"I can tell you that I've never seen her singing live, and I always thought that artists don't sound as good live as they to on the radio or in their video clips, but she's amazing."

I giggle as I look at Penny. I can see she is really enjoying the evening. Johnny is smiling as he is watching us. He has not said much since he has talked to dad. I still wonder what they have been talking about. I know he is watching me most of the time. I can feel something has changed.

"You two need to get prepared."
"Indeed we do."

Penny stands up and looks at Johnny.

"Go, warm up, have you given the music to the DJ?"
"Yes, Baby, don't worry."
"Good, now go, because you'll be announced in a minute."
"When are you teaching me to network?"
"After the performance of N'Sync. When they're done, the guests are free to start making donations. The party will start then, people can dance and start networking. You'll see."

I wink at him, and he starts to smile a little wider as he stands up. He leans in.

"You're amazing."

Then he gives me a kiss on my cheek and went with Penny to the side of the stage. I look after him and lay my hand carefully on the place his lips touched my cheek. Mom and dad are watching me and smile. Lisa is not here. She did not want to join us this time. I know dad had told her to come. He knows that his events are a great opportunity for Lisa to find an eligible bachelor. It is how she gets most of her dates, but this time she did not want to join. I do not know what is going on with my sister, but lately she does not talk much to me, she does not look at Johnny at all and she only answers questions when mom and dad ask her directly. She is away a lot with her friends. She seems to be even thinking not to go to Kellerman's with mom and dad. I wonder what is up with her.

The announcer starts to talk after everyone is done clapping for Beyonce. Her new song is really amazing, it hits really deep. I will make small talk with her later, telling her how amazing the song is, and thank her for doing this for the charity. Everyone becomes quiet when the music starts, and I see Penny twirling onto the stage. I watch Johnny walking onto the stage, he smiles as he looks at Penny. She turns to him, and they start to dance.

"They are amazing."

I hear dad whispering. I turn my head to look at him and he is looking at the stage with a smile. I am glad that Penny got this idea because people are looking at them in awe. I am pretty sure they will gain a few customers today. All the new customers we have seen at the introduction meetings all want to dance like Johnny and Penny. I know no one will actually dance like them, but I can imagine why they would want that.

Justin came to our table and sits down on Johnny's chair. I look at him and see him watching Johnny.

"Is that why you took the job?"
"What do you mean?"
"Johnny."

I frown at him, and he sees my expression.

"Baby, it's so obvious."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about, Justin."
"Look, I know I don't get another shot with you, you've been very clear, but you've always played hard to get. I know you Baby."

I let out a deep breath and look at the stage again. Johnny lifts Penny up, and when he puts her back down, he looks at me with a smile. Then he sees Justin and his smile drops. I see his expression changing. I inhale deeply.

"Is there anything you want to tell me? Don't you need to get prepared?"
"In a moment. I just want to tell you, don't be hard to get with Johnny, I've seen how you two are looking at each other. Take this from me, even if I'm your ex, if you don't give your boss a chance, I will hunt you until you say yes to me."

He stands up and walks away. I look after him while I frown. What did just happen? I am confused. I look back at the stage and see that they have ended the dance. Penny sees his expression and frowns. She looks at me and I inhale deeply. Nevertheless, the dance was so magical that they got a standing ovation. They bow and get off the stage. I watch them.

I see Johnny standing still in front of Justin. Justin folds his arms and Johnny takes a step forward, towering himself over Justin. I can see Justin getting scared. Penny grabs Johnny's wrist and pulls him away. I see them arguing a little. N'Sync got announced and the guys step onto the stage.

They came back and sit down, both quiet, I can see Penny being irritated. I look at Johnny and he looks at the stage. N'Sync starts to sing. Mom is watching us. I grab his hand and he looks down for a moment. He looks at my face and then pulls his hand back. What is going on? Should I get worried? He is definitely frustrated. I can see it in his eyes. I want to show him my support, but he is closing himself up.

"Don't do this."

I look at the stage and watch the guys dancing. Justin is looking at me as he is singing and dancing. He winks and turns. I cannot do this. Justin's words are still ringing in my ears. I look away. I notice that Johnny is looking at me and I turn my head to look at him. I see his eyes, his expression is cold, but his eyes tell me something else. I stand up and went to the bar. I need something strong. Someone comes to me and smiles.

"A Martini please."

She nods and turns to get me a Martini. I inhale deeply and lean my head on my right hand as I watch the people work hard, but they all are wearing a smile. The woman came back and puts the glass down. I look at it and then at her.

