Mr. Casanova

The Night the Music Died

CHAPTER SIX

The weight of Gemini's constant worry and protectiveness had become a familiar burden for Fourth. It was a constant reminder of their unusual situation, a tangled web of arranged engagement and blossoming feelings. Today, Fourth and his band were playing a gig at the bar where he had been harassed months ago, a place that held a painful memory. Gemini, unaware of the incident, was consumed with worry, his anxiety a palpable presence.

"Are you going there, man?" Gemini asked Mark, his voice laced with concern. Mark, however, was unfazed, his face lit up with anticipation. "Of course. I want to have some drinks with some girls," he smirked, his words a reflection of his carefree nature. Gemini shook his head, his disbelief evident.

"Really? In front of Ford? Are you dumb?" Gemini asked, his voice sharp, his annoyance evident. Mark shrugged, his nonchalance infuriating Gemini.At the bar, the band was setting up their instruments, preparing for the night ahead. The familiar space held a mix of excitement and apprehension for Fourth. He was nervous, but he was determined to put on a good show.

Gemini was already there, watching Fourth, his gaze fixed on him. Mark noticed his intense focus, a subtle shift in his friend's demeanor. He knew that Gemini was falling for Fourth, but his friend was still in denial.

"Do you like him already?" Mark asked, his voice teasing, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Gemini, still focused on Fourth, looked at Mark, confused. "I don't know either, Mark," he said, taking a sip of his drink, his words a mixture of uncertainty and resignation.

"Do you want to know?" Mark asked, not waiting for an answer, he pulled Gemini towards a group of girls, their flirtatious laughter filling the air. Fourth saw them, his heart sinking. He knew that Gemini didn't care about anyone when it came to girls.

Gemini, however, was annoyed. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice laced with frustration.

"Let's find out if you like him or not," Mark said, his voice playful, as a couple of girls flirted with them, their attention a welcome distraction from the turmoil brewing within Gemini.

Fourth was performing, his voice filling the bar with a mix of energy and emotion. He saw Gemini, flirting with girls, drinking, his actions a stark contrast to the protectiveness he had shown him earlier. But why should he care? He told himself it wasn't his business, yet a pang of jealousy pierced his heart. It wasn't just Gemini, though. He was with Mark, his best friend's fiancé, and they were both flirting with other girls, right in front of them.

As Fourth finished his song, Ford took the stage, his voice a powerful instrument, his emotions raw and vulnerable. "First Love" by Nont Tanont filled the air, a melody that resonated with the pain of unrequited love. Fourth was shocked to see tears streaming down Ford's face. He felt a wave of empathy wash over him, a desire to comfort his friend, but then he saw it - Ford kissing a girl.

As the song neared its end, Fourth felt a sharp pain in his chest, a feeling he couldn't ignore. He wanted to cry, to scream, to run away. Why was he feeling this way? Why did he feel so jealous, so betrayed? He wanted to pull Ford away from that girl, to protect him from the pain he was experiencing, but he couldn't.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Ford running off the stage, his friends rushing to his side, their concern evident.

"I'll go with him," Fourth said, stopping his friends, who were about to follow Ford. They nodded, their understanding evident. As Fourth looked towards the person who had caused Ford's pain, he saw Gemini, his face a mixture of indifference and amusement, his actions a betrayal of the trust he had built with Fourth. He looked at Gemini, his gaze filled with a mixture of disbelief and hurt. He left the stage, his heart heavy with a mixture of anger and confusion.

He found Ford in the garden, his sobs echoing through the night. Fourth hugged him, trying to comfort him, his own heart aching with a shared pain. He knew what Ford was going through, having experienced a similar betrayal himself. He didn't realize he was crying too, his tears a silent testament to the pain he was feeling.

"Fourth, don't be like me, na. It will hurt you so bad," Ford said, his voice choked with sobs, his words a desperate plea.

"I'm sorry, Ford, but now..." Fourth paused, his voice trembling. Ford looked at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "But now, I think I like him. I like him so much that I feel cheated," Fourth said, his voice a whisper, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"I don't even like what I'm feeling now, Ford. It hurts like how it hurts you," he continued, his voice filled with despair. He hugged Ford, his embrace a silent promise of support.Fourth and Ford returned to the bar, their hearts heavy with pain. They found their friends sitting with Gemini and Mark, the tension in the air thick and palpable. Fourth could feel the animosity between Satang and Winny and the two men.

"What the fuck are you both playing?" Winny asked, his voice laced with anger. Fourth and Ford avoided their gaze, their faces a mixture of sadness and resignation.

"What are we playing?" Mark asked back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Winny's anger flared, but Satang intervened, trying to calm him.

"Let's be serious here. We accepted you both when our friends introduced you as their fiancés, even though we all know how heartless you both are," Satang said, his voice firm, his words a condemnation of their actions. He looked at Fourth, who was comforting Ford, who was having a breakdown. Fourth didn't care anymore that Mark was witnessing his vulnerability.

"Gemini, the other day you cared so much about Fourth, but then tonight, you let him see you kissing with other hoes. You announced your engagement to the whole damn nation, then you're doing such a scandalous thing," Satang said, his voice filled with righteous anger, his words a direct accusation. Gemini clenched his fist, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"And you, Mark Pakin," Satang continued, pointing at Mark. "Ford is so soft-hearted. You shouldn't treat him like that. Give him some respect," he said, his voice filled with disappointment.

The silence that followed Satang's words was deafening. It was broken only by Ford's voice, his words a declaration of his pain. "I'm calling off this engagement," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of hurt and determination.

Everyone was shocked, their faces a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "Wha-what? No, Ford," Mark stammered, his voice laced with panic.

"Why, Mark? I can't play with you anymore. It's already hurting me. I hate the fact that I'm liking you now, and I hate that feeling. I hate it to death!" Ford yelled, his voice filled with hurt, his words a torrent of emotion. He ran out, leaving everyone in his wake. Fourth was about to follow him, but Mark was faster. Fourth was about to leave when Gemini called out to him.

"Fourth..." he said, his voice a mixture of desperation and regret.

Fourth turned his back to him, his voice filled with exhaustion. "Let's not talk about this now. I'm tired," he said, his words a plea for space. He left, his heart heavy with a mixture of pain and confusion.

Satang followed him, along with the other members of the band, except for Winny. Gemini was left alone, his tears flowing freely, his heart filled with a mixture of guilt and despair. Winny knew that Gemini was hurting, but he couldn't defend him.

"Give him time. If you like him, pursue him. Don't be a coward, Gem. Fourth likes you. But he just can't express it. He's scared of you. Of how cruel you can be. If you're scared to lose him, go after him. But for now, let him rest," Winny said, his words a mixture of advice and encouragement.

End of Chapter