***

Friday passed by without me even realising it! And so did the whole day of Saturday. I stood, nervous and anxious in my room. I'd just finished getting dressed.

I looked good with my Vera Wong dress, perfect make up and hair. I had a beauty transformation specially for that day!

"The limo's here." Lucas announced to all of us. It was already nine PM. Time for the ceremony.

Kadij had hired ubers and limos for all of the postgraduate students. I was so happy.

"Let's go then." my mom said. We were all chicly dressed and ready to impress.

My handsome prince gave me his arm and I held it gladly. We soon left the apartment.

We got into the chic limousine and off we were to Martz Hotel. An expensive five star hotel. The ceremony was to take place in one of its large halls.
-
We arrived Martz hotel and were welcomed by waiters, a red carpet and some paparazzi. I felt like someone important for the first time in my life.

"Girl, I feel like a star!" Yazz exclaimed and we all laughed.

"But we all are. Common let's go in." Lucas said.

**

The hotel was one beautiful labyrinth. As big and beautiful as I'd imagined it.

The hall where the ceremony was taking place was a huge one with glass chandeliers hanging almost everywhere.

It was also crowded with expensively dressed and important personalities, along with photographs.

"Name please." the man at the entrance of the hall said.

"Harlem Rahim."

The man checked his list.

"That's right. Table for five right?"

"Yes."

The fifth place was for James who hadn't arrived yet.

"Welcome, miss. Here, your table number."

I got my table number and we were all allowed in. We headed straight for our table.

Once seated, I looked around. Wow.

We were surrounded by people well known in the society. How had Kadij Koon convinced them to buy the amateur work of her students?
Pft! The answer was evident! Because she was Kadij Koon!

After about ten minutes, James arrived and I was very happy to see him again. By the way, it was also thanks to him that I'd reached this level of my life.

*

The ceremony soon began with Kadij as the main host. She'd worn a beautiful, diamond designed Punjabi. She was very beautiful.

She began speaking about her schools in different parts of the country and out of the country. She spoke of how happy she was and proud of her students.

After a long interesting speech. She announced the buffet and that immediately after that, the artists and their works would be presented. My heart couldn't beat any faster than it already was.

Lucas held my hand, clearly conscious of the fact that I was beginning to freak out.

"Everything's gonna be okay. We're all here for you." he whispered and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for being here with me." I replied, putting my head on his shoulder.

Soon enough, the buffet was ready and we all served ourselves.
We ate and chatted at my table. Everyone was trying to cheer me up and encourage me not to freak out. It was my dream come true.

After about forty minutes, while we were still eating the last parts of our meals, a waiter walked up to our table.

"Miss Rahim?"

"Yes?"

"It would soon be time to introduce the artists. You are required to go back stage and prepare." he said and walked away. I turned to my family with a scared look.

"Oh my gawd it's time. I'm stressing out like crazy." I admitted.

"Don't worry, honey. Take a deep breath. You know what, let's all follow you backstage." my mom proposed.

"Yes momma, please."

"Okay. let's go then."

We got up from our table and all went backstage. The other students and some of their relations were there too.

"How do I look?" I asked them, nervously.

"Beautiful, my dear."

"Gorgeous."

"Amazing."

"Astonishing."

I giggled.

"Oh wow. Um thanks. A lot." I replied, still as nervous as ever. Lucas chuckled.

"You're beautiful. Tonight's your night. Cmon pose for a good picture."

I smiled at him and posed. He took a picture of me.

It was soon time to introduce the artists. The first name was called. They started from the bottom to the top.

After about fifty minutes of waiting patiently, the fourth person amongst the first five was called.

"Oh my gosh, I'm next!" I panicked, quickly hugging my mom.

"Oh my dear, be courageous. You've faced worse than this. Tonight's your night like Lucas said earlier. So shine."

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"You're right."

I heard the loud applause after the fourth guy finished his speech. I felt dizzy.

"And now, the third of this whole amazing countdown, Harlem Rahim!"

When I heard my name being called, I knew it was now or never.
I turned to my loved ones and they all smiled at me.

I took a deep breath and walked onto the stage where Kadij and both my paintings were waiting. There was a loud round of applause.

I was given the mic and turned to face the huge crowd. The spot lights were very bright and were all on me. At that moment, fear disappeared.

"Hello." I said with a bright smile and the crowd replied.

"As you heard earlier, I'm Harlem Rahim. Quite a strange name huh? Harlem." I joked and people laughed a little.

"Who names his child Harlem? My dad did. And I'm happy he did. That name describes where I come from and who I am." I looked around at the attentive crowd, "I'm an Israelite, Cameroonian and afro american. Wow. A friend once told me I'm as mixed as an exotic fruit juice." I smiled and people laughed again. I turned to look at Lucas backstage and smiled at him before facing the crowd again.

"Where I come from, school is a wastage of time for many. But I struggled to remain on the right track. And here I am today."

There was a round of applause.

"To kids and teens out there in the streets, don't give up on your dreams. For those of you planning or thinking of leaving school, get over that bad idea. With these paintings behind me that permitted me to be third today, I'm going to get my mother and loved ones out of misery. And never will I forget where I come from.
If my future is as I want it to be, maybe I'll be able to help people out there like me. Just like Kadij koon did with me." I turned to Kadij with a smile and there was another round of applause.

"I want to thank my late dad. He thought me to be strong and showered me with his love. I thank my momma who raised me for more than half of my life. I love you. I also want to thank my best friends and loves of my life who helped me in any way. Yasmin, James and Ricky who unluckily isn't here tonight. I love you all.
And the last but but not the least, my love, my heart, my boyfriend and probably soulmate, Lucas. It's thanks to him that I decided to share my talent with the world. My first model for the first works I sold. I love you." I smiled at him, backstage. He smiled back.

"Thank you once more." I added lastly before handing over the mic. There was a huge round of applause as I left the stage.

Immediately I got backstage, I was welcomed with a group hug. I cracked up and sobbed my joy out.

***

The rest of the night was great! I was given a lot of cards by business men and women who either wanted to buy my future works or wanted to work with me .

Since I did not have a gallery of my own, I would use James's gallery. It would bring him a lot of money and clients.
I was so happy! Kadij congratulated me and I thanked her over and over again.

I was so so happy! Rick even called to tell me he'd seen me live on TV. He was more than happy for me.

Everything turned out more than well! I had a good job now and I could get my mother, Yazz and her mom out of the streets.

Yazz had decided to continue with school and I was glad to help.

But before painting anymore, I had to rest and go on a vacation. That was just fine because guess who's boyfriend was going to Paris for his first professional fashion catwalk show!

Yup, Lucas was gonna catwalk for Dolce and Cabana summer outfits collection!

Not only had I made a name for myself, I was also gonna make a name for people like me!

FIN!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE STORY. PLEASE VOTE, COMMENT AND FOLLOW AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ON MY NEXT BOOK : "DANGEROUSLY UNUSUAL." FIRST CHAPTER, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

XOXO.

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