by Erika Rose
John smiled a little at her last comment. During the world tour they had spent a considerable amount of money to control alcohol abuse by minors at each show. If they could cut down on that expenditure alone it might sway him.
“Give me a few days to think about it. Let me listen to it again. I’m not saying we should do it, but I’ll consider because you’re dead set. In my opinion this is still career suicide.”
Fawn knew that was the closest to a yes she was going to get from him now. She jumped up and moved around the table to give John a bear hug. “Thank you thank you thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet, Fawn. There’s a lot to consider, a lot of details to go over.” John said reserved as Fawn pulled away.
“I know, and that’s why you’re my manager, you’re fantastic with details.”
John laughed and shook his head. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere Miss Di Maggio.”
Fawn smiled as she picked up her bag. “I’ll wait to hear from you then.”
Fawn hummed to herself the whole way home. Dom drove through the familiar streets without saying a word. Fawn wanted to ask him if he was happy to be home, but she was so lost in her own thoughts she just stared out the window. She couldn’t help but wonder what Seth was doing. Was he at home or at the hotel? Did he miss her as much as she missed him?
She had noticed that morning when she finally switched on her phone that she had missed several calls from him, but she wasn’t ready to return his calls or to listen to his messages. She knew she needed to apologize for her behavior yesterday, but just thinking back to the newspaper in John’s office made her furious again. How could he betray her like that? She would’ve spent the next two weeks with him in his home, in his bed and he had gone and ruined it all by telling everyone he knew she was with him.
She thought about the meeting in John’s office. She knew better than to think she had persuaded him. John was either against or for something. After working with John for such a long time Fawn knew if John was against something; the chances of him turning were zero to none. He had firm opinions that were rarely swayed.
As they turned into her neighborhood Fawn faced the hard fact that ultimately it was her decision, but that would mean firing John. She didn’t know if she would be able to do that, not after everything he’d done for her.
Dom brought the car to stand still as the wrought iron gates of her estate closed behind them. As she stepped out of the car the sun sprinkled her with rays, warming her skin.
Rain and thunderstorm better suited her mood, but since she had nothing better to do she decided to sunbathe and drown in her pity.
Dressed in her white bathing suit Fawn grabbed her guitar and a notebook before heading outside.
She sat down on a sun lounger next to the pool. The warm breeze carried the salty air from the ocean with it. Fawn could feel her skin heating under the sun’s gaze as she positioned her guitar. As her fingers strummed the strings she gave in to the tears that started to fall.
She started singing about her emotions and Seth’s betrayal and difficult choices she had to make, and before she knew it she had a song.
Grabbing her notebook she shoved her hair behind her ear and quickly wrote down the lyrics before she forgot.
I lost my heart to a man by the sea,
And now I’ve left he’s gone and kept the key.
I miss my heart and the love that it held
And I miss that man by the sea.
I long for time when decisions were easy
When the hardest choice was what to wear
Now I’m stuck between the present and the past
How long is this pain gonna last?
Fawn genuinely smiled for the first time since landing in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. The lyrics were true to her heart and the tune was catchy and honest. Screw John, her own music was better than the pop she’d been singing for years.
Even if she had lost Seth for good, she would fight for this music, her music.
“Fawn.” Callie called as he walked to the lounger where Fawn sat with her guitar and notepad. “I was looking for you.”
“Hi, sorry, I should’ve told you I was back. I just needed to be alone after my meeting with John.” Fawn said squinting up at Callie.
“Oh, how did it go?” Callie asked as she sat down on the lounger next to Fawn.
“Horrible, depressing, awful. Pick one.” Fawn smiled sadly.
“Oh honey, why?” Callie asked sincerely before her eyes lighted with realization. “The newspapers?”
Fawn nodded grimacing. “You can imagine how happy John was about that, and then add to that the fact that I want to change my genre….let’s just say I’m not his favorite person at the moment.”
“John will come around.” Callie soothed before a naughty smile spread across her face. “I know this isn’t appropriate but I just have to say this. Seth is H O T!”
Fawn couldn’t help but laugh. “I told you he was.”
“No you told me you found him attractive. You didn’t say he was like super hot! Even I was shocked when I saw the papers this morning.”
“Yeah, just a shame it’s over now, maybe it’s for the best.” Fawn said as she fiddled with the strings of her guitar.
“Hasn’t he called?” Callie asked carefully.
“Yes, but I didn’t take the call. Seriously Callie all this is his fault. He blabbed to his friends about us and now he’s splattered all over the papers.”
Callie kept quiet for a moment before speaking. “Fawn they pulled him apart in that article just as much as they did you. If anything he’s as mad as you are at press.”
“Still, what do we have to say to each other, we live on opposite sides of the country? Have a nice life?” Fawn said sarcastically.
“I doubt it, besides you’re sitting out here and singing the most beautiful saddest songs I’ve ever heard. Is it true, did you leave your heart with him?”
Fawn nodded sadly swallowing back the tears that were threatening to fall again. “Yes, I think I did.” She sniffed the tears back and took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you take the afternoon off? I’m just going to sit here and feel sorry for myself anyway.”
