The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling city streets. Joe eased his Mercedes Benz G Class into a parking spot with the practiced finesse of someone who had done this countless times before. His sleek car purred to a halt, and for a moment, he simply sat there, taking in the sights and sounds around him.
Joe was a well-known singer, famous for his soulful voice and heart-touching lyrics. He had arrived at the recording studio where he often brought his songs to life. But today, something felt different. He felt an inexplicable urge to explore the world outside his car, as if the universe had a surprise waiting just for him.
After a moment of contemplation, he pocketed his phone and stepped out of his car. The concrete jungle of the city buzzed with life, and Joe couldn't help but smile. As he looked around, his eyes fell upon a familiar face.
Mustafa, one of the security guards who dutifully watched over the recording studio, stood a few feet away. Recognition flashed across their faces as their eyes locked, and they greeted each other with a silent nod and exchanged warm smiles. It was a simple gesture, but one that conveyed a sense of camaraderie that had developed over time.
Joe wasted no time and headed towards Mustafa, who had now retreated to the small security post adjacent to the elevator. "Mustafa?" Joe called out, his voice friendly and welcoming.
They shook hands, a firm grip that symbolized the bond they shared. Mustafa, always the polite and courteous one, pulled out a chair for Joe and sat down, inviting him to do the same. "How are you, Joe?" Mustafa inquired.
"I'm fine, thanks. You?" Joe replied, taking a seat.
"Oh, I'm good too! Anything I can do for you, Joe?" Mustafa asked, eager to assist.
Joe leaned in slightly, a request on his lips. "Yes, I kinda need paper and pen, do you have one in you?"
Mustafa frowned for a moment as he rummaged through his desk drawer. After a brief search, he triumphantly produced a blank sheet of white paper and a black pen, handing them to Joe. "Here you go," he said with a warm smile.
"Thanks, Mustafa!" Joe expressed his gratitude, his eyes bright with appreciation.
With the paper and pen in hand, Joe left the security room, opting to sit on the floor just outside. Mustafa, watching Joe's movements on the CCTV monitor, couldn't help but be intrigued by the singer's choice of location.
Curiosity piqued, Mustafa approached Joe, his hand resting on the doorknob. "Joe? You can sit inside if you want," he suggested.
Joe turned to Mustafa, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "No, no, thank you. I'll be sitting here for a while, I think. I got the inspiration for my song here, so..."
Mustafa chuckled at Joe's response. "Okay then!" he said, retreating back into the security room.
Meanwhile, Joe, seated comfortably on the floor, began to let his creativity flow onto the blank page. The lines of a beautiful song started to take shape under his skilled hand.
"Never did I imagine I will meet my angel in the crowd
I wish I pulled one of your wings so you can't fly and leave me
Who are you,
Where are you, My Fortunate
I lost half my breath while looking for you again
Come back
Who are you,
Where are you, My Fortunate"
Joe smiled at his own writing, his heart infused with the emotions that had birthed these words. He carefully folded the paper into a neat rectangle and slipped it into the right front pocket of his jeans.
With his creative task completed for the moment, Joe stood up and returned to the security room to give Mustafa his pen back. Their exchange was brief but cordial, a testament to the respect they had for each other.
Joe then headed for the elevator, his thoughts consumed by the melody and lyrics he had just penned. He pressed the up button several times in his eager anticipation, and finally, the elevator doors opened to reveal Ted inside, engrossed in his phone.
"Ted?" Joe greeted, extending a hand to stop the elevator doors from closing automatically.
Startled, Ted looked up and met Joe's gaze. "Joe?"
Joe held the elevator door open and inquired, "Where are you going?"
"Meeting with Aya Record's people. What's up?" Ted replied as he made his way out of the elevator.
Joe's hand maintained its grip on the elevator door as he leaned out slightly. "No, I think I'll record a song. I just got an inspiration and will probably finish the lyrics first and then try to record it."
Ted's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, perfect! I'll be back around before 7 pm, and maybe when I do come back, you'll probably be done with the lyrics, and I can see you recording!"
"Sounds good!" Joe replied with a cheery smile, starting to step into the elevator. However, he halted momentarily, his hand once again securing the door from closing.
"Ted?"
Ted stopped in his tracks, turning his head to face Joe.
"And I will go live on Instagram to find Shea!" Joe informed, determination in his voice.
Ted turned back to Joe, a look of surprise crossing his features. "Shea?"
