"Hello, mom?" Jade spoke through the phone.
"Jadelyn? Jadelyn, is that you?" her mother's nurturing voice called out over the phone.
Jade explained her reason for calling her mother – how she'd needed her mom, now, more than ever. She rehashed her on everything that's happened since they last spoke: the clubbing, drinking, smoking, promiscuity, working, the play, and most importantly Beck. She apologized for turning her back on her family. Her mother reassured her that they both accepted her apology, and apologized for turning their back also. Her father conferenced into the call, and shocked Jade out of her seat when he apologized for not supporting her 100%. Her parents didn't relish in the news of her new lifestyle, but they were thankful to have her back. Her parents told her how much they were proud of her for landing the lead and admired how strong she was to call them after so long. Her mother addressed Jade's dilemma with Beck, by advising her to follow whatever her heart tells her to do, but to never forget to bring along her brain. It wouldn't be right to make a decision purely based on emotions. Thoughts and rationality need to be considered, too. After all, the brain is the one that controls the heart beat. After confessing everything to her parents, she felt like a huge weight on her shoulders and hearts has been removed.
She attended social events with her family, dressed in her fine clothing. She was surprised it still fit, after all these years. Though, she didn't completely ditch her wardrobe at New York. It was hard for her parents to see her dressed in such revealing clothing, but they accepted it since they at least got their daughter back into their lives.
"I want to party hard tonight!" Jade shrieked, as she strolled the strip to Lo, with Andre, Cat, and Trina. She spun in circles every now and then, letting her hair twirl around her, and a stoge squeezed between her fingers.
"What's got you in a cheery mood?" Trina asked her.
"I'm going to L.A. tomorrow, to see my parents," Jade answered.
Cat, Andre, and Trina exchanged concerned looks.
"Why? I thought you never wanted to go back there?" Cat questioned.
"I spoke to them yesterday, and I told them everything. They want me to come. They paid for the ticket and everything," Jade explained. "I miss them. I want to see them, especially after everything."
"What about the play?" Andre asked her.
Jade took a drag of her stoge before answering. "I already told Ryder and Danny. They understand."
"So when are you coming back?" Trina inquired.
Jade shrugged and giggled. "I don't know."
Tori arrived at the Vega family reunion and was greeted with disturbing stares. She hadn't seen these people since she was a child. No one spoke to her and left her out of the certain activities. This wasn't the way she pictured it in her head. She sat by herself at a table, eating some fruit and staring at her cousins have fun without her.
When she looked to the entrance, another cousin – around her age – walked in. She was strangely familiar. Of course, she'd probably spent time with her when they were kids, but Tori couldn't shake the feeling that she saw this girl recently, from somewhere.
Tori observed the girl from her seat, trying to figure out where she'd seen this girl. The girl joined the other cousins on the dance floor. When she started dancing, it finally hit Tori where this girl was from.
She pulled the girl from the dance floor and walked back to her table so that they were away from listening ears.
"What do you think you're doing?" the girl asked her.
"You're Jade's friend right? I remember from my 21st. You were there dancing on the dance floor with Jade and her other friends – the red head and guy."
"Yeah. I'm Trina. I guess we're cousins," Trina said, offering to shake her hand.
Tori skipped the hand shake and threw her arms around Trina to give her a hug. "Trina! I remember you! We used to play with our Barbie dolls all the time!"
They talked with each other, catching up on the last several years that they missed out on each other's lives. After talking about themselves, Tori decided to use this opportunity to see how Jade was.
"So, how is Jade?" Tori asked Trina.
Trina shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't spoken to her since she left."
"Left? Left to where?" Tori asked, raising her voice.
"She went back to L.A.," Trina answered.
Tori's eyes grew wide. "Since when? Why?"
"She left two weeks ago. She said she missed her parents," Trina explained.
"When is she coming back?"
"I'm not too sure. I asked her before she left when she would return, but she didn't say," Trina answered. "I don't think she will come back. I mean if I lived the life she lived with her rich parents, I'm not sure I'd want to return either," Trina ranted.
