Believe in YOU
"Cheers" Rachael said as they hit glasses celebrating nothing but friendship
"Cheer" Mercy said as they sipped their Martini's
Mercy had spent a few years going around New York singing second cuts with the masses and making headway very slowly, there was a lot of talent in these parts and everyone had a dream. She sat talking at Rachael, her best friend since moving to New York, looking at her options
"I guess the industry's seen it's fill of Aretha and Whitney wannabes" Mercy said staring at her Martini
"Come on Cedes I know you, you have a plan B, lets hear it?" Rachael asked
"Seriously I don't I thought my talent was good enough to get me to the top" she said blowing out a breath of frustration
"Your talent is just fine Mercedes Jones, it's your fighting spirit we're having problems with"
"I know your trying to..."
"Never mind what I'm trying to do what are you going to do?" she asked to no reply "Just think back to when you were happy with your singing" Rachael said "Go on close your eyes and get back there" she encouraged
"What here?" Mercy said looking around
"Right here" Rachael said banging the table
"Okay" Mercy smiled closing her eyes for the longest while waiting for Rachael to speak again but she didn't so she thought for a short while then opened her eyes
"Where did you go?"
"I was in my parents back garden on the swing watching my Dad play dominos'" she smiled
"Cedes, your supposed to be getting your mojo back" Rachael said as her shoulders sank back "Go back, what else is there? go on close your eyes again and see what else is there" she ordered
"Fish in the pond, the cat, Family, friends, food; lots of tots" she laughed
"Concentrate Cedes"
"Okay" she said opening her eyes for a second "Me and my cousins dancing" she smiled "My Uncle kissing on my Aunt" she giggled "Sing off's"
"With who?"
"Everyone" she said opening her eyes
"What did everyone sing?"
"Songs Rachael fuck sake" she said getting frustrated with the psychological assessment she was getting
"Okay Fuck it" Rachael said throwing her hands up in the air "I personally thought we were getting somewhere"
"You up to anything new?" Mercy asked her, changing the subject
"No I'm still doing Funny Girl" she said rolling her eyes
"Hey don't dis the work girl" Mercy said smiling at her
"I know, and I'm not honest, it's just well 7 years is a long time"
"I know, a long time to have steady money coming in" Mercy joked in envy "I wish" she said rolling her eyes before taking the last sip of her drink "Another?" she asked holding the empty glass up to Rachael
"No I've got to collect Finn later and Jessie's coming home tonight so I need to have some faculties about me" she laughed
"Okay, I'll let you get off" she said the both of them getting up and hugging then turning to go their separate ways
"Reggae, R&B, Country, classical everything I was exposed to everything" Mercy shouted out
"What?" Rachael asked
"We were singing Dad's records" she smiled "But I didn't really start enjoying it until Hip hop came in"
"There's your Mojo, go to that time, find what attracted you to the music and you'll get it back" Rachael smiled "So much for me and my psychological assessments" she said as Mercy smiled walking away
Two Months Later
"I went for a contract with Colston last month and they knocked me back because my sound wasn't fresh enough can you fucking believe this shit?" Mercy asked Rachael
"I can believe they are total dick heads, and you need to leave that negative crap at the door of the person that laid it at your feet" she replied
"What am I going to do Rach, any longer and I'm going to have to get me a begging pan"
"What happened with the reminiscing thing?"
"I wasn't serious about that I just about know a few old tunes, nobody re-raps songs actually, they don't even really do that stuff any more it's all sex, drugs, and jackin that up, over something or the other, I don't think I could manage that stuff" she laughed
"Just look into it, for me, it's better than basking on the streets Cedes" she laughed
"I don't know the first thing"
"Speak to your parents, find out, listen to some artists, come on we did research at Uni get it used" she coaxed
"I'll have a look"
"I'm off to France with Jess and Finn, so shall we say update in a Month?" she asked
"Fine" Mercy said looking very uncomfortably at her glass "I need one for Dutch courage" she smiled
"Go on then Jess is picking me up" Rachael smiled
6 Months Later
"Cedes stop" Rachael said "I really can not fucking believe nearly a year on and we're still on the same conversation" she said cutting her eye at Mercy "Look" she said taking her phone out "Number dialled, it's that easy" she said passing the phone to Mercy "it's your parents" she announced as Mercy took the phone
"Hello Mom?" Mercy said as the phone was answered, getting into a rather long conversation about music and history and everything "Mom said I should research and do something about it" she smiled "so I'm going to"
"Thank God for that" Rachael said clapping her hands together before Mercy gave her her phone back
"I'm going to look into Hip hop though not Dad's stuff"
"Decision!" Rachael said loudly Now can we have a flipping drink in peace?" she asked laughing, ordering more drinks as they caught up
"So nothing on the boyfriend side then?" Rachael asked at the risk of igniting another argument. Cedes always got defensive on that subject, she claimed to be destined to meet her 'soulmate' and Rachael knew they'd have the age old heated conversation about her high expectations and the non-existence of her ideal in her head man but she smiled anyway "I ask because I want to put this back on your agenda" she smiled
"I keep telling you to keep off my agenda Mrs St James, I'll know when I know and you'll hear shortly after, as I've said so many times before, there'll be no reason to question it because it will be obvious" Mercy said putting her glass to her head indicating the conversation had ended
3 Months Later
"I so regret telling you to follow this dream Cedes" Rachael cried as they stood saying goodbye "I didn't think you'd leave New York about this" she sobbed "We've been best friends since forever and now we're going to be on opposite sides of the world" she said through her tears
"We'll still communicate and hopefully we'll try and make it home at the same times so we can spend time together and, it's California not the other side of the world" Mercy said being the voice of reason "Look after her" she said to Jess as she handed her over to him still crying "Bye" she said giving Jessie a hug before kissing Finn on the forehead
"Bye Auntie M" he said fighting back tears as a tear come to Mercy's eye this time, making the situation very intense Mercy let go and backed away from the three people standing there who had become her family for the past 6 years.
