This chapter is brought to you by the word COVID. Such a simple word, really, but one that has ravaged my little workplace and, of course, the world as we know it. I fell ill January 1, 2021 and though I had mild symptoms compared to others, I am still struggling to recover. Chronic fatigue, mild confusion and brain fog and a mild though annoying cough. I'm lucky I know. My coworker, Pat, wasn't. She passed peacefully at 7pm on Friday, January 22 with her daughters by her side from complications of Covid. She was 73. She was an amazing woman and I loved her dearly and will miss her beyond measure. We also have a coworker named Doug who is in the ICU battling Covid and Pneumonia. So any positive thoughts of healing are much appreciated.

Edited to add: Doug died peacefully in an ICU room surrounded by his wife and daughter. He was 81. He leaves behind his wife, two children and two grandchildren.

I'm struggling- with my health and my emotional and mental wellbeing. Take this chapter as a sign of good faith that I will finish this story in due time. I haven't forgotten about y'all nor could I, as most of you have kept me going this month. I appreciate you all and your patience as I navigate these rough waters.

Thanks to Team Harpy.

Chapter 53

Bella

It's five 'til six in the morning and we are on the set of Wake Up PA with a bleached blonde named Pattie Peters. She's a lively one and is finalizing things with the stage manager as I check on things with my artist. Leather pants, boots, and a white long sleeve button down. Hair is perfectly imperfect and he is smiling down at me as I brush an imaginary piece of lint off his shirt.

Pattie comes to get him. I remind her about what questions are allowed to be asked and which aren't. We had long decided to not engage in any talk of the bigamy or his personal life at all. She cuts her eyes at me but nods as she escorts him to the cozy little set.

I move out of eyesight as the show begins.

"Standby. In five, four, three, two…"

"It's five past six and a chilly thirty-five degrees in Port Angeles but I have somebody with me who should warm things up a bit and make your coffee perk a little faster. Masen Whitlock and the Idle Rich are appearing at the Metta Room tonight. Or should I introduce you as Edward Cullen, CEO of mega millions Cullen, Inc?"

"Masen Whitlock is taking the stage tonight, Pattie. I don't think anyone would pay to see Edward in his button downs and pinstripes."

She looks him up and down. "I don't know about that."

I roll my eyes.

"I sing as Masen and leave Edward back at home. He can be a bit of a capitalist bore."

"A split personality? Fascinating. And is your band's name meant to comment on your other life?"

"Actually the band came up with the name before I joined them but it is remarkably ironic. Sort of an inside joke for those in the know."

"And for those who want to know more."

I'm sure you do...

"That's why I'm here." He smirks.

"Well, there is one question that every female out there wants me to ask." She holds up her iPad. "Is this you in the leather pants?"

He looks over at me then back to her. "Come to the show tonight and find out."

"I already have my tickets. And it looks to be a sold out show at the Metta Room. Eight o'clock tonight. This is your chance to see Masen Whitlock in the flesh and let me tell you, it is worth it. Masen ,there is one more thing my viewers really want to know."

And let me tell you… THE AUDACITY. I'm standing here lookin' at the monitor and I see her stand up and plant one right on his kisser. My head snaps to the left as I gape at this heifer. To his credit, his hands are up in the air. She smiles at the camera. "Yes, he's a fabulous kisser. I'll be right back after the commercial break. Don't disappear."

"Clear."

"You're a great interview." She tells him as she shakes his hand. He backs away ever so slightly. "Don't mention it."

He approached me. "I think that went well." The delivery of his statement is hesitant.

"Don't get a swelled head." I glare at him. "You've got a photoshoot and simultaneous print interviews back at the hotel in twenty." I throw his coat at him and storm off. I hear him chuckling behind me.

Yes, I'm jealous but I'll be damned if I'm gonna admit it to him.

We get back to the hotel where breakfast is waiting. He's sitting at the table and I'm in a chair looking over my notes. The photographer is all up in his face as he tries to eat while the interviewer is sitting across from him.

"It's not so much of a split personality as it is a double dose of life. I guess one life to live wasn't enough for me."

I snort. You're telling me

"Cullen, Inc being a closely held company, what does your family think of your alter ego?"

"They don't shock that easily and I sing because I love to sing and my family is beginning to understand that."

"What were the reactions of the other members of the band?"

"Well as long as I sing on key, they don't give me too much grief. But seriously, when I'm with the band, I'm just Masen. We travel on the same bus, stay in the same hotels and drink the same lousy coffee." He takes a sip to make his point.

"There was no problem when they only knew you as Masen Whitlock but you were actually Edward Cullen? One of the richest, most powerful families in the country?"

"That's a good question." He glances over at me where I am now hovering over this female photographer who is getting a little too grabby for my taste. "Was there a problem? Bella? Bella? Bella?"

