It’s been 15 years since Bryan met Alexandra. Bryan is now 21 years old now. “So Nicky, what do you think?” Bryan asked as he showed Nicky the flyer. “Hmmm… I don’t know,” Nicky replied as he gave the flyer a second look. “Oh c’mon! It might be our only chance,” Bryan begged. “Maybe… what are you going to sing?” Nicky asked. “I’m going for ‘More Than Words’, what about you?” Bryan said with confidence. “I don’t know yet,” Nicky told him. “You don’t know? Oh c’mon you’ve been on karaoke’s since you’re 12, and you have no idea on what to sing?” Bryan told him sarcastically. “Well then, you go alone,” Nicky, complained. “Oh… no… please… no!” Bryan stuttered begging Nicky to join. “Then give me some time to choose, okay?” Nicky told him. “Sure, sure! No problem!” Bryan quickly remarked. “I’ll meet you at the audition then…” he continued as he slipped out of Nicky’s room. Nicky took a second look at the flyer. ‘Auditions for male band members.’ “Might as well try,” Nicky said to himself.
Hopping joyfully, Bryan reached his house in a matter of time, but before entering, he stared at the playground opposite his house. It was abandon. He decided to have a look at it. As he entered the playground, he noticed that almost everything was ruined. Looking at the broken swing, he can still hear her laughs, Alexandra. Walking to the almost empty sandbox, he can still remember writing her name. He squatted down and spelt her name on the sand.
“I’ll
wait for you,” he mumbled. “I
promise, that… that… when you come back… I will marry you,” he said.
“You promise?” Alex whispered. “Yes Alex… I promise,” Bryan said and
crossed his pinkie finger with hers.
He then wiped the tears on his cheeks and headed back home. “Well… what did he said?” Bryan’s mother asked as Bryan sat on the kitchen counter. “He’s going to think about it,” Bryan replied. “Something’s on your mind,” she said as she passed him a cup of milk. “Is it that obvious?” Bryan said looking amazed. “I’m your mother,” she whispered back. “It’s Alex…” Bryan replied. “You just can’t get her off your mind, could you?” she asked. “Yeah, I promised to wait for her,” Bryan told his mother. “And you’re not sere whether to take the audition or not?” she replied. “Mother… you might as well read my mind,” Bryan complained as he drank he mile. “Okay… I won’t interrupt you anymore,” she replied back. “Interrupt me? You’ve already said everything I wanted to say,” Bryan replied. “Oh… but I have a good feeling on this audition,” she replied with a smile. “This is one of the things that freaks me out,” Bryan told his mom. “What is it?” she replied puzzled. “Your predictions… it’s scaring me,” Bryan replied. “Okay then… I’ll stop with the predictions from now on,” she replied giggling. “Thank you…” he said with relieve and left to his room. As Bryan went into his room, he popped in a CD and played ‘More Than Words,’ he cleared his throat and began to sing. His mother in the kitchen was admiring his talent. The flyer next to her side made her smile. It was the words, ‘Group founded by Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily,’ that made her smile.
Finally, the audition day arrived. Bryan was already at the venue with hundred other guys auditioning. He walked around and finally found Nicky. “Oh great! You’re here,” he told him. “Yeah… I’ve decided to give it a try,” Nicky told him. “Great… but do you think we’ll ever make it?” Bryan asked. “Oh… being negative already? It’s not like you,” Nicky told him. “W… What? No…! I’m feeling confident,” Bryan told him. “Good then, good luck to you,” Nicky said, holding out his hand. Bryan shook it, “And good luck to you too,” he said with a confident smile and entered the small stadium for the audition.
“Okay, attention please! Attention!” Shane called out to the volunteers. Everyone in the stadium went quiet. “Thank you… okay! Welcome to the audition, I’m Shane Filan, this is Mark Feehily and Kian Egan, and we will be the judges here for today’s audition,” Shane said. “So I wish you all luck and if you can please go to the other corner where Olive Feehily and Anita Egan are, and you shall be drawn for the audition, and good luck again to all of you,” Shane explained. The people then walked over to the other side to see two really beautiful girls, a blonde and crimson red haired girl. “Welcome, what we have here is a box with number written on the paper, each of you will draw out a piece of paper and your turn shall be known, good luck,” Anita said. One by one, the volunteers drew out the paper. Bryan got 15 and Nicky got 27. “Okay that’s all we have, and for those who didn’t have the chance to draw, please don’t be sad, we have refreshments for you people for your kindness in joining,” Olive said as she pointed to the other room with refreshments. The crowd was now cut into half. “Okay for you guys who were chosen, please wait here till your number is called,” Anita said as she and Olive proceeded to the audition hall. “So Nicky, are you ready?” Bryan asked. “I’m a bit nervous, but I think I’ll be fine,” Nicky told him. “Great, wonder who’ll be first?” Bryan said. “Number 15! Number 15, please proceed to the audition hall,” said a familiar voice. “I’m first?” Bryan shouted to himself. “Good luck Bryan…” Nicky said. “O… okay,” he mumbled as he went in the audition hall.
“Alright then, please fill this form and continue to the stage to
sing,” Kian said as he wiped his glasses. “O… Okay,” Bryan stuttered as
he took the form. “Don’t be nervous, if you’re chosen, there will be more
people watching you sing,” Mark told him. Bryan nodded and quickly filled in
the form. “Bryan McFadden, okay, please proceed to the stage and pass your CD
to Olive, and you may start,” Shane said as he check the form. “O…
Okay,” he stuttered again. He proceeded to the small stage and passed his CD
to Olive. “Okay… good luck,” she whispered. “T… Thanks,” he replied
and walked over to the microphone. As the song started, Bryan felt more
confident and sang without troubles till the end. “That was very good!”
Olive said as she removed the CD and it gave back to Bryan. “T… Thanks…”
he replied still stuttering. “Okay Bryan, you may proceed to the refreshments
in the following room, and we’ll contact you once we’re done,” Shane said.
Still shaking, Bryan walked slowly to the other room. “He was great,” Mark
said. “Yeah… almost the same singing tone like you,” Kian told Shane.
“Yeah… list him down,” Shane said. “Who was it?” Creole asked as she
walked into the room. “Hi honey,” Shane said as he gave her a pack on the
lips. “Hmmm… Bryan McFadden,” Mark told her. “Bryan McFadden? That name
really sounds familiar,” Creole said thinking. “Anyway, he’ll be here for
the finals, you can see him then,” Shane told her. “Okay, shall I call the
next person?” Creole asked. Shane nodded. Creole went over to another box and
pulled out a number, “Hmmm… 27,” she said to herself as she headed back to
the following room to call the person.
Bryan was still unaware of what just happened. Being nervous had made him hallucinate the whole time. He was in the refreshments room when Nicky came in. “Whoa man, that was scary, but I think I did well,” he told Bryan. Nicky then looked at Bryan confusedly. Bryan wasn’t paying attention at anything at all. “Hey Bryan… you’re munching on the plate,” Nicky told him. Bryan was suddenly jolted back to reality and realised he was really munching on a plate. “Whoa! What happened?” he said as he put the plate down. “What do you mean, ‘what happened’?” Nicky asked sarcastically. “How did I end up here? The last thing I remembered is being called into a room,” he told Nicky. “Goodness sake Bryan, you don’t even remembered the audition?” Nicky said. “Oh, yeah! Is it my turn already?” Bryan asked. Nicky went over to him and slapped him on the forehead. “OW! What was that for?” he shouted back. “You’re the first to went in, don’t tell me you don’t remember,” Nicky begged. “Uhhh… did I?” Bryan whispered. Nicky covered his eyes and walked further away from Bryan. “What? What did I do?” Bryan complained.
