Chapter 45

JAKE

I stand in front of the doors of the hall that they hired for the after party. Something starts to brew within my heart. I remember this feeling vaguely, it is called excitement. I would enjoy being at one of my after parties.

I decide to go and put on something else and make sure that I look as good as I do on the stage. I know that I am only partying with my staff but I still have a reputation to hold up. I quickly made my way to my room and then to my surprise I stand in front of my closet not knowing what to wear.

I want to look good but not as good as on stage. I want Layla to be impressed with what I decide to wear. It blows my mind how much she influenced me. I have never thought so hard about what I should wear when I would meet a girl but for some reason, she has me wrapped around her finger.

I finally find something to wear, just a simple tight blue jeans with a black collar shirt. I hope that this will do the job. I look at myself in the mirror and then I see myself smile. Even though I am extremely exhausted, I would love to spend the night with Layla.

I get downstairs again and I hear the music through the doors. I am going to enjoy it tonight.

LAYLA

I can not believe how I find it so easy to talk to everyone. It seems like Jake has chosen a few good people to be his staff. Then I remember how he had an interview with me to welcome me to the crew. It is clear to me that he has a personal interest in everyone that works for him.

But there is something that is bothering me. If he is so invested in his people why isn't he at the party. It seems like something must have happened that he doesn't spend time with them anymore. As I chat with one person to the other, I find myself missing him.

I order myself another drink because I can not think about him. I am sure that he is too busy with somebody else right now. I know that Rita said that he stopped but I do not know what to believe. As I want to make my way back to the dance floor, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Hey, where are you going?"

I feel a cold chill running through my spine that I am unable to stop. It is Jason. I am afraid to turn around because I would know if he is drunk or sober but it seems as if he likes his beer. It would be a miracle if he is sober.

I turn around and give him a slight smile.

"I am going to the dance floor, why?"

"Because I just want to chat with you for a little while. I see that you have been doing your rounds tonight and now it is my turn"

Now it has become very clear to me that Jason is drunk and the scary part is that he has been watching me. He would not have known that I have been talking to everyone unless he has been staring at me from a distance. Then I feel his hand on my back and it feels like I want to run away.

If there was one thing that I have learned through my previous relationship, I should stay as calm as possible and not do anything to agitate him. He leads me back to the bar and we take a seat.

"So, what do you want to chat about?"

"I want to talk about you"

I know exactly what this means. This means he wants to feel me up and I have no desire for him to do that. I am just so happy that we are in a room full of people and not alone because I am sure he would have done that if we were alone.

"Well, what do you want to know about me?"

I can feel myself trying to sound as happy as possible but everything in me wants to scream for help. I hope that I am seeing things that aren't there but the tell-tale signs are more than clear.

"Well, where is your hometown?"

I watch him as he orders another beer. I really do not want to tell him the truth because maybe he will come and look for me.

"Oh, I am from LA"

"That is interesting. I never thought you would be a city girl even though you dress very well"

"Thank you"

"Isn't there something you want to ask me?"

There is something that I want to ask him but I would never ask him that because I know what the consequences are. I want to ask him why are you such a drunk? I want to ask him what the hell do you think you are doing with me? I want to ask him have you ever mistreated a woman?

I can feel fear starting to rise in my heart and I want to get away but right now I have to play my cards right. I have to make him think that he ended the conversation and not me. I give him another slight smile and then I say.

"Do you like to dance?"

He starts to laugh as he looks in the direction of the dance floor.

"Yes, I do"

"That is good news. Are we going to dance?"

I want to stand up so that he can follow me and I can be close to Rita or someone that can save me. Then suddenly he grabs my arm and he looks into my eyes.

"I am not falling for that one again"

JAKE

Once again I stand in front of the doors but this time I am ready to go in. I take a deep breath and open the doors. Suddenly, everyone looks my way and starts to clap hands and cheer. I can not stop myself from smiling and then everyone greets me as far as I walk.

I realized that I have done them an injustice by not being a crew together. It was as if I was separate on my throne and they were my slaves. I never want that but Madeline forced me to be that. I will hate that woman for the rest of my life.

Then I see the shock on Mark's face when he sees me but it quickly changes into a smile as he comes to give me a hug. I almost cringe as he hugs me but I try to act as normal as possible.

"I never thought I will see you here ever again. What changed your mind?"

I want to say it was Layla but there is no way I am telling Mark that.

"I guess, I just wanted to mingle"

"Well, please, mingle a lot. Can I get you a drink?"

"Nah, I think I can find my way. You go and have fun"

"It is good to see you, man"

I smile and then he pats me on my shoulder and walks away. I can not stop myself from looking for Layla. I am sure she must be here but then I start to wonder if she even came to this party. I decide to get myself something to drink and as I walk to the bar, I see Layla talking to Jason.

My heart immediately sinks into my shoes. Never in a million years did I think that she might find someone in the crew to love her. I was so blinded by the fact that I could not be with her that I never thought she would find someone. Everything in me wants to turn around and go back to my hotel room but I know I can not.

I have just arrived and the morale is up. I have to keep up appearances but just as I am about to turn around, I see something on her face. I have not known her for very long but I am almost sure I see her looking scared.

Then I see Jason's hand on her arm and I wonder if this is I love thing or are they just playing with each other. But I wonder why she looks the way that she does. Then suddenly, our eyes lock. I give her a slight smile but she does not return it.

It becomes more clear to me that she looks as if she is in distress. It looks like she is begging me. I do not know for what but then I see her sitting back down next to Jason. I find my feet starting to walk straight to her and I swear I see her smile the closer I get.

I have no idea what I am going to do when I get there but I know that I want to be there. I stop to sit next to Jason just casually getting myself a drink from the bar. I do not want to interrupt them as I am not sure of what I see.

LAYLA

I hear the people cheering and my heart skips a beat. I know that Jake must be here because it is only a Superstar you do that too. Suddenly, hope begins to rise in my heart. I hope that this somehow can distract us from talking. Then I say to Jason trying to divert the conversation.

"I guess Jake is here"

"Oh?"

He does not let go of his grip on my arm but I see him looking back at the door.

"He never comes to these parties"

"Yes, I heard that"

Then, like a prince charming, he appears through the crowd. He is walking straight for us and I can not help but look at him. I hope that he somehow sees that I need him and then I see him walking even closer to us.

But then he stops and does not interrupt. It feels good to just have him a few feet away. I hope that he will be able to save me.