COVINO CLUB COFFEE, MILAN, ITALY
"I hope it's alright that we talk here?" James studied the area-it was the least crowded coffee shoop along Porta Nuova's street.
He didn't want to attract more attention since passers-by were able to recognize the famous DJ while they were in the middle of the street.
"Yeah. This is fine." Beca nodded. The place was peaceful-they could definitely talk things out. "Also, it will be easy for Aubrey to come and rescue me if ever you have something on your sleeves."
"That is something I would definitely do… before."
"Oh, really?"
"Beca…" James sighed. "I really don't know what to say except for I'm sorry. I really am."
"What took you so long, Mr. Beale?" Beca scoffed. "Those were the words I was dying to hear from you. How come you're only saying it now? Is it convenient for you? Do you just like saying it? How does it feel?"
"I-I don't know." James loosened his neck tie-he was getting nervous. "I realized that I was wrong. That's just it. I don't have anything more to say. I'm sorry that I hurt you- I took Chloe away from you. I ruined what you both had. There's a lot of things that I would like to apologize for, Beca."
"Back then, do you think, "Sorry" would make any difference?" Beca asked. "Sorry for threatening your career, Beca. Sorry, for putting Tom into the picture, Beca… What else?" Beca studied how James looked-she was making him uncomfortable. "Sorry for using you, Beca. Sorry, I wanted to get richer?" She chuckled. "Tell me if I missed anything, okay?"
"You have the right to say those words. I don't blame you." James replied. "I deserve it, you know? I was so blinded by greed-money, and power. I forgot how it was to be a father to Chloe-the least thing I could do was support her, especially when it came to you."
Beca listened intently to what the man had to say-it was sincere, to be honest.
The brunette expected an outburst from the man-he used to do that whenever he gets attacked. But this time, it was different-he owned up to the mistakes he had committed.
"And, if I did apologize before… would it make any difference?" James looked down at his cup-he stared at his drink. He hoped that there would be a flashing sign on his drink to warn him if he was on the right track or not. "Would you accept my apology?" He asked.
"To be honest? I won't." Beca admitted. "Back then, it would be just a word. A word that you would easily throw around."
"Exactly."
"By the time most people say 'I'm sorry' it is already too late." Beca stated. "You know that, right?"
"I do. Very well." James nodded. "But, I'm hoping that it isn't the case for me."
It was a difficult moment for Beca, too. However, she prepared for this moment-she wanted to face the man, and now, they're talking-face to face.
She thought of all the possible things she would say to the man ever since before.
However, no matter how hard she prepped herself for this moment, all the words she wanted to throw at him seemed to fly out the window.
It just goes to show that there's a lot of difference between preparing for the moment, and being in the moment.
She heard how James changed all throughout-Aubrey would mention bits of Chloe and her father as told by Stacie.
Everything looked good on Chloe's end.
It was all on her right now.
Beca closed her eyes-she took in a deep breath. She wanted to move forward-to forget all the things in the past, and maybe, start anew, even. "Look, you were in the wrong, got it? You were a 100 percent at fault."
James understood-he nodded in response.
"But I might have been just a little bit wrong too. So, I would also like to apologize." Beca added. "But only a little bit...a really teeny bit because I made you feel like I was taking Chloe away from you, which wasn't entirely the case, James. Looking back, I understood why you were like that too. You were selfish, remember? But… you should know that I didn't want to take Chloe away-she's your daughter, she's all that you have. I couldn't do that. You also want the best for her-I can't blame you since I was still on the rise that time. You wanted to give her security-something stable, which I couldn't provide at that time." Beca stated. "I understood, James. I had the past 6 months to think things over to help myself, too."
"I'm sorry, Beca. I had the right reasons, but I might have exaggerated everything which caused me to pull some strings which would entirely affect everyone, especially you." James swallowed hard. "I really wanted to speak to you when I came over. But, I let it go since it showed that you weren't ready to face me yet. So I waited. I wanted you to be ready to forgive me when that time would come." James stated. "And, I hope that the Beca sitting across me is already prepared to forgive a man like me. I just want you to hear me out, if you aren't ready, yet. I understand."
Beca found herself at loss for words-she found herself staring at James.
"I wanted to move forward, Mr. Beale. How could I if I still have excess emotional baggage from the past?" Beca smiled at the man. "The past 6 months would be a waste, then."
