Second Audition

Chapter 35

Second Audition

Saturday

Ariel’s POV

Waking up this morning made me feel a little bit energetic. We have been doing tons of rehearsals, just to prepare well for today’s presentation and here is the D-day. The day I will be facing crowds from all over Cape Town, the whole of America and perhaps the world. Those who are not opportune to attend the venue will have to watch the live performance from TV, while other video will go viral on the internet. This alone is giving me goose bumps, as I thought of people seeing the low life Ariel on TV. What if my mum sees me, she will be damn happy that I’m beginning to fulfill my dreams, which she has always wanted.

What about Miss Thompson, my harsh boss from the flower shop in my country, or Kabria, the rude daughter of a street lord, who finds pleasure in teasing and making threat at me. She also watched from the billboard, displaying Axel while his was singing on stage; and looking at her that day, I believe she wished to be where he is, which is where I am right now.

“You haven’t gotten to half of where Axel is” My subconscious snapped, I rolled my eyes

Fine, yea…but I no more in the street like her, running crazy errands for people just to make ends meet. I am super grateful to God for changing my situation this quick. But with the look of things, no one is gonna recognize me on stage, well, except those who are really close to me. This few months I have spent living in the Shaw’s mansion, Aiden’s and Axel’s house, and presently the company lounge; my skin has glowed brighter than it used to be. No doubt, I’m becoming more beautiful than ever, and I’m beginning to wonder where that beauty had been before.

I got down from my bed and sighted Dorothy still having her sleep, snoring loudly in the process. I groan, dragging my legs to the bathroom. I can’t believe a girl will snore this way, I pray she doesn’t burst my eardrums before the contest come to an end. I yawns loudly, taking of my pajamas, staring at the reflection of the pretty creature before me and smiled; my own reflection from the mirror. I freshen up in no time and went back to the bedroom. Dorothy was awake this time, sitting on her bed

“How long will you spend in the bathroom, thought you were giving birth” She smirked

“The last time I checked, that was not the way to say a good morning” I snapped back, she frown

“I was just joking” She muttered coldly

“Me too cutie” I replied. She rolled her eyes and went in to take her bath. Not bad for a start, she has been getting on my nerves thinking I will ignore her forever, but I think she is kinda lively to stay with, unlike Mia’s roommate who doesn’t seem to talk at all until she was called to perform. ‘Such a boring person’, Mia will say   

The audition is to commence in the evening, it’s gonna be a 2 hours program with the 12 contestant performing a group song at first to open the program. So I think I got enough time to settle down and get myself fully prepared, because my first performance will determine if the crowd will want me to move to the next stage.