I snap to attention. "Oh, no. No. We had to make adjustments and negotiations. I didn't really know if it was gonna work out but the music has never sounded better…" I still the photographer's hand, trying hard not to break it. "You know, I do think that is enough pictures. Do you mind if we cut this short? Don't feel like you are getting the shaft but our day is really booked so…"

"One more question. The band's name…"

"Ah yes."

"Is it supposed to be ironic?"

"Well, it is. But nothing to do with me. The guys picked it out before I joined the band. I gather that the name Idle Rich was a subtle dig at the group's van at the moment…"

"Thank you so much for coming." I say as I usher them out of the room. "If you have any more questions, please come backstage after the show. Masen will be giving a press conference."

The photographer stops and leans close to Masen. "What's the story behind the leather pants?" She murmurs.

"A gift. From a special friend."

"What a lucky woman…"

"Yes, isn't she? Bye now." I slam the door in her face.

"Did I handle that three ring circus like a pro or what?"

I glare at him as I throw him his jacket.

"We have to go to the Metta Room and oversee the setup then we have that radio interview with the kids at the community college then more print interviews then we have rehearsal."

"They all ask the same questions. I'm having a blast." He grabs a piece of bacon and I drag him away from the plate and out the door pushing him in front of me. "Come on. This is serious business."

I take a deep breath and follow him. This is gonna be a long day…

Edward

I look longingly at the plate of food Bella passes to the two college interviewers for their paper. It's been a long time since coffee and that piece of bacon I managed to snag. They both grab some sandwiches and continue to ask questions.

"They don't usually feed us at these interviews." One remarks.

"Well, just consider it a bribe." Bella smiles.

The other, a woman, tells me, "you don't need one."

"Do you see yourself as Retro?"

Retro? I'm in my early thirties.

"No, I see myself as a melting pot of genres; R & B, a little blues, a little mainstream. Chaotically Classic if you will."

"Those leather pants sure are classic." She winks and Bella stiffens next to me.

"You going to the show tonight?" I ask.

"Front row center."

"I'll look for you."

"Yeah? Can I have an autograph?"

"Sure." I reach for a napkin and sign with a flourish.

"He will be signing autographs for everyone after the show. So tell all your little friends." Bella gets up, a sure signal she is about to boot them out. "In the meantime, thank you so much for coming, here are your jackets, thanks, bye." She shows them the door.

"I think it's unanimous. I'm wonderful. PR was always my strong suit." I gloat to her once they're gone.

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah, well, don't waste all your energy patting yourself on the back. We have a long day still and a show at the end of it."

"Is there any food left?" I ask as I eat half of a sandwich that is left on the plate.

"No, and we have a radio interview in twenty minutes." She looks at me, daring me to complain.

"I'm just hitting my stride. Let's do it." I challenge her, making her run to catch up with me.

The radio interview is… interesting.

"I don't do what I do for other people. I'm Masen and Edward all wrapped up in one."

"The yin and yang."

"Um… yes. I like to think the whole is worth the sum of its parts."

"Far out."

Yeah, dude, you are that.

"Now about the band's name?"

"Yes, the Idle Rich."

"Is it a neolystic comment on bougie values or does it represent a rejection of the repressive puritan work ethics that enslaves the spirit to glorify material achievement?"

Bella and I share a look of WTF.

"As I understand it, the name was chosen to reflect the ultimate goal of the band at the time; to make big bucks. But of course, things change. So I would say the band's main goal now is the nature of human relationships, love, loyalty, forgiveness and compassion." I'm looking at Bella and she is looking down.

"Heavy. One more question, the leather pants."

I refrain from rolling my eyes. "Of course."

"You're making a statement, aren't you?"

"Well, yes."

"I see it as a rejection of animal activists' arrogance in attempting to police the actions of others by claiming a higher moral imperative, am I right?"

"Sometimes a pair of pants is just a pair of pants."

"That's existential, man."

I look over at Bella and she is hiding her smile behind her fingers. She's gonna pay for this interview.

The sound check goes well and even Bella is smiling. I have one more interview before performing and I'm almost done with that.

"The crowd is massive. Will you have any family out there tonight?"

I look behind her shoulder.

"One member."

"Your wife, right?"

Bella tries to remain busy but I know she's listening.

"Yes but she's my manager when we are on tour."

"And does she approve?"

"Well she did find me and sign me. She doesn't approve of Edward too much but she's getting there. Which is why I took a six week sabbatical from Cullen, Inc to concentrate on my music career."

"I would say that judging by the reaction of the crowd out there, your decision is vindicated." She turns me around to the camera. "If you missed your chance to see Masen Whitlock and The Idle Rich, better luck next time. I hope you come back."

"Definitely."

"And there you have it. Until next time."

She turns to me. "Thank you so much. I have one more question."

