Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Part of songs used 'How Are You' By Emma Lynn White.
Author's Notes: I didn't fully proofread this chapter so sorry for the mistakes and I cut it shorter than I was going to have it so I can post it now. Hope you all enjoy.
World Tour
Chapter 33 - Sydney
(Ashley's POV)
"How are you not going through hell
Tell me how you erased us so fast
How are you not breaking down at the sound of this song
Looking at me like we were never together at all
I could say all of that, but what good would that do
So, I'll keep it short and sweet
Don't wanna make this about me
So, how are you?" I whisper to myself as I tap my pencil on the table in front of me. I've been trying to work on a beginning to Spencer and I's new song together. She has been a little busy bee since we got to Sydney. I swear they are trying to run her into the ground because they want to make up for not having her here before. Our label is so stupid. I told her I would figure out something and we can go from there. I have a good beat going but the only lyrics that keep coming to my head, no matter what I write, is from that stupid dream I had.
"Um, hmm, hmmm. Hey, how are you?" I whisper. "I'll keep this short and sweet." I add tapping my pencil a little harder and faster on the table.
"Did we change places?" Spencer asks causing me to jump at the sound of her voice pulling me from my thoughts. I spin around in my desk chair to look at her. Spencer has a small, sweet smile on her face with her head tilted to the side slightly.
"What do you mean?" I wonder raising my eyebrow. Spencer walks over to me and gives me a quick peck on the lips before going to the small fridge in the hotel room and grabbing a water.
"I've been standing there watching you for a few minutes. You were singing a song that seems like a breakup song. So, I asked if we switched places. I've stopped with the break-up songs, and you started." Spencer giggles at the end of her admittance then drinks down a good portion of her water. I give her a half smile and drop my eyes to the table. I haven't been wanting her to hear that song. I have been trying to do everything I can to keep it to myself. I don't know why it's affecting me so badly. I know it was a dream. Plus, Spencer and I are doing wonderful right now, amazing even. I can't place why I can't just let the dream and that song go. Spencer watches me with admiring eyes as I try to think about what I am going to say. That wonderful woman stood there giving me all the time in the world to figure out what to say.
"That song has been stuck in my head since the dream I had. It's the song that I sang in the dream." I finally tell her honestly after 10 minutes. I don't want to keep something from her nor lie about it.
"Maybe you need to write it out and put it out as a single." The blond-haired person leaning her back onto the small counter facing me says.
"Wh…"
"Because for you to be able to let it go, you need to let it out. I'm not telling you, you must, but it might help. At least write it out and get the music together. Go from there." Spencer says cutting me off. I slightly nod my head and smile over to her. She's brilliant. I can at least write it out, get the music for it, and decide later what I want to do with the song. That is what I'm going to do.
"How was your interview?" I inquire changing the subject. She had an interview at a radio station I did before going to surprise her in L.A.
"It was good. Always the same questions." The blond-haired person said with a giggle. "So, I have a date planned for us tonight. I think you will really love it, but me…" Spencer paused looking concerned. "Not so much." She adds unamused.
"Why did you plan a date for us? It's my turn. And why would you plan a date for us you didn't like?" I question.
"I planned it because I know it is something you would like. I think you will really love it actually and I love you so hence we do something I won't like." Spencer explains. She sets her water bottle on the counter and walks over to me. The blonde places her palms on the arms of my chair and leans her face a few inches from mine. "I love you." Spencer admits again with a smile filling her face. I give her a nose crinkling smile in return.
"I love you too." I response then meet our lips together. I move my hands up into her blonde hair lightly pulling her into my lap. Spencer straddles my lap leaning into me as close as she can, deepening our kiss.
"I've missed you today." Spencer says pulling away and places her forehead on mine. Her eyes still closed.
"I've missed you too, baby. When is this date you planned?" I ask rubbing her cheek with the back of my fingers.
"Tonight. We need to be there by 7:40. I would really like to take a nap for a couple of hours first then order room service. I want to eat before we go. It's a lot of walking and it's about 2 hours long so eating first is a must." My wonderful girlfriend explains. I nod my head before gesturing her to get up and pull her to our bed. We lay down snuggles together to enjoy a nap.
