Chapter 4: Who Are You
So sorry that this is late…again. Even before school started, I had to arrive at the campus 2 weeks early for RA training. That kept me busy forever and now school and my residents have been keeping me busy. My other excuse is that I thought up a new idea for a story and I'm kind of obsessed with it so every time I tried to finish this one, I'd get distracted and come up with ideas for the other one. We'll see how I can balance the two out.
Chapter 4: Who Are You?
August 1, 2008
Another day, another dollar, and yet another 43 spent on people who don't matter but like to think they do. Melinda and her crew of obedient servants were supposed to arrive this morning, but did not due to what Darius called an 'unavoidable engagement'. I'm not entirely sure what that's supposed to interpret as, nor do I really care. I just see it as one less day I'll have to spend shining our new celebrity's shoes.
G-Major was a madhouse one particular morning. Though the sky was blue and the air was crisp—the perfect ingredients for a beautiful summer day—most of Darius' busy-bee employees failed to take careful note of this observation. Instead, they rushed in and out of studios, up and down the basement locating files, and back and forth from their usually place of work to the bathroom, needing to relieve the constant pressure on their bladders from the plethora of coffee cups being handed out like it was going out of style. Sleep was a much needed commodity for many G-Major associates, but there was simply no time to even think about slipping under the covers of a warm and cozy bed at this circumstantial moment.
For the past few days, the main activity at G-Major was put on hold to prepare for the much awaited arrival of Melinda Collins. Kwest listened to all of Melinda's previous work, as well as stuff he had produced over the years, to try and get a feel for how he could fuse the two sounds together. Many artists, like Karma, Mason, and Charlotte, spent most of their potential studio time writing lyrics to a song that they each felt could impress someone of Melinda's stature. The rest of the staff rehearsed speaking to Melinda while lavishly ensuring G-Major looked like a music haven. If I've said I've experienced shame before, I don't think I've truly felt it until right now.
After being informed that Ms. Collins trip was to be delayed, everyone went back into their normal routine, but at warp speed to try and make up for the few days prior. No one knew how long it would be until the famous singer made her debut, so they made due with the time that they had.
Jude had previously spotted Tommy working in one of the studios, and decided that now was the time to visit him because she desperately needed someone to complain to regarding the hectic status of G-Major. When she opened the door, she immediately noticed Karma on the other side of the soundproof window and rolled her eyes in response. She's like a disease that has no cure. Jude crossed the floor and plopped herself down in the chair next to Tommy, and made her presence known by starting up a conversation.
"Have you even had the chance to see what it's like out there? It's as if a pack of wild dogs were let loose in the building. Or…or like someone yelled "bomb" and not one intelligent thought popped into their heads regarding what to do. Basically, I could come up with similes all day to describe the chaos that is G-Major at the current moment."
Tommy continued to stare at the soundboard and laptop in front of him. "Uh, Jude, I'm kind of busy right now. Maybe now isn't the best time to discuss your hatred of this place."
Jude carelessly snickered. "Yeah, but, Tommy, it's Karma."
"I know, but Darius wants me to finish this demo before Melinda arrives." Tommy still refused to look at Jude, hoping to convince her of his much needed concentration.
Her expression of amusement quickly turned to that of a dumbfounded ape. Is he out of his belligerent little mind? "No, I don't think you heard me right. I said 'it's Karma.' Emphasis on the Kar and Ma."
"Jude." Tommy sighed. He momentarily put his diligence on hold to make eye contact with Jude. She looked confused and vulnerable, the typical countenance Jude voluntarily displayed when she wasn't in her element. Tommy slowly reached for his MIC and flipped the intercom switch. "Hey, Karma, take five."
Karma violently ripped off her headphones. "Ugh, whatever. I see how it is. Three's a crowd anyway, and Jude was starting to cramp my style with her negative energy."
Jude glared at Karma through the thin, transparent wall that divided them. "Please, Drama. Your style is like a…"
Tommy quickly turned off the intercom before Karma could hear the rest of Jude's ranting. Exhausted by their petty argument, Karma left the studio for some fresh air. Tommy turned his chair so that it was completely facing Jude. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Jude with a small smile playfully spreading on his lips.
