LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
"Are you ready?" Stacie handed Chloe her ticket.
"Yeah." Chloe tried her best to stay incognito but she was recognized, and therefore, was mobbed. "Uhm… Stace?"
"Yeah?"
"You go in ahead." Chloe suggested. "I'll meet you inside."
Stacie wanted to give Chloe time-she knew what the redhead was up to but the situation won't allow her. "I can't leave you here, Chlo." She whispered. "We'll go together."
Paparazzi kept on taking photos while both Stacie and Chloe were headed inside. Of course, they bombarded the redhead with questions regarding her recent break-up with Tom Smith but they got nothing out of her.
"Okay. I'll just make a quick phone call then." Chloe dialed Beca's number. She wanted to say something at least before she left for Italy. "Come one, Becs. Please pick up." She mumbled.
Chloe tried not only once but twice but still, the brunette didn't pick up. It all went to voicemail.
Stacie sensed her friend's discomfort. "She didn't pick up?" She whispered.
"Yeah." Chloe sighed. "I just wanted to tell her you know, to take care and stuff…"
"Chlo…"
"I know that I don't have the right to say those things, Stace. I love her."
"Remember what we talked about?" Stacie smiled at the redhead. "Give her time, and while she does that, you can reflect on things to get her back. And, you can sort out your issues as well."
Chloe appreciates how Stacie is being there for her-she has Aubrey, but the blonde can't do things for her right now. Beca's welfare comes first to Aubrey and she can't blame her.
"Two months is a long time, Stace." Chloe put on her sunglasses, and brought her earphones out. "I hope that nothing would go wrong in that time span."
"Don't overthink!" Stacie laughed and led the way. "We have to go! Italy is waiting for you!"
"You're being too nice!" Chloe snickered. She glanced at her phone one more time, hoping that Beca would text or even, call her back. She was disappointed to find nothing. "I, of all people, know that love and life is surely complicated."
ALFRED'S COFFEE SHOP, WEST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES
"Alexandra!" Amy scolded. "We're going to be late! Is this the reason why you didn't ask the driver to come pick us up in your place?" She looked around the area. "To get… coffee?!"
"Amy, I already agreed to attend the meeting. Anyway, it's just going to be my dad and some other people." She shrugged as she parked the car. "You won't take a while, won't you?" She turned to her friend.
"What do you mean that I won't take a while?"
"You're getting coffee, silly!" Alexandra laughed. She handed Amy a couple of bills. "Get something for you too."
"Why do I have to get this for you?" Amy protested. "You have long legs, you can walk faster than I do."
"I don't want to be recognized." Alexandra whispered. "You know how it is." She winked. "I don't want any more numbers and all."
"Hey! You don't get papped!" Amy whined. "Oh wait… is that similar with being recognized? I mean, recognized is that people know you and being papped is having cameras all around your face…" Amy realized.
"Please. Please. Amy." Alexandra pleaded. "I really have to fix myself before we get there. Look at me! I still lack lipstick!" She pointed at her lips.
Amy looked at her with disbelief. She thinks the opposite. Yes, Alexandra didn't have any lipstick on yet but she still looked amazing. "Really? You aren't done with yourself? Geez!"
"You can get all the pastries you want too!" Alexandra grinned.
Immediately. Amy unclasped her seatbelt. "Now, you're talking!"
Alexandra couldn't help but laugh-Amy sure is crazy but she loves her.
BEL AIR ESTATES, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
There were two missed calls-all from Chloe.
To be frank, Beca intentionally didn't answer the redhead's calls. "Why should I?" "What else is there to say?" She thought.
She expected this though-that Chloe would call. She saw Aubrey's desk calendar yesterday when she happened to be in her office. Aubrey marked the week "Chloe's flight to Italy." Beca laughed at it when she saw it, because for sure, Aubrey wasn't sure of when her best friend would be leaving so she did what she usually does to be sure-make the entire week just in case in lands in one of those dates.
Beca didn't want to get up-she isn't drunk but she had a headache after taking care of Jesse who drank way too much. She had to drive Jesse's car, while Aubrey took their SUV home. However, being the in demand Music Producer she is, she had no choice to prepare for work.