An hour passed and finally Shane, Kian and Mark have already decided on the finalist. “Okay… these are the finalist, if you’re called out please come front,” Shane explained. “Okay, the finalist are Bryan McFadden, Nicholas Byrne, James Richard, Peter McRae, Neil Sunderland, Philip Owen, Bernard Ryan and Aaron Post, those who didn’t get chosen, thank you for taking part, you may return now,” Shane said as he finished reading the paper. “Cool Bryan! I didn’t expect that both of us will reach the finals,” Nicky told him. “Me too, what’s more unbelievable is I don’t even remember the whole interview,” Bryan said. “Okay, the finalist, please proceed back into the audition hall,” Kian said. The eight finalists went back into the hall. “Okay, welcome back, now we’ll have a tone test,” Mark said. “I will be testing your tones and see how high and low tones that you can do,” Mark explained as he sat on the piano. “Bryan, you first,” Mark called out. Suddenly Bryan went into his hallucinating mood again, he don’t seem to realise what he is doing. As he approached the piano, he was as still a tree. “Okay, I will play a note, and I want you to reply with your voice,” Mark explained to him. As Mark plays the notes, Bryan replied with the most perfect tone for each of it. “Perfect Bryan, you may proceed to the next room,” Mark told him. “T… Thank you…” he whispered as he walked into the following room like a robot. “My god, he may be nervous, but he can really sing well,” Nicky told himself. “Nicky! You’re next,” Mark called out. “Y… Yes!” Nicky replied as he got to Mark.
“Congratulations Bryan, I knew you could get it,” Kian told him.
“Y… yes,” Bryan replied nervously. “You’re still nervous? Just
relax,” Kian told him. “We will continue when the others come,” Kian
continued. A few minutes later, the finalists were cut down to 5. “Okay,
congratulations for reaching this far, our next test will be dancing,” Kian,
said. Suddenly there was a lot of talk among the finalists. “It’s okay,
you’ll just have to follow my steps,” Kian said. Soon, Kian was dancing to
the beat that Anita started and the others paid attention to his moves. Later
they were to do the same. Finally the finalists were cut down to 3. “Okay
please proceed to the next room,” Kian replied. Bryan, Nicky and Philip
proceeded to the next room where Shane is.
“Okay, this will be the final test, you are to sing with us to see your compatibility with our group,” Shane said. Kian and Mark soon joined him. “Okay, Olive shall be ready by the cassette player, “Bryan, you first,” Shane called out. Continuing to walk like a robot Bryan walked up to the three guys. “Okay, don’t be nervous, just sing like you did earlier,” Kian told him. “O… Okay…” Bryan replied. As the music was played, Bryan began to sing with the other three. His tone was just perfect among them. “Great… we shall precede, Nicky, you next,” Shane called out. Bryan then walked to his seat and sat there silently. The test still went on till they were finished with Philip.
“You all did great, but we have to choose among you three,” Mark said. “Just give us a moment,” he continued as he, Shane and Kian went to discuss at the other corner with Olive and Anita. A few minutes later, they came back. “I’m afraid that you, Philip, didn’t qualified, but thank you for trying,” Shane said to him. Philip then left satisfied that he actually reached the finals. “And among you two,” Mark said. Nicky and Bryan were very nervous at the moment. “Both of you are chosen,” Shane told them happily. “What?” Nicky shouted in disbelieve. “You mean… both of us?” Bryan continued. “Yeah, welcome to the group,” Kian told him. “Yeah Nicky! We did it! We got into the band! I told you so!” Bryan shouted as he gave high fives to him. “I must admit, you were right about it,” Nicky told him as he hugged Bryan. “Okay, let me introduce you to everyone, I’m Shane Steven Filan, that’s Marcus Michael Patrick Feehily, and Kian John Francis Egan,” Shane introduced one by one. “And this girl here is my wife,” Kian introduce as Anita came closer. “Anita Egan,” she said. “And this is my wife, Olive Feehily,” he continued as Olive came. “Wow… you two are already married?” Nicky asked amazed. “Amazingly yes, and what’s more bizarre is Shane’s married too and we three couples were married at the same time,” Kian told them. “Wicked, where’s your wife then Shane?” Bryan asked. “She’s here somewhere… Ah… there she is,” Shane pointed as Creole came in. “Sorry I’m late… is the audition over already?” she asked. “This is my wife, Creole Filan, Creole, these are the new band members, Nicky Byrne and Bryan McFadden,” Shane introduced. “Creole?” Bryan asked and at the same moment, “Bryan?” Creole asked. “Creole Hendricks?” Bryan said amazed. “It is you! I knew your name was familiar,” Creole shouted as he went closer to Bryan and hugged him.
“Wow… you look very good now, and you’re married!” Bryan said.
“This is so bizarre! You’re actually joining the same band as my husband,”
Creole said in disbelieves. “I take it that you two know each other?” Shane
asked. “Oh… yeah! We were childhood friends,” Creole said. “Creole…
how’s Alex?” Bryan asked seriously. Creole stood silently in front of him.
“Alright… I understand,” Bryan replied as he turned away. “Alex? Isn’t
that your sister Alexandra? I taught she was in London,” Kian asked Creole.
Suddenly, she broke into a very horrible laugh that Shane himself never knew.
“Oh dear god…” he whispered. “I’m just joking! Alex is fine, she’s
free of MPS I,” Creole told him. As Creole turned around to Shane, she was
looking at him madly. “Is there something wrong with my laugh?” she said
seriously. Suddenly a pair of hands caught Creole. Bryan then put her into a
headlock. “God dammed it Creole! Stop joking on serious things for once
okay?” Bryan said rubbing her head with his knuckles. “Okay! Okay! I give
up!” Creole said laughing.
“She’s in London?” Bryan asked disappointedly. “I’m afraid so, but I have her number,” Creole told him. “Nah… I want to surprise her right in front of her eyes,” Bryan replied confidently. “So, what have you been doing all this time?” Creole asked Bryan as she took a bite of her sandwich. “Waiting… I’ve been waiting for Alex all these time, afraid of stepping out of Dublin, worrying one day she might come back when I leave,” Bryan explained. Creole was silent. “That was then… Now is now… at least I found her again, but why didn’t you all return after Alex’s recovery?” Bryan asked with a puzzled tone. “Dad was offered a job in London when she recovered, now he’s a millionaire,” Creole said. “Wow… Mr. Hendricks, richer than before? How are your mom and your two sisters?” Bryan asked. “Oh, their doing fine,” Creole smiled. “I can still remember your mother clearly, oh… he is so… cute!” Bryan intimidated causing Creole to giggle. “Yeah… and she’ll be pulling your cheeks apart,” Creole said as she did it to Bryan. “Ypeah! Howsp Gwegowy?” Bryan asked. Creole then let go of Bryan’s cheeks. “I don’t care about that bastard,” she replied roughly. “Whoa… what happened?” he asked. “He cheated on her,” Anita said as she served tea around the table. “You two were dating?” Bryan asked. “They were, and she found out that Gregory was sleeping with her dad’s secretary,” Olive replied as she served snacks around the table. “Whoa… must be hard on you huh?” Bryan asked. “Not anymore, I have my little Shackky-kun here,” Creole replied pressing Shane’s cheeks together. Bryan started giggling. “Shackky? What’s that?” Bryan burst out laughing. “I told you already Creole, stop calling me that in public,” Shane begged. “Oh c’mon, Bryan’s a part of this family already,” Creole replied cutely. “Yeah Shackky, my little bwunny wabbit,” Bryan intimidated Creole and everyone started laughing. Shane buried his face in embarrassment.
“What about Kian and Mark? Do they have nicknames too?” Bryan asked excitedly. “Mackky and Kinny,” Creole replied before Mark and Kian could stop anyone from saying. “Awww… that’s so… cute,” Bryan replied blinking his eyes. Mark and Kian also buried their faces in their palms. “We should give you a nickname too,” Creole suggested. “No… no way you’re giving me stupid baby calling names,” Bryan replied quickly. “What… do… you… mean… by… that?” said Creole, Anita and Olive together. “Eh? I… uhh… help?” Bryan squealed. Nicky slowly sipped his tea as Bryan got whacked off by the three girls, and the other three guys still having their faces in their palms. “What a tough life it’s going to be,” Nicky told himself as he munched on some cake.