(The Next Morning)
(Ashley's POV)
Spencer and I are running around our hotel room trying to get ready. We have four interviewees and the first one starts in less than ten minutes, and I have a few things to do beforehand. Spencer is trying to hurriedly dress. I threw on sweats and a hoodie. I don't need to look amazing. I'm not the one being interviewed.
"What the hell did I do with those packets?" I mumble to myself.
"What did you say?" Spencer says pulling a white V-neck t-shirt over her head. She grabs my white and light grey flannel and pulls it on. The blonde walks into the bathroom and quickly brushes out her hair then pulls it up into a messy ponytail. I groan inwardly. A cute simple look. I love this look on her. It's my favorite. A smirk is planted on Spencer's face as she walks past me and out of the bedroom. She knows what she's doing to me. Damn her and her comfortable look. Damn me for being so weak to that look on her. I clear my throat and walk after her.
"My stack of papers I have last night, do you know what I did with them?" I ask.
"You threw them over the counter when we came in last night and you attacked me."
"Attacked? I would hardly call that attacking." I protest.
"What would you call it then? Because that was attacking. You literally ran up behind me and started basically eating my neck and collarbone then when I tried to pull away you picked me up and carried me to the bedroom." Spencer exclaims joyously.
"You weren't complaining last night." I smirk at her.
"Well, of course not. We were in the heat of the moment. You are taking charge like that had already started doing ungodly things to me. Who in their right mind would start to complain about it in the moment? Sure, the hell not me, but I will now because I had interview questions I needed to write down. You side-tracked me and now I have nothing for this process. So, unprofessional of me." Spencer explains.
"It will be okay. Tell them you got busy."
"Yes, I'll say Ashley and I had a date and then when we got back, she mauled me for the rest of my night until I passed out sometime around four. That sounds like a great idea." Spencer says sarcastically. I bring my bottom lip in-between my teeth to stop myself from laughing. "Do not even laugh. This isn't funny, Ashley." Spencer adds with a defeated sigh. I grab my packets off the floor and walk over to the blonde. I take her hand into mine and kiss it lightly.
"I'm sorry. This isn't funny. I got us cover though. Come on before they think we are late because we are having a quickie or something." I say pulling onto her hand. Spencer sighs and shakes her head.
"Yeah, because I decided to tie-down the horniest female on the planet." Spencer throws back.
"You aren't too far behind me on that scale sweetie." I reply with a wink. Spencer groans at me making me pull her down the hallway and to the elevator. We are holding the interviews in a conference room on the first floor. John is meeting us there. The first thing I see when we reach the first floor is a man with a suit sitting in the waiting area with a folder in his hand. I nod at him as I continue to pull my blonde princess along behind me.
"Ms. Davies why are you pulling Ms. Carlin around like that?" John asks as he walks into the conference room behind us.
"She is pouting." I say with a shrug. Spencer and I sit next to each other at the table while John sit on the opposite side. That will leave the interviewee to take the seat at the head of the small rectangular table. I pass Spencer and John four packets a piece. John starts flipping through the pages scanning quickly over it. Spencer looks at it then back at me with a raised eyebrow. I gesture for her to read it. Spencer starts going through the five-page packet before completely turning her chair towards me.
"What is all this?" Spencer asks holding up the papers.
"Interview questions. Five pages worth with enough room for us to write down their answers and our thoughts on those answers. I made us enough for all four applicants. The three of us will be able to go over them in more detail later after the interviews so, we can do this knowing we picked the right one or at least knowing we need to find more people and we feel 100% confidant in our decision. Would you like to completely read the questions first or should we call the first gentleman in?" I explain then ask. Spencer gives me a shy kiss on the cheek then moves to my ear.
"Thank you, baby." Spencer whispers before sitting back into her chair and clearing her throat. "Let's begin…" I feel my pockets for the pens I grabbed. "Oh shit, I need a pen first." Spencer adds. John giggles as I finally find them in my hoodie and pass them to the others.
"Shall I call in the first one?" John asks and stands up. I give him a slight nod before he leaves the room. I look over at Spencer and she is reading the questions in the packets. There are twenty-five questions in the packet. I got everything covered.
"How long did it take you to do this?" Spencer questions as she closes the booklet back up and looks at me.
"Eh." I say with a shrug.
"So modest." Spencer says with a smile.
"I was bored. I had nothing else to do. It wasn't a problem." I let out nonchalantly.
