Derek continued to contemplate the bizarre circumstances revolving his evening affairs. On one hand he felt like he was floating on a baby cloud full of fluff and life with rays of majestic sun beaming across his face. He was delighted to know that Karen had developed feelings for him. The connection that he felt with her the night before, at dinner, was undeniably explosive. Chemistry wouldn't explain the magnetism between them. It was more like advance physics and calculus combined with a college level ap lit. But Derek was a little uneasy about the situation. Derek was starting to get the feeling that Karen was in over her head with this Jimmy guy. It had only been a couple of weeks, and he was showing his true colors already. Derek didn't understand how a dark cloud seemed to loom over Jimmy's head. And that was big coming from Derek. Derek was womanizing, manipulative and downright mean at times. But he was never evil. He was starting to see the error in his ways and how far behind it had put him in this production. Maybe he was starting to realize that his artistic genius did not need to be overshadowed by his ego and bark.
Derek walked through his kitchen looking for something to control his hunger pangs. Derek was out of everything, even milk and bread. He hadn't gone to the market in weeks; he'd been too busy with Bombshell to even think about it. After looking in the cabinets and seeing nothing that would satisfy his needs he head to a local café. Something buttery, flakey and full of carbs would suit him just fine. Besides, he was not the one Broadway. His body would be perfectly adjustable to a few extra pounds. When he got to the bakery he moaned at the line. He was just about to turn in leave when something caught his ear.
Ivy I don't want to affect your performance.
Derek immediately looked up and noticed Jimmy's scrawny head, and badly styled hair. Derek turned around intrigued by the conversation,
Well I don't know what you want me to do Ivy. That was a long time ago. We are going to be adults, and get through this.
Derek was wondering just how intimately Jimmy and Ivy knew each other. They had to have dated years ago, but Jimmy seemed a little young for her. What mess could they have gotten into that has led to the conversation he was over hearing. Interesting enough, Derek was once again more concerned with how this might affect Karen in the future. Despite every bone in his body wanting to go over and confront Jimmy about his sketchy past and appalling behavior the night before, Derek remained still. To his surprise the line was moving rather quickly. Jimmy placed his order and paid all while Derek stood comfortably four people behind him. He thought that he would be able to stay out of his line of site. Unfortunately for him, Jimmy walked right over to him.
"Mr. Wills, I mean Derek." He said in a completely artificial and chummy tone.
"Jimmy," He nodded. He was barely able to stomach the boy.
"I know that last night, was, well pretty nasty of me. I was just really upset about something. I really care for Karen…I know how much she cares for you."
"You don't have to worry about anything. I'm her director period." Derek said in a snarky tone.
"May I ask you question." Jimmy said appearing cowardly.
"I think you just did." Derek said moving forward in the line; attempting to ignore the pesky young man.
"Right… I will see you at rehearsal then." Jimmy said as he walked out of the door.
Derek definitely didn't like nor trust Jimmy.
After Derek enjoyed his breakfast and skimmed over the morning paper he headed to the studio. He earlier than his usual arrival, but that didn't bother him much. He would have time to work on a routine for the JFK number. It was one of the more challenging routines of the musical. He walked in the studio and tossed down his bag near his usual middle table. He took to the floor immediately and started to imagine himself as JFK. He imagined how he would approach this number. Derek started to hum the song, and the words started to flow from his mouth as he imagined Karen there with him. His imagery was so vivid that he could her speaking.
"Derek, Derek" Karen said softly trying to knock him out of his trance.
"Didn't realize you made it in already" He smiled at the young woman.
"You really shouldn't take up professional singing. Just saying"
"Oh this coming from you Mrs. Cartwright is so disheartening."
"And why would that be?" She asked flirtatiously.
"Because you see the good in everything and everyone" he answered with a quip.
"I'm not snow white you know." She said as she made her way to the bar.
"You are far prettier love." Derek was beginning to feel butterflies in his stomach again.
"Sorry about last night. I really enjoyed our dinner." She sounded said as the words left her mouth.
"Don't worry about it darling. I have learned over time that if I want to take you to dinner, I might as well invite your watchdogs too." Derek walked over behind her on the bar.
"Not true! This is the first and last time."She said reaching for her toes in a lazy fashion.
