***New York; Jive Records Executive Office***
Michelle walked into her office. Her skirt shorter then normal, her blonde
hair perfect and her make-up flawless.
"Hold all my calls." She said into the intercom to her secretary. She
applied
her lipstick, smacking them together to get the right coverage. She sprayed
on her secret weapon, the perfume he could never resist and walked into the
conference room. He stood waiting for her. His brown hair shining in the
light, a serious smile crossed his lips but pure excitement in his eyes.
Michelle slowly walked up to him, shutting the big, wooden doors behind her.
She hit the dimmer, running her hands along the front of his shirt.
"Should we start the meeting?" Michelle asked slipping off her
glasses,
brushing back her hair giving him a little tease.
"I don't have much time." Kevin said grabbing her hand, pulling her
closer to
him.
"Why? Is wifey expecting your call?" Michelle said in a very
"meow" type
voice. He didn't answer but planted his lips on her mouth, prying open her
hot lips, letting his tongue enter. Michelle softly bit down on his tongue,
the excitement going through him. She pushed him down on the wooden table,
unbuttoning her blouse, showing him exactly why he came for her.
"I have missed you, Michelle." Kevin said running his hands freely on
her
body. He pulled up her skirt as she climbed on top of him.
"The meeting has now come to order. And the first order of
business..." She
leaned down, biting his neck as Kevin gave out a loud moan. "Bet Mrs.
Richardson has never done that."
"Who cares about the Mrs. Richardson. What she doesn't know won't hurt
her."
Kevin said with an evil grin. The two stripped off their clothes and put the
meeting into full force. Forgetting the fact that Kimber was waiting for a
phone call from her husband or that Michelle was the agent of Backstreet
Boys. It didn't matter then or the fact that the affair had been going on
since before the marriage, it was a working relationship.
***Trans Con Building, Tonya's Office***
Tonya walked into her office, grabbed her messages and sat down at the huge
oak desk. Tonya looked even smaller sitting behind the desk but Lou wanted
her to look official. Lou reminded her in the meeting that morning that she
was an executive in the company. She was to be an example and set the course
for the other employees. That meant dress code and behavior conduct. Tonya
felt more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt but she was an example. So it
was short skirts, heels and a blouse...and a big desk. She leaned back in her
chair, kicked off her heels and read her messages. They were the usual
messages; one from the wedding dress designer, one from the Orlando Ritz
hotel confirming the wedding date and one was from the cake decorator. Tonya
tossed them on her desk; she would deal with them later. She read another
message, one from Lance. He was home and wanted to talk to her before he saw
Ann. Tonya quickly dialed Lance's number but on the three ring got his
answering machine. She left no message simply hung up and would wait for him
to call after he dealt with Ann. She flipped through the last message, seeing
it was from Brad. Tonya put it down, picked up her phone and dialed her hands
shaking. It had to be done.
"Hello?" Brad said after the sixth ring.
"Hi." Tonya said softly. She walked over to her door and shut it.
"You called
earlier?"
"Yes. Were you at lunch?" Brad asked, stretching out on the couch on
the bus.
LFO were on their way to Dallas for a concert and then a quick drive to
California.
"No, I had a meeting with Erica." Tonya sat down on her couch; she had
to be
comfortable with the conversation that was about to begin.
"How did it go?" Brad said trying to make small talk. He knew that
something
needed to be said but not sure how to start.
"Brad, we need to talk." Tonya finally said, the fear raising her
soul.
"I know." Brad softly said. "We can't go on like this
anymore."
"I know. I have tried..."
"Tonya, I love you but I just..."
"You aren't in love with me." Tonya interrupted. "I know. I
feel the same
way."
"Why are we getting married?" Brad said with a slight laugh.
"I don't know. Maybe afraid to be alone?" Tonya leaned back on the
couch, the
reality finally sinking in.
"You will never be alone. You are too wonderful. I, on the other hand, my
wife will be my career."
"I am sorry, Brad." Tonya closed her eyes, relieved to have the words
out but
also scared, scared of being alone. She knew that there was someone out there
for her but she didn't know who, that was what scared her.