She was curious though of why Chloe would want to talk to her, but all she could think of was this-Chloe is leaving and she definitely wants to let us know. That's it.
The movie is another break for Chloe and she meant it when she said that she'll be willing to hear all of Chloe's adventures in Italy, but of course, all of that would depend on Chloe. But she's sure about one thing, Chloe will definitely tell Aubrey.
It's not that Beca would want to block Chloe off entirely. She just wants to be freed from the hurt-Chloe will always be a part of their lives, she knows that.
But Beca has decided to take a step further away from Chloe.
She wants to forget the pain.
She wants to be whole again.
She wants to be loved and loved in return-which she didn't really feel with Chloe since it seemed that she never had the redhead at all.
She wants to be herself. Again.
"Hey, bug?" Aubrey knocked on the door. "Are you ready to leave?"
"Yeah! I'm coming!" Beca quickly got her bag, jacket and her sunglasses. "It's going to be a long day." She mumbled.
"Definitely!" Aubrey replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't make you coffee. I overslept as well." She groaned.
"That's alright." Beca snickered as she laughed at how her sister looked. Aubrey still looked sleepy. She took a quick selfie of them both wherein they pouted and thereafter, posted it on Instagram. "We need coffee!" She muttered the caption while typing it. "Oh well. We can send one of the interns later to get one for us."
"Hey, yeah!" Aubrey smiled at her sister. "Now, you're talking. Let's go!"
MITCHELL RECORDS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
"Perfect!" Alexandra exclaimed while she scrolled through her Instagram feed. "Hey, Amy, drop the other two off!"
"What?" Amy looked confused. "What for? I thought the excess was for me!"
"The pastries are for you!" She snickered. "But, those two Vanilla lattes are for Aubrey and Beca." She showed Beca's post to Amy. "They need it, you see?"
"You really are a stalker, Collins! Really!"
"Hey! You saw it! It was just posted a few minutes ago. We went to get them coffee first!" Alexandra shrugged. She reached for the cups of coffee and examined them. "Oh my god! You put Fat Amy as a name in their cups?!"
"I didn't know it was for them! You should've told me!" Amy laughed. "It looks good on the cup, though." She grinned.
"Ugh!" Alex shook her head. She bit her lower lip. She wanted to know that it was from her.
"Give me your pen!" Amy grabbed Alexandra's bag and took out her pen. Alexandra didn't have time to take it back since Amy suddenly scribbled on the cup. "There!" She held out the cup for Alexandra to see. "All done!"
FAT AMY got this but ALEXANDRA asked her to. You're welcome!
"Amy!" Alexandra laughed out loud. "You didn't have to do this! We could have written something on a post-it! You ruined the cup!"
Amy proudly looked at her masterpiece. "You're welcome, Alex!"
Amy accompanied Alexandra to the front desk-she didn't understand why her friend was being nervous and all.
Alexandra never gets nervous- she's so full of confidence. Amy was sure of that since she usually shares her butt confidence to Alex. It never fails.
"Uh… So I just drop it off, right?"
"Yeah." Amy nodded. "We just tell the lady over there that you're Beca's friend."
The front desk employee seemed to notice the presence of both Amy and Alexandra. "Hi! How may I help you?"
Alexandra shyly stepped forward. "Hi! Is Beca Mitchell here?"
"No. Not yet." The employee smiled in response.
"How about Aubrey Posen?"
"Still not here, too." The employee stated.
"Oh."
"But, I heard they're on theirway here. You can wait for them if you want? I'll let them know you're waiting. May I have your name, please?" The employee was ready to call Beca and Aubrey for confirmation. She didn't need to tell Alexandra of what she's about to do-she's familiar with all these things.
"Oh, you don't have to." She put both cups of coffee on the counter. "I'm running late anyway. I'll just drop this off." The employee gladly took both cups of coffee and set it aside.
"Hey!" Amy warned. "You better make sure they get this, alright? I put a lot of effort into those cups!" She grinned.
