to our new rising star!"

The cheers intensified. I blinked back tears. This is really happening.

"And now," Sandy said, smiling wide, "I'm proud to announce that Aurora's debut album has officially gone live!"

Confetti burst into the air. Flashing lights blinked from phones. I waved and left the stage, heart still racing.

Backstage, Skylar was waiting with open arms.

"Awww... you made it!" I pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything," she said, grinning. "I'm so proud of you, darling. Good job, my superstar!"

We both laughed, and for a second, the world felt perfect.

It had been a month and a half since Skylar got out of the hospital, and seeing her laugh again was a miracle. I still remember the pale look on her face, the way my hands trembled while I held her bleeding body, begging her to stay. But now, she was here. Smiling. Alive.

Her parents were still searching for the person who tried to kill her. According to Skylar, she didn't see the attacker's face but she did see something distinctive: a smiley-face tattoo on his forearm. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"That tattoo is our only lead," Skylar had told me. "Whoever he is, I'll never forget that ink."

I watched her now as she moved to the beat of the music in the background, twirling around like a child. It made me smile.

"We should really party hard tonight," she said suddenly, her eyes twinkling. "I mean, my best friend just released her first album! This is a big deal."

"Girl... we need to focus on your health first," I reminded her gently.

Skylar pouted. "But I am fine! See?" She poked the area near her wound. "Doesn't even hurt anymore."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? That doesn't convince me."

Before she could respond, her expression changed. Her face went blank. Her eyes fixed on something or someone behind me.

"Sky? Are you okay?" I asked, turning to see what had caught her attention.

My breath hitched.

"Oh my God..."

Standing there, walking toward us with confident, measured steps, was a man in a sharp tuxedo. His hair was slicked back, his jawline more defined than I remembered. And that voice...

"Good evening, ladies."

We both turned. Theodore Maximo.

Once the awkward, shy boy from our school, now transformed into someone straight out of a dream.

"H-Hey," Skylar and I stammered in unison.

He chuckled, his attention locking onto me. "Long time no see. How have you been?"

"I-I've been great," I said, my voice cracking just a little.

"Theodore!" Skylar beamed. "I can't believe it's really you. You look... wow!"

"You look great too, Skylar. I'm glad to see you're doing better," he replied warmly.

We all ended up leaving the party together, and I took them to my favourite spot—Super Sogbu. Over shared plates of spicy fries and sweet mocktails, we laughed about old memories and caught up on life.

"So where did you disappear to, Theo?" I finally asked, curious.

He sipped his drink. "I went overseas. Military training."

My jaw dropped. "Wait... you're a soldier now?"

"Yup," he said with a smirk.

"Oh my God, that makes you even more sexy," Skylar blurted.

I kicked her under the table.

Later, as we prepared to leave, Theodore offered, "I can drive you both home."

"No! Thank you, Theodore. You've done enough already," I said quickly.

"Aurora, come on," Skylar groaned. "He's being polite. Let him drive us."

"I said we're getting an Uber," I insisted. My voice was firmer than I intended, but I didn't care.

Something about Theodore felt... off. Not bad, just different. Not the harmless nerd we used to know.

We said goodbye and got into the Uber.

Skylar crossed her arms. "You've got something to say, just say it."

"You want me to say it?" I replied, not even turning. "Fine. I don't trust anyone right now. Not after what happened to you. We don't know if Theodore is still the same guy."

Her eyes widened. "You let him buy us dinner, though."

"We were in a public place!" I snapped. "And he has changed. The look in his eyes, the way he talks... he's different."

"You're just being a jealous bitch," she spat. "You saw I was into him, and you didn't like it."

I laughed bitterly. "I'm the bitch? What about you, Miss Committed? You have a boyfriend, remember?"

"Pull over!" she suddenly shouted at the driver.

"Skylar, what the hell?"

"I'm done listening to a jealous, self-centred cockblocker!" she yelled, stepping out into the night.

I scrambled after her. "Skylar! You can't just walk off like that. It's not safe!"

She didn't turn around.

"Skylar!"

But she was already disappearing into the darkness and a terrible feeling crept up my spine.

Something told me this night was far from over.