After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 62

SCARLET

I stared at myself in the mirror before I went out to the stage. I never experienced standing in front of a crowd. I didn't exactly understand why I wanted to sing live in an acoustic bar. I also had no experience. All I knew was I had to move on. I had to divert my attention and do something new.

"Hey newbie, we're about to start!" An Asian man in a baseball cap appeared behind me.

"Yes, of course. Thank you." I smiled at him.

"I'm Scott. I play percussion. You are Scarlet, right?" he asked.

"Oh, yes. Hi, Scott." I reached out my hand to him.

"Pleasure." He shook my hand.

Scott smiled. He was pretty charming, and he looked younger than me. He had black hair under his cap, covering his forehead.

"If you don't mind me asking, are you… Japanese?" I guessed, trying to be friendly and made small talk.

"I'm actually Korean," he corrected, but then he grinned.

"Oh, sorry!" I covered my mouth, embarrassed.

He chuckled. "You ready? I heard you have a good voice."

"I'm not a professional, though."

"Just follow the beat. So, shall we?"

I nodded, biting my lower lip hard. My heart began to pound wildly. Scott swung the black curtain that led to the stage. I blew out a sharp breath, squeezed my palms before I stepped my foot on the stage.

Sean was already on the stage. He was preparing the cables and the amplifier for the sound test. I was their power vocalist tonight for two hours. The other singer who sang last night would be singing after our session. She'd be performing with another band.

We waited for the first acoustic band to finish before our gig. Since it was already nine in the evening, a lot of customers had arrived. Sean told me that it would be great for me to perform at this hour for my exposure. People would definitely come again after hearing my voice. I was so flattered by the compliment

Our current band consisted of four members. The guitarist, the violinist, the percussionist, which was Scott, and me, the singer. This was the first time I met the violinist. She was absolutely stunning in her ripped jeans, black leather jacket, and sneakers. Our eyes met as I entered the stage.

She smiled at me. I smiled back.

I swallowed hard as I saw the crowd. The stage was brightly lit, so I couldn't see the people clearly. My nervousness lessened a bit. But I knew, right there in the audience, my best friends were watching me.

Sean gave me a reassuring squeeze on my shoulder, "Are you okay? You look pale."

"I'm nervous," I told him.

"You'll be fine. Just enjoy the moment. You'll get used to it. You ready?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"Good, give them a brief greeting. Say something about our first song," Sean said, and then he stepped back. He left me in the middle of the stage, in front of the microphone.

I took a deep breath, "H-Hello, good evening," I greeted the crowd. I glanced at Sean and the group, and then I set my eyes back at the people. "Welcome to Episode. Hope you're having fun—"

"Just start the song!" Someone in the crowd shouted.

"Uh, yeah. Umm, we will be singing ‘Little Do You Know' by Alex and Sierra," I pressed my lips together as I waited for the instrumental intro. I closed my eyes when I heard the violin play.

As the song goes on, I finished my part of the first stanza and chorus. Sean began singing the male part.

My heart lifted when I heard Sean's voice as he sang from the heart. His emotions reflected on his face. I didn't know my tears began falling from my eyes. I gripped the microphone tight. My feelings took over. It's like every pain and sadness I had in me was trying to break free.

I glanced at him, and he was already watching me. He let out a sweet smile while his lips were still singing. We sang together until we finished the song.

The audience's applause echoed the whole place. Some stood up and whistled. Some shouted, "More! More!"

"Thank you, everyone. Next is ‘Road Trip' by Michael Perez."

I began singing again.

Two hours had gone too fast; I didn't realize that our session was finally over. We thanked the audience, and I wished them a great night at Episode. We all went backstage.

Hayley, the violinist, approached me. "You did a great job out there. Congratulations on your first night."

"Thank you, Hayley. You are a very talented musician. You play so beautifully."

She grinned. "Thanks. Oh, do you want to come? A snack is served for us. Come on!" Hayley had a low voice for a female. She was a bit taller than me, she had brown eyes and hair. She wasn't sweet looking like Katherine, but she totally had the rock star look for me.

"Oh, but my friends are waiting for me. They're in the audience."

"Come on, you can ask them to join."

"Okay, I'll ask them." She gave me a brief hug before she left backstage. Scott came with her. I saw him hooked his other arm on her shoulder, but she shoved him off. I laughed at the sight of them.

Sean suddenly appeared next to me. He had put the guitar back on its case. "That's a good performance for a newbie. I might let you stay for a while."

"Oh," I sighed in relief, "Is that another test?"

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"Sean, you have a great voice," I praised. "Why didn't you become a singer?"

"Yes, so I could contact you about the dates and the time of your schedule."

"Why not say it here?" Katherine whispered, and then she cleared her throat.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up," I whispered to her ear.

She just giggled at me. Sean handed me his phone. "Put it here."

"Oh, okay." I typed my number right away.

"I'll save this for reference. Thanks, Scarlet and Katherine. Have a good night. I still have work to do." Sean said.

"Sure, have a good night, too," Katherine answered for me. We watched Sean as he walked back to the crowd.

"Where's Nate?" I frowned.

"He's over there. Hey, isn't he a good catch? Not the Scot I promised, but he's pretty talented, isn't he? You can't deny he's attracted to you too. What do you think about him?"

"He's… he's…" I sighed. "He's fine. A professional musician. I should not think about any other things further than that."

"Boo! It's time for you to move on, you know." She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her breasts.

"That's why I am here. Hey, I need to go to the restroom. I've been holding this for an hour." I told her.

"Sure, over there. We'll wait for you here." She pointed out the doors by the stairs.

"Thanks!" I shouted back at her as I ran to the restroom.

I went out of the restroom. The heavy feeling on my belly was gone. I feel refreshed. But just before I could reach our table, I found something I wouldn't want to see. I don't know if I was only mistaken, but I knew that sharp features too well. Broad shoulders, defined jawline, wide back, three-piece business suit.

It's Luke, with a blonde Barbie doll in a purple halter dress.

What the hell was he doing here?  My heartbeat quickened in damned fright. Damn it, why here? When did he come? Did he see me on the stage earlier?

But it's not what caught my attention. He was with another woman again. A woman of his type. It had been almost two weeks, and he already found someone else? My blood began to boil in anger and disgust.

I put out my phone and typed a message for him. My hands were shaking.

Going out again as Jax, are we? Just like old times. I hit send. She was probably someone he met on the app to fuck tonight. I wiped my tears with my fingers right away. I hid in the back of the restroom.

I didn't expect that he would reply right away.

Where are you?