"Rich parents? What are you talking about?"
"You didn't know?" Trina asked. Tori shook her head. "Jade is rich, like filthy rich. Her parents own a mansion back at L.A. She left because she wanted to be an actress on Broadway. When that failed, she started partying. That's when Andre, Cat, and I met her. She seemed free spirited at the time."
"So that's why she left L.A.," Tori muttered to herself.
Beck sat at his desk reviewing dozens of contracts and paper work to prepare for theproduction. He was loaded with work, and wasn't to be disturbed. He looked up and sighed when he saw his best friend push through his office doors.
"I see you persuaded Holly to let you in," Beck noted, keeping his eyes on the documents.
Tori walked to his desk. "We have a problem!"
"I don't have time right now –"
"Jade has been in L.A. for the past two weeks, and no one is sure of her return," Tori interrupted him. He needed to know.
"What are you talking about? She's in the play. Ryder and Danny couldn't have possibly let her do this," Beck said, not believing her. "And how would you possibly know?"
"Trina, Jade's friend, is my cousin. She told me at our family reunion last night," Tori explained. "If you don't believe me, then ask Ryder and Danny yourself."
Beck eyed Tori curiously, to see if she was joking, but she looked serious. Beck picked up his phone and dialed Ryder, putting him on speaker.
"What did you do, Ryder?" Beck asked, in a displeased tone.
Ryder sighed. "Ahh. So you've heard."
"Tell me this isn't true," Beck said, in a warning.
"Unfortunately, not."
"What the hell man? I put my ass out on the line for you and Danny's play," Beck said, outraged.
"Relax, man. She'll be back," Ryder reassured him.
"When?" Beck hissed.
Ryder was silent for a moment. "Well, I'm not too sure…"
"That's it. I'm done with her work ethics. She is unreliable. I'll have Holly schedule auditions. I'll talk to the league about pushing back the production –"
"No!" Ryder interrupted. "You can't. Trust me, man. She's perfect for the role. She'll bring in bucks. I've never heard anyone with those vocal cords before. She's got extraordinary talent."
Beck ran a hand through his air. Tori saw the frustration on Beck's face. "You have a week to convince her to move back. If she doesn't, we're moving on with the auditions." Beck pressed the button and ended the call.
He grunted in frustration and raked two of his hands through his hair. "Damn it!" he said, slamming a fist at his desk. "She's so stubborn. Doesn't she realize that this is once in a life time opportunity for her?"
Tori thought it would be the perfect opportunity to present what she bought. She pulled out a yellow letter sized envelope out of her bag and set it down on his desk before him. He picked up the envelope and looked up at her.
"What's this?"
"Your plane leaves tomorrow morning. Inside that envelope is your tickets, hotel information, and transportation details," Tori answered.
"Tori, I can't –"
"I've already told Holly and I've explained it to the seniors in the league."
"How did you convince them?"
Tori shrugged and smiled modestly. "Let's just say, I can be very persuasive."
Beck chuckled, already knowing that Tori slept with the seniors to persuade them. He shook his head, and forced an indifferent look. "I can't, Tori. I can't see her again and make her come back with me. Forcing her to do things is what got her to end us."
Tori shook her head. "No. You two ended it because you two were too stupid to realize that you're in love with each other." She stood up to give Beck a peck on the cheek. "You better not come home without her."
"Honey, when are you planning to return to New York?" Jade's mother asked over breakfast.
"I'm not sure," Jade answered. She wasn't sure she wanted to leave.
"Yes," her father spoke up, as he set down the newspaper. "Your mother and I would like to come see your play."
Jade grinned at them. She always wished for her parents to watch her on Broadway. She wanted to go back and do the play, but she was afraid to see Beck again. She couldn't bare being around him without feeling her heart drop.
"I want the two of you two see it also," Jade replied.
"Honey, you need to speak to him, sooner or later," her mother said, as she sliced a piece of her bacon.
Her father arched his eyebrow. "Him? Who is this 'him' you speak of?"
