FULL NOVELXO Chapter Finally Started
"You're right. Let's save the rest for tonight," he said before he flashed me a smile.
I didn't know how to respond to that bold hint of what I was to expect later tonight when we returned to his place together so just tried my best to offer him one of my best smiles. Ace responded just like he could read my mind and I was thankful for that.
"There's not much time left. You should head back to the auditorium first," I told him quite sternly.
"Yes, Ma'am..." he replied mockingly.
He gave me a nod and a smile before he went on ahead. I pressed a hand against my chest as I took in a few consecutive deep breaths to calm the rapid beating of my own heart that hammered against the palm of my hand. It was far from the first time that he had kissed me this way, but I still couldn't stop myself from getting so excited from his kiss. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh as I tried to collect myself. Just like Ace, I should head back to the auditorium soon as well because there may be things that I could help out with in the background.
I decided to head to the toilet to straighten my makeup and made sure that I looked presentable before returning to the auditorium. By the time that I got there, everyone was on standby including Ace. Although the official starting time had not started, the fact that some members of the press had started to arrive meant that the event has pretty much started. Julianna once again pulled her connections and used all her magic spells to make sure that we had everyone that mattered from the press joining the launch announcement.
From where I stood to the back of the auditorium, I could see logos of many leading news outlets and media companies. I had no idea where Ace was at that moment but if I had to guess then he was probably with the backstage staff doing some last minute preparations in the dressing room. After a moment of standing alone, Jeremy spotted me and gave me a wave. I waved back immediately as I watched him make his way towards me.
"This place is going to be filled with people soon..." Jeremy whispered as he came to stand by my side.
"The more the better..." I whispered back.
I wondered if he was feeling as nervous as I felt. As per the customs of how things are done, we would be playing the commercial during the final part of this launch event for the press to see first. It was fair considering that they had to write or talk about it and they couldn't do that without having seen the commercial. Then later this evening, our real audiences will get to see it. The thought of anyone outside the team seeing our commercial made my palm feel sweaty.
"You know, I can tell that you're so nervous right now..." Jeremy said teasingly.
"You can? What about you? Are you nervous too?" I asked as if finding a friend who felt the same way would make me feel better about myself.
"I don't look nervous to you? That's good. I'm working based on Ace's advice not to let it show..." Jeremy replied before winking my way. "Ace's advice?" I repeated curiously.
"Yup. He told me that I should try to act in control and hide my nervousness to help build my professionalism and credibility. Even if I'm nervous, I need to try my best not to let it show. Is it working?" Jeremy asked with a nervous laugh.
I giggled softly along with him. Honestly, he may not have looked nervous before but that laugh of his truly gave him away. I found myself smiling and relaxing next to him. I was right about feeling better after finding out that someone else felt the way that I did. With that thought in mind, I wondered if Ace was in fact nervous but just way better than all of us for not letting it show.
Then again, this was Ace that we're talking about so he's probably not really nervous to begin with.
"Yes, let me take you to your seat. It should be at that row over there," Jeremy spoke up.
I glanced over to see him conversing with a team from the press that had just turned up. He was doing his job so properly and helping out with anything that he could. Suddenly, I felt useless and felt like I had to do something to contribute to. Thankfully, there were other teams from the press that needed help in finding their designated seat in the auditorium. Soon, I was too busy to worry about being nervous or about feeling useless.
One glance at my watch told me that there was less than ten minutes left until the official start of the launch. Ace would be up on that stage very soon and not long after that, our commercial would be unveiled to the world.
Good luck, Ace...
"Please take your seats. Thank you everyone so much for your time in attending this event. The event will be starting very shortly. The lights in the auditorium will be dimmed for a moment before the start of the event. Thank you for your kind cooperation," a man's voice formally made an announcement.
"Come here, Karina..." Jeremy hissed to me.
The lights had dimmed and it was a little hard to see that far in front of me. I made my way after Jeremy who led us to our seats at the back where the other team members were also seated. Apart from the marketing team that sat in front of the auditorium with the press because of their connection, the rest of the team sat at the back to provide mental support because there wasn't much that we could do now at this point in the process.
"Time to pray..." I muttered under my breath to myself.
--To be continued...