Chapter 199: A Dream Realized

Another week slipped by, and the highly anticipated event finally arrived. Eric stood backstage, pushing Monica’s wheelchair over to the side of the stage alongside Chloe, Heidi, Priya, and Laura. Eric wore a hoodie, part of the staff uniform and jeans, as did Monica, Chloe, Heidi, Priya, and Laura. Eric’s eyes grew slightly misty as he took in the live house in his grandfather’s building.

What had once been a cramped space was now vast, filled with lights, and centered around a grand, magnificent stage. But what truly touched him was the crowd of people trickling inside and the busy staff members prepping everything.

Security guards checked tickets at the front and managed the lines of spectators packing in at the back. Naturally, Monica, Chloe, Heidi, Priya, and Laura noticed Eric getting emotional taking it all in. Monica reached back to hold Eric’s hand, while Chloe and the others pressed in close, holding onto his arms and waist.

Every single one of them felt the weight of this milestone, something that was once nothing more than a pipe dream. As they stood taking it all in, "tap," someone suddenly slapped Eric on the shoulder from behind.

He turned around and saw Zach standing there with the rest of The Red Tide, looking fully prepped and ready to perform.

"Yo man, good to see you again, and thanks for inviting us to your company’s grand opening," Zach said.

"Yo... glad you guys could make it, Zach, Max, Jack, and Naomi," Eric replied.

"Wow... turns out you’re a pretty big deal, huh? Impressive," Max said.

"Same here... I’m practically speechless. Seriously cool, man," Jack added, throwing up a thumbs-up.

"How have you guys been holding up? Your latest track was absolutely incredible, it became a total hit, you know," Naomi said to Chloe.

But the moment the four of them spotted Monica in her wheelchair after Eric turned her around, they gasped in shock. Naomi instantly rushed forward and squatted down in front of Monica.

"Oh man... what happened? I thought you guys were performing tonight too," Naomi said.

"It’s nothing, just an accident. That was the original plan, but because things came up, we’re not performing tonight. There’s a substitute act, though," Monica replied.

"Ah... the substitute, right. I bumped into your friend back there earlier. Looked like she was getting ready with three other girls... they were wearing matching outfits," Zach murmured.

"Yeah... that’s them, Nobelia," Eric replied.

"Whoaaah... a brand new group, huh? Cool, I’m definitely looking forward to their set," Max replied.

"Such a shame, though. I really thought we’d get to see The Empress perform tonight, right Zach? You’re the one who wouldn’t stop raving about The Empress," Jack said, resting his elbow on Zach’s shoulder and peering at his face.

"Yeah... well, yeah. But since there’s a new band, I’m curious to see what they’ve got too... let me check real quick," Zach said.

He checked his smartphone screen to view the lineup, pointing at the display and squinting his eyes as he read through the schedule.

"We’re going on third... then Cheers, Street Couple... and Nobelia closing out. Got it... tell manager later we’re staying until Nobelia finishes," Zach said.

"Got it, I’ll let him know," Max replied.

"Thanks, guys," Eric replied.

The four of them turned to look at Eric, cracking wide smiles and resting their hands on his shoulders.

"Chill out, man. We’re on the exact same level now, and we’re only going up from here," Zach said.

"Good grief... since when did you get so poetic?" Naomi asked, nudging Zach with her elbow.

They all burst into cheerful laughter before The Red Tide excused themselves to head back inside for one final rehearsal. Eric and the five girls remained at the side of the stage, watching the bright-faced crowd file into the venue holding flyers printed with the night’s schedule.

Then, "tap," Eric felt another pat on his shoulder. He turned around once more to find Billy and Wendy standing behind him.

"Ah... Billy, Wendy! You guys made it," Eric said, extending his hand.

"How’s it going, Eric? Thanks a lot for inviting us over," Billy said, shaking Eric’s hand.

"Back then... when we bumped into you on the street and you played along with us, I had no clue you were this incredible," Wendy said.

"Same here... I didn’t see it coming either, haha," Eric replied.

Billy and Wendy then turned to see Monica in her wheelchair, with Chloe, Priya, Heidi, and Laura standing right behind her, all wearing bright smiles.

"Wow... The Empress... Can I shake their hands?" Wendy asked.

"Go right ahead," Eric answered with a smile.

Without a shred of hesitation or delay, Wendy walked up to the five girls. At first, they looked a bit puzzled, but a moment later, they remembered that Wendy was the street keyboardist who had jammed with Eric back when they first met him. Right away, their faces lit up and they warmly welcomed Wendy, who confessed to being a massive fan of The Empress and struck up a chat with Heidi, a fellow keyboardist. Eric and Billy simply watched the scene fold out, smiling.