"Beckett Oliver, darling," her mother answered. "Our daughter's ex-boyfriend."
"Mother!" Jade chided her mother for telling her father.
"Who is this Beckett Oliver?" her father asked her.
Jade stared at the contents of her breakfast plate. "He's no one," she lied. "We dated, but we were never serious. He's producing the Broadway play I'm in."
"You were sleeping with people you work with?" her father asked, in a judgmental tone.
Jade rolled her eyes. She expected her father to react this way. "I didn't know he was producing the play when I auditioned. It was a coincidence."
"And she's in love with the boy," her mother squeaked.
"Mother!" she shouted from her seat. Her cheeks flushed crimson. "I am not in love with him!"
"Deny it all you want, honey. I can tell by the way you talk about him, that you're head over heels in love with this boy."
Jade received a phone call from Ryder. She expected him to freak out and fire her, which made her hesitate to answer. "Hello?"
"Jade!" Ryder exclaimed over the phone.
"Yes?" Jade responded, calmly.
"You need to get back here. Beck found out that you've been in L.A., and he wants me to recast you. He gave me a week to get you back," Ryder told him.
Jade's jaw dropped at the news. She admitted to not being completely surprised, since it wouldn't be the first time he wanted to recast her. She wanted to do this play. It was her dream, but for some reason she was scared. The worst part was that she didn't know why she was so scared.
"So when are you coming back?" Ryder asked, breaking the silence and pulling Jade from her thoughts.
"I'll let you know, Ryder. Just give me that week." She hung up the phone, not wanting to say another word.
Beck stared at his plane ticket and itinerary for L.A. He sat at his couch with his palms pressed together and fingers to his lips. He didn't know what he could say or do to convince Jade to come back. Hell, he didn't have the courage to chase after her. He just let her walk away. He wasn't capable of bringing her back, to New York, or in his arms. He stood up and walked to his glass wall that overlooked New York City. He slipped one hand in his pocket and the other weaved his fingers through his hair.
"Mr. Oliver," Robbie said, standing behind Beck, by the couch. "Are you ready to leave for J.F.K airport?"
Beck kept his eyes out the window. "Robbie, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, sir?"
Beck thought about how to phrase his question. "What good do you think it would do with me to going to L.A.?"
Robbie was nervous to answer. Beck never asked Robbie for his opinion on personal matters before. "To be honest sir, you could bring Ms. West back, to where she belongs."
Beck sighed. "But what if I don't succeed?"
Robbie knew Beck was referring to him winning Jade's heart back. "Well, sir, life is about taking chances. You don't do things already knowing what the outcome is. You do things to prove to yourself that you were strong enough to take that chance. And if you do succeed, it's all the more rewarding when you look back and think how you overcame that fear of falling and failing."
Beck smiled at Robbie's advice. "You're a wise man, Robbie."
"Thank you, sir."
During dinner Jade, Mr. West, and Mrs. West talked about the many happy memories they spent together when Jade was a child. They talked about family trips, social events, and people they all didn't like. Their butler came to dinner table to interrupt them.
"Pardon me, but it appears that Ms. West has a guest," Chives said.
Mr. and Mrs. West looked to Jade who was stunned at the news. "Me?" Jade asked.
"Shall I invite him to the dinner table?"
"Him?" Jade asked Chives.
"Yes, Chives. Have Joana set another plate. Let him join us," Mr. West spoke up.
Jade was surprised when her father allowed this strange guest join us. He usually hated when people interrupted over dinner.
"We didn't know you were expecting someone, sweetie," her mother said to her.
"I didn't either," Jade replied.
"Mr. and Mrs. West, allow me to present, Mr. Beck Oliver," Chive proclaimed, like he was some royal prince.
Jade dropped her fork to her plate, letting the clatter of the silver hit the glass plate. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.
Beck smiled politely at Mr. and Mrs. West. "I'm so sorry for interrupting during dinner. I had no idea," he apologized.
"Don't be," Mrs. West reassured him. "We're happy to have you."
