I Am Yours, Mr Chevalier!
The Part 58
"Houston .. you were amazing, thank you!"
Ben ended his concert that night at White Oak Music Hall in Houston. Audience rumbles. The retainers of The Rebellion waved towards the sea of humans below the stage. Hysterical screams still rang out until the four figures of the long-haired man were nowhere to be seen.
Backstage, the four were greeted by the crew and some people from the venue. Hailey was among them. Standing next to Jack, the manager. His view cannot be separated from the figure of Ben.
Marry brought some beer crates helped by a man of large stature and a long beard.
"Cheers!"
Everyone in the room raised their own beer bottles. Celebrate the concert that night that went smoothly and also spectacular. Like the Rebellion concerts before.
Moments later, everyone was immersed in their respective chatter.
Hailey approaches Ben who is enjoying a beer and takes a deep smoke.
The approachable rolled his eyeballs. Looks pushy.
"You can stop being handsome for a moment" said Hailey.
Ben hissing. Pulling Marcus' shirt beside him, the man is dragged in front of Ben, becoming his shield to avoid Hailey.
"Marc, please help me!" pinta Ben from behind Marcus's back.
Marcus was just a whimper. While Hailey's face was pouting.
"Hailey .. be patient, don't be so aggressive like that, look, Ben's so scared" Marcus joked. This time, Hailey laughed.
"I just wanted to say goodbye" Hailey said, peeking at Ben still standing behind Marcus.
"Ouh .. I'm so relieved" said Ben.
Hailey grunting. "Give me a hug" whined Hailey, opening both hands. Gesticulating to Ben to come to him. Marcus pushes Ben to a distance from the girl. Hailey hugged Ben without hesitation. So tight that it makes Ben a badass.
"Okay, I have to go to the airport now, I don't want to miss the plane" Hailey said, letting go of her arms.
Ben shook his palm. "Bye, Hailey," he said later.
Hailey waves and gives Ben a long-distance kiss. While Marcus was behind him just stupefied.
"The girl seems to have been bewitched by your charm" he said as Hailey's figure disappeared behind the door.
Ben scratched his head which was not itchy at all.
"Who wouldn't?" sahut Ben is proud. Just Barrel, maybe. Ben smiled wryly, a shadow of Laras suddenly appeared in his mind. What's the girl doing, is she still angry?
***
The Rebellion tour bus runs down the interstate road leaving Texas for their next stopover town, Wichita, Kansas. The journey will be eight hours and forty minutes.
Ben stretched his muscles that felt sore. The cabin curtain's closed. From the outside, some people were still talking.
Ben had no intention of joining. Her body feels tired.
He picked up the cell phone lying next to him. There were several messages from Anita, and one from her mother, Monica Chevalier.
Good luck with your tour, love you.
Ben smiles. Rarely did her mother send her a message. Maybe only on important days like his birthday, thanksgiving or Christmas. Richard Chevalier, his father, never.
Thanks, Monica, love you too.
Ben pressed the send button on his screen. Then take a deep breath. No messages or calls from Baras. Ben is eager to get Pablo to check on the girl, but is afraid that it will add to Laras's frustration with her.
The clock on his phone screen showed at one o'clock in the early hours of thirty minutes. Obviously Laras just got home from work. Ben tapped the fingers of his left hand onto the small table beside him. Thinking of contacting Laras. But doubt was in his chest.
"F**k it, I'll text it!" he swore to himself.
Ben wrote a series of short words to send to Laras.
Trying his luck, whether the girl will repay him or ignore him.
Sweet dream, Barrel.
Ben waited for a reply with a thumping heart. Ten minutes passed. Phone's vibrating.
Ben, I can't sleep.
It was almost Ben soaring with joy reading a reply to a message from Laras. Heart's pounding. Without a second thought, he dialed the Baras number immediately.
"Hey, don't tell me you're drinking?" joke Ben.
Little laugh broke. "Little."
"I'm sorry I upset you."
"Hmmm ...."
"I miss you."
Barrel's rarity sounded. Then it cleared its throat once, it seemed like the girl was controlling herself to react just normally with Ben's words.
"It's weird, New York feels lonely these days."
Ben smiled at her side. It seemed like he knew the direction the girl was talking.
"Maybe it's because someone you miss isn't in town" she said.
"Mmmm ...."
Is that your reaction? Scream Ben in the heart.
"Yeah, it might be . but he's so annoying, it feels like I want to punch him in the face that pretentious handsome."
"Isn't he really handsome?"
"It's still better looking Trump."
"Hey .. The old man's hairdo is terrible," grumbled Ben.
The laughter broke again. Ben's heart warms. His longing for the girl was truly unstoppable.
"Without?" call Ben.
"Hmmm ...."
"Aren't you going to catch up with me?"
"I'm so busy, and .. hey, because you kidnapped me for that crazy road trip idea of yours, Larry cut my paycheck, it's so annoying, it's so crazy, now I have to go the extra mile in Boucherie to pay for my apartment this month!"
"Wow, why was Larry so mean. I really don't suspect it, then I'll take responsibility."
"You mean?"
"I'll help you pay your rent."
"Owh .. no need Ben, I don't mean to ask you to help me at all."
"By the way, I forced!"
I heard Laras breathing slowly.
"You write down your account number later, I'll get people to transfer the money."
"Ben, you're making me feel bad."
"It's just money Laras, you're worth more than that."
There was no answer from Laras across the street, it seemed like the girl was digesting Ben's words.
"You're getting sleepy?" ask Ben. When you hear only the roar of breath.
"Yes ...."
"Okay, I'll let you rest."
"Nurus ...."
"Sweet dream, Baras .. I love you" said Ben, with the last words he only said in his heart.
Ben hung up. Smile rises.
Hearing the girl's voice slightly treated the longing that was rising in her chest. Ben closed his eyes, savoring the sound of Samuel Barber's adagio for string orchestra.
***
Author's Note :
Ben called his mother by his first name only. It is common in western countries, children can call their father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt or older people by their first name only without frills.