"What?" Jude never knew how to respond when he threw those secretive looks her way. I bet he flippin' knows how uncomfortable that makes me feel. I hate it…and yet it's kinda cute. "What? Stop doing that. I'm not a circus freak to be gawked at."
Tommy's smile grew wider. "You're a piece of work, Harrison."
Jude haphazardly furrowed her eyebrows. "Okay, tell me something I don't know."
"Look, I know that you and Karma are not on the best of terms…"
"Ha." Jude rolled her eyes. "And the Understatement of the Year award goes to..."
"Okay, well you can call your beef with Karma whatever you want, but the point is…you can't occupy my time whenever you want just because you don't think Karma's important enough. This is my job, Jude, and I'm not gonna jeopardize it over something trivial." He gave Jude a sympathetic look, hoping she would understand why this had to be said.
"So…you're saying that my problems are trivial?"
Tommy had a feeling she would come to this conclusion, as she always does, and suddenly lost his patience. He threw his hands in the air and bolted out of his chair to walk off his frustration. "See, I knew that you were gonna do that. You always do. How do you expect me to respond to your stupid little questions when you're so easily defensive about the smallest…"
"Tommy." Jude's voice was calm and unyielding, knowing not much effort needed to be made to hush him up. I need to stop winding him up so easily. She stood up and walked over to Tommy, lightly grabbing his shoulders so he wouldn't make any sudden or erratic movements. "Listen, I'm sorry. I mean, you're right. I am very…possessive when it comes to you, but in my defense, I'd just like to say that sharing is not an easy task when it involves Tommy Q." She made her bottom lip pout and hee chuckled at her feeble attempt to lighten the mood.
In an instant, Jude's face had changed; her features were now rigid and serious, and her eyes had a distant quality. "So, um, don't make fun of me or anything, but recently I've been getting these weird feelings in the pit of my stomach that things are gonna change between us soon. I can't really describe it, but it makes me uncomfortable and…uh, this is embarrassing." The tingling sensation lingered throughout Jude's fingertips, as she clenched and unclenched her hands, hoping this small gesture would rid her uneasiness.
This was the awkward conversation Jude had been avoiding for years, because deep down she knew that Tommy couldn't be her support beam forever. He had a life of his own to tend to, and whether his future involved a wife and two kids or a loft packed with dozens of beautiful women falling over themselves for him, the point Jude continually failed to realize was that his future would, more than likely, not include his undivided attention toward her. She had recently felt that future inching closer and closer.
"Jude there's nothing to be embarrassed about." He lifted her chin so that her gaze was on him. "And I promise that nothing is gonna change…unless you count the fact that Melinda is going to be the new focus of this company. You know, this might be good for you…maybe everyone at G-Major will suddenly forget you exist."
"Don't tease me so, Quincy." Jude leaned into Tommy, eventually burying her face into his chest and finding solace in his warmth. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her in a tender embrace. Jude's muffled voice was just audible enough for Tommy to hear. "You know…you're the best person I know, and, well, I love you."
Tommy's hold on Jude tightened at her words. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Right back at ya, Harrison."
After a couple of seconds, Jude wiggled in Tommy's arms, signaling her want to be released. Once apart, Jude looked at her watch. It was a quarter to 2pm. "Cheese and rice, I didn't think it was that late! I still have a shitload of tasks to complete before Melinda arrives…whenever that may be, of course." Jude made a b-line for the studio door.
Tommy followed and, like the perfect gentleman he was, went to open the door for Jude. It's like I always say, it's the little gestures that come from a man that make you sure of how much they care for you. From the moment Tommy had turned the knob and pulled, the air had changed. The noise in the lobby and from adjacent rooms seemed louder than they were before Jude had gone to visit Tommy. It was like being in a Wyle E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon, only Jude wasn't the least bit amused. Tommy raised his voice to talk over the crowd in front of him. "Well, Karma and I should be done in about a half hour. If you're still not done with whatever you're doing, I can probably help you out. Unlike the rest of the staff, I didn't put off my work to prepare for our special guest."
