He locks the bathroom door.
What's he planning to do?
"Now-I want you to remove these clothes."
"What?!"
"Good. You're not totally crazy yet since you understand what I'm saying."
"I swear I want to punch you sometimes really hard Damien."
He flicks my forehead. "Take a bath silly. Dress up. We have yet to defeat Golden Rush."
So that's what he meant. What a relief!
"How can you be so certain about me? When I'm drowning in doubts and anxiety?"
He cups my face with a prideful smirk. "Cause you're Saint. My stoic angel." He whispers, "Even if the whole world is uncertain— I'll never have a doubt when it comes to you."
"Isn't it wrong?" I ask with glistening eyes.
"Isn't what wrong? Me trusting you?"
"But everything goes on... Nothing stops even if someone's gone forever."
He punches on my forearm lightly. "No one's gone yet."
So he understood my implication.
"And I certainly won't let go anytime soon," he adds again with hope bubbling in his voice. "Your mom will be fine. But...she'll lose her last hope if you quit now."
He brings his face closer. I shiver at the faint brisk brush of his lips against my forehead. "Seeking happiness is not selfish, Saint. It's a human desire."
Finally I break into an imperturbable grin. Damien Frost comforting me... If anyone would have told me about this just a month ago I'd have never believed them.
"What's with that reaction?"
"Just wondering when did you become a philosopher."
"Huh?" He pouts looking embarrassed. "Don't read too much into it. I'll be waiting along with your friend."
"Chris is still here?"
"Haha... He never left. In fact he's the one who... Nevermind. Just hurry up."
••••
I take a quick shower and come out.
"Woah! You were standing right outside the bathroom?!"
He tilts his head with a mischievous grin.
He's pretty convincing... Son of a freaking politician!
He's holding out a navy blue floral printed shirt and matching dark blue pant. By the look—it's brand new and expensive.
"Is it for...me? When did you buy it?"
He shrugs puckering his lips. "I didn't buy it exclusively for you so stop feeling gratitude."
I flatten my mouth and eyes in disappointment. "I didn't even say anything."
"Well then wear it," he asks of me. "I bought two outfits and thought blue suits you the best.
He's hell bent on taking me there. "Damien... I—"
"Shhh—" he puts his index on my parted lips. "Time's running Sein."
A familiar goosebump spread throughout my body when he called me Sein.
His hands now reach my buttons ready to undo my previous clothes.
"I-I can do this myself!" I snatch them from him.
He bares his teeth again laughing in a wicked manner.
"Turn around!" I order.
"Suurree." His eyes rake over my bare skin. "As if I never saw this."
"You...!"
Get a grip Saint! He's infecting your heart. Thank god Chris's waiting outside. If he saw us this way... Ahh...
Finally he turns back and I slip into his chosen outfit. Damn it fits me so perfectly. His eyes definitely measured me like a tailor.
He gapes at my form and smirks with an impressed gaze. "Just one more thing..."
He unclasps the silver cross pendant from his neck then aims for my neck.
"W-what are you doing?"
"I wanted you to have this. Think of it as something to boost your confidence since you're so doubtful about yourself."
Hah he's still cocky. One can't change their DNA I guess. So full of himself and yet... I can't seem to find a reason to hate this intrusive jerk.
He fixes my collar. "Now you look complete."
A car honks outside. That's definitely Chris. Guess he's tired of waiting.
Damien tugs my hand. Outside of my house stands Damien's car. Chris's on the steering wheel.
Seeing us he clicks his tongue in a dramatic way. "You took forever in there."
Damien opens the door for us to get inside. "I bet you couldn't do it on your own Chris."
"I'll have to agree with you on this." Chris nods his head in agreement.
I look at him with an annoyed eye roll. "I'll deal with you later."
He catches my expression in the mirror. "Yeah I know you will. But trust me Saint... I couldn't just let you wallow in despair."
I know there's no going back now.
••••
When the drive comes to an end I find a horde of people at the entrance of Aster Stadium. Students of M.H and Elves and everyone. Feels like the whole city is here.
Seeing me come out of his car Donna rushes to us. "Saint! You're here."
Her friend squeals in excitement. "Everyone's here!"
Donna asks again, "What took you so long? Soon it will be your turn."
"Get going Saint" Chris pushes me forward. "What're you thinking now?"
My legs won't move. Too many people here. As I try to walk I stumble.
"Woah woah... You're quite wobbly today." Damien's hands steadies me.
"You look so good Saint," Donna compliments.
But I don't feel so good. Mika comes to me with a cheerful smile. "She's right. Are you okay btw? You look nervous." He then hands me a bottle of water.
"It's a pity that you missed Golden Rush's performance," Maia comments. "They were quite impressive. But I'm rooting for you guys," she says enthusiastically.
The girls surround us. "Damien! Damien! Saint! Saint!"
Everyone screams in unbridled anticipation. Seeing him holding me encourage them even more.
"Alright give them a moment guys. They just arrived." Zeb and Todd comes forward.
I wonder where were they until now.
"Are you feeling okay now?" Mika asks.
I nod.
"Oh come on Mika we haven't even performed yet." Damien asserts vehemently, "Don't think of him as a weak little angel. He's tougher than that."
Guess it's his way of telling me that I'll be fine.
"Why didn't you already go with them?" I ask Damien.
"They're early birds." He points to his group. "Who comes this early? I like being fashionably late. Besides how could I come here without you by my side my Angel?" His voice brims with adoration as he teases me.
"Don't you start now," I warn. "There are a lot of people here."
"As if I care?" He snickers giving me a through once over. "You're stealing the night Sein."