"Thank you. Really. This is so amazing of you."
"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I needed to know the right questions are being asked because I'm not going to leave you in the hands of just anybody. If none of these four people work out, we can find someone else. It'll be a little while before you will have to go off alone again, so we have time. Don't think you have to rush and find someone today." I say letting her know it's no rush. Spencer would try and rush this, but when it comes to her safety this shouldn't be rushed. I will do anything in my power to make sure she is always safe. Before Spencer could reply to me, John walks into the room with the man that was sitting in the reception area of the hotel.
"Ms. Davies and Ms. Carlin. This is James Wood." John says point at me then Spencer. I stand up first and take his hand.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Davies." He says giving me a firm handshake. Good start so far. Spencer stands up and does the same. His reply is the same to her.
"We have a about twenty-five questions to go through with you. This is a profoundly serious job, and we want Spencer to have the best protection she can get. Things get crazy out there and she is just more and more loved as days go by." I explain.
"Of course, ma'am."
"Would you like some water or coffee before we start?" Spencer asks. Hm. Good thinking Spencer. I need some coffee.
"I'll get it." I say standing up and walking over to the little counter to the pitcher of water and coffee stuff.
"Just a water is fine. I already had my morning coffee. Thank you though." I nod my head at him. I quickly make Spencer and I's cup. John already has his morning drink in front of him. I hand Spencer her cup as I take my seat again. Spencer gives me a small smile.
"I will start, and we will go around the table taking turns asking these questions until we are finished. Just answer the best you can. We will be taking notes about your answers to the questions. Is that okay with you?" I ask.
"Yes." Mr. Wood says with a nod.
"Ready?" John asks him. He gives another nod. Spencer and I nod at John too, letting him know we are also really. "I'll go first. We know your name already so we will jump to the next question. Tell me about yourself?" John says. As Mr. Wood starts talking about himself, I glance at Spencer to see if she is listening. The blonde goddess looks like she is taking this very seriously and is hanging onto every word. Spencer lightly elbows me in my side never taking her eyes of the man still talking about himself. She indicates with her head for me to listen. Right, I should be doing that.
"So, that is pretty much it." I guess, I missed everything he said about himself. Oops. I glance at Spencer's paper and quickly read over the couple sentences she has on it. Hm. I didn't miss anything important, or Spencer doesn't take proper notes. I giggle to myself. Spencer elbows me once again. I look up at her confused. I don't know what I did now to make her do that.
"Ms. Davies, your next." John says interrupting my confused face trying to understand why Spencer has a slight frown on her face. Oh right, shit.
The interview goes on from there. We spent over three hours in that conference room. The questions were as follows:
What interested you about this job? What qualifies you for it? This job is around the clock. Would there be anything in your life that would prevent you from being where you need to be at, at any time? There will be a lot of all over the world travel. Would that be a problem for you? What disappointed you about your last job? What is the most irritating thing you've experienced about a co-worker? What do you feel is the most important skill a bodyguard should possess? How do you manage extremely long shift? Have you ever or do you feel comfortable to control large crowds? If so, what procedures have you or would you use to keep a large crowd under control? Tell me about an experience in which you analyzed information and evaluated results to choose the best solution to the problem. Tell me about the last time you monitored or reviewed information and detected a problem. How did you respond? Tell me about a time you successfully dealt with an angry member of the public. Tell me about a situation where you had to quickly adapt to inevitable changes as a bodyguard. Tell me about a time when you were trusted with confidential information. How did you oversee that information? How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it? What makes you enthusiastic about being a bodyguard? To you, what is the difference between good and exceptionally great? How do you think you would benefit from working for Ms. Carlin? We have a lot of concerts. You would have to stand guard outside her dressing room door and on the side of the stage every night. Is standing and being attentive for lengthy periods of time a problem for you? How would you stay alert and attentive while working these long hours? Do you have a problem filling out a daily log and e-mailing them to the three of us at the end of every day? Why should we hire you? Why do you think you the best bodyguard for Ms. Carlin? Do you have any questions for us? If so, what are they?"
I really did an excellent job with my packets. This morning went wonderfully but I need a nap now. It has been an exceedingly long morning. I turn to the lovely blonde next to me and give her a small weak smile.
"Christopher Clemons is out." John says moving his packet away from the other three. I let out a small giggle. Spencer shakes her head with a huge grin.
