I know the song in the beginning doesn't really add anything story wise but I love this song (Robin Thicke 'Blurred Lines') and wanted to use it. I promise the next chapter will be more in line. Hope you enjoy.
The couple wasn't sure how long they had stayed lost in the moment but the sound of applause and rowdy cat calls brought them back to reality. Blushing, their attention was drawn back to the stage. "Alright, alright" Jimmy spoke into the microphone. "Now guys we can all appreciate a beautiful woman declaring her love, am I right?" the men in room cheered. "But as a guy we also know there has to be reciprocation or our girl is going to get upset; and we can't have that. So, seeing as how tonight was a surprise to Derek and he can't sing, the boys and I decided to help him out.
"Derek," he announced "we got your back. This song goes out to the gorgeous Karen Cartwright and all the other beautiful ladies here tonight," he smiled. "Boys are you ready?" Everyone watched as Kyle, Sam and much to the surprise of Julia, Leo jogged to the stage. The younger man had being spending a great deal of time with the Hit List group and had developed a new appreciation for the arts. Tom had showed him how to read music and play the piano but he wasn't keen on the songs his mother and Tom wrote. Jimmy walked over to the sound system plugged in his laptop and then joined his fellow cohorts who were now donning black shades and had their backs to the crowd. The racy beat began to play and the younger members of the crowd went crazy.
Kyle was the first to turn around as he began to sing
Everybody get up
Everybody get up
And as soon as the first 'Hey,' could be heard the other three men turned in synchronized movements and sang
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Everyone cheered as Sam in a smooth falsetto belted out
If you can't hear what I'm trying to say
If you can't read from the same page
Members of Bombshell's ensemble ran onto the dance floor and back at their table; Karen squealed "I Love this song, dance with me" her beautiful brown eyes pleading as she looked to Derek. "Pleaseee" she leaned in to kiss his cheek. The table watched in amusement for they knew the moment the young woman said the simple word it was over. Derek extended his hand and she gleefully intertwined their fingers together while she led him to the dance floor bouncing along the way to the beat of the song. Over her shoulder she called "come on Ana, Ronnie,Julia!" Ronnie and Ana excitedly stood to join the couple.
When they reached the dance floor Karen immediately turned to face Derek. She lifted his arm high and began to dance her way into his body moving his arm lower the closer she got to him until it draped loosely around his neck. Her free hand traced the curves of her body as she moved into his frame. His free hand instinctively wrapped around her waist and the two began to dance.
They were in shock when Leo took front and center to sing:
Maybe I'm going deaf, maybe I'm going blind
Maybe I'm out of my mind
Finally it was Jimmy's turn:
Ok now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
Swaying together, as the chorus sung in the background Derek leaned in and whispered in Karen's ear
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl,
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get passed me...
Karen's eyes widen in realization "someone's been holding out on me?" she cooed. Derek smirked as one of his hands grabbed her right wrist while the other slid down her thigh and in one swift move he dipped her body using his left hand as support under her back.
"I can't tell you all my secrets" his voice husky and breathe hot. He pulled her up and back into his frame turning her mid way so that her back was flushed against his chest. He gave a quick kiss to her neck and swayed their bodies in rhythm with the beat. When the next verse was about to start he extended Karen's right arm and held her waist tight with his free hand. He positioned his hip in such a way the young dancer understood his intention. She moved slightly forward in his grip so that there was sufficient space between the two. The choreographer gave her a push forward and she twirled out and back in. When he pulled her towards his frame their faces were mere inches apart. Derek couldn't resist running his hand along Karen's cheek. She laughed openly as he continued his serenade:
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me
I feel so lucky,
You wanna hug me
What rhymes with hug me?
The song came to an end and the four men took a bow. It was evident the party had started. Karen stayed on the dance floor with her friends while Derek returned to the table. "You've got your hands full with her" Eric clapped his friend's back. Eileen and Julia laughed in agreement. "But she is something special" he added. "I can't believe she went this long without getting a single call back."
"I don't either but their loss is our gain" Eileen commented.
Across the bar Sam made his way to Tom and Ivy. The actor had seen the two sulking and wanted to try and diffuse anything that might be brewing. "Hey beautiful" he greeted the blonde with a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh so finally we get to be graced with your presence?" Tom questioned.
Sam rolled his eyes "well seeing as how the two of you have ignored me lately I figured I was the last person you wanted to sit with" he replied.
"I don't get it" Ivy commented. "How do you even know them? You are supposed to be my friend, our friend," she motioned between Tom and her "yet all you've done is support Karen Cartwright."
"You know she is just Derek's newest flavor "Tom added "look at what he did to Ivy."
"Wow, okay" Sam replied in disbelief. "Let's see where do I start" he commented. "I met Karen, Jimmy, Kyle and Ana the night of the investor's party. They told me about a musical they were writing and a week later Derek approached me to ask if I would consider helping them with choreography," the dancer replied. "He couldn't afford to have Josh take time away from Bombshell and he thought with my experience I would be a great match," he replied. "And if I'm being honest, accepting his offer was probably one of the best decisions I've made in a long time."