Jesse walked in while Amy and Alexandra were leaving. The pair didn't notice him though, they were too busy laughing at each other to notice his presence.
His curiosity got the best of him causing him to proceed to the front desk. "What did those two do here?" He asked.
"Oh. They dropped something for Miss Mitchell and Miss Posen." The girl replied.
Jesse didn't want to know what Amy and Alexandra brought in for Beca, but he was also curious about the girl they met last night. Luckily, she didn't stay long-he remembered that "Amy" had pulled her out of the lounge. They didn't talk that much. She just introduced herself and then left.
He wanted to know all about her. "If Beca looks for me, tell her that I'll be late, alright?" Quickly, he left and decided to follow both Amy and Alexandra.
DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
"She seems like a nice person." Jesse told himself. "But, still, I'm suspicious."
He followed Amy and Alexandra because he wanted to make sure that they aren't up to something. Jesse was always protective of Beca, and throughout Beca's career, there were plenty of people who wanted to get in her life. He wanted to make sure that Alexandra had no ulterior motive.
Jesse continued to follow Alexandra's car-it was a white Lexus 2017 RC F. Luxurious in all the right places. He didn't quite notice it until he realized that he was already in L.A.'s Business District, thus, he was even more curious.
Alexandra happened to park in one of the high-rise buildings. Amy quickly followed behind. She had time to chat with a few men in black suits before she gave them her key.
It was probably because he watched too many movies that caused him to drive away and hurry back to the recording studio.
In movies, when there are men in black suits who had agent type earphones, they are usually associated with syndicates or even something big.
He panicked.
He had to tell Beca.
And Aubrey, of course.
MITCHELL RECORDS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
As soon as he arrived, Jesse immediately proceeded to Beca's office. He was convinced that Alexandra may be up to no good that's why she suddenly appeared in the brunette's life.
No one had the guts to do that to Beca whenever she was drinking with them-of course, there are people who would throw themselves at her but that's only when she DJs. For Beca, private time with friends is really private. She meant that.
He considered Alexandra's presence as something fishy-she intended to be there for Beca, he observed.
"Beca?" Jesse was panting.
"Yeah?" Beca was about to take another sip of coffee when Jesse stopped her.
"Don't you drink that, Beca! Don't you dare!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Beca could swear that Jesse was being an absolute idiot. "It's just coffee!"
Jesse saw the cup which had Amy's writing on it. He walked to the brunette and took a hold of it. "This isn't safe!"
"What are you talking about, Jesse?" Aubrey stepped in. "You look like a weirdo, right now."
"No. Not you, too!" Jesse's eyes widened when he saw Aubrey and the coffee from Amy and Alexandra. "Ugh! You two! That might have something in it! It may contain poison or sleeping pills!"
Beca and Aubrey looked at each other. They tried to stop themselves from laughing at Jesse, but they couldn't. He was really funny.
"That's from the girl last night!" Jesse pointed out.
"Yeah!" Beca and Aubrey replied in unison. "I think it's just being thoughtful, you know. She might have assumed we're hung-over or something." Aubrey added.
"Probably." Beca shrugged. "I also think she saw my Instagram post. She commented on it and asked if I got the coffee."
"Oh my god!" Jesse was annoyed. "What's with her anyway? Who does she think she is to barge in to our circle like that?!"
Aubrey and Beca continued to snicker. "She's being nice, J." Aubrey laughed. "I think, she likes Beca too." Beca glared at her upon saying that. "Sorry." Aubrey mumbled.
"Look! Listen to me!" Jesse pleaded. He was looking like a fool, he knew that but he had to let the girls know. "She drives a Lexus RC F-the latest one!"
"So? She can afford it, if that's the case." Aubrey replied. "It's not like she's not allowed to."
"There's more! She works in Downtown, L.A."
"Dumbo, that's the business district." Beca laughed. "A lot of people work there."
"Wait! This is the best part, you know, Amy? She works for Alexandra! And she has goons working for her too!" Jesse explained. "They were in black suits and had those agent earphones. Really." He sighed as he explained. "They surrounded her and even assisted her into the building!"
"You watch too many movies, Jesse!" Aubrey laughed.