"First there was Dev and then Jimmy. I am not sure which one has less class." Derek responded as he watched her stretch with distaste.
He was standing close enough to feel Karen's heartbeat elevate and her body begin to radiate heat. He place a hand on her lower back and pushed her further into the stretch.
"You will have a bad back next month if you don't stretch properly."
"And you will have a bad back if I do." She responded in a sultry tone.
Derek was caught off guard by the comment. He didn't know exactly what it meant. But he immediately felt his flesh turn red beneath his shirt. Fortunately his beard would hide his blushing.
"You never cease to surprise me Karen." He said backing away to the piano.
"What are you doing here so early anyway?" The director questioned.
"I just wanted sometime to clear my head." She said finishing her stretches.
"It went that bad last night?" Derek was hoping that she would open up with him again.
"Yeah it was pretty brutal." She said nonchalantly.
"You don't deserve anything close to brutal. What is it that makes you choose such hideous boyfriends? You can have any guy you want." Derek began to stroke the keys in a soft melody.
"I didn't know you played."Karen attempted to change the subject.
"Karen. Stop trying to change the subject. Sit down" Derek commanded in a directorial manner.
"I don't really know what happened. I met Jimmy and he was really nice. But now he just seems different. He so jealous of you." Karen was the turning red as she spoke.
"Jealous? I am the one that is jealous. " Derek admitted.
"You get jealous?" she asked. ;
"Hardly." Derek said realizing how much control he lost in the situation. He was being a completely different person with Karen and it scared him. "You deserve the best that's all I am saying."
"Everyone always talks about what I deserve. But what about what I want?" She began to sound a little irritated.
Derek chuckled in his head remembering the way Ivy lashed out at him using those very words in this very studio.
"Well what do you want?" Derek inquired.
"It will just make things worse." She said turning towards Derek on the piano bench.
"Well if you don't go for it things can't get any better either." Derek whispered leaning a little closer to her.
Karen's breathing became labored as Derek stared into her big brown eyes. She blinked slowly with anticipation and Derek could feel his fingertips begin to tingle. He stopped playing piano. Karen leaned in closer and Derek reciprocated. Her lips softly interlocked with his. It was the softest kiss that he had. Her lips were silky and tasted on honey and lemon. They were plump and moved fluently with his as if they had been practicing for years. Kisses were usually passionate and filled with lust for Derek; he was always contemplating the final destination. This was different. It was sensual, slow and special. It felt like his very first kiss all over again. Derek felt like fireworks were going off in his head. He never had that feeling before. He closed his eyes as Karen placed her hand against the back of his neck.
Abruptly Karen's phone began to ring. They pulled apart startled by the sound and laughed.
"You want to check that?" Derek asked hoping she would decline.
"No." She said with a smile leaning into his arm.
"Good" Derek said leaning in to kiss her again. Before their lips connected the door to the rehearsal space flung open and in walked a few of the ensemble members.
Karen stood up and said "Thanks for clearing that up".
Derek just smiled and replied "yeah, sure".
He was surprised by the way she tried to deceive everyone, but it did not bother him.
What did bother him was knowing that he would have to contain his excitement for the remainder of rehearsal. It was their little secret.
The first half of rehearsal went smoothly for the most part. There were a few kinks that needed to be worked out in the new numbers. Derek didn't yell at anyone for anything. He was too busy enjoying the little moments that he shared with Karen. She would wink at him and smile during the numbers. It all seemed like it was part of her Marilyn persona. But Derek knew that it was her flirting.
During the first 10 minute break Derek checked his phone for messages from Eileen. He was pleasantly surprised when he seen a message from Karen.
Dinner tonight…..your place?-Karen
Leave your boyfriend at home and you've got a deal.- Derek
Deal- Karen
Derek chuckled and people began to stare at him. It was not often that he was outwardly happy. The joyous feeling in his stomach began to turn into a knot when Ivy walked up to Derek with a smile.
"Hi" She said in her super cheery voice.
"Ms. Lynn, what can I do for you today?" he said sounding too professional.
"Are we still doing lunch?" She asked.
"of course we are" Derek responded smiling at her.
His happy feelings were fading quickly when he thought about telling Ivy that their affair was over. But it is a choice he will have to make.
I hope you enjoy.