“I don’t want to leave you like this.” Callie said proving to Fawn she had become more a friend than an assistant.
“Go, really. I’ll be fine. I just need some alone time to work through all of this and think of a plan to convince John about the new songs.”
“If you’re sure?” Callie said hesitantly as she stood up.
“I’m sure. Enjoy your afternoon.” Fawn said as Callie watched her, wanting to make sure she was fine.
After a long while Callie nodded. “Okay I’ll go, but call me if you need me.” She gave Fawn a brief hug. Fawn watched Callie walk into the house and pulled the notepad with the lyrics closer.
She strummed the guitar and sang the song again with more feeling this time. When she was finished she felt a flicker of hope in her chest.
It was the best song she’s ever written.
CHAPTER 20
Seth had spent the whole night working on Fawn’s songs. As the night started to give way to dawn he walked out of the studio feeling accomplished. Her songs were trendy yet heartfelt and Seth still couldn’t believe that he had done it all himself.
He had always known he was passionate about making music, but now he had proved to himself that this was what he wanted to do with his life.
As he worked through the night the plan that started forming late last night became clear. He was going to Los Angeles. He drove straight to the hotel to make a few calls before he was taking the family jet to Los Angeles.
“Good morning Mr. Northman.” The night receptionist greeted him as he stepped into the lobby just shy of 7am.
“Hi Michelle. I need to access a client file; can I use your computer?” Seth asked as he moved around the counter.
“Certainly Sir.” Michelle smiled as she stepped aside giving him access to her computer.
Within a few clicks Seth had the information he needed, the number of Fawn’s assistant who had made her hotel booking. He quickly jotted it down on a piece of paper and tucked it into his pocket before closing the screen.
“Thanks Michelle. Do me a favor; please leave a message for my father that I’ll be in Los Angeles for a couple of days.”
“No problem, I’ll make sure he gets the message.”
Seth tapped the desk twice before heading back to his car. He quickly pulled up the number of the pilot that flew their family jet and pressed the dial button.
A very groggy voice answered the phone. “Seth?”
“Hey Pete, yeah it’s me. Sorry to wake you. How soon can we be fuelled and ready to fly to Los Angeles?”
“Today?”
Seth smiled as he climbed back in his car. “Yes, Pete today.”
The sound of feet shuffling and doors closing came over the phone before Pete cleared his throat and spoke clearly. “I’ll have it ready for you in two hours.”
“Great! Thanks Pete, see you in a few.” Seth fired the engine and roared out of the hotel parking lot. He had a lot to do in two hours.
“Here you go sir.” The friendly lady at the car rental booth smiled as she handed Seth the keys. “You’ve got unlimited mileage and super cover insurance.” Seth could almost swear she had read the paper this morning as she smiled knowingly at him.
When the airhostess passed him the morning paper shortly after boarding; he almost choked on his coffee when he saw his own face on the front page. Now it felt like everyone was smiling at him, recognizing him from the papers. Fame sucked.
“Thanks.” Seth took the keys and hurried towards where she had indicated the car would be. He switched on his phone and tried dialing Fawn’s number again…voicemail.
As he pulled out of the parking lot at LAX Seth couldn’t help but smile, Fawn couldn’t hide from him much longer. He dialed the number from the piece of paper in his pocket and within a few rings a chirpy voice answered the phone.
“Callie speaking, how can I help you?”
Seth grinned; his plan was falling into place perfectly. “Hello Miss. I’m phoning from the hotel where Miss Di Maggio recently stayed in the Hamptons. She forgot a few things in her room, if you’d be so kind as to provide me with an address I’ll overnight them to you?” Seth rattled off the sentence hoping he sounded like a hotel receptionist.
“Hmmm…”
Seth could hear the hesitation in her voice. “It’s part of our service M’am.”
“All right.” Callie agreed before giving Seth the home address he was after.
A grin spread across his face as he sat with the Holy Grail in his hands. “Thank you.”
He punched the address into the GPS on his phone and obeyed the voice instructing him to turn left at the next intersection.
It was late afternoon when Seth pulled up to the large Spanish style mansion in Beverly Hills. The large wrought iron gates were beautiful but imposing, there was no way Seth was going to get in here easily.
He tried convincing the guard at the gate that he was a friend of Fawn’s but the man looked at him like he was crazy and refused to budge.
Seth dialed her number numerous times but kept getting her voicemail.
He was just about to ram the gate when it opened for a vehicle heading out. Anticipation bubbled to the surface as Seth looked into the car hoping to see Fawn. Instead it was a red head with wild curls and a large smile.
She stopped her car next to his and opened the window. “Hey there handsome. Fancy seeing you here.”
“Excuse me?” Seth asked confused.
“I’m Callie, Fawn’s assistant. I saw your picture in the paper this morning.” She answered by way of explanation.
“Oh right, that. Is Fawn here?”
“Yes, but I don’t think now is a great time to announce your arrival.” Callie bit her lower lip in thought before smiling at Seth conspiratorially. “Why don’t you join me for a cup of coffee?”
