Chapter 25

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Trembling crawled all over Ernaline's body. They are currently backstage, because Blackhand is next. And he has yet to tell his comrades what Perth’s rule really is in his life and why it’s here. Maybe she’ll tell them later after their performance for tonight.

"Relax okay? Just think that it's for yourself and not for someone else" the young man comforted her. Perth patted her head while saying those and he gives her a lit kiss on her forehead to calm her down. It’s really good and they’re all used to the spotlight.

Why did he leave the band?

Ernalie caught all the pressure.

"Think all your hardwork, think about me" the girl's hand said and it landed on her thigh causing the laughter to disappear from her mouth.

"How much do you know?" Ernaline's language is flattering. The man was hurt even though the truth was that his hand was hurt because of the warm pandesal.

"You guys okay, the night is still young to be exhausted. Can your throat still scream?" the shout rang out throughout the quadrangle. Fortunately, it didn't rain tonight. Woe to those who are watching if that happens.

"Did you enjoy the performance of LastMinute?" the host asked. Various 'yes', 'we want more' and what else people can hear.

"Alright! Let's calm down guys, there are many more to come, especially and behind me now is one of the prides of our country. You are not ignorant of what happened to this group, are you? Their vocalist left because of some personal matters according to my source, then something happened they're back into action and surprise us with their new song and a vocalist" said the host named Brenda. Ernaline met her earlier before the event started.

Their instrument is ready and only a signal is waiting. Fortunately, their behavior is dark and the audience can't see them. Only Brenda is in the spotlight.

"I can't deny that their queen is like a goddess, can I? The one who doesn't agree with me yelled at me to let me out of this place," he joked.

"Charot! I won't be long. Please welcome our next performer, Blackhand"

Kaizen's keyboard started ringing as Brenda left the middle of the stage. They will perform their new single titled What if I shine.Three songs they need to perform just for this night. Ernaline holds the mic tightly when their song filled all over the quadrangle. A last glance from Perth who standing behind cheering her up to sing her heart out.

Ernaline roam her eyes at the people looking up at the stage where they were. It just quietly listens to every lyrics she releases.

She chose this song to show her true self in public. To prove them that she belong in this industry. Every sound of the keyboard is slow, he makes everyone who hears the song feel things they don’t know about him.

Kyle, Jasper and Senri also started playing for the second verse.

Ernaline turned to Perth's location. He was leaning against an iron while smiling and waving at her. Ernaline smiled before returning her attention to the audience. The audience followed the beat of their music. The audience doesn't know the song so they can't keep up, unlike LastMinute where they have memorized the band's songs.

The song ended and people were still requesting reasons to like Ernaline. She looked at her bandmates to ask permission if they wanted to perform one more time and they all nodded. With a slump of the drum stick the new song rang out that people are unfamiliar with. The louder the audience shouted, the lively sound coming from the Blackhand instrument.

****

"Don't you really have any plans to return to the band?" the young man turned to Saviel's beside him while watching his friends perform.

Dezrail just folded his arms. "They don't need me anymore, Ernaline is there. She can handle them and I'm sure she will bring them to the top" he said confidently. He has confidence in the girl, because he saw for himself the struggle that Ernaline is going through all this time while taking her own path using her own music.

"It's up to you," He just shrugged at the girl before she left him.

He turned his gaze again to where Ernaline was. She smile like an angel while singing. The young man did not realize that he was already smiling as he watched the beautiful face of the girl. Enjoying herself while performing in front of the crowd.

Being a performer is not that easy, but to see the smile of their fans is like an achievement. It is rare for people to appreciate songs, especially Filipino works, they enjoy other races more than their own music.

But on Ernaline’s case, she will prove that local music is worth hearing more than they expected. And he admits that Ernaline’s music brings something on someone who can hear it. It feels like something magical.

Perth got out of the slope and left there to do his job. This isn't the time to rest, he needs to matrace who sent the dead cat to Ernaline and maybe he'll talk to Grei again when he doesn't do his job properly.

