Chapter 21

JAKE

I knew that this question was coming and I have feared his question. This was probably one of the reasons why I did not want to do the world tour because my manager will know there is something wrong. I also know that I can not just tell him something, it has to be a valid reason.

" I guess, I just wanted some alone time for a while..."

Then I put my hand on his shoulder but with a lot of hesitation.

"But I am fine now. I am ready to kick this world tour's ass!"

I see him laugh a little bit and I have not seen him laughing for quite a while. He used to laugh a lot and we used to laugh together. But then I was the one that stopped it. I need to show him that I am okay now even if I am not because I need him to be happy to be able to do his job.

I guess in many ways he is my best friend and I would lie if I say that I did not miss him. Then I take my hand off his shoulder and look out of the window. It is a beautiful city and I can not wait to get on the stage again.

But there is something else on my mind too. Layla. I know that we only have a show tomorrow night and I am sure that I will see her even before then. We probably have to do a test run and I know this will be very interesting. We arrive in front of the hotel and there is, of course, a crowd waiting for me. I do not mind the crowd but I mind the paparazzi.

The fans are still a bit accommodating the but the paparazzi do not care about your personal space or what they blabber out in public. Mark turns to me and says.

"Are you ready for this?"

I put on my hoodie and my sunglasses and then I say.

"As ready as I ever can be"

Then my bodyguards open the door and the crowd goes wild. I wave a little bit at them and then I make my way into the hotel. I have been here many times and usually, they are very discreet. They keep the fans outside and I can be myself when I am here.

Of course, it is the manager that comes to greet me at the door and they lead me to my suite. They open the doors for me and of course, it is the best room in the hotel. I can easily fit in a hundred people just in my living room alone. I look around the room and I realize that it will be very lonely because I will not let anyone stay with me.

I smile where I need to smile and say what I need to say and then I say to Mark.

"Could I have a few moments alone before we go to the stage?"

"Yes, of course, buddy"

He slaps me on my back and then everyone leaves me alone. I stand in the middle of the living room and I realize how privileged I am to be here. I have not come from wealth. My parents were very poor and I had to work hard to get where I am today.

Now, I find myself alone in a room. My parents have died, I have no more family. It is just me. I do not know why I feel so depressed but I know I better get myself ready. I have a long six months waiting for me and as an added bonus I can turn into a wolf. I laugh as I hear the thoughts in my head because who in the world turns into a wolf?

Then I stand at the window and look at the view. It is spectacular.

LAYLA

We arrive at the hotel and then we see another crowd. I guess I should get used to these crowds because that is just the way these six months would go. Everyone is here to see Jake and we will be following him wherever he goes. We get out of the vans and then we are assigned to our different rooms.

I share a room with four other girls and soon we start to introduce each other. One of the girls is Rita and I am glad to share a room with her. I still need to find out what her deal is Laura but now is not the time. Then Stacy knocks on the door and walks straight up to me.

"I know that everything is still new for you but I trust that everyone will help you in the right direction. All you need to know for now is that you need to check out the makeup room and we will send all the necessary things to the room. I know that Jake would like to have a test run before the show tomorrow. I do not know when, but we will let you know as soon as that's going to happen"

That is not nerve-wracking at all. He wants to have a test run but nobody knows when? I have done a bit of homework but nothing is like the real deal.

"I understand, yes"

"Good. We leave in an hour so if you want to just check things out, be our guest but be in the lobby in an hour"

"I will do so, thank you"

This job is much more different than the one I was used to just a day ago. There were strict times that you had to be at work but this feels like you are almost all the time at work. Nobody really knows what the times are and you are always just on standby. But then again the email they sent me with the salary that I get makes sense now.

You work when you are needed and you must always be ready. Now I know why Jason said when there is an opportunity for you to sightsee take it. You decide to get to know your roommates and you can see that they are all very nice girls.

There is something that you realize about them, they all have great respect for Jake but not just respect more like an underlying crush. Which I completely understand. You can not be around him and not like him. This makes me even more nervous because I do not know how I am going to react to this so-called test run.

The hour goes by much faster than I thought and quickly we leave the room. When we get into the vans the crowd is still waiting outside and I guess they will stay there for the remainder of the time that we are here. It is already dark and it begins to be a bit cold but this does not stop anyone to get into the vans and start to work.

I am the last person in the van and then the crowd goes wild. I know now that Jake is behind us and I can not help just looking at him one more time. He still has the same hoodie on and sunglasses in the dark. I do feel a bit sad for him but then again I do not know him.

I get into the van and then I watch as his car is almost immediately behind our van. He, of course, is driving in a limo but what else do you expect? I watch him getting into the limo and then he is out of sight. The stage is not far away from our hotel and the stadium is magnificent.

It is the biggest structure that I have ever seen in my life and I guess I will see a few big structures. I know that Jake's concerts are usually sold out and there are millions of people that attend. As we entered the stadium we see the enormous stage that was set up for him. It is clear that he can freely move between the people as the stage is set up to move between them. I understand why it is set up like that because everyone wants a piece of him.

Quickly, everyone finds their place and I start to look for the makeup room. I know that it should be close to his own personal room because after makeup it is stage time. After asking around a bit, I finally find the room. As I get into the room I see something that completely motivates me.

The finest materials of clothing are displayed in the room that I have seen in my life and the best makeup. I can truly pick and choose what he needs to wear tomorrow night. I am almost in awe at what I see. I feel completely inspired and I know exactly what I want him to wear tomorrow night.

The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is whether he would like it or not. As I go through the clothes I realize everything is one size and I take a wild guess that it is his size. I look through the makeup and I remember my research about his pictures.

The tones of his skin are usually light brown for his eyes and the lipstick is almost a light orange color. I can not help but just stare at everything because I know this is the best of the best. Then suddenly the door opens and I turn to see who is at the door. I am completely stunned to see Jake standing there.

"Hey, could we maybe do a test run? Or is it too quick for you?"