Liz and Tara since I'm unable to reply you privately.
Liz: I would like to say thank you for your reviews and yes I so love imagining Derek being possessive, I can see it in my head so him claiming that well, it suited him (:
Tara: I think everyone who read this story from the beginning will prob agree that I have indeed gotten slower at updating. Procrastination, distraction and life. Woes of a writer. So my apologies if you've been wondering where the heck is the next update. I love where I'm taking this story too lol ok joke but yes I'm trying to make the ride enjoyable so thank you for reading this.
Listen to Lovesong by Adele originally sung by The Cure when you see this *...Enjoy (:
Chapter 29
"Looks like little birdy bird doesn't want to be with you," Levi remarked snidely from the corner of his smile that he continued to flash as they watched Karen almost scamper away during mid snapping of pictures.
"I hve a right mind to put your birdy bird somewhere," Derek almost growled as he turned to find that Levi had already slipped away. Damn it. He had to find Karen. He had to explain what he meant by those words. He had only meant to tell everyone that Karen was with him as his date but judging from everyone's reaction, he should have been more specific. He had only himself to blame since he let his emotions get the best of him. Derek had just entered the main hall when the commotion in the centre of the room called for his attention. There he saw Karen stunningly captivating with her curls swept to the side, her neck a flawless porcelain column and the curve of her shoulders bared to all. His eyes lingered on the way a stray lock of hair seem to teasingly curl near her collar bones and for a moment he remembered the way she moaned when he dropped gentle nibbles there. His gaze shifted, when a lady somewhere on his right commented about them making a good couple. Who?
His eyes widened as Levi's face came into his line of sight, that smug sharky smile on his face he loved to give and his eyes crinkling at the sides. He had to admit that probably the lady was right, standing next to each other, both Karen and Levi did look quite the power couple especially with their tall statures and undeniably attractiveness but they weren't a couple. Not when he was around. Derek gave a slight shake of his head and smiled one last time at the cameras before setting off, he had to find to Karen.
She had to get away. Away from this madness. Fancy telling everyone that I'm with him, what is he thinking? Her mind was frantic as she weaved through the crowd as fast as her legs could carry her. He probably meant to simply tell everyone, specifically Levi, that she was his date but given the context then it wasn't the smartest move. She could clearly imagine how everyone in the company was reacting now, plenty of I told you so, money exchanged from the bets placed on her, Tom and Julia freaking out and Eileen probably ready to fire her the moment she sets her eyes on her. Eileen was never a fan of drama being leaked out to the media in fact she did everything to prevent gossip like this from getting into the hands of the press. Prevention in the form of containing, twisting the facts till they were almost half truths and allowing the media to hear what she wanted.
She was annoyed with Derek, truth be told. A warm hand touched her arm, further aggravating her. She spun, "Look, I'll answer your questions lat-" The words died on her mouth when she saw who stood before her. Her mother all spruced up with her hair set into a coif and her favourite floral printed dress that she wore on special nights and her father, a checkered shirt tucked into black pants and his floppy hair combed backwards. They smiled at her, eyes filled with love and joy.
"Karen, honey." Her mother greeted with arms wide open.
"Mom! Dad!" Karen gasped as she almost but threw herself into their arms. Karen closed her eyes in bliss, savoring the familiar smells of home and their loving warmth. "Oh, I missed you guys." She pulled back, still not quite letting go of them and her eyes quickly filling up with tears.
"Karen, don't cry." Her mother whispered, hurriedly rubbing Karen's cheek with her thumb.
Karen gave a happy shaky laugh before pulling both her parents in for another hug.
"Who told you to come?" Karen asked once she was done hugging them.
"A certain Mr. Derek Wills. I'm glad he did otherwise we would have missed the moment of seeing you be Marilyn." Her father said rather pointedly.
"Derek?" Karen gaped.
"Right, that's what I did," Derek's warm voice came from behind almost startling Karen at the same time. She gave her parents a weak smile as she felt his hand go around her waist. Her father noticing the hand stared at it for awhile before flashing a look of suspicion and curiosity at Karen.
