"Please settle everyone, we apologize for the tickets have already sold out. We can not accommodate anymore because the opera house has already reached maximum capacity." Edward explained.

"But we came all the way here! If that were the case, you should have included in the article that only limited number of seats are available." A man protested.

"Yeah, aside from that you should have assigned a person to check and tell that there's no more tickets. So that at the very least we would not have kept standing in line like idiots waiting for nothing. I've been in line since noon!" said another.

Then a child about 11 who was with her mother started crying. "will we not be able to see Cherena?"

"Hush now, surely the management can find a way."

"There are only about a hundred of us, I think there's still space, like the middle of the aisle. We can sit there." A woman suggested.

Edward shook his head then rubbed his temple. Why were these people even trying to get in? It's not like Serena and Charlton would be singing.

--

It was quarter to 2 when Serena and her friends arrived outside the opera house. Not far behind them were the carriages of Leonard and Geoffrey. They went down the carriage and walked towards the entrance.

Serena did not want to mind what was happening. She and her friends needed to enter and find their seats as the event will be starting shortly. However, that plan was called off when people saw and recognized her.

"SERENA!!!! Serena's really here!" the little girl who has been crying suddenly called.

Then the others turned to look. "It's really her!!!" another woman called out.

Then another said "Serena!!!! I love your songs! Are you also signing today? We came all the way here to see you and Charlton!"

Although Serena wanted to leave and enter, she could not. So instead, she smiled and waved her hand. Then she walked over where Edward who was looking at her like he was begging for her help was. Her friends also chose to follow her.

"Mr. Easton, what seems to be the problem here?" she asked.

Edward sighed in relief when people's attention was diverted to Serena. "The tickets sold out, and they are complaining as they have lined up for more than an hour and travelled all the way here just so they can enter and watch the event."

Serena nodded in understanding. "Are there no other options?"

"The seats are full." Edward said.

"Serena, we can just stand at the corner. We won't cause trouble. We are even willing to pay in full." A man suddenly shouted.

"Yes, we are willing. Please help us." Another woman said.

Serena listened to their pleas, understanding their plight, she suggested, "Mr. Easton, I can donate my ticket and just stay backstage. Anyway, I'm also part of the council heading this event."

Via, along with Leonard, and Geoffrey who also joined them not long after, also expressed the same idea. Gizel and Milly were unsure as they were not part of the council. However, they expressed that they can also donate theirs and just go back to school.

The people felt that Serena was truly kindhearted. At first, they were conscience stricken as she was giving up her ticket for them, but they heard her say that she can just go backstage so there's that.

Anyway, Edward did not feel right about it, but he needed to placate the people, so they decided to give the tickets to the elderly. Then, for the others, they came to the agreement to let them stand at the very back so they can watch the proceeding of the event.

As the issue has been solved, Serena along with her friends were led to the backstage using the backdoor entrance.

Edward who stayed behind to overlook the proceeding regarding the arrangement of these people could not help but ask one of them.

"Excuse me, but I just want to have a clue regarding the reason why you are very adamant in entering the event today."

"We heard about the interview last time and it was said that Serena or Charlton, we're not sure who said it but, it was said that they were working on a new song and would be releasing it sometime in mid-April. So, a lot of people has been speculating that a new song would be sang today. The news has just circulated last night so not a lot of people know about it. If they did, I believe that the line today will be longer, and it will be a mess."

"Eh? I thought they will just be singing a duet at the end of the show. It was said that Charlton will be performing the finale with a lady, so we were hoping for that. But a new song? Really? This is so worth it!" an elderly woman chimed in.

Edward suddenly felt an incoming headache. If the news of a new song release is the reason why people have arrived here in flocks, then it would truly be troublesome. The song signed to his company will be recorded later in the evening in utmost secrecy. They can not sing that song now for certain reasons.

Anyway, he could only hope that that reason is not the same reason for everyone who came to see the concert. If not, then at least, let it be that no one would cause a scene during the event due to their disappointment.

--

When Serena and company arrived backstage, it was 3 minutes before the start of the event. Everyone was surprised to see them.

"Sister Serena! Are you here to join us for the performance?" Eli who saw her suddenly ran and gave her a hug.

"No, I'm just here to support all of you." She replied with a smile.

Then the others also started greeting her, Via, Leonard and Geoffrey.

Meanwhile Serena's eyes met with Emily's. Emily rolled her eyes at her, as if telling her, what was she doing there? Trying to steal the limelight?

Serena decided to ignore her and give her attention to the children.

--

TBC