Subconsciously, her gaze drifted towards the auditorium. The two hundred VIP seats were filled to capacity, but she couldn't locate the familiar face she sought among Zaria and others.

He hadn't show up. Though she knew it was the Logical outcome, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment and sadness.

Her melancholy was soon shattered by the director's instructions.

It was time to take the stage. This performance would include a secret gift from Mathews' fans, something that hadn't been part of the afternoon's rehearsal. Claudia was handed this unexpected task at the Last minute.

Fortunately, she remembered the route to the piano from the rehearsal, and even with the unforeseen change, she remained composed and ready.

The director informed her that the gift was hidden beneath her piano and instructed her to feign a problem with the instrument. When Mathews approached, she was to retrieve the gift and present it to him.

Everything went according to plan, but she hadn't expected the “surprise” to be a bunch of “flowers.” Claudia also discovered a “description” of the gift on her piano.

As Mathews approached, she quickly skimmed the note attached. As he drew near, she lifted the bouquet with a flourish. "Surprise!"

“Happy Birthday, Mathews! Your fans have personally folded 999 paper roses for you, and inside each one, they've written their best wishes for you." Claudia smiled and added with sincerity, "Happy birthday; may today and all your days be happy.”

To her surprise, she hadn't realized that today was still Mathews' birthday!

Mathews was visibly surprised.

“Thank you. Did you arrange this on purpose?" he asked.

“I'm just following orders. You'll have to ask the chief director about it," Claudia responded.

Mathews looked at her, eyes filled with joy.

“Thank you. I'm very happy that you helped my fans deliver today's surprise.”

“Happy birthday," she said.

“Thank you! I'll love you forever!”

With great enthusiasm, Mathews leaned against the piano, clutching thebouquet of paper roses in one hand and the microphone in the other.

“Here's a song for you all: ‘Sea of People.'”

Claudia then took her seat at the piano. Following a cue, she began to play.

Five minutes later, she left the stage, her work completed, feeling elated by the pay of three million.

Glancing around the audience, she was disappointed not to find the person she longed to see.

It wasn't a perfect day after all.

“Bang! Three million dollars just like that! This is amazing!" came a voice.