“What? Why would I want to go for coffee with you?” Seth asked confused.
“Because she’s not answering her phone, which means your only way onto the estate is through me, and I’ve got a few questions before I let you anywhere near Fawn.”
Seth sighed but knew he had no other choice. “Fine.”
“Great!” Callie said slipping on her sunglasses. “You can follow me.”
The coffee shop was small and quiet, Seth was grateful for that at least as he followed Callie to a hidden booth in the back.
“Here, sit down. Most of the people who come here are only here for the free WIFI so I doubt they’ll recognize you.” Callie said as she slipped into the booth.
“Thanks, this is all new to me. And not much fun I might add.” Seth rubbed his sweaty palms on his thighs. He felt nervous about what Callie wanted to ask him, like she said she was his only way to Fawn.
“From what I hear that was quite the circus at your place yesterday?”
Seth grunted. “I know I was shocked to see how that had multiplied when I got back from dropping Fawn off. Let’s just say my car had never made a U-turn that fast. When I went by this morning they were gone.”
Callie laughed. “They’ll find you soon enough, they always do. Besides you're hot news!”
“Please can we change the subject? Yesterday wasn’t what I’d call my finest moment.”
Callie smiled briefly before opening the menu. “It was you calling earlier wasn’t it?”
Seth shrugged. “You caught me. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Callie laughed. A careless happy sound that traveled over Seth. Had he met her a month earlier he would’ve considered asking her on a date. She was full of life and although she wasn’t beautiful, she was cute. Her nose was slightly turned up with a few freckles sprinkled on the tip. Seth guessed her red hair was natural, as there was no re-growth. About the curls, he couldn’t be sure. But her perky personality and vibrant smile was attractive, even if her curves were a bit more generous than what would’ve been considered healthy.
“Well I’ll give you points for originality.” Callie answered as the waiter approached. “I’ll have a cappuccino.” She said to the waiter before turning to Seth for his order.
Seth hadn’t even picked up the menu yet but knew what he needed. “One shot of Espresso please.”
As the waiter walked away Callie teased. “Espresso, I like a man who can handle strong coffee.”
Seth forced a smile, she was obviously trying to make conversation and he only wanted to get their coffee date over with so he could see Fawn.
“Right, so let’s get to the reason we’re here. Fawn.”
Seth nodded as the waiter placed their orders on the table. “Yes. What do you want to know?”
Callie bit her lower lip before narrowing her eyes. “Did you call the press?”
“No!” Seth exclaimed. “You have to believe me, although I did get to the bottom of it. I mentioned to my closest friends that I was seeing Fawn. I’d just like to add that Fawn had already met Stefan at the time. He happened to mention it to his niece because she wanted Fawn’s autograph.” He sipped the strong black coffee and felt the caffeine shoot through his system before he said resigned. “She tweeted it.”
“Shit!” Callie said watching him over her cup.
“Yes, shit!” Seth said unconsciously rubbing his knuckles which still ached.
Callie missed nothing. She burst out laughing. “You decked him?”
Seth couldn’t help but grin back. “Of course, although I’m not proud of it. But she’s my girl.” He reminded himself to give Stefan a call later and apologize to him as well. Punching him wasn’t necessary and didn’t make the situation better. Luckily he believed his friend would’ve brushed it off by now.
“Aaawh!” Calli
e crooned pressing a hand to her heart.
“It’s true, she is. At least I think she is.”
“That’s tricky and something you’ll need to discuss with her. Now for my second question. Why are you here?” Callie’s voice was all business, none of the happy banter of earlier.
Seth took a deep breath before answering. “I need to explain to her what happened, apologize. Then I need to play her the songs I produced. I’ve been up all night working at it, I hope she likes it.”
Callie’s frown softened slightly. “Is that all? You want to brag to her about your producing abilities?”
“And I need to tell her…I love her.”
Callie carefully watched Seth, silence hung over them for what felt like infinity before she dug in her purse and pulled out a bundle of keys.
“Here, this key will open up the front door.” She indicated at one of the keys in the bunch. “I’ll phone the guard at the gate to let him know you’re coming.”
Seth snatched the keys from Callie before she changed her mind. “Thanks.” He said swallowing the last of his espresso. The bitter hot liquid scorching his throat.
“Hold it, you’re not getting away that fast. There’s something else I need to talk to you about.” Callie said as she grabbed his wrist.
Seth frowned. “What?”
Callie let go of his arm and took a deep breath. “Fawn. You need to be patient with her. She has a hard time opening up; call it scars from a previous relationship.”
“All right, so how do you suggest I approach this?” Seth asked, knowing he’d only have one chance at getting it right.
“Don’t start with a declaration of love, that will just scare her off.” Callie said matter of factly. “The rest you’ll figure out when you get there. She was out on the deck when I left. Walk straight through the foyer towards the back; you’ll see the terrace doors.”
“Right. Any chance you’ll tell me about the burns from the other relationship?”
“None.” Callie said firmly. “That’s Fawn story to tell, if she wants you to hear it.”