"Let me guess, the leather pants?"

"No, how do I get out of here?" She gives me a strange look.

Bella interjects and leads her out.

"So are you ready for this?" She asks when she gets back.

"Are you kidding?" I've never been ready for anything more in my life. Well, except one thing…" I wink and head to the stage.

The show goes off without a hitch. We sing all our covers and all our new songs. It's a huge setlist and I down more than one bottle of water and soak through more than one towel but I am having the time of my life.

One zealous fan gets on the stage and I swear Bella is about to knock her out but lets the security officers handle her. I don't miss a beat but I'm relishing in the fact that she is unnerved. We close the show after two encores then do a meet and greet before heading back to Bella's hotel room.

"Oh yes, food. Glorious food. What a marathon of a day. Starting with Perky Patty this morning. But all my time favorite was George Z and his pretentious justification for my black leather pants. What is with those pants anyway?" I ask around a mouthful of food. "Who cares? It works. It all works! This is the way it should be. Nothing standing between me and the band or me and you, for that matter…" I look to see her reaction and trail off.

Bella, my Bella, is passed out cold on the bed. I slowly get up and drag the blanket up from the foot of the bed, gently covering her. I sit down next to her and just stare at her exquisiteness. Then I lean down to whisper in her ear.

"You want a commitment from me? I'll run you into the ground, my love."

With one last long look and a kiss on her forehead, I grab my plate and drink and leave for my own room letting her slumber and hopefully have sweet dreams of me.

Bella

Another day, another town, another show. Second verse, same as the first.

Only difference is Bellingham is much bigger than PA so after the show posed some difficulties.

I'm by my lonesome at the merch table. Masen is surrounded by screaming women and some men. We're yelling back and forth as I ask him if he spots some of the guys to help me out. But he can't cause he's being ambushed.

Things finally calm down when I get some help and I can't help but overhear his conversation between him and two female fans. He asked them about their majors. One was in creative writing and one was in business and he says 'I recently found myself in a trap that might be waiting for you. I just want to tell you that I nearly missed out on the one thing that makes me truly happy because I thought it was more important to be committed to something that wasn't. That's all.'

I go back to the table where I find myself getting reprimanded because I am out of shirts.

"I'll try to do better next time."

"I'll just take the one you're wearing."

I look down at my shirt. "Excuse me?"

"I'll pay thirty dollars. Okay thirty-five but that's a lot of money for a measly shirt."

"The shirt off my back is not for sale, I'm very sorry."

"You know this really blows. When someone comes to a show they want to buy a shirt from the band."

"I'll tell you what. Give me your address and I will send you one, free of charge. But you have to do me favor. This has been the longest few days in the history of woman so just please go home, right now."

He slides his address to me and compliments Masen as he leaves.

"Hello Sunshine." I feel his breath on my neck.

"Surely you are talking to someone else."

"What's wrong?"

I turn to face him, incredulously. "Take a look around you. We have to completely revamp our approach to promotion because as it stands it is an unmitigated disaster. I'm gonna need some help."

"Then we will get you some help."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"What's with you, Cullen? Aren't you tired at least?"

"No, not at all. In fact I'm gonna help the guys hoist some equipment." With a smile and a wink, he does exactly that, leaving me fuming behind him and more than a little defeated.

Two days later, I hear Alice yelling from the office. I groan and slowly pad down the hallway and fall disgracefully on the couch.

"Whoa, look at you." Rose blurts.

"I've never been so thoroughly exhausted in my entire life." I pout as I grab Alice's coffee and gulp, making a face. I hate coffee.

"Bella, please tell us what happened."

I glare at Alice. "The energy of this man. I am telling you, from sun up to sun down, he barrelled on through like an army tank. He was robo singer. The tv cameras, the print media, the autographs, the sound checks- he devoured it all. And get this, he couldn't wait to start hauling equipment at the end of the night."

"Way to go, Edward." Alice cheers.

"That's great and all, but how did the Idle Rich go over?"

"Oh the crowd reaction was somewhere between borderline and full out hysteria."

"No kidding."

"YOu should have seen these women. These women had no shame whatsoever. They would have sent him home naked as a jaybird if I had not intervened at a very crucial moment."

"Get out."

"If I'm lying, I'm flying. And the merchandising? Through the roof. We sold out of everything."

"Everything? You took so much stuff!"

"Hmmm, no kidding. Someone tried to buy the shirt of my back."

They are gloating.

"Life is good." Rose says.

"Life is a drag if I can't get some back up. Bellevue is right around the corner and though it pains me greatly to say it, I need some help." I slump into my seat as they chatter over my head.

Looks like the bastard is gonna pull this off.

Damn him.

Playlist:

9-5- Dolly Parton

Waiting Game- Parson James

Hopefully it won't be long for the next update. Thank you for your continued patience.