Lest I forget, we will be having a group breakfast this morning; when I say ‘we’, well the whole contestant, the two Triple groups, the five judges and the CEO of the Hybrid Musicals, Mr. Noah Jenkins. Right now, I feel kinda nervous, meeting with him is making me uncomfortable, I don’t know why, but I still feel like I’m not worthy to be with people of such caliber. I’m sure gonna face Axel again, Sophia, and lastly that idiot that calls himself Micheal.

~~~~~

<BREAKFAST>

Everyone was sitting at their various tables spread across the dinning hall, giving their best comportment as we all wait for the arrival of Mr. Jenkins. The Triple boys were sitting on one round table, the Triple girls also, except Sophia who decided to sit with her father, who pecked her on the cheek when he came in.  She grinned hard, earning smiles from her friends but glares from Mia, but it was that visible

“Crazy b**ch” I heard her say, and chuckled

We the contestant where given out own separate sits while the judges had their too. Aiden winked at me before taking his seat, and I can hundred percent say that Mia saw it, and arched her brow; only God knows what she is thinking right now. From the other end, Micheal was staring intently at me, he smirk when our eyes met, while I only look away, trying my best to avoid looking at that area.

In no time, our breakfast was served; different delicacies sprawled on our tables. My mouth watered immediately, making my stomach rumble. Thank God no one heard that, I thought, looking at their faces for any reaction but got none. Everyone picked up their cutleries and started digging into their food in no time.

We haven’t gotten half way when Mr. Jenkins stood up, holding up his champagne glass. He placed a soft peck on Sophia’s cheek before speaking up, and it made me wonder while he keep pecking her when they clearly live with each other and do it all day, huh..

“Stop being jealous” A voice in my head spoke. I groan

“How I wish I could kick you out of my thoughts, idiot”

“You can’t kick me out…I am you and you are me” It snickered and I stopped fighting it

“Good day ladies and gentlemen” Mr. Jenkins started

“I am so pleased to see you all here, in good health and sound mind. Actually, I’m very happy for you all seated here, being opportune to be one of the contestant of this great music contest. But mind you, this is not the end of the journey. I believe some on you are just meeting me for the first time. I am Mr. Jenkins by name, the CEO of this great company and the Hybrid University likewise.

The contest is officially starting today and I want you all to put in your best in order to win the prize. But yet, it I just a contest, so no keeping of enemies, instead live freely with your colleagues and also pray for their betterment. If you are not opportune in winning this year’s contest, other years are available with God keeping our lives. It is not the end of the world yet, I believe your coordinators has done their best I putting you through on how the contest will be like; so put out the best in you to make this contest be the best ever known in records. Toast to the best” he raised his cup as everyone stood to their feet to have the toast

“Toast to the best” We all muttered, taking a sip of the sweet wine

After breakfast, I started heading to my room to have a little rest before the programme will commence but was stopped by a guard who came running words me.

“Miss, please wait” He muttered. I stopped to glance at him. He looks like one of the guards I saw walking in with Mr. Jenkins

“Boss wants you in the company office” he stated, as my heartbeat increased, beating against my chest

“W…w..why..” I asked, but it was more like a whisper. He wasn’t moving a bit, maybe he wanna lead the way, I thought

“Hun…ok” I replied rather fidgeting. He led the way, away from the eyes of other contestant. Well, I think I know what that means anyway.

Getting to the office, he went in first and latter usher me in. the aura in the room could make one get swallowed by the ground, but it became less intense when he smiled at me, beckoning on me to have a sit. I did that reluctantly, after greeting him and muttering a soft ‘thank you’.

“So..erm..what can I offer you” He asked still with a smile.

“Erm…nothing sir….I’m ok” I managed to say, still staring at his face. He look so handsome and young for his age, if through he gave birth to Sophia, then he will be in his early or Mid forties, because according to my research, Sophia is twenty years of age.

“I know that you might be wondering why I called for you, trust me, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just feel like doing the right thing, calling you here. Hope you won’t mind if I ask you some questions” he asked. I nodded, and immediately comport myself, responding with my lips instead

“Yes sir…I don’t mind”

“Ok…as you know, I owned the Hybrid University which you are a student of. About a week ago or so, and incident happened where bullets where exchanged by the security officers and some hoodlums. You were at the scene that day and probably a victim, right?”

“Yes sir” I nodded, feeling relieved a bit

“I just wanna confirm few things from you, I heard that the kidnappers or so, sent you a message and so on, how true Is that” He asked, I explained the whole events to him, while he chipped in more questions which I successfully answered without fear. He nodded in affirmation, wishing me luck in the contest, as I made to leave the office.

He called me back while I was about turning the knob as I stared at him, with a questioning look. He squinted at me and shrugged.

“I forgot to ask; where are you from, you don’t look like an American” he stated, he really guess right

“I’m from Africa, Briland City” I stated, he smiled

“Wow…Africa…you remind me of someone…someone really dared to me” he whispered the last part, but I heard him clearly. I bowed and left when I noticed he had nothing to say. He seems nice, unlike his proud daughter. I wonder where he got her from.

~~~~~

*Second Audition*

.

The evening came faster than expected as lots of crowd where already present in the auditorium. We all stood back stage, getting ready to be ushered in, as we watched from the screen, of how the judges were been called in to have their seat. Nicki came in first, receiving thuds of screams for all corner, she is one of the best rapper and solo vocalist, so everyone will love her. Then Aiden walked in, I could view some girls trying to touch him from their seat but thanks to the guards; anyone who has watch the movie titled Never say goodbye featuring Aiden and Nina as the main leads, will sure know him. He has been one of the best actor rights from childhood and has gotten tons of awards for his best acting skills, especially in the romance genre.

Next up was Theodore; he walked majestically into in auditorium, as the lots of people tried rushing to meet him. Theodore is known for his dancing skills while he was still in the band, they call him the young Micheal Jackson, but things change when he left, not until Axel rose to that position and broke records.

Sophia also came in with pride clearly written over her body; she waved at her fans as they blew her kisses, screaming her name here and there. How I wish they know who she really is, apart from stage.

And the last but not the least was Axel, also known as Zel, the almighty, walking in with a dazzling white cloth, which sparkle in the light that shines in the dark. His aura alone disrupted the stage order; his name was on everyone’s lip, as they all rose to their feet to cheer him.

He flashed them a short but mesmerizing smile that could bring out the wetness of a woman. The gold chain on his neck sparkled together with his cloth giving him a compelling look. He walked to his seat, taking out a white handkerchief to wipe his face. He looks cute while doing that.

