Contracts and Confrontation

Contracts and Confrontation

The next morning I'm cleaning the house. I decide to give my mom a call. It's always a fun chat with my mom. We can, and do, talk about everything. 

"Hello baby." My mom sings down the line. 

"Hi mom, whatcha doin?" 

"Laundry, ugh. You?" 

"Dusting." 

We're distracting each other from our monotonous chores when my doorbell rings. All conversation is at a halt, interests peaked. 

"Who's that?" My mother asks. 

"I don’t know I'm not expecting anyone." I make my way to the door and there's a beautiful bouquet of peonies, a face pops out around them and the messenger asks, "Ms. Landry?"

"Yes," 

I reply with caution. I don't know why I'm acting like these flowers are going to leap out and bite me. "Sign here please." I sign and receive my flowers. 

"What is it?" My mom yells through the receiver. 

"Peonies." I notice a card amidst the glorious pink petals. I grab it eager to see who's treating me so well. My jaw drops. "Well, who are they from?" 

Alex.

"It was my pleasure to have stumbled upon your beautiful voice yesterday. Please forgive my intrusion. - Alex"

If I had been drinking water, I would have spit it out slapstick like Lucille Ball. Shock cannot begin to describe what I'm feeling at the moment. I give my mom a rundown of what happened at the studio and she's enthralled. I know that by telling her it's a kin to telling the entire family. Hey, a beautiful man sent me flowers, hell I hope she does tell everyone. 

"Cami, I know your instinct is to assume this is just a friendly gesture, but let this play itself out. You deserve all the happiness in the world and it kills me to see you lonely." 

"Well, trust me it's nothing more than flowers. He's so out of my league mom. I don't think I'm even be ready for something like that. Also, I’m not lonely. I’m fine." 

"It's been two years honey. When are you going to continue to live your life?" 

The words cut through me like a sword. Has it been that long? I'm hurt a little that she's pushing the subject when there is no need. This is just a friendly apology. I rush through the rest of our conversation eager to leave all thoughts of moving on with anyone behind.  

The next day after taking Bailey to school I’m off to work. I arrive to the studio and find a man in a suit and Alex standing at the front door. The man in the suit has to be a lawyer. Everything is in its place, including his iPhone that he’s thumbing through while talking on his bluetooth. Luckily today I’m wearing street clothes and not dance attire. I’m still embarrassed by how out of place I feel around Alex. He again is wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but this time with a gorgeous black leather jacket and aviators. I don’t think I could dress as well as him even if I tried. Alex notices me walking up and  he turns to greet me. I’m putty already and he hasn’t even said hello. 

“Good morning Camille.” 

“Good Morning.” I wish I had oversized sunglasses to hide my face, I’m sure my eyes are giving me away. 

“I’m sorry to ambush you, again, I have some business I’d like to discuss.” Alex turns and bumps his elbow into the suit. 

“This is Charlie, he’s my lawyer.” 

“Oh, Hi Charlie.” 

Charlie waves, “I’m so sorry. Camille, so nice to meet you, I must take this call. You two get started. I’ll be in shortly.” I was not expecting a British accent and manners. Don’t judge a man by his suit. 

I unlock the door, well I try to unlock the door. My hands are a fumbling mess with Alex standing right behind me. I’m cursing my hands to function, and I swear Alex almost offered to unlock the door for me. We finally make it in and I’m calmed a little by the fact I have the upper hand on territory. I enter in the alarm code and flick on the lights. 

“My office is this way.” I say as casual as I can. We wander down the hall of dance portraits and Alex smiles and admires the little girls in tutus. It melts my heart. I open the door to my office and am thankful that Andrea my assistant made me clean it a few weeks back. I walk behind my desk, 

“Please take a seat.” I offer to Alex. I’m doing my best to be professional even though this man has seen me more vulnerable than most people I know. 

“Did you like the flowers?” Well, we’re just jumping right in then. 

