Denisa Rosaline

Charity Auction (1): Duet

(Still) Aline POV

I still faithfully sat in the same chair that I sat in from the beginning of my first time here. Not moved though. Does that mean I'm a loyal person?🤭

One by one the participants had already come forward and left this area. It was just the three of us, me, Mas Lukman and Ms. Sandy who were the participants, then some EO crew or committee, I don't know. They were wearing the same uniform, some of which I recognized as fellow A. C. employees who like to cross paths in the lobby, elevator, cafeteria, musholla or toilet, or equally in the copy room, but some of them look foreign, maybe EO people. I salute Mas Rendi, Ce Shayna and his team for tonight's event. It really gives a luxurious and elegant feel but still accentuates warmth like a large family.

I watched those passing by backstage prepare this and that until I heard someone call my name through the loudspeaker. It turns out that busy watching those who work makes me not realize that my two fellow participants who had completed their tasks.

I exhale. A mandatory activity that I unconsciously always do when I am nervous. I walked towards the stage, a committee directing me to the left corner. I climbed three steps to get to this beautiful stage. In the right corner, there's a pair of MCs, which women I recognize as one of my haters since A.C, Lucy, the HRD kid who calls me 'Alien'. I don't know what made him dislike me even on my first day at work.

Then the guy seems like an up-and-coming artist, but I don't know him, just know because he appeared several times in the gossip account timeline.

I was asked to stand in the middle of the stage. On the left, lined with musical instruments, among others piano, harp, violin, there are even gamelan, flute and some others neatly arranged, then behind there is a band ready to accompany. The MC stood back to a giant monitor screen that was currently displaying the stage atmosphere with me being zoomed in, quite making me uneasy and more nervous. I saw my cheeks flushed from the screen. Huuffft.

After an introduction and a bit of a warm stale base with the MC, Lucy said, "Alright, Ma'am Aline. Are you ready?" tanyanya, start my time.

I'm nodding.

"The rules are the same as the previous participants," he began to explain in detail what Ce Shayna had said backstage. Of course, that's his job.

"You are given the opportunity to take on one challenge contained in this glass pot, which will be used as your first challenge. And you have to accept it. Your success in this first challenge will be a starter for the initial value of the second and third challenge auctions. The first and second challenges are in this pot I am holding, while the third challenge is the same challenge that was given to the other nine participants that we have witnessed earlier. In this second and third challenge, you have the opportunity to accept or reject. You got here, Miss Aline?" ask Lucy.

"Understand" I answered.

"If you accept the third challenge, then the game is over. If you refuse, then the winner of the auction has the right to give a new challenge that you must follow. All challenges must pay attention to sara values and eastern culture, so it is certain that the challenges you will face must be declared valid first by the shareholders as an honorary board. Kind of passed the selection." The MC guy connected Lucy's explanation earlier.

"And for you, dear invited guests, we give you the opportunity to all give charity while entertaining. We start now. Ma'am Aline, please take your first challenge!" said the man.

I stirred up the contents of the glass pot, then said basmalah in my heart and took a roll, I handed it to Lucy who was directly in her. Apparently, in this first challenge there is a number, amounting to 30 million.

"Singing a duet song with the owner of the number .." the man who recited the contents of the scroll I took.

"Well, we need one participant's number if so." He then received another glass pot proffered by a committee, then walked towards Mas Rendi. "Please ask for Mr. Rendi's willingness as the Incharge of this event to find a duet companion for our last auctioneer!" he said he handed the glass pot to Mas Rendi. Mas Rendi stirred and then took one number.

The man asked Rendi to read it. He put the mic on to Mas Rendi. "007!" said Mas Rendi Lantang.

"Yep, the luckiest number, James Bond, 007!" the MC of the man named Dimas repeated. "For the owner of number 007, please stand up!" said later.

Then, stand up someone I believe is better suited to be my arguing and bickering friend than my duet friend. Yes, Mr. Erlangga a.k.a Eagle stood from his VVIP table while brandishing the number that was on him.

Lucy then approached Mr. Eagle and invited him to the center of the stage, joining me.

