Within thirty minutes, sixty percent of the audience had bought the tickets for the next event. Carson, who was monitoring the sales, was thrilled. Likewise, Alfred was not left out in the excitement. He inched closer to Carson, and whispered, “If an impromptu show could yield such success, what happens when you take time and plan one? Congratulations.”
“Thank you for the encouragement, and your desire to get a free tutorial.”
They laughed happily, and Pearl, who was responding to the unwanted messages from her friend, looked at them, and smiled. Meanwhile, Alfred had not set his eyes on Mirabel. When she was projected on the screen, he could not recognize her, but termed her as one of the beautiful girls around, and looked away.
Back to the Stage
“I appreciate you for your interest in our upcoming event. I promise you that there won't be a dull moment. Put your hands together for yourselves once again,” the MC announced, and called back the attention of the audience, who were busy with the purchase of the tickets. They clapped happily for themselves, and the MC continued, “Before I invite our partners for their exhibitions, I would like to invite an upcoming artist, who would make it big very soon, for his performance. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Prospect De Rapper with a clapping ovation.”
The artist, was an eighteen-year-old boy, who was so talented in Country Music. His performance impressed the audience, and he noticed it by the looks on their faces. Nevertheless, he was encouraged, and it helped him to overcome his initial stage fright. Howbeit, that was the right time for Alfred to sort things out with Mirabel. Then, he called Carson's attention, “Guy, I hope we are good to go?”
“Sure. She is prepared for it.”
“I see.”
On the hand, Mirabel was more anxious than Alfred. Her desire to redeem her image, and stop him from condemning her in the public, had overtaken her. Then, she set out to look for him. She walked to Carson's table, and was amazed by Alfred's look.
'He is truly handsome,' she told herself.
“Hello, everyone” she greeted. Even in a dream, Alfred would not miss her voice, so, he jolted, and looked up. He had never seen such a beautiful lady in his life, and his urge to kiss her lips increased. He was mesmerized by her presence that he failed to answer her greetings, and she mistook it for resentment.
'He is still mad at me,' she thought. Nevertheless, she saw Pearl sitting alone, and concluded that she was his girlfriend that he proposed to, and they were still at loggerheads.
“Hello, Mirabel,” Pearl greeted happily, and she was surprised. “Ah! He had told her about me,” she told herself. All the same, she responded, “Hi. Nice to…”
Due to lack of time, Carson failed to introduce her to Pearl, and interrupted her. Then, he declared, “He is ready. I hope you are?”
Before she could respond, she looked at the spellbound Alfred, and asked, “I want to believe that you are familiar with your lines?”
Instead of responding, he erroneously greeted, “Hi.”
Now, she concluded that he was being difficult, and set out to make him forget about her mistakes during the tutorial.
“I will return to my seat. I will meet you at the stage when the time comes,” she stated, and took a step, but Alfred had found his bearings, and halted her, “I propose that we walk to the stage together.”
Apart from her desire to impress him, he had a point, and she accepted, “I think you are right.”
She looked at the only empty seat, which was beside Pearl, and attempted to sit, but Alfred, had begun his role as a husband. Quickly, he got up, and adjusted the seat for her. After she sat down, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I am. Thank you for this,” she appreciated, and sat like a sheep heading for the slaughter.
Nevertheless, the King was happy with the occasion, but he would have been happier if Mirabel was sitting at the same table with him. He felt bad that she did not spare them a greeting. While the artist was performing, he looked at the Queen, and inquired, “Where is Mirabel?”
Now, the Prince heard it, and responded, “You don't need to worry about her. She is busy with work.”
“How busy? Couldn't she spare a few minutes, and say hello to her family?”
The Prince smiled softly, and shook his head in disapproval, “She won't come, my father.”
“Why?” He asked, and looked at the Queen too. She also smiled, and promised, “We will talk about it later, my King.”
At that point, the King felt left out. The Prince noticed it, and tried to cheer him up, “She is married to her job, and wished to be good at it.” Whatever, the King was not convinced, and wished to know more. Meanwhile, the singer was through, and the clapping and cheering from the audience had died down. Now, it was time for the next item on the agenda.
“Hey! Princess Mirabel is so beautiful,” Princess Aurora, who was looking at the stage, pointed out. The family looked at the stage too, and was surprised to see her with a dashing young foreigner, who just walked her to the stage. The sight of the man made the Prince squint. The resemblance between him and the Prince he was trying to contact at Nassau, was obvious. The differences were the black beard and the trimmed hair. He was among the twelve percent of the Bahamians who were of Europeans decent.
“Is she going to perform, dad?” The younger Princess asked, and broke his father's reverie.
“We will find out, my dear,” the Prince responded, and squeezed her hand. Now, the King was not worried about her dissociating herself from them anymore, but her mission on the stage. Her grandmother was not left out in the astonishment.
To clarify issues, the MC elucidated, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are on the educational part of this event. You will recall that we are out to educate, and entertain you tonight. Am I right?”
“Yes, you are right,” the over ten thousand confused attendees, responded. Meanwhile, Mirabel was smiling happily, while Alfred still held her right hand with his left hand, and the beautiful bouquet in his right hand. Meanwhile, the bouquet was as attractive as the two youngsters on the stage. Then, the MC continued, “Good. Guys, how many of you have proposed to a girl, and she turned you down?”
To everyone's dismay, many young men raised their hands, including the kings, and that amused the audience.
“Oh! Our Royal Father's are affected too,” the MC drew their attention to, and the audience laughed happily while Alfred and Mirabel maintained a happy and a good posture. Likewise, the MC carried on, “Yours truly is also a victim. The girl gave me the disgrace of my life, and I am certain that you won't like to hear my story.”
“We don't mind. Share it,” the audience requested after laughing at him.
“Never mind. I promise to share it at the next event. It is painful after someone made out time, sometimes, sleepless nights to prepare his lines, buy a beautiful platinum ring and flowers, dress to impress the girl, and she turns him down.”
“Very painful,” some men from the crowd shouted.