"Don't be. We had a great time, it was good." Brad said trying to
convince
himself. He did feel like a failure, he felt that maybe if he did try a
little harder he could make Tonya happy. But he knew that there was only one
person who could make Tonya happy.
"I will miss you." A tear began to fall down her cheek. For the last
year,
all Tonya knew was Brad. She would miss him, he was a great friend. She was
losing so much in him but she knew that it wasn't enough to marry him.
"I will miss you, T." A single tear formed in Brad's eye. The sad
part, Brad
and Tonya truly loved each other but it just wasn't in the cards for them.
They finished the conversation talking about the tour and Tonya being back to
work. They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Tonya sat on the couch,
lost and alone. She slowly looked at the ring; the ring she had worn for a
year. She slow slid the ring of her finger, playing with it between her
fingers. The diamond sparkled in the light as Tonya admired it's beauty one
last time.
"Tonya." Sara said slowly opening the door. "Sorry to disturb
you, but you
have a long distant phone call."
"Who is it?" Tonya asked sitting up, putting the ring in her pocket.
"Mr. Filan. And don't forget that Caz's plane gets in at 3." Sara said
smiling, closing the door.
***Florida Performing Arts Preparatory***
Ann finished her dance class, sweating and exhausted. She walked into her
office, wiping the sweat off her face.
"Hey babe." Said a deep voice. Ann removed the towel from her face to
see
Lance standing before her.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, placing the towel on the chair,
trying
not to make eye contact.
"We got home early. Man, you look great Ann." Lance said taking a step
towards her. It had been a long three months on the road. Lance couldn't wait
to get home to patch things up with Ann.
"I look like crap, Lance." She poured herself some water, taking a
sip.
"I have really missed you." Lance wrapped his arms around her waist,
causing
her to jump. "Has it been that long?"
"Lance, I am really busy..."
"I know, I just had to see you. We can go for dinner..."
"I can't tonight." Ann said sternly. She had plans with Erik tonight
and it
was a good excuse not to see Lance. She knew what needed to be done; it was a
matter of doing it.
"Ann, we need to talk." Lance slowly took her hand, tracing her
fingers. He
loved how small and delicate her hands were.
"No, we don't, Lance. It's over." Ann took her hand from his and
walked past
him.
"Ann, honey. Please let me explain..."
"Lance, it was over the minute you slept with that girl. I can't forgive
you
or trust you." Ann looked him straight in the eye. She was surprised
in her
strength. She thought that the moment she would see Lance, she would falter
in his arms. But she knew deep down that she could not be with Lance. The
love may have still been there, but the trust was gone. "I need someone who
wants me and only me."
"But I do." Lance said pleading. This was his last chance with Ann; he
had to
do everything he could to keep her. He knew he screwed up but he never knew
that it would come between him and Ann. He always thought Ann would forgive
him.
"No, you don't. You want me and every girl that comes along. I deserve
better." Ann stood strong. No tears, no fears just the truth of knowing
that
she was right.
"But I love you." Lance said stating his case.
"Your actions speak louder then your words." Ann finally looked away
from
him. "You need to leave."
"I can't leave, not like this." Lance moved closer, trying to reach
out to
her.
"Then I'll leave." Ann took a step past him.
"No, I'll leave." Lance said looking away. He turned towards the door,
stopping in mid step. He took one last look at Ann, the woman that he loved.
He smiled and then left the room. The door slamming behind him, closing the
relationship forever. Ann didn't move, she stood strong, pleased in her
actions and decision.
***Trans Con Building, Kimber's Office***
Kimber walked into her office, checking her mobile phone, again. She was
certain that Kevin would be calling. She had a meeting with Tonya in a few
minutes and she wanted to talk to Kevin first. Kimber sat down at he desk,
got her work organized for the meeting, watching her phone. She saw the pile
of messages on her desk and decided to go through them quickly. She scanned
them, catorized them to importance when she saw the last one by a man. She
didn't recognize the number but it was an oversea connection. The message
just asked for her to return his call. No name just...J. Kimber's heart began
racing. They never exchanged names. She only got his from the table at his
house. She stared at the message, not sure what to do. Maybe it was
business, he was a musician. Her mouth went dry thinking about that night.
