Chapter 2 - Grand Final

He replied, "Once you heed my advise and my coaching which I taught you, there would be a hundred percent possibility."

The coaching ended two hours before the grand final had started. According to what he learned, a voice needs at least ten minutes to rest before using it again.

The three grand finalists were called to stay upstage while Miss Valentine was asked to sit at the front row below the stage aligned to the table of the judges.

The beating of his heart had gone wild as he glimpsed his first ever crush in his life when he unintentionally saw her last night during the semi-final.

If others would be nervous because of the presence of a crush of their life, Kennet Allen was the opposite. He may appear nonchalant but behind the knowledge of the crowd, his heart and mind were working as a team to make a remarkable performance.

The master of ceremony went near with a small jar where they drew a number to determine their sequence of their performance. Just like last night he would be the last to sing his contest piece.

His two opponents were not to be disregarded for they really deserved their inclusion being grand finalists like him. It was a nerve-wracking competition not because he had a secret crush with the queen of hearts. This kind of feeling was caused by his little insecurity with his fellow contestants despite his over preparation with the help of his coach. His only hope to beat him was the lessons he learned from him and the techniques shared to him.

The uproarious cheering of the crowd that was divided into two proved their eagerness to win that was why their divergent die hard supporters were all willing to support them even from a mere yelling.

"Last but not the least, let us all listen and watch contestant number three for his song entitled 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston."

His contest piece by Steelhart last night had a long instrumental prelude unlike that night's for the grand final. During this final competition, as he stood up toward the microphone placed at the center of the enormous stage, he started to sing the lyrics at once which was simultaneous to the beat of the musical instruments .

If I

Should stay

I would only be in your way

So I'll go

But I know

I'll think of you every step of

The way

Only the whistling of some of the audience and a yell of admiration could be heard. However, majority of the crowd was holding their breath knowing that the next lyrics of the song would have the higher notes in that song

And I Will always Love you, oohh

Will always Love you. You

My darling you

Mmm-mm

Bittersweet Memories

That is all I'm taking with me

So good-bye

Please don't cry

We both know I'm not what you

You need

The two stanzas above were expressed in his husky soft seemingly caressing sweet voice. While uttering those lyrics by singing, he stood up with his legs far apart for about one and a half feet, his right hand was holding the microphone, his left arm was either stretched or placed on his bosom feeling its meaning by slowly closing and opening his eyes once in awhile.

While singing in a dismal and desolate mood, the audience could also feel that as if a shaft of a knife was pricking their heart. Indeed, the crowd was carried away by the gloomy mood he resonated by his contest piece that night.

And I...

Will always love you

I...

Will always love you

You, ooh

His range of voice changed. Luckily he was performing in different ranges of his notes in singing a song with style that he had suited to his type of voice. He did not show off. What he did was an impressive performance interpreting the song according to it's implication.

I hope

Life treats you kind

And I hope

You have all you've dreamed of

And I wish you joy

And happiness

But above all this

I wish you love

His fans were relieved when his voice gradually changed to another pitch without a hitch.

And I..Will always love you

I...Will always love you

I, I will always love

You...

You

Darling I love you

I'll always

I'll always

Love You. Oooh Ooohhh

Source: Musixmatch

He's done singing his peace. He bowed.

No one dared to break the quietness of the venue as though they were in a church. It made his jittery feeling aroused. A negative thought sideswept his pride. He was about to stand up to leave the stage in humiliation when all of a sudden the crowd was led by the judges giving him a salvo and at the same time another standing ovation.

He bent his head on his seat to hide the tears rolling down from his eyes. He pretended to be wiping his face with his handkerchief he pulled from his pants' right pocket.

"Thank you dear Lord, my God. I thought they didn't like my performance." These were only in his mind since it was not good to voice this out.

After acknowledging several sponsors and patrons, the result was announced.

The third was the first singer. The second winner was the second singer.

Before his name was announced as the champion, he had his blatant expression of his gratitude to the unseen Creator. He knelt down with his head bowed, a drooping shoulder as though he was a loser.

The Chairman of the judges held him on his shoulder and helped him stood up to receive a life size trophy as tall as him, the cash prize of twenty thousand pesos and the hand shaking he had with Leonora D. Ayo, the Miss Valentine.

He went home with his grandparents who were overwhelmed with elation.

His weariness in his training and the stress of the contest put him to an immediate deep slumber right after their evening meal.

In his sleep he dreamed that Miss Valentine and him were in a resort where they were hobnobbing. She was in her one piece emerald swim suit. It was bare at her left and right side below her chest that exposed her perfectly curvaceous body. It also had a deep neckline that revealed her cleavage emphasising its perfect shape like a volcano. Her protruding well-shaped breast and her bulging hips emphasized the twenty four-inched waist line.

Her long straight dark hair covered her backless swim suit. Her long million dollar legs strode like a male peacock that attracts its opposite sex in order to be admired.

It was his first time ogling to his opposite sex. Her attraction was so magnetic that he could not resist following her in the fresh bluish sea water.

She was not a snob for she never took him for granted when he approached her. They had a friendly conversation at first that after a while their scream and laughter while chasing each other in the water caught the attention of their fellow picnickers.

He was really enjoying her company that he himself could not stop laughing and shrieking when his body was shaken and his face was slightly slapped.

It forced him to get up as it was already six o'clock in the morning. He had to report to his classes for it was just Tuesday, the 13th of February.

In the bathroom he could not discard away his dream. It was so real that he can feel the softness of her glowing tan complexion. She did not even care at all when he encircled her waist with his arms which he locked with his clasped hands.

The smirk in his mouth was plastered despite the moment when his left eye became blurry because of the bath soap's foam that accidentally splattered into it.

When he went out of the bathroom he was even singing softly.

🎶Fly me to the moon

🎼 And let me sing along the stars. Hmmm Hmmm mmmm mmmm mmmmm. 🎶

"Wow! Hon, our grandson sounds inspired and enthusiastic. His grand mother noticed.

"Honey, he's seventeen years old

already. Maybe he has his crush. Am I right Kenneth Allen?" His grandfather was teasing him.

"You can ask Mr. Cupid if he was able to hit my heart this year, my dear grandparents."

"How do we do that?"

"You can both send them a text message or a chat with him." He also teased them back.

Before leaving for the school he asked his grandparents if they could give him money from the prize to treat his classmates for their morning snacks. He was granted with what he was asking them.

In the school his classmates were so happy for his success. The more they became joyful when their morning snack was paid by Kenneth Allen.

Most of his female classmates were getting his favor to be their seat mate. Having been reared not to be a rude individual to anyone, he declined subtly.

Although they had their looks, still not one among his nineteen female classmates was recommended by Mr. Cupid.

"Stop being a snob Mr. Kenneth Allen Lacandula. We are not idiots, are we not guys?" Faith, his female classmate said.

"Tell it to the marines!" Rinalyn who was another classmate did not hesitate to side Faith.

"Mr. Champion in singing, we knew that you have a pretty girl for your date. And.... Tada! Take note, pals... That would be tomorrow." Maricris informed them.

"Oh, yes! Thanks for reminding me. Any suggestion for a song for my serenade?" He suddenly remembered what he would be doing after the crowning of the Queen of hearts the following night.