"Wait. You followed her? Is that why you were late?" Beca stood up, and threw her cup. "Why would you do that?"
Jesse sensed he was in trouble. Beca and Aubrey were all about principles-they were really brought up that way. "I just wanted to make sure of the girl, Beca. She seemed so eager. And this, it even looks like she's stalking you!" He raised Aubrey's cup. "We have to be careful of who we let in."
"Oh dear. Are you traumatized because of what has happened with Chloe and all?" Beca asked.
"Yes! Maybe James Beale hired her or something to spy on you… on us!"
Aubrey and Beca just stared at Jesse for a while and then laughed loudly. Beca couldn't breathe since she was laughing too hard. Aubrey was crying from all the laughing.
"Chloe's dad won't do that Jesse." Beca tried her best to compose herself. "Aubrey's right. You watch too many movies. James Beale wouldn't dare touch me since I let Chloe go. I gave him what he wanted too. He doesn't need to bother me."
Aubrey couldn't take it anymore. She got a hold of her laptop and started typing but she was still giggling from all the nonsense she heard from Jesse. "You know Jesse, there's a thing called a laptop and the internet, right? We get your concern but you could have just done a background check on her via the internet." She explained. "You didn't have to go all the way there and trail her car."
"Whatever." Jesse scoffed. "You guys are boring." He said in defense.
Beca decided to drop the topic and proceeded to work on her computer. Jesse, on the other hand was still convinced that Alexandra Collins was up to something. He thought hard.
"Oh wow…" Aubrey said. "Look at this!" She called Jesse and Beca's attention. Aubrey read the article and shared what she has just absorbed. "Apparently, Alexandra Collins is the daughter of Henry Collins. They own Collins Group. It's a conglomerate." Aubrey explained.
"Meaning?" Jesse looked interested.
"They own a huge company which own businesses… A lot of business actually which are totally unrelated." Aubrey continued to scroll through the article. "Her dad's handling the construction and manufacturing business while she handles, telecommunications and entertainment. Not only do they have companies here, but they do have companies around Asia as well. This is huge." Aubrey was impressed.
"So, they're rich. Richer than James Beale and Richard Harris." Jesse concluded.
Beca looked up from her computer. "That explains the men in black, the luxurious car…." Jesse stuck his tongue out in response. "Goons, ha!" She laughed.
"Wait…" Aubrey stopped Jesse and Beca. "It says here that the Collins Group is having an office of both of their telecommunications and entertainment business here in L.A. They already have one in San Francisco, this is their next stop."
"That's why she's here, huh?" Beca clarified. "Interesting. So much for having a syndicate or something, huh?" Beca nudged Jesse. "Wow."
Jesse was annoyed. "Alright. Alright. I was wrong! I'm sorry!" He admitted. "Looks like there's nothing suspicious about her."
"Man, that was absolutely rude." Beca crossed her arms. "You judged someone you don't know. You have to apologize." Beca tinkered with Aubrey's cup. "Too bad she didn't leave a number here."
"What are you doing?" Jesse asked. He noticed that Beca was busy typing on her computer.
"Here." Beca wrote a telephone number. "This is the number of Collins Group. You have some apologizing to do. Personally."
Aubrey and Beca had to dial the number for Jesse-he claimed that he was too ashamed to show up, and that he could write a message or tweet her instead. As expected, it was Aubrey who tried to make the appointment.
"We should go." Aubrey suggested. "The lady on the phone says that we can't schedule an appointment for today."
"Then we go next time…" Jesse looks relieved.
"What you did was improper, Jesse." Beca tried hard not to laugh. She did appreciate the fact that Jesse looked out for her, but sometimes it can get too much-like right now. "Since we can make an appointment, we're still going there."
"And what? Like, we wait out?" Jesse scoffed.
"Yes." Beca nodded. "We wait out so you can apologize to a lady who was being nice to us." She smirked. "Seriously, Jesse? A leader of a syndicate?"
"Okay! I get it!" Jesse exclaimed. "It's wrong to spy on people when there's a reason not to!" He took his jacket with him since they already decided. "But, don't you realize she looks like Alexandra Daddario? She's just blonde and has brown eyes instead?"
