Chapter 6 #2
Stepping out of the building, I see the Andrea woman and go to her. “Hi, I’m Daniel.”
“Andrea,” she responds.
“Any reason why we can’t wait in the room?” I ask.
“MAK doesn’t like it, and that room is her territory, she’s the boss. Even Jordan’s bodyguards must wait outside, like everyone else.”
I chuckle, guessing the guy that tried to kiss her is Jordan.
“That she is. Can I ask who Jordan is?” She looks at me shocked then smiles.
“Have you heard the song ‘Wait’?” she asks.
The beat fills my head in an instant. “Yeah, my niece sings it all the time.” Likewise, my PA and Zack play it in the car. I don’t say the rest out loud.
“Jordan’s stage name is Cole A. He’s the artist.” The loud uproar from the kids makes perfect sense now.
“Is that why the practice and fund raiser is hush?”
“The hush part is MAK trying to avoid overcrowding the band.” I nod, though surprised by her keeping it hush, I would think she would want it more public. “You look like a rich guy, so bring your rich friends to the banquet and make some donations towards the program.”
“I can certainly do that. Can you tell me more?” She digs in her purse and hands me a flyer. I take it from her, reading it.
“Is Ms K the mystery item to be auctioned?” Earlier, she hadn't been particularly thrilled with the dress, as I recall. Andrea smiles.
“MAK is the highlight of the auction; whoever wins, gets a dinner date with her, and the student of the person’s choice gets ten private music lessons with her.”
Sounds like I have an auction to bid for.
“Thank you very much.”
“You are welcome.” She moves towards her car, and I head towards Zack. “Bidding starts at $25K,” she shouts to me.
“Not a problem,” I reply, and she smiles. This lady just gave me the silver bullet without knowing. I’m going to win the bid.
Getting in the car, I instruct Zack to drive to Maggie’s place so I can check on her. I get in and she insists I stay behind the door. Extra caution should’ve been her middle name.
We talk about her health and how she’s feeling. She promises me that she’s fine.
Finally, I leave her and head to my quarters to call my brothers, to insist that each of them donates to this program.
“What’s up?” Bruce, is the first to answer the call.
“What's up?” Luke chimes in, soon after the other two joined Declan and Adam.
I’m quick to say we don’t have a problem, but I need their help. I hear a sigh.
“I'm gonna need you guys to donate to this music program.”
“What program?” Declan asks.
“A music program at the Community Center near my sister’s home. They're trying to raise $250,000 and I need you guys to support and open your big fat wallets and donate. But first, do either of you guys know the artist named Cole A?”
Bruce is the first to answer. “Of course, we all do, the guy is huge, the song ‘wait’ is the number two album right now. Don’t tell me you don't know who he is.” I'm quiet as I listen to him.
“I met him today. Apparently, he’s going to perform at this event to raise money for the program.”
“Is that the banquet that is run by Lande DeMoore?” Declan asks.
“Do you know about it, Dec?” I question.
“Anne received the flyer from Lande DeMoore and we bought five tickets to support each $1000 per ticket, I believe it's in two or 3 weeks.”
“I’m going to need a ticket. Any chance you can get more tickets?” I ask.
“I can find out, I heard it’s sold out. The music teacher is popular too, and she is going to get the kids to perform with Cole A and they're going to auction off some of his items. There’s a mystery auction at the end. Like I said: mystery. I don't know anything about that part.”
I do know and he sounds excited about it, which is good. “I'm gonna need every one of you to donate.”
“Why?” asked Adam. “I'm all for donating but tell me more.”
“As Declan mentioned, the music teacher is very good. If they don’t raise the intended amount, she's going to leave. My niece, Cara, loves this teacher, if she leaves Cara is going to be devastated.” Never mind that I will lose my shit too.
“I can't make the banquet in three weeks, I'm going to be in Singapore, but I can send in a donation of $25,000. Would that work?” Adam replies.
“Thanks, Adam. That works.”
“How about we each put in $25,000?” Luke says.
“Good idea! That makes $100,000 and I put in 50k. Perfect, that makes $150,000 from us. Thank you, guys. This is much appreciated. Well, I'm sure by the end of the night, they would raise more money.”
“Tate DeMoore ’is going to match the balance to 250k.” Declan says.