"You can't be serious?" Tom asked.
"Yes, I am; I have met some of the most talented people including Veronica Moore. I've gotten to learn from and witness a completely different side to Derek and Julia. Plus, in speaking with Eric Phillip I have a better understanding of what an investor is looking for in a production. But what I love the most is that each one of them respects me for my talent professionally and my personality on a personal level. To them it isn't about ego. They don't care that I'm still your friend and never once have they spoken badly about either of you. In fact what happens at rehearsal stays in the studio."
"Please, of course they look up to you, they don't know any better," Ivy remarked. As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted "I'm sorry Sam; that came out wrong, I didn't mean..."
The actress didn't get the chance to finish her remark "yes you did Ivy, I know you to well. But hey, think what you want too, in the end I'm in a good place. As for Karen being the newest flavor; I wouldn't count on it. I don't recall Derek ever declaring his love for any of the other flavors; did he Ivy? Oh wait I'm sorry that came out wrong," he grinned. "What I really meant to say was Derek loves Karen Cartwright and, this could be endgame for him" Sam informed.
"I thought you were smarter Sam" Tom expressed. "I never thought Derek could win you or Julia over with empty promises."
The young man laughed "I could say the same about you and Ivy. Tom, I never thought you would use Ivy's insecurities as a performer to your advantage. I mean come on Ivy, have you never realized Tom is usually at the person who relays rumors about you. And when you are so riled up he is the one who is the first to play hero" he looked to his friend. "If you're going to accuse Derek of manipulating people's feelings look at yourself first Tom," Sam suggested before he began to walk away.
"Wait" Ivy grabbed his wrist. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" she asked.
Sam looked to Tom "The other perk about working with Hit List is getting to know Eileen. And she had something very interesting to say. She told me she warned Tom, that Jerry had issues with the way you were playing Marilyn. She was going to order Derek to work with you but Tom interjected. He told her you wouldn't respond to Derek so he would take care of it. Out of curiosity did he ever take care of it?" he asked walking away.
Ivy watched her friend walk away. Unsure of what to think she turned to Tom. "Is it true?"
"He was upset Ivy" Tom replied.
"You didn't answer me; did Eileen tell you they had issues with my performance?"
"Yes but their concerns weren't anything major and I knew you would panic if I told you. I also knew how Derek would likely berate you and possibly break you. You were so fragile after some of the negative reviews," he tried to reason.
"So instead you lied and let the creative team think I couldn't take direction when my performance didn't change."
"I was trying to help you and what they wanted corrected isn't the reason why you were replaced."
"I don't believe you Tom" she advised as she stood from the table.
"Where are you going?" he asked. "Come on Ivy."
"I'm going to ask for another chance" she told him. "I'm going to tell them the truth. I'm sure Eileen will understand."
Meanwhile at the birthday boy's table the group was enjoying the exchange of stories at the director's expense. Eileen and Eric shared experiences from Derek's earlier days when he was first starting out; while Ana and her friends teased with stories of his many attempts to impress Karen. "Yeah in the beginning he would bug us to no end with questions about what movies she liked, what her favorite flowers were" Ana confessed.
Giddy over the new revelations, Karen who was sitting with her back leaning into her lover's chest looked up at him "have I told you how handsome you look" she complimented with a kiss on his cheek.
"Trying to make feel better are you?"
"Is it working?" she giggled.
"Kiss me again and it might" he raised his eyebrows.
"That can be arranged" she replied before capturing his lips. She could feel him smiling when suddenly the voice of one Ivy Lynn could be heard addressing the producer. "Eileen!" she exclaimed.
"Ivy," the producer greeted while the rest of the table stopped their conversations in interest. "What can I do for you?"
"I just found out that you had instructed Tom to work with me about concerns you had from Boston and he never did" she informed. "I want; no I deserve another chance at Marilyn."
The blonde actress' remarks raised a few eyebrows but both Derek and Karen remained silent. Jerry who had joined the group a few minutes before sighed as he looked to his ex-wife. He could tell she didn't want to answer so instead took it upon himself. "I'm sorry Ivy; but the decision has been made and barring a major catastrophe it isn't going to change. Karen is our Marilyn."
"But I wasn't given a chance, I didn't know; please" she pled.
"You were Marilyn from the inception; I would say that was more than a chance," the producer bluntly stated.
"You're going to regret your decision when I star on Broadway for another production" she told them.
"I hope you do" Eileen commented "But if you aren't hundred percent committed to your role then I'm sorry but you leave us no choice but to fire you."
Ivy laughed "you have no one to take my place."
"Oh I think we do" Jerry replied. "From what I've seen I think Ana, is more than capable. Would you be interested" he turned to the red hair actress.
"Of course" she answered as Ivy stormed out of the bar.