"I don't think we've properly introduced ourselves" her father began as he came forward. "I'm Roger Cartwright and this is my wife Becky."
"Karen's parents! It is a pleasure to finally meet the parents of your talented daughter," Derek shook their hands. "Derek Wills, I believe we spoke on the phone."
"You're the one who sent us those tickets? My, Karen you didn't tell me your boss is such a looker," her mother proclaimed and Karen urged herself to not roll her eyes when Derek flashed her a cocky smile. Her father however was not unimpressed, "I'll like to thank you for inviting us but we want to spend some time with our daughter for now."
"Dad," Karen flashed a look of apology to Derek.
"No, no. I understand. It was nice meeting you Mr. Cartwright." He shook her father's hand one last time. "Mrs. Cartwright," Derek gave a slight bow and chaste kiss on her knuckles. Her mother flustered instantly and Karen simply glared at Derek. He gave her a nod in return before ambling off.
"Cocky bastard that one," her father remarked.
"Dad!" "Roger!" Both gaped at him in shock.
In another unoccupied exhibit room two figures now inhibited it, their shadows flirting and darting against the ground as their bodies swayed in agitation with the light coming from within the exhibits shining from behind.
"This is ridiculous!" Ivy exclaimed as she walked to and fro. "What were you thinking?"
"I was merely acting on what my heart desires," he replied coldly, watching her pace.
Ivy shook her head in frustration, "That's bullshit! Derek's mine. Not hers, mine. Now everyone's going to think they're together." She walked up to him, "I thought you were smarter. What? Do you think that by doing that you can have Karen?" Just as the words left her mouth, she instantly found herself pressed against the wall his hand around her throat.
"Do not assume that you know me better!" he hissed as he tightened his grip. Teeth bared, he brought his face closer to hers. "You are but merely a pawn in my game," he said silkily. "Do you understand that?"
"Yo...you're hur...hurting me," Ivy gasped as her hands pushed frantically against his chest.
"Do you understand?" he demanded.
"Stop..Plea...Please. Can't breathe!" Her breath was shallower now and black spots were beginning to dance in front of her eyes.
"Didn't hear you complain that night," he whispered against her ear before finally letting her go.
Ivy fell to the ground, gasping like her life depended on it. He squatted in front of her and reached out to rub the skin on her neck, "Tell anyone about this and your career's going down the drain."
Ivy flinched and flung his hand away. Her own hand now clutched her throat protectively, she glared at him. "You're crazy!"
"Takes one to know one, Ivy Lynn," he replied with a cold smile.
"You owe me a 100," Bobby announced as he popped an olive into his mouth.
"What for?" Jessica asked as she smiled flirtatiously at a man across the room.
"For me being right then and well, me being right now." Bobby said as he watched Karen converse with two people who looked like her parents.
"Oh puh-lease, you lost the bet then and since when did we start betting again?" Jessica rolled her eyes as she flipped her hair.
"It never ended," Bobby retorted and waved Dennis, Sam and Sue over.
"Anyone won any bets?" Bobby asked instantly when the others crowded around the make shift bar for the night.
"Derek and Karen? I can't believe you're still betting." Sam looked at him incredulously and ordered five appletinis.
"I don't think what Derek said meant anything," Sue offered as she took her glass gratefully from Sam.
"What do you mean? He told everyone that she was with him right after Levi tried to insinuate that something was going on between Karen and him." Dennis stated.
"That was because Levi was being sleazy douchebag," Sue replied, dead panned. "The bad blood between Derek and Levi is not lost on anyone who has been in this industry long enough. Besides Derek said 'with' not 'mine' or 'my girlfriend' or well, you get the drift."
"Wouldn't that be too obvious?" Sam asked as he settled beside Jessica.
