2. SOME SORT OF JOKE

PRESENT DAY

Ariana sat in the dressing room backstage before her position, staring at the mirror and she admired her wavy red hair cascading down her shoulders and her glittering blue eyes sparkling with the golden lights emulating the entire environment. She chuckled as she adjusted the head mic on her head.

"You did it, Ariana." She muttered softly to herself as she cracked her knuckles adjusting and sprucing up her dress a little bit.

"The moment has come. It's time to disappoint those who never thought you could make it without their stupid help. " She said softly to herself as she clenched her fists with the thought of what happened five years ago ringing back in her memory. No matter how much she had tried to push it aside, it was just so hard. The pain and heartbreak she felt still held a large portion of her heart no matter how she tried to get rid of it. It was an experience she would never forget and had imprinted a big hole that could never be filled up in her heart. She brushed her fingers through her hair as she admired herself.

Her success as a vibrant talented actress has taken her to the top with no room for withdrawal or relaxation. She was the star of the season's most popular series musical movie, HARMONY OF HEARTS and the theme song created along with the movie also held a world-leading record in the world's largest music streaming platform, Spotify.

Being the star of the movie and also the creator of the music, she was required to perform her prowess physically in her award ceremony where she is to be given the crown as the world's leading actress of the year.

She knew she had to bring up her A-game so that she wouldn't disappoint the fans out there waiting for her to show her real self and her real voice. She kept on smiling to herself that she didn't notice when Clara, now her manager walked into the dressing room with a big smile on her face.

"You seem to be feeling yourself good there. " She said and Ariana briskly turned her head to look at her.

"Hey. " She said and Clara smiled as she walked closer to Ariana.

"I'm so proud of you baby girl." She said and Ariana beamed.

"Easy. You will make me blush right now. " She said and Clara laughed softly.

"Hope you're ready for this?" She asked and Ariana nodded her head taking in a deep breath.

"The last five years can never go to waste. I have prepared myself for this moment and now that I have I've gotten it, I'm going to bring up my game to go through it with every power within me." She said and Clara smiled. She admired the courage and the confidence this dazzling friend of hers had. It was one of the things that also motivated her to go along with her career path and what she adored.

Clara glanced at her wristwatch. "Okay. There's nothing else to do. In a few minutes, the announcer is going to call your name okay? " She said and Ariana nodded her head. Clara gave her thumbs up.

"You can do this. You can do this. You are just the direct proof that you didn't need that stupid contract marriage to get whatever you wanted. Vincent thought he could just fool and use you around to get what he wants because of your desperation for your career but this is just perfect proof that you do not need him. Okay?" Clara said and Ariana smiled.

"Yes. I know that. " Clara beamed.

"Hope the experience was a warning right now that next time I give you advice about something you will listen to me." She said and Ariana rolled her eyes with a smile.

" yeah yeah. I agree with you. I will listen to you whenever you give me a bit of advice on something. That is why I chose you as my manager." She said and Clara chuckled.

"All right all right. And now the moment you have all been waiting for.... ." the announcer at the stage announced and Clara glanced at Ariana.

" Okay, darling. I think the time for you to exit the backstage into the spotlight has arrived. There's nothing more for you to adjust. You are perfectly good to go." She said as she admired the dazzling, glittering stunning thigh-length gown Ariana was wearing that perfectly suited the show and dance she was about to pull off for the musical performance. Damn, it brightened out all her curves and made her look so hot and exotic, any man would drool after her.

"Just go out there and be yourself. Trust me you are going to crush it. " She said and Ariana beamed before slowly making her way to the entrance of the stage. Clara stood beside her and held her hand as if assuring her.

"Just follow my lead when the time comes. You don't need to rush it." She said.

"Now let us welcome our superstar and talented musician, Ariana Swift. " The announcer called and Clara glanced at Ariana before slowly leading her towards the stage trying as much as she could not to put too much pressure on her. They both got to the stage and the announcer left giving her a chance to perform.

Clara patted her back and then exited the stage also. The uproar in the entire auditorium was so loud that Ariana had to take some time calming herself and waving to them waiting for them to quiet down before she could begin.

"You are so beautiful, Ariana."

" We love you so much, Swift."

A lot of cries kept on coming from the crowd and after a short while of waving her hands, they all calmed down and settled in their positions ready to get attracted by her stunning beautiful voice.

