Chapter 51

**SCARLET**

Last night, I slept very well. Thanks to Katherine and the sweet live acoustic music. For the time being, I forgot how lonely I was—until the moment I opened my eyes in the morning. Luke’s face flashed back into my mind. I expected my day to be the same for the past nine days.
Katherine and Nate told me why Luke and I should not be together. I did not disagree because they were right about everything.
First, he was my stepbrother, and that was the biggest deal. Second, we may have had a relationship, but it was only temporary. With Luke, there will be no happy endings. Third, he had issues, and they were as serious as mine. He had a secret woman; he was keeping this whole secret life. Lastly, they had a child together. They were a family. Who was I to get in the way?
Every fact was right in front of me. I had the evidence. He didn’t deny it or even explain himself. Staying away was the right thing to do. But why couldn’t I stop loving him?
I kept forcing my mind not to think about him. I tried to divert my thoughts to other things, like the live acoustic band last night. I was trying to change my thoughts about the vocalist’s husky voice or the guitarist’s long fingers. I was looking forward to going back to Episode again.
I decided to turn my phone on. I cut myself off from the world because of him. Katherine was right. I should not live like this forever. I went to my contacts and blocked Luke’s number. He would not call or text me anyway. This should be the next step in forgetting the great Lucas Alejandro.
After the class, we went straight to Episode. Nate came with us this time. We arrived earlier than yesterday. Surprisingly, the bar was still closed.
“See? I told you. They open at six,” Nate told us.
“Scar is just very excited to see that guitarist again.” She giggled. “She couldn’t stop watching him!” She gently squeezed my arm.
Nate blew out a sharp breath. “I knew you two would only catch boys here last night. That’s why you didn’t want me to come.”
Katherine clicked her tongue, and her mouth twitched. “If we caught one, we wouldn’t bring you here today. Anyway, what should we do? It’s still five.”
“Do you think the owner is already inside?” I asked them. “Do you think I could talk to him?”
Nate narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously. “Why are you asking about the owner? Why would you talk to Sean?”
Katherine blinked her eyes, “I was wondering the same. Why?”
“Sean? Ah, that’s his name.” I bit my lip. “Can you help me see him?”
“Hey, don’t tell me—” Katherine’s eyes widened.
“Tell you what?” Nate frowned.
Katherine slapped me on the arm, and then she laughed. “You’re going to do it?”
“I’ll try.” I forced a smile. I wasn’t confident, but I wanted to try.
“Hey, what are you talking about?” he asked, annoyed. He almost shouted.
“I want to sing here.”
Nate’s shoulders dropped. “What?”
“I was hesitant at first, but the music made me feel at ease and light. I want to try new things,” I told them.
“Do you think you can just walk in there and ask the owner if you can sing on the stage? It’s not as simple as that, Scar,” Nate said.
“That’s why I’m going to talk to him—”
“It requires talent, Scar,” Nate joked. I didn’t consider myself a great singer. I may not be like Mariah Carey, but I knew I could sing well.
“She can sing, okay?” Katherine told her boyfriend. “She likes the place’s ambiance. She loves good music. She has talent, so why can’t she?”
“I didn’t know you could sing.”
“Shut it, Nate. We have to help her. She’s been living a zombie life this past week.” Katherine said. “I don’t think Sean would mind.”
Sean was the owner and the lead guitarist of the band that played at Episode. I didn’t expect him to be a warm and jolly person. He was very sentimental on the stage last night and very emotional. It’s like he was telling a story when he plays the guitar.
Nate was close to Joseph, not to Sean, but the guy’s personality was light and easy. Though we still asked Joseph for help, I managed to talk to Sean.
He asked me several questions about my music background and my piano school. He seemed very sorry I didn’t pursue my music career.
