Chapter 7

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Ernaline was still yawning as she listened to Calvin. They are currently in the CDC conference room. The band will have a comeback this month because of the time they have been looking for their vocalist. Ernaline had just entered but here it is and the schedule is full immediately. The girl turned to Kaizen as he pushed her away. Ernaline gave Kaizen a dagger look.

"What's the matter with you, Darky?" Ernaline whispered angrily to the man. They were sitting next to each other. The girl heard him gasps. He's not really dark, he's as white as she is, and she’s just teasing him.

"I'm not dark and can you straighten up? It’s like you're not a woman while you yawn there." Kaizen scolded the girl. Kaizen was to blame for waking her up at 4 am? Ernaline forgot to double lock her room last night so this negro entered her room.

"Why do you care?" Ernaline said back to Kaizen. Ernaline’s true character really comes out every time Ernaline encounters these men. The two who are talking are shaken when they hear a sneer from Calvin so that Ernaline gets embarrassed because she’s not listening to their Boss.

"Like what I've said, Ernaline's song will be your comeback song. That will be the 'Monster' she sang on her audition" said Calvin.

"No offense big brother, I mean Sir" Ernaline whispered. "Isn't it too early? I'm still adjusting to the behavior of these four and according to our contract; I need to be with them under the same roof. Wouldn't that be complicated on my side?" and besides, the title of her song is not a monster but I see your monster ~ she said.

Calvin let out a chuckle. "You can also get used to them and living with them is not a big deal even though you're a woman, they are very gentlemanly. As of now, our priority is the comeback of the band because that's what the fans are waiting for"

Ernaline was just silent on the side. She forgot that Calvin was the Boss.

'Gentleman, my ass? They even barged in inside my room, is that a gentleman? '

"You'll start recording tomorrow as well. According to my secretary, Kyle has a photo shoot today as a brand ambassador, right?" Kyle nodded to Calvin as he turned. "Then the remaining three can practice the song together with Ernaline for less hassle, less work. Agree?" They nodded simultaneously in response.

When they were dismissed they went straight to the studio. Calvin let Ernaline handle the arrangements of the song. Even if she is nervous, she can't do anything because this is her life now - to perform on stage.

Senri holds the bass guitar, Kaizen holds the keyboard, Jasper leads the drums and Kyle holds the Lead guitar which Ernaline currently holds to balance the sound.

Ernaline knows how to play random instruments so it's not difficult for the girl to know what instrument to give to play. She taught the chords and compass to the drums which the three immediately got. They immediately started blending the music. Ernaline was so happy because her companions immediately got the sound she wanted. The three were just serious about listening to Ernaline's instructions, which is why Ernaline liked it. When lunch came, they just delivered food to the studio because they were busy practicing. The girl was impressed with the natural talent of the four men with her in the room.

"Until what time Espasol’s photo shoot?" Ernaline asked before taking a bite of the pizza she was holding.

"The fuck with Espasol?" suppressing Kaizen's laughter.

"Until 2 pm. He'll be here later." Jasper replied.

Ernaline breathed a sigh of relief as she got a sensible answer from Jasper. She just stared at the three idiots who were busy on their respective cellphones. Who would have thought that she would be included in their group? Ernaline is hoping not to get hurtful words from the crowd. Ernaline doesn't think her personality can handle that because she is not used to spotting light but she still chose this path.

"Can I ask?" she blurted out of nowhere because of the aery feeling surrounded them.

"You're already asking a question." Kaizen replied philosophically without looking at the girl.

"Why did your vocalist leave?" Ernaline hadn't felt good in the atmosphere before, it was replaced by the tension that surprised her.

"Don't ask." Senri answered.

"Huh?"

"We also didn’t know Ernaline, he just vanished." Kaizen said.

Ernaline frowned, is their former vocalist dead?

"Your effort won't be wasted if that's what you're worried about. We don't care about our former vocalist anymore! Period, throwing away the key! Don't ask!" Jasper replied, avoiding looking at the girl.

They don't want to talk about their leader who gathered them to form the Blackhand. They happily formed the band but the man himself was the first to resign for reasons they did not know.

Jasper wants to answer the girl but they promise each other to let the leader of Blackhand go and wait for the right opportunity for them to talk to her face to face.

Ernaline didn't speak anymore and just let her companion, just out of respect if they didn't want to let the girl know the reason why their former vocalist was gone. She seemed to want to step back here if it weren't for her older brother Reiden's request, she might be in the park now and lying down.

Ernaline sat in a steel chair here on the rooftop. Only now did she find out that there was a mini garden here. She took out her cellphone from her pants pocket and dialed a number.

"Moshi Moshi?" greeted the person on the other line.

"Why is it that every time I call you, you always greet me like that?" Ernaline doesn't know which continent this woman is on. Since they graduated, the only communication between the two of them has been through cell phone calls.

"You're too hot-headed baby Ernaline, it's still noon in the Philippines." Sinji said.

"Are you in the Philippines?"

"Y-- no. No, I'm on another planet." Ernaline frowned because Sinji seemed nervous. "What's the news there? Has the justice system changed? Has the corruption changed? Or is the Philippines still in chaos?"

Ernaline's eyes rolled in emptiness. "What do you care about the course of the Philippines? Will you run for President?"

"If I'm lucky, why not coconut? Kidding."

"What's the news? You won't call if you don't have a problem, I know you girl."

Ernaline's lips parted. Is that what it thinks of her? Just calling when there is a need? Can't she just want someone to talk to because she's already full?

"It's not a problem Sin. I was hired as a vocalist by a band." Ernaline said.

"Band? What's the name?"

"Blackhand."

A long silence prevailed between the two of them which surprised Ernaline.

"Still there?" she asks...

"A..ah yes. Congrats girl, you will fulfill your dream. I am your number one fan." Sinji said happily to her friend.

"Number one fan really?" Ernaline laughed.

"Of course! As if I will be your number one hater, that means we're friends over?" Ernaline was just shaking because of Sinji's antics.

"Got to go girl, Call me again on your first comeback. I'm the first person to watch your music video."

"Crazy. I'll just let you know." Sinji herself cut the call

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