Dear Readers,
Sorry for the hiatus.
I've been on an emotional rollercoaster ride. and got myself into a writer's block.
Now I'm almost out of it, I'm back to my writing track. Thanks for your patience!
Liesel.
Chapter 08: The signing session
I must admit, I had my defenses up at the beginning, but his boyish looks, hazel eyes, and his cute pout were enough to melt me like ice in the hot sun.
I didn't know how I got back the courage to trust him again but I do know one thing, I wanted him back in my life.
A week flew past in Atlanta fast with more show and radio appearances; and just yesterday, a signing session in the major record store in town.
As usual, I was the noob in this whole business and Amanda had took advantage to boss me around the rest of the week.
Patrick wasn't at all pleased, but everytime he clenched his fist, I had to soothe his anger. I do enjoy him being so protective over me, but I always remind him, "work is work, so please do not interfere. "
The band members were at all shocked at the beginning because this trip was their first that Patrick never attempted to throw up a big fuss, and they were actually enjoying the 'new' and 'controlled' Patrick.
An signing session was very different from those shows in the broadcast stations. It was more of a public event and security at the event was more intensive compared to the freedom we have at the broadcast stations.
Amanda and I were at the record store to conduct a site survey a few days before the actual signing session and a security team was deploy one day before the event to sweep for bugs and explosive.
With mega popularity comes more anti-fans and threats, therefore security was a serious matter.
I was quick to pick up many operative skills and knowledge just by the exposure and from Amanda so that I could be of help on the actual day.
My job was pretty simple on the day itself. I would be doing crowd control on stage, limiting three fans at any one time.
Sloan and the band would be giving away signed posters to fans who had obtained a coupon upon purchasing their albums.
Therefore, I would need to collect the coupons while the fans come on stage and making sure only one coupon per fan. ET had kindly offered to help me with the coupon collection.
Amanda on the other hand, would try to usher the fans pff the stage as soon as the guys were done with their signings.
There would be security guards all around controlling the crowd.
On the actual day, Amanda exited first then followed by the band, afterwhich would be me, followed by Patrick and lastly ET. This funny arrangement was forced upon by Patrick, as he wanted to make sure he was around to protect me through the crowd.
The fans went berserk when the door of the bus slide opened. Luckily, the security team was a solid barrier between us and the band, and what happened in front of the hotel did not repeat itself there and then.
We quickly arranged settled the guys in the holding room at the back and as I was following Amanda out to start working, Patrick stole a hug as he pulled me back towards him, my back against his chest.
"Patrick, I need to go." I tried to coax him.
He shook his head then gave me a peck on my cheek, hugging me tighter.
"How about in exchange with more hugs later?" I said.
"All night?" He asked cheekily. I nodded.
"Deal." I agreed reluctantly.
"Okay! " He replied cheerfully, and immediately released me. I quickly ran after Amanda.
The setup were done and Amanda had cued the host to start warming up the crowd.
I had never seen such a huge turn out and being on stage doing the preparations, I could see the crowd had filled the entire event area and the queue just continued snaking out as far as my eye could see.
E.T. came and stood beside me, getting ready and loyal fans who had long knew who E.T. is, began to scream with excitement.
"You might wanna put these on first." E.T. said to me as he presented me with a set of earplugs. I raised one eyebrow. He smiled and nodded.
"At least until the signing begins." He added. I did not hesitate and quickly stuff those squishy thumbs into my ears.
"Are we all ready for Sloan?" The host asked the crowd. Fans screamed in replied and began chanting "Sloan! Sloan! Sloan! Sloan!".
I was glad I took E.T's advice as the crowd was so loud I still could hear them clearly with the plugs on.
In addition, my heart did warm when I saw that Patrick was loved by so many people.
"Let us welcome... Sloan!!" The host boomed and the guys made their way out on stage.
"5,6,7,8!" Eric hit the drums and the guys played and sang their latest song.
The crowd screamed for the member's attention and the front row were trying to reach out to shake their hands with Patrick.
