She got some guts!

The song had ended when Vanessa opened her eyes after the last strike on the drums, and applause echoed throughout the club. There wasn't a single person who wasn't impressed with their performance, including Austin! Disappointed that the song was ended too quickly, despite the fact that it had taken roughly five minutes, the crowd chanted in unison, "one more, please!" "Yes, we want to hear another song, please!" The band members who had just stood up from their instruments and were about to walk down the stage paused and looked at Vanessa after hearing their pleas. Because the rest of the band members had already agreed with their request, and Vanessa wasn't the one who hadn't shown any response yet. So, her decision would be the final whether they would probably play another song or not. Sensing their gazes, Vanessa brushed her hair casually, raised her sticks and pounded the drums lazily in accord, and mumbled, "I'm in." With that said, all of them had occupied their seats, and Vanessa once again showed the magic with her sticks as she effortlessly tuned the beat with her swiftly moving hands and the audience were in an uproar. The club was completely invigorated by loud applause and whistles, and the atmosphere had instantly changed to that of a music concert! The people down the stage were mesmerized as if she had cast a spell on them with her drums and it was a scene one couldn't forget! They finally stopped performing and walked down the stage after about half an hour. Despite their exhaustion, their spirits were energized because it had been almost eight years since they had been so impassioned! Fiona's eyes crinkled with delight, but a pout formed on her lips as she expressed her dissatisfaction with the fact that they had already come to a halt, and she muttered, "I really think we could list our band and make a debut. I'm pretty sure we would be a hit then!" Hearing her words, Vanessa, who was gulping down the lukewarm water, paused and lifted her brows, while she tilted her head and peeped at Fiona, amusement flickering over her face as if she had just heard a hilarious joke, and whispered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "you wouldn't even show up if we truly make a premiere!" "Damn!" Fiona cussed because she knew what Vanessa said was correct! Although anyone couldn't ignore Fiona's interest in music and bass guitar, she wasn't the type to follow the rules and behave. So, she would be the first to abandon the whole notion if they did actually appear and were shackled by a slew of laws. Furthermore, none of them were as naive as they were back then, and they all had responsibilities to fulfill. Because Jasper was a cardiologist, he should be available for nearly any emergency because people's lives were in his hands. And, Oliver, who had the appearance of a youngster, could make anyone lay their heads down if he put on a serious expression and got down to business, as he had matured and taken over his family's business. On the other hand, Evelyn was a renowned artist, and her works would go up to millions if they were auctioned or put on in a gallery. So, it was already unusual for them to retain their adolescent enthusiasm, and agreed to play for a night! With that, Fiona scratched the back of her neck and smiled sheepishly, as Vanessa had already taken a perfect guess that she couldn't deny, and continued innocently, "Vanessa, did you enjoy the night?" "Of course," Vanessa responded almost instantaneously, sipping the remaining water leisurely while reflecting on how long it had been since she had been so carefree and fully enjoying her life. The answer, of course, was self-evident! Because she was always on tenterhooks during her three years of married life, fearful of making a mistake in the Jones household, but now that she is divorced, she can reclaim her happiness! When she was in a daze, a woman accidentally hit Vanessa's shoulder and the glass in her hands fell down while the water spilled on her dress. who had been standing off to the side, rushed over with a tissue in his hand and gently wiped the stains from Vanessa's clothes, startling both of them, but he smiled and she shook her head as a warm smile grew across her lips. "Aurora Flores?" Vanessa asked, surprised, as she looked at the perpetrator. Aurora nervously stood there and nodded, her face flushed with shame, "Sorry for the trouble. I was in a hurry and didn't notice you." Vanessa laughed and waved her hands dismissively, "alright. It's not a big deal, just water." Aurora gave a grateful smile and added with a wink, "By the way, you rocked tonight! I was awe struck hearing you guys perform after so long!" Indeed, she was feeling great because she put all of her worries aside and immersed herself in playing drums and a cheerful smile adorned her beautiful face. When she was conversing with her friends and catching up with them, she saw a familiar silhouette coming towards her and she couldn't help but frown. In the next second, David stood in front of her and mumbled while clapping his hands, "wow, Vanessa. Your drumming skills were truly excellent." Vanessa, who was carefree till then, had abruptly turned frigid as she had masked her emotions completely, and kept a polite smile on her face, "Mr. Harrison. I'm honored to hear your compliments." David chuckled, "there's no need to be so polite to me, Vanessa. It's been so long since I have last seen you." Vanessa eyed him for a while and mumbled, "indeed, Mr. Harrison." Hearing her, David continued as he was still engrossed in the exciting emotions that surged in him, "you have amazed us with your performance." Vanessa didn't respond to him and blinked as if trying to understand what he was up to, and she wondered, "Is he the same man who had despised my existence in the past?" In the meanwhile, Fiona chimed in when he heard the word 'us' and she asked straightforwardly, "what do you mean by us? Who else is present with you?" After she blurted out, David stiffened and smirked. Sensing his changes, Fiona gasped, and she couldn't help but murmur, "Is it Austin?" However, Austin had already walked over to them leaving her dumbfounded, but Vanessa stood there as if his presence didn't bother her! Since he wasn't saying anything except eyeing her, her brows twitched in annoyance, and she queried, "Mr. Jones. It's strange seeing you in such a high pitched club. What do we owe for your presence here?" Listening to her words, David cleared his throat and straightened his back, "I'm a regular here, and Austin came to accompany me a few minutes ago." Vanessa sneered and taunted, "Oh. I think I have smeared Mr. Jones's ears then, and they would probably bleed anytime soon, am I correct?" After she finished her words, Austin came dangerously close to her, leaving only a few inches gap between them, making the atmosphere tense. Although she said it in a neutral tone, he heard the mockery in it, and his face turned cold as he heard them clearly. When David, who stood near them, had heard her words, he was stunned and didn't know how to react for a minute, because her performance was an overnight sensation and it was a fact as the audience were so hyped up hearing their songs. But she had said it harmed Austin's ears! How can such a beautiful song hurt Austin? If her words were not a deliberate mockery, then what else did she mean? Suddenly he discerned Vanessa wasn't the same anymore, and he even felt she had a knack for dark humor seeing how effortlessly she had managed to say such a remark! "Indeed," Austin said, his tone was so cold that would send chills down anyone's spine, but Vanessa was not afraid of him! Hearing it, Fiona almost wanted to teach Austin a lesson, but Vanessa gestured her to remain calm and glanced at Austin, and mumbled with a scoff, "after all, it's a known fact that Mr.Jones wasn't a fan of loud noises." Listening to her words, Austin clenched his fists while his gaze turned dark and his aura turned frosty! Seeing the audacity of Vanessa and how tacitly she handled the previous scandal with Isabella five months ago and exposed Austin's forbidden romance causing a plot twist, he understood he underestimated her capabilities. Then again, she just proved she was the epitome of double word play! Because Vanessa's sarcasm went unnoticed by the rest of the room, and she managed to provoke Austin with ease! David almost had an urge to appreciate her braveness but stopped himself and pondered, "standing up against Austin openly, she sure got some guts!"