13 Chapter 13 - Of Acoustics And The Damned
I woke up to the voice of Caroline King coming from the speaker of our recent purchased sound system. I haggled with Mephisto about it until he finally consented though he looked like a grumpy kid when I made the purchase.
Caroline's voice was relaxing, a gentle melody threatening to lull me to sleep. It was already 1 in the afternoon. In the kitchen Mephisto was busy cooking what I assumed to be lunch. Bacon, eggs and toast. On the counter was freshly made coffee, I poured myself a cup and started eating after asking nicely.
"So you ready for tonight?" He asked.
"I'm pretty excited and anxious about it." I replied while helping myself to another slice of bacon.
He nodded and started fixing himself. "I'll be off then. People to corrupt and criminals to encourage. See you in a few." And he was gone.
That last remark reinforced how surreal the situation was. Me and the devil living under one roof.
When brunch was done, I began preparing for tonight's gig. I opened the page for the Knights Of Caroline and saw only an update that stated, "BIG SURPRISE at the fan cafe tonight, stay tuned for updates." Apparently, no news of the secret gig was leaked, it shows how devoted Nica and everyone at KOC is. The show doesn't start until 8pm so I decided to read but to no avail. I couldn't stop thinking about Caroline King. How her eyes would seem to glow, how the mere sound of her voice made my heart flutter and how she listened at my tale with arduous attention.
Instead I went out to Discordia. The mall was a gargantuan structure filled with various stores and establishments that catered to the hundred needs of it's customers. I decided to drop by Morpheus' Inferno, a record store where I bought most of my music and clothing.
I checked a couple of new music but none yet from my favorite bands hence I went for the merch. A band shirt with a pentagram logo caught my eye, I checked the price and saw that it was an old stock but it still looked pretty decent to me.
When I went out of the store I was wearing my new shirt. Time, it seemed moved relatively slow. It was only 5pm. I still had time to kill and decided to grab dinner just in case, at the nearest fastfood chain. I ordered my favorite, pasta and garlic bread paired with coffee.
I was eating contently on my table until I heard a commotion behind me. I turned and saw a girl with pretty brown eyes.
"Hey isn't that Ana from Light Prowlers?" I overheard a couple of people in the table opposite me say.
*Light Prowlers?* I thought and remembered the tune Mephisto was whistling around the house and made the connection. Light Prowlers is a girl group under the same company as Caroline. My 'research' (stalking) informed me that they are pretty close with Caroline since they consider her to be their senior.
"I thought they were busy promoting their new music?" I heard them say.
*Perhaps she's in town to watch Caroline, that'll be the talk of town.*
When I was done ogling her (she's pretty), I returned to gobbling what's left of my food and realized that I was still hungry so I ordered another plate of pasta. I was about to wave to grab the attention of the nearest waiter when I saw the girl earlier sit down on the opposing seat.
My mind went haywire. "Um, hi?" I was still processing it all.
"I hope you don't mind, it's just that there's no table available." She was smiling and her eyes seemed to be hypnotizing me, seducing me. I couldn't find the right word for it, sexy doesn't seem to cut it.
I glanced around and notice that the restaurant was indeed full. *Of course it'd be full, it's Friday. *
When she didn't get a reply from me, she reassured me. "Don't worry, I'll pay for your meal. Sorry for the inconvenience."
That brought me out of my reverie. "No, no, you don't have to do that." I smiled at her. "Besides, not a lot of people can say that they shared a meal with Ana from Night Prowlers."
That made her giggle. I couldn't help wondering how she could pull off both sexy and cute. "I guess not." She held out her hand and I took it all the while struggling to keep my composure. Her hands were as soft as satin, it felt like touching a baby's hands. "Ana Leeman, though I think you already know my name."
"Dante Caulfield, nice to meet you." I could hear my voice crack, pathetic.
*Mephisto should've told me that the contract would also increase my chances of meeting people like her.*
While waiting for our orders, I asked her why she was in town, when she raised her eyebrows I began to apologize. "I didn't mean to pry, I mean I'm just curious, I thought you guys were promoting and stuff."
"I'm just in town to attend this little event a friend of mine is doing." She replied. Even her voice sounded seductive, I doubt she was conscious of it. She was one of those women, someone you just can't help but look at.
"Caroline's secret gig?"
