"Wow... I am surprised you still remember that" Raymond remarked. His gloomy expression lightened up in an instant.
"That night would have been the day I died and got devoured by wild beasts if it were not for you, so of course I recall almost everything that took place that night," Joanna relayed.
Talking about that night brought back memories of that fateful day.
If not for the bravery of the chubby boy who was only a bit taller than her, she would have been torn apart by a tiger who attacked her.
He was there to shield her from the heavy rain that night and also kept her company which was the most important thing to her back then.
"Indeed, being a celebrity was never part of my dreams but I just found myself becoming one," Raymond replied while gazing at the round moon which was shining down on them with all its might.
"And now it has become something I enjoy and love," He added absentmindedly.
"I am happy to hear that you enjoy what you do despite how demanding this career is because eighty per cent of people out there don't love what they do for a living," Joanna beamed at him.
She could feel her anxiety gradually reduced as she conversed with him.
"From what I noticed these past days, I can tell that you belong to this industry. Do you want to go into modelling and acting?" Raymond asked.
He spun and moved to stand in front of the lady who had stopped in her tracks following his question.
"Not only do you possess the talent in acting and modelling but you have what it takes to excel in this industry.... and if you want I can help you to pursue a career as a celebrity," Raymond put forth a juicy offer that everyone would have hopped onto without hesitation.
"Unlike others who knew what they wanted to be and do since they were kids, I have never thought about that... no that statement is wrong," Joanna corrected. She lifted her head so that hers and Raymond's eyes locked.
"It wasn't that I didn't think about it but I was made to understand at the age of four that I didn't have the right to dream..."
"And you are no longer that little child that anyone can cage anymore. Legally and physically, you are a full-grown woman who can take decisions for yourself now," Raymond cut in. He made sure he didn't avoid her eyes as he said these.
"Joanna, you can be who and whatever you want now. You can dream and spread your wings as far as you so desire. You can make up for all the regrets you had in the past," Raymond cooed.
"I guess you are right about that but I doubt that old man who calls himself my father will not cut off my wings before I even get to fly..."
"But..."
"Don't worry I will think about your offer and give you a response as soon as possible," Joanna beamed at him. She walked past him towards where the others were.
"Guys!" Joanna yelled a bit loudly to get the intention of every one since they were also humans among them.
"How are you all feeling now?" Joanna addressed everyone after she had gotten their attention.
"Feeling much better hmm?" She asked when no one replied.
"Yeah. the night breeze sure did the trick," Lia assured her with a sweet smile on her face.
"I am glad to hear that. I will have Henry and the other guys take our costumes and equipment backstage," Raymond beats Joanna to speak first.
"I will join them in moving the equipment too," Derrick volunteered even though he didn't have to do that.
Derrick and the others whom Raymond had handpicked earlier in the hall left the field to carry out the task.
Joanna and the others were eagerly waiting for news from those who went to prepare things for their performance when Raymond received a call from Derrick.
"Is the job done already? Can we come now?" Raymond asked the moment he answered the line.
"Why aren't you saying anything, Rick? Is everything prepared?" Raymond asked a bit more seriously.
"Bad news, Ray..."
"And what do you mean by that?" Raymond grunted. He looked away from the faces of those who had their eyes fixed on him.
Joanna walked up to Raymond despite knowing that he moved away from them for this same reason.
"Is there a problem?" Joanna asked in a gentle tone.
"Although I don't know what happened, I am sure it isn't something that can't be fixed," Raymond replied with the cell phone still placed on his right ear.
"Rick, I will be there in a minute. I need to see for myself what the issue is," He informed him and disconnected the line in an instant.
"Let's come along too. They are feeling much better and it will be our turn in a few minutes so I think it's time to put an end to the walk," Joanna spoke before the impatient guy could run off.
"Let's go then," Raymond cited and immediately led the way back to the rehearsal room.
Entering the room the scene they met made Joanna's legs go weak. Had Lia not caught her on time she would have stumbled on her legs and sustained a bad fall.
"What in heaven's name happened here?" Joanna demanded, unable to control her emotions at that moment.
"Where are our instruments, costumes and why are the harps and flutes in this state?" One of the members who was as shocked as the others quizzed.
He peered at the harps whose strings had been ripped out from the body. The flutes were smashed to the point that piecing them together would be difficult if not impossible for an expert.
"Rick, why on Earth is our rehearsal room in this condition?" Raymond queried.
....
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