“Okay, here’s the agreement papers, read it thoroughly before you sign and make sure you are clear of the agreements that you are going to make,” Shane said passing a set documents each to Bryan and Nicky. After reading it, Nicky signed the agreement. Bryan however, “I can’t carry the pen… I’m too hurt,” he complained. His face was filled with scratches and hair messed up badly. Creole started to roll her sleeve up when Bryan suddenly grabbed the pen and signed the paper. “Okay then, tomorrow will be going to BMG records for an interview, so, have a good nights rest tonight, and I see you two tomorrow,” Shane said as he took the documents and filed it. “Okay, it’s been a great day, and I think it’ll be better tomorrow, see you then Creole,” Bryan told her. “It was nice seeing you again,” Creole replied with a smile. “Remember… don’t tell your sister about me yet okay?” Bryan reminded her. “Shucks… and I taught you were about to forget about it,” Creole replied disappointedly.
Chapter six
“Okay… we’ve already gotten a agreement on five album contract, we’re officially Westlife now!” Shane said loudly to the band members. Everyone cheered and they celebrated with a bottle of champagne. “Great… we could record at London and have a performance at my dad’s charity concert,” Creole suggested. “Great idea, your dad did invite quite a number of guests too right?” Kian asked. “Yeah… Geri Halliwell and Craig David is one of the guest stars,” Creole told them. “Wow! We’ll be performing with an all star team of singers?” Nicky asked excitedly. “Definitely, this concert will boost up your popularity,” Creole continued. “Yeah… and Alex will be there?” Bryan asked. “Sure Bryan, she’ll be there,” she replied kindly.
The flight was just about an hour but it felt as though it was a whole lifetime for Bryan, as he couldn’t wait to see Alex again. As they arrived at the airport, Hampton was there waiting to pick them up. “Mademoiselle!” he called out as he saw her. “Is that who I think he is?” Bryan whispered to Creole. “Yes Bryan… Hampton’s here to pick us up,” Creole told him with a smile. They went closer to him. “Mademoiselle and Master Shane… enjoyed your flight?” he asked. “Yes Hampton, and these two are our new band members,” Creole said pointing to Nicky and Bryan. Hampton went closer to Nicky, “Hi, I’m Nicky,” he greeted. “Welcome Master Nicky,” Hampton greeted back to Nicky. “And you are Master…?” Hampton called out, waiting for a reply. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me Master?” Bryan said smiling. “Bryan! It that really you?” Hampton said with shock. “How are you Hampton, you haven’t changed a bit,” Bryan replied with a smile. “Oh my god! You’ve grown so tall already, and very good looking too,” Hampton praised. “Why thanks, c’mon, we better get going now, I’m already hungry,” Bryan replied. “Sure thing Bryan,” Hampton replied as he pushed Bryan’s trolley.
They went into a huge limousine, big enough for the eight friends. “By
the way, who’s our manager?” Nicky asked. “It’s Wesley, West for short,
and Alexandra’s the co-manager,” Shane told them. “You mean Alex will be
with us all the time?” Bryan asked. “Sure thing Bry…” Creole told him.
That certain moment, Bryan’s eye were glowing and sparkling. “I can’t
wait…” he mumbled. On the whole way to Creole’s house, Bryan was acting
like an impatient small kid, “Are we there yet?” he asked again.
“Forty-four,” Nicky counted. “For the last time, No!” Creole shouted as
his face after being patient with him for such a long time already. Bryan then
lowered his head and stared at his feet. “Oh! We’re here already,” Creole
said when she realised her house was in view already. “That’s Hendricks’s
house? Man… he gets richer every minute doesn’t he?” Bryan stated. “You
know him… money obsessed,” Creole replied and sighed. “I can’t wait! I
can’t wait! Let me out! Let me out!” Bryan started shaking the whole car.
“Bryan! Calm down! Hey! Just hold on for a second!” Anita begged as the car
started shaking. From outside, everyone was staring at the weird bouncing
limousine passing by. When they reached, Bryan quickly burst out the car and ran
straight to the house. “My god! He’s like a wild animal in a cage,” Olive
said relieved that she survived at the end. “My brain’s still filled with
his whine’s since we left Ireland,” Nicky complained, messaging his temples.
“Oh c’mon, he could wait to meet Alex,” Creole replied as they headed to
the house. There was an impatient peal of the doorbell from the house. “Mom!
Where’s Hampton?” Tanya asked. “Oh… he went to pick Creole and the rest
up, go see who’s that,” Fiona asked. “Oh… okay,” she replied as she
went to the door. “Hold your horses!” she said loudly as she opened the
door. “Hi! Is Alex here?” Bryan asked. “And you’re?” Tanya asked.
“It’s me, Bryan,” he said. Stunned, Tanya dropped the book she was
holding. “Bryan…?” she whispered.
“This
is Tanya, Linda and my youngest sister Creole,” she said introducing them.
“I’m Bryan McFadden,” he introduced himself. Tanya felt her heart was warm
as Bryan came closer to her.
“Hey… Tanya… you there?” Bryan said waving his hand in front of her. “B… Bryan! Oh… god… why are you here?” Tanya asked as she jolted back into reality. Bryan picked up the book, “I’m one of the members,” he said passing the book to her. “Really? Wow! Congratulations,” Tanya replied taking the book. “Yeah… where’s Alex?” he quickly asked. She was struck with silence when she heard him say Alex’s name… she was hoping that Bryan would be expecting her instead of Alex. “Oh… she’s with mom at the study room,” Tanya replied. Like lightning, Bryan zoomed off to the study room. “Tanya, we’re back,” Creole called out. “Oh! Hi sis… long trip?” Tanya asked as they hugged. “Oh… it was okay… Bryan’s whining was the worst,” Creole told her. “What’s wrong?” Creole continued to ask when she noticed her sad impression. “N… nothing! It’s okay… mom’s at the study room,” Tanya told her. “Okay… let’s go,” Creole replied as both sisters headed to the study room.
“Oh Creole! You’re back!” Fiona called out. “Yes mom! We’ve finally found the two remaining member’s,” Creole told her. “That’s good, who are they?” Fiona asked. “This is Nicky and… where’s Bryan?” Creole asked the others. “Bryan? That name sounds so familiar,” Fiona said. Linda, Alex and West were also with the rest of the guys in the room. “Bryan…? You don’t mean…” Alex whispered. “Oh…(Puff) there you… are! (Huff) Hey… why are you guys… (Puff) here faster than me? (Huff)” Bryan asked as he reached the room almost out of breath. “Why were you here later than us?” Creole asked back. “I… (Huff) was lost!” Bryan told them. “Bryan? Bryan McFadden? The little boy who always comes to our house is the other member?” Fiona asked excitedly. “Yes… (Huff) Hi Aunt Fiona,” Bryan replied as he caught back his breath. “Oh! You were so cute then… now you’re so good looking!” Fiona said excitedly as she hugged Bryan. “Okay… do that ‘thing’ again… I missed it,” Bryan asked. “Oh? You mean this?” Fiona asked as she pulled Bryan’s cheeks apart. “Yeshp… I mwiss ywou alwot,” Bryan tried to speak. “Oh… you’re still so cute,” Fiona told him. “Hi Bryan… guess you’ve been looking for this?” Linda asked as she pointed behind her. At that moment, Bryan’s eyes sparkled at the image of the girl, the girl he lost for the last 15 years. “Alex…” he whispered. “Bryan?” she replied softly. Bryan ran to her wanting to hug the girl he missed for the last 15 years. As he reached close to her with his arms wide opened, but Alex grabbed his hand and shook it. Puzzled, he didn’t know what to do or say. Creole was puzzled too. “I miss you so much Bryan… how have you been?” Alex asked with a smile. “F… Fine…” he replied slowly. “Ah… good, you’re already here,” a man said as he entered the room.