Lucy was a little stale with him. "Well, it turns out the big boss who will be a duet friend of Mbak Aline, tonight." He chuckled and it managed to melt the tense atmosphere. "Sir Erlangga, are you ready?" askanya was friendly.

Mr. Erlangga nodded steadily. "I doubt even if this Mbak is unprepared" he said with a derisive look at me, but sounded like a joke to others, made them all laugh amusedly and I kept my pouting face behind a wry smile. I saw Ricky at his desk. Our eyes skimmed, and then he made a slitting-neck-like gesture, as if telling me to finish off someone, Mr. Eagle, making me smile. He knew I was being scorned and he didn't like it. Oh, he knows better who I am!

Then Dimas started the auction for this challenge from 30 million like the numbers on the paper I took. The auction value ended at 176 million, quite W-O-W. However, that figure is just a dime for these rich entrepreneurs, rest assured, I am not lying.

The winner of the auction was a handsome middle-aged businessman, and he put forward the condition that we have to perform a romantic song that his wife likes because today is the day of the first meeting of himself and his wife, he said, 22 Years ago.

The Eagle picked up the guitar and asked for a chair for him. He would sing while playing the guitar. The song we're going to perform is "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran feat Beyonce, as requested by the auction winner.

 

POV Author

The eagle checked his guitar readiness. Then take a position in the chair. Aline was standing next to him. But the Eagle asks for another seat on the event team for Aline. "In order to look romantic at the maximum" he said in a snort by Aline.

The eagle plucked the guitar on his lap, matched the tone and then started the intro very neatly. Then he sings. Sound's good. Vocal technique is also good. Aline just listened to the man sing Ed's part.

...I found a love, for me...

...Oh darling just dive right in, and follow my lead...

...Well I found a girl, beautiful and sweet...

...Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me...

...Not knowing what it was...

...I will not give you up this time...

...Just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own...

...And in your eyes you're holding mine...

...Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms...

...Barefoot on the grass, while listening to our favorite song...

...When you said you looked a mess, I whispered beneath my breath...

...But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonnage...

The eagle strummed his guitar playing beautiful tones that melodious in everyone's ears. It cradles anyone who hears it. Until the moment Aline should sing her part, the girl was still silent. There was doubt in his heart. Whether he should sing or not. She has not sung in front of others for a long time and is very nervous. But if he does not sing romantically, then the money worth 176 million will float, not so into the coffers of the Merajut Asa foundation. There are a lot of people who need it there.

The guests were almost disappointed. Especially the auction winner. Seen disappointed in the sun. The intention to give a song gift on his happy day was barely realized. The eagle finally nudged the girl's arm. Melolotinya, intending to make her aware of the funds she was collecting, told her to immediately sing her part.

Finally, after a debate in her heart and mind, the girl decided to let her beautiful voice out, making everyone who had been holding their breath finally breathe a sigh of relief. Even the Eagle looked in amazement at the girl who was now singing in her casual style but still gave a romantic impression like the hope of the auction winner.

...Well I found a man, stronger than anyone I know...

...He shares my dreams, I hope that someday we'll share a home...

...I found a love, to carry more than just a secret...

...To carry love, to carry children of our own...

...We are still kids, but we're so in love...

...Fighting against all odds...

...I know we'll be alright this time...

...Darling, just hold my hand...

...Be your girl, you'll be my man...

...And I see my future in your eyes...

Aline:

...Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms...

...Barefoot on the grass, while listening to our favorite song...

Hawk:

...When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful...

...I don't desire this, darling, you look perfect tonnage...

Until the song ended, Aline and Eagle played their roles very well. The audience who had been hoping for anxiety felt satisfied with the duet just now.

Finally, Aline gave thanks when the MC said that he managed to get 176 million from his first challenge. It almost didn't.

Next, Dimas asked for the willingness of a guest sitting in a VVIP seat to pick up the reels which was a second challenge for Aline. While the girl was still standing in the middle of the stage with a feeling of deg-deg seeerrr.

As Lucy read out the contents of the scroll, Aline straightened her back and waited. Lucy seems to have deliberately kept him waiting. Time seemed to move very slowly, making him impatient. But once she knew the contents, Aline's heart was made to melt instantly.

***