by Kenya Wright
“I’m not weak.”
“Not feeling good, then.”
“Okay.” I pouted. “You’re right. I’m not in top shape.”
There was one thing he was right about. His house was huge. Or perhaps I should’ve described it as a massive log mansion. It seemed more like a ski lodge for celebrities—high ceilings, immaculate furnishings, expensive art hanging on every wall, sculptures sitting in corners. Awards and plaques decorated each room. It was ten times the size of my parents’ house. People could’ve lived in the west wing and others reside in the east, and neither would have to see each other for days.
There was a huge patio outside that glowed with bright lights against the background of mountains and snow. Thirty people could’ve lounged out there on all the wooden chairs and tables with angels carved in the back.
“And what about the level with your hobby?” I asked.
His phone buzzed. He checked the screen and annoyance hit his face.
“I’ll show you later.” He placed his phone back in his pocket, but looked pissed. “Let me take you back to the room. Are you hungry?”
I wasn’t really, but there was clearly something that had him upset. He’d already done enough. “Sure, lunch sounds good.”
“Okay. I’ll take you back and check on you afterwards.”
“Oh.” Disappointment hit me, but I understood that he had a life outside of me. “That’s sounds...great.”
I guess we’re not going to see his studio today.
He rushed me back without saying anything else. The silence was odd and put me on edge. I wanted to ask him what the phone call was about, but I left it alone, not wanting to invade his privacy.
Chapter 10
Giovanni
Without music,
life is a journey through a desert.
~Pat Conroy
Ru was here.
He’d texted the great news. He’d arrived in Salt Lake City over an hour ago and was riding in a limo to my house.
That won’t do.
After meeting Simone, I’d decided I couldn’t share her time. Not for these first weeks. He’d get in the way just with his presence being in my house.
No. I’ll have to talk to him before he talks to her.
Plus, I had to see where his mind was at when I talked about her. It could’ve just been irrational jealousy, but I didn’t like the flower thing and him going by her place. Sure, he was checking up on her, but that was odd. Ru had big clients all over the world. Simone was just starting off. It didn’t make sense he’d devote so much time to fresh flowers and cleaning her apartment.
No. He wants more from her.
The whole time I took Simone back to my bedroom, jealousy spiraled in my chest. And the more I thought of things, the more it didn’t connect. Simone was a superstar spilling over with talent. If he’d been with her all these years, why hadn’t she exploded onto the scene by now?
Something nagged at me.
When we got to my bedroom, I couldn’t help it and asked, “How long has Ru been your manager?”
“Five years. We met in LA.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I had just left my own band. My ex was the leader. It wasn’t a good situation. Ru had come to sign us. I’d told him that I wasn’t a part of it. He said that was good because he’d come for me anyway.”
I bet he did.
“He moved me out to New York after I had him meet my parents. Although I’d just turned twenty, I still wanted their okay. I’d never been to New York, and LA had already showed me a bunch of craziness.”
“I can imagine. It can be a city of beautiful monsters at times.”
“Yes.”
“So, Ru moved you to New York?” I asked.
“Yes. He paid for my apartment and bought a small car. I started writing songs for Sacred Soul Sisters.”
“What? You did? What song?”
“Divine. Zoo. Peter Pan.”
“Those were hits. I didn’t see your name on the cover, just S.S.S. and trust me, I looked.”
“Well,” she got out of the chair, “that became a disagreement that Ru and I settled. Anyway, I write a lot for his people. I’ve even written a few rap songs for Killer Ray. I get the credit now.”
Angry rose in me. “You should always get the credit.”
She sighed, looking embarrassed. “I know. And I know you’re wondering why I’m still with him.”
“I know why you are. He did what most do. But he still gave you opportunities that many couldn’t get you. Your name still got out there to grab my attention and he did do that, at least.”
“Yes.”
That doesn’t mean that he won’t be hearing from me.
“Has he booked studio time for your music?” I asked.
She looked away. “We’re still in the development stage. I have a vocal coach that comes twice a week.”
That’s not enough. It’s just a pacifier.
She should’ve had her own stylist, choreographer, and producer. She should’ve been in the studio Monday through Friday working on an album to entice record labels. Basically, he had this gold mine—this gorgeous woman with this amazing voice and writing talent—tucked away in Brooklyn writing hits for him.
She looked at me with a neutral expression on her face. “What are you thinking?”
“He could do better. When I heard your music, I wondered why you weren’t already out there. Now I know, it’s not you, it’s him.”
She tucked curls behind her ear. “Him and I will have to sit down and talk about this.”
“I should be there.”
She turned away, walked over to the bed, and sat down. “I can handle it, but I would appreciate it if you told me what you think he should be doing so that I can present it to him.”
So independent. So, take charge.
“You’re right.” I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s your career. You should hold the reins. I’m sorry, but I can be protective of my friends.”