"Definitely. I swear he hit on Ashley more then anything else." Spencer states with a huff. I lean my head on her shoulder with a smile.
"I think it would be between Grayson and James. Jackson was too shy and withdrawn. I don't think that would be a good thing with how public we are. We are around too many people all the time for someone to be that shy. We need someone that is going to use their voice." I mumble through a yawn. Spencer kisses the top of my head.
"I would have to agree." Spencer admits. I look over to John. He nods his head in acknowledgement and agreeance. He moves Jackson's packet on top of Christophers.
"My vote would be Grayson. I've known him for years. I know his work ethic. I know his skills. I think they would be a good fit which is why I reached out to him about interviewing." John explains. I pick my head up from Spencer's shoulder and flip through both Grayson and James packets. Re-examining their answers. Spencer sits silently watching me. I can feel her eyes burning into the side of my head.
"What are you thinking?" Spencer finally asks.
"James has a lot of experience also. He seemed just as good. Right now, it's going to come down to who you see yourself around every day. Did one of them make you feel more comfortable then the other." I explain. Spencer nods her head while looking deep in thought. John and I sit patiently waiting for the blonde to go over things in her head.
"Do you think it would be possible to have them take turns for a couple days following me around. I want to see how they do in action and how the vibes I get. I have an interview in the morning then we have one tomorrow afternoon and the next day also. I think it would be good to see how they do with you and without you, John. And you Rockstar, I need you to keep your mouth shut and not take charge. I want to see their abilities without you trying to take charge every couple of seconds." Spencer gives me a playful glare.
"I just want you to be safe." I grumble sadly. Spencer smiles lightly.
"I know and if it becomes a problem where I am in immediate danger then I will let you take charge. Never doubt that, but right now I need to see them at work because without you having to step in, I need to know that I am going to be 100% safe without you around. You won't always be there to tell them how to handle a situation. We all need to know I am going to be well cared for." Spencer explains sweetly. She does have a point. I do need to know that she is always safe especially when she is away from me.
"I can do that because you are right. I do need to know you are safe. It will help me have a small piece of mind. I won't ever be 100% okay with you being away from me. I will always worry that is a given." I give my wonderful girlfriend a crinkly smile. Spencer smiles with a light blush on her cheeks while shaking her head.
"I will call and talk to Mr. Yates (Grayson) and Mr. Wood (James). I don't think they will have a problem with it. I will have Grayson tomorrow and James the following day. Ashley, your tr…" John suddenly stops talking looking terrified about what he was about to say. I try my best to play it off and look at him confused before looking at the blonde with the same look. Spencer looks questionably between the two of us. I shrug my shoulders at her.
"Ashley, your what?" Spencer questions with an eyebrow raised. I shrug my shoulders once again with a blank expression on my face.
"I was going to say Ashley, your tr…treats will be here tomorrow." John stumbles out. He is such a horrible liar. I know Spencer can see right through him. I let out a small sigh. Hopefully, she doesn't catch it.
"Finally." I say then stand up. "Nap time. Let's go babe." I add grabbing Spencer's hand and start to pull her from the room.
"Let me know John and why are you always pulling me around Ashley?" Spencer whines out.
"Because I need you to keep up. Napping is especially important part of our day."
"Well, if you didn't keep us up…"
"You weren't complaining last night." I cut her off. Spencer shrugs her shoulders with a cheeky smile. Once we are in the elevator, I push Spencer up against the wall. I know she thought I was going to attack her lips. Instead, I wrap my arms around her waist and lay my head on her shoulder.
"Hm." Spencer sighs contently wrapping her arms around my upper back. She places her face into the back of my neck. "It's these simple moments that make me so very happy and content." Spencer adds with a light kiss to my neck. I nod my head to agree with her. I hear the elevator ding letting us know it has reached our floor. I gently pull out of Spencer's embrace and intertwine out hands as we walk side by side to our room.
(Three Days Later)
(Ashley's POV)
I roll over and turn my alarm on my cell phone off. I place my phone back onto the nightstand and cuddle back into Spencer with a content sigh.
"Why do you have an alarm set if we don't have anything happening today?" Spencer mumbles sleepily.
"We do have something planned for today. We need to pack a bag for a couple of days. I have a special surprise planned for you." I explain. Spencer pulls her head back and looks at me.
