Chapter 51

Selina, unaware that Trevon had arrived at the music festival, checked her phone. He hadn't replied. She shrugged it off, thinking, "Maybe he's busy. I should focus on tonight's performance."

"Hi, Selina," Thomas greeted, a bright smile illuminating his face. "Thank you for performing with The Rose again. I've missed playing with you at the Starlight Club."

"Me too," Selina replied, a smile mirroring his. The memory of her exhilarating guitar solo at the Starlight Club still thrilled her. Even more exciting, however, was performing with Lydia for Malcolm.

Just then, a group of men entered.

"That woman at the bar last night? A total slut. One look, and she was in my room. Easy pickings," one of them sneered. "Clusian women are all cheap. A wink, and they're throwing themselves at you—and their money. We deserve it; we're handsome mixed-race guys. That's the draw."

The four men, boasting mixed-race features and diverse hairstyles, laughed and conversed in Clusian. Bumping into Thomas, the leader whistled. "Look who it is! Thomas, from The Rose. Great to see you."

"Frank Stevens," Thomas replied, his gaze indifferent.

Frank, lead singer of Black Smoke—a band that had debuted three years before The Rose and achieved considerable underground fame in Clush—was of mixed Clusian and Muzik descent. Handsome, stylishly dressed, and skilled at crafting heavy metal music, he and his similarly mixed-race bandmates, each with distinctive features, attracted considerable female attention. Some sported nose rings and facial piercings, reflecting a punk rock aesthetic. While musicians often cultivated unconventional styles, Black Smoke's reputation was particularly notorious.

"No greeting? Aren't Clusians polite? Black Smoke debuted three years before you. Now you're famous, you think you can ignore your elders? If we'd debuted at the same time, we'd be even more arrogant," Frank sneered, picking on The Rose. He lit a cigarette and blew smoke towards Thomas.

The thick smoke made Thomas frown subtly. Instead of reacting angrily, he calmly said, "Mr. Stevens."

"Good," Frank retorted. "But you lack energy. You sounded lifeless. Perform like that on stage, and you'll never win over an audience, let alone attract female fans with that grim face!" He took another drag and blew the smoke directly at Thomas.

Thomas, usually good-natured, felt his irritation rising.

"Heard you recruited a great drummer and guitarist. You were nobodies before, now you're popular. Seems bringing in new talent works," Frank continued, his gaze narrowing, clearly resentful of Thomas's superior good looks. He mused, He lacks the typical rock star traits. No drinking, no flirting. How can someone like him lead a band?

The Rose's recent surge in popularity threatened Black Smoke's position, but Frank dismissed them. Meeting Thomas in person, he felt compelled to demonstrate what a real underground rock singer looked like.

Spotting Selina, Frank's demeanor changed instantly. What a beauty! She surpasses every woman I've met. He thought, Even in casual clothes, those abs are incredible! That icy indifference only makes her more alluring. Sex with her would be amazing!

"Alone, Miss? Staff or fan?" Frank asked, ignoring the possibility of a connection between Selina and Thomas. He struck a pose, attempting to flirt.

Selina was speechless, nearly repulsed by Frank's nose ring.

Thomas intervened. "Enough, Frank. She's The Rose's guitarist. I respect you as a senior, but don't push it!"

"Ah, the guitarist from the Starlight Club! Your style is unique. Impressive," Frank said, undeterred. "Leave The Rose and join Black Smoke. Better prospects."

Frank's arrogance intensified. He was poaching Selina, pushing Thomas to the brink of violence for the first time in his life.

"I'm not interested in overconfident, unattractive men. Never seen anyone like you," Selina retorted. "And what's that on your nose? Enjoying being a bull?"

Frank's face contorted. "W-What did you say?"

"Let's go, Thomas. Time for the show," Selina declared, dismissing Frank. She led Thomas to Luke and Lydia.

"What the…" Frank began, but his bandmates stopped him. "The show's starting. No trouble. We can't afford the penalties!" The Griffin family's sponsorship offered generous rewards, but the penalties for misconduct were equally substantial. Any trouble would jeopardize the entire band.

Frank spat. "Who does she think she is? A band slut who's probably slept with a hundred men! Crazy to like a boy toy like Thomas. I'm way better. How can she call me overconfident and unattractive? Is she blind?"