Seeing everyone staring, a part of me wanted to regret my altercation with Ivy. When I decided to confront her it wasn't my intention to gloat about my life with Derek, but, hearing her question his faithfulness and our marriage again pushed me over the edge. I admit I probably could have gone without saying she used sex to secure or gain praise but if I was honest with myself, it felt good-really good to finally call her out. (A smile wanting to form on my face) For so long people including myself cowered away her afraid to ruffle her feathers, but not any longer. It was time Ivy understood respect is earned and success can only be had if you are willing to realize you have room to improve.
"Karen? Love" I feel a hand gently squeezing my arm and I realize I had yet to answer Derek. "Sorry" I say. "Umm no, to say the conversation didn't go as planned is an under statement don't you think? But at least she won't forget the point I made." I answer a little firmer and louder than I wanted to, earning a laugh from those in the room.
"You are correct, I don't imagine Ivy will be forgetting this day anytime soon." Derek replies with a smirk as he tilts my face to get a better look at my cheek. Sensing it's alright to approach Jess and the gang make their way over. "OMG! Bobby squeals. "Remind me never to get on your bad side girlfriend." He laughs
"I'll get you some ice Love" Derek says releasing my hand and making his way out the studio.
"So exactly what happened Karen, we could only hear muffled voices getting louder and then next thing we know Ivy is pulling you back." Amanda questions.
"I let my temper get the best of me" I admit "I said some things that weren't very professional in the heat of the moment." "I guess I didn't realize how much pent up emotions I still had even after six years.
"We know you're bothered by what's happened, but personally, whatever you said to Ivy I know was justified; and while I'm sorry you had to get a bruised cheek, I loved seeing Ivy's head jerk back when your fist made contact." Kevin says with a glint of admiration.
"Will she be coming back?" Jessica asks
"If she is willing to change and if all of you are still willing to work with her than yes." I answer
"We think she owes all of you an apology for the way she has acted we would want to see that before we agree to work with her." Bobby and Jessica state
Walking into the breakroom Derek can see Tom trying to calm Ivy down while Michael keeps watch making sure she doesn't make a run for the studio. Michael glances up and rolling his eyes at Derek he smiles a silent acknowledgment between the two that sometimes the drama in theater can be over the top. Taking out ice from the freezer Derek puts a hand full in two separate bags. When he's finished he walks towards Michael and tosses a bag his way before exiting the room.
"Leave me alone," Ivy cries "this is what you all wanted; me humiliated." she says. "Ivy that's enough." Tom tells her. "If you feel humiliated no one is to blame but yourself." He continues "You promised me you would try yet its only been two days and you've already managed to stir up drama. Can't, you see a pattern, Ivy?" Tom questions "I don't know what Karen told you but I have a feeling it must have struck a nerve because the Ivy I know only lashes out with anger when confronted with a truth she doesn't want to recognize."
"Karen doesn't know anything. She's still the naive farm girl trying to convince herself that she is enough to keep Derek satisfied. But you and I both know, Derek doesn't have a faithful bone in him." Ivy tells Tom.
"No, Ivy you're wrong. When are you going to let go of the idea that Derek is suddenly going to wake up one day and want to be with you. He isn't the same man he was back when you were in Bombshell. And he definitely isn't the same man he was six years ago." Tom responds. "Derek is madly in love with Karen; and Dustin and Rose are his world. He would do anything to protect them." he continues "If it had been up to Derek, you wouldn't be here; giving you a shot at this role was Karen's idea."
"What happened with us Tom?" Ivy questions "You use to have my back, but now you're just another person on the Derek/Karen bandwagon."
"Life, happened Ivy. I was able to admit I was wrong about Derek and move forward. You stayed in the past and are still living there, trying to chase something that was never and will never be yours. Everyone can see how you look at Derek, and Ivy, even as a spectator, its slightly unnerving." "Derek wanted to say something to you but Karen stopped him." Tom lectures her. "If you could get over your pride, you would see Karen is really the one who has your back this time."
"It's not fair Tom, if Karen didn't have Derek's support she would be nothing."
"You can't really believe that Ivy." Tom tells her "The success she's enjoyed after Bombshell hasn't been with Derek as the director. She has earned what she has." "In all honesty Ivy, what Karen has and you don't is confidence. Yes it helped to have Derek's support but she earned the roll of Marilyn, because no matter how hard he pushed her; she never doubted her ability. She accepted his criticism, she put up with your antics, and even with no support from Julia, Elieen or me, she still went on to perform under pressure." "You have the talent Ivy, you've alway had it but your weakness is the inability to take critique. You assumed because you were sleeping with Derek that you were untouchable. I may not have liked Derek at the time but even I knew that Derek wasn't one to mix personal with business."
"I loved him then and I still love him,Tom" Ivy says
"Ivy you love the idea of being with him and the benefits you think come along. But if your honest with yourself, you never loved Derek the man; you loved Derek the director." Tom sighs
"How can you say that!" she exclaims
"Because if you loved Derek the man, you'd want him to be happy and you wouldn't still be claiming that Karen's success is only because she's married to him."
"What do you mean?" Ivy asks
"Well, think about it. If you loved Derek the man then while you may be hurt to see him with Karen, you would see how happy he is and you'd be alright with it. And if you loved Derek the man, then the fact that Karen is with him would have nothing to do with her career because in theater a husband can't make or break a person but a director can." Tom finishes.
Ivy is quiet for a few minutes and turning to Tom she asks "How can I fix this?" "How can I ask for another chance?"