“I’ll introduce myself, I’m Wesley Tonne, you can call me West,”
he said. “Hi, West,” Alex said as she gave him a kiss. Bryan felt as though
his heart broke in pieces. “Alex! When did you two start being a couple?”
Creole asked devastated. “Oh… just last night… a miracle huh?” Alex
replied smiling. “I need to rest, I’m too tired to go on,” Bryan replied
with his head down. “But, we need to talk on the arrangements and stuff
first,” West said. “I’m sorry West, but I’m just too tired to go on,”
Bryan replied as he went out. Tanya noticed a tear dropped from Bryan’s eye.
She tried to stop him, but words fail to come out of her lips. She just stared
in horror as the person she had loved since young left the room heartbroken.
There was a knock on Bryan’s door. Bryan got up from his bed and cleared himself up. Opening the door, he noticed Tanya. “I’ve brought your dinner,” she said softly. “Oh… you shouldn’t have,” Bryan replied taking the tray from her. “Are you feeling better?” she asked. “W… what do you mean?” Bryan replied as he settled the tray on the table. “Don’t play dumb Bryan… I can tell… you love her don’t you?” Tanya asked. He couldn’t handle it anymore and he started to cry. “Yes Tanya… I do, but please… I don’t want to break them apart,” Bryan replied softly, trying to control his tears. Tanya stood silently in front of him. “Maybe you’ll have a chance soon,” Tanya replied softly as she walked out quickly. Bryan noticed that something was wrong with her, but couldn’t tell. Tanya closed and fell at the foot of the door. Struggling hard, she held back her tears. “Why did you choose her Bryan… why?” Tanya whispered to herself.
The following day was the rehearsal; Bryan was feeling a bit better and is able to control his hurtful feeling. Sitting at the dining table, he slowly spread butter on his bread. Nicky cleared his throat loudly. “Do you mind Bryan? There’s others who also wants to use the butter too,” he replied. “Huh…? Oh! Sorry,” Bryan replied passing the butter to Nicky. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Nicky asked as he spread his bread with butter. “Kind of… feeling a bit better now, by the way, do you think we’ll be really successful?” Bryan asked munching on his bread. “What do you mean? What makes you think we won’t?” Nicky replied. “Well… three of the members are already married, do you think it’ll work?” Bryan replied. “Hmmm… you’re right… but we might as well be good in our songs rather than availability,” Nicky replied back. “Hope you’re right… but most teenage girls now likes bands who has good looking guys and who are still single, don’t you think?” Bryan told him. “Hmmm… at least two of us are still single, won’t that be enough?” Nicky told him as he gave a pose. “Yeah… hehehe… hope you’re right,” Bryan replied smiling.
“Okay… we should be heading to the stage for rehearsals,” West said
as he popped out from nowhere. “Huh? What about the song? Do we even have a
song to sing yet?” Nicky asked. “Here’s the lyrics, we still have two more
days before the concert,” West told both of them as he passed the two sheets
of paper to them. “Final Distance… nice name… who wrote it?” Bryan
asked. “Surprisingly, Tanya was the one who wrote it, I think she has a knack
at writing songs,” West told them. “Hmm… how does it sound?” Bryan
asked. “Kind of like a ballad, it has a really catchy tone and lovely lyrics,
I think she really made a masterpiece here,” West told them. “Okay, we
should get going now,” Linda, replied. “Oh yeah… Linda will be your tour
manager,” West told them. “Wow… will everyone have a post in our band?”
Nicky asked. “Kind of… Anita’s the dresser and Olive’s the caterer, she
really can cook,” West told him as all of them got into the van. “How about
Creole and Tanya?” Bryan asked. “Creole is Anita’s assistant, and Tanya
will be helping you guys with song writings and others on the songs. “Good, at
least most of the posts are taken by people we know,” Nicky said relieved.
“That’s what makes a good band, I think we’ll be really good,” West said
with confidence. “Well… at least he makes really good choices,” Bryan told
himself.
“Great, you’re here already, c’mon we should be practicing on the
song now,” Shane said as Bryan and Nicky arrived. Then all of them headed
backstage to start practicing. “Okay, you guys have the lyrics already, for
this song, Mark and I shall be singing the verse, so you guys just have to
concentrate on the chorus,” Shane replied. “That’s good, we’re still new
at this,” Nicky said. “Okay… Creole shall get the music ready,” Kian
said. “Ready?” Creole asked and then started the music once she had the
signal.
I see you
sitting alone,
Waiting all
your time,
Living your
life for the one,
The one you
love all your life,
But how
about me,
How about
the shadow behind you,
Living my
life,
Waiting for
you…
You’re my
final distance
My final
destination
The place I
want to be…
At the end
of the day
But you are
so far away to reach
So far away
to even touch
You’re my
final distance
But I
couldn’t make you see
That you
are…
My final
distance…
Now
you’ve found your love,
The person
you waited all your life,
But I’m
still here,
Sitting
sadly with pain,
I want to
see you with my own eyes,
I want to
touch you with my own hands,
I want to
kiss you with my own lips,
I want to
love you with my own heart…
You’re my
final distance
My final
destination
The place I
want to be…
At the end
of the day
But you are
so far away to reach
So far away
to even touch
You’re my
final distance
But I
couldn’t make you see
That you
are…
My final
distance…
“That’s great… our first try and it sounds great!” Mark replied excitedly. “Yeah… I think we won’t have a problem at all,” West replied. Bryan however, studied the lyrics, “This lyrics… sound so familiar,” he told himself. The whole day, the guys kept revising on the song and other songs as well, they’ve decide on choosing Final Distance as their last song to sing during the concert. They’ve added so much more things to it to make it sound much more better. On the day of the concert, the song was finally finished and it was a total masterpiece. “Well… I’ve got to say, it’s quite a song, you guys really did great,” West told them. “Hope so, we can’t wait for the concert,” Nicky told him. “Tonight’s the big night, you better rest up now, at 4, Linda will be here to pick you up to the venue and you guys shall be dressed up by Anita,” West told them while he examined his schedule on the Palm 5. “I know Kian won’t mind, but being dressed up by Anita… it’s just like losing my virginity,” Bryan replied. “Idiot, she’s not going to dress us up like dolls,” Nicky slapped Bryan’s head.
Linda came right on schedule. They then headed to the stadium where the
concert shall be done, there was another 2 hours before the concert actually
starts but there was already a whole big group of people waiting outside. “My
god… all of them are here to see us?” Bryan asked looking outside.
“We’re not even heard of yet, this is our first public appearance, idiot,”
Nicky replied and whacked his head again. They arrived inside after quite a
delay and headed to the dressing room. Anita was already there. After some time,
Anita got perfect clothes for their performance. “I still haven’t lost my
ability in clothing’s…” Anita said as there were sparkles in her eyes.
“I know you still do,” Kian replied as he kissed her. “Eww… take that
somewhere else!” Bryan shouted. They didn’t care what he said and still
continued to kiss. “Their not going to stop once they started, no use stopping
them, let’s go,” Mark said as everyone left the room. “Are you guys ready?
You’re up next,” a guy said as he approached them. “Alright, thanks,”
Shane told him. Kian then came over. “Okay, this’ll be our very first
performance, we better do our best,” Shane continued. They said a little
prayer and walked to the stage where thousands of people were waiting for the
unveiling of the new band, Westlife.
“Well, next is the newly formed group, they consist of five members, give it up for Shane, Kian, Mark, Nicky and Bryan… Westlife!” he host shouted through the microphone where his voice echoed to the end of the area. One by one, the guys appeared and started to sing an upbeat song. After two other short songs, they settled on stools and a slow song was played. Then… they started to sing the song ‘Final Distance’ with all their hearts.
