Aces Series: Lucky's Charm

LC 01

In times Clover doesn’t have any outside activities and practices, Clover would only stay in the penthouse already named to him, consuming his time as he procrastinates. Just like now, Cover was lazily lying on his back on the couch. His feet were resting on the small table more or less a meter away from the couch, one foot over the other. He was holding his favorite black headphones with strips of silver on the edges as a design that was on his neck, which he was about to wear and place over his ears. Clover’s eyes were focused on the television in front of him. The television was flashing some news of the current events in show business.

Frowning, Clover’s eyebrows met in between, connecting and forming a curved line. His eyes were fixed on the face of a guy that appeared on the television screen as the news shifted to the latest ongoing world violin competition. The guy was very familiar to Clover. Creasing his forehead, Clover tried to recall where he saw the guy until his eyes became deadly serious. How could he forget the guy? The guy was the one who had the guts to smirk at him and threw him a challenging look when the time their eyes met. Yes, the guy was the same guy Clover had noticed after his recent concerto and the one who waited for him at the backdoor just to drain a portion of his patience. The guy had the confidence to get into Clover’s nerves.

“Who the fvcking hell is that guy?” Clover grumbled. A hint of displeasure and irritation would be sounded in his voice.

Clover rolled his eyes, momentarily moving his eyes off from the television screen. Just the sight of the guy’s face was a sight Clover could not last looking for a longer amount of time. But he couldn’t stop himself from stealing glances of the guy’s face on the television screen. Clover’s face, most especially his lips, might not be showing emotions, but his eyes were enough to speak for what’s running around in his mind.

“As far as I know, that guy is Aster. Aster Lachowski. He is one of the contestants who was eyed to be the grand winner of that said world violin competition,” Lizter replied to Clover’s unmindful question. He then placed a glass of water on the table. The water was for Clover.

Clover turned his head to Lizter. He watched him sitting on the vacant couch next to where he was comfortably sitting. Brows still furrowed, Clover raised one brow, nonverbally asking Lizter to tell him more about that Aster guy. He lets go of the headphones, leaving it hanging around his neck. He then pressed his hands on the couch, on his sides. He pushed himself up, repositioning himself on the couch, sitting properly. His back went straight and leaned back on the backrest. His eyes did not leave a glance of Lizter, staring and waiting for the information he needed.

“Lizter. . .” Clover mentioned when he did not receive a response from his jack. He crossed his arms against his chest. “How come you know him and I don’t?”

Lizter gestured a hand, pointing at the television screen. “Clearly, you did not pay attention to what you are watching, Clover. Haven’t you heard the reporter just said it a minute ago?” He then nudged his head, directing Clover to look at the television.

“I am. . .”

Lizter lifted his eyebrows, not believing Clover.

“Yeah. I am not listening to the news. I got busy remembering who that guy is because he looked so familiar to me,” Clover surrendered but he remained himself composed. As usual, even though Clover admits it was his fault, his self-confidence hasn’t melted a single bit. “Anyway, what do you know more?”

“Nothing much other than what the news had said and the guy who waited for you at the backdoor of the opera house.” A playful grin drew on Lizter’s lips. “You feel threatened?” Lizter continued in a teasing manner.

Clover darted his sharp gazes straight into Lizter’s eyes. It was as if he was giving Lizter a warning and stopping what he was trying to point out. “I am serious, Lizter.”

The grin on Lizter’s lips faded out in a snap. Lizter cleared his throat and immediately entered into his serious mode, matching up with the atmosphere spilling out from Clover and surrounding him. “What do you want me to do?” he asked.

Clover was about to answer Lizter when he heard a voice coming from the television that caught his attention, cutting him from what he was about to instruct Lizter. He then quickly moved his head, bringing his eyes back to the television. The sound of the voice was giving Clover a feeling where he found himself in difficulty explaining what it is.

“What can you say to the people, especially your fans, that the grand finals would be just a formality to declare you as the grand winner of this year’s edition of the world violin competition?” the reporter from a studio. The reporter was shown on the left side of the screen. And on the right side was Lizter from a live video call.

