Chapter 118 - Award Ceremony

Kiaraa came home looking disappointed. No matter how hard she tried Alex Kwon didn't budge.

'At least one thing is clear, that guy I met is not Alex Kwon and he is some close friend of Alex.'

Kiaraa concluded.

Later, in the evening she told her parents Alex refused to design a dress for a child and she failed in pursuing him.

Her parents consoled her saying they expected this result but just wished for her to try her best for Aera and it's okay as the thought and her efforts are what counts.

They assured her, Kims are hiring one of the best designers to design Aera's dress for the awards function.

Kiaraa was relieved that her lie wasn't caught.

…

Aera was just done with her rehearsals for the upcoming award function and was about to enter her personal room to have a bath when her manager approached her.

"Aera, the designer I told you about will be here in a while. Have a bath and wear something comfortable"

"Ahhh, I was planning to go home." Aera complained.

"Hey, your dress is still not ready. All eyes will be on you, don't forget you won the 'Rookie of the year' award."

Aera's manager reminded her.

"Yeah, yeah, even if I want to forget no one lets me," Aera smiled at her manager.

"Obviously, you are so young and yet you managed to already get an award. Do you know how many people are still struggling while you, who just joined two years ago, are already winning awards."

"Hmm, I got lucky"

"Lucky? It's all because of your talent Aera. Do you know how many fans you have?" Her manager excitedly asked.

"Every week the company gives me gifts sent by my fans, so I somewhat have an idea." Aera smiled.

"Oh right"

Aera then went to freshen up and have a bath. Then she wore a comfortable loose shirt and jeans before meeting the designer.

"Aera, my love, finally you are here" Sa Da Hye stepped towards the growing star and hugged her.

Aera too hugged her back, "You are looking extremely pretty aunt Da Hye" she complimented her.

"Woah, look at you knowing all the right things to say" Sa Da Hye smiled happily.

"I am just being honest." Aera added.

In these two years, Aera was very well trained by KH Entertainment Company. She developed a strong level of confidence and was more extroverted than before.

There has been a drastic change in her personality and how she used to behave.

She wasn't now that scared in putting her thoughts or point of view forward. If there is something that bothers her, she speaks up instead of letting it be.

The only thing that didn't change in all these years, despite everything, is her feelings towards Song Ji Hun.

Although she doesn't meet him as frequently as she used to as he himself is busy with his studies and training while Aera is busy with her growing career, Aera still has the same feelings for Song Ji Hun.

She is still crazy about him and gets all minor updates on him through Kim Do Yun as Aera became too busy to attend the fortnight gatherings.

Also, Song Ji Hun himself rarely attends these gatherings as he is busy with his college.

Aera met with the fashion designer, who interacted with her to understand what she finds most comfortable wearing, etc.

After the designer's assistant took all the measurements, Aera left for her home.

…

Few weeks later

It was the Korean Music Awards Function night.

Aera's mom, dad and grandpa attended the event on her behalf.

There were limited passes and since grandpa Lee was more excited than anyone about this event, Kiaraa gave up her pass to him.

She was anyway not interested in attending this event but she portrayed it as if she was making a huge sacrifice for her grandpa.

Kim Hoon, Sa Da Hye, Kim Do Yun and Song Ji Hwan attended the event on behalf of KH Entertainment.

Ian too was not interested in attending this event while Song Ji Hwan was more than excited, so he joined the Kims instead.

Aera was still a 16-year-old, so the designer designed a long blue dress for her with closed neck and short sleeves.

Aera looked no less than a Disney Princess in this dazzling dress, that was perfect for this event.

The eight people reached the event and were seated at the same round table with eight chairs as Kim Hoon used his connections to get them all together.

In this event the seating was arranged with multiple circular tables and chairs around them.

It was only an invitation based event with limited seats.

Song Ji Hwan sat next to Aera and after the event started, he leaned closer to her and whispered in her ears, "You are looking very pretty"

Aera was startled for a second, before composing herself.

She too leaned towards Song Ji Hwan and whispered back, "Just pretty? I think I am looking extremely beautiful"

Song Ji Hwan was amused by her response.

"You indeed changed a lot in these two years" Song Ji Hwan commented in a low volume.

"Good change or bad change?" Aera looked at him and asked.

"For now I'd say good change. Seems like you have become more confident." Song Ji Hwan, who is noticing the changes in her now, said.

The last two years were hectic for him due to his studies so he didn't focus much on other people.

Sa Da Hye used to give him occasional updates on Aera's progress as she was grateful to Song Ji Hwan for making this happen.

Aera indeed proved to be a big asset for KH Entertainment Company and in a short time, she tasted huge success.

Although he got updates on her success and heard about the changes in her personality, it was now he was actually witnessing it.

"I wouldn't have been able to reach till here if I didn't have any confidence in myself. I was trained and this is the result of that" Aera informed him.

"Whoever trained you, they did a good job" Song Ji Hwan said.

Aera looked around her surroundings and when her eyes met with her manager, she excitedly waved her hand.

"That's my manager, he is the one who trained me" Aera was happy seeing her manager, who was sitting on a separate table with his family.

"Nice, you got a good manager" Song Ji Hwan was aware of this field and with the positive changes he could see in Aera, he was able to understand she indeed landed a good manager.

"Hmm" Aera just nodded her head and the rest of the event, Aera interacted with Kim Do-Yun, who was sitting to her right.

Aera was sitting between Kim Do-Yun and Song Ji Hwan.

In between speeches of other people and all, Aera was telling Kim Do-Yun about the working of this industry.

If any artist went on stage to receive their award, then Aera shared her knowledge about that artist with Kim Do-Yun, who was keenly listening to all this new found information as her parents in spite of being in this field, don't share all this information with her.

After a while, it was time for 'Rookie of the year' award.

Multiple artists received this award, and Aera was one of them.

When Aera's name was announced, it was a very proud moment for the Lees. 

Everyone cheered for her and she hugged her parents and Kim Do-Yun before stepping towards the stage.

She walked with poise and elegance, surprising Song Ji Hwan, who didn't expect this clumsy girl to have changed so much in her physical personality and appearance too.

After reaching the stage, Aera brightly smiled at the audience and respectfully bowed to them.

The next second, the audience cheered even more loudly for her.

"Thank you to you all for believing I am deserving of this award. When I started this journey I never thought I'll reach till here in such a short time. This was made possible only because of the love you all showered on me."

Again the audience cheered in unison.

"I'll end my speech now, to not bore you all but before ending it, I would like to thank the people without whom, I might have never reached here. My aunt Sa Da Hye and my friend Song Ji Hwan, who recognised this talent in me which even I wasn't aware of and my whole family, who supported me at every step of this journey. Thank you for being my biggest supporters"

Aera again bowed to the audience and joined her family again at the table.

Everyone congratulated her happily while Song Ji Hwan was still in shock that Aera acknowledged him on stage and mentioned his name in her speech.

After composing himself, he asked, "You really meant it when you took my name?"

"Why would I take your name if I don't mean it?" Aera questioned him back and added, "I don't know what exactly happened that day and why you insisted I sing, but because of that my life changed for the better and I am thankful to you for that" Aera sincerely said.

Song Ji Hwan smiled and gave her a side hug, "You deserve it. Congratulations"

"Thanks" Aera politely smiled.

"Now, the total is two hundred and thirty-four favours" Song Ji Hwan reminded her as in these two years he didn't do any new favour on her so the old count was being continued.

Aera laughed helplessly shaking her head, "You'll never change" 

"Of course" Song Ji Hwan proudly declared.