James was shocked to hear Beca's response-he was expecting that Beca would call him back whenever she felt eady. "W-what? Does it mean that you accept my apology?"
"I will accept your apology, if you accept mine too." Beca smiled. "We don't have to spend so much time enumerating all the things we have done it the past-it's all done, and there's nothing we can do to change it. The least thing we can do is to learn from it-which…" Beca bit her lower lip. "I assume we both managed to do."
James felt so relieved upon hearing such words from Beca.
He didn't expect it-Beca learned how to deal with all the issues, she did handle herself well.
He admired Beca for that. He really did.
James couldn't hold back the tears-he swiftly wiped them. "Thank you so much, Beca. It feels good to reconcile with you. Really."
"Yeah." Beca had tears in her eyes, too. "It made me feel good, too."
"Thank you so much, Beca." Jame stated once again. "Thank you."
"Let's not make the same mistakes twice again, huh?" Beca joked. "I don't want to deal with those stuff with you anymore."
James couldn't help but grin at the brunette. "You're really something else, Beca Mitchell. Now, I know why Chloe feels so much for you until now."
Beca stiffened at the mention of Chloe's name-of course, there's still the redhead to face. She knew that.
"Should I mention this to Chloe? That we met?" James noticed the look on Beca's face-he felt that the brunette was thinking of his daughter. "Would you want her to know?"
"I'd prefer if you wouldn't." Beca stated. "But, that's all up to you, I guess."
"Why?" James asked.
Beca glanced up at the man-she gave him a soft, and sweet smile. "Let's not rush. Fate made us cross paths. You and I had our time. I believe that Chloe and I will have ours, too."
PIAZZA GAE AULENTI, PORTA NUOVA, MILAN, ITALY
Aubrey couldn't help but worry.
Beca decided to talk to James Beale-she couldn't help but overthink. She held on her phone as tight as she could just in case Beca would call.
She was prepared to call the cops or whatever reinforcement needed just to steer the man away from her sister.
But, Aubrey also knew her sister-Beca wouldn't jump into risky situations like that without thinking or even, preparing herself.
Aubrey has seen how much better Beca has been-she was proud of her.
She wanted to be there for Beca all the time, but the situation with James is something that Beca would have to face.
It was something that Beca prepared for a long time, hence, the latter would be ready-no matter what.
She knew that Beca would handle the current situation- she trusts in her sister that much.
Despite of all the worries, she hoped that everything would go well.
Aubrey wanted the best for Beca-no matter what best could ever mean, because Beca deserves it.
She really does.
"Aubrey?"
The blonde was surprised to hear someone call out her name-she didn't know anyone in Italy, and of course, who would recognize her?
"Oh my God, Aubrey!"
Aubrey stood frozen in place-she didn't know how to react. It was such a spur of the moment. "Chloe?" She managed to breathe out after several seconds. "Oh my God, Stace!"
Stacie threw herself at the blonde. "Posen! What are you doing here?" She asked. "Wow!"
"I-I was just walking around. You know, doing tourist stuff." Aubrey chuckled. "How about you? Are you alone?"
"No. No. Absolutely, not." Stacie grinned. "Hold on." The taller brunette excused herself to run back into the store.
Aubrey wondered why Stacie had to rush back in-she thought of all the possible scenarios. She decided on the possibility that Stacie might have forgotten to pay her purchase.
She assured herself that it would be the reason.
But, she was wrong.
"Aubrey!" Chloe exclaimed as she ran out of the shop. She hurriedly hugged the blonde. "I missed you!"
Chloe-how could she forget that Stacie and Chloe were always together, too.
"Chloe!" Aubrey enveloped her best friend into a bone crushing hug. "I missed you, too! Oh My God!" Aubrey's cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling-she was so happy to see both of their closest friends.
As soon as Chloe let go, Aubrey instantly noticed the redhead's look-they were best friends, of course, Aubrey knew what was going on in her best friend's head.
Chloe was looking for something.
No, for someone-to be precise.
"She isn't here." Aubrey smiled at the redhead. "I mean, not here, as in here, at the Piazza. But, in case you're wondering, she's here in Italy, too."
"Oh." Chloe replied. "Where is she?"
