Meeting John.

Mark glanced at how numerous the crowds were, they were much numerous than what he was glimpsing from aside. But he wasn't scared of their large numbers, this wasn't the first time he was performing to such a large crowd. The only cause for his little nervousness was how the crowds would react to his performance. He stood there staring at the crowds for a while before he proceeded with his performance.

His performance on stage was less energetic at first, but he quickly adjusted adding more energy to his performance. But that didn't change the fact that the crowds were numb to his performance as they kept on staring at him like zombies. No cheering nor praises from the crowd as he performed, not even a single soul sang along with him. But he didn't stop performing, he kept on, there was nothing he could do about it.

Ben just kept on staring at Mark as he performed, he couldn't help but wallow in thought about Mark's music career.

"Mark deserves the best, such a talented and hardworking artiste, why can't he just attain the fame and prestige he deserves? See how shallow his performance is, not even a single cheering from the crowd, damn!

Mark did his best on stage before coming off it which gave chance for the next artiste to proceed with his performance. The next artiste that was about to perform happens to be an underground artiste, not an upcoming artiste but ain't that famous either. He came on stage and began performing, and with the little amount of fame he possessed, he received a bit of cheering from the crowds.

Mark went straight to where Ben and Jeffrey was standing with an emotionless face, all he said was,

"Let's get going".

"Why the haste?" Ben inquired as he was confused by Mark's sudden change of reaction.

"We came here for my performance right? and am done performing, the money issue has been settled, so what are we waiting for?" Mark questioned as his topmost priority was to leave the event instantly.

"We can't leave yet, I still have somethings to handle before we leave, so you've got to be patient". Jeffrey uttered adding up with his speech.

Mark was completely not in the mood to listen to his manager right now, all he wanted to do was to get the f**k out of this place. But unfortunately, it was already late in the night, and he had no car of his own he could use in transporting himself back to his apartment. The only available car he could use in transporting himself back home was his manager's car, so he had no other option than to wait.

"You are not happy with how shallow your performance on stage was, that's why you wanna get out of this place right?" Ben questioned Mark as he could already sense what the problem was.

"How did you figure that out?" Mark asked curiously.

"I have known you for long Mark, and I've gotten to know you too well. Have you forgotten that we are like brothers to each other? I saw your countenance when the crowds weren't giving you the vibe you needed to go on with your performance. Even though you kept on performing, you weren't happy inside. As you said, you are used to these types of situations, but tonight's own might be worse, and it actually was, you crave for the fame". Ben explained.

Mark dropped his head downwards as he nodded a little,

"You really do know me Ben, earlier when I said my performance tonight would be more shallow than my previous performances, I meant it. But deep inside, I was hoping it would be much better, but I was totally wrong and it pissed me off".

"I would always keep on telling you this, you deserve the best as an artiste, because you have the immense talent and passion for music. Your performance on stage was so lit and energetic, but you didn't receive the energy back from the crowds which can be very painful, and worst of all, you've been enduring it for years. But I tell you this Mark, you would surely attain the fame you crave for, and when you do, you would enjoy it to its fullest". Ben declared in encouraging words to Mark.

"I hope so, I do hope so, because I doubt those words sometimes, let's leave this place anyway".

Jeffrey sighed, isn't Mark understanding what he was saying,

"As I said earlier, we can't leave yet, I have a few things to handle before we leave.....you can leave if you have another means to transport yourself back home".

"It is very late in the night right now, you know that right?" Mark asked Jeffrey.

"Yeah, I know that". Jeffrey responded.

"Ain't we suppose to be hurrying home right now so we could avoid some road dangers?"

"I still stand my ground, once I leave now, I don't know when I'll have the opportunity to handle whatever I want to handle".

"We would have to move on our own then, Ben, let's move". Mark said tapping Ben's shoulder.

As Mark turned to take his leave from Brandon's concert, he couldn't believe who his eyes was glimpsing on....it was John. He met with Henry at his last performance at the 'VIP CITY GATHERING' show, and it didn't go well at all. Now, here was John again, seeing him wasn't pleasing to Mark at all, in fact, he was getting angry already. He quickly glanced in another direction in an attempt to walk off without John noticing him, but unfortunately, John had sighted him already.

"Mark? don't walk off just like that". John said as he walked over to Mark's direction.

Mark glanced back at him angrily, what the f**k does he want?

"Don't walk off just like that, we've got to talk". John repeated after getting very close Mark.

"Talk about what? we have nothing to talk about". Mark uttered angrily as he turned to walk away.

John held Mark by his hand with an evil smirk on his face, he asked disingenuously,

"Why are you so angry at me?"

"You should know the answer to that, stop pretending". Mark retorted with anger in his tone of voice.

"I don't know, please tell me, what have I done to you that is making you so angry at me...ohhh! is it about the music stuff, well am ain't the cause of your misfortune, it isn't my fault that you didn't blow up in the music industry". John stated, that evil smirk still plastered to his face.

After hearing those annoying words from John, Mark felt like punching him hard on the face, but he was good at controlling his feelings and emotions. If he punched him at this moment, it could result in something else, so he just spoke out what he was feeling inside.

"I hate you and Henry so much now, you know that right?"

"Umm, I am just getting to know that much better now, but I don't give a f**k about that, you could hate me and Henry for all I care, it's none of my business". John said chuckling a little.

"Then why the hell did you stop me to talk to me, you and Henry abandoned me when I needed your help the most. And you guys still have the ordercity to make fun of me, am not sure I can ever bring myself to forgive you guys anymore". Mark declared with an audible tone of voice which seemed to be grabbing the attention of some people at the backstage of the event.

John was about to speak once again before Ben interrupted, he couldn't stand John making fun of Mark anymore,

"John or whatever you call yourself, I think it is high time you take your leave from our midst now before something unexpected happens. I just want to tell you this before you leave, because you are a big artiste doesn't mean you should go about making a mockery of an upcoming artiste. You could fall at any time and become worse than an upcoming artiste, your fame and popularity could vanish in a twinkle of an eye. So make sure you are standing well before you make fun of an upcoming artiste".

The way Ben spoke indicated that he was furious at John, he spoke with such loudness in his tone of voice that seemed to have gotten the attention of many people at the backstage of the event. Their facial expression screamed, 'How could he be talking to John like that? one of the most popular artistes in the globe?'.

But Ben gave no f**k about that, he had blurted out what he felt inside, and that gave him a feeling of satisfaction. John stood there as he kept on staring at Ben sternly, he felt dared. His facial expression revealed that Ben's words got to his heart and it hurt him somehow, and surely, he didn't want the issue to end here.

"You don't wanna leave our midst, we would leave then, Mark, let's go". Ben uttered tapping Mark's right shoulder.