A/N: Okay so after going back and re-editing, I am officially done with The Bachelor...which did not take me nearly as long as I thought. There will be some unanswered questions, but I'm going to start writing the new part as soon as I can so that there's not too much of a time gap between when I can start posting the new story. This chapter is really short, but I'm working a lot faster at getting chapters ready to be posted, so it shouldn't be too long of a wait for the next one. Until then, happy reading! Remember to review!

Chapter Thirty-Five

"What? You have to be joking!" Tommy turned around curiously to hear Jude yelling into her phone.

"Darius... you can't be serious. You want me to record MORE music with the G-major here? Me being here away from Canada was supposed to be a vacation away from my music, the studio, and recording, and you knew that."

"I wouldn't ask you to do this if it wasn't necessary. I need you to play ball. That's what being an artist is all about, Jude."

She was beyond pissed. Jude couldn't believe Darius was asking her to record and then telling her how to 'play ball'? Jude had learned, quite well for that matter, how to 'play ball'. She has to play ball every time Darius opens his mouth. I can't believe him! He said I could have vacation and now I have to work? Jude thought while her gaze wandered over to the hot tub. She loathed seeing Tommy so close to another girl.

Shaking it off Jude focused on the matter at hand. Well…what's a few more songs anyway? I mean I've already written enough to cover at least half of my next album. Recording them wouldn't take too long since they're already finished. Jude turned away from Tommy, facing the backdoor to the mansion.

"I'm listening."

"Well here is my plan. I talked to Jeff…" Jude cringed at his name. 'Jeff' shivers went down her spine. How I would love to plan his funeral. "…and he said that because it's getting down to the final girls there is some down time for the contestants after tonight's elimination. So Jeff would have the limo ready take you to the G-major everyday and have you record some of your new songs."

"But I thought I had finished my album before I left? I don't need to start recording for my new one this soon, do I?"

"Jude, by recording your next album now do you know how much money I'm going to save? Not to mention the publicity you'll get in the states for recording your music there." Jude again couldn't believe what he was saying. More publicity? Yeah so being on 'The Bachelor' and having live performances practically every week is not enough publicity?

"Darius, do you think in the state I am right now that I need anymore publicity? I'm on TV every week on Thursday at 8 o'clock. I do live performances at clubs and on the air for the show. Don't you think that's enough publicity for one girl?" Jude said with some tension in her voice. Darius's voice sounded firm on the other end.

"Jude, you're under my contract. You're lucky I'm not calling you, forcing you to record. I'm asking you to do this as your manager. Please? Do it for the label, for Canada and the states, for your well-deserving fans," Jude just rolled her eyes.

She looked over at Tommy who had look of guilt on his face. She knew what had happened and it took all of her guts to not go over there and scream at him. She saw him exiting the hot tub. He still had his clothes on. And I thought he was going to go into dry clothes and talk to Jeff…Jeff that name gets me every time! I wonder if he wants white flowers or red flowers at his funeral? She gave a small chuckle but not to loud for anyone to looked back at Tommy and they shared a gaze. Looking past him she saw Rachel sitting with her hands in her legs just staring down in the Jacuzzi. And I thought I was the only girl in his world. Unexpectedly she looked back over at Tommy to notice he was only a few feet away. Oh crap.

"Hello? Jude, are you still there?" Jude snapped her thoughts from Tommy and back to Darius

"Yeah I'm here." Tommy finally reached Jude, but Jude blew him off and walked right past him and over to tiki-hut by the dock.

Tommy just watched her walk away without a single backwards glance. She knows. The wind started to blow and he, in wet clothes, did not feel so good. I better go inside and actually do what I was supposed to do a while ago. He looked at Rachel and waved. She gave a small wave in return. Tommy smiled back before turning his attention to Jude. Her back was facing him, and he could tell she was still engrossed in the conversation taking place on her cell phone. Tommy was debating just going inside, but just as he was about to turn away she faced him. He looked over and caught her eyes.

He wanted to call for her but he could tell she just wasn't in the mood for 'Tommy Time'. So he mouthed the words 'see you inside?' She just replied with a simple nod. Walking away Tommy faintly heard Jude speak on her phone.

"You're going to send Kwest to the G-major here in California?" Tommy's ears perked instantly, suddenly in tune to Jude's conversation. His mind had a million thoughts running through his head. What does Kwest have to do with the G-major down here? With his confusion still in his mind he went inside.

Turning around Jude came in view of Rachel, who was exiting the Jacuzzi. Go run along to Tommy, Rachel. After all, he really does like you.

"Yes, I want to send Kwest down there. He is your producer and you can't work without him."

"Is Kwest okay with this?" she asked as she sat down in the lounge chair inside the hut. Despite the lack of cushion Jude found it extremely comfortable. Her muscles were starting to loosen up as she leaned back, trying to relax. She watched two birds fly over the horizon and heard the splash of the shore. I should sit under here more often.

"Kwest is fine with everything, don't worry about him. What you need to worry about getting some of your new music together and making it worthy for your third album." Jude could have said some kind of comeback but she didn't really feel like arguing more with Darius.

"When will Kwest be here?"

"He's taking a flight tonight and he's staying at one of the condos near the studio. That way he will be there tomorrow when you go in for recording."

"But Darius, what if I get kicked off the show tonight? Hmm? Tonight is elimination. No show, no recording." Darius just laughed.

"The way things are going for you on this show, it doesn't look like you'll be eliminated tonight." What does he mean by that?

"Okay, then I guess it's settled. I'll start recording tomorrow with Kwest."

"Great, talk to you later Jude."

"Okay and give a shout to everyone there for me."

"I will, bye." Jude closed her phone. Now what? She turned around to head inside but instead almost caused a collision between her and Rachel. Jude stood paralyzed for a second, anger and jealously spreading through her, however trying to remind herself that none of this was Rachel's fault. She was just doing what she was supposed to be doing, trying to win Tommy.

"How was your time with Tommy?" Rachel face turned to worry but before Jude could decipher anything, she wiped it away.

"Good," she said simply, giving away nothing, but saying everything. Jude smiled weakly.

"That's good, I'm glad you too had fun," Jude replied before walking toward the mansion.

Rachel stood at a standstill, lost in thought. Why couldn't I just tell Tommy the truth? For the first time in my life I found a guy that understands me and appreciates me. Go figure, he's in love with another girl. I just hope I made the right decision. Rachel blew out an exasperated sigh in frustration, plopping down into the lounge chair. It was the right decision. Why try to force Tom into loving me, when he could have a good relationship with the one he already loves. That's just selfish. She sat their watching those same two birds fly over the ocean, listening to the water that came up on the shore. She looked around and thought to herself, I need to come down here more often.