Chapter 32
“Erick and Devon are having trouble with Buenavista’s mafia. They’re caught!” Kei stood up at what just Zeke announced. My heart suddenly raced due to nervousness. What happened?!
“What’s their condition?” Kei’s still have his cold expression but he’s obviously worried for the two.
“I don’t know exactly but they sent a message to the radio of my car. They need backup.” Keian thought for a second before nodding at Zeke.
“Let’s go. We’ll talk about our plan in the car.” Kei continuosly walked outside, just passing me by. Hello?Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“Kei? How about Nassandra?” Steven asked. Both of the men were surprised which made them turn at me.
“Uhhmmm. I’ll just go back to the mansion on my own.” Keian’s got his eyebrows furrowed as he walked to me.
“No, it’s not safe.” He faced Zeke.
“Text Theo. Tell him to drive Nassandra home.” Zeke looks over to his phone and immediately types a message. Then there was an immediate notification.
“His gig at the club is going to start in 45 minutes. He said it’s important, he can’t leave.” Keian lets ouy a heaved sigh.
“Give me the damn phone.” Zeke hands the phone to Kei. He typed very quickly which made the notifications rummage in quickly, as well.
As he was finished, he returned the phone to Zeke and turned to me.
“Theo will bring you to his gig. You wait there until we show up.” I just nodded since I might become a hindrance to their supposed destination.
“Yes, maître.” I said with my gaze lowered. I don’t know why but I have a bad feeling about this. Something bad might happen to them and I’m worried.
“Nass,” I felt Keian held on my hand so I looked up to him.
“Just stay here in the office until Theo arrives. We’ll meet in the club.” I took a deep breath to calm my heart down.
“Okay.” He stares into my eyes for a long time before turning around.
Zeke smiles at me in reassurance while Steven hits my back playfully.
“Guys,” For the last time, they turned around.
“Please don’t die.” My voice was shaking as if I’m gonna cry. I’m so childish today. Yes! I know I’m being over reacting. Wahhh!
They looked at each other before sharing fits of laughter.
“We’ll try.” Says Zeke before leaving. We’ll try?! So it means they’re not sure??!!! Ugh!
I went to Keian’s chair behind his desk and contemplated my thoughts. Along with my prayer to that they won’t trip or anything.
It’s almost getting dark and I could see the sun setting from where I was sitting.
*Tok tok* I turned to the door where someone just knocked.
“Nassandra?” I heard the soft voice of Theo so I stood up, carrying my bag.
I went to the door and as I opened, I was ultimately greeted by Theo’s head. I wonder if that green hair of his is natural? It’s so pretty!
He shyly lets out a smile and scratches the back of his nape.
“K-Keiranz texted me.” I smiled at him and nodded.
“They said they’re going to Erick and Devon.” He nods… then there was awkward silence.
“Uhmm?”
“Ah hehehehe. Let’s go?” I just nodded to him again and started to walk.
Everyone’s eyes are on us again but I ignored them since I was too deep in thought.
As we got outside, a man wearing a suit was standing by Theo’s car. He handed Theo the keys.
“Nass,” I was pulled out of my reverie when Theo calls me and opens the car door to let me in.
I flashed him a small smile and went inside his car.
As he sat on the driver’s seat he immediately starts the car in a fast pace.
.
.
.
SILENCE~
“Ah, eh, uhmm…” I can’t help but giggle at Theo’s expression right now. What can we converse about?
“Where do you do your gigs?” I started. He sighed as he smiles.
“At the D&D club. I sing there when I have the free time.” I was surprised to hear what he said. I looked at him in disbelief.
“Really?” Who would have thought he could actually perform in front of a crowd? He chuckled while his eyes are still on the road. I’m glad he’s not a speed driver, unlike someone else…
“Yes. I feel comfortable when playing.” We really shouldn’t judge people.
“Hold it! What do you play inside the club? An acoustic guitar?” There’s a guitar at the back of his car that’s probably the one he uses whenever performing.
“It’s not the purely dance type of club. There are days that they allow live performances. Two days, to be exact.” I nodded at him and went quiet.
“Theo?” He slightly turns to me.
“Will they be alright?” I asked. Pertaining to Kei and the others who went out for Erick and Devon. He smiled.
“Hmm. Of course. They’re highly skilled, after all the dangerous places we’ve been to, no one has died yet. The mafia is strong!” He cheerfully claims. I smiled at him being bubble which made him shy once again.
“I-I mean, they’ll be alright so you don’t have to worry.” I took a deep breath. Wishing that this heavy feeling in my chest would just disappear.
“I wish.”
“Sir Theo! You still have 10 minutes before your performance! You need to get ready.”
“I’ll be there shortly!” Theo turns to me, serving as my company here in a table with no one else around.
“Stay here. I’ll see you here from the stage, I can keep an eye on you and you can order everything you like. I’ll pay for it.”
“No, I can—” I didn’t got to continue what I was about to say since he was already being pulled by the staff.
I sat on a couch here. The place is dark but the vibe is cool. Their style is a bit rustic but it’s modern. Confusing, right?
There’s a lot of people here and the venue is noisy. The club is so huge there’s even a place for V. I. P.’s on the upper floors.
“Ma’am, would you like something to drink?” I turned to a young man whom I presume is a bartender.
“No thanks, I see you still have a lot of things to do. I’ll go to the bar myself if I want to order.” He smiled at me and shook his head.
“It’s alright, ma’am. I’ll be the one to handle you for tonight. Sir Theo also ordered us to.” I pouted and thought of something to order.
“Uhmmm, I’ll just ask for some water.”
“Okay.” The bartender left and went back to his bar.
