Rise To Stardom - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Reunion
“Change that song!” Mike glared at the DJ who had just started playing [Strange Canvas], causing everyone in the bar to be a bit wary.

Considering the young man’s father was the owner of said bar, everyone knew his words were the law here.

And so, the DJ immediately did as he was told, changing the song to [Sensual] to appease Mike.

It seemed to have done the job as Mike’s expression turned a bit proud.

A lot of people in the bar though, simply heaved a sigh of relief at that.

Honestly, it was quite something, that even they who were relatively wealthy and powerful in their own right, were scared of him.

But then again, this bar was more or less his turf so it was to be expected.

“You must really hate that Kyle Kestis guy huh…” one of Mike’s friend, Drake, who had accompanied him to the bar, said.

“You even broke things off with that Betty girl because she’s interested in him, didn’t you?” Drake prod deeper with another question.

Not responding to that statement, Mike simply downed a bottle of alcohol, retrieving a cigarette to smoke a few seconds after.

“You know, I have a few people who can help you ruin his performance in the upcoming show…” Drake soon said again after a short while, causing Mike to arch a curious eyebrow.

His interest piqued, a bit of a sinister smile slowly settling on his features, the young man then asked;

“How much will I be spending this time?”

* * *

GrooveFest.

A very popular, almost festive-like, music event that took place every year around various cities in the US to celebrate GrooveBox’s many years of music streaming to various parts around the world.

Now celebrating a decade, the beloved streaming platform was hosting one of its events at Vancouver with the many colorful logos, banners and billboards of ‘GrooveFest 10’ fluttering in the air and adorning the venue.

Being a free event that anyone could attend as long as they were lucky enough to get a free ticket from the platform itself, days prior to the event, there was a feverish excitement in the air of the large outdoor amphitheater.

Containing over five thousand people, all of whom were waiting in eager anticipation for the concert, which was actually the main appeal of the event, they impatiently waited for it to begin.

GrooveFest, just like last year, invited some of the most popular artists around the world, usually those whose songs had made it to ‘GrooveList Top 100’ and ‘All Time Favorites’ charts, one only those with over a billion streams and more than a billion streams respectively had ever gotten to.

This year however, GrooveFest had decided to increase the scope of artists and had decided to include the ‘Buzzing 100’ top 10 artists this time around because they looked to be a very promising generation of musicians.

Currently still quite early in the evening, a peculiar limo glided into the parking lot of the venue, a few people loitering about the place.

Getting out of the limo though, was Haley and her girlfriends, all of whom had come to watch the artists performing at the concert, Mike’s especially.

“Might be moved forward? But why?” Haley asked her agent over the phone who casually replied;

[I have no idea either. I guess we’ll be finding out soon…]

“Alright then.” She simply nodded, cutting the phone call off.

No sooner had she done that, had her friends, Betty, Cassie and Jennifer, asked what the phone call was all about.

“Something about the movie’s date being pushed forwa-” Haley was explaining, only to suddenly pause when she noticed a familiar face driving a vehicle into the parking lot, coming to a halt just a few meters away from them.

Her friends whom had noticed their friend’s nervous change in demeanor, turned their gaze over to the cause of it, only for their eyes to widen in genuine surprise when they saw Kyle, along with a suave man, conversing as they got out of a Ford Mustang (a rental car for the day).

Though they had no idea what it was the two were saying, judging by the casual expressions on their faces, it didn’t seem to be anything serious.

Kyle, currently dressed in a form-fitting dark-blue jean jacket, a white undershirt, sleek black jeans and sneakers, casually tossed the keys over to Oliver as he got out of the vehicle.

For some reason, the ladies felt as if he had gotten so much more handsome than the last time they had seen him, though it was hard for them to place the exact reason why.

Soon enough though, they realized the cause of it.

Kyle’s frame had become surprisingly well-built, hinting at the fact that he had been hitting the gym!

Truth be told, they couldn’t help but be a little star struck as they watched him say something that caused both he and the suave man to share a small laughter.

* * *

(A few seconds earlier…)

“Still kinda sucks that I can’t help with the promotions for [Epoch One].” Kyle sighed as he closed the door to the car and tossed the key over.

“It’s fine Kyle. Mark, Bruce and Jeffery told you so, right? Focus on your music career for now.”

“Besides, I think Mark wants you to stay out of the limelight as much as you can. Pertaining to the movie that is…”

“That said, a few promotions would’ve been nice, at least to give you a bit of experience with how that side of the industry works.” Oliver added, locking the doors of the car remotely.

Walking over to his other side, both of them proceeding to the area assigned for the artists, Kyle casually said, a warm smile settling on his lips;

“By the way Oliver, Happy Birthday. Sorry it’s coming late.”

Turning his gaze over to him, noticing a mischievous smile slowly adorning his lips, a curious Oliver was about to ask Kyle how he knew when the latter suddenly questioned him in a humorous tone;

“So, how does it feel to be one year closer to your grave?”

“Don’t jinx it, Kyle.” the agent laughed at that and then continued, a light smile on his lips;

“Besides, death comes for everyone eventually, regardless of age.”