As the last words were sung, there was a huge applause. Everyone loved the song. The guys were proud of the response and doubt that they won’t be famous. Among the crowd was Tanya, who was watching every move and every lyric that was sung by Bryan. She was proud of him and happy for him, but she still couldn’t forgive her sister that broke his heart into pieces. Suddenly an idea popped into her head and she quickly got out her notebook and jotted it all out. “This’ll make a good song,” she told herself as she pushed her way out of the crowd.
“You guys were great,” Alex told them. “You think so?” Nicky asked. She nodded her head happily. “The last song was beautiful, who’s the one who wrote it?” Alex asked curiously. “Tanya,” Bryan said to her. “She’s really good in it,” Alex praised. “Congratulations! You’re first performance was perfect, it’ll bring you guys a very good image in the future,” West said as he came in. Alex then kissed her boyfriend as he came in. Bryan struggled in pain seeing them together. “Well… I’m rather tired at the moment, I’ll get a cab home,” Bryan said as he walked out of the room. Shane and the rest couldn’t help but to feel sorry for him.
Walking out of the room, he headed through the backstage door. Lucky for him, there weren’t a single soul there. He hurried out and headed to the main road. “There he is!” shouted a girl. Soon a whole bunch of girls came rampaging towards him. Panicked, Bryan ran for his life. Stopping at a junction, Bryan looked left and right and quickly made a decision on heading left. Unfortunately, he stumbled on another pack of girls; they looked bloodthirsty for him. Bryan turned around and headed the other way, but was cornered by the other group. “Oh God… please help me…” he whispered. Suddenly, a black Ferrari stopped right on the side of the road. “Jump in!” Tanya shouted. Bryan didn’t waste anytime and quickly got into the car as Tanya sped off.
“That was a close one,” Bryan said. “Yeah… you’re already
famous after one performance,” Tanya said as she giggled. “It’s kind of
bizarre, that this morning, I’m just a normal person, and now… I’m a
celebrity,” he said. “You’ve been a celebrity since you’re born, you
just didn’t realise it,” Tanya told him. “What do you mean by that?”
Bryan asked. “You’re a celebrity to your friends and family, if you know
what I mean,” Tanya told him. “I don’t…” Bryan whispered as he tried
to think. “You are well known to them… isn’t that what a celebrity is?”
Tanya explained. “Well… you’re right…” Bryan gave up. Tanya just
smiled. “I’ve got an idea on a song already,” Tanya told him. “Really?
Can I hear it?” Bryan asked. “I’m not finish with it yet, it’s just in
my head,” Tanya told him. “Can you teach me to write songs?” Bryan asked.
“That’s very simple, you don’t need anyone to teach you, you just write
out what you want to sing,” Tanya told him. “Like food and other stuffs?”
Bryan asked. “Something matured, Bryan… nobody wants to hear you sing a song
about fried chicken or a pen,” Tanya told him and broke into a laugh.
“Well… it might be interesting to sing a song about those stuff,” Bryan
replied with a laugh too.
Tanya unlocked the door and headed in followed by Bryan. “I’m going to the study room to continue my song writing, call me if you need anything,” Tanya remarked as she headed to the study room. “Sure,” Bryan replied as he went to get a cup of tea. “Yes Bryan, what could I get you?” Hampton asked as he saw him in the kitchen. “Oh… just a cup of tea Hampton… that’s all,” Bryan told him. “Alright, why don’t you have a seat?” he replied pointing to the stool. “Hampton… do you think she loves me?” Bryan asked. “Who? Mademoiselle Alex?” Hampton asked as he made tea. “Yeah… what ever happened after her treatment?” Bryan asked. “Mademoiselle Alex was very sad that we were to move here at London, she cried and refused to move here,” Hampton told him. “In the end, Master Hendricks promised to return to Dublin with her to meet you, but till now, he had never did that and eventually, she forgotten about you,” Hampton told him. “Forgotten huh?” Bryan replied sadly. “But there was someone who remembered you the best,” Hampton told Bryan as he passed him his cup of tea. “Who is it?” Bryan replied. “You’ll have to figure that yourself,” Hampton said with a smile. Bryan took his cup of tea and headed to the study room.
As he went in to the room, he was Tanya sitting by the study table, busy
writing. “How’s it progressing?” Bryan asked as he settled the cup down on
the table. “Oh… Bryan, it’s going fine,” she replied smiling. “Can I
have a look then?” Bryan asked. “Go ahead,” Tanya replied as she took a
sip of tea.
I’m
breaking apart,
Thinking
where you are,
My heart
starts to burn,
Imagining
harm brought to you,
I try to be
strong,
But
you’re making me weak,
Why did you
leave me?
Leaving me
to die of loneliness,
Loving
you…
Is all I
can think of…
Loving
you…
Is all I
want to do…
Loving
you…
Day by day
Never
stopping till I die…
Please let
me be the one…
Loving
you…
“It’s good, how does it sound?” Bryan asked. Blushing, Tanya started to sing. Bryan was amazed by her powerful voice; it was soothing his mind and soul. Tanya stopped and noticed Bryan with his mouth opened. “It something wrong?” she asked. “No… your voice… it was amazing!” Bryan said with amazement. Tanya began to even blush deeper. “You really suit your own songs, you should start a career as a singer!” Bryan said. “N… no! I don’t want to,” Tanya stuttered. “Come on! We should go meet West, he might help you out,” Bryan suggested. “Please Bryan… I don’t want to,” Tanya replied. “Why not?” Bryan asked disappointedly. “I’m still not ready yet,” Tanya told him. “Well then… I won’t force you to, but… I swear you’ll make a good singer and songwriter,” Bryan said as he headed to his room. Tanya stared as Bryan left her. “A singer…” Tanya whispered. She turned back to the table and continued to write.
Bryan decided to go visit Shane and Creole, to get some advice on what to
do. As he walked out, he became cautious and called a cab. He gave the cab
driver the address and they headed to Shane’s house. As he arrived, he stared
at the house that they own. “It’s huge…” Bryan mumbled as he stared at
the three-storey house. He went over to the door and rang the doorbell. Soon,
Creole appeared as the door swung open. “Bryan? What are you doing here?”
she asked. “I need to talk to you two,” he said.
As Bryan entered, he was amazed at everything they owned, the whole house
was fully furnished and makes anyone who enter it feel safe and comfortable.
“Make yourself at home, I’ll call Shane,” Creole said. “Sure,”
Bryan replied as Creole went off. At the end of the corridor, he saw a framed
painted picture. He went closer to examine it. It was a picture of Shane and
Creole, with the words, ‘The
Sky Is Infinitely High And Crystal Clear, And It’s The Only Treasure That I
Can Give To You – Love Creole’. “It’s beautiful,” Bryan said to
himself. “Creole drew it,” Shane said as he appeared behind Bryan. “She
has quite a talent,” Bryan remarked. “Yeah… it’s a picture of the first
day we met,” Shane said. “How did you two meet anyway?” Bryan asked as
both of them headed to the hall. “Strangely enough… we met on a plane when
they were heading to Sligo,” Shane replied. “You’re Irish?” Bryan asked.
“Yeah… since I married her, I’ve been living here in London… it was new
to me then, but I’m all right now,” Shane replied. Soon Creole came out and
served some coffee.
