Chapter 2 SHINNING GRACE ADMIST DISTRACTION

A few moments later, the event hall was filled up. Award-winning artist, James Foster, whose hit single had become the talk of the town was the MC of the spotlight event. Sarah owen, the best female footballer of her time, a living legend, was also among the special guest. Anna was sitting right next to her because she was representing her dad. She was so overwhelmed by her pleasant gesture. Sarah had always been one of those she looked up to as a kid. It got to a time she wanted to join a football Academy but her father didn't give her a chance.

He said "football is not for big girls like you".

Anna's heart raced with anticipation. She was invited to present an award to a renowned movie star, a moment she had been eagerly awaiting. The time had come for her to climb the stage and take her place in the spotlight.

She gracefully stood up as a round of applause like the sounds of many waters filled the hall. She looked at the large screen in front of her and her face was just right there. She summoned courage looking up at the stage, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The audience's applause grew louder as she approached the stairs, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

But fate had a different plan for Anna that evening. Unknown to her, a small spillage had occurred on the stairs, making them slippery. As she stepped onto the first step, her foot lost traction, causing her to lose her balance.

Time seemed to slow down as Anna desperately tried to regain her footing. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they witnessed her stumble. With a mix of grace and determination, she managed to steady herself momentarily, but it was not enough.

Her elegant figure wavered precariously, and in a heart-wrenching moment, she tumbled forward. The gasps turned into a collective gasp of shock as Anna's body descended towards the stage.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she braced for impact, but before she could hit the ground, a strong pair of arms caught her. It was a stuntman who had been stationed near the stage, ready to assist in case of any mishaps.

The audience erupted in applause and relief as Anna found herself safely cradled in the stuntman's arms. She glanced up, her eyes meeting the concerned gaze of the movie star she was supposed to present the award to. A mixture of embarrassment and gratitude washed over her.

With a gracious smile, she regained her composure and stood on her own two feet. The applause continued, a mixture of admiration for her poise and relief that she had escaped unharmed.

As the cheers subsided, Anna took a deep breath and looked out at the . She couldn't let a small stumble define her night . Despite the unexpected stumble, she realized that she had still managed to captivate their attention, albeit in a different way. she took a deep breath and was given the microphone to speak. The applause came down gradually has she lifted it to her mouth and said " words cannot expressed how delighted I am to be here, I am so honoured to be here representing my dad". She took a short pause as they cheered her and she continued "even those good and bad things happen. We still keep standing. Focusing on the good ones helps us to become you we are really meant to be. From my Dad and I, we say a very big thank you to you all. The audience listened attentively, impressed by her ability to recover from the unexpected mishap with such grace.

The initial stumble was quickly overshadowed by her resilience and ability to command the stage. She had turned a potential disaster into a moment of triumph.

She opened the card in front of her and said " the winner of this year's best cinematographer goes to... ". She looked up as she could see the expectancy on the faces of the large audience she looked back into the card and announced " Alan Williams" The crowd made a round of applause has he came out to collect his award.

Anna could not wait to get off the stage. She collected the award and presented it to him. He made his address thanking his fans and promising to make to the awards in the coming years. "Thank you very much for your time, miss Anna". James Foster said as she walked back to her sit. Anna was deep in thought she couldn't imagine herself making up the headlines of the entertainment and paparazzi news the following day.

As she made her way back to her seat, her phone buzzed in her clutch. She retrieved it to find a text from her boyfriend, Akimi, expressing his support and pride in her. Reading his words, a warm smile spread across her face. She knew that he would always be there for her. Sarah Owen held her hand and whispered to her ears " you've done well. Am so proud of you".

Anna swallowed the saliva in her mouth down her throat but it felt heavy it was not the usual. The atmosphere around her had suddenly become so heavy. She tried to fake a smile back at Sarah. Has her heart burnt silently within are. " you are so lucky to have Wilson has your father, he has a strong daughter" she added. A message popped in from her dad. She did not bother to check it. She wished the incident did not happened. Now, she has something to thing of the whole night. All she could wish for now was for the event to be over.

Soon the ceremony was over, Anna found herself surrounded by well-wishers, congratulating her on her recovery and praising her composure. Fred also came to give his charming words of encouragement as he tried to hug her but she was reluctant. The incident had only made her more relatable in the eyes of the public, showcasing her ability to handle adversity with grace and determination.