And that was it Mercy was off on her pursuit of an alternative genre from somewhere in California nearly 12 months after their initial conversation
"How are you getting on Cedes?" Rachael asked as they skyped a week later
"All roads are leading back to Los Angeles, which scars me a bit because of the stories and stuff but I guess I'm going to have to front up and settle there" she said with a frown
"Be careful Cedes whatever you do"
"I will, so, hows my family" she said lightening the conversation which came to a close an hour later, Mercy packed her few belongings and went to bed to get up for the short drive in the morning
Seven hours later she was standing in Los Angeles wondering what in hell's name she was doing. She got to the hotel in town and wasted no time in getting her songs ready for her audition / interview at no other than Hip Hop Records, very ambitious she knew, but she'd been told by her Dad to aim high and in the Hip hop music business there wasn't much higher to go. She sat around the hotel most of the day, being already used to living in her own company, after evening meal she sat about listening to the live music offered at the resort. By the end of the night she was past tired and retired to her room for sleep and thought, as she lay feeling totally at home in this strange place and, somehow understanding the crazy beats she'd got running around in her mind making her body move involuntarily to it, as words came to her, with a smile on her face.
She didn't sleep for too long that night she was up thinking about this audition of hers and how she was going to plug it. She made quick work of getting ready, taking the short walk down the strip towards the studio telling herself with every step this was her destiny, she'd given herself 20 minutes to get there but made it in less than 7 and loitered outside wondering what to do next when the door popped open and a Man stood opening the door for her to step in
"You in Lady?" The voice asked
"Yes" she smiled as she walked toward him
"Dee's the name remember it" he smiled
"Dee" Mercy smiled, thinking why would I need to remember that "Mercedes" she said looking at him "Remember it" she laughed
"Oh I will" he assured her raising his left eyebrow
Hip Hop Studio's
"Miss Jones I like your sound but, it's more for the Reggae scene, I don't know what you think we can do with it here" Woody said after listening to two of her very different songs
"I was hoping to break into the hip hop sort of thing somehow" she replied
"Rap?" Woody asked
"Well the equivalent to that using my style" she said rolling her eyes at how ridiculous she sounded
"I think the best I can offer you right now is maybe you should get yourself some studio time and try and figure it all out" Woody said obviously dismissing her
"Can I come back when I think I've got it?" she asked
"Yes sure because I like your sound it's just not what we produce, all that generally happens in New York you know and we tend to stick to what we do best" he laughed
"You will be seeing me again" she warned before she left
"Make sure of it" he shouted after her
"Yeah make sure of it" Dee shouted after her too as she turned and smiled, being polite
6 Months Later
She had made friends with a few people but three girls Gaza, Slim, Kartel specifically, then there was Dee; the drummer at the studio, who had shown an interest in her, which she'd done her best to discourage, that wasn't what she was about just now, they finally recorded a song with her which for all intents and purposes was a hip hop song with Slim doing the rap chat in the back ground, they'd learned her a few words in the street language and she sang while they rapped and stuff.
"Granted you sang with some Hip Hop artists but it's still almost classical" Woody said when she took it to him
"Tell me Woody, what do you want?" she asked
"Hip Hop Mercedes, I work with Hip Hop" he announced "Is that clear enough for you?"
"Yes" she smiled as she left the studio
4 Months Later
Mercy still hadn't got the hang of this Hip Hop stuff, she couldn't speak the language, she didn't want to sing the rudeness, she was at the point where she was thinking it was time to go back home and try again with the individuals who had said no so many times, "Maybe they're ready for my sound now" she told herself as she sat in her hotel room that she was going to have to leave soon, she'd depended on the bank of Mom and Dad much too long now, and although she knew they'd never say no, it was time she learned to stand on her own two feet.
"Rach" she said when Rachael answered her phone "I know it's not what you want to hear but I'm defeated, I'm coming home in a week" she cried "I really can't do this any more"
"At least you tried Cedes, come home I hate to think of you all on your own out there" Rachael said sympathetically "We'll fight together here" she laughed "You'll get your bite back"
"What's everyone doing?" she asked about their friends all over the world
"Angel's just put out a new version of Cry, it sounds alright, dare I say, but we both know it needs a special kind of voice to do a make over of an already brilliant song" Rachael laughed
"Yeah" Mercy said, thinking about what Rachael was saying to her
"Drew's just finished that movie and she's on her way back home" Rachel informed her "And Marcus he's just finished that commercial in Europe" she laughed
"That guy still showing his body off?" Mercy asked "What's he selling?"
"Enhanced Man butt's" Rachael laughed
"What" Mercy laughed down the phone
"He's serious about it too" Rachael informed her still laughing
"That Boy needs to be stopped" Mercy said "But at least everyone's doing something except little old me"
"Your time will come Girl" Rachael assured her before closing the call down on a positive note, with Mercy due back home in a week.