"Mrs. Richardson, you have a call on line 2. It's a Mr. Brown." Said
Susan in
the intercom.
"Thanks." Kimber said staring at the blinking light. She slowly picked
up the
phone piece, putting it to her ear.
"Kimber Richardson." She softly said.
"So you did get married." Said the deep voice. Kimber couldn't speak.
"Kimber, do you remember..."
"Yes. I do." She said quickly.
"I'm not calling you to cause problems. I actually meant to call the next
day..."
"How did you get my number or even my name?" Kimber asked closing her
eyes.
"You dropped your business card. " J said. "I just wanted
to see if you got
married."
"Yes. I did..."
"And are you happy?" J asked, hoping for the answer he wanted.
"Yes, I am." Kimber said her throat tightening up as she spoke. Was it
the
truth or a natural response?
"Good, you deserve to be happy." J said with disappointment in his
voice. He
couldn't explain it but something happened to him that night. That one night.
"You don't even know me." Kimber said harshly.
"I know you better then you think." J said, remembering the touch of
her
body. Her lips and the emptiness he felt when she slipped out. Kimber sat
unable to respond. How could he know her, one night of passion, words never
spoken. But even Kimber couldn't hide it. It wasn't the alcohol that made her
sleep with him; it wasn't loneliness. J gave her something she had been
searching for; time.
"Look, I have to go. I have a meeting..."
"I'll be in Orlando in a week. Scott and I are taking a holiday. I want to
see you." J said quickly before she could go.
"I am married..."
"For lunch, Kimber." J said but secretly hoping for more.
"If I can work you in my schedule. I am very busy. I have to go."
Kimber
closed her eyes, his voice giving her a thrill, giving her excitement.
"I'll call you when I get in." J said. Kimber quickly hung up the
phone and
quickly began dialing Kevin's number. She needed to hear his voice.
"Damn it! Where is he?" She yelled throwing her phone down. She dove
into her
work, trying to forget. Trying to forget J, that night and the new feelings
that he gave her.
***Orlando International Airport***
Tonya stood at the terminal gate, waiting for Caz. She spied every passenger
coming off the plane until she saw the bright smile of Caz. It had only been
weeks but the two girls hugged like it had been months. It was a bond that
would never break, a bond brought together by tears.
Tonya and Caz first met at a party just a week after she got to London. Mark
was able to persuade Tonya to leave her hotel room and get some fresh air.
Caz and Nicky had only been dating a few months when Tonya first met her. She
was quickly taken in by Caz's smile and her sweet charm. She was very
friendly and Tonya envied the relationship that Caz had with Nicky. It was
easy to tell that they were in love. Mark may have brought Tonya to the
party, but it was Shane who took her home.
"I have so much of Orlando to show you. You get to see everything that I
told
you about." Tonya said putting Caz's luggage in her car.
"I need a rest, Tonya. So don't push me to hard." Caz smiled hugging
Tonya.
"I am just glad to be here. I have really missed you."
"I know. Megan and Ann are so excited about you coming." Tonya said
dodging
the taxi's whizzing by her. She got in the car, Caz following suit. Tonya
pulled out of the terminal, joining the other eager cars racing to their
destination. The two girls talked about Tonya's last few days at work, Caz's
last test scores for her school and any small talk to avoid the real reason
why Caz was in Orlando.
"I talk to Shane a few hours ago." Tonya said rolling down the window
to let
the fresh air fill the car. "He said that Nicky didn't know you were coming
to Orlando.
"I'll call him when I get settled." Caz stared out the window.
"Caz, what happened?" Tonya asked reaching for Caz's hand. Caz didn't
say a
word but continued looking at the buildings passing her by. "You can tell
me."
"I know, T. I just..." Caz closed her eyes, the pain of Nicky's lie
still
fresh. "Can we talk about it later."
"Caz, the guys will be here next week." Tonya said Caz looking
straight at
her. "They have some promotions they are doing."
"I guess I have until next week to sort things out?" Caz squeezed
Tonya's
hand. The two drove in silence. Caz knew that Tonya would be there for her,
it was just a matter of when she was ready to talk.