"She's attending to some matters." Aubrey stated. It was true anyway. Beca was attending to something important-she only didn't want to say anything specific to Chloe.
Aubrey wanted to tell Chloe and Stacie where her sister is, but she knew that Beca wouldn't like it-it was something that Beca would like to keep private, at least.
"Oh yeah." Stacie chimed in. "Beca…She has a show tonight, right?"
"Ouch!" Chloe nudged Stacie's elbow. "Shit. Sorry, Chloe." Stacie added.
Aubrey laughed at how Stacie and Chloe were trying to fish for information-. "Come on, guys. It's not like I won't tell you." She chuckled. "Yes, Beca has a show here tonight. How about you? What brings you to Italy? Another movie?"
"No." Chloe stated. "I have a photoshoot for Vogue tomorrow."
"Oh yeah! I didn't know that it would be here!" Aubrey grinned. "I really am happy for you, Chloe."
"I wish we could hang out!" Stacie blurted out. "Do you have extra time today, or perhaps tomorrow?" She asked.
Aubrey wanted to spend time with their friends-she wanted to. She tried to think of a way for them to hang out without reconciling their schedules. "I'm afraid I don't have spare time today-we're really tight rght now…"
Stacie and Chloe looked disappointed-it has been so long since they saw the blonde.
"But… you can come to Beca's show tonight! How does that sound?" Aubrey suggested. "Would that be okay?"
"That's fine with me!" Stacie looked at Chloe-she waited for the redhead's answer. She silently wished that Chloe would just say yes.
"Look, Bree. Stacie and I don't have tickets for Beca's show tonight and…"
"Chloe!" Aubrey held her bestfriend's shoulders. "Don't worry about it. Okay?"
Stacie subtly nodded to persuade Chloe to say yes-she knew that it was also what the redhead wanted ver since they found out that Beca was in Italy.
"Okay then." Chloe sighed. "We're going. But, in one condition."
"What's that?" Aubrey asked.
"You have to promise that you won't tell Beca that you offered me an opportunity to see her show tonight." Chloe stated. "Please."
"What?" Aubrey clarified. "You don't want Beca to know?"
"You heard me right." Chloe firmly stated. "Please, Bree? For me?"
"Okay, Chlo. What was that all about?" Stacie suddenly asked the redhead as soon as they parted ways with Aubrey.
"What was what all about?" Chloe asked.
"Oh come on. You just told Aubrey not to tell Beca that you're seeing her show. Why is that?" Stacie repeated. "It's not like you're changing how things are meant to be, Chlo. Reality check, it was Aubrey who offered to see the show. It's not like we forced her to let us in."
"I just don't want Beca to know." Chloe replied. "I don't want her to be uncomfortable in her own show just because of my presence. Plus, I'm not even sure if she'd want to see me-I'm scared, Stace. Really scared."
Upon hearing Chloe's reason, Stacie understood. "Chloe, I'm sure Beca would want to see you, too. Remember the time that Aubrey called us? She let us know that Beca went to watch your movie. Beca didn't admit it upfront, but she discovered it later on that the midget watched it when Aubrey heard her and Jesse talking about it."
"Yeah… I do." Chloe laughed at the story-she did remember that time.
"Plus the bouquet, too." Stacie pointed out. "It says it was from Beca's label but we know that Beca chose those personally. It was all hydrangeas." Stacie grinned.
"I already get you, Stace." Chloe blushed. "I do."
"We know how Beca is on the outside, but let's not forget that we know her on the inside, too." Stacie patted her friend's shoulder. "So… don't say that she doesn't want to see you. I haven't been to any of Beca's shows Chlo, but I know that when she gets on a stage, she's not only thinking of what music to put on cue… she's also thinking of you. You're her muse, Beale."
DICA'S FLOWER KIOSK, PORTA NUOVA, MILAN, ITALY
"What took you so long?" Beca grinned. "Did you see anything you like? A guy, perhaps?" She joked.
"Beca." Aubrey wanted to tell Beca about her encounter with Stacie and Chloe, but, she did promise her bestfriend. All these times, she knew she had shortcomings with Chloe-it was indeed difficult to be stuck in the middle. It's the least thing she can do for Chloe.
"What?" Beca laughed. "I was just asking."
"I don't have time for that since I am busy taking care of you." Aubrey replied.