“What was it that you wanted to ask?” Creole asked as she drank some
of her coffee. “It’s about Alex, has she really forgotten about me since her
treatment?” Bryan asked. “Well… I have to admit that she really had
forgotten about you,” Creole told him. “Never heard her talk about you
before,” Shane continued. “Should I still love her?” Bryan asked. “Do
you, still love her?” Shane asked. “Totally, with my fullest desire,”
Bryan told him. “This is tough,” Creole whispered to Shane. “What does
your heart tell you?” Shane asked. “I’m not sure, I can’t tell,” Bryan
replied. “I remembered Anita telling me, that person everyone know the least
is themselves,” Creole said. “Especially their own hearts, you’ll have the
chance to realise it,” continued Shane. “How did you know Shackky?” Creole
asked puzzled. “Mark told me, on the same day Olive told you,” Shane replied
with a smile. “Oh… that’s so sweet,” Creole replied softly and they
kissed. Bryan cleared his throat as loud as possible. “Oh… sorry Bry…”
Shane replied. “So, you two think I might have a chance to realise my love?”
Bryan asked. “Definitely, you just have to be patient,” Creole told him
sweetly. “I guess you’re right… anyway, tell me more on how you two
met,” Bryan asked curiously. “Well… it’s not a simple love story,
that’s for sure,” Shane remarked. “Oh goody! An adventure,” Bryan
replied as he wiped his hands with each other.
“So… you two were in a verge of breaking up?” Bryan asked after
almost half an hour of story telling. “Sort of,” said Creole who was
snuggled next to Shane on a couch. “What happened then?” Bryan asked.
“This man here, just popped up from nowhere and brought me on a vacation where
we finally spilled out our love to each other,” Creole replied. “Wow… what
a story, are you still drawing by the way?” Bryan asked. “I haven’t done
that for a long time already,” Creole replied. “I think you can still do
it,” Shane replied. “You think so?” Creole asked. “Yeah… I’m
positive,” Shane replied. “Oh… that’s so sweet,” Creole said as they
kissed again. “My God! Must you always do that?” Bryan said as he got up.
“I’m going back, I think it’s already time for dinner,” Bryan continued
as he stared at his watch. “Sure… we’ll come along for dinner,” Creole
said as the two love birds headed to their nest. “Please hurry okay? Don’t
suddenly stop halfway kissing each other again,” Bryan said loudly at both of
them.
“Welcome back,” Hampton said as he opened the door. “Hello
Hampton,” Bryan, Creole and Shane greeted. “Dinner shall be served soon,
just wait by the dining table,” Hampton said. “Thanks Hampton,” Creole
said as the three of them headed to the dining hall. Everyone else was already
there by the table. “Oh… you’re finally here, have a seat,” Hendricks
said smiling. “Thanks Mr. Hendricks,” Bryan replied as he sat down. “Now
that everyone is here, I would like to make a toast, to Westlife!” West said
as he stood up with a glass of wine in his hand. “To Westlife!” everyone
cheered. “Already your first gig and everyone like you,” Fiona said as she
putted her glass down. “We must be really lucky!” Nicky replied. “And I
have great news too,” West continued as everybody went silent. Bryan felt a
bad omen. “We’re engaged, Alex and I,” West continued. At first, Bryan
didn’t believe his ears, but finally it came to him, Wesley and Alex were to
be wed. Hendricks and Fiona were happy, including Tanya and Linda. Creole and
Shane however put on their fake smiles, so did Bryan… trying hard to calm
himself down. Tanya taught to herself that now Alex if going to be married to
West, she would have a chance with Bryan. She was happy and busied herself
clapping but stopped when she noticed Bryan. Even if he was putting on a smile,
she could feel, the pain in his heart. For the past half an hour, Bryan held
back his tears and after dinner, he headed to his room and cried…
Tanya finally found the courage to talk to Bryan, so she headed to his
room. “Bryan? Are you in there?” she asked as she knocked softly on the
door. “Yeah… come in,” he replied softly, but could be heard from outside.
Tanya went into the room silently. “You’ve got a sec?” Tanya asked.
“Yeah… what is it?” Bryan said as he settled his glass of liquor on the
coffee table. “I have something to confess to you,” she replied. “Oh? What
is it?” Bryan asked. “Bryan… all this time… I’m in love with you,”
she said softly. “Do you love me?” she continued to ask. The room was dark,
and Bryan was in front of Tanya. He touched her cheeks. “I’m sorry Tanya,
even if Alex is now engaged with West… I’m still in love with her,” Bryan
said to her. After a few seconds, of silence, Bryan could feel a tear roll down
his hand. Tanya turned around and ran out his room. “I’m sorry Tanya…”
he whispered as he watches her disappear from the room.
Tanya ran to her room and locked herself in it. She was crying none stop.
She walked over to her study table and stared blurry on the song she was working
on this evening. She picked her pen up and started to write, even if she was
hurt inside and was still crying.
Now you say,
You don’t love me,
You still say,
You love her still,
How about me?
How about my love?
Should I throw it away?
Should I never think of you again?
But I can’t,
As you are still in my heart,
In my soul…
Loving
you…
Is all I
can think of…
Loving
you…
Is all I
want to do…
Loving
you…
Day by day
Never
stopping till I die…
Please let
me be the one…
Loving
you…
The writing wasn’t steady, and some of the words were blurry because of
her tears. Just as she finished, she buried herself in her arms and continued to
cry. Bryan on the other hand, was drinking his liquor, every drop of it from the
bottle as he stared at the moon from his large window. As he turned around he
noticed a young Alex in front of him. “I taught you left,” she said as she
cried. Bryan bent over in front of her. “I will never do that,” he whispered
back. “You promise?” she asked as her blue eyes stared into his.
“Promise,” he replied as he crossed his finger with hers. He saw her face
lighten up by the angelic smile. As he tried to hug her, she vanished into the
dark. “Why don’t you love me?” Bryan asked in tears. “Why did you forget
me?” he continued. “But I do remember you,” said a young Tanya. “Why
didn’t you love me?” she asked. “Because I didn’t love you…” Bryan
told her. “Isn’t what I’m feeling now, the same with yours?” she
replied. Bryan stared at her silently. “Isn’t what I’m feeling now… the
same with yours?” she repeated as she slowly vanished. Bryan cried
regretting… that he had joined the band and returning here in London.
Bryan woke up late the following morning; he headed to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Then he went to the hall where everybody was. “Great you’re already up, we have to head to the recording studio to record our song, there’s a great demand on the song you guys sang yesterday,” West told them. “When are we leaving?” Bryan asked as he drank his coffee. “Once you’re ready, I won’t rush you,” West replied. “I’m going to get ready now, I’ll be down in five minutes time,” Bryan replied as he headed to his room to wash up. On his way to his room, he noticed that Tanya’s room was empty. He didn’t bother and headed to his room.
At the recording studio, West came with a piece of paper in his hand. “Tanya had just finished your upcoming song, here is the lyrics,” West said as he handed it to Shane. Bryan went over Shane’s shoulder and looked at the sheet. He noticed drops of water on it. “She cried last night, and still continued to finish our song?” he asked himself. “The lyrics are rather powerful, I like it,” Nicky said as he read through. “Very well then… this shall be our next song,” Shane replied as he passed the paper back to West. “Alright… I’ll have the producers come out with a song for it, while waiting, why don’t you guys go record your first song?” West told them. Moments later, they were recording their song. After an hour, they had a break and met with Creole and the rest. “Where’s Tanya? Isn’t she with you gals?” Shane asked. “No… I taught she came here earlier to help out with the recording,” Creole said. “She’s in Birmingham, told me she had some business there,” West said as he popped out from the other room. “Business? What business is she doing?” Bryan asked. “No idea, that’s all she told me, and that she might not be seeing us for quite a moment,” he continued. “How long will that be?” Nicky replied. “She didn’t exactly say, but she did say it would be quite a long time,” West told him.
“So how’s it going?” Shane asked Bryan as they were in the studio.