Jude smiled at Tommy's confession. "Aw. Look at you being all perfect and studious." She reached up to pinch his cheek, but Tommy stopped her in time, all too familiar with her childish antics.
"Don't even think about it, girl."
Defeated, Jude pouted and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "You know, sometimes I don't understand you. If you don't want the attention, stop admitting to me how flawless you are." Jude relaxed her stance and began playing with the zipper on her hoodie. "Oh, and thanks for offering an extra set of manly hands. I'm sure I can find a very useful purpose for them." She winked at Tommy, knowing it would make him uncomfortable.
Tommy cocked his head to the side. "Yeah…you really need to stop saying dirty things to me; otherwise I might take you for your word one day."
"Ooh, is that a promise?" Jude was about to continue their playful banter, until her thoughts were interrupted by something far more intriguing. "Hold on. Is it just me or did it just get eerily quiet in here?"
"Yeah. Huh." Tommy took note of this change as well. "What happened to all the G-Major busybodies?"
Jude turned around to get a glimpse of what caused the sudden silence. All employees were rooted in their spot, fixated on an object ahead of them. Jude maneuvered between people to get a better look, and that's when she saw them.
August 2, 2008
My dearest Wembley,
I've only one thing to say right now, and I know this is the safest place to say it: people from New York should flipping stay in New York.
It was as if time itself had stopped. The normal buzz of G-Major had dissipated, only allowing the occasional quiet murmur from spectators. A woman and a man elegantly stood at the entrance of G-Major with an entourage behind them that consisted of security guards, assistants, and a very fickle-looking agent. He somewhat resembles a gecko. How tragic. Jude knew exactly who these people were and why they were here.
Melinda Collins displayed every confidence a woman could possess. Her long, coffee-colored hair cascaded in soft waves over her right shoulder; the other one was bare and exposed the creamy white skin that still seemed to illuminate against the harsh light in the building. Her short, strapless dress was a deep red and made of expensive satin, to be sure. The four inch pumps that matched her ensemble had the unnecessary job of elongating her tall, firm legs. She was the ultimate wet dream for any man between the ages of 10 and 72. Okay, so she's pretty. But it doesn't mean every man in the room should act like salivating dogs.
The tall drink of water standing next to Melinda seemed to have the same effect on the female half. Jude remembered Darius mentioning that Melinda's brother, Hunter, was her manager, and finally seeing him only confirmed her suspicions that Melinda's good genes ran in the family. It would be an understatement to call Hunter handsome. His crew cut hair and highly defined bone structure made him a specimen never to be ignored, and the light stubble apparent on his face only added to his overt manliness. With the power siblings posing side-by-side, only one word could be used to describe them…perfect. Yeah, and that's wherein their flaw lies, because NOBODY'S perfect.
After quickly taking in the appearances of G-Major's guests of honor, Jude got bored and began peering around at all of the jaw-dropped faces. One person that particularly caught Jude's eye was Sadie. She stood behind her desk with the phone dangling from her hand. I bet if that phone were to slip from her hands she would stay transfixed. Subtly was never her strong suit. Sadie's eyes were wide, and her lips slowly curved into a seductive smile. Jude looked back to see who was causing this reaction in Sadie—though it wasn't too difficult for her to guess—and spied Hunter provocatively glancing at Sadie, suggesting a mutual attraction between the two. Uh-oh. There's no way this can turn out pretty.
The staring contest between all of G-Major's employees seemed to go on for an hour, though only a couple minutes time had passed. Their love-sick stupor quickly faded as Darius took long strides up to the pair and greeted them whole-heartedly. "Welcome! I'm so glad you could finally join us, Ms. Collins."
"Please, Darius. Call me Melinda." Even her voice had a sultry and seductive quality to it. She's doing that on purpose. She obviously loves the attention.
"Right." Darius looked slightly nervous. Hold on! Darius…nervous? That's a combination that is simply unheard of…unless it revolves around how he makes people nervous. "Well, Melinda, I hope you and your brother had a safe trip coming up."