"How'd you know?" She looked surprised.
I told her about about Nica and helping out with setting up the venue.
"I see. So you're gonna be there tonight?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm kinda just passing time."
"Tell you what, since you let me sit here and eat with you, how about we head to the venue together? I've got one of our company cars waiting."
I thought about it and I became aware of the curious glances by the people sitting at the other tables. *I'm fucked, I'm about to be swamped by her fans if the paparazzi gets a hold of this.*
"I don't know." I motioned with my eyes to the people around us. "Is that a good idea?"
She laughed. "You're worried about them? Let them talk for all I care."
Despite the lurking danger that I might get in the crosshairs of one her male fans, I couldn't help myself, she was that girl that you just couldn't say no to. "Well, if it's not too much of a bother, I guess I'll go with you." *Though seriously I might get death threats and such.*
She looked happy. "Well that's settled then."
`Our orders arrived and when we were done eating, we headed to the parking lot not before being bombarded by fans asking for autographs which she kindly obliged to sign. A driver was waiting for our arrival by the time we came to a sleek black sedan and then we were off to the venue.
*******
The fan cafe was packed when I arrived. While we were on our way towards the cafe, I told Ana that it'd be better if we weren't seen together upon arriving at the venue.
"It's more for my sake actually." I told her. Perhaps I was just being paranoid, but I've seen what happens to people linked to idol groups and other famous celebrities and I'd like to avoid the hassle of dealing with paparazzi and the media.
She understood what I meant. "Okay, I'll see you there then. Take care of yourself"
**
I showed my ticket to the security and they let me in. I saw a lot of unfamiliar faces and I felt lost in a sea of KOC's. Luckily, I saw Angela who was ushering people in and getting them seated. I went to her. When she saw me, her face lit up.
"Hey Dante, I'm so glad you showed up."
"Well it's going to be my first time watching her perform live, and I can't miss it." I told her.
"I can see that, well get seated over there." She pointed to a table near the platform where the performance was going to happen. I saw Chino and Tony who were happily eating tacos. When she saw the look on my face, she explained. "Nica said she wanted you in the best seat possible since it's going to be your first time and as a reward for helping out in setting up."
"Tell Nica I owe her, and thanks." I headed towards Chino and Tony.
"Hey man, excited?" Tony asked. They both gave me a high-five in greeting.
I nodded and the excitement must've shown for Chino pushed the cart of tacos towards me. "Have some tacos and enjoy the show."
We didn't have to wait long. Once every seat in the venue was filled, Nica came towards the platform and gave a very short introduction.
"Alright, so as all of you here know tonight is a very special night. To celebrate the success of her new album, A Trip To Forevermore, Caroline is here tonight to give us a very special performance." At this, she checked with the people backstage and once they gave her a thumbs-up she continued. "So without further ado, I give you our princess, Caroline King!!"
The cheers and the roars were deafening. Caroline came onstage dressed in a white satin dress, her hair was down in lazy waves and her disarming green eyes were highlighted with just the right amount of makeup. Her band followed, and they began to play an intro to a song from her new album. It was "Here, My Shadow Side", a ballad. The acoustic arrangement gave me chills especially when the guitar player started plucking through a few notes. And as soon as Caroline started singing, I could hear everyone in the room go silent. All of us were mesmerized by her voice. It seemed as if she was in a trance, like she was lost between the lines of the song.
**
I went to town tonight and wondered where you are
Here my shadow side, come out and play, show me what you're made of
I can't stand staring at the mirror
You are beautiful and I want to see you, I want to know you
Wherever you are I want you to know I love you
My life is made of goodbyes
So come my shadow side, stay with me
For tonight I cannot sleep
Oh shadow side, how you've made me
My heart is shattered for you are no longer here
I lost you and now it's all too bright and I've begun hating the light
Shadow side, where are you? Have you become lost too?
Or have I lost you when I stopped staring at the distant blue?
I cried myself to sleep last night, I can't feel you
I listened to the silence and you weren't there
For when I lost you my shadow side, I knew a piece of me died
**
When the song was over, all I could hear was the silence, as if everyone was still savoring the last notes of the song. Then slowly the applause began and then the cheers.
To me however, they were only faint noises in the background. I've heard the song a couple of times and I couldn't deny that it moved me but this time it was different. The song sounded more "real", and I could feel a stinging in my eyes because just like Caroline I was looking for my other side, for right now all that's here is my shadow side.