“Yes, they were beautiful, unnecessary, but beautiful.” 

“You really do have a lovely voice.” 

“Thank you.”

I can feel my face blushing, and I’m thanking my lucky stars that my complexion makes it difficult to see. 

“So you said you had business you’d like to discuss?” 

“Yes, I’d like to use your studio for a movie I’m shooting.” 

“OK, so what does that mean for me, or the studio?” 

“Well, the short and sweet of it would be, I’d like to pay you money for you to set aside times for us to film on your property.” 

“That sounds rather cut and dry, what’s with the suit then?” Alex laughs. 

“The suit makes the short and sweet, long and sour. He keeps me out of trouble so I keep him around.” 

“Makes sense” I don’t know what else to say, or even what to do with myself. I’m struggling with what to do with my hands. I’ve spent hours of my life instructing dancers on where and how to hold their hands. Now, in the simplest moment, I’m drawing a blank. They are currently laying flat on top of my desk, like I’m trying to keep it from floating away. “Camille, I’d like to take you out to dinner.” 

“I don’t understand, your lawyer is here now. So why don't we just do everything here?” 

“Not for business” His dreamy blues never leave my eyes, I think he’s trying to read my reaction before I answer. “I’m asking you on a date Ms. Landry.” 

“Oh” 

There’s a silence that feels like an eternity, which is broken by Charlie’s entrance. 

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.” 

“Just a minute Charlie, Ms. Landry was answering a question.” Alex is still staring me down. “I’m not sure that’s of our best interests.” I murmur. Alex’s eyes switch from dreamy to thoroughly disappointed. This can’t be the first time someone has turned him down. Well, with a face like that, this actually might be. 

“If that’s all settled then.” Charlie interrupts, his tone timid. We're both confused by the look in Alex’s eyes. Alex nods. Charlie sits down and pulls out a mound of papers and goes over the contract with me. Everything is pretty standard, at least that’s what Charlie says. I don’t know if it’s my fear of Alex, Charlie’s accent or the revenue this will bring in for the studio, but I’m just agreeing. We finish up and Alex is first to rise from his seat. He seems eager to leave.

“Once your lawyer sends over a signed copy I’ll send you a schedule so you can arrange your classes. I’m sure we’ll be seeing much of each other.” Charlie puts out his hand and I rise to shake it. Charlie turns to leave and Alex is not budging. 

“You coming?” Charlie asks. 

“I’ll meet you outside in a minute.” Alex replies. Without saying a word Charlie disappears. I’m physically shaking. I’m aroused and frightened all at the same time. An emotion I am not familiar with, it’s quite unsettling. The door shuts from Charlie's exit and Alex sighs. 

“Why won’t you have dinner with me, are you seeing someone else?” I shake my head my eyes wide in shock, 

“No.” 

“Then what is it?” I look down at my hands, back to their awkward job of holding down my floating desk. I don’t know how to articulate my reasoning to a stranger. 

“How long are you going to make me wait?” 

“Excuse me?” 

“You heard me. How long? A month, a year?” Alex starts to walk around my desk. 

“What makes you think that I’m going to change my mind.” I am appalled. 

“The way your breath quickens when I look at you.” I stop breathing, like somehow that will retract all the hasty breaths I unknowingly let slip. He strolls until he’s behind my chair. Walking as if he owns the room. I must be confirming his assumptions by holding my breath, I want to smack myself in the forehead. I really need to work on my poker face. 

“I don’t want to rush you, but I’m not known to be a patient man.” I turn my chair around to face him. 

“I’m not known to be a forgiving woman.” 

He smiles as I sit back with me arms and legs crossed feigning confidence. 

“I can’t get you out of my mind. I want to know you." He steps closer, and my body is reminded of his proximity by goosebumps. 

“I want to listen to you laugh, and watch those gorgeous brown eyes sparkle.” He leans forward placing both hands on the armrests of my chair. His minty smile is inches from my face, I have nowhere to hide. 

