Michael looked at Gabby with a smile and nodded his head, "Good job! You were really cool."
Gabby's eyes lit up at the boy's compliment. Just as she was about to answer Michael's compliment, Gabby heard a screeching scream coming from behind her.
"The students for the next performance please come here and line up!" Shouted one of the teachers.
Gabby turned, "Michael, come on." Then, she took the boy's hand.
Michael looked at the hand Gabby was holding, looked at the girl with a faint smile and then nodded his head.
"That martial arts performance just now looks really impressive!" The female emcee brushed her hair, "The next performance is dance! Let's give a big round of applause!"
The woman turned to her child, "Caca, there are three more shows. When it's finished, we'll go straight home."
Caca only glanced briefly at her mother then yawned again and closed her mouth. The woman sitting next to her stroked her hair and then looked back at the stage.
Art festivals in schools were not really that interesting to watch, except for martial arts or music performances. This was all because students didn't seem interested in being on stage.
Most of the audience gave their applause not because they were genuinely interested. Not long after the performance was finished, one of the hosts appeared back on the stage.
"Good show! Now we will listen to Michael's solo piano performance! Give a big round of applause!" After clapping their hands, the emcee rushed down the stage. Four men were seen bringing the piano onto the stage.
"My prospective son-in-law wants to appear! Hey hurry up and take lots of photos! I don't want to miss any moment." Agnes ordered without bothering to look at her husband.
Daniel thought quickly of a way so that he would not have to take the boy's photo. Just looking at Michael's face made him lazy to open his eyes. But he was afraid his wife would ignore him for a week, so he finally turned his camera onto the stage.
"Wait a minute, honey, this is the last show." The woman looked back at her child with a small smile.
Caca opened her eyes and tried to pinch her little hands to keep her awake. She grimaced in pain and then decided to stop trying to make herself not sleepy. The little girl yawned again and put her head on her mother's arm.
The stage lights were turned off again and soon a single light followed a male figure walking toward the piano. After Michael took center stage he bowed and walked over to the piano seat.
The audience applauded again when they saw Michael's face. Many women, especially students' mothers, commented on the boy's face and body proportions.
"Wow, really handsome! He's handsome and tall!" Exclaimed one of the audience.
"Yes, I agree with you! After this I will ask him to marry my daughter!" Said the audience who sat next to her.
"Ugh, you can't! First come, first served! I already confirmed that the boy will marry my child!"
"How could that boy want to marry a fat girl like your daughter! Don't be too confident."
"Hey! Who are you calling fat huh? Watch your mouth!"
Hearing a fight from the audience behind her made Agnes look back. She glared at them, signaling for them to finish the hot fight that was going on. She thought that if only they only knew that the boy would marry her child.
Golden light shone on Michael's face and the piano in front of him. The man lowered his head and then put his fingers on the piano keys.
The right side of his face was smooth but firm, his lashes were curled, his nose was sharp, and her lips were red as a rose. Almost all the audience thought he was truly the perfect man.
It didn't take long before the soft piano clinking reached the audience's ears. There was a choked breath from the audience. Music like this made Caca yawn wide again.
"How cool is that boy! I made sure he will be my son-in-law someday." Another comment came from behind Agnes.
Agnes, who was initially amazed by the appearance of her future son-in-law, immediately snorted in annoyance when she heard the comments behind her. She turned her head, "What are you talking about? He is my future son-in-law!" Agnes exclaimed irritably.
Listening to his wife's words, Daniel spoke to himself, 'Who said that boy would become my daughter's husband?!'
The two spectators behind Agnes looked at each other then closed their mouths. Agnes lifted her chin slightly, feeling satisfied, then turned her gaze to the stage.
Hearing the music filling the room made Agnes feel touched. She put her head on Daniel's shoulder and then took his hand.
Michael looked like an angel on stage. The sound coming from the piano sounded like a gust of spring wind. Not too loud but soothed the hearts of the audience.
The light above Michael fell on the man's body. The room was quiet, only the subtle clink of the piano could be heard. There were some people who took out handkerchiefs to wipe their tears.
The woman smiled and put her hand on her chin. She turned her head and saw her daughter was sitting up straight and did not look sleepy. Her child's doll-like eyes looked serious. The woman breathed a sigh of relief then looked back at the stage.
After Michael pressed the last key, he lowered his hand and walked to the center of the stage. He lowered his body then immediately rushed backstage.
"Michael!" There was a warm welcome from Gabby when he got backstage.
After Michael saw Gabby, his cold face immediately warmed. He couldn't help smiling then walked over to the girl.
Behind Michael, he could hear loud applause. Not long after that, Daniel, Agnes, and coach Hendrik walked into the backstage area.
When Daniel and Agnes arrived on the backstage, they only saw Michael. Agnes frowned then asked, "Michael, where's Gabby?"
Michael turned around, shook Agnes and Daniel's hand then pointed to the dressing room, "Gabby is there auntie, changing clothes."
Agnes nodded her head and smiled, thinking what a polite would-be son-in-law Michael was. Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the dressing room, "Michael, my hair looks messy! Can you please come over here and fix my hair?"
Hearing this, Coach Hendrik coughed back his embarrassment. Even though it wasn't him who was summoned, he somehow felt embarrassed. 'Young people these days.' He thought to himself.
Daniel's face flushed, holding back his emotions then glared at Michael. He was sending a signal to Michael so he wouldn't dare to mess around and go into the changing room. 'Just watch out until he dares to go in there. I'll beat him up.' He thought to himself.
Michael noticed the anger in Daniel's face and lowered his head. The boy didn't dare to look at the cruel gaze given by his future 'father-in-law'. Agnes realized the fear in the eyes of her future son-in-law and looked at her husband.
"What are you doing? Enough with that look!" Agnes said, nudging her husband's arm.
Daniel looked away and then bit his lower lip, "That boy is thinking about going in there," He pointed to the dressing room, "...and help our child!"
"So what? Obviously our child asked for it! Just so you know, Michael is a good boy!" Agnes replied.
"He's a boy! How could he get in there!" Daniel argued.
At this time, the backstage was dominated by the bickering and shouts from the married couple. Coach Hendrik who watched the scene couldn't help but laugh. He closed his mouth then wet his throat.
Agnes ignored her husband's scolding and smiled kindly to Michael, "I'm sorry, Okay?"
From the corner of her eye, Agnes could see her husband was about to walk into the locker room. She quickly overtook Daniel and hit him hard on the back. Agnes looked at Michael, "Hey, just ignore my husband. Get in there quickly and help Gabby."
Daniel's eyes widened in shock when he heard his wife's order. As he wanted to protest against Agnes, he could feel a pinch on his waist. Daniel grimaced in pain and finally gave up on holding Michael.
Michael nodded his head then turned around and walked toward the dressing room. Arriving at the door, he took a breath and then exhaled. He knocked lightly before opening the door. When he heard Gabby's voice telling him to come in, the boy gently pushed the door open.
In the dressing room, Gabby was seen sitting on one of the folding chairs. The girl folded her arms in front of her chest and her forehead was decorated with wrinkles. Without thinking further, Michael stepped his feet and walked towards Gabby.
If Gabby didn't look furious right now, maybe Michael would tease her. The woman's hair looked messy but fluffy, like a lion. The man stood behind Gabby and slowly caressed her hair.
"Sorry, I couldn't come here right away." Michael cautiously said.