"Where are we going?" The blonde questions.
"I rented us a house in the mountains for a couple days. I thought we could celebrate your birthday together now. It is the only couple of days we have off for a while. I wanted to squeeze it in."
"Hm… A couple of days alone with you. I'll take those any day." Spencer gives me an ear-to-ear smile before jumping up from the bed. "Let's get ready so we can start our vacation." Spencer claps her hands together then sprints into the bathroom. I giggle to myself as I hear the shower turn on.
After a very pleasant, shared shower that took longer than it should I have, I text John to let him know we are ready to go. He is going to meet us in the lobby by the elevator. Spencer and I decided last night before falling asleep that me, her, and John will have a conversation today about who Spencer thinks should be her security person. I'm going to leave it to Spencer to mostly decide because James and Grayson did a wonderful job on their assigned day of work. Spencer even spent a couple of hours alone with them to see how it went. She had them follow her around while she went shopping. Let me tell you Spencer can buy tons of stuff in a total of 6 hours of shopping. In two days, I swear that woman spent more money than most people make in five years. I don't know what she expects to do with all of it. I grab my packed gym bag and place it by the door.
"Babe, are you ready?" I call out as I walk back into the bedroom of our hotel room.
"Almost." I faintly hear. Uh oh. She can't decide. I lean against the doorframe and watch her rush around the room. Spencer is throwing things around. I watch a shirt fly to the far side of the room. I turn to look back at her as a pair of jeans meet my face.
"HEY!" I screech out. Spencer quickly turns her head to look at me. She is biting her lip to hold in her laugh.
"Sorry." The blonde mumbles through her closed lips. I toss the jeans onto the bed. I walk over to her pile of clothes and grab a couple pairs of jeans I know look incredibly good on her and I find a black plain t-shirt and a new black and dark grey flannel she bought yesterday. I grab a long white sleeve and place them into her suitcase. I grab her new all black converse and a thick black jacket. I toss a red hoodie and red converse at her to put on for the journey to the cabin. I grab underwear, socks, and bras before closing the suitcase and placing it out by mine. I walk back into the bedroom and Spencer is slipping her second shoe on.
"Ready?" I ask raising my eyebrow at her. Spencer gives me a slight nod. I intertwine our fingers together and we walk side by side to the door.
"Think we got everything?" Spencer asks looking around the room. Her bags are everywhere. I'll see if I can get John to ship her stuff to my house while we are at the cabin.
"We have enough for the two days we will be gone. We will be fine." I put my gym bag on top of Spencer's suitcase and roll it out the door. My other hand still intertwined with hers.
"You want me to grab your bag?" Spencer asks while we are waiting for the elevator.
"I've got it." I reply rolling it in front of us into the lift first. John grabs the suitcase and bag when we walk out of the lift. Spencer and I follow him out front. There is tons of fans and paparazzi. The hotel has ropes put up to keep the people back and a couple security guys standing by. Spencer and I walk to each side of the ropes to sign a few things for our fans. Questions get thrown at us by the paparazzi, but we ignore them and continue only acknowledging our fans. After about twenty signatures a piece. We start to get into the SUV waving at the patrons on the sidewalk yelling our names.
"I swear that never gets old." Spencer says leaning into my side with a sigh.
"It will when you want to have a normal life and all the touring is over." I state matter-of-factly.
"That isn't today so, I don't want to worry about that right now." Spencer replies. I kiss the top of her head. Silence fills the car as John begins our drive to the cabin.
"So, Ms. Spencer have you decided who you would like to be your bodyguard?" John asks breaking the comfortable silence. Spencer lifts her head and slightly nods her head.
"I have. It really came down to the time spent alone with them and how comfortable I felt. Grayson seems to be the best fit. He reminds me so much of you and seems very professional. It was very attentive the whole shopping trip. He never lost sight of me even when I tried to lose him…"
"You did what?" I exclaim whipping my head in her direction.
"My point is I didn't lose him. Stay with me here." Spencer says with an annoyed look on her face. I glare at her before looking at John in the rearview mirror and he is shaking his head with a smile on his face. I know he finds us amusing. I even find our bickering amusing. I love the way we are with each other. There is never a dull moment between us. I always enjoy myself around her. I hope and prey that never changes. I want to always love the hell out of this woman.