Hunter took the lead in the conversation now. "We did. Not many complications along the way, and I can tell you now that even though we've only been here for a few short hours, I already like it here better than New York." At this remark, Hunter turned his gaze back toward Sadie for the briefest moment. Sadie understood his meaning immediately. All the while, Jude took in the whole scene. Okay, this is getting ridiculous. I mean, as much as I dislike Frenchie, he does not deserve to get his heart stomped on because my selfish cousin is inconsistent with her feelings.
Darius grinned like a little boy receiving his first bike. "That's what I like to hear. Melinda, please feel free to make yourself at home, here at G-Major. My employees will be more than willing to help you with anything you need. Come." He patted Hunter on the shoulder. "Let's talk business." Darius led Hunter into his office, as Melinda took in her surroundings.
Some people were still gawking at her; others had easily gone back into their usual routine. Melinda kept a slow pace as she began walking through the lobby of G-Major. Passing the studios, she eyed the talent, making note of Karma who intentionally magnified her voice for Melinda to hear. Jude noticed Melinda coming her way, and to avoid doing any favors for the new princess, she rapidly turned on her heels to bolt in the other direction. However, the action did not prove beneficial as she tripped on her foot and came crashing to the ground.
Melinda caught the incident out of the corner of her eye. She promptly walked toward Jude to help her up. "Hey, you okay?" Melinda politely asked as she reached for Jude's hand. Jude took it, unwillingly, because she didn't want to be rude. And because Darius would kill me Sleep Hollow style if he found out I showed the slightest amount of contempt toward Melinda.
"Yeah…everything's copacetic." Jude blushed at her own word choice. Copacetic? Did I just transport myself back to the 90's. Way to go, Jude.
"That was a nice little spill you got yourself into." Melinda was still smiling and Jude didn't understand why. It almost sounds like she's speaking to a child. Do I look that young? I mean, it's a kind of refreshing change to what I'm used to around here…but it's still creepy.
"Oh, that was nothing. Wipeouts are actually my specialty. I'd give that one a three on a ten-point scale. You should see me on ice."
Melinda started to laugh. "You're funny. What's your name?"
Jude was surprised by Melinda's question. Don't do it! If you tell her your name then she'll be able to hunt you down forever! "Uh…Jude. Jude Harrison. But there's no need to know me. I'm unimportant. You know, 'in the shadows'."
A frown appeared on Melinda's face. "Says who?"
Jude didn't know how to respond without sounding cynical. "Well…um…everyone, kind of."
Melinda smiled again, conveying a sincerity Jude was not expecting. "That can't be true. You seem like a pretty interesting person to me. Not to mention I love your hair." Melinda reached out and twisted a few strands of Jude's hair between her fingers.
Jude was beyond confused now. "Uh, thanks." Why is she touching me? Is she a lesbian? Not that I have a problem with it or anything…but why is she touching me?
"Well, since you're the only person I know so far, do you think you can help me locate the producers? I'm really anxious to know who I'm going to be working with."
"Yeah, sure." Jude started walking down a hall as Melinda followed. "I saw Kwest and Tommy head toward Studio C a few minutes ago. Your producer's gonna be Kwest. He knows his stuff." They arrive at Studio C, and seeing the door was open, Jude knocked forcefully on the door frame to get their attention. Tommy and Kwest turned their heads as Jude made her little spiel. "Hey guys. I would like to formally introduce you to Melinda Collins." Jude glanced back at Melinda. "Kwest and Tommy are G-Major's top music producers."
Melinda walked into the studio to get closer to the men, her hips swaying invitingly with every stride. Jude noticed her attitude suddenly change from how she was in the lobby. "Hi there, fellas. So which one of you charming men do I have the pleasure of doing business with?"
Tommy gulped and Kwest coughed rather loudly. Everyone in the room understood her not-so-subtle connotations. Even Jude's jaw had dropped for the first time since Melinda's arrival. Okay…so she's not a lesbian?
