"So... this is our meeting place, right?" I asked aloud in the middle of the street, like an idiot.
Lumi clung to my side, trembling ever the slightest. She dipped her head behind my back and gripped the sides of my dress shirt tight.
We stood in front of a tall, grand, imposing building, about half the height of a skyscraper. It towered over us with blue pleated window that glimmered against the sun. Adorned above the grand glass doors was a bright, bold neon sign and logo. Slews of paparazzi surrounded the area, their cameras pointed at every car who stopped by.
Well, that was what my eyes wanted to see, what I wanted to describe. But it was not.
Daniella, Lumi and I all stood in front a shabby building some blocks away from where we lived. Mind you, Daniella's apartment was in the upscale part of the city. Our apartment was in the dregs, and this building was almost no different from it. It was part of a larger block of random mom and pop department stores and restaurants with dirty windows and peeling walls.
There was not even a logo. I turned and faced Daniella, who checked our location.
"Yep, this is it. It's in one of the units inside," she answered, quite unfazed.
My grip around Lumi's hands tightened. "This won't be a scam, right?"
Daniella was speechless. "Your research this past week about all the record labels was more thorough than some thesis and dissertation papers. Why are you so surprised?"
"I just... well, seeing it in person is striking. The building looks like it's on its last legs. I can't believe a record label headed by Clara Starlight is located here," I answered. I turned to Lumi who still stuck to me like glue. "Even Lumi is frightened by it. Don't worry, dumpling. They won't try to sell you... probably."
Lumi looked up at me, her eyes flickering. My joke seemed to help her timidity. "I'm not scared of the building, Dad. I'm scared of... meeting her."
Daniella and I looked at each other. We read the look in each other's eyes and hurried to action.
"You'll likely have to sing in front of her, ice cream. Don't treat it as an audition. Treat it as any other performance," Daniella said, her voice softening. She handed over a piece of chocolate shaped like a bunny and placed it in Lumi's hands.
I consoled her, too. "Yes, dumpling. Remember, they are inviting you to join their company. They are already impressed by you. You don't have to worry about being criticized. Miss Clara is nothing scary, she's a singer the same as you."
"... how can you be sure of that, Dad?"
I paused. I turned to Daniella, who nodded. She began leading the way inside. I, on the other hand, pried Lumi away from my side. I squatted down, placed one arm around her lower back, the other in the crook of her knees, and lifted her into a princess carry.
Lumi's face reddened. "N-not in public!"
"The only way to find out is to meet her in-person now. She may be a star singer herself, but she has nothing against your Dad, okay? I won't let her bully you."
***
Clara Starlight still looked as graceful and inapproachable as a top star through the years and her accident. She wore a flowing dress in shades of azure and turquoise. The fabric draped elegantly, and the hem fluttered around her ankles, covering most of the wheelchair and her legs. She had grown her hair since the last time I saw her perform. They were coiffed the slightest, cascading over her shoulders and down all the way to her back.
I sort of lied to Lumi when I told her I would not Clara bully her, because she did.
She rolled right over in her wheelchair the moment we exited the hallway and turned into the office. She was abrupt in maneuvering herself, so much so, Lumi almost jumped out of my arms. I had to pull her back tightly and let head rest against my chest.
In my mind, I had hoped the beating of my heart would soothe her. But I did not account for my own sense of surprise. It was more awestruck, truth be told. I froze in place as her excited voice echoed about.
"Oooh! Is this her?! The diamond I've been looking for!" Clara exclaimed.
She outstretched her hands towards Lumi's cheeks, as if zombified. Only when Lumi's pitiful wail sound in my mind did I react and pull myself away.
I tried to stay calm. I hoped the way I had stepped backwards was not too abrupt and too impolite.
"Hello," I greeted out of the blue. "This is my daughter, Lumi."
Clara Starlight squealed. "Lumi, is it? How old is she? How long has she been singing for? That was an amazing performance at the university park! You've star-strucked the whole industry, little one!" She exclaimed again, all in one breath.
I took another step backwards, pulling Lumi tighter to myself. Clara was nothing as I imagined her to be. Her voice was different than on CD's and during her performance in shows. They were smooth, airy, delicate then, but profound, deep, loud now.
"Now, now Clara," a man said, rising out of the couch and pulling the wheelchair she sat backwards. "Haven't you learned that your enthusiasm is scaring the little ones? How many young and budding talents have you frightened away from the company like this?"
The man then turned and face me, offering his hand. "Casper, president CEO of Little Starlight Entertainment. Clara here is my wife, please don't mind her bubbliness." He turned and flashed Lumi a bright smile. "We're very excited to have talents like Lumi here today. It is great to meet you two."
I inhaled a deep breath before I set Lumi down. I knew his smile was anything but friendly and amiable. Business was business and business were cutthroat. If we were to be negotiating Lumi's contract and signing to their company, I could not be embarrassing myself.
"It's nice to meet you too," I said, accepting Casper's hand. Then I lowered my voice and tightened my grip. "But I won't be polite. How can you help turn my daughter Lumi into a superstar?"