I stood there and I saw them performed another of their hit song "take off"
Take off down the dusty road
With my six strings on my back
My answer will not change
I'll run away with you...
I stood there silently as I observed the crowds getting all hyped up.
After the song ended, the real work began.
I release three fans each time ensuring each has one coupon before they could step up.
The band members switch between singing, shaking hands and some fans wanted a photo together with their fans.
There were fans who came with gifts and each band member has a black trash bag tied to the back of their chair which they will drop their gifts into the bag behind them.
I haven't figured out what would they be doing with those bags, nor I did asked. I just hope they are not throwing it away after the event.
After 4 hours of marathorn signing, and 3000 posters all given away, the band made their exit and left the stage to their holding room behind.
Amanda told me to round up the bags to be brought along with them, then went to thank the host. When I'm done tying up the bags, I turned to where Amanda was, thinking to give her a signal or something.
What I heard first was a high pitched laughter and when I stared at her direction, Amanda was twirling a lock of hair with her fingers and her conversation sounded more like flirting. I felt disgusted. Someone just give her some hormone control pills, please! As long he stayed away from Patrick, I do not have any problems with that.
I surprised myself with that thought.
I was never a possesive person but, towards Patrick, it seems like something inside me awaken.
E.T. again helped me with the bags and together we headed to their holding room.
Inside our coach, Patrick sat next to me and fell straight fast asleep. He was hugging me tightly, I couldn't move.
Amanda's laughter filled the bus as she was chatting with the guys. I couldn't see anything as I was seated in front and the rest of the lot at the back.
"Hey, still surviving?" E.T. came around and ask.
"Yeah." I said. The bus ride was going to be an hour but I had survives for half of the journey.
"Our boy finally slept!" He exclaimed half laughing. I gave him a confused look.
"Just so you know, he hasn't been so relaxed, ever." He added.
"Why?" I asked. He shrugged.
"But what I know, ever since you joined our team, his attitude towards his band members changed and his spirits seem uplifted." ET said.
"Keep him company. I better keep watch on the other boys since the lioness is amongst them." ET replied and I laughed. He finally gave me a wink and left us alone.
I looked at Patrick who had snuggled up my shoulders and I ran my fingers through his hair and swept them aside.
His face looked tired.
The week at Atlanta gone by in a flash and soon we were packing up and heading back to HQ.
"I thought we were heading to the next destination?" I asked Amanda. She shrugged.
"Boss said the next stop has been postponed. Apparently something urgent cropped up and we were told to get our asses back. " She said as she air-quote the last five words.
The last night in Atlanta, the guys were in their rooms busy picking up the mess they had created in their room and I had chipped in.
Even with posh hotels, these guys didn't ask to make up their rooms during the week.
"Are you kidding me?" I replied as Eric had opened his room door to the huge disaster in their rooms.
"Welcome to my room." He said, in sacarsm with a tinge of pride.
"Eric! Need a hand?" I heard a voice behind me. It was Patrick.
Eric scratched the back of his neck and gave a sheepish grin.
"Eric's always the messy kid." Patrick said as he entered his room and started picking up things.
"And who's the neat one?" I asked, in a tone of sacarsm.
"Me! " Patrick shouted. I smirked. The three of us cleaned up his stuff and I packed his luggage, after which I found out he had the least of things but the biggest of luggage.
"Just throw it all in, ya?" I remarked, Eric went pink in the cheeks.
After a series of thanks, Patrick and I left Eric's room.
Patrick held my hand firmly and took me on a run.
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I had a surprise waiting for her.
Helping her and Eric would speed up and free her time so I could do this.
I took out my card and slide it on my room door and I quickly pull her into my room and shut the door behind.
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OMG. What is happening?
My brain ran wild with thoughts as I see the room door.closing behind him.
He clicked the door close and walked straight to me. I froze.
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I went down on one knee and took out a box from my pocket.
"Callie, will you --" I took a deep breath and flip open the box.
"Will you be --"
Then came a knock at the door. I tried to ignore it.
"Patrick, I think we better answer the door." Callie said calmly as she helped me up to my feet.