A New Song [mxm]

5. Mercy

Alex was looking forward to playing on the grand piano, and his eyes kept flashing towards it with excitement. He walked to the stage and sat down on the piano, his fingers lightly pressing on the keys. A content smile covered his face. It felt like ages since he actually touched the piano.

He tested some keys to get a feel of how the sound played off the club's walls. Once he was comfortable, his voice broke out in a quiet song. The intro of the song was paired with gentle cords and humming. The first verse felt like a sprinkling of rain, soft but encompassing. His voice was light and passionate, and when he got to the chorus, his hands moved across the keys faster, creating a different atmosphere. The song was about more of a plea deep inside of him. He simply wanted to be free from the pain he had felt from his lover's betrayal.

He plays the last key with a sad smile on his face but was hauntingly beautiful. His pale skin was glowing under the lights of the club. He wondered how long it had been since he performed like this, where he didn't have to worry about encores or sold-out stadiums. It had been a long time since he could simply deliver what was in his heart. It felt good.

He was woken from his daze by the light applause of the people under the stage. He was surprised to see a small crowd of workers. He stood up and gave them a nod, and climbed down.  However, as he looked back to the hallway that led to the staff room, he saw a flash of bright blue eyes.  Alex felt his heart still inside of his chest.  Something about those eyes enthralled him, but they had turned away too quickly, forcing Alex to stare into the darkness.

Nick slapped his shoulder, breaking him out of his trance. "You can mix a mean drink and have talent on the stage. I know you just left the hospital, but do you know when you can start?"

Alex laughed and shook his outreached hand. "I do not like to be idle. I can start when you need me."

Nick set him to work several nights during the week, including the weekend. He could use the practice room at any time unless he had the showgirls practicing. He also told him that he could enter the club without scrutiny and introduced him to the security he had on site for 24 hours.

Nick showed him around the club and the areas he could enter. Alex was extremely pleased to see the practice room. It was large with a wall-to-wall mirror on the back wall, and a piano pushed towards a corner with a couple of guitars hung next to it. He couldn't help but walk up to the piano and play a few keys happily. His eyes also lit up at the guitars. His fingers itched to create more music.

"Mary mentioned that you have an agent and are training with an agency. You have a lot of talent, so I'm surprised I haven't heard your name before." Nick said as Alex admired the piano.

"I am with the company LuxStar." Alex answered and noticed the grimace on Nick's face. "The opportunities haven't been pouring in, but I am working through many of my shortcomings."

Nick let out a small huff of disdain. "You have too much talent to be stuck with a company like LuxStar." He already felt a connection with the young man.

Alex smiled warmly. "Thank you. My contract with them should be ending soon, but I am hopeful for a competition that's coming up soon."

Nick's lips curled. He knew which competition he was talking about. It was a large amateur competition that would bring fame to anyone who won.  Additionally, other agencies can pick up talents they see perform.  Many start their career at the Amateur Showcase.

As a large club owner, he knew many business owners, including those who run some of the largest talent agencies. He has helped them find rare talents from time to time, but now he believed he had found a true uncut gem. He decided to watch this young man grow in the next couple of months and then put the word out to his friends. He felt bittersweet because the moment that he would, he knew he would lose an interesting employee.