Not leaving his eyes from the screen even in the slightest bit of second, Clover seemed to be invested in hearing Aster’s reply. He forgot the words he would tell Lizter.

A small smile creeping on his, Aster chuckled upon hearing the question. It looked like he did not take the question seriously. As if he could not believe that there are people thinking that he is that good to win the contest, to secure a sure win. Aster covered his mouth with his right hand yet the smile was still evident in his eyes.

“I’m sorry if I laughed. I just don’t think that way. The competition itself is bloody.” Aster paused for a mere second as if he realized what he just said. “I mean, the competition is tough because all of the contestants are masters of their crafts and really trained hard enough to have the chance to join the competition.” Slowly, his tone of voice transitioned to serious. “And I am very lucky to be part of the grand finals as one of the finalists. I never expected that I would reach this far of the competition because, to tell you honestly, all I could think of before was that I could at least join the competition. I don’t care if I would be eliminated instantly in the first round as long as I am one of the official contestants,” Aster explained. He then smiled. “But seriously, I am very surprised knowing that I have fans.” Aster scratched the back of his head and down to his nape.

“What a terrible liar he is. . .” Hissing, Clover rolled his eyes with Aster’s reply. He did not buy everything Aster had said. For him, Aster was simply acting out in front of the camera, hiding his real intentions in the competition. And that is to really win the top prize and title. No one in history joined the prestigious violin competition just to be part of it and not to win. That would be senseless if Clover would be asked. He too joined the same competition when he was a teenager. He joined to make it as a stepping stone of his career, of where he is right now in the industry. And yes, he won on his first try to join the competition and no one ever did the same before and after he won. He still remained the one and the only grand winner who joined once. That being said, it added points to him to earn the title of Ace of Clubs of the King Family.

“Well, for me, that is not a surprise, after all, Aster. You have the charming handsome looks that every young girl wishes to be their boyfriend. Plus, you are skilled and talented, and it reflected on your performances in the competition,’ the reporter commented, which Aster only laughed softly.

The smile on Aster’s lips revealed his as white as pearl set of teeth. “I have nothing more to say.” Aster softly chuckled. “But thank you for the appreciation.”

“Liar. . .” Clover mumbled that reaches Lizter’s ears. Lizter coughed, trying to interrupt Clover, especially now that his eyes became more deadly although other parts of his body remained relaxed if someone will look at him from outside.

“Young master,” Lizter called. But Clover did not seem to care paying attention to him.

“Do you have anything to say to your fans before we end this conversation?” the reporter asked Aster, calmly and hopeful.

Aster intently looked straight at the camera like he was speaking directly to anyone who will see him on the screen. He clasped his hands together, intertwined. Aster smiled. Happiness was all over his face. “To my fans, if I ever had one, whatever the result of the competition might be, let us all accept it. I know it is hard for me to be the grand winner, especially since it is my first time joining. And we all know that there is only one person who ever did that feat.” His smile grew wider upon uttering the last words as if he was imagining that person. “We also know who that person is. The one and only Clover King. And he is way too good compared to me. Win or lose, I still have the chance to join again next year. Still, I am thankful to everyone who supported me on my journey in the competition this year. Thank you! I cannot promise that I will definitely win but I can promise that I will do my best. And please don’t forget to watch the grand finals this coming weekend.”

After a few more seconds, Aster disappeared from the television screen as the reporter ended the topic and moved to the next news. Clover then gave his attention to Lizter. His face and eyes showed that he was thinking deeply, planning something within his mind.

“Spill it, Clover,” Lizter said. He knew Clover too well for him not to know Clover is up for something. “What do you want me to do?”

“There’s something in that Aster. I just can’t decipher what it is as of the moment.”

Clover put his feet down on the floor. He stood, slipping his hands in his pockets. He then walked near to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. He split the curtains to both sides, exposing the overlooking night view of the city. He was staring deeply at the horizon.

“I want you to get tickets for the grand finals. Let us see how good a violinist he is. And gather every information about him,” in a monotonous voice, Clover instructed Lizter. “I know he is up to something, and I have a feeling that he is aiming to become my rival. And I don’t like it,” he added, almost whispering the words coming out his mouth.