“That’s sweet.”
“One day we can sit down and talk about where your career should be heading and some of the ways to get there. The vocal coach is good, but you need your own studio time. Feel free to consider my studio as your place to write your own music, songs that won’t go on my album.”
She opened her mouth and closed it.
“So, wait a minute.” I scrunched my face in confusion. “How did you produce the songs you gave me?”
“From my living room.”
“Your living room?”
“Yes. I turned it into a personal studio. I have microphones and everything hanging around. I have soundproofing layers on certain walls to not disturb the neighbors too much. But then we all have an agreement that I can play as much as I want between 8am and 3pm.”
“And all of this is from your living room?”
“Yes.”
“You were going to be a star regardless of Ru or me. You have too much audacity. I don’t think you’ll ever quit.”
“I won’t.”
“Then, I’m going to enjoy watching you fly to space.”
David knocked at the door. “Sir, we have a guest.”
I held my hand up so he wouldn’t say more. “Thank you. I know. I’ll take care of it.’
Simone didn’t need to know that Ru had come. Hopefully, I could get him to leave and we could continue our time together.
David nodded and backed away.
“David,” I said. “Please, get Simone some lunch as I deal with my guest.”
“Yes, sir.”
I looked at Simone. The urge to hold her, kiss her, make love to her coursed through my blood. But I couldn’t make that move. She needed time and so did I.
Soon. I just have to take care of Ru first and let us get to where we need to be.
“I’ll be right back.” I licked my lips and left the room.
It took no time to get to the bottom level. Downstairs, Ru stood, scanning
the space around him. David and Chucky carried in his bags.
How long does he think he’s going to stay?
Ru smiled, showing all his teeth. “Beautiful place.”
“Thanks.” I extended my hand.
He shook it. “And Simone is fine?”
“Yes, the doctor said she just needed to rest.”
“Good. Where is she?”
“We have some things to discuss first.” I gestured to my office on the east wing.
“Things to discuss?”
“Yeah.” I walked off, doing a good job of holding in my annoyance.
Ru followed on my right. “I found the deal’s wording clear.”
“Good, but I wanted to extend it.”
“Extend it to what?”
“I’ve been wanting to start a record label,” I said. “IMG has been annoying me about it monthly. I think now’s the time.”
“It would be. You’re on top. You’d be able to sign some good artists.”
I looked at him. “Simone would be the first one. The Queen of Blue Records.”
“Blue Records?”
“I just thought of the name right now. It might change.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know about Simone. Maybe, let’s see how your idea comes together. But hey man, I have some other acts that could really add some flair to your label. Perhaps—”
“I want Simone.” I opened the door to my office.
He followed me inside. “I understand, but she’s still new to the industry. She still has a lot to learn.”
“Like what?” I gestured to the chair for him to sit on and went over to my desk, not ready to sit down. “She’s going to be a legend. I’m sure that’s why you’ve kept her hidden for so long. Any lyrics she puts on paper would make a million. I’m sure you’ve made some hits off her.”
He sat down. “Hid her away? Where’s this coming from?”
“With her talent, she should already have a deal.”
“I want her deal to be right for her.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Is that it?”
“Where are you going with this?” Ru rose. “You look a bit odd over there like you’re thinking about something else.”
“I’m offering her a deal. Take it.”
“Why don’t you focus on the album and see how it goes. Get that done and we’ll talk.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “What are you waiting on, Ru? What’s the hold up?”
“Look. Sure, there’s been tons of labels that have wanted her, but...come on, man. You see her.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“She sounds like sex. She has the body. They’re going to want her to go in the obvious direction, but that’s not Simone.”
“No, it’s not.”
“If we’d signed the prior deals, they’d want her half naked and shaking her ass in some video talking about getting drunk and sucking dick.” He looked me dead in my eyes. “Am I lying?”
“You have a point.”
“So, I’m trying to get her respect level up in the industry. I have her writing songs.”
“That she hasn’t gotten credit for.”
“Did she say that?” He frowned.
“Is it true?”
“There was a situation in our first year. She put her foot down. I caved.”
“No, you did your job.”
He let out an exasperated breath. “What the fuck, Gio?”
“I want her as my personal songwriter.”
“We did that. The contracts signed. All we’re waiting for is the end of your little probationary period.”
“Fuck it. Take the probationary period off.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” I shrugged.
“She’s been sick the whole time. If you want her this bad, then it’s not for her voice. I doubt she’s sung anything since she’s been here.” He walked over to my side of the desk.
I stepped to him. Barely half a foot lay between us.
Anger rode his voice. “Did you touch her?”
“No. What about you?” I asked. “Have you tried?”
“I haven’t and even if I had, that’s none of your business. She’s my—”
“No.”
