*DIANA*
I have never had any good experience with public speeches, since I was in high-school till I graduated college I had always avoided anything that involved talking in front of a crowd of people, the last time I stood in front of a crowd was when I was about to give my valedictorian speech during my graduation out of high-school and it went so bad that I found myself wishing that I wasn't the valedictorian because I wouldn't have given the speech then but it happened and it scarred me for life because it went so bad.
The principal had announced my name and the whole class had applauded me as I walked to the podium confidently, he gave me my certificate and my award before he gave me the floor to give my speech that I had been rehearsing weeks before that day.
I forgot my lines but I improvised quickly and everything would have gone well if I had not taken my eyes off my paper to look into the crowd, their eyes scared me and I faltered without even trying to.
I stuttered and blustered in front of my laughing classmates, juniors, teachers and even cleaners, I was so embarrassed that I tried to leave the podium before it became too hard to bear, as I was moving away I slipped on my graduation gown and I fell to the floor with so much force that my award broke in my hand… I never forgot about that day and the embarrassment scarred me for life.
"LET'S WELCOME THE PERSON THAT MADE US ABLE TO PUT ALL OF THIS TOGETHER, THE WOMAN OF THE HOURRRR…. MY SWEET DAUGHTER DIANA RODRIGUEZ!!".
My father's voice woke me out of my thoughts and I looked round the neighbors to see them clapping, everybody had smiles on their faces and this time I was genuinely appreciated for once in my life, even Carl was clapping with a proud look on his face, he took my hand and he led me to the makeshift platform which was made out crates.
Carl helped me up and I smiled at him before smiling at my father who looked as if he was the proudest man on planet earth, all the fear and trauma of my graduation speech was wiped away by this new feeling of accomplishment, I felt like I had done something big and I even pulled off a celebration in my own honor, I was not ashamed or scared but proud of myself and the woman that I had become.
"I hope everyone is having a good time? Food and drinks going round?`` The small crowd answered with cheering and whistling, I could tell that they were enjoying themselves to the fullest.
"I am very grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to celebrate with friends, family and also my lovely boyfriend…" Carl gave an excited shout and the crowd picked it up.
I had to wait for a few seconds before I continued because of the ruckus.
"After my mother left us, we were left to strive on our own with nobody to rely on other than our father who was laid off from his job, things were not easy and I had to work as a waitress which was not that bad but it wasn't still enough to handle the bills and all of that… I just want to thank God for never letting me down even when I was out of hope and out of faith, I don't know how it all happened but here I am standing as the personal assistant to the CEO of the biggest importation company in the whole of America" The crowd went wild and the cheers got louder and louder, it died down after a while and I continued my speech.
"I know that God still have more in store for me so I am going to wait so that his blessings would eventually multiply and reach new heights that I have never seen"
I saw that Lucia was going round refilling everybody's cups as I spoke and by the time I finished she gave me a cup as well and she poured in some wine with a smile that made my heart melt into butter.
"Congratulations, sis… I am really proud of you" she kissed my cheek and my father spoke up suddenly with his cup raised.
"Cheers to new beginnings and new heights, cheers to Diana and also cheers to my sweet wife; Cecilia and may her soul rest in peace in God's bosom…" We clinked our cups against each other and everyone resumed their drinking and eating, I went back to Carl who was beaming with pride.
"The woman of the hour, you have really done it this time" Carl said as I sat next to him with my cup in hand, he was playing with his drink as if he was not interested in it.
"What did I do?" I asked him modestly and he just chuckled.
"All of this, you put it all together with your two hands… you are the P.A to Julian Mateo Ramirez; his father was a business mogul and that boy has his father's attributes so it's expected for him to reach new heights that his father never touched" Carl spoke of Julian as if he knew him directly, everybody knew who Julian was and he was a popular celebrity when it came to the world of business.
"I don't want to talk about work right now, all I want to do right now is to drink and relax… enjoy the weekend as I should" I snuggled close to Carl and he put his arm around me to pull me closer, we watched Lucia dance with her mates, some people still came to talk to me with their drunken friends to congratulate me or tell me how awesome I was for hosting them so well. After the crowd had reduced a bit, I was left with Carl and some of my father's friends who were still talking to him at a table that was far from where I was.
"I had a wonderful evening and I am happy that you came, Carl" I looked into his eyes that were reflecting the light of the moon, the moment was perfect and there was nobody else around.
"Here's to more money, more love and more frequent visits from me… I am proud of you my special flower" we clinked our cups and drank a bit from the wine, Carl leaned in slowly and I closed my eyes as I anticipated the sensual impact with all the nerves in my body jumping out of circuit.