Fated Retribution

03 [Target Delta]

12th September, Friday, 2:54 am, 2028

Life is poison and the elixir is sadly relative.

To every person, there is this one thing they love doing, there is something they absolutely enjoy and it brings them peace. A feeling foreign to me as of late.

I twirled the drumsticks in my hand as the echo of my tapping foot resonated in the empty studio, humming a tune mindlessly with a million thoughts surging in my mind. My eyes travelled to the ticking clock at the wall, tiredly widening a little at the sight.

2:57 am

Well, they didn't lie when they said night is for artists. Cracking my neck and rolling my shoulders, I twirled the drumstick in my hand one last time before starting to pick up a beat and make my flow. The rhythm and vibrations immediately calmed me as my arms and feet moved on auto-pilot.

My elixir?

It was music.

"You shouldn't be here."

A deep voice laced with concern came from behind me. I immediately recognized the source and stopped playing the instrument at once but I didn't look back. "Neither should you." I retorted.

"Yeah well, I am not the one who just won her first ever award and unlike her fellow band members is not wasting the night away but sulking in an empty studio." My head dropped and I sighed 'This man.' I thought.

I finally looked back, coming face to face with Ronan Ghyleo, the manager of the most famous pop band 'Velvet Concord' and the man who made me what I am today.

I had met Ronan back in college. I had taken up music as an extra subject on a dare and it had turned out to be the best decision of my life. Ronan was quick to assess that I didn't actually have interest in learning music and was just messing around but somewhere he had seen how reckless I was and how much I needed him. His meaningful teachings and life lessons drew me to him and the next thing I knew, I was learning how to play drums.

He is the reason I became a part of Velvet Concord too. When one of his ex-students; Devin Cassley, our lead vocalist, had set out to find a percussionist for the same, Ronan had been quick to bring my name up and the rest was history.

"You know I don't like all of that. I just don't feel like I have achieved anything but like I have and I deserve the love, like c'mon have you seen me? It's weird I don't know what I am saying." I pushed my head in my hands and groaned loudly as my sleeves rode up, exposing my tattooed arms.

Ronan gasped, "Is that a new one?" He asked, partly in shock and partly in hurt.

"Did you even hear any of that?" I deadpanned

"Yeah, sorry." He cleared his throat as he made his way towards me and pulled a chair right beside my stool. I looked at him and he smiled at me, making me throw a lazy one at him too.

"The only truth that came out of your mouth since I have arrived is that you deserve love. Don't beat yourself up for things which you don't even know about." I looked at him, deep in thought as I pondered on his words.

"And I think you need to hide your lingerie better." He snickered as my head snapped towards the studio entrance where a pink bralette hung from the doorframe.

"Ah that, you know, celebration." I waved him off.

"What was the celebration's name?" He smirked, I gave him a light shove before responding, "Julia? Juliet? I don't know. She was Romanian, she was hot." I shrugged and Ronan laughed in response.

"That's the Bridget I know." He said and I shrugged

"Couldn't let today happen without a proper evening for myself."

He reached out to give me a pat on the shoulder when a letter fell out of his coat pocket. I curiously gazed at the heavy-looking envelope, my name and address written in bold letters.

He bent to pick it up as I stood from my stool and popped open a can of Coors from the mini fridge.

"You got mail." He said.

"Way to state the obvious." I rolled my eyes, but Ronan paid no heed as he tore open the seal.

"Is it some crazy fan mail again? I swear, I am not tolerating anymore-"

"Dear alumnus. We, the authorities at Ash Field Academy, are pleased to invite you to the 40th inaugural anniversary of our institution.

This year, our mission is to cater to the needy and helpless by introducing a new initiative for the less fortunate and we request your humble presence at the ceremony.

Keeping your amazing career and success in mind, we would be pleased to have you among us on the 15th of September in the school premises once again as an example for our future students for the same. We will cordially await your presence and are very proud of you and your achievements

signed,

Ash Field Academy Management"

My jaw hung open as Ronan finished reading the letter. He looked up with a grin and fanned himself with the same. "Some fan mail huh?"

I rushed over and took the piece of paper from his hands and read it myself. It was real, not some sick joke.

"Where'd you get this?" I asked, voice soft and meek from happiness.

"Some weirdo in a trench coat dropped it in the afternoon." He shrugged, taking the beer can from me and having a sip for himself.

"I can't believe this." I muttered as Ronan chuckled lightly. "It is very real, kiddo. But you have a meet and greet on 15-"

"Are you kidding me Ronan? My school has recognized me for the first time. I am not missing it for some meet and greet." I cut him off as I ran a hand through my hair. my thoughts started to wander to my outfit for the event.

"But Bridget its-"

"I don't care. I am going back to Ash Field."