Hip Hop Studio's
The next day she went back to the Studios, having rented her space for every other day and asked Mike to put a mix on for her to mess about with by the end of the day she'd come up with a makeover version of a Hip Hop song she really liked hoping Woody would like it enough to take it on
"Woody" she walked into his office saying "I have it" she said holding up her mix of 'Work it' by Missy Elliott for him to listen to, when it finished she stood up "Please tell me this is what your looking for"
Woody smiled before saying "It's what I'm looking for Mercedes"
Five weeks later her version was for sale and eating up the sales "We need more" Woody said as they listened to it raising up the Hip Hop charts, "Soon everyone in Hip Hop will be taking on Mercy's style and the sound will hit, big time"
3 Months Later
So she had a tremendous hit using other peoples songs in Hip Hop and now breaking into other parts of the world "Mercedes I have a guy coming in from Texas, he sings almost anything Big Jim tells me, he leans a bit on the Country side I think but more acting I'm told, I guess if it works it will be good we've mixed country and Hip Hop in the past and it's been good so, the reason I'm telling you is because I know you booked some extra time on Thursday and he might take some of that up depending on how much of a quick study he is, he's only got three days" Woody explained
"Okay" She said as she left the studio feeling almost like a superstar for the big ups everyone was giving
Thursday Mercy relaxed by the pool and took her time getting ready for her visit to the studio knowing she might be disappointed with the wait. "Where's this guy?" she asked Gaza as she walked into the studio reception
"He's still in, he's a quick study but their looking for a tune to fit his sound" she said
"So what's his sound?" Mercy asked "Fetty Wap, DMX, P Diddy what?" she asked looking at Gaza and Slim now
"Mercy I'd say he was more Justin, Eminem or even Robin as in Thicke but cute as hell" Slim said
"But they're all white guys" Mercy commented
"Definition is accurate" Gaza said pointing at Slim "Supposition is correct" she said pointing at Mercy
"No" Mercy said surprised, moving towards the studio doors
"Don't" Gaza shouted "Woody's not in a good mood" she finished
"I'm not in a good mood I paid for this time" Mercy said opening the door anyway and walking in to pretend talk to Woody
"I know Mercy we'll be done soon or I'll give you a free session" he said holding his hand up to stop her from asking as this new guy sang another song that wasn't quite right for him "God" Woody said holding his head after trying for another 20 minutes and still getting nothing "We're getting nowhere with this"
Mercy had gotten comfortable watching this guy sing he was good, she wasn't sure who the brunette with the big teeth was, but she looked comfortable too so she smiled her fake smile before looking back at the guy singing, they hadn't found his sound yet and she knew how that felt but, it was there she could hear it she just couldn't put a name to the song
"Mercy get in here and give us all a break" Woody said showing her the recoding booth
"At last" she said walking towards the door to get to the other side of the glass
"Hi" the guy smiled as he opened the door for her "Sam" he said holding his hand out for shaking
"Hi" Mercy said looking at his hand then ignoring it before walking into the room to turn and say "Oh thanks" and smiled
"For?" he asked
"Holding the door" she said pointing at it
"Oh" he said smiling as the brunette that was on the couch came running up to him, he put his arm out to stop her falling into him "Careful" he said rather annoyed "Del!" he shouted and some guy appeared as he looked at the girl standing in front of him and Del removed her "Sorry about that" he turned back to Mercy saying
"Groupie?" Mercy asked
"I don't know I think she's at my hotel" he laughed as he let the door close and went round to the sound booth to listen
Mercy eventually sang a version of 'The Rain' by Missy Elliott as everyone sat around not talking just bobbin along and listening "I love Missy" Sam said laughing when she finished singing
"And I've got the perfect song for you" Mercy said as they stared at each other through the glass
"What?" Sam asked as he made his way back round to the singing booth
"We're still recording aren't we people?" Woody asked the crew as Sam and Mercy talked
"What's the song" he asked again as he got into the booth, both unaware that the microphones were still on
"The way you're looking at me it should be something like sexy love or chapel of love" she laughed
"Stop it" he smiled "You like my eyes for you yeah?"
"Okay guys, back to work" Woody said making them both jump as Sam went red
"So?" he asked as Mercy looked at him blankly "The song?" he asked
"Oh" she blushed "I was thinking maybe 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem she said as Sam lifted his right eye brow in approval
"Is that because I'm white?" he asked her
"No, it's because I think it's your sound" she laughed
"Okay, yeah I could try that" he said turning to Woody for his input
"Try it" Woody said to Mike the mixer who set up a beat as Sam and Mercy sat in the booth discussing the song and an hour later Sam put down his version of the song. The following day he produced the end result, Mercy didn't hear it until it came out as she only booked her usual every other day and had no reason to visit the studio the following day
"That guy asked for your number I gave him your work one" Woody announced when she walked in
"What did you give that boy my number for?" she asked pretending to be angry about it
"Don't even give me that pretend to be angry stuff, I heard your conversation the other day remember" he laughed
3 Months Later
Sam had called Mercy a few times about the music thing he was trying to get her to sing a song with him and she was trying to get him to leave her alone because she really didn't need to go back to main stream and all the memories it held.
