Chapter 516
Mark did not know how to face Sophie, yet he knew he couldn’t put off meeting her forever. Eventually, the two met at a café near the University of Medicine.
An odd feeling swelled in Mark’s chest when he saw Sophie again after such a long time.
The first words out of his mouth were an apology. “I’m sorry, Sophie.”
It was not the first time he was apologizing.
He did not think a lifetime of apologies could make up for his mistakes.
Sophie scrunched her brows in frustration. Why is he still so stubborn?
She stated firmly, “Didn’t I say this before? I know this incident has nothing to do with you at all. It’s all in the past now. Can we stop bringing it up?”
Getting over the incident was easier said than done for Mark.
She continued, “I only hope you can return to The Wheelers. After all, that’s your favorite place in the whole world.”
“Sophie—” Even now, she still had his best interests at heart.
“Sunny and the others are all waiting for you. Don’t let them down, okay? Of course, if there’s something else you’d like to do, that’s fine too. I won’t force you to return to The Wheelers if that’s the case.”
Sophie was careful to reiterate that he had the freedom to choose his future path and that no one could force him to do anything.
Mark uttered, “I’ll return to the band.”
The farewell concert may have been over, but performing in The Wheelers was still his dream. He would not give up on it now.
“Okay. Let’s go back, then!”
Everyone had hoped Mark would return.
Suddenly, he said, “Thank you, Sophie.”
She smiled and replied, “We’re past such formalities, don’t you think?”
Sophie would not be the person she was today if she had never met Mark in Horington. A verbal expression of gratitude was insignificant in light of their history.
Nonetheless, Mark insisted, “I still have to thank you. It’s because of me that you had to go through all that.”
Sophie always thought he had helped her a lot in Horington, yet in retrospect, the opposite was probably true.
In any case, they were certainly past the stage of such pleasantries.
Just then, Sophie suggested, “Do you want me to come along when you meet Sunny and the rest?” The poor drummer had been in a funk for the longest time.
Since he had agreed to return to The Wheelers, Sophie decided Mark should quickly meet with his former bandmates.
“Let’s go together!” replied Mark.
Still, there were some concerns in his mind. We announced we were disbanding. What will the fans think of my abrupt return? I’m sure they’ll think we did it for the publicity!
He knew these were small matters in the grand scheme of things. The most important thing was that The Wheelers would be reunited.
Sophie had no classes in the afternoon and accompanied Mark to the mansion. When they opened the door, they saw Sunny leaving with his luggage.
Sunny stood still and just stared silently at Mark.
Nothing Mark said now could change his mind; he was bent on leaving.
He said, “Sophie, I won’t stay to chat with you all. My flight leaves at four. I’ll miss it if I don’t leave now.”
His bandmates were distraught. “Sunny, are you really leaving? We haven’t achieved our dreams yet! Are you just going to give up now?”
Simply put, none of them would be satisfied with such an outcome.
Sunny kept quiet. With things the way they were, what was the point in staying even if his dreams were unfulfilled?
Without Mark, they could no longer be The Wheelers.
Another bandmate piped up, “Stay in Jipsdale, Sunny! We’ve already come so far. We still have each other even if Mark’s not around.”
They had always stuck together since forming the band, and they dreaded the idea of going their separate ways.
“I’m sorry, Sunny! I must’ve disappointed you throughout this time. Everything’s over now, though. I’m back, and I still want to be with all of you as we strive for our dreams!”
Sunny was taken aback at Mark’s reply.
Wasn’t he always unwavering in his decision to leave? He never returned no matter what we said, so what the heck is happening now?
Furious, Sunny retorted, “Did you think we were a bunch of people ready to come and go according to your whims, Mark?”
Just because you said you were coming back, did you think we would welcome you unequivocally with open arms?
Mark said, “I’m sorry, Sunny. I know I’ve disappointed everyone, but I truly wish to return now. I still want to be with everyone. Can you give me a chance to do that?”
It was true that he had been the one to split up the band.
His appeal fell on deaf ears. Sunny fired back, “I can’t. I can’t play this game with you any longer. It’s too much to bear. Who knows if you’ll suddenly abandon us again for some different reason in the future?”
Sunny’s heart could not take it anymore.
It was better to call it quits once and for all.
“Sunny! You can’t leave now that Mark’s back!” His bandmates knew all about his childish temper.
It would take some time to coax him out of his sour mood.
As expected, Sunny replied peevishly, “That’s his business. You need a main singer, and I’m just a drummer. I’m sure you can easily find someone to replace me.”
I have the least presence in this band, anyway!
He was clearly throwing a tantrum. Sophie stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder.
“Sunny, I know you’d be the saddest person to see this group disband. Don’t leave. Why don’t we all stay in Jipsdale?”
“Sophie, I—”
Sophie interjected, “All right. Don’t say anything else. We’re all in Jipsdale now. Even if I don’t perform onstage with you, I can continue composing songs with all of you!” The dream of creating rock music lived on in her heart.
Sunny’s stance wavered.
I’ve always wanted to do that. Now, it seems as if my wish is coming true.
Mark approached Sunny and clasped his former bandmate’s other shoulder.
He vowed, “I’m sorry again for what I did, but don’t worry. I’ll never bring up the idea of disbanding again! The Wheelers will stay together forever!”
The six members hugged each other, bringing a perfect ending to the band’s reunion.
Over the next few days, Xandra was kept busy with the public outcry over The Wheelers’ disbandment.
Comments had flooded TS Entertainment’s Twitter page, and fans lined the walkways outside the company buildings.
They were all hoping that The Wheelers would stay together.
As she struggled not to drown in work, Sophie returned bearing news that The Wheelers would not disband. Xandra was understandably perplexed. “What? Do you mean The Wheelers won’t disband? Mark is coming back?”
Sophie repeated, “That’s right. Nothing’s wrong with your ears. I said that.” The Wheelers will not split up.
“How did you do that, Sophie? Mark doesn’t seem like a person who would easily concede!” exclaimed Xandra.
Mark had seemed so resolved when he left that Xandra did not expect such a twist.
Sophie said to her, “I’ll leave the rest to you, namely how to allow Mark to gracefully rejoin The Wheelers. Oh, and you need to think of a way to deal with fan comments about this being a publicity stunt!”
Xandra reassured her, “Isn’t that part of my job scope? Don’t worry! The Wheelers has been in the industry for so many years; these comments are nothing but water off their backs!”
She always knew Sophie had a soft spot for the band, but she did not realize the latter’s concern was so deep.
“I don’t want Mark to be troubled once he returns. The Wheelers is like my first crush. I want them to be happy and free,” explained Sophie.
“I know. Didn’t you bring me in for The Wheelers in the first place? I’ll make this the best PR response you’ve ever seen in history!” Xandra did not boast of many talents, but she knew her public relations skills were second to none.