"Do you love your job?"

She wanted to turn, but stops in her track to look at me. They all know who I am of course. Even if these events are my father's, most of the employees see me as being the big boss at the events. I never realized that before. But I can see how they respect me, a girl of seventeen, is that not weird?

"I do."
"Why?"

She looks at me, not sure how to answer the question.

"You can tell me the truth. I might be the boss at these events, but I'm still a teenager with dreams and I also have a job. I just want to know what makes people to love their job."

I watch her as she is thinking.

"I think people love their job for different reasons. You have the workaholics, people who will never stop working, they're addicted to it."

I look at her face as I think. It sounds nearly like me. I like to be busy. I work like twelve hours a day, and besides that, I also organize these events.

"There are people who just are born to do certain things. Then you have those who have talent. Like N'Sync there and Beyonce."

I look at the stage and see them dancing. I inhale deeply and look back at her as I lift my glass up. She is watching me as I sip a little bit. I look at her and see her smile.

"There are those who know what they want in life. And those who are still figuring out what they're good at, and there are those who are born into the company of their parents and are bound to take it over one day."

I think about Johnny. He is bound to take over his father's company, though he needs to proof himself first. I know he does not really know what he truly wants, but I can see he is getting passionate. At least, that is beside the dancing, that is his biggest passion, everyone can see that.

"And you? In what category do you fall?"

I see her smiling a little wider. I smile back at her. I can see she is enjoying this conversation.

"I'm born in the bar from my parents. I'll be taking that over one day, but as long as my parents are running it, I work along with them and do other things outside of that to widen my field of experience."
"Like working here?"
"Yes, events like these are great to get connections, and to meet interesting people."
"Is that so?"

She nods. I know that is the case, I get most of my connections from these events, so I know what she means. Someone came to the bar and stands next to me. He looks at her.

"A beer please."

The woman nods and I turn my head to look at Johnny. He looks at me and inhales deeply. I turn a little. I see him looking at the stage for a moment.

"You know."

He looks back at me.

"Just because my ex is famous now, doesn't mean he's a threat."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Baby."
"I think you do."

The woman came back with a beer and Johnny thanks her. She looks at me and I give her a nod. She wants to turn, but I stop her.

"You've got a business card or something?"
"Yes, why?"
"Because I think you'll be a great connection to me, maybe I can hire you for other events, or use your parents' bar for parties."
"Really? Would you really hire me again?"
"Yes, I can see you're passionate about your job."

I take out a business card and hand it out to her. She takes it and smiles.

"I'm not having mine with me right now, they're in my purse."
"Give me one later."
"Okay, thanks a lot."

She looks at me with a happy smile, then she gives Johnny a glance and went back to work. Johnny looks at me and I see his admiration.

"Is this how you network?"
"Sort of."

I smile and see that the performance from N'Sync is done. Dad steps on the stage to have his last speech and tell people that they can drop their donations in the box that is standing at the side of the stage. The DJ starts the music. Johnny and I are watching how people are standing up and going to the box, putting cheques in.

"Wow, I thought people would put cash money in jars as donation."
"You think that at an exclusive charity event where millionaires and billionaires are invited, that people will put in cash money?"
"You make a good point."
"Some put in hundred of thousands of dollars in that box, it's crazy really."

I watch how employees quickly take chairs and tables to the sides of the room, so people can start dancing. I have hired someone to coordinate the agenda, so I for once can enjoy the event myself instead of telling others what they must do. I need to remind myself to give Gareth a compliment and a bonus. I might hire him again for a future event from dad. He is doing a great job. Johnny is watching me.

"What are you thinking of?"

I look at him and he inhales deeply.

"What were you doing with Justin?"

He looks down. I keep watching him.

"I don't know what came over me."
"You want to tell me?"
"I'm not sure if I should."
"Why not? We trust each other, don't we? You know you can tell me everything."
"That's the point, Baby, I know I can tell you everything, I came to rely on you all the time that I'm afraid if I tell you this, you'll be running away, and I will lose you."
"You won't lose me."
"I will when I tell you this."

You big oaf, Johnny, sometimes I really can strangle your neck for being so hotheaded. He knows I am so curious right now, but he really does not want to tell me so I must stop pressuring. He looks at my face and tries to give me a smile. I take his hand, this time he does not pull it away. I look in his eyes and smile at him. I can see his eyes lighting up and his smile is growing.