"Aww, Aubrey." Beca hugged her sister. "You know I love you too." She planted a sloppy kiss on her older sister's cheek. "Love you."
"So, how did the talk go?" Aubrey handed her sister a bouquet of hydrangeas, which Beca proudly took. "Did it go well?"
"It went well." Beca replied. "Way better than what I expected."
"Do you want to tell me all about it?"
"There's nothing much-we just apologized to each other, and stuff like that." Beca shrugged. "But you know, Bree… Mr. Beale?"
"Yeah?"
"He really did change." Beca stated. "I couldn't believe it at first, but when I saw him-his eyes were sincere compared to the ones before."
"That's good news, then." Aubrey smiled at her sister. "How do you feel about it all?"
"I feel better, you know?" Beca giggled. "It felt so good to let go of bottled up emotions after all this time. I just hope everything works out from here on."
MEDIOLANUM FORUM, ASSAGO, MILAN, ITALY
"Look at this, will you?" Zedd suddenly appeared out of nowhere-he startled Beca. "This place is huge."
"I know, right?" Beca grinned at her fellow DJ. "We're gonna rock this place as usual, Z."
"Uh huh." Zedd chugged his bottled water down to the last drop-they were both doing sound check at the concert venue an hour before the show. "I won't ever get tired of this." He laughed. "Wonder where we'll go next. What do you think, huh?"
Beca wiped her sweat-she was good to go. "Let's just focus on tonight. Did you change your set list?" She asked.
"No." Zedd shrugged. "But, you know how I work-I can just switch things a bit when I'm on stage. How about you? Same set list too?"
"Depends on the mood I'm in." Bec shrugged. "I'm open to changes, you know that. But, to tell you the truth, I'm thinking of playing something new tonight."
"Were you able to write a new song today? Is that why you weren't in the hotel all day?" Zedd teased. "Huh? Is that it?"
Beca shook her head at her friend-she couldn't understand how she was really good friends with someone like Zedd who acted like a kid. "No, I didn't write a new song." She laughed. "It's just something I haven't played for a while now."
"What's the song called?" Zedd asked. "Can you give me a hint? Was it in your iPod?"
"Come on, you know the song! I produced and wrote it for MisterWives' album." Beca patted her friend's shoulder before she left his side. "Get some rest, Z. Don't think about it too much. I'll see you in a few."
"Hurry, Chlo!" Stacie exclaimed as she got out of their car. "We don't want to be late, yeah?"
Chloe remained still in the passenger seat-she didn't unbuckle her seatbelt yet.
"Chloe? Are you alright?" Stacie opened her door once again to check on the redhead. "We have to meet Aubrey at the side entrance, remember?"
"What if she sees me, Stace?" Chloe blurted out. "What if?"
"Chloe…" Stacie sighed. "If Beca sees you, then, you two should take time and talk it out if the situation permits."
"Yeah. You're right. I don't know what to say though."
"Say what's on your heart." Stacie grinned. "You know how the heart never lies."
"But…"
"What now?"
"What if she won't see me?" Chloe asked.
"I'll ask you that, Chlo." Stacie smiled at her friend. "What if Beca won't see you? Will you be alright with that?"
Chloe paused. She was confused as to what she wanted.
"Yeah." The redhead nodded. "I'll also be fine with that. At least, I got to see her. That is what matters."
"All right then." Stacie encouraged her friend to get out of the car. "We have to go. The place is getting pumped up. You and I both know that you don't want to miss any part of the show."
The place was indeed filled with people.
The Forum is Milan's largest indoor concert venue and boy, it was such a sight to see. The stage was already set up, the lights were as bright as it can be, plus, the crowd-the people were enjoying the music while waiting for both Zedd and Beca to appear.
"Hi! I'm sorry I had to send someone out to lead you here." Aubrey hugged Stacie and Chloe. "You both look amazing."
Stacie and Chloe were both in black dresses-they coordinated their outfits. Plus, they didn't want to attract so much attention in order to avoid possible rumors that people could make up.
"It's alright." Stacie replied. "This place is amazing. Look at that." Stacie turned to the crowd below. "So much energy,"
"You can say that."Aubrey chuckled. "They've been chanting Zedd and Beca's name for a while now. They can't wait."
"Where is Beca, by the way?" Stacie asked. "She still doesn't know, right?"
