Angela's Salvation

by Hughes, Michelle

  They'd always lived week to week, struggling to pay the bills, but even that wasn't going to keep her from doing the right thing by her best friend. "You just keep your chin up Ang, I'll be there soon and all of this will seem like a bad memory."

  Tears streamed down her cheeks at how much her best friend was willing to give up just being there by her side. "I'm going to make this up to you Rach, I promise." There was so much she owed this incredible woman, and the debts just kept increasing.

  Rachel laughed softly, "Just making sure you're okay is worth it to me baby girl, now let me get off this phone so I can get a flight out of here." With all her experience in the bar industry, she decided if this turned into an extended stay, she could probably find work at one of the casino's there.

  "I'll see you soon, Rach," they said their goodbyes, and for a brief moment, she felt the panic recede knowing with Rachel here everything would work out just fine. Knowing how much she was willing to risk by flying out here, she decided to walk downstairs and at least find out what type of income she was making so she could hopefully repay her for the loss.

  She found Nolan in the studio, and he stopped playing the piano the moment she walked in. "Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to discuss my salary with you and let you know that Rachel is coming in sooner than I thought."

  He'd completely forgotten to discuss her account, and again reminded himself that he needed to get his head focused where she was concerned. "Let's walk up to my study, I have all that information there." At her nod, he led her out of the studio, into the other room. Opening up a file cabinet, he pulled out her contract and the bank account information he'd signed her up for.

  When she saw the numbers on the accounting paperwork, she almost fell out of her chair. "Nolan, surely there's some mistake here?" Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was more money than she'd ever even contemplated having in her life, so to say she was shocked was the understatement of the year.

  "It's accurate, after the release of the first album you'll receive royalties when we've matched the initial investment." He handed her a folder containing her bank card, check book, and all the forms she would need to take over the account.

  She was completely blown away, this type of money could keep her and Rachel out of debt for the rest of their lives, she thought. "You're going to have to help me out here Nolan, because I don't understand how you can offer me this type of income without knowing we'll sell at all?"

  He chuckled self-derisively at her comment. "Believe me when I tell you Angela, with me backing you, this will be chump change." In truth he felt a little guilt for not advancing her more because even with the sold out venue of the band she was opening up for, this was a small fraction of what her earnings would be this year.

  Sitting back in the oversized chair, she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that she was no longer poor. "I don't know what to say," she couldn't put it out there more accurately than that, she thought, it had never even occurred to her that making this kind of money was possible before.

  "Tell me it's not enough and you're going to work your ass off to triple it that would be a start." He was so happy to see a smile on her face that he would have signed over his entire bank account just to assure she kept that look forever.

  "Are you kidding me? I've been working for three hundred a week or less since I started my first job, this is like hitting the lottery!" She couldn't help it, she squealed.

  Her mood was infectious and he chuckled. "Well hell Angela, if I knew that was all it took to make you happy I would have paid you earlier."

  Just like that her happiness evaporated, and she studied him seriously. "Nolan, promise me this isn't personal, and this is what you normally give singers you've signed." She was ecstatic over having the income, but there was no way she could take it if he was paying her off.

  He wished he had stuck his foot in his mouth over his last comment when he saw her smile fade. "I promise you it's not personal Angela, this is the standard I offer anyone that I've decided to sign." He didn't mention that he usually put out a few test demos on the market before making that decision with other artists, because he didn't want her to think she was getting special treatment.

  With a sigh of relief, her smile was replaced. "Well in that case I want to spend money." Grinning at the ability she had to buy anything she could possibly dream up, she felt for the first time she was finally safe from poverty.

  "Where would you like to go," shaking his head he smiled, pleased that this small thing had made her happy again. He ached to take her in his arms and beg her for another chance, but if he couldn't have that, at least he could make her life a lot less stressful than it had been before she met him.

  Throwing her head back, she laughed again. "The funny thing is I have no idea what to spend it on." The show had already given her a new wardrobe, and living here with Nolan, she didn't have to worry about furniture or food, so she couldn't think of anything she truly needed at the moment.

  "That's probably a good thing at the moment, we still have the officer coming over at noon and what time is your friend coming in?" He hated to bring up the negatives at that moment, but it was a reality they had to face.

  She'd completely forgotten the police report with all the excitement about her new wealth, but oddly enough it didn't drag her back down into the panic mode she normally felt when things were stressful. "She's trying to arrange a flight, so I'm not sure, and you're right I want to file that report."

  "Call her back and tell her not to worry about booking a flight, I'll have our pilot meet her at the New Jersey terminal whenever she's ready." There was no reason for her friend to take a commercial flight when they had a plane on standby at the studio.

  "Seriously?" Angela grinned, and thought even though she could now afford to pay her back, it would probably be much more fun to take a personal plane. She was amazed the studio even had something like that.

  "Seriously." He chuckled, once again caught up in her happiness. He watched as she dug out her cell phone and quickly explained to her friend what the situation was, and enjoyed the animated excitement on her face as they talked.