"Sam's coming over maybe next week I hear" Mercy asked but told Woody and the others
"You know damn well he's coming next Monday you planned it lady stop with the bullshit" Kartel said making them all laugh
"Okay he's coming on Monday for seven days, but he's a friend" she said waving her finger as they all looked at each other
"You need to tell him to back the fuck off" Dee piped up from behind the drums, making everyone turn around as he carried on "Mercedes I've made it as clear as I can since you arrived that I'm interested and, I'm not having some strange guy come in here and take you from under my nose" he said to his stunned audience
"That's really nice Dee" she said smiling "We'll talk later" she said, thinking how what she had to say may not go down too well with him and, she really didn't need an audience for that, realising she was staring at him, she smiled and he smiled back
The Saturday before Sam was due to turn up and Mercy was sat in the Cafe at the Studio in front of Dee ready to blow him off because she thought she might have something for Sam who she'd spoken to for maybe an hour in total an age ago face to face "Dee" she started with rolling her eyes "Totally buzzed that you feel that way about me, but honestly, I see you as a friend nothing else, we can chill together any time you want but, we need to be clear boyfriend and girlfriend we will never be" she said looking in his eyes
"I think I know that Mercedes" he said taking a deep breath "I just don't see myself watching you with anyone else" he said "I'm just being honest" he said looking in her eyes
"Look Sam and I have had one face to face hour everything else has happened over the phone and, as far as I know we are friends. I think he has a girlfriend already anyway" she said trying to reassure him "So there's not going to be any in your face stuff" she smiled hoping she was lying about the girlfriend bit "But I'm not going to stay single forever so we need to work on our friend zone thing yeah?" she asked as he confirmed with a nod, they smiled at each other and eventually went about their daily tasks
Monday
Sam turned up with his entourage early on Monday at the studio pumped and ready to go "I've got a couple of songs I want to try I just need to discuss them with Mercy first and then I'll share"
"Mercy!" Woody, Gaza and Kartel said together
"Yeah, you know Mercy" Sam offered
"You mean Mercedes?" Woody asked
"One and the same" Sam said as Dee looked on pissed as hell
"Sam" a blond haired girl that was in the group shouted as he spun to look at her "How the fuck you gonna leave me in the damn car like that" she said her English accent noticed as she grabbed and kissed him just as Mercy walked through the door
"Hi.." she got out before she was stopped in her tracks, watching the girl kissing Sam half on his lips half on his jaw, and him not doing anything to stop her
"Mercy" he said breaking away from the kiss at hearing her voice "Hi Good to see you" he said leaving the girl and going over to hug her "I'm seriously looking forward to working with you some day" he laughed Mercy wasn't laughing she was winded
"Baby" Dee came across the studio saying grabbing hold of Mercy and kissing her "Excuse me" he said to Sam obviously asking him let her go as Mercy stood wondering what was actually happening, looking back at Sam to see his face red with embarrassment as Dee whipped her off to behind the drums "He's not showing you up like that" Dee whispered in her ear as Mercy laughed making it seem like something else
"New temporary development" Sam said looking at Mercy before looking at the blond beside him
"New development" Mercy said smiling back at him before looking at Dee
Everyone was sort of left to get to know everyone else after that, there were no formal introductions Sam and Mercy's reunion had made that clumsy for everyone, so they went through the day just shouting instructions at each other and occasionally someone would offer up a name. "Mercy, can we get lunch?" Sam asked at almost midday "I need to throw some ideas around with you"
"We're doing something" Dee answered for her
"Could you not do that with Liv and Mercy and I can talk business I've only got a week and I need two hits?" Sam asked
Mercedes looked at Dee with a begging face and he smiled before saying "Okay but look after her and Liv, it's me and you for lunch" he shouted over to her
"She's happy" Sam said smiling at Mercy as Mercy looked on wondering if he was commenting to or about her or Liv
"I want to sing" Liv announced to Sam's horror
"Maybe in the break" He answered her, not waiting for anyone else to say anything
"Can you sing?" Woody asked
"I can hold a tune" she said as Sam rolled his eyes
"No she can't" he finally blurted out as everyone laughed
"Sam" she said slapping after him but he dodged out the way
"Liv" he said in the same sarcastic tone as before adding "Stop fucking about with my time I paid good money for this studio time"
"Lunch" Woody shouted nearly two hours later and everyone scattered out of there
"Back in a bit" Mercy said to Dee smiling
"Oh yeah in a bit" Sam said maybe to Liv but it was aimed at everyone
Lunch
"So" Mercy said settling down, after they'd ordered their meal, at a cosy two person table "What's these ideas you need to throw around?" she asked
"Well first off I know your not with Dee, he did that because Liv was all over me and, 7 years ago that was fine but seriously, she needs to move on. Regardless of what she portrays we're not together but, she has issues and sometimes she finds herself back to me, I guess I was something good in her life at one point" he smiled "And I can only guess that Dee did that because you feel something for me, am I right?"
"Is this work?" Mercy asked shuffling uneasily in her chair
"It's the only conversation we're going to have until we get things straight between us" he smiled "So?"
