Chapter 9

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"It was a very nice performance." The host, Miss Shai Lardino greeted Ernaline after the performance. Senri handed Ernaline a pillow to cover her exposed skin. It's hard if the girl might harass, they're still on national TV. The host gave them a warm smile before facing the audience.

"Good morning Gising Pinas. Maybe you're awake because the Blackhand band is in front of you. Say hi to your fans" The Host ordered them and they immediately accepted.

"Good morning handlers." Simultaneously greeted by these fools while Ernaline was just silent. Kyle puts her in the middle with Jasper on her left while Senri and Kaizen are on the right of the girl. The three were smiling but Senri and I looked like they were in court because of their serious faces.

"Thank you for having us here Miss Shai it's nice to be back," Kyle said the reason for the fans to shout.

"Tell me a story. I mean we didn't expect that you'll have a girl vocalist," the host said to Ernaline, so the girl was overwhelmed with nervousness.

"After D disappears, fans are asking why he leaves the band. Is it some personal matters?" He added. The five of them looked at who would answer but Kyle nodded to them in approval that he was the one who wanted to answer.

"Well, we don't know the reason why D left us. Even us, we are all thinking why did he leave? I mean if he's watching right now, we are hoping that he will appear in front of us and tell us what is on his mind. We're friends and we can understand him. And about our vocalist, well she's a package. She's the one who composes the song we sang earlier, we were happy that she's one of us." He said that Ernaline was embarrassed so the girl bowed down in her own hands folded. Only now did she hear the words Kyle had uttered. She will admit that until now she was still annoyed with the young man but because of what he said she felt happy.

"I know you are surprised especially our fans. You know we are a band formed by handsome five men, but we have our Queen here we are. It is also not hidden from our knowledge that there are people who do not want our existence. But we want to tell you this, the audience even the viewers. Bash us but please spare our Queen. She's too precious for us because she is just new to this industry. Let her spread her wings and let her fly to reach her dreams. I know the handlers won't let us down, can we expect that?" Fans shouted 'yes', 'yes' and 'of course' and even put Kyle’s hands-on Ernaline’s shoulder but she just let it go and faked a smile in front of the camera.

"Oh! That's why we heard your song as new. She composed it; it is rare for a woman to be talented. Congratulations that you found her." They only smiled back at the host. Ernaline used to be almost pale with nervousness but now she is feeling better.

"May we know your vocalist name? If that's okay to introduce herself," Ernaline shuddered in her seat as everyone's attention landed on her. She gripped the microphone tightly before she speaks.

"I'm Ernaline Montenegro," she said with a smile.

"Montenegro? Are you related to a young CEO from Montenegro Empire?" The girl nodded shyly.

"Ahm! He's my brother." The spectators began to murmur. They can't believe that one of the youngest businessmen is the brother of someone like her who is not used to the spotlight.

"Let's be different, when is your comeback song? You know, fans have waited for it after D's disappearance?" Turn on the Host conversation.

"We will announce it immediately. We need to furnish the song yet." Ernaline answered.

"Okay, how about your upcoming events? This is your chance to promote your new songs and as a vocalist and a new member." The girl looked at the camera even though she was nervous.

"We have an upcoming event this Saturday at TREV'O 'Grill. It's one of the finest resto-bars here in the Philippines. They invited us to perform there. And the other info is only on Blackhand's social media account. Hope to see you there handlers." she said that the tremor in her voice was not noticeable.

"Thank you for coming Blackhand, hopefully, it's not the last." Miss Shai said to them.

"Thank you for having us," Kaizen said with a smile and winked at the host.

"Gising Pinas will return after a few commercials."

****

Dezrail sipped the contents of his wine glass after watching the morning show. He admits that he really misses performing in front of his fans, but everything has changed.

"It’s too early in the morning, wine is the one you drank right away?" Gun said as he entered his house. Dezrail turned to look at his friend but immediately turned his gaze to the television. He leaned on the headrest of the sofa after placing the empty cup on the center table.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" He asks.

Gun sat down next to his friend and poured wine into the goblet on the table before gulping it down. "I just missed you, is it forbidden to visit your house?" A smirk flashed across Gun's face.

Dezrail let out a sigh before settling down on the sofa. Ever since he left the band, all of the possible traces of him have all vanished because of Rent’s help.

"Do you have any traces where she is?" Dezrail's asks out of nowhere.

"How long will you be like this Dezrail?" Gun's serious face was exposed to Dezrail so he looked away. "You're getting miserable there when you find her! You don't have love anymore. You're too obsessed with her to the point that even the whole world wants you to explore just to find her!" Gun shouted.

Dezrail wiped his palm on his face - Gun knows him very well.

"My life has been miserable after my parents died Gun, you know that. I just need her explanation why she did this to me?" He’s too frustrated because of his situation right now.

"But you can't explain to your friends?" Dezrail was speechless. "Make up your mind before everything slips from your hand Dezrail. I'm leaving."

Silence prevailed throughout the living room where Gun had left him. He no longer knew what to do!

*****

"I was really shocked by what Kyle said earlier. He treats you as their Queen," Saviel said with a shudder as he greeted Ernaline backstage.

Ernaline frowned at the woman. "You just thought of that! Of course, you lived in a condo so you could find out the true color of those four idiots."

"WHAT?" Ernaline walked into the dressing room first while the four were still talking to the staff. When she entered, her things were in place. The girl did not bring her guitar because it might just break in the car.

"Hey, are you serious about what you said?" It was Saviel's turn to enter the dressing room. Ernaline looked at Saviel before clutching the shoulder bag which contained nothing but her cellphone and wallet. The band has its own wardrobe and the staff will take care of it.

"You want to be my P.A., don't you? Stand for it!"

The woman laughed mixed with nervousness. "I didn't know you would take it seriously. And then me, living in a condo with the band? Oh my god heaven .., I'll move tomorrow too!" Saviel jumped for joy.

Ernaline is just shaking her head because her fangirl status in front of her is working again.

"Yey, I'll get them jealous of those illusioned women. Every day, they see four abs on my Instagram. Aw! Yummy"

"Come on, daydream later, I'll be in the car first." Ernaline left the room. She still met the four but she ignored them as if it were just wind that passed in front of her.

"Wait for me, Ernaline!" She heard Saviel shout as she called her name but she did not turn around.

"We will clear your schedule to facilitate the processing of your comeback song" Calvin called his band after their guests are over.

It's been three days since their interview happened and tomorrow the band will have a performance at TREV'O 'Grill. Senri, Kyle, Jasper, and Kaizen are full of schedules because they are brand ambassadors of a clothing line and perfumes while Ernaline is just having a photoshoot for CDC magazine. Reiden did not allow his younger sister to become a brand ambassador because those who wanted to invest in the Montenegro Empire might pressure her.

"We don't need to rush everything Cal. Ernaline is still adjusting to the course of the industry," Kyle replied.

"I don't have a problem with that," Ernaline added.

Calvin just sighed before speaking again.

"Then after your performance in T.O.G, we will start the recording and the music video. Why to take longer if we can?" he said. That's why his staff but Calvin prefers to be hands-on with his artists especially since his company's competitors are increasing.

"The sooner the better, as they say, don't worry I can do the job." All their attention went to Ernaline who didn't even bother to look at them, she just leaned over her own notebook while writing.

"If there’s no problem, then we can start next week!"

****