“About Alex? It’s fine… but I’m still in love with her,” Bryan told
him. “But she’s already engaged…” Shane told him. “I’ll wait then…
even till I die… I’ll wait for her,” Bryan replied with a smile as he
stared through the window where Alex and West are. “Are you sure?” Shane
asked back. “I’m totally fine with it, I don’t care even if she’s
already married, I promised that I’ll wait for her and that I’ll be there
for her,” Bryan told him. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” Shane
said. “Okay, guys… back to recording,” said West through the microphone.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Bryan replied as he put on his
headphones. The music started… a slow ballad with a soft beat together with an
orchestra behind them. Bryan took a deep breath and started to sing the first
verse, of ‘Loving You’ that was written by Tanya Hendricks. Bryan’s soft
angelic voice blended together with the violins that were playing along at the
background. Anyone who heard the song felt relaxed, but the lyrics that were
sung, could be easily understand, and they can feel the sadness in the tone of
the song and they can feel how sad the writer was when she wrote it. As they
finished the song, they repeated the record and were stunned and amazed… how
the song felt as though it was a story and the listeners were part of it.
“It’s wonderful… your expression and tone was wonderful Bryan!” West
told him excitedly. “I can feel that this song is going to be on the top spot
of the charts,” Nicky replied with a smile. “So do we,” said Mark with
Kian behind him. Bryan just stared at the sheet of paper where Tanya wrote the
song. He touched the part of the paper that was stained by her tears. “I’m
sorry…” he whispered.
A year later, Westlife had grown amazingly. The song ‘Loving You’ had made it to number one in every country, and so did the next 5 singles and their albums were sold in millions in every country. Westlife’s name was written everywhere. Among that half a year, Creole had given birth to the couple’s first baby boy, Stuart Filan and Anita too given birth to Lillian Egan. Bryan was still single and still… waiting for Alex. Alex too is pregnant. Nicky has started to date Linda, Creole and Alex’s sister. Even when three of the band members were married and one of them is dating, they are still popular among the people for their talents in song writing and the expression when they sang. Days later, they were shocked to find out that Tanya had decided to be a singer, and that her first single, an upbeat song had reached to the top spot of the U.K. charts.
“Good news, Tanya shall be our opening act for our Asian tour, she’ll be arriving to meet us soon,” West said to the lads. “That’s great! We haven’t met her for a long time already,” Kian said. “Yeah… a whole year to be precise,” Mark continued. “Man… how time flows… she’s really talented too,” Shane said. Bryan too was happy to know that Tanya and finally decided to be a singer at the end. Minutes later, Tanya burst out from the doors and startled everyone. “Hah! Got you!” she shouted laughing. Everyone shouted her name and started to greet her. “Man… I’ve missed you guys,” Tanya said hugging everyone till Bryan. “You’ve finally decided to be a singer huh?” Bryan asked with a smile. “Yes… and its thanks to you,” she said pulling his cheeks apart. “When did you start to sing?” Shane asked. “Hmmm… should be about a year ago,” she replied. “I went to Birmingham for it,” she told him. “Why so long?” Kian asked. “Hey… it’s not easy to find a perfect record company, a manager and to write songs okay?” she told him. “Well… I’m glad you decided to tour with us,” Mark replied. “Me too! I’m really excited of this tour!” she told them while she laughed. Bryan was looking at her happily, “At least she’s back to her formal self again,” he said to himself as he looked at her jumping around and playing with the rest of the lads.
“Ever thought of doing a duet with us? It might boost your career a bit,” Bryan asked Tanya as they were on a plane heading to Indonesia, their first Asian gig. “That’s a great idea!” Tanya told him. “And we could write a song together, it’ll be a great hit,” Bryan replied. “Yeah! Oh goody! Where’s my book?” Tanya said as she examined inside her knapsack. Moments later, she pulled out a black book. “You write your songs on that?” Bryan asked. “Yeah… every song on my latest album were written here, and my upcoming song too,” she told him as she opened the book and took out the pen in the middle of the book. “So… should we sing an upbeat song or a ballad?” she asked. “I would like to sing an upbeat song,” Bryan told her. “Okay… about what?” she asked. “Love?” he replied smiling. Tanya felt numbed inside. “Are you alright?” Bryan asked. “Oh… it’s nothing,” she replied. “Love it is…” she said as she jotted the notes down. During the whole Asian tour, Bryan and Tanya had been together writing their song… it wasn’t as simple as they used to write before. They decided to come out with powerful lyrics so that they could move the world with their song.
After their last Asian tour, Westlife and Tanya headed back to London for a holiday and because Alex was expecting a baby. They were waiting impatiently at the hospital that night. Hours later West came out with a very sad expression. “Did something go wrong West?” Bryan asked nervously. “We have a baby boy… but unfortunately, Alex has passed away giving birth to him,” West replied as he cried. “What…?” Bryan whispered in disbelieve. Everyone else was stunned and moments later, they burst into tears, so did Fiona, Hendricks and Hampton. “She died?” Bryan whispered to himself. Not wanting to believe it, Bryan ran into the room. The doctor and nurses held him back. “Alex!” he shouted at her. Her eyes were closed, her face was pale and her lips were blue. “ALEX!” he continued to shout as he cried and struggled to get pass the nurses. “Please sir… calm down,” one of the nurses said. “YOU PROMISED!!! YOU PROMISED ME!!!” he continued to shout with his tears dripping down his cheeks. “Bryan… stop it, please,” Shane said as he pulled him back together with the others. “You promised! We… promised… to wait for each other…” he replied softly as he feel on his knees and buried his face in his palms. “Why didn’t you wait for me?” he whispered as he stuttered. Everyone stared at him depressingly. On the hospital bed, laid Alexandra Tonne, resting peacefully with a smile across her face and dried tears on her cheeks.
The following day was her funeral. The lads including Hendricks and Wesley carried the white coffin to the grave. The priest gave his prayer and Alex’s body was lowered into her grave. The doctors said that the disease she had when she was young, MPS I, took it’s effect again when she was giving birth to her son, Zachary Tonne. After the session, everyone headed back home. Bryan walked to Alex’s room silently. He looked around and picked up a picture of her when she was young. “Why didn’t you wait for me?” Bryan asked. Behind him was Alex, sitting on her bed. “Because I can’t,” Alex told him. “But… I love you, we had promised, why did you forgotten me?” Bryan asked as he sat on the chair opposite her. “I didn’t, I still remembered you,” she said smiling. “Liar,” Bryan said back. “I didn’t wait for you because someone else… was waiting for you before me,” she replied. “What?” Bryan said in disbelieve. “Someone else… was in love with you,” she told him as she got up and headed to the window. “Who? Who could be waiting for me?” Bryan asked. “Only time will tell Bryan… listen to your heart,” she said while she smiled at him and slowly vanished. “Wait! Who? Who could be waiting for me?” he said as he ran to the window. “Only time… will tell you,” said Alex.
Bryan sat silently on the chair overlooking the garden. He was in deep
taught. He suddenly got up moments later and headed to Tanya’s room.
“Tanya!” he called out. She opened the door. “What is it?” she asked.
“The song… let’s make it to celebrate Alex’s life… a remembrance for
Alex…” Bryan told her. Tanya thought for a while and then agreed with him.
They then headed to the table and changed the lyrics of the song. After a few
hours, they had finally finished.
