Chords and Chaos

Dante?!!

Brandon 🌷

As promised, Alexis pays me triple and I'm able to sort my sister's hospital fees. With extra free time, I sign up for singing classes to polish my vocals. I wake up with a slight tinge of pain and remember my encounter with Alexis the night before. Raw and feral!

Tossing away the slight feeling of shame, I slowly step into the bathtub filled with vanilla scented warm water.

ONE WEEK AGO.

“Here, sign.” A burly looking man who follows him around hands over a document to me. We were finally at his house, a spacious parlour area with sparse furnishing. I'd hardly had to chance to look round.

“You just happened to have a contract ready?” This was suspicious but I need the money. I watch as his eyes rake all over my body before he says,

“I always get what I want, this is just for your sake.”

Sighing, I read the contract rules.

“Mr Brandon will be paid any amount he wants as long as he does, sings and f***s whenever, wherever and however Mr Alexis wants.” Crude much?

“Mr Brandon will not be sexually involved with another party in the timeframe that this contract stands.” I won't but huh?!

“And you? Will you be exclusive with me?”

He scoffs and doesn't bother answering.

Resigned, I continue.

“Mr Alexis has the right to give or take singing gigs and any job that might put this contract secondary.” This was stupid and I was not going to let it slide. I fling the papers to the ground and stand up.

“There's no way in hell I'm gonna give you that much power over my voice. No! Way!” I fume.

The corners of his lips curls and laughter erupts out of it, echoing and bouncing around in the empty room.

“Get out of here with that pride if you dare. That clause is valid, I don't want to see something that's mine on display for public consumption.”

He strides over with the remnants of the laughter still on his lips.

“Mr Brandon will NOT fall in love or confess feelings of love to Mr Alexis. It instantly makes the contract void.” He finishes the last clause of the contract with a tone of finality.

“And what if you fall in love first?” Folding my arms, I stand up straighter and ask.

Giving me once over, he says,

“No little bird, I won't. So pick up the f*****g papers, be a darling and sign them.”

PRESENT.

My routine sucked! I visit my sister in the hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I go to the singing classes on Wednesdays and the rest of the week? I do nothing. Lazying around on the bed, I get a text from an unknown number.

“Mr Brandon Wilson, we at Spirited have reviewed your application for the singing gig at our barestaurant and we'll like to offer you the position. Kindly come to the bar this evening to sign a contract and discuss other details.”

I fumble to get up and end up falling face first on the floor. This bar was the biggest I've ever auditioned for, there's no way I was letting it slip through my fingers. I'll have a talk with Alexis later, for now, I had somewhere to be.

Dressed in a black shirt and grey dress pants, I booked a taxi to the bar. Alexis has not been home in days so I was in the clear. For now.

The night air was chilly and the drive was less then 20 minutes. The sign ‘Spirited’ was bold and blinking and I quickly went in. The evening vibe was calm as guests were yet to arrive. I watched as staff arranged the stage set up minimally with overhead lighting for guests to see exactly who was singing.

I go to the first bar attendant I see and ask, “Where can I find the manager's office? I'm here for the singing gig.”

“Climb up the stairs, second door by the left. And goodluck.” She smiled easily and walked off.

Taking the steps one at a time, I try to calm my nerves. I knock on the door with ‘Manager’ on it.

“Come in.” A deep voice calls from inside. I take shallow breath and go inside.

“Goodevening sir.” I greet standing, feeling out of place.

“Welcome, Take a seat. You must be Mr Brandon.” A short stout man in his late fifties points towards a chair facing him.

“Yes sir. I am.” I sit.

“I’m Mr Frank, the manager and well, we enjoyed your audition video and we'd like to offer you the job. Every Monday and Friday nights from 7pm.”

The job seemed exciting and not because of the pay, but because I'll be singing at a place I loved.

My hesitation to answer was not gone unnoticed.

“You can sing right now. Have a feel of the place. How ‘bout that?” He adds.

“Sure. Just a short song and then.”

Mr Frank led me downstairs and into a small room and left me to prepare for my show. The doors opened to reveal a clean spacious room, tiled from floor to ceiling and sparsely furnished.

“Someone will let you know when you're up.” He says, leaving me to my thoughts. My thoughts circle back to Alexis and his contract but I ignore them.

He's not gonna find out.

A knock takes me out of my thinking and the lady server I met minutes ago pops her head in and says, “You're up. Again, Goodluck.”

Her smile eases my nerves and I follow behind her.

I climb up the stage and that feeling I get whenever I sing overwhelms me, taking away the nerves.

Sitting behind the piano, I close my eyes and sing, loosing myself to the melody. Finally, my crescendo ends and for a minute I don't hear the deafening applause. The audience is in uproar and I smile and take a bow.

I catch a stare, piercing and cold. Alexis! He was here, of all places. Here!

My breath caught in my chest. Bills and bills overdue run through my periphery and I quickly run out of the stage to keep up with him.

I'd beg, I'd plead.

“Hey! Heyy!! Can you stop walking, I was not planning on taking the job.” Lie.

We were at the back of the club now, his steps not faltering as he walks towards his car without a glance back.

“ALEXIS!!” I scream, frustration and exhaustion bubbling from chasing him. Keeling over, I hear his voice and note that something was wrong. I stand up straighter, he turns around and I step back

He wasn't Alexis, not at all. A strange scar ran from his outstretched hand upwards.

“Alexis? I'm Dante. Pleased to meet you.” He smirks as he comes closer. What in the hell?!