Chapter 82 - Drummer's hope

Not every smile is genuine happiness.

Not every "I'm fine" means that, in fact, everything is fine.

Lies like these are told all the time for various reasons.

But for a certain university boy, the reason was still unknown.

— Mum, I'm going to be late today because I have band practice.

— Gustavo, you know you should be spending your time studying and not going to that whorehouse.

Every time he saw that empty look on his mother's face, Gustavo felt like he was about to be stabbed. No matter what he said, she wouldn't take his words into account. For his mother, that was an incontestable truth. Still, the boy gave a false smile and swallowed the lump in his throat. His mother didn't even look him in the eye when she said those cold words.

— But I do it because I like it, and besides, we get a bit for playing in Berta's bar...

— A bar full of perverts — muttered the woman, removing her glasses to turn towards her son — Are you being dragged into that den?

— Of course not Mum!

— This is the last time I'm going to tell you to stop it, Gustavo. You're no longer a child to dream about bands. If you carry on like this, you know what's in store for you.

Gustavo clenched his fist in front of his mother's plastered gaze. What awaited him was just a way of saying "don't be like your father". He knew very well that his mother was pressurising him to be worthy of her pride. Shrugging his shoulders, the boy just lowered his head and agreed, getting out of there as quickly as possible.

That was only because she was worried about him, wasn't it?

Your mum only wanted your good, right?

At least he could fool himself with that justification.

However, that afternoon Gustavo met up with his three friends and rehearsed as they always did on Wednesday afternoons. When he heard Leonardo's voice accompanying the melody, he could forget about his problems at home. What's more, he didn't feel so alone when he was pampered by his seniors. Rafael and Juliano always played with him and gave him sweets to spoil him. Not to mention that since discovering Leonardo's secret, Gustavo could go to Dreamland to have fun.

When he left the house, Gustavo could dream freely.

The problem was always when he got home.

— Why do you keep coming home late? Did you go to see that bitch?!

— Stop making a fuss! I was working overtime to support your addictions!

— Oh, now it's my fault?

— Gu...

Looking over his shoulder, the boy found his older sister, Sara, smiling sadly. And just as she did when they were children, she took his hand and led him down the corridor without their parents noticing.

— I told you to stop it, you crazy woman!

The sound of something being broken startled the two brothers. The scream, stifled by their hands, caused the room to fall silent. Gustavo was hugged by his sister, who was also trembling, but neither of them dared to move when they saw the shadows coming towards them.

— What are you doing there? — His father murmured with a tired look on his face — You have school tomorrow, you should be asleep by now.

— We're going, Dad. Come on, Gu.

— Gustavo, are you late again? — Complained his mother, who came up right behind her husband.

His mother's gaze paralysed him on the spot. Not that she had any superpowers, but she did have some influence over him. Oh, what was he supposed to do?

— Sorry Mum...

— You didn't obey me, did you?

— Enough of this — intervened the father, turning to his children — Go to bed, now.

— Why are you getting involved?

Gustavo no longer heard the argument when his sister covered his ears and took him into the bedroom. And just like the other times, she invited him to sleep together. Even though they were both adults, they could manage... It was as if something was holding them back in that house, preventing them from finding their longed-for freedom.

When did things start to go wrong?

Gustavo had been sleeping in his sister's bed for years, afraid that something would happen after his parents' incessant arguments. There seemed to be no end to the shouting and breaking up. Still, he found himself dreaming of the day when his family would go back to the way it was.

Yes, maybe one day it would all come to an end and they would go back to the way they were.

— You look tired, little one.

Waking up from his reverie, Gustavo gave an innocent smile and nodded.

— I stayed up late as a student, we're already in exam week again.

— Don't tell me about it! Unlike a certain someone, we still have to work hard at university to get a job.

— If you move under the bridge, maybe I'll hire you — joked Leonardo with a smile on his face.

— Oh right, thanks for your generosity, young master.

— God, that's so tacky — Juliano complained — It's very strange that they call you that.