"You guys performing too?" Eric asked.

"Yeah... we went with the name ’Street Couple’ since it was so last-minute, and we’re just running guitar and keyboard with no vocals," Billy answered.

"Oh... Street Couple," Eric noted.

Eric glanced at Billy’s hand and noticed a ring on his finger, then glanced over at Wendy’s hand to find a matching ring as well.

"Truth is, back when we met you on the street, Wendy and I had just gotten hitched. We threw a little celebration by playing music out on the sidewalk... pretty goofy, right? Hahaha," Billy said.

"Not goofy at all. In fact, that’s super cool and unique, leaves a real lasting impression," Eric replied.

"Wendy and I are actually super passionate about music... but with life getting so busy, we couldn’t really chase our hobby. That’s why when Anthony from Elliot’s Production suddenly called and met up with us, I swear Wendy and I almost hugged the guy, hahaha," Billy said with a laugh.

"Haha... then that’s awesome. Thanks for agreeing to join," Eric said, clapping Billy on the shoulder.

"Hey... what if you joined us up on stage, just like back on the street? We could both play guitar again and you could be our lead singer?" Billy offered.

Eric caught himself off guard for a second, genuinely weighing Billy’s offer. He glanced over at Wendy, who was chatting away happily with the girls.

"Hmm... alright. Sounds like fun," Eric replied.

"Awesome, thanks man," Billy replied.

"In return, let me bring one more person up on stage with us, because I’ll be handling the bass," Eric replied.

Eric turned around and walked over toward the girls, with Billy stepping alongside him as they approached Wendy. Eric placed a hand on Laura’s shoulder.

"I’m taking her with us, she’s our drummer," Eric said.

"Huh... taking me where?" Laura asked, completely lost.

"Whoa, that’s even better! Deal," Billy answered.

"Hm... what’s going on?" Wendy asked.

Eric and Billy explained their quick plan to Wendy and the five girls. Instantly, Monica, Chloe, Priya, and Heidi began shoving a still-confused Laura toward Eric, while Wendy looked like she was about to jump up and down for joy.

"Whoa, thanks Eric! I’m so thrilled... we... get to perform with you guys again... we’re definitely gonna rock the stage this time," Wendy said.

"Haha... happy to help. In that case, let’s go get ready," Eric suggested.

"Huh... me too?" Laura asked.

"Of course you too," Eric answered.

"Awesome... I’m in," Laura replied excitedly.

Eric then turned to look at Monica, Chloe, Heidi, and Priya, who all smiled and nodded at him. After that, Eric headed backstage with Laura, Billy, and Wendy toward the dressing room. Once inside, Eric saw Emma, Ruby, Jade, and Tania already dressed in their costumes, sleeveless dresses paired with miniskirts and thigh-high socks, getting their makeup done by the artists.

Catching sight of all four of them, especially Emma looking as stunning as ever, Eric swallowed hard. Noticing his gaze in the mirror reflection, Emma, Ruby, Jade, and Tania turned around.

"Oh, Eric... Laura? What are you guys doing back here?" Emma asked.

"Ah... we’re actually performing before you guys," Laura answered.

"Wait... performing?" Tania asked.

"With them," Eric answered, putting his arms around Billy and Wendy, who had just stepped inside.

"Whaaat?!" Emma, Ruby, Jade, and Tania all gasped at once upon hearing Eric’s announcement as he stood behind them.

"Hey... why are you guys reacting like that?" Eric asked, confused.

Emma, Ruby, Jade, and Tania looked over at Billy and Wendy, whom they had met earlier, and then turned their eyes back to Eric.

"Doesn’t this mean you’re performing right before us?" Tania asked.

"Yeah... which means after the audience sees you, they see us next," Ruby added.

"Doesn’t that actually make things way harder on us?" Jade asked.

"You’re always like this, never thinking things through first. And why are you jumping in too, Laura?" Emma scolded, pouting.

Eric could tell the four girls sitting in front of the mirrors were extremely nervous, so much so that the makeup artists were struggling because the girls kept breaking into a sweat again.

On top of that, Eric could practically hear their hearts pounding fast and loud. Eric walked over to the four of them and leaned down, softly kissing the top of Emma’s head before placing his hand on Ruby’s, Jade’s, and Tania’s heads one by one.

"Relax, you guys are going to blow my performance out of the water. Don’t be scared, okay?" Eric said with a smile.

"Uuuh," the four of them were rendered speechless after looking into Eric’s face. They turned back toward the mirror to let the makeup artists finish their work. Eric glanced back at Billy, Wendy, and Laura, and after saying goodbye to the four girls in the makeup chairs, they all walked out to get ready elsewhere.