Sean seemed to be in his early thirties. His dark gray hair was unique. It was the same color as his eyes. I couldn’t tell if he dyed it or his natural hair. He had a slightly thick lower lip for a man. He had a charming smile, and he was tall as Nate.
He grabbed his guitar and sat on a barstool. He strummed the guitar strings while listening to each string he was plucking. I could tell he was tuning it. Then he cleared his throat. “What song do you want to sing? Let me hear your voice.”
Nate, Joseph, and Katherine were behind me. Katherine pushed me a little closer to Sean, but I stepped back. I scowled and scolded her with my eyes. Nate was quietly listening to us, his arms folded across his chest.
“I’ll try—” I cleared my throat “—Kiss Me.”
“By Ed Sheeran. Good choice,” Sean said. Then he began playing the song’s intro.
I closed my eyes for a moment. I made sure the only thing I heard was the guitar’s sound. I didn’t mind the people around me. I imagined I was already in front of the stage.
Sean brought me to another world. He played it like he owned the song. He was an excellent guitarist. And then I began to sing.
I finished the song. I opened my eyes slowly. Sean watched me intently. His mouth opened slightly. After his last strum, a round of applause echoed in the whole place.
I glanced at my friends and smiled at them.
“Wow, you can really sing,” Nate praised.
“Oh my God! I knew you could sing, and that song is awesome. You nailed it, Scar!” Katherine squealed with teary eyes, but I could see her excitement in it.
“So, brother, what can you say?” Joseph asked Sean.
I shifted my eyes back to Sean. He stood up, putting the guitar back on its stand.
“Hmm…” he hummed. He walked back towards me, “For a beginner, you are surprisingly good. You have a beautiful voice, Scarlet. Thanks to you, I thought of another segment. I know where I should put you on my team.”
“W-what?” I gasped at him, “What do you mean?”
Am I in?
“I’m saying I can let you sing on my stage.” He nodded. “You’re in.”
I caught my breath in pure surprise. “I am?”
“Yes, welcome to Episode.” He grinned sweetly with his arms open. God, I couldn’t deny that he was handsome too.
“Oh, my God! Thank you, Sean.”
My friends gave me another round of applause. Nate was nodding in approval. How dare he say that I don’t have talent?
“That’s so great, Scar.” Katherine squeezed me tight. I hugged her back. I laughed with her.
“Welcome to the team!” Joseph greeted me with a short hug.
“Excuse me, everyone! Hey? Excuse me.” Sean called our attention.
Everyone stopped talking. Our eyes set back to him.
“Listen, I need to talk to Scarlet in the office. I’ll explain our general rules, her payment, her schedule, and—”
“Wait, wait up! I have a payment?” I interrupted him.
“Yes, of course.” He chuckled. “You’re going to work here.”
“I didn’t expect…” I bit my lip. “Wow…”
“What did you just come here thinking that you’ll be singing here for free? I don’t do that to people. Pure talent deserves compensation.” He slipped his hands into his pocket. “Come. The bar is about to open in ten minutes.”

**
LUKE**
Hi handsome, I know a nice place we can catch up tonight – Lisa
But before sending my next message, I checked her profile picture again. I added another question to my message.
Can we move the time to 11 p.m.? Are you sure you’re the person in the picture? – Jax
Of course, it’s me. Why would I use someone else’s photo?
Good. Because if it’s not you, you can forget it and just fuck yourself
I smirked. The woman in the photo was slightly too good-looking to be true. Curly blonde hair and pink pouty lips, and she was showing half of her cleavage. She had freckles on her nose, but it’s okay. She had perfect white teeth.
She replied. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’ll enjoy it tonight.
Where is it again? I often choose a place for my date. Remember, I trusted you with this one. I hit send.
I’ll text you the address in a few. I’ll just confirm our reservation. Don’t worry, it’s a perfect place – Lisa
I didn’t reply. I tossed the phone back on the desk. I squeezed my temples in frustration. Piles of folders and documents were scattered all over my table.
Damn it, where was that file again?