"Has Derek ever tried to mince his words or hide his displeasure or even bothered what others thought of him or how others felt?" Sue stared at them over her glass. They all began shaking their heads. "Precisely, Derek is the king of obvious. There's no indirect bullshit. Subtlety and Derek do not mix well."
'You owe me 100 bucks," Jessica said sweetly and snapped her fingers under Bobby's nose.
"Party pooper."
Derek continued watching Karen from the corner of his eye, wondering when he would get the chance to talk to her, as he took a sip of champagne and then glared at it distastefully. He preferred his alcohol straight and strong.
"You look constipated," Levi remarked as he came beside Derek. Derek ignored and continued looking at Karen.
"So, you and Karen are a thing now eh?" Levi gave him a smile and nudged him a little like they were best buds.
"You would think you'd be smart enough to not approach me after that stunt you tried to pull." Derek remarked.
Levi chuckled, "I was only pulling their feet and there you came like a knight in shining armor. Rather eager to save her. Never knew you had it in you."
Derek sighed and passed the still full flute to a passing waiter. "Pulling their feet? I'm sorry, what? You're from the same industry you know how your sort are like."
"And you don't?" Levi's eyebrow rose. Levi knew he'd caught him there when Derek did not respond. "I thought so," he muttered and patted Derek's shoulder before walking away. Derek needed a cup of scotch fast to quell that sick burning sensation he was starting to feel at the pit of his stomach. He turned to head towards the bar when Eileen intercepted him.
"Yes, what is it?" he asked her rather brusquely. Arms folded, she looked at him affronted. "Not going to say anything?" Derek continued. He rolled his eyes and began to side step her when she grabbed onto his arm.
"The media have been bombarding me with questions over that little stunt you pulled there," Eileen told him quietly.
"I'll settle it, don't worry." Derek sighed.
"I don't know what you think you're doing. First Rebecca, Ivy and now Karen? Do you have to jump on every breathing female?"
"I didn't jump on you or Julia," Derek offered. Eileen shot him a look so scathing that Derek had to raise his palms up, offering truce. "I'm not in a relationship with Karen," Derek said softly.
Eileen looked at him in disbelief, "You expect me to think you were just watching out for her?"
Derek pulled her to a corner, away from others who he knew were eavesdropping. With one elbow resting on a folded arm, Derek tapped his lips with his fingers as if deciding on what to tell her. Eileen looked at him expectantly.
"Karen and I, we're friends." He watched as Eileen blinked slowly at him, not once but thrice before she started laughing.
"That's a good one," Eileen gasped as she wiped the tears leaking from her eyes. "I needed that." She gazed at him and realized Derek was being serious.
"Good heavens! You're not joking, are you? So, it's a pact to watch each other's back now?" Eileen asked. "Share secrets and stories with each other? Share a cup of tea in the mean time, why don't you?"
"And you lot wonder why I'm not emotionally involved in any of your personal dramas or even bother sharing. All everyone does is knit pick and criticize the actions not even done by them." Derek said coldly and began to walk off.
"Derek! I'm looking out for you!" Eileen insisted, her hand holding on to his arm. He gazed down at it in disgust, "The only thing you're looking out for is your show." With that he shook her hand off.
Karen excused herself from Bobby and the rest after the usual bantering they normally had. Surprisingly enough, none of them had questioned her about Derek's claim but she knew Bobby and Jessica, specifically Bobby was holding himself back. He was practically vibrating with pent up energy, his brown eyes continuously flicking to her face, imploringly, she knew he wanted answers. Those questions had to wait. She wished she could be with her parents now but duty called and since she wouldn't be able to focus her entire attention on them she'd suggested that they go back to their hotel.
Karen slipped into the ladies and leaned against the door with closed eyes.
"You finally did it."
Karen slowly opened her eyes to find Ivy applying lipstick that was almost blood red onto her lips. She was looking at her through the mirror. Karen walked towards the sink as calmly as she could and began washing her hands.
"Snared two men in one go, brava." Ivy smacked her lips together and slipped the tube back into her small pouch.
