An Unexpected Interruption
Chapter 8: A New Development
Rehearsal had completely drained her. Her new show was surely going to be the death of her.
She padded towards her dressing room, contemplating the rest of her day. It was coming up on 5, she'd need food soon, but not before a ridiculously long shower. Liv was with Noah this weekend so it would be relatively quiet. Perhaps Jesse was free, maybe they could have dinner….
"Rachel! Quick cast meeting in rehearsal room two. Shouldn't take too long." Natalia, one of her costars, informed her as she passed her in the hall.
Sighing heavily, she turned from her route to her dressing room and headed to the meeting.
Within minutes, Peter Adler, their director, took to the floor.
"As I'm sure you're all aware, my wife has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Two weeks ago we were told the cancer is terminal and there will be no further treatments. It is her wish to spend the remainder of her life traveling and experiencing life in ways she hasn't before. That being said, I'm resigning as your director. But don't worry, I've already found a replacement. He's quite brilliant, I truly admire his work, especially given his age. I'd like to introduce you all to your new director, Jesse St. James!"
Rachel froze. Jesse was going to be her new director? Jesse? As in the man she'd seen no less than four times in the last week… Why hadn't he told her? Why was she finding out like this? Her head spun. She couldn't date the director of her play, it was unbecoming. She was an established star, she couldn't have this sullying her good name.
She narrowed her eyes as her secret boyfriend took over the floor. This simply would not do. She would not, could not, stand for this sort of behavior.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur, she wasn't really listening, as she was far too focused on the blatant manner in which Jesse had withheld this crucial piece of information.
As soon as they were dismissed, Rachel jumped to her feet and rushed from the meeting, she wasn't interested in running into her new 'director' just yet.
She made it to her dressing room without incident. After gathering her bag, purse and phone, Rachel shut the door behind her and hurried to the garage that housed her car.
I'm nearly homefree. I just need to get to my car and-
Her thought process was interrupted as she turned the corner and saw Jesse leaning up against her car.
Her eyes narrowed into an angry glare as she stormed toward him.
He knew she was going to be pissed about this. He knew the moment the opportunity was offered and he accepted without even talking to her.
The worst part was yet to come. She was going to ask him why. She was going to ask him why he didn't tell her.
Jesse didn't have an answer for that question. He really didn't know why. He'd spent a good amount of time trying to convince himself it was a business decision that didn't require input from his personal life.
As it turns out, it was a huge waste of time because, judging by the look on Rachel's face, she very much felt like this was, in fact, a personal issue.
"Jesse." She greeted him curtly, making no effort to hide her dissatisfaction with his recent career move.
"Rach, you have to let me-" He attempted, hoping to get a word in edgewise before she jumped all over his ass.
Luck was not on his side because she cut him off before he reached the end of his sentence.
"Save it Jesse. It really doesn't matter, does it? Because I certainly can't date my director, how would that look?" She demanded as she beeped the lock on her car and tossed her purse and bag into the backseat.
"Rachel, I think we can work around that. We're not exactly public as it is." He pointed out, appealing to her logical side.
"Be that as it may, I won't jeopardize my career for the sake of a fling." She replied coolly, knowing her words would sting.
She didn't miss her mark. His face had hurt written all over it.
"So you're just done with me?" He questioned quietly.
She turned to him, her gaze cool and stoic. "That's one way of putting it I suppose." She agreed as she palmed her keys and lifted a leg to get into her car.
"Would it have mattered?" He asked, his own voice a bit stronger. If she wanted to play the bitch, he could play the asshole.
Rachel rolled her eyes before turning her head towards him.
"Would what have mattered?" She shot back, clearly not interested in furthering their conversation.
"If I'd told you. Would it have mattered if I'd told you about it first?" He clarified, taking a step closer to her.
She stiffened when she felt his hand slide over her hip.
"Why didn't you?" She asked, her voice barely audible.
"I thought about it, I honestly did. I know I should have. You know I like to keep my personal life separate from my professional. I knew if I told you… If I told you it meant I stood a good chance of losing you." He confessed.
She held his gaze for a moment, almost as if she was trying to determine whether or not he was being genuine.
"You're an adult Jesse. We aren't sixteen anymore. You can't keep hiding behind childish excuses. I've dealt with secrets and lies before. If I wanted to deal with those again, I can call Noah." She chided as she attempted to get in the car again.
He grabbed hold of her elbow and pulled her toward him.
"Sorry, no. You don't get to run. You don't get to throw your ex-husband in my face. I'm not him and you know that. You're an adult now, too. Look, I'm sorry for keeping it from you. Obviously it wasn't my intention to hurt you. I apologize. It was not an attempt to hurt you, if anything, it was an attempt to prolong what I thought would be the inevitable, losing you." He told her, his face only inches from hers.
Rachel sighed heavily and looked away. "Look… I can forgive this. I can. But this development… This is a huge show and I can't… I don't have many years left on the stage, I know that. I know my stock isn't nearly what it was ten years ago. So the last thing I need is a scandal." She informed him, finally turning her gaze back to his.
He dropped her hand as he felt his heart drop in his chest.
"So you are ending it." He stated, his voice laced with defeat.
She rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"No, we're just going to have to be very careful."
A/N: So there's the next chapter. I've got some ideas rolling around in my head for how they could sneak around/what they could do… But feel free to shoot some ideas at me.
And as always, your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