Ariana began and just like she had always done, she allowed the music to sweep through her soul and take control of her mind and body. A few minutes into the song, the entire crowd in the auditorium screamed and joined her as they all sang along with her showing how much they loved and supported her.

Clara felt so happy in her position at the entrance to the stage that she also found herself singing along and clapping with them. Before long, Ariana's fellow stage dancers came out from their different positions as rehearsed and they all began to dance together moving to the rhythm of the song.

The uproar that thundered all over the entire auditorium when Ariana finished was something she couldn't bear. She felt like her drum eardrum was going to explode. The claps were thunderous, the screams were so sharp and ear-piercing.

"Marry me, Ariana!!"

" We love you so much, Ari!!!"

"You are the best Ariana!!"

All these screams kept on echoing everywhere as the announcer came to the podium and the award was finally presented to Ariana as the world's female leading actress of the year.

The noise in the auditorium was so much that Clara and Ariana hugged themselves tightly. "You did it Ari. You have finally done it. This is what I call, mission accomplished." She said as Ariana giggled uncontrollably while she hugged Clara.

"Thank you so much, Clara." She said.

Clara led Ariana away from the stage towards a separate part deep in the auditorium's backstage where a broadcasting channel room was.

"So now for the next phase, before you can finally go to rest, it is time for your interview okay? I promise you this is going to be quick. It's going to be broadcast live and everyone is going to be watching from all over the world. Just step in there with your award and the interviewer will get to see you......."

" Ariana??!!" Someone called her and they both looked at themselves before turning towards the direction where the voice came from.

Ariana ground her teeth when she beheld the pretty young lady approaching her with a wide smile on my face.

"Oh my God, it's you. I can't believe this is happening. I thought it was a joke when they said you would be on my show." She said as she held Ariana's hands jumping with glee. "Vincent will be so glad to see you." She said with so much joy as she finally turned towards the entrance. "Vincent!!!! It's true!!! Ariana is here!!!!" She called out loud as Ariana glanced at her with wide eyes her heart pounding so hard in her chest as a full rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Wait. He's here??!! She thought nervously.

She glanced at Clara standing beside her who looked like her face was red with a sort of fury she had never seen before. This is a very capturing situation. The both of them turned towards the entrance of the dressing room where they were staying when Vincent suddenly walked in in his usual domineering and oppressing presence.

His eyes scanned the entire dressing room as he adjusted his suit and when his eyes fell on Ariana, the look in his eyes softened. He couldn't believe his eyes.

God. She's so stunning. What was I thinking? Look at those eyes.

"Ari?" He said softly as he slowly approached them.

"Isn't she stunning? Look how beautiful she has become now?" Rose, his younger sister who had called him earlier kept on saying happily as she held onto Ariana's hand with joy in her eyes not willing to let her go anytime soon. " Oh my god, this is such a great news. Mom is so going to be happy for you. " She kept on saying as Clara standing beside Ariana glared at the two of them with her arms folded.

Ariana found herself struggling to contain the raging emotions running within her. Such silly individuals. She thought to herself. What the hell are they thinking? Do they think they can just walk in here with their cute little smiles and just sweet talk to me anyhow as though they have been good with me before? She thought to herself as she stared at them trying as much as she could not to show the anger boiling within her.

I am not going to let this be easy on them. She kept on thinking to herself. This is not going to be as easy as they think it will be. She thought as she finally brushed her fingers through her hair. Then she took a deep breath and relaxed to calm herself down.

She looked up at the both of them and feigned a confused expression. "I am sorry but this is rather confusing for me. I don't understand what is going on here." She said and turned to Clara. "Do I know them? Have we met before?" She said giving Clara a look and she immediately got the drift.

Clara smirked in her mind and chuckled inwardly. Way to go Ari!!! She said within her. such a smart-ass girl. She then composed herself and played along.

" I am so sorry Miss. Ariana. I too am as confused as you are. I do know them but it is so shocking to me that they are acting like they've deeply known you. Have you been close to them before?" She asked and Ariana shrugged.

" To be honest, I'm just seeing them for the first time." She said and the look on Vincent and Rose's faces where that of extreme shock.

"Is this some sort of joke?" Vincent asked as he stared at the two of them with his temper climbing.