I never allowed anyone to call me that besides mom. Not even Chris. He's the first... And the fact that I allow him doing things.... without being bothered-still confuses me sometimes.
The lights fall on him illuminating his features more strikingly. "You look quite imposing yourself you wicked demon."
••••
And now-we welcome the next performing group," the emcee asks for us. "Please welcome the most awaited band— Four of Clubs!!!"
Everyone screams like crazy. People can be so excited... As if they were born to scream for us, at us.
"About time it is. Be ready," Damien looks at his comrades with fire in his eyes. "Remember we worked hard for this. There's no looking back."
Zeb, Todd and Mika march forward. I follow Damien with slow steps.
He takes my hand slowly pulling me up on the stage. "Come on. You can do this."
The MC offers Damien the mic. "Some words before you begin? For your fans..."
He takes it. His left hand still holding onto mine. He faces the crowd in front with blazing eyes.
"We have long awaited for this day. Guys— Everyone—you can't be just audience. You are the ones who inspires us everyday— drives us to not falter and keep going. You're the ones for who we create and share something so beautiful. But... Today's a bit different."
He takes a deep breath building suspense. "Today I have an announcement to make..."
He raises my hand showing everyone our entangled hands. "He's not just a new face to us now." He points his mic to his friends. "They're a family. We're a family. We began two years ago. Back then we didn't even think that we'd be entering such a big competition as Infinite Serenade."
He pauses a little reading the expressions of the bursting crowd.
"Perhaps you're thinking I'm talking a lot but these are the things I had deep in my heart for quite some time which I want to share today. Four of Clubs will be known as Heart of Clubs from today."
The people cheers again. My heart beats so rapidly that I fear I might faint. But Damien's deep confident voice provides me strength.
"We don't know who'll smile at the end of the night and who'll walk away with a gloomy heart. But for the moment—let's give it all we have."
His hand's on my back now. I feel his warmth seeping through the thin expensive fabric into my skin.
"I'm not worried about winning anymore Saint," his whisper comes like a gentle breeze on my skin. "I only want you to perform alongside me. I want to see you beside me. That's all."
Will I be able to make it to the end? Or will I be a disappointment? I grip the mic tightly.
No. I have to keep my promise. Mom... You'll see. I'll do it right.
"So are you ready??!!!" Zeb roars.
An applaud reverberates throughout the place.
The strings of Damien's guitar says-Let's rock!
I part my lips. All these applauds... Cheering... Happy faces... All for me... For us... Thank you Damien for believing in me.
My voice opens like a fountain.
~Baby you were closer- closer than my dreams
You were so far yet I felt your heartbeat
Could you come a little closer
So I could think no more
My head's drifting ashore
I- I want you to lose the distances
Don't you- don't you think we've walked far ahead?~
Damien wrote this song when he was on the movie set that day-watching my acting. I feel the lyrics in my veins now. We've come a long way.
~Baby you were closer- closer than my dreams
You were so far yet I felt your heartbeat
My mind's playing games
I feel your name in my songs
Don't you think we've taken too long?~
The whole stadium roars as limitless applause erupts throughout the hall. I... I've done it! Without a mistake! I did it mom. I didn't falter.
My throat hurts but I'm happy. I have never felt so happy before. Damien wipes the sweat off of his brows. "You were magical my angel."
"It's all because of you, Damien." I look at him with adoration and admiration. "I couldn't...be here without you. Hell I wouldn't even come today. But you believed in me."
A generous smile spreads across his handsome face. "I couldn't do this without you either. So we're even."
Everyone's cheering for our band. Clearly they want us to win. But the judges—its up to them only.
I close my eyes praying intensely. I don't want to be a disappointment to my friends.
Mr. Hart stares at us with neutral eyes then he looks at Oscar Warner, the second judge. Mrs. Steven smiles at the two of them. Then all three of them turns at us. The crowd screams once more for us.
The mc upon being called goes to the judges. They whisper something in his ear. Several tumultuous minutes pass in anticipation.
"Three bands are selected for the finals," the MC builds up the tension. "And first team of Infinite Serenade 2023 is—"
The crowd goes wild. "Who's the first on the list?" They shout. "Say it already! Is it Four of Clubs?! Is it Golden Rush? Or Starry Nights? We want Four of Clubs!!"
I fumble for damiens hand. "What will happen?"
"Saint, I've already said before—as long as you are by my side it doesn't matter. Even if we lose today—I'm still a winner in the end. Besides competitions like this will come..."
Mom I think I know what you meant back then. He's grown on my mom. He brings joy to my heart.
"I love you Damien." The words finally escapes my mouth.
"And the first winner of Infinite Serenade 2023 is—Heart of Clubs!!!"
Just then Chris runs up to us. "Saint! Your mom's fine!" He pants holding his phone. "I just received a call from the hospital. She's doing fine. She saw your live performance Saint!"
Is this a dream..? Tell me it's all a dream.
Damien cups my face in his warm hands. Then his lips steal my lips violently in front of everyone. They're watching us... But at this moment nothing else matters.
The girls, the boys, everyone in the stadium squeals for us. I wouldn't trade this with the world.
"I LOVE YOU TOO SAINT ANGEL!" His aggressive yet genuine confession melts my heart. "I've loved you for a long while now. And I intend to love you for a life."
Is this what true bliss feels like? Ecstasy, contentment, and serenity all dancing together. Perhaps I'll join his band officially. Perhaps I'll sing alongside him again. And perhaps I'll continue acting as well. But that's for another day.
Tonight lives for celebration. Tonight's for us. Tonight Damien is Saint Angel's and Saint Angel is Damien Frost's.