“I want to watch the sunlight fall across your face.” I remember how self conscious I was at our first meeting, today puts that to shame. 

“Just say yes.” I’m fighting the urge to throw myself at him. My entire body takes off in a race. My heart is palpitating, my breaths are heavy and brisk. He stands and turns away. He reaches the door and without looking back says, 

“I’ll be waiting.” 

The second I hear the door close I fall into a defeated heap. What is his problem, why me? It has to be the fact that I said no. He must love the challenge of conquering a woman. He’s probably skilled in seduction tactics that would turn even a nun into a harlot. Defeatism fades and depression sweeps back in. I was ready to throw myself onto a strange man, and the thought of Paul didn’t even cross my mind. That fact alone is breaking my heart. How could I do that to Paul? Then there’s Bailey? She needs me, and I need to be completely available to her. I can’t split my time with someone else. It wouldn’t be fair to her. I look at the clock and note that I have about twenty minutes before Andrea and the rest of the crew arrive. I turn on some music to distract myself. I bury myself in work to try to forget what happened with 

Alex. It’s no use. 

Andrea my assistant comes marching into my office guns blazing right on time. Just the sight of this bubbly blonde woman makes me smile. She's a fantastic friend to have in your corner. 

"So I don't know what you did to convince that director guy to film here, but all the other studios are super jealous." 

I blush, 

“It could've been the fact he found me here crying, or that he felt up my a*s. Honest, I bet he felt obligated after that." 

I’m trying to keep my cool under the mention of his name. Andrea snorts in a full on giggle fit. 

"What?" We laugh as I go over the details with her. She smiles afterwards and says, 

"Did you get the flowers?" 

"How do you know I got flowers?"

"He had some game named Chuck call for your address twice. When I wouldn't give him the address he called and assured me that he was only sending flowers to thank you for the tour. I gave him your information and then told him I knew your father, and if anything shady went down he'd have no issue doing hard time." Gosh, you gotta love this girl. 

Work consist of paying bills, receiving shipments, revising schedules, and returning parents phone calls. I stop into the classrooms to say hello to the students and watch their work. This is my favorite part of the job. The routines are coming along well. I send all the teachers an email informing them of a meeting tomorrow morning and ask Andrea to make up a flyer with the new schedule. I know I’ll be taking many phone calls for changing things up. It’s good for business, I remind myself while doubting my decision to go into work with a man that unravels my every nerve. I check the clock again and thank God that time has flown by. I can’t wait to see Bailey and she should be arriving with my mom any minute. I get up from my desk and go wait in the lobby for my little ray of sunshine. I see her hop out of my mom’s car with a lollipop stuffed in her cheek. She’s wearing a black leotard, a big pink tutu, pink tights and converse sneakers. My heart is happy when she’s near. She waits at the trunk of the car for my mom and sticks out her hand to be held. They walk hand in hand into the studio. 

“Mama” Bailey runs and hugs my legs. 

“Hello my love, how was school?” 

“It was fantastic. I got to be line leader today.” 

“Oh my, no food in the lobby little one.” 

“Sorry mama, I forgot.” She slumps over and throws her lollipop away. My mom comes over and hands me a replacement lollipop for after class. 

“Hi Mom” I give my mom a great big hug. 

“What’s wrong?” She asks. 

“Nothing why?” 

“I don’t know, mother’s instincts I guess.” 

“It’s just been a long day, shall we?” 

I put out my elbow to escort my mom to the viewing area for Bailey’s ballet class. 

We sit and enjoy watching our little sweetheart talk with her friends and change her shoes. 

“So, what happened with Alex?” How does she know? I take a deep breath and before I can open my mouth my mom cuts me off, 

“I knew it. You like him. Those were romantic flowers weren’t they?” 

“Mom, keep your voice down please.” 

“Well, answer me.” 