As he hands me the glass, I immediately drank from it and looked at the stage where Theo just climbed up, carrying his guitar.
Everyone in the club roared and applauded. Theo sat on a stood in front of the mic stand provided.
His eyes trailed to mine and he flashed a smile. His hair is pushed to one side which felt different since he always had his bangs covering his eyes.
A lot of ladies shrieked upon seeing him smile. Everyone’s got to admit he’s good-looking himself. Actually, almost all of Kei’s friends are good-looking.
“Good evening, guys, Theo here. And I will be performing for you tonight.” He says in a smooth voice and the crowd roared once again.
“For those people who are not confident of their flaws, this is a song for you. I hope you like it.” The place got even more darker as a spotlight was shone upon him.
“Broken all the pieces I’ve been shaping lately,
Focused on the things that didn’t make no sense,
Guess that growing up was never meant to be easy.”
Wow… His voice is very good. Everyone in the club stayed quiet as they listen to him sing.
“Yeah, I got used to doing everything sideways,
Didn’t really care about how anyone felt,
Hiding my emotions down in different ashtrays.”
We met eye contact and his expression was so gentle. I smiled at him to which he gladly returns.
“Oh, but what is lost ain’t gone,
No, you can’t just let go,
‘Cause there’s a part of you that will make you strong,”
He closed his eyes at that part and I noticed something dripping on his cheek. Is that sweat or… tears?
“Embrace your flaws…” I’m not sure what I’m feeling at the moment but it was as if he’s muttering the lyrics of the song to himself, not just those who are listening.
“I’m not gonna fight back what I’ve become,
Yeah, I’ve got bruises where I came from,
But I wouldn’t change if I could restart,
I ain’t gonna hide these beautiful scars.”
Everyone clapped softly, in chorus along with Theo’s song.
“I’ve been going way too hard on myself,
Guess that is the reason I’ve been feeling like hell,
But I wouldn’t change if I could restart,
I ain’t gonna hide these beautiful scars.”
Every words he’s singing, I was reminded what happened to me five years ago.
“I’ve been going way too hard on myself,
Guess that is the reason I’ve been feeling like hell,
But I wouldn’t change if I could restart,
I ain’t gonna hide these beautiful scars.”
He continued to sing while I just sat here, enjoying the beauty of his voice.
I also started to order some food and drinks.
“Nass!” Smiling, I turned to Theo. He had just finished performing and someone else had just started playing on stage.
I stood up and went near him.
“Thank you.” He seemed surprised that I had to hug him but he gladly returns the gesture.
“W-What? Why?” He shyly asked. I broke the distance from him.
“Your songs are incredible, I just realized something…” He furrowed his eyebrows until he nodded.
“You should eat.” I pointed at the food on the table. I got hungry.
“Sure, I’m fine.” Then there was silence at our table. I wanted to ask him something. But I fear what he might though of me if I do ask him.
“I’ve killed someone when I was a child.” With a shocked face, I looked at Theo who’s got his eyes on the ground.
“I don’t know what I did but it’s something I wanted when I was a child. I felt guilty then thought it’s all his fault why I killed him. He almost killed my family.” He snapped out of his trance and smiled at me.
“Sorry, I just feel like it’s related to what you wanted to ask.” Is my mind really that easy to read??!! I nodded at him.
“Why?” His eyes widened a bit as he looked at a bracelet on his left wrist.
“I think so because I like to have my parent’s attention. I’ve been naughty as a child and always had a lot tricks up my sleeve. I just wanted to save them which made them abandon me more. And until now, I’m still unable to get their attention. It became wider than ever, though. Good thing Katie is here. And I also got to found a new family in Kei’s mafia.” He lets out a bitter smile.
I patted his shoulder gently.
“Maybe one day, you will get your parent’s attention.” Was all I could mutter out. His head shook from up and down then he drank some beer from his shot glass.
“Maybe.”
“Theo,” We turned to our backs and I was surprised to see five handsome men all in black. Keian was leading up front.
I stood up to go to them, Theo does the same.
“What happened? Are all of you alright?” I stared into Keian’s eyes where exhaustion was evident. He grabbed on to my hand and kissed it.
“We’re fine, baby.” I turned red at what he just called me even though his face was wearing another cold expression.
“Ehem, ehem.” I turned to Steven. I checked all of them out and realized none of them looked injured at all.
Devon’s hair was a mess and Erick’s clothes are tousled but aside from those, there was nothing else. It was as if they didn’t came from a dangerous place.
“Then get yourself a baby, Steven. Nassandra is mine.” My eyes widened as I hit Keian’s arm hard. Everyone went silent that I even hear the echo from how I hit him.
He made a face so I rubbed the part where there was a mark of a hand.
“Your hand is so heavy.” I rolled my eyes at him and looked the other way around.
“It’s because of you!”
“Hayyy. Don’t be all PDA here. A lot of people are watching.” We all turned to glare at Devon who’s obviously annoyed.
“You just wanted a girlfriend.” Zeke teased to Devon which made him blush. Wow. The guy can be shy after all.
“N-No, not at all. Girls are just an inconvenience.” Devon carefully said as he couldn’t make eye contact with us.
“But I saw you the other day, with a woman.” Erick innocently tells. This made Devon’s eyes widened.
“T-That’s not true!” While they’re mocking each other there, Keian faces Theo.
“Your gig’s done.” He smiled as he nodded.
“Can we stay here for the meantime? They’re really tired.” He points his thumb to the four men. Sigh, even though he doesn’t admit. He looks more tired himself.
Theo nodded.
“There’s a V. I. P. room upstairs. I’ll ask them to fix it.” Keian nods and sighed heavily as he sat on the couch of our table.