“Great, thank you all. Cara will be delighted. She’s been whining about Ms K leaving if she doesn't make the money needed. This is amazing. Thank you, guys.”
“Alright, talk to you later,” Bruce says.
“Hold on, guys. Declan, do you know more about this program and banquet?”
“No, just the information Anne shared after speaking with Mrs DeMoore. I can find out more.”
“Please, if you don't mind, I would like to know more.”
“Will do brother, gotta go.”
“All right, thank you guys.”
They all hang up so fast. I check the clock; it’s been an hour and yes, we can return to pick up Cara.
It's not close to 5:50 PM yet. I intend to be there earlier than the other parents. With my brothers’ help, I have secured a hundred thousand, and the added fifty from me, that's a hundred and fifty.
With all the auctions, they should be able to raise their minimum 250k.
Ms K is not going anywhere. I pour myself a drink and call Patrick just to check on things at the office.
“Hello, boss,” he says.
“Anything I should worry about?”
“All’s good here, boss.”
“Aaron stopped by and left when I told him I didn’t know when you will be back.”
“What did he want?”
“Nothing in particular, just wanted to know where you were.”
“I’ll be back in two hours, but don't tell him that.”
“Got it, boss.”
Patrick was my PA in New York and was quick to move to Chicago with me. That was a blessing to me, because he knows how to keep my schedule and keep my cousin at bay.
At the Community Center, I notice many parents already waiting in their cars.
They all looked excited. Right on time, I follow the herd again into the building.
The volleyball team is long gone. As I get closer, I can hear the harmony of the instruments playing and Cole A’s voice.
They sound perfect. Seconds go by, and I hear Ms K shouting, “No, no, no.
You missed the beat; I'm going to need you guys to do that one more time before we can all leave.” Her tone is firm.
Right away, they start playing. It sounds magnificent to me and I’m sure to the parents as well, who have all gathered around me.
Checking my watch, it’s 5.50pm. I hear the kids clapping and Ms K giving out instructions on practice hours, changes they need to learn and how much time they must practice, and she'll see them all tomorrow at same time, and no lateness.
The parents open the door, and everybody walks in.
The room is immediately rowdy. I head towards Ms K, who’s at the other end. Cara runs over to give me a big hug.
“Thank you, Uncle Dan. This was awesome. I'm so glad Ms K let me come.”
“I’m glad you could make it too, kiddo. Come on, let's say goodbye to Ms Kay and we can leave.”
“There's no need to say goodbye to Ms K, we'll see her tomorrow.” She looks at me like I’m weird, clearly unaware of my emotional ties to Ms K.
“I want to say goodbye to Ms K.” I confirm.
Most of the crowd fades out, and I stand by, watching Cole A and Ms K talking and laughing. It doesn’t take long to see the bodyguards in the room.
I move closer and they turn towards me. Cole A nods at me and leaves. Ms K faces me with an inquisitive look, questioning why I am still here. I’m always going to be around; you don’t know it yet. God, I want this woman.
“I got the flyer about the banquet from Andrea, and she told me the program would shut down if the funds needed are not raised,” I say to her. “Basically, you will leave town.”
I don’t mince my words.
“That's the plan. There’ll be no point in me hanging around if I can’t bring music to kids here. Then, I have to try elsewhere.”
“I guess we have to make sure you raise the money,” I state.
“That would be great, every donation is welcomed.” She smiles; did I notice her eyes batting.
“Goodnight, Ms, K.” Cara shouts before I can respond.
“Goodnight,” I say to her. She nods
“Goodnight,” she replies in finality with a smile and waves at Cara.
I don't want to leave, but I can't find a valid excuse to stay.
I take Cara home. On the drive, she’s all chatty and excited, joy flowing in everything she's telling me about the practice.
“Can you imagine, Uncle Dan? I’m going to be the coolest girl when I tell my friends that I got to practice with Cole A.”
“But you won’t be in the concert,” I remind her.
“Yes, but I still get to practice with him. This is so awesome, best summer ever!”
“On that, I agree with you.”
She’s beaming. Forget my selfish need to see Ms K, Cara’s joy is enough to make me fight for this program.
I drop her off at home, still living the high and I return to work. My entire mind is on seeing Ms K, but I know I don’t have a good excuse to see her... She’s my fucking addiction, I admit.
By evening, I check on my sister and Cara before going to bed in my quarters.