****

"Your performance is great" Saviel jumped the distance between her and Ernaline with great joy. She almost out of balance because of Saviel if Senri didn't hold her.

"I must say your performance is a success" Annika replied with a smile on her lips. Ernaline returned the smile she gave her. It's just nice to feel that little by little I'm getting to know my music. He also somehow forgot the death threat that was sent to him earlier in the super fun he feels.

"I really laughed at the look of the staff earlier" Sav whispered to her after they returned to the tent where they were staying. Ernaline was surprised but she didn't ask any more questions. "Because I told them that your bodyguard is D, the famous, hot, yummylicious former vocalist of the band"

"I hope you didn't just say that" Ernaline said.

"What are you, that's okay. What's more, they looked so epic before" Sav laughed so she was also infected by her laughter.

Sav's place was filled with horror as if they were the only two people in the world. Their group is about to pack up, they are already ready and they are just waiting for their departure.

Ernaline is also drowsy because it will be 3am in the morning. But the people in the quadrangle continue to party even though the sun shines on them. This day is really very fun even though there are strange things that happened but all in all the girl is happy. Besides, she wants to face the problem first, she wants to sleep peacefully and be able to rest well.

"Lets go, Ernaline" Perth pop up in front of Ernaline and Sav. Clad in the pocket of his hands on his leather jacket that look like models in its erection.

"I'll go with the van" Ernaline would have said when the young man pulled her upright from the seat. He took her bag from Sav without doing anything after the man slung the girl's bag over his shoulder.

"Nah! You're coming with me. Reiden called me to get you home" holding Ernaline's hand Perth pulled her out of the tent. Her comrades no longer howled because they were awake and tired.

They walked out of the venue until they could get in the car. What could be the reason why he sent her home? Awake and tired, she fell asleep in Perth’s car making its way away from the place where they were performing.

Ernaline breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that her older brother Reiden had left the country. She could almost call all the saints before Perth could take her home. Her older brother had a sudden business in France. He did not say what it was because she had no interest in business.

"Such a relief huh?" Perth grinning as they entered the young man's pad. Ernaline will sleep here first and her eyelids will really fall off. Her body can't stay awake for 24 hours. Nor is she Superman with super strength. She’s just nobody - no body.

"Heh! Can I sleep here first? I'm really sleepy" she yawned as she sleep. The sun king was waving outside the window but here she was looking like a zombie about to eat people. Ernaline was lying on the sofa in Perth. She was still saying something but she ignored it because she was awake and tired from the October fest.

Ernaline just woke up in a bed, she would have stood up with one arm around her waist! Perth was fast asleep next to the girl. She stared at its smooth face. The type without pimple stains.

Ernaline slowly removed Perth's arm that was hugging her before finally getting up and stretching. It was three o'clock in the afternoon and she seemed to have slept longer.

Ernaline sighed softly as she was already boiling with hunger. "I cook your food, just heat it in the fridge" Ernaline jumped in shock when Perth spoke.

"You startled me. I thought you were asleep?" Perth frantically got out of bed wearing a black shirt and pajamas. His eyes are still narrowed due to drowsiness and excessive mess of hair.

"Well, I'm awake already. I'm waking up with a little movement or noise around me. Someone else is waking up eh" Her jaw dropped as the man grinned. She didn't seem to want to think about the other awakening he was referring to.

Ernaline waved her hands in the air as if pushing someone away before waving at the man. "As much as you know. Please serve me, maybe when something goes missing you use me and you blame me for stealing"

The man got up from the bed before she was guided out of the room. She was feeling for them to get married in this set-up. The type that wakes you up and then a handsome and yummylicious one opens up to you?

Oh god, heavens!

They reached the kitchen while Perth hugged her still yawning. They were very comfortable with each other and the girl did not even feel deprived even though they were the only ones here in the young man’s house.

"Looks like you're still sleepy? Can you just go back to your room? I'll just serve myself" the man pulled her chair before she sat down. With narrow eyes, he approached the refrigerator and took the food he had cooked for heating.

"I'll serve you even if I'm drowsy or asleep." he grinned at what the man had said.

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