"Yep." Aubrey studied the picture of Alexandra on the internet. "She definitely does."
"Is she named Alexandra because of her?" Jesse asked. "It could be, right?"
"C'mon, Jesse! We have to hurry, we have a lot of work to do too!" Beca had to push him out of her office. "But, to answer your question, I think it's totally irrelevant. To be sure, we can ask her after you apologize."
COLLINS GROUP, DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES
"Alexandra!" Henry Collins welcomed his daughter. "How's L.A. treating you so far?"
"I like it here." She replied. "Really."
"That's amazing! I thought you'd prefer to stay in San Francisco, I was worried." He grinned. "Have you made any friends, yet?"
"Dad, it hasn't been a week since I arrived." She snickered. "But, I'll make time to make new ones."
"Right. You have to be careful though. Choose your friends wisely, dear." He advised. "By the way, I hear from Amy that you're crushing on a certain someone?" He asked with a grin.
"She did not tell you who it is, did she?" Alexandra covered her face due to embarrassment.
"No." Henry replied. "But, I heard she's famous and all, goes to photo shoots, makes music and stuff…"
"Okay. That's enough for you to know." Alexandra blushed. "Remind me not to leave you and Amy behind in one room, okay?"
"I just wanted to check on your office while you were on the meeting, dear. Amy just filled me with the things you have been doing since you got here." Henry replied. "But, that's great. Work and life balance."
"I appreciate it, Chairman." She grinned at her dad.
Henry shook his head at his daughter for calling him that. "We don't have any business partners present, do away with the formalities."
"I was just messing with you, dad."
Henry kissed his daughter on the forehead before leaving his daughter's office.
"Hey, dad?"
"Yes?" He turned around.
"Thanks... for giving me another opportunity." She grinned. "I really feel like L.A. is going to treat me well."
"You're welcome, Alexandra. You did so well in San Francisco." He smiled. "You deserve this."
DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
"Isn't she coming out yet?" Beca asked.
"Nope. Not yet." Aubrey opened her window, and saw that there was no trace of Alexandra yet. "You do remember how her car looks like, right, Jesse?"
Jesse kept his eyes fixed on the entrance of the building. He was bored to death. "Yep. Absolutely."
Jesse parked Beca's SUV near the entrance of the building so they could properly watch. Aubrey was in the passenger seat, since she can see better than Beca. Beca, on the other hand, was seated behind Aubrey and busied herself by listening to her mixes on her iPod.
'Wait. Is that her?" Aubrey sat up to take a better look. "She looks gorgeous." Alexandra was on her way out of the building. She was indeed, with Amy and had two bodyguards behind them.
"And there goes the goons!" Jesse pointed out. "I told you!"
"Let's go before she leaves the premises." Beca jumped out of the car, and so did Aubrey and Jesse.
Alexandra looked good in corporate attire-she looked entirely different from last night. She had a black top tucked in black pants, and a white blazer, too. Plus, she was wearing high heels. She looked sophisticated-she looked like a boss.
"Wait. We do look okay, right?" Aubrey studied each of their outfits. "Yeah. I think we're good." She had to take away Beca's earphones and kept them on her coat. "We're meeting the CEO of both Collins Telecommunications and Entertainment. We have to look presentable enough."
"Oh my God, Bree! There you go again." Beca whined. "We're just saying sorry… No, I mean, Jesse's just going to apologize."
Not long enough, Alexandra noticed the trio walk up the building-in fact, it was only Beca. She couldn't help but smile at them.
Before they could approach Alexandra further, her bodyguards stopped her. "She's Beca Mitchell, don't you know her?" Jesse stated but, they didn't answer. "See, I told you, goons! B1 and B2! Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum!"
"It's okay. They're friends of mine." Alexandra spoke up, and the body guards stepped aside. "Hi, Beca! What are you doing here?" There were three of them but she only concentrated on Beca. "Did you get the coffee?" She glanced at Aubrey, too.
"Uhm… yeah, we did." Beca stepped forward. "You didn't have to do that, but thank you!"
