Jude...
I looked between Darius's expression and Tommy's stoic figure and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was going to be bad—that it was going to be worse than the catastrophe that sunk the legendary city of Atlantis—worse than the infamous volcano Krakatoa. Darius just stood there for a moment probably allowing explicit images to flit throughout his brain making the situation worse. I sighed—getting ready to speak, to argue—anything. Hell, I'd just love to know what kind of explicit things he was imagining us doing. It was probably a hell of a lot more exciting than sleeping.
"You're fired.' Darius suddenly stated flatly with such unexpected gusto that I found myself stunned speechless. I knew he was speaking to Tommy—knew that he blamed the man for anything that might have transpired despite the fact that coming into his room had been my decision—despite the fact that we had done nothing more than remedy our wounded friendship and I wasn't even sure about that yet.
"You can't do that." I found myself remarking weakly as Darius looked over Tommy's shoulder at me in angry dissatisfaction. Tom hadn't said anything. He just looked peaceful—too peaceful. Maybe that was his way of processing the shock—his way of keeping Darius from truly knowing how much he had been affected by the decision. I knew Tom, he'd stand on the sidelines until he found his opportunity to explode. I hated sidelines. I suddenly felt very light-headed—very hostile. I wasn't like Tommy. My emotions were about as explosive as Darius's –not to mention that nothing had happened.
"I don't think I gave you a say in the matter." Darius remarked soundly through clenched teeth as I felt my jaw harden as well.
"Then I quit. When my contract comes up for renewal, I won't be signing it." I stated frankly as both Darius and Tommy turned toward me in surprise. I just shrugged.
"Nothing happened here, D, except that I fell asleep. Now, if you want something to have happened, then I suggest you leave for an hour or two and make another entrance into that doorway." I remarked wryly while Tommy coughed and Darius narrowed his eyes. I was just not in the mood for foreplay, excuse the pun. Darius shook his head.
"I don't know what happened here, but I'm not turning a blind eye to company policy. It's selfish to everyone else. Tommy, you can remain at G Majors, but you're being pulled as Jude's producer. The two of you need space as I see it anyway. Now go change. I've discussed a possible island concert—televised of course—for the end of this vacation. I want the staff to be working on ideas. Until we leave Tahiti, Tom you're still working with the group. After that, you're assigned to another artist. You got that. And I wouldn't advise arguing about it or its your job." Darius announced firmly and with fierce resolve as I just stood there feeling more than just a little uncomfortable. What had I done? I should have just left Tommy to suffer last night. I wasn't even sure why I had come into the room anyway. Why I had felt compelled to feel pity for him. I didn't loathe him anymore. No, I couldn't deny that we were friends, but I could deny any connection with him other than that—could deny that I needed him because the way I saw it, he needed me more.
"What's that mean for me?" I asked Darius quietly before he turned to exit the room. He stopped in the entrance of the doorway.
"You can help choose your new producer when the time comes." He murmured in a low tone before walking out. I just sighed as I looked over at Tommy. He looked down at me in return.