"You are so far up yourself Sam Evans, what makes you think I could even like someone like you?" she asked as she pushed her chair out and tried getting up
"Mercy!" he shouted after her as she looked back at him "I'm sorry I got that all wrong" he said grabbing her hand "Seriously I'm sorry" he said as she sat back down
"The only relationship I want with you is a professional one, I don't care which bitch you decide to sleep with" she flared
"Don't kick off at this Mercy" he said grabbing her hand again "But you calling girls I see bitches sort of tells me you do care"
"Well I don't"
"Well I care what you think of me" he smiled "So I'm telling you, since we started talking on the phone I haven't shown interest in anybody else"
"And how in the hell is that supposed to make me feel?" she asked staring at him
"Like I think you're special" he smiled
"Special" she laughed
"Don't do that"he said with a sad face
"Do what?"
"Put yourself down like that"he said seriously "if I say your special your special" he told her, making her nervously giggle
"Songs" she said smiling at him after considering what he'd said
"Friends?"
"Yeah friends" she smiled
"Okay songs" he said going forward in his chair "I thought" he said reeling off about 5 songs
"And you want two of those?" she laughed "They're all good songs" she admitted "And seriously I can see you singing all of them so hold onto those ideas"
"I feel you getting upset at this already but, I've just got to say it" he smiled apologetically "I've got this massive crush on you and I don't think it's going to go away any time soon" he smiled "And from his actions today I'm guessing Dee feels the same so I think you have a decision to make"
"Has every man in this State taken crazy pills" Mercy screeched
"No just Dee and I" Sam laughed "But your the pill and I must say he has taste too"
"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told him" She said grabbing his hand "Totally buzzed that you feel that way about me, but honestly, I see you as a friend nothing else, we can chill together any time you want but, we need to be clear boyfriend and girlfriend we will never be" she said looking in his eyes
"Why?" Sam asked "And please feel free to tell me exactly what you told Dee"
"Yeah Mr Clever, I mentioned your name at some point but only in passing" she laughed "It's kind of eerie how well you read me" she said tilting her head with a smirk on her face "So when your not rapping what do you do?" she asked determined to find out something about him
"Well I sing songs and mostly act" he said smiling
"Songs like?" she asked blankly
"Well Country and stuff" he laughed
"Really?"
"Yeah really"
"Country like?"
"Do you listen to country music?"
"Sometimes, some country music is bad ass" she laughed "My Mom's into it"
"Yeah, well I sing about being bad at choosing the right types of girl or being used and stuff the usual country music themes you know" he said shyly bursting into song singing "We'll build this love from the ground up, now till forever, it's all of me all of you just take my hand, and I'll be the man your dad hoped that I'd be" making her smile "And I won't act around you because I don't want to be about that with you"
"How do I know you're not acting now?"
"Because I'm blushing" he laughed nervously
"Impressions then do you do impressions?" she laughed
"Jack Ryan you've just boarded the Red October" he said laughing as Mercy sat baffled "Sean Connery" he enlightened her
"Okay time to get back" she said standing up, not impressed
"I said I was a good actor not impressionist" he said following her laughing at her reaction "So which two songs?" he asked as he opened the door for them to exit the cafe
Back at the studio
Just before they went back into the studio Mercy stopped Sam "Can we go on a date?" she asked
"Yeah sure" he said his eyes sparkling with excitement
"Later"
"Yeah come pick me up" he said putting his hand on the door but not opening it "What made you change your mind?
"Nothing, I was always going to say yes, I just wanted to make a fuss about it because you had that bitch up in my face" she laughed
"I don't need a fuss I'm going to remember you for the rest of my life" he laughed as he finally opened the door
"Okay" Woody said on their entry "I need three songs by end of play today and then we've got the week to dress two of them up as we need to and you can get a holiday out of this" he said looking at Sam
"Okay" Sam said making his way to the booth while removing his coat "I've got five favourites so take your pick" as he started singing 'Not Afraid' by Eminem and the band joined in with a beat quickly, the other four followed closely after and Woody grabbed the first two songs he offered
"Okay" Woody said with a smile "Seems Mercedes has an ear for your sound" he winked at her "I can work with any two of those so that's a wrap for today, everyone back at 9 in the morning"
"Yeah later" Sam said grabbing his coat and looking at Mercy "later" he smiled
The Date
Mercy picked Sam up outside his hotel and drove off into the night "I've just realised you could be taking me anywhere to do anything to me and I haven't told anyone where I'm going and my phone is switched off" Sam laughed "Do I need to be worried?"
"Unsure, I'll tell you more as the night goes on" she laughed "We're going to eat and then have some fun, is that alright by you?"