  "Rachel wants to know if four would be alright, she's got a few things to take care of before she leaves town?" At Nolan's nod of agreement, she quickly gave the go ahead and hung up the phone.

  "I really appreciate you doing this Nolan, the flight would have cost half our rent," she admitted sheepishly.

  "So you and Rachel are really good friends?" He wanted to know everything about her. He knew from past conversations that Rachel had taken her off the streets and given her a place to call home, but other than that they hadn't discussed her much.

  "She's my best friend," Angela smiled warmly, thinking about how close the two of them were. "I know I told you before that she took me in when I had nowhere to go, but she also helped me get my GED and helped me find a job. We've been inseparable until I came here so it's been really hard without her."

  "I hope you can convince her to move out here, with you working so much at the studio and tours and such, it really makes more sense for you to live in the area." He knew instinctively that she couldn't consider Vegas home unless her best friend lived here as well. Maybe it was a little selfish on his part, but the thought of her moving back to New Jersey didn't sit well with him.

  "I'll definitely talk to her about it when she gets here, it really depends on what kind of work she can find." She knew Rachel better than anyone, and it didn't matter how much money she was making, pulling her own weight was very important to her. Rachel's life hadn't been easy, and before she met Angela she'd left an abusive marriage and had to start from scratch to rebuild. It was a lesson she'd always spoke about, never depending on anyone other than you when it came to personal finance.

  "You mentioned she's a bartender, I'm sure I could call around to some of my connections at the casino if she's interested?" Nolan knew he was stepping in uninvited, but he really wanted Angela to stay in
the city, even if he couldn't convince her to stay with him.

  "I'll talk to her about it," it amazed her how rude he could be to people like the security guard earlier, but still find it in him to help her friend with a new job.

  "Great, now how about some lunch? I know that hospital fare couldn't have kept you tided over this long." He gave a warm smile, for the first time hoping beyond hope that his chances weren't lost forever with Angela.

  She didn't want to tell him that a warm breakfast like the one in the hospital wasn't something she was accustomed to before coming here, so she just smiled. "I could eat," that was as close to the truth as she felt she could get.

  Nolan quickly put his servant into gear and within an hour they were enjoying a great meal and he was more than pleased that the atmosphere wasn't as strained as it had been earlier. Talking with the officer, with his lawyer present, had taken some of the shine off the morning, but even that being the case, they weren't acting like strangers for the moment. That was a beginning he thought.

  When they were alone again, Angela had a little time to reflect on what she'd done. "I'm going to have to face him in court on the assault charges, aren't I?" The thought of being in the same room with Ronald again made her queasy.

  "Unless he changes his mind and admits to the crime," he knew it was doubtful that scenario would happen since he'd denied vehemently to the officers that he'd done anything wrong. "But with my security team and the police collaborating what they witnessed, I don't think you'll have any problem getting those charges to stick."

  "I know this sounds really weak of me Nolan but I don't worry so much about the charges being proven as having to be in the same room with him again." She hated that she wasn't a stronger person.

  "After the hell that man put you through there's nothing weak about you having some fear. I can promise you as long as I'm around he will never touch you again." He decided not to tell her what he'd personally do to the piece of shit if he ever came anywhere near her again.

  Just talking about Ronald was taking away her earlier happiness and she wanted to push it to the background. "I really could use some fresh air," it was a lame way of asking to change the subject, but she hoped he was intuitive enough to understand the conversation was really bothering her.

  "I know just the thing, if you trust me," he hoped she knew he'd never allow anything to hurt her, not even himself, but a part of him was on edge waiting on her answer.

  "Of course I trust you Nolan," she had no idea why he even asked that question, he wasn't responsible for what had happened to her.

  With a wide grin, he stood up, "Well then Ms. Wilkerson, might I have the honor of your company for the rest of the afternoon." He would do anything to bring back her smile again, and tried to put their conversation on a lighter note with his mocking civility.

  Shaking her head at his attitude, she nodded. "Of course I'd be delighted to spend the day with you Mr. Fitzgerald." Laughing softly, she followed him out to his sports car, one of five he owned, and didn't even bother asking him what their destination was as they drove off.

  13 Finding Home

  Nolan called Sanders as they drove and set up the destination for their date, he wondered if he should call it a date considering their circumstances, but had no other name to put to it. He was careful not to mention any details about their excursion, and thankfully Sanders knew him well enough to understand his cryptic messages.

  As they pulled up in the Southeast Valley, Angela was pleasantly surprised to see a fully inflated hot air balloon waiting, isolated miles outside of where the normal population was located. "You're taking me on a balloon ride?" She asked, somewhat shocked.

  "Unless you have a horrible fear of heights," he chuckled, thinking maybe he should have asked her that question before making arrangements.

  Grinning in excitement, she shook her head no. "I can't say I've ever been in the sky that way before though." It was exciting and a little scary, but that just seemed to add to the excitement.

