Chapter 38 : TRISTAN

                                    

                                          
"How far are we done with the preparations?" he asked Kara, the manager. Her company had been in charge for some of the most important events, notably the President's swearing in, for the country. Most of the A-list Hollywood celebrity weddings or birthday parties also fell into her line of work. For the last three years, she was handed over an annual contract of Celestia. Her calibre was proved on the first time itself. They had a record two hundred and fifty million viewers online along with the usual guests present. 
Will tilted his head from the screen at his corner. 
"Can I have a look?" she raised her eyebrows in surprise. 
Tristan wanted this year to be their best one. Almost every checklist was cleared. Except one of them. They did not get a commercial singer, leave alone a known industry product. Flo was commendable but could they guarantee the same reception from the aristocratic audience. Their genre of music imaginably occupied the last of their preference. So, for Flo, being good, was not sufficient. They had to be able to hit everyone's taste's equally, an impossible feat in itself. He knew the standards he banked on were unattainable for any human. However, as long as the audience were not visibly displeased in the performance, it would be a success for both. 
He understood what caused that reaction. Throughout all Kara's previous assignments, Will would be the one monitoring almost the whole on-ground situation while he mostly looked into the paperwork. The CEO usually came around in the day and week before. Now, their roles were reversed, all thanks to Will's injury. Tristan made rounds thrice a day, in a span of six hours difference. Most of the setup should have been completed by today, as per, the schedule. That would leave them with adequate three weeks for the addition of props and other extra finishing touches. He wanted the grace period to be more cause of some other different plans he kept in his notes. They had people to impress. And also a stubborn artist who challenged the very notion he operated Celestia on. 
"Why, is there a problem?" he questioned to the worried frown on her. Kara was one of the people who worked better under pressure. The faint, lopsided smile on her brought a sense of distrust. Maybe if this time were not that special, he would barely taken half the trouble he did now. But this year held special in many aspects. GISWEP was celebrating its golden jubilee. The four families were one of the esteemed guests, a raging issue among the tabloids. Pa and Ma's vision completed a glorious half-century. And, there was a supposed break for a new artist to this world. The exposure from Celestia should open more doors for Flo, as it had always been for those before them. 
"No, sir...not at all." she adjusted her glasses, clutching the tablet closer. What is she hiding? 
Tristan stood up, putting the phone in his trouser pocket. He peeked outside for a brief second. The strong rays were a sign in itself. The staff must be dealing with worse. He typed a brief message to Will - for arranging two more rounds of refreshments for them. As per the plan, they had four scheduled breaks, excluding lunch. However, no limitation existed on a personal rest of a few minutes, as long as a destined number were at work. 
Fortunately, he wore a white shirt today. He took off the tie and undid the first two buttons of his shirt, revealing hint of a muscular chest. Kara was staring at him in bewilderment when the realisation dawned on him.
"Its warm outside, right?" he excused himself. 
She gulped and nodded.
"I'll be back. Do we have the board meeting today?" he asked Will. 
"Yes, sir. But don't hurry." A smirk formed on the assistant's face, pointing to the planner. "Take your time. Its from six, anyways." From the corner he saw Kara make a bitter expression at Will.