"So you're the infamous Beckett Oliver?" Mr. West inquired.
Beck chuckled, learning that Jade had told her parents about him. He looked to her who seemed to have her eyes fixated on him, yet stared aimlessly. "It appears so," Beck replied. "Are you sure it's ok for me to be here? I don't want to interrupt."
"Nonsense!" Mrs. West exclaimed. "You're are very much welcome in our home."
"Thank you," Beck replied. "May I say, you folks have a lovely home," he complimented.
He noted how stunning and big the house was. Sure, it was no comparison to his parent's home back in upstate New York, but it was beautiful and big in its own way. In L.A. the West's house would be considered a mansion with it wide property and gorgeous design. Inside the house were fine furniture with antiques and art that decorated each room in its own colorful way. There was no clutter of things, which made the rooms appear more spacious.
"Thank you. I decorated it myself," Mrs. West said.
"You did a finer job than the decorators I hire in New York," he joked, causing Mr. and Mrs. West to laugh.
"What are you doing here?" Jade asked, interrupting their laughter.
"I came to see how you were," Beck answered, in a calm tone.
"Why? What do you care?" Jade questioned.
Beck displayed a polite small smile to her parents. "I do care about you Jade. I wanted to see you if all was right," he replied.
Jade opened her mouth to say something in reply, but her father intervened.
"Let's not have a stuffy conversation over dinner."
Over dinner, Mr. and Mrs. West got to know more about Beck. They learned about his family, his school, and his accomplishments. They commended him on his success in life, and admitted to liking the fine boy. Beck learned more of Jade's mysterious past. They started with her childhood, then high school, and finally to the point she moved to New York. For the first time, Beck discovered more details of the fight they had, and explained how much they missed her.
Jade stayed quiet over dinner, picking at her food. She didn't take part in the conversation, considering how she didn't want Beck to here. Partly because she wasn't ready to see him yet, but mostly because he arrived unexpectedly. Every now and then, Beck would love over at Jade at gave her a small smile, but she would either roll her eyes at him or disregard his look entirely.
After dinner, her parents left for the evening to attend an event at one of Mr. West's friend's house. They planned for Jade to come along, but since she had an unexpected guest, they insisted that she stay here with him and spend some time together. Jade tried to convince her parents to let her go with them, but they left without her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jade exclaimed at Beck.
He sat down on the couch in her living room, while she stood across the room.
"I wanted to see you," Beck said, innocently.
"How did you even know where I live?! You some sort of stalker!" she accused.
Beck chuckled at Jade getting all upset and frantic. "Relax. Addresses are public records, you know? Tori looked it up. She's the one who arranged the trip," he explained.
"Oh. So she made you come," Jade speculated.
Beck shook his head. "She arranged the trip. She didn't force me to go. I had the option of not coming," he told her. He stood up and walked over to her. "But I came, because I wanted to come." He cupped her face and gazed down into her eyes. Jade looked into his dark brown eyes, causing her eyes to soften. She was about to give into him, but she resisted. She pushed him back and stepped away from him.
Beck could see how she seemed to be dealing with a lot in her head. "Tour me around your beautiful home," Beck proposed, holding a hand out to her. He thought it was the best way to loosen the thick tense air hanging around them.
Jade smiled at him and took his hand. She toured him around the house, to every room inside and guided him around the garden, with the lit up path.
"You didn't show me your room," Beck said, as they walked back into the house.
Jade giggled. She grabbed his hand and led him up the stairs. "Let me show you."
They went up the stairs and she opened the door to her bedroom. "Welcome to my childhood bedroom."
Beck stepped in and took in the place. He turned around and Jade followed behind him, closing the door.
"Lime green walls?" he asked, curiously.
Jade chuckled. "What can I say? I was a rebel against my parents back then. My mom and dad hated neon colored walls."
Beck went to her bed and sat down. He bounced up and down like a child, causing Jade to laugh. "Mmm. Comfy," he noted in a false serious tone.
Jade walked over to him. She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Is it still comfy, now?"