"That's fine" he said settling into the passenger seat for the ride ahead
"And I guess I'm also asking for us to be our real selves" she said a bit more serious
"Fine" he said as they pulled up outside the restaurant "Yes I love sea food" he smiled doing an air fist punch
"Good start" she said laughing at his reaction to them parking outside the restaurant
Dinner was light and full of conversation, it was clear Mery and Sam were more than comfortable with each other "Now for a bit of noise" she said throwing her napkin down "Singing and remember I asked for this to be kept real" she smiled
"No problem" he replied as he got up to give her, her coat and make a exit after paying the bill
Within seconds of entering the bar Mercy regretted it as she looked at the bar to see Dee sitting there "Sorry" she said to Sam pushing him away from her and walking towards Dee "Dee hi" she said as Sam stood at a distance watching wandering what her game was. He watched as Dee got up and hugged her and called for a drink for her without asking her what she wanted 'familiar' he nervously grinned to himself. They went deep into conversation and Mercy didn't once look in his direction 'fuck this' he said to himself making his way the short distance back towards the door and through it. He got outside and thought 'what the fuck am I doing that Dude just took my girl from under my nose and I walked away. You did not just walk away from her Sam Evans' he said turning back around and going back in, walking straight over to where she stood"
"Sam hi" she said grabbing his hand and kissing his cheek
"How you leaving me hanging like that?" he asked
"Wait you come with him, like on a date?" Dee asked
"Yeah" Mercy said looking at Sam before looking at Dee apologetically "We just fit Dee sorry and well he wasn't with Liv just like we weren't together and I have feelings and everything" she finished before looking at Sam knowing she had told him too much already because he had a smile on his face
"You know what I was sitting here feeling all fucked up and shit for sleeping with your girl at lunch break but fuck it I like her and I'm gonna see where it goes" Dee announced
"Hi Hon" Liv came up to them saying "That comfort break cue is long" she said
"Sam" she said looking at Dee
"I already told them" Dee said as she went towards him
"No hard feelings yeah?" Liv asked
"Sure" Sam said smiling
"We came to sing actually" Mercy announced "Our original styles" she added looking at Sam
"Here" Dee said throwing the book at Sam almost hitting his face, Sam looked at him "I guess I have hard feelings" he said shrugging his shoulders as Sam smiled
"Well we know what my real is?" Sam said opening the book and finding his song before leaving the others at the bar to go tell the DJ his choice
"I know what I'm doing" Mercy said, when Sam came back, waving at the DJ as he nodded a knowing nod back at her "My local" she said to a puzzled Sam
"I'm up before any of you guys" Dee announced smiling as he got up and Liv jumped in his seat
"He heard me sing earlier, if you know what I mean, and he agreed with you Sam" she said seriously as Sam looked at Mercy and smiled
"Yeah I know what he means" Sam said sarcastically "You can't sing"
"So you and Sam" Mercy said out the blue "How long were you two an item?"
"Not long, he's a good guy you know and a friend" Liv said smiling at Sam
"Well as long as you know he's taken now so all that kissing and shit stops like today" Mercy said, in her please hear me because I really don't want to have to slap a bitch, voice
Sam stood smiling for a while before he caught on to what Mercy had said, checked Liv's face and looked at the stage "Oh he's going to sing now" he said pointing at Dee making her look round while he gave Mercy a chill out look
"What?" Mercy asked
"Nothing just... well nothing" he said grabbing her round the waist and making their way to the stage to go listen as Dee sing 'Hello' by Busy Signal as Sam stood unsure as to whether he was singing to Mercy or Liv and then clapping at the end, after deciding he really didn't care, he was walking out with Mercy tonight and that was a fact
"Okay I'm up next" he said letting go of Mercy when Dee came down and grabbed hold of Liv to go sing his version of 'Sleep without You' by Brett Young while Mercy stood smiling at him
"So that's your truth" she said when Sam rejoined them
"Yep" he said hugging her
"I love it you should stick with that, it's you" she said considering before speaking again "But we haven't slept together yet though" she laughed having said that a little loud "Okay" she said getting serious and walking off to go sing her song
"Is that it" he asked holding onto her hand as she walked away
"What?" she turned to ask
"No kiss for my efforts?" he smiled as she went back and gave him a peck on the cheek
"More to follow" she whispered in his ear before going up to sing her version of the song 'Lonely Legend' by Fantasia while Sam stood smiling at her now
"We'll have to do something about that confidence of yours" Sam said in her ear as he hugged her before returning her kiss on the cheek for her efforts "You need to share down here what you give us up there" he said pointing to the stage
After they said their goodnight to Dee and Liv they went to finish their date, before Mercy dropped him back off at the hotel and they fumbled around for a short while before Sam insisted they get out the car and do this thing properly. They were both clumsy about their first kiss but it eventually happened and then the problem was stopping, ending with Mercy almost climbing up his body attaching herself to him, because he finally looked like he was going to head inside
"I'm not going in I'm looking for somewhere a bit darker before we offend someone" he laughed
"This is fine it will keep us on track" she said before locking lips again
God I could do so much more than this" Sam finally said some minutes later "But I need to respect you" he finally said pulling away from her "I need to stop" he told her and she respected that
"Okay tomorrow" she said walking back to her car
"Shit I don't want you to go" he said walking up to her "But you must" he said pecking her lips, opening the car door for her and standing back for her to get in before closing it
"Mercy we need to sing together, please" he bent at her side window to say
"We will" she smiled "Tomorrow" she said after some consideration "I'm not booked so it will be on your time" she added
"Fine, 9 a.m. Then?"