He shook his head and adjusted his jacket. “I think you need to calm your hormones down before you lose a songwriter. The ink isn’t dry yet. We have plenty of time to back out of the deal. Nothing has been started.”
“I’ve already bought songs.”
“But you haven’t started the contract on the album.”
“She’s not going anywhere or ending the deal.”
“I never took you for a betting man.” He backed up and dusted off his arm. “I think you should relax and focus on the music and less on my relationship with Simone. It’s business, Gio, nothing more, nothing less.”
“I want her for my label.”
He smirked. “This label that you’ve just created in the past minute?”
I said nothing.
“You know what? Show me the contract and the money and we’ll see what happens. Other than that, you’re just talking with your dick.” He walked off. “And keep your dick away from my singer.”
“She’s not yours.”
He paused and turned around. “I’m here to keep things professional.”
“Fine. Make sure you stay out of our way.”
“As long as it’s just music, I’ll be nothing more than a shadow. In fact, I’ll be a ghost.”
I stalked around the desk and closed the distance between us. “Make sure you’re a ghost that doesn’t haunt. I don’t want to see you unless I have to.”
“Hey.” He raised both of his hands. “Where’s all the anger coming from? I’m the one that should be mad. You had her out in the snow—”
“Stay quiet and hidden, Ru, before I have you escorted off the property.”
“And Simone will be leaving with me.”
I laughed and shook my head as I walked around him. “Now, I definitely didn’t take you for a betting man.”
He called after me. “You keep it professional and we won’t have to deal with each other.”
“I am, and I will. It’s been nothing but professional.”
He followed me. I could feel the anger radiating off him.
“Since you’re keeping it so professional, where is she?” he asked.
I smiled. “In my bedroom.”
“You motherfucker.”
He grabbed my shoulder. I twisted around, slammed him into the wall, and held him there.
“Calm down. There hasn’t been any sex, any kissing. The doctor wanted someone to watch over her. She slept in my bed. I remained in the chair across from the bed. Period. Ask her, if you don’t believe me.”
He shoved me away. “That better be the fucking case.” His chest rose and fell like he’d been running. “What’s up with the fucking aggression, Gio? Are you ready to even make an album? Do you have Jason’s problems?”
I almost hit him, but I didn’t. Simone would probably be pissed to see Ru come to her with a black eye. I’d already gone off on him about the song credits when I’d promised I would let her handle it.
I gritted my teeth. “I don’t have Jason’s problems. I don’t do drugs. And that’s the last time you say his name.”
He breathed in and out and then looked like he was calming himself down. “She’s a singer.”
“Definitely.”
“She’s beautiful. She’ll make you want things. She’ll make you want to hide her away, but no matter what, she’s talented, she’s powerful and she’s fiercely independent. Have I been slow on getting her to where she needs to be? Yes. That’s because I want it so bad for her. I want her to win and I don’t want to fuck up and give her the wrong deal.”
“I wouldn’t hurt her career.”
“Man, you’re trying to fight me. Are you thinking with your dick or with your head?”
I didn’t respond.
<
br /> “Let’s start over, before she gets rid of the both of us.” He backed up. “We both know she doesn’t need us. She’s going to be a star in the end. All we can do is give her the best chance.”
David appeared in the hallway with a bat. “Excuse me, sir, is everything okay?”
The old man looked fierce as if he was about to beat someone’s ass.
I wanted to high-five him. “We’re fine, David. We just had a disagreement that is...resolved.”
“Will we be having a formal dinner this evening?” David asked.
I sighed and looked at Ru. “How long are you staying?”
He frowned. “Dare I say, a week?”
I groaned.
He pointed at me. “This week is probationary for you. I don’t want to leave Simone here with some sexed-up, drugged-out maniac.”
“That’s not me.”
“I remember your parties.”
“Those weren’t all mine.”
“Doesn’t matter. I stay for a week, if that’s okay with you. I just want to make sure she’s safe here and songs are actually being written, instead of babies being made.”
I turned to David who remained in the hallway with his bat. “Looks like we’re having a formal dinner.”
“I’m excited.” Ru walked off. “Where will I be staying?”
I looked at David. “Take him far off to the west wing, as west as you can go.”
“Thanks, Gio. You really shouldn’t have.” Ru shook his head and followed David.
Chapter 11
Simone
Music is a higher revelation
than all wisdom and philosophy.
~Ludwig van Beethoven
I’d finally charged my phone. Tons of people had called to wish me a Merry Christmas. I contacted my parents first, asking them about their gifts and how the big family dinner went.
I dialed Yvonne next and she picked up on the first ring.
“Girl, where have you been?” she asked.
“A lot has happened.”
“It better had been an accident or hospital visit because you missed our tradition.”
“I know. I know.”
We always watched a movie together on Christmas night, no matter where we were. For the past few years we’d been doing it on Skype.