Beck wrapped his left arm around her waist, and rested his right hand on her thigh. "It's perfect, now."
They shared a silent moment together, with only their touch doing the talking. Beck leaned in and brushed his lips against Jade's soft plump lips. She kissed him back, pushing her tongue past his lips. She kissed him feverishly, filling his mouth with tongue. She pushed his back toward the bed, and he leaned back, till he laid on his back, with her body on top of his.
She trailed her kisses down his jaw line, to his neck. Beck moved hands down the small of her back to her but. She playfully sucked his neck, and she felt him hardening against her. He tossed her around, so that she was on her back now, with him on top. He lifted her dress up, leaving her in her bra and panties. He kissed her neck, while she unbuttoned his dress shirt and unbuckled his buckle. His kisses were hot against her skin, making her moan into his ear.
He moved his left hand down her breast, past her abdominal, and to her panties. He started rubbing slow circle on her clit on the outside of her panties, causing her to arch her back in response.
"Oh… Beck!" she moaned. She unbuttoned and unzipped his pants the best she could why taking in the pleasure he gave her. The overwhelming pleasure was too distracting for her to concentrate on getting Beck out of his clothing. Once they were unzipped and unbuttoned, Jade let her hands fall as she allowed herself to enthrall in his actions. He stopped circling her clit and inserted his hand into her panties. He slowly rubbed the center of her sex, feeling how wet her lips already were.
"Oh… baby…" she moaned when Beck inserted a finger inside her. He put his finger in and out of her and sucked her neck, making her moan his name over and over.
"Fuck… Beck… Fuck me!" she tried to stay between her moans. "Please?!" she cried out.
Beck didn't need to be told twice. He took his hand out of her panties and removed his clothing, while Jade stripped out of hers. He stood up to roll on a condom that he kept in his pocket. While standing at the edge of the bed, he grabbed her by her legs to position her at the edge, and spread her legs wide.
"Ahhh," she yelped when Beck thrusted forcefully into her, filling her in a quick instant. He was able to enter her quickly, due to her juices all ready for him.
He pumped into her, harder, and faster than usual, causing Jade to moan loud and arching her back. Beck fucked her so hard and fast, that her boobs were bouncing around more uncontrollably than usual. They were both in a high state of ecstasy of pleasure.
"Beck! You're getting me too close," she warned him.
Beck smiled salaciously down at her. "I'm close too, baby."
It only took a few more pumps for both Beck and Jade to loose it. Beck felt her walls tighten around his, while Jade felt him pulsing within her.
When Beck was done, he pulled out of her, removed the condom, tied it up, and threw it to the floor. He grabbed Jade and positioned themselves to lay rightfully down the center of her bed. He held her tight, with her back against his chest, still naked.
"I've missed you so much," Beck whispered into her hair.
Jade giggled and smiled to herself. "I missed you too."
"I don't ever want to lose you like that again," he confessed. "I'm sorry for being such an idiot." Jade didn't say anything, and Beck couldn't tell the expression on her face, so he continued. "I couldn't stop thinking about you," he followed up.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you either," Jade replied, drawing circles on his arms.
"I can't live without you. I can't wait to get back to New York. I want you to live with me in my condo. We leave tomorrow night."
Jade furrowed her eyebrows. She pushed out of Beck's arms to sit up and turned to look at him.
"What's the matter?" Beck asked, propping himself up his elbows.
"You booked a flight for me to return?"
"Yes. You need to get back to New York. It's where you belong. The play needs you. I need you," Beck told her.
Jade got out of bed and started putting her clothes back on. She threw Beck's clothes at him. "Get dressed."
Beck decided to listen, not wanting to be naked alone. Once they were both dressed, he spoke up. "What's the matter?"
Jade paced the room. She shook her head at him. "Beck you can't… you can't just come here unexpectedly and then buy me a ticket expecting me to come back with you!"
"Why not?" Beck asked, walking closer to her.
"You just can't!" she shouted at him. "I'm not ready to return to New York."
"Ok. Then, I can change the date for later in the week –"
"No!" she yelled, interrupting him. "I'm not sure I want to return to New York."