Remember
the time we had,
When you
were on that swing,
We played
in the sand,
We sang and
danced,
I heard you
crying and I came to you,
And
promised you I will be there for you,
I told you
to be strong,
And you
did,
You never
doubted me,
Instead you
became my friend
Your life
is our song,
We’re
singing this…
Singing a
life to remember,
You are now
an angel,
Staring
down on us,
Looking
after us from above,
Your life
is to be remembered,
As you were
the friend we had,
I will
never forget you as long as we have this song…
A song for
a life to remember…
We were
more than sisters,
We were
soul mates,
You were
there to lead me,
You guided
me…
And you
protected me,
We had
laughed together,
And cried
many tears together,
But you are
now always on my mind,
And always
in my heart…
Your life
is our song,
We’re
singing this…
Singing a
life to remember,
You are now
an angel,
Staring
down on us,
Looking
after us from above,
Your life
is to be remembered,
As you were
the friend we had,
I will
never forget you as long as we have this song…
A song for
a life to remember…
You were
there for us, (a life to remember)
You were
singing with us, (a song to remember)
You were
dancing with us, (your life is a remembrance)
You were
looking after us, (a remembrance never to be forgotten)
You are the
life…
Worth
remembering…
Your life
is our song,
We’re
singing this…
Singing a
life to remember,
You are now
an angel,
Staring
down on us,
Looking
after us from above,
Your life
is to be remembered,
As you were
the friend we had,
I will
never forget you as long as we have this song…
A song for
a life to remember…
Chapter seventeen
“This is perfect,” Tanya said with tears. “She is… worth remembering,” Bryan told her. Both of them headed to the hall where everyone was. “West… what do you think of this?” Bryan asked. “Hold him for a sec then…” West said as he passed Zachary to Tanya. Wesley took the paper and read it thoroughly. “It’s great!” he said after reading it. “Let me see,” Mark said as everyone gathered around him. “Let’s go to the studio now,” West said impatiently. “This is really good, a really great way of celebrating her life,” Shane told Bryan. “Let’s go then,” Bryan said with a smile. They headed to the studio by squeezing into a Mercedes.
Bryan and the rest were busy finding the right type of music for the song. Finally they suggested it to be just like ‘Loving You’. They had gathered the best orchestra from London. Bryan and Tanya will play the piano, as both of them were very good in it. So it was settled, two piano’s an orchestra and best vocals. They recorded the song without delay and were proud of it.
Days passed and the single was released. They decided to have all the profits from the singles sold to be donated to the world MPS I researching fund and also known as the Alexandra Fund, to improve on the medications for MPS I sufferers. They even decided on having a charity concert for children with MPS I disease. Many stars gathered and took part of the event. The event was so popular that events were even made all around the world. And of course, Westlife together with Tanya was in every concert that was held. This event was even recorded in the book of records for the biggest event ever to be made around the world. Westlife and Tanya were honoured for their achievements of the Alexandra Fund.
Months later after the Alexandra Fund concert; they had a party on the
success of the events. “I’m glad we decided on making this happen,” Bryan
told Tanya. “Me too… oh! I have to go, it’s my turn on stage now,” Tanya
said as she saw Creole waving at her. “Go on!” Bryan told her. When she
left, Bryan headed to the garden behind the tent where they had the party. He
sat by the fountain with a glass of liquor in his hand. “It was a success
Alex… I’m glad I decided on making it,” Bryan said. “But you haven’t
found real happiness yet,” Alex told him as her image appeared next to him.
“I don’t think I really need it now… and I still didn’t understand what
you meant by only time will tell,” Bryan told her. “Such a simple line and
you still don’t understand? Bryan… you can amaze me sometimes,” Alex said
with a smile. “But how can I find true happiness when you are already gone?”
Bryan asked. “Are you really in love with me?” Alex asked back.
“Definitely, ever since we met,” Bryan told her. “But I can see someone
else on your mind right now,” Alex told him. It was true, Bryan was still
having the image of Tanya in his head. “You can read my mind?” Bryan asked
with shock. “Yes… and you’ve been thinking of really naughty things
haven’t you?” Alex told him cheekily. Bryan blushed deeply, which cause Alex
to laugh. “I think I’m really in love with Tanya,” Bryan said after a
moment of silence as he stared at Tanya on stage. “That’s good, well… I
guess my work here is done, and I shall go now,” Alex told him as she got up.
“Will I ever see you again?” he asked worriedly. “I’m always there when
you need me,” she replied sweetly as she vanished. Bryan smiled and headed
back to the tent. Behind him was Zachary who is looking at the fountain. “Bye
mommy!” he said waving his hand at her image. “Bye Zack, I’ll miss you,”
she whispered back as she waved at him.
“Thank you miss Tanya, for your great song,” said West as the presenter for the night. “Next, we shall call upon Bryan. One of Alexandra’s childhood friend,” West called. There was loud clapping as Bryan headed to the stage. “Hello and welcome to the party,” Bryan started his speech. “I’ve met Alexandra since I was six, she was the one who talked to me first,” Bryan continued as Shane, Mark, Kian and Nicky looked at him.
“I remembered that she asked me to teach her how to play the swing, and I did teach her. We played in the sandbox and became friends at that moment. Our relationship became very close day after day. She had introduced me to her lovely parents and sisters,” Bryan stopped as he pointed out to Hendricks, Fiona, Tanya, Linda and Creole.
“We have been close friends till the fateful day came, the day she was diagnosed with MPS I. I was frightened, but I remained strong when I promised her that we’d be waiting for each other. Fifteen years later… I had found the one piece of paper that changed my life. Believe it or not, it was about the audition for joining a band called Westlife. I told myself ‘what the heck’ and went on with it together with my best buddy Nicky,”
“It was odd enough that both of us were chosen and much more bizarre was that one of the member’s of the group was married to Alex’s youngest sister Creole. It was pure luck and I thank God tonight, for allowing us to meet. I had finally found the family I’ve been waiting for all my life. Alex had taught me a whole lot about life ever since we’ve met again, especially about love. She had married our most distinguished manager Wesley Tonne and had a handsome baby boy, Zachary Tonne,” Bryan continued his speech as he looked at West and Zack.
“You might not believe me, but I just met Alex a moment ago, and she told me, that time had something to tell me. And tonight I had finally found out what she meant by that verse. Ladies and Gentlemen, I had fallen in love with the wrong girl all my life,” Bryan said. Tanya’s heart skipped a beat when she noticed him saying that very line.
“And she told me that… there was another girl instead… that had been waiting for me all her life. Tanya Hendricks…” Bryan said as he walked to her. “You were the girl that has been waiting for me… and I’m sorry that I pushed your love away the other day. But now… I can see everything that you had done for me, and I regret pushing your love. If I had accepted your love, Alex would have a chance to see us before she had left. So… it doesn’t matter now, Tanya… do you accept my love?” Bryan asked.
“All my life Bryan McFadden… I had been stuck to you like glue. Even though you pushed my love away the other day. I still am in love with you, and yes… I accept it!” she said with tears. Bryan was glad; he lifted her up into his arms and gave her a kiss that would be remembered forever. Everyone gave out a loud cheer and campaigns were popped out.
Years later, Tanya and Bryan married and had two pairs of twins, one pair boys and the other girls. “It’s a total blessing, never would I have imagined two pair of twins,” Bryan told Tanya who were on the hospital bed. “What would you name them?” Tanya asked. “The boys… Hmmm… How about Neil and Nathan?” Bryan asked. “Good one, and one of the girls should be Alexandra,” Tanya told him. “Definitely, and the other should be Ally,” Bryan said. “Neil McFadden, Nathan McFadden, Ally McFadden and Alexandra McFadden,” Tanya said as she looked at the two pairs. Shane, Kian, Nicky, Mark, Olive, Anita, Creole and Linda then burst into the room full force. “My God! It’s true!” Nicky said in disbelieve. “They defeated us!” Olive said to Mark. “Yeah… I think so,” Mark said scratching his head while he smiled. “I won’t lose to them! Let’s do it!” Olive said. “W… What? Olive! I told you already… stop embarrassing us in front of everybody,” Mark said embarrassedly. “Fine then! Don’t you there sleep on the bed from today onwards!” Olive sulked. “Oh! No… I’m sorry darling…” Mark begged for forgiveness. Everyone then laughed.
“Well… seems like life’s going to be straightforward from today onwards then… I sure glad we met again that very day,” Bryan told Tanya. “Yeah… it’s been a long time,” she said with a smile. Alex was looking at them from outside the hospital window. “It definitely has been a long time,” she said as she vanished again.
The End