"Don't be ridiculous," Karen muttered as she stared at her own reflection which was looking quite frantic under the light.
"Are you afraid to take on Derek? He wants you." Ivy gave her a once over before shaking her head as if she couldn't understand why.
"He doesn't," Karen insisted. Lies, lies, lies.
"You don't have to worry about that now, the media's going to spin a huge story tomorrow on what just happened. You'll see."
"I'm not with Derek nor am I with Levi. Couldn't anyone see that?" Karen gripped the edge of the sink tightly. "Derek was just doing that to save me."
"Save. You always need saving don't you?" Ivy turned to face Karen.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that," Karen sighed, her eyes flicking towards Ivy's neck
"You're always playing the scared bird routine. Lost, clueless and innocent. It's no wonder people are always trying to play you. When you found out about Dev and I, did you even do anything to retaliate? Nope," Ivy went on. "Pathetic."
"Can we stop this? I don't want to keep fighting with you," Karen implored then frowned. "Are those bruises?"
Ivy's hand instantly flew to her throat, her eyes widening for a second. "I must have been rubbing my neck too hard earlier," she explained before quickly pulling out her compact powder. "Nothing makeup can't do to cover it up. She gave Karen a tensed smile before swiftly powdering herself up. Karen looked at her confused, the marks were clearly in the shape of fingers being wrapped around.
"Did someone hur-"
"Stop being nice to me!" Ivy snapped. Karen opened her mouth as if to say something but then she decided not to.
"Fine, I will stop being nice to you. At least I know I've tried and the funny thing is, you don't even deserve it. Goodbye, Ivy." Karen said coldly and made her way out. She did not see the way Ivy's body seemed to loosen like a puppet finally having its strings cut off by the marionette and her face crumple, tears welling up in her eyes.
He found her standing in the room dimly lit by the moonlight shining through the window panes gazing up at the art piece that hung on the wall. The door click shut behind him, revealing his presence. She turned to look over her bare shoulder, her dark hair that was curled to the left framed her fair face and her brown eyes that now looked black were wary. Wariness faded to recognition when she realized who stood there. He gave her a slight smile before walking towards her. They stood next to each other in silence, both nursing a glass of wine. Her looking back at the art piece. Him eyeing her from the side.
"This piece is beautiful." Derek commented softly as he gazed at Van Gogh's Starry Night.
"It's so mysterious isn't it? The way the blue, yellow and white seem to swirl around each other like pulsating whirlpools that promise to drag you into worlds you wouldn't be capable of dreaming of," she intoned, her voice lifting and falling at certain parts it was almost hypnotic. "It's so hard to believe that Van Gogh was only painting the night sky...He probably wanted to escape." Derek heard the slight tremor in Karen's voice and wondered if he was imagining it.
"May I ask, why aren't you with your parents?" Derek took a sip from his glass.
"I told them to go back to their hotel. The questions that I kept getting from the journalists…" she sighed and shot him a look. "Wasn't really helping. Dad was beginning to question me, wondering why they kept asking me about you, about us and then he asked where Dev was..."
"I'm sorry," Derek apologized. "I really am." He looked at her earnestly, hoping she could see how sincere he was.
Karen glanced at him then did a double take, "No, what is that?"
He looked at her in confusion but continued staring at her earnestly.
"Puppy eyes, really Derek?" Karen smirked.
"I'm not..."
"Yes, you are," she mirrored his expression, her huge eyes becoming bigger than usual making him laugh for a short while he became serious again.
Derek reached out and with his palm cupped the side of her face. He watched as Karen's eyes fluttered shut and she tilted her face into his palm, reciprocating his touch. Her hand slid up his arm and ended on his hand that held her face. Her eyes snapped open and they stared at each other. Dark brown to hazel green. Slowly, Derek pulled her close and gave a gentle kiss on her forehead before his arm slid around her waist. They stood like this for a moment, her head resting against his shoulder, one wrist hung loosely as it held the wine glass away from his body and his hands trailing up and down the back of her dress. "I really ought to have slap you earlier on," she muttered.