Beck stepped closer to her, with their bodies just inches away. "I thought you loved New York. I thought being on Broadway was your dream."
"It is… but –"
"But what?" Beck questioned. He saw Jade's eyes well up with tears as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You said that you missed me and you couldn't stop thinking about me. What? You don't want to be with me anymore?" Jade didn't answer, but her body started to quiver. "I want to be with you Jade. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
He tried to cup her face but Jade slapped it down. Beck looked at her confused, while she glared at him. "Why Beck? So that you could tell me what to do? So you could control me? Treat me like another one of your clients in your business? Force me to dress a certain way? Well, that's not me Beck! It's not me!" she shouted in his face.
"That's not you? Jade, look at you. Look at this house you grew up in! You pretend to be this free spirited girl, but you don't even know what you're running from. You say you don't want to be associated with my kind of people but you grew up with these kind of people –"
"Why is that I'm the only one that has to conform to your lifestyle? Why can't you come out to the club with me? Why can't you take a drag out of my smoke? Why do chide me when I drink more than most?"
"That's different –"
"It's not! Relationships are about give and take. If I have to sacrifice everything, then why can't you sacrifice some for me."
Beck scoffed. "Sacrifice? You mean rid yourself of those intoxicating substances and activities? I can't imagine how someone who came from all of this background indulge in such addictive substances!"
"You don't even know the full story –"
"You know what? You're right. I don't know the full story. I don't know everything about you, because you shut me out. You shut everyone out. You shut out everyone who's ever gave a damn about you. You don't let anyone in," Beck said, coldly.
"That's not true!" she defended. Her heart fell to her stomach.
"Isn't it?!" Beck ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with her stubbornness. "Damn it, Jade! What the hell are you so afraid of? Is it Broadway?" Jade didn't respond. "Me?" She didn't answer. "A wise man once told me that life is about taking chances. I took my chances coming here and pouring my heart out to you. I took my chances in dating you and getting to know you. I may not know every single thing about and your motives for what you do, but," he stopped to cup her face – this time she didn't push him off -, "I know how much your face glows when you're on that stage performing. I know how your eyes turn green in the sunlight and how each speck of gold shimmers when you're enjoying yourself, whether it is on the dance floor or over dinner with me. I know how your eyes turn icy blue when you're hurt. I know how the corners of your mouth lift slowly whenever you're about to laugh." He paused to stroke her cheek with his thumb. "My point is, I don't know every single thing about you, but I want to take a chance and be with you, from everything I have learned about you. You scare me Jade –"
"I scare you?"
"Yes. You scare me. You make me scared that you're going to leave me again and have me hurt like I've never hurt before. I'm scared of all these unfamiliar feelings you make me feel, and all the unfamiliar things you make me do." He pecked her lips softly. "Please, Jade… Please come back to New York with me."
Jade looked into Beck's eyes, seeing it fill with tears begging to come down. His other hand rested on the small of her back, holding her tightly.
Jade closed her eyes, letting her heavy tears stain her cheeks. "Please leave…" she softly said.
Beck gaped at her, with her eyes still closed. He couldn't believe that she just said that. He expected to win her back by pouring out his heart, but apparently, it just wasn't enough. He let go of her and stared at her hoping she take her words back, but her eyes stayed shut and tears strolled down her cheek. Beck back away and walked out, realizing that he took his chance, and failed.
Jade opened her eyes and found that she was alone. She collapsed onto her knees and cried to herself. Although Beck's words were powerful and influential, it was ultimately up to Jade to decide on her own to take the chance. No one – not her mother, father, Cat, Andre, Trina, Tori, or Beck – could force her to take a chance. She had to accept her fears and determine what she was afraid of, and then take her chance all on her own.
Will Jade return to New York City?
Will she be recasted at Beck's request?
Will Beck turn his back on love and taking chances?
Will Jade finally take her chance?
Stay tuned to find out!
How did you dolls like this chapter?
Let me know!
Reviews are greatly appreciated!