"Tomorrow" Mercy said started up the car and driving away "Shit this thing could become so serious, so fucking quick" she said as she drove along watching Sam in her rear view
"What the fuck is happening here" Sam stood there staring at the woman he'd just let go knowing all he wanted so badly was to be with her, inside her, wrapped around her "What is that Evans?" he asked himself "Fucking alien that's what" he smiled to himself
Hip Hop Studio's
The next morning everyone was early for work except Sam and Mercy "Well I saw him this morning so I really don't know how he's late" Dee told everyone
"Wait you was in the hotel this morning" Gaza asked him giving him her stink eye
"Yeah Liv and I are a couple, proper couple" he said as if he was trying to convince everyone else of it
"What did Sam say about that?" Slim asked him smiling
"Not a damn thing they weren't together anyway" he said pleased with himself
"lucky you, but, you didn't know that yesterday lunch time did you" Kartel said kissing her teeth and laughing as the door opened and Mercy and Sam came through it hurriedly
"How did you guys leave me?" Sam came in angry asking "I had to call Mercy all the way from her house to come get me making us both fucking late" he said looking at his guys as Woody looked on shocked
"Sorry boss" was all they said as Sam grabbed the paperwork off the table and went to the booth
"Just let me calm down" he shouted as he close the door to the booth, after Mercy followed him in, everyone stood watching as they interacted and Mercy finally got a smile on his face and kissed him lightly
"Oh yeah, they're an item too, as of yesterday I suspect" Dee announced
"Okay" Mercy said looking at Woody "I'm going to do one then Sam, then I promised him I'd do one with him so we'll do that in the break if no one minds?"
"Lets see what you've got" Woody said nodding for the guys to start the beat and she sung her take on 'Get Ur Freak On' by Missy Elliott "Yep we are definitely going to use that one signature tune if there ever was just one for that lady "Sam what you got?"
"Okay" he smiled at Mercy as he moved forward "Inspired by my lady, here goes" he said as he started singing 'My Name is' by Eminem
"Loved your Dr Dre voice" Mercy said when he finished "Scratch that response yesterday you can add impressionist to your list of skills" she laughed hugging him
"You promised one together" he reminded her
"I know lunch time" she replied looking at him
"It's alright you might as well do it now I think those last two are a wrap" Woody said smiling
"Really?" Mercy asked surprised
"Yeah I guess you two bring out the best in each other" he replied
"Okay I thought maybe we could do 'Bus a Rhyme' by Eminem & Missy Elliott is that alright?" Mercy asked
"Yep dope" Sam said smiling at his response "No that's fine" he said as the music started and they started their song together "That was good but it's not us" Sam said when they'd finished
"We know that" she smiled at him
"So" he said looking at Woody "Can we have break now please and some privacy" he asked before turning back to Mercy "So, what's wrong with the real Mercy's sound"
"Nothing wrong with my sound other than I can't sell it" she smiled
"You mean you won't fight for it to be sold" he replied
"When you've had the door slammed as many times as I have you sort of get the message"
"Obviously you didn't because you gave up"
"Do you know what I've been through? You're standing there telling me I gave up!" she shouted as everyone looked at them in the booth
"What you gonna tell me you knocked on every door, in the whole of New York and not one person said okay?"
"Yeah actually I did"
"No you didn't"
"Yes I did"
"You didn't knock at Av'tar Studios" he said
"No I didn't who the hell calls a studio Av'tar, it's for actors isn't it?"
"No it's for music and I do"
"You what?" Mercy shrieked
"Quiet down I don't need everyone knowing our business" he said looking around "Look Mercy doing the stuff you want to do, I can get you started but after your first album you'd need to move off my label" he said looking around again
"Why?"
"Because I don't want our relationship to be based around you being on my label and shit, I'll help you with that" he said looking at her "Your good Mercy actually your better than good and you just need exposure, I know with your own stuff you'd make it, seriously you would, I feel it"
"You think"
"I know"
"I've got so many songs I want to sing, I could live back near my friends" she said with a smile
"And I won't hide it you being near me is very appealing to me because I feel something for you already and I'm curious to see what this is"
"You're curious, boy you don't even know" she laughed "I guess I could tie up down here and maybe try that out"
"Please say yeah or at least try it, I believe in you"
"Okay I'll try it" Mercy just about got out before Sam was on her lips
"Boss is in a better mood" Del said to his colleague
"Oh" he said letting her up for air "I meant to ask, can we sort of go official"
"Official about what?" she asked
"Officially seeing each other like boyfriend and girlfriend stuff?"
"Lets see" she stepped back to look at him "I'll say yes to the lips for now and we'll see about the rest after" she smiled going back in for her kiss "Yeah we're official" she said when she came up for air "We need a room" she said looking at the people in the mixing room as Sam laughed, grabbed her hand and left the studio
2 Months Later
"Cedes" Rachael shouted as she came through the check out desk "Oh its so good to have you back" she said as Mercy stood on New York soil for the first time in nearly 20 months
"God I missed you guys" she said grabbing hold of Finn and squeezing him tight
"I missed you too Aunt M" he said smiling "I'm going to New Zealand with Mom, Dad's there" he said "But you'll be here when we get back yeah?"
"I will baby" she said kissing his forehead
"Mercy" she heard a way away but knew who it was immediately "Mercy God you're here" Sam said as he neared as Rachael and Finn stood watching him walking towards them
"Hi" she said grabbing for him and kissing him before stopping for a while to look into his eyes "I missed you"
"I missed you too" he said kissing her again
"Rachael, Finn, this is Sam my boyfriend" she smiled "We've been together for about 3 months now, you'll get to know him he's fast becoming a permanent fixture" she laughed as Sam shook their hands and said hello "Finn's my Godson" she said grabbing Finn's hand "And Rachael and I went to school together"
"My Dad's in New Zealand and we're going to see him tomorrow" Finn offered his news to Sam with excitement about the trip
"And I'm hoping your.." Sam said looking at Mercy for a title
"Aunt" Mercy mouthed
"Aunt will have a hit song playing on the radio, before you get back" Sam smiled at Finn saying
"Nice to finally meet you Sam" Rachael said holding her hand out for shaking, eventually they left the airport, Sam and Mercy for the studio and Rachael and Finn to finish packing
"I'll see you later before you go" Mercy informed them as they departed
Mercy met most of the crew, that afternoon as Sam excitedly introduced her to everyone as his almost fiancé and she let him, it felt good. At about 5 she left the studio, in Sam's car, to go catch up with Rachael before they flew off for two weeks
"So?" she sat on Rachael's bed asking "I know you have something to say"
"About Sam?" Rachael teased "God forbid I should find anything wrong with Mr so far up his own ass, actor right?"