Caroline's voice was relaxing, a gentle melody threatening to lull me to sleep. It was already 1 in the afternoon. In the kitchen Mephisto was busy cooking what I assumed to be lunch. Bacon, eggs and toast. On the counter was freshly made coffee, I poured myself a cup and started eating after asking nicely.
"So you ready for tonight?" He asked.
"I'm pretty excited and anxious about it." I replied while helping myself to another slice of bacon.
He nodded and started fixing himself. "I'll be off then. People to corrupt and criminals to encourage. See you in a few." And he was gone.
That last remark reinforced how surreal the situation was. Me and the devil living under one roof.
When brunch was done, I began preparing for tonight's gig. I opened the page for the Knights Of Caroline and saw only an update that stated, "BIG SURPRISE at the fan cafe tonight, stay tuned for updates." Apparently, no news of the secret gig was leaked, it shows how devoted Nica and everyone at KOC is. The show doesn't start until 8pm so I decided to read but to no avail. I couldn't stop thinking about Caroline King. How her eyes would seem to glow, how the mere sound of her voice made my heart flutter and how she listened at my tale with arduous attention.
Instead I went out to Discordia. The mall was a gargantuan structure filled with various stores and establishments that catered to the hundred needs of it's customers. I decided to drop by Morpheus' Inferno, a record store where I bought most of my music and clothing.
I checked a couple of new music but none yet from my favorite bands hence I went for the merch. A band shirt with a pentagram logo caught my eye, I checked the price and saw that it was an old stock but it still looked pretty decent to me.
When I went out of the store I was wearing my new shirt. Time, it seemed moved relatively slow. It was only 5pm. I still had time to kill and decided to grab dinner just in case, at the nearest fastfood chain. I ordered my favorite, pasta and garlic bread paired with coffee.
I was eating contently on my table until I heard a commotion behind me. I turned and saw a girl with pretty brown eyes.
"Hey isn't that Ana from Light Prowlers?" I overheard a couple of people in the table opposite me say.
*Light Prowlers?* I thought and remembered the tune Mephisto was whistling around the house and made the connection. Light Prowlers is a girl group under the same company as Caroline. My 'research' (stalking) informed me that they are pretty close with Caroline since they consider her to be their senior.
"I thought they were busy promoting their new music?" I heard them say.
*Perhaps she's in town to watch Caroline, that'll be the talk of town.*
When I was done ogling her (she's pretty), I returned to gobbling what's left of my food and realized that I was still hungry so I ordered another plate of pasta. I was about to wave to grab the attention of the nearest waiter when I saw the girl earlier sit down on the opposing seat.
My mind went haywire. "Um, hi?" I was still processing it all.
"I hope you don't mind, it's just that there's no table available." She was smiling and her eyes seemed to be hypnotizing me, seducing me. I couldn't find the right word for it, sexy doesn't seem to cut it.
I glanced around and notice that the restaurant was indeed full. *Of course it'd be full, it's Friday. *
When she didn't get a reply from me, she reassured me. "Don't worry, I'll pay for your meal. Sorry for the inconvenience."
That brought me out of my reverie. "No, no, you don't have to do that." I smiled at her. "Besides, not a lot of people can say that they shared a meal with Ana from Night Prowlers."
That made her giggle. I couldn't help wondering how she could pull off both sexy and cute. "I guess not." She held out her hand and I took it all the while struggling to keep my composure. Her hands were as soft as satin, it felt like touching a baby's hands. "Ana Leeman, though I think you already know my name."
"Dante Caulfield, nice to meet you." I could hear my voice crack, pathetic.
*Mephisto should've told me that the contract would also increase my chances of meeting people like her.*
While waiting for our orders, I asked her why she was in town, when she raised her eyebrows I began to apologize. "I didn't mean to pry, I mean I'm just curious, I thought you guys were promoting and stuff."
"I'm just in town to attend this little event a friend of mine is doing." She replied. Even her voice sounded seductive, I doubt she was conscious of it. She was one of those women, someone you just can't help but look at.
"Caroline's secret gig?"
"How'd you know?" She looked surprised.
I told her about about Nica and helping out with setting up the venue.