"Yep. It's a promise." Aubrey smiled at Chloe. "She doesn't know. She's in the dressing room, probably playing on her phone or something."
Chloe was still hung up-she was admiring everything. It made her feel proud of how much Beca has achieved even after she went through a difficult time.
The lights were flashing Zedd and Beca's name.
The left screen on the stage had Zedd's face on display, while the right had Beca's.
Chloe couldn't help but stare at it-she missed her.
"She's still pretty even if she has that look on her face." Aubrey pointed out. "That smirk-Gosh." She laughed.
"She knows that she looks good." Chloe chuckled. "It doesn't matter, you know. I would like to see that face everyday, if I could."
"You still can…" Aubrey smiled at her best friends. "I know you and my sister, Chloe. You're all about perfect timings and all, and I respect you for that. You have so much belief in fate, and I admire you both for that."
"Wow. That means so much coming from you." Chloe replied. "I'm sorry that I made you keep this from Beca, Bree. I just want to see her-that's the main goal. Even from afar."
"Beca and I talked about you for a little bit, you know?" Aubrey admitted-she kept her eyes on the crowd. "I told her that you both have fate on your side if you see each other again."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever thought about it? Awhile ago in the Piazza? Seeing me there led to you being here." Aubrey snickered. "Isn't that meant to be or something? Gosh, you two really have fate on your side."
Chloe smiled at her best friend-she didn't realize what happened earlier until Aubrey really pointed it out to her. Stacie did tell her, but she didn't put much thought to it until that moment. She had to connect the dots.
"You believed that you'll see Beca again..." Aubrey held her bestfriend's hand. "…and look at the situation. Now, you're here."
Aubrey, Stacie and Chloe had a few rounds of drinks even before the show started.
In order for Beca not to be suspicious, Aubrey would excuse herself every now and then from Stacie and Chloe to check on her sister.
It worked since Beca didn't seem suspicious at all.
"Do you need anything else?" Aubrey handed Beca her headphones. "You know where to find me, right?" She asked.
"Of course. By the side of the stage." Beca snickered.
"Right."
"Hey, Bree?" Beca went over her list for the night. "You have fun too out there, okay?"
"What?"
"I don't know…" Beca mumbled. "I just don't like the feeling that you're just going to stand by the stage all throughout. What I'm saying is that, you can dance with the crowd too and all-let loose. You deserve it." Beca stated without looking at her sister. "Just… have fun."
"Beca…"
"I'm serious, Bree." Beca laughed. "I'm okay. Go out there and get a few drinks. You're not only my manager, Bree. You're my sister too. Go and have fun."
As soon as the lights dimmed-the crowd started to cheer even louder.
The show was about to start-there was a countdown flashing on the screen-the crowd also counted along.
When the countdown hit to 1-Zedd started to emerge from the stage. And boy, it was wild.
Aubrey, Chloe and Stacie couldn't control themselves-they ended up screaming Zedd's name too.
Zedd pumped up the crowd by playing his hit songs-Clarity and Stay the Night.
He also played Stay ft. Alessia Cara-the artist was able to make an appearance especially for the show.
Chloe and Stacie both loved Alessia Cara-they sang along while Aubrey wondered how come she never got to memorize such lyrics.
They were having a blast with Zedd's set.
How much more with Beca's?
Chloe, Aubrey and Stacie couldn't wait.
Beca's face started to flash on the screen-the crowd started to call out her name as expected.
Compared to Zedd's entrance, Beca's was simpler-she had the lights dimmed instead.
There were no smoke machines too.
There was complete silence at first, but then, the speakers started to play the sound of Beca's giggles=it was adorable, but bad ass.
Stacie, Chloe and Aubrey knew very well who owns that giggle-Beca Mitchell.
"Siete pronti, Italia?"
It was Beca-speaking in Italian.
"Cosa Stai Aspettando?! Tre, Due, Uno!"
Aubrey, Chloe and Stacie were impressed.
The crowd was amazed-they continued to cheer for Beca. They got hyped up since their favorite DJ spoke their language.
Beca started her set by playing her version of Toploader's Dancing in the Moonlight-the spotlight was focused on her, and Chloe couldn't help but stare at Beca's beauty.
She was in her element once again-the display screen focused on Beca's face and hands while she was mixing-it was Beca working her magic once again.