After few minutes, the stage was set for us to perform, as we were ushered, the stage lights were off, only to be turned on to show our colourful and sparkling outfit. We were to perform Diamonds by Rihanna, as the group and welcome song. The band gave us an intro as Mia steps out to sing the first line of the song.

 Other lines were shared among us as each of us sing our own part heartedly, giving it another amazing sound and adding more light to the song. If Rihanna were to be here, she will surely give us a thumb up for changing her song to an angelic verse. Dancing was not out of it, we danced to the rhythm as we sing along, making the crowd cheer.

 After the general song, we were called one after the other to perform our song. A girl came up first, giving her best try. She sang a song titled ‘Breathing’ by Arianna Grande. Her voice was cool as the crowd cheered her up. A guy came up next and it went on until it got to Mia. She came on stage with her diva walking step. Right from the judges seat, I could see Theo speaking into Aiden’s ears, which made him chuckle. What were they talking about? I thought

Everyone went silent as they watch her; the beat came up first, ushering in her melodious voice. She was performing a song by Beyonce titled ‘Love on Top’. Her first start sparks the audience as they went crazy.

“Woo…..this girl got the vibe menn” another contestant sitting beside me commented. As I smiled in approval, I danced to the beat playing almost forgetting the song I was to perform but the whole thing came to an end after few minutes as Mia me back stage, holding her chest.

“You were damn crazy right their….geez girl that was awesome” I grinned, she exhale

“I felt like dying when I climbed the stage, those stares made my knees wobbled” she sighs slumping on the chair beside me. We kept on gisting not until the director walk up to tell me that I am the next to be called. I braved up myself and walk to the entrance. My name was called as the stage light went off, as a single light was left to show me walking in a majestically, as I mount the stage. My eyes caught that o the judges staring at me in awe; Theo was a bit grinning, Axel had no expression on, Aiden gave me a wink, Sophia only rolled her eyes, why Nicki just smiled.

I clearly remembered Axel’s words telling me not to be to focus on my singing by closing my eyes without sparing the crowd a glance; I vowed not to do that mistake again. Well, it has been part of me to sing while my eyes is close, especially when singing an emotional song, but this time, I’m gonna carry the people along. The soft sound playing from the Piano awakens my spirit as the Pianist gave me the intro to the song. I am to perform ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ by Whiney Houston, one of the best musicians then, during the time of Micheal Jackson. No doubt, I love blues, it helps calm my spirit, but other genres ain’t exempted.

After singing with the whole of my hear, might and passion, the music came to and as everywhere went silent, but was disrupted by numbers of people rising to their feet, clapping and screaming all along. I couldn’t contain the smile that spread across my face. The whole of Cape Town stood up to clap for me and not just them, the judges too, except Sophia, who sat with a hard snarl on. I don’t blame her; I will need to hear my Judgment form the other judges.

“Wow…that was awesome…you really made me feels good this evening, what a lovely voice you have” Theo complemented

“Thank you” I beamed

“That song is extraordinary interesting, I felt like joining you on stage, keep it up girl” Nicki muttered, as I bow lowly

“You have a wonderful talent dear, keep it up” Aiden stated, as my smile broaden

“Now it was time for Sophia, she turned the Mic to her mouth firmly

“Well, cool voice, but there are lots of mistakes in your presentation” She stated, my face fell, as the crowd muttered a ‘Auwwnn’

“Yes…first you weren’t carrying the crowd along, you held the Mic in a wrong way, you came in before the interlude ended, you…..” She was cut in by Aiden who spoke whispering words into her ears, making her sigh

“Fine, but that’s just all I have to say” She snorted, I nodded, with a little smile

“I will take corrections” I muttered as stared at Axel, he is the last to judge, I felt my heart thumping hard as he smiled, which sends butterfly to flutter in my stomach

“I love your voice, it was soft, cool and went well with the music. I believe you didn’t give the instrumentalist stress, due to the way you carried them along. I love your stage management, but I will want you to put more effort in that area and always remember that this is a contest, you are in a competition to win, so don’t’ relax. You are gonna be a star, keep it up Ariel” He noted, as the crowd cheered again, I felt a blush rising to my cheek but try to keep it down. Two more contestants are yet to perform, but I felt glad for receiving much complement from the crowd, this is a good start. But as for Sophia, I feel like I had offended her in some way, which I know isn’t true; I hope she isn’t cooking up something bad for me, being that her Dad owns the company. I pray her plan doesn’t work, because if I manage to win this contest I will still have to compete with her to win the leadership of the Triple girls, before becoming a solo singer, and that will take some years to become that.