Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 117

Chapter 117- Bond

Miexha’s Point of View

I made it to the mall.
Barely.
With my unwilling fiancé dragging behind like a human raincloud.

I shoved Jayson toward the café like my life depended on it.
“Go sit. Drink something overpriced and bitter. Like your personality.”

But no. Apparently, he's my bodyguard now.

“Thanks to you dragging me out of the mansion, I got a job,” he muttered, arms crossed like a sulking security guard.

“Fine. Growl at me later. I’m late.”

Across the mall, I spotted them.

A group of teenagers, clustered near the corner. A guitar case. A keyboard on wheels. A cajón. No flashy lights, no clout-chasing. Just pure music vibes.

I didn’t bring anything. Not even a triangle.
(Thanks, panic brain.)

If instruments were required, I’d just buy one.

I took a breath and stepped closer.
“Hi! I’m… I’m littlelune from the group chat.”

Three girls instantly squealed.

“Oh my god, you’re so tiny and cute in real life!”
“She’s adorable!”
“Like a flower fairy!”

My brain short-circuited.
“…Thanks. I eat vegetables sometimes.”

Then a cute guy walked up.
Tall. Guitar case slung across his back. That kind of confident walk that says main character energy.

“I’m Sonata,” he said, smiling.

Wait. Sonata?
Wasn’t Sonata supposed to be a girl?!

He reached out for a handshake. I took it. Because manners. Then I looked up.

Black hair. Warm brown eyes. Smile so perfect I questioned reality.
Oh no.
He was glowy.

“Why the bucket hat?” he teased. “You look cute.”

I melted. Almost.
But before I could combust into song lyrics—

Jayson appeared.
Like a very territorial crow.

“Too close,” he snapped, yanking me back.

Panic mode: activated.
“This is my brother! My very strict older brother! I’m fourteen! A minor!”

I might’ve yelled that last part.

Jayson looked like he was about to sue me for defamation.
I pinched his hand. Hard.

One girl squinted. “Wait… he looks familiar.”

“Yeah,” I said flatly. “He has one of those faces. Like traffic enforcers.”

They laughed.
Oh.
Did I just win social points?

We started setting up at a corner of the mall. Speaker. Tip box. Casual. Cozy.
No sponsors. No microphones dipped in diamonds.
Thank god I didn’t bring my gold-plated violin.

Sonata turned to me, holding a second mic.
“What do you want to play or sing?”

"I... Can sing?"

I froze.
Why did I say sing?
I haven’t sung in public in over a year.

They asked for a sample.
The what-ifs clawed at my throat.
What if I forgot the lyrics?
What if I croaked like an enchanted toad?

But then—
I hummed.
One note. Then another.

And then I sang. Soft at first.
“All Too Well” by Taylor Swift.