"Yeah he acts as well" Mercy said weary of Rachael's next comment
"You mean he sings as well" Rachael said side eyeing her "Seems to me he acts all the time"
"He'll prove to you he's genuine, I have no doubts about this Rachael,please don't put them there" she begged
"Okay but, if he hurts you in any way" she said holding her finger up as she spoke
"I know" Mercy smiled "Now have a safe journey and kiss Jess for me" she said getting up and grabbing one of the cases to help them downstairs,ten minutes later they were gone and Mercy was on her way back to Sam's studio
1 Month Later
"So girl I heard your new song on the radio and I thought to myself so it's not just about sex then" Rachael said smiling at her
"Seriously, is that what you thought about, sex I mean?" Mercy asked
"Of course it was or is whatever, what big time record producer falls for the girl with no name" Rachael replied
"But I have a name Miss Mercedes Jones"
"I know I just thought he was a player that's all"
"And now?"
"Well now I just think he's a smart player"
"And what if I told you that I loved him"
"I'd say make sure you get more than what he gets out of this" she laughed "Sex is good right?"
"Sex is our business Mrs Thing" Mercy replied holding up her glass for a refill
"And one for me too" Rachael said holding her glass up too "Jessie's collecting me we're going to the Awards tomorrow night I need to get things planned"
"Oh God I forgot to mention, I'm singing at the awards tomorrow night"
"What!" Rachael asked spitting her drink out big time
"Sam got me a spot at the awards night, I'm singing" she smiled "You know the guy who couldn't possibly see anything good in little old me" she said her eyes up in the air while her hand flicked her hair back off her shoulder "And the moral of the story is don't speak about what you don't know"
"You're right Mercy I'm sorry if I sounded bad you know me sometimes no filter and shit" she said brushing it off "Sam seems like a good guy and seriously I hope he's it and well, If he is I'm happy for you"
"He believes in me and that in turn makes me believe in myself and someone who does that for you surely must become a positive in your life"
"You love him girl, Jessie does that for me, Soulmate stuff, and you know I've always believed in you" Rachel smiled
"Yes, Yep and ditto so stop questioning it, he is it for me Miss Mercy Jones' future" she laughed "Now I'm believing in Me" she said picking her Martini up "Cheers"she said before the glass hit her mouth
"Cheers" Rachael replied lifting her glass, smiling, their usual unspoken toast to friendship
The Awards
"Rachel, Rachel" Mercy shouted from the front table "Come sit up here" she said calling them towards her "Its okay Sam's sorted it" she smiled as they came forward wondering what was happening "Sorry I swopped your table" she said hugging Jessie and then Rachel
"That is so alright with me" Jessie said impressed with their front table seat "Sam" he said shaking his hand "Thanks for this" he smiled
"Yes Sam thank you for this" Rachel said hugging him as he kissed her on the cheek before sitting next to Mercy
"I know you guys don't believe this but she's going to be my wife" he said hugging Mercy before looking into her eyes "I'm going to ask properly" he smiled at her
"I really don't need to believe it I can see it" Jessie said looking at Mercy who's smile was the widest it had been for a long while "And Rach tells me your singing" he said pulling Rachael to him
"Yeah" Mercy said as Sam looked at her before turning to Jessie to elaborate
"Yeah, Mercy was in the studio putting it down when Ted came in, bold as Brass, he stood for about 10 minutes listening to her, its a good job she didn't know who he was" he laughed "Then when she finished he just asked her how she felt about singing for a crowd and she said fine and he told her; I want you singing at the awards next month" he said looking at her "I hope this makes her believe in herself as much as I believe in her" he said pulling her in some more "You'll be fine because I love you" he said stopping as he said it to check her reaction "Sorry; I meant it but this might totally be the wrong time to say that"
"Its totally the right time babe I love you too" she said kissing him as the hall went quiet for the evening to start. Rachael sat listening, watching and clapping with total excitement the whole evening, truth be told she was more excited for the love she was seeing being shown to her friend from this man who had her thinking by the end of the first half that he might just be the real deal. Then suddenly Mercy and Sam were up making their way back stage, Rachel caught herself and got up to clap them, Mercy and her backing group sung a beautiful rendition of 'When I met You' by Fantasia Mercy's first hit single, and when they finished she got a standing ovation
"That was sensational Babe" Sam said as Mercy flew into his arms as she left the stage
"It felt sensational babe" she said kissing him
"Mercedes you need to go take your applause" A voice said from behind them
"Go on" Sam said guiding her back on stage and clapping as she took her applause
"Thank you" she said leaving the stage back to Sam
"Do you believe in you now?" he asked as he hugged her
"I believe" she said
The End