"Sorry," he murmured against her ear during his administrations.
"I don't think it's me you have to really worry about." Karen replied, her voice muffled against his chest. Derek blew a breath out fr his lips, ruffling a few strands of hair on the top of Karen's head.
"Eileen's pretty mad with me, Levi's having a laugh and well, we know what the papers will say tomorrow."
"I really don't get why you let Levi rile you up," Karen pulled away and looked up at him. "You should have just ignored him and let me take care of the situation."
Derek sighed, recalling the hot blast of anger he instantly felt when he'd seen Levi's arm around her waist and coupled with his not so subtle implication that Karen and he may be in a relationship... Derek blinked, he was jealous. Good lord, he never ever got jealous. Nothing ever gave him the reason to be jealous until...Karen.
"What are you thinking about?"
*He gave her a quick smile to try to ease her concern but Karen was having none of it. She told him how the furrows between his eyebrows always gave him away and the way his hazel green eyes always became distant when he would begin to think. He complimented her for being highly observant but to admit he had been jealous, it was like being Dev all over and he had no intention of sharing any resemblance with that twit. Derek took her wine glass and placed it on the wide window ledge; he then placed her arms around his neck and his at her waist.
They began swaying to the muffled music permeating through the wooden doors, the moonlight and shadows accompanying them. Soon Derek found himself singing softly along to the lyrics, almost whispering against Karen's earlobe.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
He closed his eyes and breathed in her vanilla scent, revelling in the moment that was occurring as they swayed in the dark. Just him and her.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again.
"Derek," Karen muttered his name, muffled against his chest. He stopped to look down at her as she gazed up. He wondered if anyone told her that they could drown in her big brown eyes. Suddenly, she tiptoed and pressed her lips against his. Soft like rose petals were his last thought before desire overtook him and his hands were running up from her waist, to her sides and then finally cupping her face to his. Her lips parted beneath his, allowing Derek's tongue to slip in and taste her. She gave a small moan as her tongue danced with his. Derek pulled away and began trailing kisses down her neck. Nipping and licking as he went. Her last gasp was his undoing when he bit on the soft spot and blew gently against it. Derek pushed her up against the wall in the dark corner of the room.
"I want you," he said hoarsely in between kisses. His hands were everywhere, coasting her thighs, her sides and ribcage but never nearing her breasts which were eagerly pressing against him. He didn't want to jump the gun; they were still colleagues weren't they? "Need to touch you," he heard himself say. "May I?" Oh gods was he truly asking her? He waited for Karen to rebuke him but she only bit his lower lip. Derek pulled slightly away and watched her as his fingers brushed over the swell of her breast and coursed down over the fabric. A small gasp came from her lips before her head was falling back, exposing her white slender throat. He placed his face near her neck and breathed her in. The scent of vanilla and want. He could drown in her. Karen cradled his head so that their foreheads now rest against each other. "We should take this somewhere else," she said softly. Derek felt his heart leap in his throat.
"Wha…what are you saying?" he managed to gasp. His head still following hers, lips eager to touch hers again. Karen leaned forward, her lips a breadth away from his, "Let's continue this at your place." He was eager, aroused and confused. Why the sudden change? Derek frowned and pulled back.
"Wai-"
Karen gave a frustrated sound, clasped the base of his neck and pulled him hard towards her. She plundered his mouth with much ferocity, expressing her intent.
"Oh, darling," he breathed when they pulled apart. Holding her hand, Derek swiftly pulled her towards the door to make their getaway but first they had to go through the huge crowd.
"I'll leave first." Karen said while straightening her tousled hair and dress. She then gave a quick peck before walking out. Derek stood there in the dark and counted to 40, giving Karen some leeway. Once done he too slipped out of the room and greeted various people as if nothing had transpired. Little did they know, moments before what had just transpired Eileen had seen Derek entering the room and given the length he stayed hidden and Karen leaving first, it didn't take rocket science to know that Derek had lied.