Chloe could see how Beca was singing and dancing along to the music-she can't stop herself from smiling.
"Like what you see?" Aubrey teased. "She still has it, Chlo. Never lost that magic."
"I know." Chloe grinned. "It feels good to see her doing what she loves. It's been a while since I saw her perform live."
"I'm sorry to say this, Chlo…" Stacie came in between Aubrey and Stacie. "…Oh, and Aubrey, as well. Sorry, but Beca is so hot." She pointed to the screen wherein Beca's sweaty face appeared. "Literally and figuratively." She laughed.
"Stace…" Aubrey warned. "Can we just not go there?" She laughed. "It doesn't feel right!"
"Yeah! Okay!" Stacie exclaimed. "Come on you two!" She pulled Aubrey and Chloe closer this time. "Let's enjoy Beca's music!"
Beca played her mashup of Despacito and Closer after Dancing in the Moonlight.
She was already tired but seeing how the crowd enjoyed her music made her go on-she was loved, and it overwhelmed her.
She saw everything from the stage-people jumping up and down while they sung and danced to the music.
She laughed at how the crew, no matter how occupied they were, danced to her music. Zedd, did too-it was such a sight.
Aubrey-she looked for her sister, but she couldn't see her by the stage.
It was then she realized that she asked Aubrey to go and have fun-she's basically out there, and Beca didn't mind. As long as Aubrey gets a break, she's also fine with that.
Beca was happy.
She was where she wanted to be.
"Alright, Milan!" Beca took the microphone off the stand. She was in between breaths. "You are amazing! The next song I'm going to play for you is something really special to me…"
The crowd fell silent as soon as Beca paused.
"…It was a song that I wrote a few months ago. You probably know this as MisterWives' song-I wrote it for them." She snickered. "I want to play this tonight, because I want everyone here to remember that no matter how down you are in life, there will always be people, or maybe, even a special someone in your life who will stand by you through it all. People who won't give up on you. I was lucky that I got to have one in my life-but, I don't know, it was complicated." Beca smiled. "Well, I hope I'll we'll cross paths again." Beca laughed. "And if you haven't found that person yet, don't worry. Your time will come. I promise."
The crowd cheered when Beca finished her simple introduction to the song.
"Because I love you, I'm going to sing the song for you." Beca added. "Really."
Aubrey, Stacie and Chloe were quiet-it was such an unexpected move from the brunette. However, they had no time to react since Beca's music already started playing.
But the girls, they knew who Beca talked about.
It was all about Chloe Beale.
I crash and burn asking you to look away
I crash and burn wondering why it is that you stay
I know it isn't pretty how I can't handle everything
But you never give up on me
When you love me so damn good
I know I will get better
When you hold me so damn good
I know I will get better
Give me wood, shelter, what through every bit of weather
How is it that you never give up on me
How is it that you never give up on me
Never give up on me
Never give up on me
I sink into a blue that tucks me into sleep
It's easier to close my eyes than to hear my demons think
But you wake me better than the morning's rising sun
And you never give up on me
When you love me so damn good
I know I will get better
When you hold me so damn good
I know I will get better
Give me wood, shelter, what through every bit of weather
How is it that you never give up on me
How is it that you never give up on me
Never give up on me
Never give up on me
As soon as Beca stopped singing-the crowd applauded her. They even asked for an encore.
Everyone cheered.
Everyone-except Chloe.
Chloe.
Chloe was crying-she was so happy that Beca still thought of her in the past months they were apart. She thought that the brunette had completely forgotten her.
But, no. She was wrong.
Beca even wrote her a song which she was completely unaware of. Chloe knew the song, but she didn't know it was written by Beca-heck, she even has it on her iTunes library.
It dawned on her that what Stacie told her was true-she was Beca's muse.
Always have and always will.
After everything that happened, nothing between her and Beca has changed.
Chloe felt glad.
It was the confirmation that she ever needed.
A/N: Here you go! How'd you like the talk between James and Beca? I wanted to keep it short and simple, since I don't want an apology to be accompanied with excuses. I felt it was better that way.
Also, Chloe and Beca-their paths are slowly going to cross, yeah? What do you think about it?
Can't wait to hear from all of you!
See you in the next chapter!
Song used: Never Give Up On Me-MisterWives.