  "Well prepare for one of the most beautiful sights of your life," he gave a wink then stepped out of the car and walked over to her door, opening it for her.

  They walked over to the pilot who smiled warmly and introduced himself as Victor. Nolan helped her inside the basket and climbed in himself, hoping she would find the experience memorable. He remembered the first trip he'd taken in one of these, and over the years he'd taken dozens more just to enjoy the majestic landscape from an aerial view.

  As the balloon lifted up into the air, Angela held her breath in fascination. It was like a completely different world soaring so high as the view of the mountains filled her eyes with their beauty. "Nolan this is incredible," she whispered in awe, unthinkingly wrapping her hand in his and staring at the vision that slowly passed by.

  He held her hand tightly, finding the smile on her face even more beautiful than the incredible view afforded by the balloon. "I'm glad you like it baby," pulling her close to him, he enjoyed the fact that she didn't pull away.

  It was like nothing she'd ever seen before in her life, she thought, and sharing it with Nolan, just seemed perfect. She could easily enjoy staying up here for the entire day, she decided, chancing a glance up into Nolan's face and gasping at the look of longing on his face as he stared back down into hers. She wanted to kiss him, even knowing that it was probably just the ambience of the atmosphere up here for him making him look at her with such hunger.

  Reading the look in her eyes, he fought with himself as long as he could before lowering his lips to hers and tenderly kissing her. He was an ass for taking advantage of her emotions of flying the first time this way, but he needed to have some connection with her and would take it however he could get it. When she kissed him back, his world tilted for a few moments at the perfection of them being together this way.

  Feeling the decline of the balloon, Angela stepped back, still mesmerized by that kiss. "Nolan, I..," she wasn't sure what to say, she wasn't going to apologize for enjoying him, when it was probably the last memory she'd ever have of having his lips on hers.

  He brought his finger to her lips and softly pressed against them. "Give me the rest of this day Angela," he was willing to beg for at least a few more hours of feeling like they belonged together. If he couldn't have forever, then he would settle for this on those cold lonely nights after she left.

  As they landed with a small bump, she wanted to tell him she'd give him eternity if he asked it of her, but she simply nodded instead. His answering smile made her heart race and she remembered they weren't exactly alone. Turning back to face the pilot she blushed hotly.

  "Happens all the time," Victor smiled, "the basket you requested is waiting on the table, I hope you both have a lovely afternoon."

  Nolan wrote the man a check including a hefty bonus for the privacy he'd afforded them. Now that they were on solid ground again, he hoped the mood wouldn't disintegrate. In general he considered himself a very selfish man, but when he was with Angela, he wanted so much more than his own instant gratification. Winning her back had to be possible, he told himself, she completed him in a way no one else had before.

  Angela followed him back to the car, still feeling elated from the flight and spending time alone with him in such a way. When he opened her car door, she slid back inside and wondered what other adventure he had planned, because it was apparent there was still more to come. She decided if he wanted to tell her where they were going he would, and she wasn't going to spoil his surprise if he didn't.

  They drove half an hour with nothing but the radio on filling the confined space, and where they arrived was a place so beautiful she instantly fell in love. When he pulled the car up and turned off the ignition, she stared at the beautiful cabin for a few moments in stunned silence.

  "I thought we'd have a little picnic here," he smiled at the expression on her face, knowing instantly she loved the scenery.

  "Won't the owners be upset about us camping out on their
lawn?" She couldn't imagine them not being upset, considering the overwhelming elegance of the home. The beach front was a spectacular view that she really wanted to explore, but not at the risk of getting him in trouble.

  "I don't think I'll mind a beautiful lady enjoying my vacation home," he chuckled softly at the look of amazement that crossed her face. Lake Tahoe was, in his opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the world, but he enjoyed the comforts of living in the city itself and didn't get out here as much as he should. He knew the servants kept it well-maintained during his absence, but they only came in once a week.

  "I can't believe you own this place and don't live here Nolan!" She loved his mansion in the city, but this place was pure paradise. Granted it was much smaller than his other home, but the view was simply amazing and she couldn't imagine wanting to sleep anywhere else.

  "Maybe you should buy it from me?" He wanted to offer it as a gift, but knew she'd never accept. The thought of her leaving him was horrible but at least she'd be living close enough that he could protect her all the time, he thought to himself.

  ""You're joking right?" She laughed softly, "why in the world would you ever want to give this place up?"

  The more he thought about it, the better the idea sounded. The property wasn't being used properly, and it could definitely be better suited to someone that would give it the tender loving care it deserved. "I've been out here once in the last year Angela, seriously if you like the inside and want to consider it, I'll work with you on some type of agreement."

  "Nolan this place is probably way out of my budget," she had already fallen in love with the cabin, but even with her huge advance, this had to be out of her price range.

  Shaking his head at how she thought about money, he knew that he could convince her to take him up on his offer. "Let me give you a tour," he held out his hand and walked her up the front door.