— At first I hated it, but they win through sheer exhaustion. Besides, they often refer to my father as Master Evilian, so... I feel a bit nostalgic and end up liking it.

It's true, although Leonardo was an heir and was swamped with work, he no longer had his father on his side. He never mentioned his family, and there was that day when Rafael told them to be careful about mentioning his father. But every time Gustavo saw Leonardo, he seemed strong and fearless.

As if he could manage on his own, without needing them.

How envious.

— Don't you feel lonely without your family, Leo?

The question just slipped out of Gustavo's mouth, and he quickly covered it, realising that he had stepped into a minefield. The other two boys remained silent, watching for the singer's reaction, but he remained calm.

— It would be a lie to say that I don't feel lonely. But... That mansion is noisy these days — Leonardo laughs — Ray and Aslan are always fighting, and Viola is always dancing around the corridors getting ready to do a mini theatre when Giovani comes home.

— Father and daughter live in the mansion? Isn't that strange?

— She's still small, wouldn't it be better if she had someone she could trust nearby? Besides, it's temporary.

— Well, considering she's new to the park, maybe until she gets used to the rhythm this is the best.

Even Leonardo seemed happy at home. Even if he didn't have his parents, he could still feel comfortable living with his friends. Wasn't it the same thing he felt when the four of them were there chatting?

Could it be that if he lived with his friends, he could smile without worrying about anything else? It seemed like a beautiful illusion...

— Ah, shall we play this weekend?

— Are you free, Leo?

— Yes, I allow my presence among mortals.

— Fuck off, before I forget.

— What about you, little one?

Gustavo gave an innocent smile and nodded. It was fine if his mother didn't like him playing in the bar, but he wondered if it could be his refuge. He always felt free when he played with his friends, and even when they chatted in college it was comfortable.

— Ah, soon we'll have to start looking for internships again — Juliano reminded himself as he opened a can of soft drink — What are you going to do?

— I think I'll ask the teacher for a recommendation, I don't know.

— Leo's going to do an internship at Dreamland again?

— Haha, you'd think the teacher would let me...

It was at times like these that Gustavo felt left out, although it wasn't so bad compared to other moments in his life. He had nothing to do, he was on a different course and that's why his programme was completely different.

The three of them would soon graduate, and Gustavo wouldn't be able to spend any more time with them at college. They would get a job and then give up the band. Now that he was thinking about it, Gustavo realised that his refuge could come to an end at any moment. It made his heart squeeze.

— Ah, little one, you haven't started your internships yet, have you?

— Huh? A-Ah, I think I'll start in the second half of next year. Why, Leo?

— The drummer in the circus band got into a fight and... was asked to leave.

— Tell me you sacked him — Rafael scolded.

— It wasn't me, it was Vicente. While I'm at school, I'm just taking care of the most urgent administration matters.

— So you're without a drummer?

— That's right. What do you reckon? Can you do something for me?

Gustavo's heart raced at the thought.

Him? Him playing with the Dreamland Circus band?

Gustavo never thought he would do that one day. I mean, he loved the park because of the memories he had with his family when he was little, and just visiting the park often made him want to never leave.

Just imagine him being the circus drummer!

— Of course, you'll get paid for it.

— Hey, are you trying to steal the youngest member of the band? You shameless prick.

— I thought of Gustavo since I know his drumming skills. But if he can't, I'll have to audition someone who's good, and that's a pain in the arse.

— In other words, you're lazy and decided to take a shortcut.

— That's it.

— I'll take it! I super accept! I'm super into it!

His euphoria made the other three laugh at his innocence. They knew all too well how much a fan of Dreamland Gustavo was, and that only added to their adorable view of their youngest friend. Leonardo ruffled Gustavo's hair as he always did, but it was the sparkle in his eye that caught the younger man's attention.

— Great! As soon as I talk to Vicente, we can talk about your contract.

The sparkle Gustavo saw was his hope.

The hope that a new refuge was coming.

He just didn't realise that a mysterious person with red eyes would be responsible for it.