"We really do appreciate it." Aubrey added.
"I was just getting coffee for myself before heading to work, and I got you those since I assumed you were hung-over or something. I saw your Instagram post after I got them, just so you know." She grinned. "No big deal. You didn't have to come here to thank me. I know you're very busy."
Beca cleared her throat and turned to Jesse. "Actually, that's not all…"
Alexandra looked confused. "So, what is it?"
Aubrey shoved Jesse infront of the group so he could apologize. "Hi! Uhm.. I'm Jesse Swanson."
"Ah! Yes, Beca's boyfriend." Alexandra shook his hands. "What can I do for you?"
"I came here to apologize…" He was nervous-mostly, ashamed. "I may have suspected you to be a leader of a syndicate or something so I followed you this morning." He looked down. "I'm sorry."
"Really? That's cool, though." Alexandra laughed at Jesse's admission. "But, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I bet you were only looking out for Beca."
"Yeah… that's exactly the reason why I did that." He scratched the back of his neck. "I was wrong. I apologize."
"Apology accepted." Alexandra grinned. "Don't worry about it."
"Gee, thanks." Jesse smiled in response. "I was expecting your bodyguards to throw me out or something. I'm relieved."
"So, are we friends now?" Alexandra looked at the three.
"Yeah…" Beca replied. "You can say that." She grinned. "Well, that's just it. We just wanted him to apologize personally." Beca stated. "We have to get going. Thanks again for the coffee, Alexandra!"
"I told you to call me Alex!" She corrected.
Amy studied the face of her friend. "You're turning red-tomato red." She whispered.
"It's just too hot!" Alexandra replied while she watched Beca, Jesse and Aubrey walk away. Jesse pulled Beca closer and whispered something in Beca's ear, while Aubrey led the way back to the car. "Really hot." She repeated while her gaze was fixed on Beca.
Before Alexandra and Amy could get back in the building, they were shocked to see Beca running back to them. "Hey, Alex!" the brunette called out.
"Yes?"
"By any chance, is your name Alexandra because of Alexandra Daddario?" She asked in between breaths.
Alexandra was surprised with the question. "No. It's totally irrelevant. I think I'm even older than her?" She said, quite unsure.
"Right!" Beca exclaimed. "I told Jesse the same thing. I just had to confirm!" She laughed. "You really look like her, that's why!" Beca smirked. "I just want to let you know!"
Amy could swear she could hear Alexandra's heart beating fast. "I know what you're thinking. Calm down until her car leaves." She instructed. "Calm down…." Amy watched until Beca's SUV already left. "Okay, 1, 2, 3. You can scream!"
"Oh my god! Did you hear that?!"
"Yes. Loud and clear, boss." Amy stated. "Loud and clear."
"I can't jump with these heels but you know that my heart is literally and figuratively jumping right now!" Alexandra exclaimed. "And, did you see her smirk? That's Beca Mitchell's signature smirk!"
"Okay, we better go inside." Amy led Alexandra back to the building. "People might think the CEO has gone nuts."
"Oh my god, Amy!" Alexandra continued. "She called me, Alex too! I was right, L.A. is going to treat me well! I'm definitely going to love it here!"
A/N: Wow! Everyone was excited for Alexandra's appearance! Thank you very much for the feedback, guys! I really appreciate it! Also, I should let you know that previous chapter was a product of many suggestions via reviews and private messages to put someone in. I had originally planned that Beca should meet someone in Italy when Aubrey brings her along but, we don't want to prolong her suffering, right?
And because of your feedbacks and your requests for me to update sooner than the usual, I have uploaded Chapter 7. I was supposed to upload this on the weekend but since I love y'all and you all seem to be excited about the new girl, this is for you. x
I intended this Chapter to be mostly about Alex-so I can give her brief background. I wanted you guys to know how different Alexandra's environment is compared to Chloe's. You know, get to know her even just for a little bit. As you can see, she's totally different with Chloe. She doesn't have the spoiled rich girl vibe and a controlling father-she's the exact opposite. Do you think she'll also manage to break down Beca's walls? Just like what Chloe did before?
