Charlton, who was at the stage, was not aware of whatever those older ladies were thinking. He continued addressing the audience.
"Now, I know that all of you are looking forward for our lottery draw for the winner of the Benz-Victoria, so should we skip the part of me singing, and just go with that?" he joked.
"NO!!!!! Lord CHARLTON PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I DON'T EVEN MIND NOT WINNING THAT CAR!"
"YEAH! ONLY ONE WILL WIN THAT, PLEASE GRANT US OUR WISH TO HEAR YOUR GOLDEN VOICE!"
"WE LOVE YOUUUU!!!!" Another screamed.
Serena wanted to laugh, what was Charlton doing? He used to be so shy, now he's strutting there confidently like some real star.
"Alright. I will, but before that, let me call on Mr. Ben Ringer, my partner and the largest share owner of Benz-motors. Please, let us all give him a round of applause."
Everyone applauded and Ben Ringer climbed the stage.
"Ben, would you like to say anything to our dear audience who came to support our business?"
Ben was a bit shy but took the mic, "thank you all very much for coming here and supporting us. For those who were not able to buy a car today, worry not, new units will continue arriving. Slowly, but surely." Then he returned the mic to Charlton.
"Alright, now, Mr. Ben will be drawing the winner of the Benz-Victoria, and we will announce the winner after my song number. Everyone fine with that?"
Everyone said yes. And then the orchestra played a suspenseful music as Ben went to the lottery wheel to draw one stub. After he did, he did not open it and placed it inside a box that was shown as empty to everyone first. Then he left the stage.
This time, it was Charlton's turn to sing, and he smiled to the audience to say, "this song is titled 'you're the inspiration' and I hope you will like it." (It's the song by Chicago if anyone's curious)
Serena knew that it was for her, and her heart started beating fast. The orchestra started playing and the song's background music by itself was already soul stirring, then when Charlton sang the first line, it went straight to her heart.
"You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love to last forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know
Everywhere I go
Always on my mind
In my heart, in my soul
Baby
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Want to have you near me
I want to have you hear me saying
no one needs you more than I need you"
Serena couldn't stop her tears of joy from falling and she dabbed her eyes. Each word Charlton sang tickled her heartstrings. It was beautiful, the song, and them. That she loves him so much and him her. That they were willing to go on all lengths to be with each other.
Meanwhile, everyone else were enchanted, and all the ladies could only dream of marrying him someday. Oh well, they can keep dreaming.
Emily who already heard the music once knew how good it was, so it was no surprise. Just made her want to get to that level soon enough and trample Serena.
And I know (and I know)
Yes I know that it's plain to see
So in love when we're together
now I know (now I know)
That I need you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know (yes, you need to know)
Everywhere I go
Always on my mind
You're in my heart, in my soul
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Want to have you near me
I want to have you hear me saying
no one needs you more than I need you (no one needs you more than I)
Want to have you near me
I want to have you hear me saying
no one needs you more than I need you (no one needs you more)
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
When you love somebody
'Til the end of time
When you love somebody
Always on my mind (no one needs you more than I)
When you love somebody
'Til the end of time
When you love somebody
Always on my mind (no on needs you more than I)
When you love somebody
'Til the end of time
When you love somebody
Always on my mind (no one needs you more than I)"
When the song ended everyone was again silenced. Then, booming applause filled the area, even louder than when Emily sang. It was crazy.
It took 5 minutes before the cheering died down a little, but the excitement was still in the air.
Charlton smiled at everyone, at one point his and Serena's eyes met, but they knew that they cannot act out of the ordinary.
Anyway, after that, the lottery winner was announced by Ben, and guess who won the car?
"Lady Serena Maxwell!"
Everyone turned to Serena and loud cheers ensued, Serena was surprised. Really? Her? Was there no mistake?
She looked at her mother who gave her the signal to go and receive her prize.
Anyway, everyone cheered, and people started screaming CHERENA!!!!!
Serena walked to the stage and was handed the mic.
Before she could speak someone screamed, 'PLEASE GET MARRIED ALREADY!!!!!'
She blushed but did not answer that. "I am very much surprised by this turn of events. However, I believe that the prize should go to someone else. So, if it's alright, maybe we can have the draw again?"
The people all cheered of course, wanting to get the chance to win the car themselves.
Charlton said something to Ben, and he nodded. "Alright, since Lady Serena said so herself, let us have her draw the winner from the lottery wheel."
This time, Serena was asked to pick a stub from inside. She wanted to hand it to Ben, but Ben asked her to do the honor.
Serena opened the stub and she almost wanted to take back the car, for written there was…
"Ms. Emily Evans." She announced, pretending to be happy when in fact, she just wanted to crumple the stub and burn it.
--
TBC