Chapter 69
Aria’s POV
“Aria? Aria p>
I jolted back to reality when Summer gently pushed my shoulder. She’d apparently been trying to get my attention for a while.
“What is it? Are we there?” I asked, blinking rapidly as I tried to focus on my
surroundings rather than on the vivid memories from last night.
Summer shook her head, her face etched with concern. “No, not yet. Are you okay? I called your name three times p>
I felt my ears burning with embarrassment. “Sorry, I was just… lost in thought p>
God, I needed to focus. We were about to arrive at the charity event.
As our car pulled up to the venue, I forced myself to snap back to the present. This benefit concert was for raising funds for cochlear implants for deaf children – a cause I genuinely cared about. When I’d received the invitation two months ago, I’d been surprised. Events of this scale in the States usually aimed for the biggest domestic names, and while I had recognition abroad, I kept a relatively low profile here.
But it was for charity, so naturally, I’d accepted without hesitation.
Summer and I had prepared ourselves to be somewhat overlooked today. Being realistic about my status compared to some of the American music celebrities who’d be performing was just practical. But actually experiencing the dismissive treatment was another thing entirely.
“I’ve been your assistant for five years,” Summer muttered as we navigated the backstage area where nobody bothered to direct us, “and I’ve never seen you treated with such disrespect. Did you see how that coordinator just barked at us?” If not for my fans who’d somehow gotten wind of my participation and shared their excitement online, Summer would have already dragged me out of here.
“It’s fine,” I said, trying to sound more unbothered than I felt. “We’re here for the charity, not to compete for star treatment p>
The words had barely left my mouth when someone shoved me roughly from behind.
“Move! Get out of the way for Miss Hayes! Why are you blocking the hallway p>
Caught off guard, I lost my balance and fell to the floor with an undignified thud. My palms stung from breaking my fall.
“Aria!” Summer was immediately at my side, helping me up. “Are you okay p>
I nodded, brushing dust off my pants. “I’m fine p>
Summer wasn’t having it. She turned on the staff member who’d pushed me, fire in her eyes. “What is wrong with you? You don’t just push people p>
The woman – a venue coordinator based on her badge – gave me a dismissive once-over and rolled her eyes. “It was just a little fall. Stop being so precious. Now move aside for Miss Hayes p>
As if I wasn’t already annoyed enough, she actually reached out and pushed at my shoulder again. I might be patient, but I’m not a doormat. My expression cooled instantly.
“Who’s in charge here?” I demanded, my voice clipped. “I’m Aria Jones, and I need to speak with whoever is running this event p>
The coordinator’s eyes flickered with momentary uncertainty when she heard my name, but her attention quickly shifted. Diana Hayes was approaching, surrounded by an entourage that made her look like visiting royalty.
Summer moved to confront the coordinator again, but I gently pulled her back. “Let it go for now,” I murmured. “I’ll talk to the organizers later p>
I memorized the woman’s name and badge number. This incident definitely wasn’t ending here.
“Is your leg okay?” Summer asked, still concerned.
“I think so p>
As we spoke, Diana Hayes made her grand entrance, wearing a striking black cocktail dress that probably cost more than most people’s monthly rent. Everyone knew Diana – America’s current sweetheart of music. Even I, who barely kept up with social media trends, recognized her instantly.
She’d won the Rising Star Award five years ago and had maintained her meteoric popularity ever since. No wonder this event had such buzz if they’d secured her participation. The children’s charity would benefit tremendously from her star power.
“Miss Hayes, please have some water. You must be exhausted coming all this way in this heat,” the same coordinator who’d just pushed me was now practically prostrating herself before Diana.
The sycophantic display was so ridiculous I couldn’t help but laugh softly. It reminded me of some period drama where courtiers fawned over royalty.
Unfortunately, my quiet laugh caught Diana’s attention as she settled at the makeup station. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted me, and her lips curled into a contemptuous sneer.
“The organizers really have no standards,” she said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “They’ll invite just about anyone these days p>
She turned directly toward me. “Aria Jones, right? Just because you’ve won a few obscure awards overseas doesn’t make you special. Word of advice? Know your place p>
The unexpected attack stunned me for a second. My smile vanished, replaced by a cold stare. If she wanted to play this game, fine.
“Actually, you should be calling me Mrs. Carter. If those awards are so obscure and meaningless, Miss Hayes,” I replied evenly, “feel free to go win them yourself. I don’t ask much – just match what I’ve achieved, and then we can talk p>
I couldn’t resist adding with a small scoff: “Ignorance isn’t shameful. What’s truly
embarrassing is being ignorant and proud of it p>
Diana’s face contorted with fury. “Who are you calling ignorant p>
I calmly accepted a bottle of water from Summer and took a slow sip before answering. “If the shoe fits p>
Summer and I exchanged glances, both of us fighting back smiles. We weren’t trying to be subtle about it either.
Diana’s face darkened further. The staff member who’d pushed me earlier quickly signaled to her colleagues. “This is Miss Hayes’s private dressing room. Why are these people even in here p>
Two other staff members immediately approached us. “I’m sorry, but this area is reserved for Miss Hayes. We need you to leave p>
Summer frowned. “Isn’t this a charity concert? Isn’t this the only makeup room available for performers p>
Before anyone could answer, two more people entered – one of them was Faye, a guzheng (a traditional Chinese zither) teacher.
But before we could even greet each other, the staff members pushed Summer and me toward the door. “Please leave. Miss Hayes doesn’t want you here p>
The arrival of more performers confirmed what we already suspected – this wasn’t Diana’s private space. They were simply making up rules to please her. Summer’s face had turned almost purple with anger. She opened her mouth to argue, but I placed a restraining hand on her arm.
“Fine,” I said coolly. “In that case, please inform the organizers that my leg injury has flared up, and I won’t be able to perform today p>
With that, I gave Summer a meaningful look and headed for the exit.
As we walked out, I heard Faye asking in confusion, “Isn’t Aria one of today’s special guest performers p>
The staff member sounded nervous as she replied, “Miss Carter’s leg injury has returned unexpectedly. We can’t force her to perform if she’s injured, right p>
I didn’t wait to hear more. Summer and I were already making our way out of the venue when I saw a familiar figure stepping out of a sleek black car.
My heart did a little somersault in my chest. Aiden.
All my righteous anger suddenly evaporated, replaced by mortification. Just days ago, I’d enthusiastically told him about this performance, even asked if he might attend.
And now here he was, looking impeccable in a tailored suit, while I was slinking away after being bullied out of my own performance.
Talk about humiliating.
Summer froze beside me, clearly intimidated by Aiden’s commanding presence. I couldn’t blame her – meeting him for the first time was overwhelming for most people.
Aiden’s expression shifted subtly when he saw us. He approached me directly, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I thought the performance was about to start?” His voice was calm but his eyes were intensely focused on mine.
I glanced away awkwardly. “I’m… not performing anymore p>
“Why not p>
The directness of his question made me fidget. What could I say? That I’d let myself
get chased out by a petty pop star and her entourage?
“They, um… had too many performers?” My voice rose at the end, making it sound
more like a question than an answer.
“That’s absolutely not true!” Summer blurted out, unable to contain herself. She gave Aiden an apprehensive look before continuing hesitantly: “Mr. Carter, Aria was bullied in there p>
The change in Aiden’s expression was subtle but unmistakable – a flash of something dangerous and cold crossed his eyes before his face settled into its usual composed mask.
When he looked back at me, his voice was deceptively casual.
“My wife was bullied p>