Chapter 6 The Big Break

|Aria’s POV| As I looked at the Arena from the backstage, my mind reeled with two possibilities—What if I fail? Or what if I fall from the stage? Today is my movie premiere, the day I’ve dreamt since I decided to venture into theatrics. ‘You will do well!’ ‘You will do well!’ I rubbed my sweaty hands against the jumpsuit. Looking at people filling up the arena made me feel fulfilled and thankful that I decided to chase my dream. It’s been five years since I left the mentally exhausting relationship called marriage. A smile slowly crept up my face, remembering how much I had achieved. Sneaking up on me, Zion clutched my waist before turning my face to his. “Baby, you don’t need to be nervous. You’ve come this far. Trust me, you won’t fuck this up.” He whispered before kissing me on the lips. I leaned into his kiss, thankful for the day we met each other. Zion became my manager four years ago when I decided to take my acting career seriously. I knew he liked me from the onset, but I had just left one relationship and I couldn’t bear to be in another soon. Not when I was yet to move on from the man I had loved for years. Zion was relentless, and he didn’t give up on me. Gazing into his eyes, I knew I would have given up on this career if he wasn’t there. His hot breath fanned my lips. “I don’t know what’s got your pretty head in a twist… but I’ll be back, and we will talk about it.” He assured, his hands slowly leaving my waist. As I watched his retreating steps, I couldn’t help but mutter a silent appreciation to the universe. Zion was patient with me. He even helped mend the heart that he didn’t break. After my accident, I woke up in the hospital thinking I should be dead, but luckily I didn’t. Mtr Jimmy Greggor---Zion’s father, had rushed me to the hospital after the accident. Slowly, we became friends and would confide in Zion whenever I was feeling down. I had even contemplated aborting the child because I wasn’t sure raising a child with my mental state was the best thing to do. But, the narrative changed after finding out that I was going to have twins. The thought of abortion disappeared, and with their help, I am here today. My ringtone interrupted my thoughts, and I looked at the screen. It was a FaceTime video call from my best friend, Penelope. Waving excitedly, “Hi Mama,” Penelope smiled. Tilting the camera to the side, two pigtails and a little version of myself stared back at me. “Mama, I miss you.” Zoe whimpered. “Mama, Aunt Penny says I should tell you I am proud of you,” Zachary, the nonchalant twin, yelled. Bobbing her head in consent to what her brother said, “Also, she said you’d do well.” Zoe continued. Shoving his head into the camera. “Mama, why are you crying?” Zachary questioned. Wiping the tears with the back of my hand, I replied, “They are tears of joy. Mama loves you both.” Snatching the phone back from them, Penelope gave me a thumbs up. “I am super proud of you, Mama Bear. I know you will do well. Just wanted to give you an update,” Penelope relayed. “Ciao Bella, I love you,” I mumbled before ending the FaceTime. ‘Life has been good to me.’ I admitted. Glancing at the arena one more time, gladness filled my heart as the audience piled in. It is time to get dressed. My legs halted mid-way. “Shit … I didn’t order a dress,” I remembered, my fingers typed furiously on my keypad to notify my assistant. “Ma’am, you called for me… I was around the corner.” Rubbing my temples, I mumbled, “I didn’t get a dress. I had been so occupied that it skipped my mind.” “Um…you have a dress already. Someone delivered a dress earlier. Also, the dress is very gorgeous.” Ava reassured me. Surprise clouded my features because I don’t remember placing an order. Remembering that I was no longer single and Zion was the most intentional man, a deep exhale escaped my lips. “Oh, my gosh. Zion must have placed the order.” I remarked. His intentionality makes me fall for him every day. My legs, deeply rooted, finally moved in the dressing room’s direction. “Okay, now that we have that out of the way. Give me an update.” I inquired. Keeping up with my strides, “Someone bought bulk tickets.” Ava announced. “Well, that’s a good thing… right?” I trailed off. Her blonde curls whipped around as she shook her head, “No, ma’am. You don’t understand. The person bought 5000 tickets.” I froze mid-step, turning my head slowly in her direction. ‘God, please. I hope it is not what I am thinking.’ I had always heard about people doing that— buying all the tickets so the show would be empty. They mostly do it to make a mockery out of the celebrity. “Is there a way we can track this person?” I asked her. “Nope. No way. Someone sent the money anonymously. However, it didn’t look too suspicious because people were filling the arena.” She assured. My hand twisted the doorknob to the dressing room. As it opened with a creak, my eyes landed on the bold red dress. It wasn’t hard to miss because it stood out. My jaw literally dropped because I knew that would have cost him a couple thousand of dollars, but money wasn’t a problem. “I didn’t know Zion was into red now. It is breathtakingly beautiful,” I smiled. “Wow, this is the fairytale dream heels.” Ava gasped as she opened the box. The glittering butterfly heels with straps stood out. Slumping into the chair in front of the mirror, I murmured, “I know right? Tell the beauty team to come inside, please. I know we have less than an hour to make an appearance.” “Okay, ma’am. I will keep you updated. However, do you think this arena would be enough?” “Yes, it should be. My manager researched before we rented the Climate Arena. They said the venue should take at least 10000 people.” I recalled. Walking towards the exit, Ava bade her goodbye. “Okay, I’ll see you soon, miss.” Shortly after, the beauty team walked into the room. All of them dressed in pitch knee-length fitted gown and each holding a box or a bag. “Congratulations on your movie premiere. I am such a big fan.” The pink-haired, short lady who carried herself elegantly gushed slightly. Meeting her eyes on the vanity, I whispered, “Thank you,” The make-up and hair session was silent. My heart raced, especially after the news of the anonymous ticket buyer. I barely paid attention to the soft brushes and subtle sting of my scalp, multiple pins going into the hairstyle. “Aria!” Zion called out before two sharp bangs reverberated. “Come in.” I answered. The door creaked, a smile tugging my lips as I looked at his curls that dropped to his forehead. “You clean up well,” I hummed, looking at his black three-piece tuxedo. “And you’re yet to be dressed. The event has started,” He informed, taking long strides and plopping on the couch. “We are almost done, Mr Greggor. We are making the finishing touches,” Brittany, the team leader, chuckled slightly. “Now, we would need you to excuse us. She needs to dress up.” She walked towards the door and shoved it open. Laughter bubbled in my throat. If only they knew he was my boyfriend. But it didn’t take a novice to know that this wasn’t their first encounter, especially after she slammed the door after him. Brittany fumbled with the dress as the rest of the crew stripped me off my jumpsuit. “Wow, originally from Zara. This is stunning, fits the occasion perfectly well.” She mumbled. My hands itched to cover myself but I knew there was nothing to be ashamed of, not even my operation scar that I had earned during the c-section of the twins. I stepped into the dress and oh, how silky, it felt smooth and expensive against my body and I hummed in satisfaction. Before long, they were done with everything, staring at my reflection. My eyes burned with tears, but I blinked them away. ‘This is just the beginning.’ “We’re done here. We already bought our tickets and we will just fill into the back seats.” Brittany smiled, and without waiting for my reply, she walked out with her crew. “Wow, I can’t believe she pushed me out.” Zion walked into the room immediately. Closing the distance between us, “Fuck. It is worth the wait,” He mumbled. He pulled me into his embrace and whispered words of encouragement into my ears. All doubts that I would fail perished immediately as he tangled our fingers together. “It’s time. Let’s do this.” With our hands locked, we walked out of the room towards my dream. As we neared the stage through the back, the rumbles of thousands echoed in the arena. “And with that, let’s welcome the star of tonight,” the host called out the moment he saw me. “Aria Winchester!” My heart thumped wildly in my chest, and the blood rushing in my vein was audible. I walked out with my head straight and shoulder high, and with each step, the cheers grew louder. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the crowd. Not yet. “Oh my God,” shivers ran through my spine as my voice echoed in the arena. I didn’t realize that as I approached the host, his microphone picked up my voice. “Wow,” I almost lost my balance when I saw the crowds. My eyes betrayed me and I couldn’t stop the fat tears that were rolling down my cheek. For the first time in my life, I felt accomplished. “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.” I chuckled as the host clipped the microphone to my dress. Claps and shouts erupted again the moment I began my speech. I didn’t prepare a speech, I just let it flow freely. Bowing my head slightly, “Thank you for coming!” I finished. My assistant approached me with a bouquet of red roses and a single envelope. “From your biggest fan.” She whispered. As I opened the letter, the words written in it echoed in my head like a bell in a church. I couldn’t read it out loud. My eyes tracked the audience, and I saw him. Just before he could walk out of my sight.