“Yes, they were romantic flowers. I don’t like him. It’s best if we keep our relationship professional since we'll be doing business together for the next few months .” 

“So he decided to shoot his movie here?” 

“Yeah”

“Did he say why?” 

“I didn’t think to ask.” 

“Bet the other studios didn’t offer such a hot owner to do business with.” 

“I’d like to think that it was this studio. I put a lot of work into finding this place and rebuilding it.” 

“Yeah and that’s all great, but you and I both know why he picked this studio.” I shake my head before saying, 

“Then he’s going to be real let down by his decision.” 

“That’s a shame.” 

“Why?”

 

“Cami, I’m your mom, I know when you like a guy. You have no bluff. I can read your emotions written all over your face. I don’t know why you’re refusing to let yourself have any fun.” 

“Fun?!” My voice rises in fury. 

“Yes Cami, fun, and watch your tone. I’m still your mother.” 

“I’m sorry mom, but I don’t have time for that kind of ‘fun,' It’s not just me that this affects. Every decision I make affects her world. She’s already been through too much.” 

My eyes start to water, the guilt from this morning is back with a vengeance. 

“Bailey is more resilient than you know, kids have a way of seeing the light in the darkness.” I’m crying. 

“Come here, the owner doesn't like cry babies.” I laugh, tucked under my moms arm. The rest of our time is spent watching Bailey in silence.

The next couple of days I do my best to try and stay focused on work. As much as I hate to admit it, that good looking man has worked his way into my brain. Thursday evening I receive an email from Charlie with the schedule and Friday I begin on rearranging my classes. I didn’t foresee this part being so difficult. It turns out they plan on beginning their shoot the same week as our Spring Showcase. Luckily I make it through two entire days of work without a single mention of Alex Roen. No phone calls or flowers, he must have found a new woman to harass. 

Author's Note

The layout is pretty sloppy, sorry. It's on my to do list.

Reviews

[Mr_M]

The emotions and feelings described here feel very real. Everyone can relate to these feelings. I like the way Paul never seems to leave the room. He is a constant a figure in their lives. I understand that is a pretty obvious statement however the reader wouldn't know that. You do a good job of this. It goes deep. A very emotional end. Great chapter.

[Jennie Baron]

This is wonderful through and through. In the beginning you have that nervous, awkward encounter, then in the end that beautiful time with her daughter, and the prayer. Both scenes speak volumes. Such emotion came through; very touching.

If you're interested in the nitpicky things, I found some although I don't usually copy edit:

bare--> bear

You have some words that are actually possessive that end in s rather than 's:
Strangers blue eyes-->stranger's blue eyes
Days routine-->day's routine
There may be others; you might edit and keep a lookout for them.

Also, I suggest dividing that first long paragraph into several, especially where you introduce dialogue from a different speaker.

[SweetNutmeg]

That voice is like butter, and it's AFFECTS are the same... EFFECTS

I PICKUP my things... PICK UP

but I have to go PICKUP my daughter... PICK UP

Of COARSE my love... COURSE

I regale her with an ANTIDOTE... ANECDOTE

[T. Adams]

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I'm downloading SmartEdit right now. :)

[SweetNutmeg]

We meet him! And what a fellow he is. I'm not particularly fond of muscles but the rest sounds delicious. This chapter gives our character such depth and we enjoy her interior life so intimately. We definitely know how she feels, every odd bit of it. This is outstanding. Reading your excellent descriptions is helping my writing immensely.

The only stumbling block I have that relates to the actual story is the description of his voice... butter does not usually rasp, it is usually very smooth.

For the nit picky details that have nothing to do with your writing...there are a number of mistaken homonyms... do you want those pointed out or are you more interested in just the big picture?

[T. Adams]

Please please please point them out. I'm really working on refining the story now that I've got all my ideas down on paper. Thank you so much for reading, you're the first and it's so exciting for me.