CHAPTER 7
"So where are we going?" I asked Rob when we got into his car.
"It's kind of a surprise," he told me as he temporarily took his eyes off the road to glance at me, grinning. "Hopefully you like it."
"You better hope I love it," I told him completely sarcastically. "Or you can kiss goodbye date number two."
His worried expression alerted me that he didn't catch the sarcasm. "I'm kidding!" I comforted him. "Whatever it is, I'm sure I will love it."
We pulled into an ally off of Sunset, escalating my curiosity of where exactly he was taking me. He wasn't going to stab me and then throw me in a dumpster was he? I know I am only basing my judgments off of one night knowing him, but I have my doubts that he would ever hurt me.
Robert veered into what looked like could be a parking spot. Before opening his car door, he looked over at me. "I want us to get to know each other better. So tonight, I'm going to show you a little bit about me."
I nodded agreeably. "Ok."
What could he possibly be trying to tell me? That he was a bum? He didn't look like a homeless person to me. Well, scratch that. I guess some people could find him to be a little grungy, but I thought he looked damn good in his black beanie, hooded black sweatshirt, and leather jacket.
"Shall we?" he asked me excitedly as he opened up the passenger door for me.
I grabbed onto his welcoming arm and walked beside him down the ally way towards the main street. Relief clouded over me when I saw a glimpse of civilization. He wasn't going to kill me.
"So," he started the conversation. "You go to school at UCLA. What are you studying?"
"I'm double majoring in Communications and Business," I told him warily. I felt like such a nerd.
"Way to make me look like a dumb bastard," he laughed, shaking his head.
"Oh, come on!" I reassured him. "At least you have a career doing something you love! I have absolutely no clue what I want to do with my life."
"I suppose," he answered unconvincingly. But I have about as much clue as you do when it comes to knowing what I want."
"Well good thing we are still young," I laughed.
"Right," he said suspiciously. "How young are you?"
"Twenty," I responded confidently. "You're twenty-two right? No criminal record. Yet?"
He laughed out loud and nodded his head. "You remembered."
Rob placed his hand on the small of my back and led me around the corner. I could see the blue sign flashing, "House of Blues," up ahead.
"Are we going in here?" I asked eagerly.
"Yeah."
"Who's playing?" I continued to ask questions as we walked through the front entrance.
"Rob, great to see you man," an older gray haired man greeted Rob with a pat on the back. "Stage is set up for you to go on in ten."
Robert turned to face me. "Me."
I was in awe. Before I could even speak, the same older man reappeared, grabbing Rob's full attention. "Mark wants to see you backstage to get you situated and whatnot. Let's go."
I noticed Robert stuff his hands in his front pockets. "Ok, Jeff. I'll be back there in a minute. Just give me a sec." He motioned his head towards me.
"Right, right," Mark said as he walked off.
"I hope this is all right for you," he exclaimed. "I'll make it short and then we can…"
I cut him off. "This is more than all right. This is incredible," I told him beaming. "Don't you dare rip me off by cutting your performance short. I want to see the whole thing."
He pulled me tight into a hug. "Good luck," I said into his chest.
"Thanks," he replied as he released me. "Feel free to sit wherever. Preferably in the front center, right where I can see you." He winked and strutted off to the back of the stage.
I watched him until he disappeared around a corner. At that same moment, a man's voice was heard in a microphone coming from the stage. I followed it, putting together his words into a sentence. "Tonight, I am proud to present Robert Pattinson, ladies and gentlemen.
I was led into a somewhat small room filled with numerous tall round tables and chairs, however, only a little less than half were occupied. I spotted an empty table dead center and walked swiftly towards it. To my surprise, a tall and lean brunette was also hastily marching to it as well. What was her hurry? Fortunately, my shorter legs moved twice as fast and I reached the table before her. However, instead of taking another one, she pulled up a chair right next to me at my table.
"Hope you don't mind if I sit here," she explained boorishly. "I actually sit here every night."
I tried my best to ignore her. I simply nodded and watched the stage intently as Rob came out. Everyone cheered and clapped, including me.
"I'm Victoria." She lent out her hand to shake. Her nails were neatly done with a French manicure.
"Emma," I smiled. "Nice to meet you." I turned my focus, once again, back to Rob.
"So, is this your first time here?" she asked. "I haven't seen you here before."
She was starting to get really annoying. Ok, fine. If it weren't Rob up on stage right now, I would probably think she was really nice and welcoming. But that's obviously not the case.
"First time," I agreed. This time I didn't look at her when I answered. My eyes were glued on Rob at the piano. His long fingers started to play over the keys, creating a perfect melody.
"Do you know Robert?" she interrupted his beautiful voice.
I nodded. I could feel her intense glare on me. What was her problem?
"Are you two dating?" she asked curiously.
"I think so," I told her, actually unsure if we were technically dating.
"Interesting," she stated somewhat amused and then quickly walked away.
Finally. Now I could focus my full attention on Rob. I never imagined him being such a great musician and singer. He was amazing. His voice was captivating…breathtaking.
When his performance was over, Robert met me at the table I was sitting at. I jumped off the seat and wrapped my arms around him. "That was incredible!" I gushed. "I'm speechless, really. I had no idea you were so musically talented."
He laughed. "Well, there's a lot you don't know about me." I gazed up into his eyes, only to be distracted by Victoria's wicked glare in the distance behind him.