“But did you know, it’s statistically proven that those with more birthdays, tend to die earlier!” Kyle’s sapphire eyes mischievously glinted, signifying that he was unwilling to stop messing with his agent.

“Yep. That’s enough from you. Good talk.” the agent walked faster, wanting to get away from the young man and his surprisingly dark sense of humor.

Laughing a bit louder as he watched the suave man hasten his steps, Kyle caught up to him and then said;

“Remember Oliver, age might just be a number but, in your case, it’s getting really high!”

“For God’s sake Kyle!” Oliver couldn’t help but turn around to face him, a perfect mix of bewilderment and amusement in his grey eyes.

“Alright. Alright. I’ll say nicer things.” Kyle raised his hands up in surrender, a look of satisfaction on his features.

“Thank you!” his agent finally heaved a sigh of relief as they proceeded to their destination.

It was also at this moment, that Kyle noticed Haley and her girlfriends standing just a few meters away.

Not that it evoked any sort of emotion in him though.

Clearing his throat, he then walked up to Oliver, a warm and genuine smile present on his face as he said;

“You’re like those fine vintage wines you love, Oliver. I’m sure you’ll only get better with time.”

“Thank you Kyle. Now that, I actually appreciate.” his agent reciprocated the smile, only for him to hear Kyle’s next words.

“Or maybe you’ll just get fermented. Who knows…” he shrugged, another mischievous smile gracing his features.

Massaging his temples with a deep sigh, all while his ward seemed to be in such a jovial mood, Oliver simply continued walking.

Truth be told, Kyle had actually been like this all day.

The cause – because he was excited to finally perform in front of a large crowd of people again.

Although he loved performing at bars, clubs and the likes, there was a certain sense of swelling joy and happiness for him, knowing that he was going to be performing in front of thousands of people.

By now though, Kyle and Oliver had already walked past Haley and her girls, the young man not giving them any sort of reaction.

Betty had even tried to give a bright smile as she waved over but she had also received the same treatment.

Again, all four had their egos crushed, Haley’s especially.

The fact that he was treating them like air, was far more painful than any other sort of reaction he could’ve ever given them.

It basically implied that they were nothing to him. Absolutely nothing. Nonexistent even.

And that was really saying something considering how they had almost ruined his life.

Staring at his back as he kept animatedly conversing with the suave man, a deeply regretful expression on all of their faces, the ladies did their best to comport themselves after a while.

Slowly, making their way over to the amphitheater though, Haley who was still unsure of how to deal with the complexities she had in her mind, especially since she was supposed to not care about Kyle as she had told herself, couldn’t help but clutch her heart tightly in deep confusion.

First she had been extremely bitter he rejected her advances back in college, then it evolved to mild annoyance during his time on Rising Voices, switching over to her telling herself she was leagues above him in an effort to suppress said complex feelings after she ran into him at BlackBox Films.

And now, finally, she had literally no idea what was going on in her mind.

‘Why am I anxious around him? Is it fear? Guilt?’

‘What exactly is this feeling?’ she asked herself, a sad expression gracing her face.

Yet, despite actually trying ignore it, deep down, Haley knew exactly, what it was her feelings were.

Regret.

Regret, at not being able to have something that she wanted…

Someone, that she wanted.

All, because of her own, stupid, actions.

…

…

…

“Dreamboat. What is this? When did you get this?!” Lily gently prod Kyle’s buffed chest with an amused yet slightly curious expression.

“You do realize that counts as sexual harassment, right?” Steven who was beside Kyle said, his eyes squinting at the drop-dead gorgeous lady.

“Not if the recipient isn’t complaining. Besides, I asked for permission!” she continued to study Kyle’s slightly bigger frame with laser-focused eyes, small ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ escaping her lips.

“Girl, I know what you mean. Check out his shoulders!” Katie peeked up from over Kyle’s much more defined, broad shoulders with an amazed expression, her hands gently dusting them.

“No offense though babe.” she quickly shot an apology at Ryan who had been laughing his ass off since they had all reunited again.

“No. None taken!” he waved his hands, clutching his stomach with a hearty expression of laughter on his features.

Joe on the other hand, who was pretty much a gym buff, nodded his head as he sampled the young man’s frame.

“All natural.” he said, an impressed expression on his face.

“Which gym do you go to?” he then asked, his expression serious as he questioned.

“You know… you guys haven’t changed one bit.” Kyle simply sighed and shook his head in resignation in response to all five of them.

Having gone into the well-furnished and modernly designed waiting room that had been assigned to the artists, at least for those in the ‘Buzzing 100’ charts, the young man was pleasantly surprised to see all his friends currently in the room.

Apparently, all five of them, along with Mike who was currently performing on stage, were the only ones that could make it to the venue in Vancouver.

This wasn’t particularly surprising as an artist could be dealing with even more important things than having to attend GrooveFest.

It was also one of the reasons why GrooveFest had picked out nine different locations each year, enough to give the artists an opportunity to appear in at least one of the shows.