"Yes, the girl from the restaurant?" Joe prompted, attempting to jog Ted's memory.
"That Shea?" Ted clarified, his words tinged with incredulity.
"Yes?"
"Are you still looking for that girl?" Ted questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, why? I'm just telling you this so you won't be surprised by what I'm doing, not to ask for your approval, to be honest!"
"I know, I know that for sure, but what I am about to say is, how do you think your fans will react?" Ted posed a thoughtful question.
"I don't know, that's why I want to try it. We need to see how they will react!" Joe responded with a rebellious edge to his tone.
Ted chuckled at Joe's defiant reply. "Well, you know it's actually up to you, but please, please don't do anything stupid! And it's better if you don't mention her name in your live. You know how the media works; they can find anything faster than anyone for their juicy gossip. So, be wise about it, okay?"
Joe nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Okay, then. See you later!"
"Okay!"
Joe finally released the elevator door, and a few moments later, he arrived on the 4th floor. He continued down the hallway, arriving at the glass-walled recording studio. Through the transparent walls, he could see a group of people, including his friends Ebri and Felix, engaged in animated conversation.
Joe entered the room, making his way towards Ebri. Leaning in, he whispered, "I'm going live on Instagram."
Ebri arched an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his eyes. "And?"
Joe grinned mischievously, leaving Ebri with an air of anticipation. "Just watch it. I'll be live from the next room."
Ebri exchanged gl
ances with Joe, a hint of concern in his eyes. "What are you planning to do?"
Joe simply smiled enigmatically, leaving Ebri to ponder his intentions.
As Joe secluded himself in a small room adjacent to the glass studio, the atmosphere crackled with excitement. The room contained nothing more than a crimson sofa and a tea table, a stark contrast to the high-tech recording equipment next door. Joe opened the Instagram app, his mind racing with thoughts of the pink-haired girl from the restaurant.
He checked his direct messages from the previous night, hoping for a response. But there was none. Closing the message thread, he took a deep breath and tapped the 'live' button, immediately connecting with his fans.
The number of viewers quickly climbed into the millions, a testament to Joe's immense popularity. He greeted his fans with warmth and began to sing a chorus from one of his songs, his voice pouring out like liquid gold.
As he continued to sing, he couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with his audience. They were more than just fans; they were a community that had supported him throughout his journey. And today, he needed their help.
"Okay, so for this live, it's not just business as usual," Joe announced, glancing at the rapid stream of comments on his screen.
As he paused to read the comments, he continued, "So, at a charity concert last week, I met a girl."
His smile broadened as he recalled the image of the girl who had captured his attention. "I don't know who she is. All I know is her name. All I'm saying is, I really need your help, guys. Please help me find her!"
The comments section erupted with excitement. His fans were passionate, and they were ready to assist. Many of them typed furiously, asking questions and expressing their eagerness to help.
Joe's voice remained steady as he provided a description of the mysterious girl. "Her characteristics are... well, on that day, she was wearing an electric blue sweater and blue jeans. Her hair was brunette, with a slight curl, more like waves, you know."
He cleared his throat, "I'm not very sure about the color of her eyes because when we talked, we weren't that close. And, oh yeah, this is the important one - we met at Lezatli Restaurant."
Joe continued, his voice filled with genuine hope, "But unfortunately, the restaurant's lighting was warm-yellow, so I'm not really sure about the color of her eyes. Maybe dark brown or dark green, I don't know!"
As Joe spoke, Ebri joined him in the room, nodding in acknowledgment to the camera and reading comments from the viewers. He pointed to a particular comment, signaling Joe to read it.
The comment asked, 'Tell us her name?'
Joe and Ebri exchanged a knowing glance, and Joe finally replied, "I actually know the girl's name, but I'm not really sure if it's her real name. And you know, to narrow down the possibility that people will use that name, and for some other reason, I won't tell her name to you guys! So by that, hopefully, only people who actually know the information will contact me."
"Or me!" Ebri chimed in, offering his assistance.
"Yes, or him. Please, guys, if you are the girl that I'm looking for or if you know any information about the girl I'm looking for, please tag me, mention me, please help me find her!" Joe implored, his eyes filled with sincerity.
With a wave and a smile, Joe and Ebri bid their fans farewell. The live session came to an end, leaving the virtual world abuzz with chatter and excitement.
Little did Joe know that this simple act would set in motion a chain of events that would forever change his life and the life of the mysterious girl he sought.