"I see. So you're gonna be there tonight?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm kinda just passing time."
"Tell you what, since you let me sit here and eat with you, how about we head to the venue together? I've got one of our company cars waiting."
I thought about it and I became aware of the curious glances by the people sitting at the other tables. *I'm fucked, I'm about to be swamped by her fans if the paparazzi gets a hold of this.*
"I don't know." I motioned with my eyes to the people around us. "Is that a good idea?"
She laughed. "You're worried about them? Let them talk for all I care."
Despite the lurking danger that I might get in the crosshairs of one her male fans, I couldn't help myself, she was that girl that you just couldn't say no to. "Well, if it's not too much of a bother, I guess I'll go with you." *Though seriously I might get death threats and such.*
She looked happy. "Well that's settled then."
`Our orders arrived and when we were done eating, we headed to the parking lot not before being bombarded by fans asking for autographs which she kindly obliged to sign. A driver was waiting for our arrival by the time we came to a sleek black sedan and then we were off to the venue.
*******
The fan cafe was packed when I arrived. While we were on our way towards the cafe, I told Ana that it'd be better if we weren't seen together upon arriving at the venue.
"It's more for my sake actually." I told her. Perhaps I was just being paranoid, but I've seen what happens to people linked to idol groups and other famous celebrities and I'd like to avoid the hassle of dealing with paparazzi and the media.
She understood what I meant. "Okay, I'll see you there then. Take care of yourself"
**
I showed my ticket to the security and they let me in. I saw a lot of unfamiliar faces and I felt lost in a sea of KOC's. Luckily, I saw Angela who was ushering people in and getting them seated. I went to her. When she saw me, her face lit up.
"Hey Dante, I'm so glad you showed up."
"Well it's going to be my first time watching her perform live, and I can't miss it." I told her.
"I can see that, well get seated over there." She pointed to a table near the platform where the performance was going to happen. I saw Chino and Tony who were happily eating tacos. When she saw the look on my face, she explained. "Nica said she wanted you in the best seat possible since it's going to be your first time and as a reward for helping out in setting up."
"Tell Nica I owe her, and thanks." I headed towards Chino and Tony.
"Hey man, excited?" Tony asked. They both gave me a high-five in greeting.
I nodded and the excitement must've shown for Chino pushed the cart of tacos towards me. "Have some tacos and enjoy the show."
We didn't have to wait long. Once every seat in the venue was filled, Nica came towards the platform and gave a very short introduction.
"Alright, so as all of you here know tonight is a very special night. To celebrate the success of her new album, A Trip To Forevermore, Caroline is here tonight to give us a very special performance." At this, she checked with the people backstage and once they gave her a thumbs-up she continued. "So without further ado, I give you our princess, Caroline King!!"
The cheers and the roars were deafening. Caroline came onstage dressed in a white satin dress, her hair was down in lazy waves and her disarming green eyes were highlighted with just the right amount of makeup. Her band followed, and they began to play an intro to a song from her new album. It was "Here, My Shadow Side", a ballad. The acoustic arrangement gave me chills especially when the guitar player started plucking through a few notes. And as soon as Caroline started singing, I could hear everyone in the room go silent. All of us were mesmerized by her voice. It seemed as if she was in a trance, like she was lost between the lines of the song.
**
I went to town tonight and wondered where you are
Here my shadow side, come out and play, show me what you're made of
I can't stand staring at the mirror
You are beautiful and I want to see you, I want to know you
Wherever you are I want you to know I love you
My life is made of goodbyes
So come my shadow side, stay with me
For tonight I cannot sleep
Oh shadow side, how you've made me
My heart is shattered for you are no longer here
I lost you and now it's all too bright and I've begun hating the light
Shadow side, where are you? Have you become lost too?
Or have I lost you when I stopped staring at the distant blue?
I cried myself to sleep last night, I can't feel you
I listened to the silence and you weren't there
For when I lost you my shadow side, I knew a piece of me died
**
When the song was over, all I could hear was the silence, as if everyone was still savoring the last notes of the song. Then slowly the applause began and then the cheers.
To me however, they were only faint noises in the background. I've heard the song a couple of times and I couldn't deny that it moved me but this time it was different. The song sounded more "real", and I could feel a stinging in my eyes because just like Caroline I was looking for my other side, for right now all that's here is my shadow side.
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