Emerson chose a seat as far away from Norah as possible, his actions betraying a certain discomfort. “Starbear, what’s the reason for your visit?” he asked.
The sudden appearance of Starbear, after a long silence in the group chat, brought back a sense of apprehension to Emerson, even as Rosy Secret’s leader.
Emerson was puzzled by the intense vibe a young woman like her could radiate. Reflecting on the band’s recent actions, Emerson felt a pang of guilt.
“I caught your show earlier,” Norah stated, her look icy. “I was… surprised.”
Emerson clenched his left fist. “Is that so? Well, the band has been performing together for years.”
“It’d be disappointing if we hadn’t made any progress,” Norah said. “However, I noted that many of your allegedly original tracks aren’t creations of Rosy Secret. Why claim them as the band’s?”
Norah confronted Emerson directly, catching him off guard with her assertion.
Joanna was taken aback. She couldn’t grasp how Norah knew the band’s music wasn’t authentic.
Feigning composure, Emerson defended himself. “What do you mean? Every melody and lyric came from us! Starbeam, perhaps your time away has muddled your memory.”
Norah scoffed, saying, “Do you think I can’t recognize my own work? Those pieces your band has appropriated were my creations. Do you honestly believe they match the original quality? It feels like ever since your band’s songwriter left, everything you guys make is just a bunch of noise!”
“Starbeam, provide evidence for your accusations! How can you say those things?” Emerson shot back.
“Because I’m the author of those songs!” Norah’s gaze carried a touch of melancholy as she faced Emerson.
Joanna’s jaw dropped in astonishment. The revelation that Norah had been behind Rosy Secret’s acclaimed music was beyond her imagination. She had no idea that Norah’s compositions could resonate so profoundly.
Emerson, still processing the shock, stammered. “But… the band used those songs and lyrics shared in the group chat, right? I recall warning you those weren’t ready yet and to hold off on using them. But you not only went ahead and used them, but did so poorly.”
Norah sat back, arms crossed, disdain clearly evident. “It looks like without my input, the band has lost its edge.”
Emerson, standing abruptly, pointed at Norah, his voice raised. “So, you were the band’s songwriter. Big deal! We’ve thrived even in your absence!”
“Our earnings and fame have grown,” Emerson sneered. “Don’t flatter yourself!” Norah retorted sharply. “So, you capitalize on my work and then claim I’m irrelevant? The lack of gratitude is astounding.”
Emerson, visibly agitated, leaned in and said, “Starbeam, I’ve been patient with you because of your past contributions, but don’t test my patience!”
Norah snapped back, “You’re the one pushing your luck! You shamelessly take the songs and lyrics shared in the group and pass them off as the band’s original work. That is crossing a line!”
Emerson sneered dismissively. “We used them, yes. But you should have asked for permission first. Consider this your official notice-you’re out of Rosy Secret.”
Norah let out a bitter laugh, reminiscing about Emerson’s once idealistic nature, now overshadowed by his greed. “Please, leave the chat group. Don’t hinder our progress!” Emerson glanced at Norah on the couch and left the room with an icy demeanor.
Joanna sat up, fuming. “Norah, that’s going too far. I’m going to find them and teach them a lesson.”
Joanna couldn’t believe that Norah had been the creative force behind Rosy Secret. Thinking about Emerson’s arrogant attitude extinguished her desire to get the guitarist’s contact information. Now, she was intent on giving the band a lesson they needed for their shamelessness in stealing Norah’s work.
A newfound determination filled Norah. “His arrogance stems from a plan to exclude me all along. But if I could be the reason for Rosy Secret’s success, I can do the same for others. His success, built on my work, will only make his downfall sweeter when the time comes.”
With her eyes narrowing, Norah’s smile radiated unwavering confidence.
“Norah, just say the word, and I’m with you all the way,” Joanna said, fists clenched, already plotting their next move.
After asking some questions about the connection between Rosy Secret and Norah, Joanna finally got the picture of the situation.
“So, they claimed your song and lyrics as their own creation? Damn, how dare they!” Joanna, visibly upset, blurted out. “Norah, how did you keep yourself from confronting them physically?”
Norah gave Joanna a look and said, “Getting physical can’t change anything. Rest assured, they’ll soon learn their lesson.”
Joanna nodded, sensing that Norah’s tolerance was only reserved for Derek. Norah’s attitude toward others’ wrongdoings fluctuated with her mood-lenient on good days, unforgiving on bad ones.
“Come on, I’ll walk you out.” Supporting Joanna, Norah descended the stairs just as Derek, Kathy, and Madeline started to walk their way out of the Glamour Club. Norah and Joanna continued, unaware of Derek and his group trailing behind them.
Kathy, noticing Norah and Joanna in front of them, pointed out, “Isn’t that Norah? Norah and Joanna, right? Are they here to enjoy themselves at Glamour Club?”
Madeline’s eyes darkened, schemes forming in her mind. “Miss Wilson deserves some relaxation, given she seldom got out much when she looked after Derek.”
Kathy, oblivious to Madeline’s changing expression, added, “So, she’s here scouting for a man? That must be the reason she’d come to Glamour Club.”
With a calculating look, Kathy stepped forward and yelled, “Hey, Norah!”
Norah stopped but didn’t turn around. She continued toward the exit.
Kathy persisted, “Norah, I’m speaking to you, don’t you hear me?”
Facing Kathy’s obstruction, Norah responded sharply, “I only respond to human language.”
Kathy’s irritation spiked. “You!”
Norah looked back and saw Madeline clinging to Derek, both staring at her in dismay.
Joanna let go of Norah’s hand, advanced, and shoved Kathy aside. “Such nerve! Given the Carter family’s standing, you dare to make such a scene?”
Joanna faced Derek directly. “If you, Mr. Carter, can’t keep your sister in line, I’ll have to.”
Madeline intervened with a soft voice, seizing the moment to play the nice guy, “Miss Andrews, please, there’s no need for hostility. Miss Wilson lived with the Carter family. Kathy just wanted to catch up with her.”
Norah rolled her eyes at Madeline’s hypocritical words and said, “Seriously? A catch-up, you said? Miss Powell, I don’t see anything for Kathy to catch up with me. Mind if I offer unsolicited advice? Mr. Carter, you might want to focus on how you handle the upcoming divorce lawsuit.”
Derek and Madeline’s expressions darkened.
Norah pulled Joanna back to her side and advised, “If you’ve had too much to drink, it’s time to head home. There’s no use making a scene here except for making all of you clowns look ridiculous.”
Kason, flanked by his bodyguards on his way out, instantly noticed them by the entrance. “Miss Wilson, Miss Andrews, you leaving? Why didn’t you let…?”
Kason’s commanding presence seemed to fill the space as he approached, silencing Derek and his group. With a tone of mild reproach, Kason addressed Norah, noticing Joanna’s drunken state. “Miss Andrews, are you drunk?”
Joanna, struggling with her balance, confessed, “Yes, quite drunk, and everything is spinning.”
Kason then turned his attention to Derek and his group, slightly puzzled. “Have I interrupted something? What’s this discussion about?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.