Hey guys! Amazing feedback on the last chapter. I am so thankful. This chapter starts to illustrate how Derek's choices have affected him. There will be a juicy follow up Cartwills chapter momentarily (Well in a few hours….I have to write it first!)! Please continue to read and review!
Derek and Ivy sat near the window in a nearby diner. There was an awkward silence that she tried desperately to fill. Derek kept looking at his phone hoping that Karen would send another text. Ivy seemed to notice that he was distracted immediately.
"Is something on your mind? Is something going wrong with the show?" Ivy spoke softly with a concerned look on her face.
"Uh no, I'm fine. Just a few notes that I am reminding myself to go over when we get back." Derek said placing his phone in his pocket.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ivy asked with a broken smile.
"Why do you ask?" Derek said dancing around the question.
"You just seem so distant lately. I know that you might be a little uncomfortable after Boston." Ivy said sipping on her coffee.
"I am a little uncomfortable, but not just because of Boston Ivy." Derek pursed his lips together.
"What is it? I can change it, if you tell me?" Ivy said starring into his eyes with fear.
"I am not sure if it can be changed Ivy." Derek said pausing to look into her eyes. He didn't want to hurt her. He never wanted to intentionally hurt anyone. Just because he didn't love Ivy, didn't mean he wanted to be cruel. His heart felt for the
blonde knockout. "Ivy you are a brilliant performer and great professional. But personally….."
"It's Karen isn't it?" Ivy stated loudly, now visibly upset. "I see the way you look at her. I hear the way you speak to her. You don't know how to be around me because you'd rather be with her."
"Ivy, this is not about Karen. This is about you. I am worried about you." Derek responded only partially telling the truth.
"Derek, there is nothing to be worried about." Ivy said tearing up and smiling.
"Ivy that is the problem. You don't see anything wrong with your behavior? You really can't see that almost killing yourself over a musical is preposterous?" Derek frowned as he spoke.
"It wasn't just about a musical Derek. And I am trying to get better….what about you! What changes are you making for yourself? You treated me hideously, Yet one incident and I'm the boogie man?" tears were streaming down Ivy's face as spoke.
"Bloody hell Ivy stop making excuses. You were hideous for the past few months to people who didn't give you what you wanted, or stood in your way. You slept with Karen's boyfriend for goodness sake. You don't see anything wrong with that?"
"You slept with Rebecca Duvall. The only difference is that you didn't hurt little miss perfect. You hurt me. That doesn't matter to you does it? You are so obsessed with Karen. You don't even care that I love you! You can't see that I am right here in love with you." Ivy shouted.
"Ivy don't do that. Don't make this about her. I am not telling you this to make you upset. I am telling you this because I want you to understand the error of your ways. I want you to be better." Derek said placing his hands on hers, trying to console her.
"Screw you Derek. You think I don't know what this is about. Do you think I don't know that you want me gone so that you can have your way with Karen out in the open? You want me gone…..fine! I am gone." She said grabbing her bag and storming out of the restaurant. "I quit!"
Derek tried to deny that he was embarrassed; but he truly was. He left a hefty tip for the waitress, even though they never order more than water. It was really the least he could do.
Derek head back to the rehearsal studio against his own will. He had a headache that he couldn't bear much longer. But he pushed through it. Ivy missing from the chorus didn't cause too much of an inconvenience. They filled in around the spaces. For the first in Bombshell history the talent actually made Derek sweat. He danced with them for hours, showing them how to perfect the routine. Things went pretty well. Rehearsal was almost perfect despite the fact that Jimmy was present for the second half of rehearsal. Derek could have done without that.
When rehearsal was dismissed Derek asked Karen to stay behind for one moment. He wanted to give her the lyrics for Secret; A Marilyn and JFK number. Derek was surprised when he noticed Jimmy lurking by the door with his hands in his pockets. He was very possessive. He didn't look directly at them, but it was clear that he was eavesdropping on the conversation.
"What's up?" Karen smiled trying to appear nonchalant.
"New song….you're going to need to go over this tonight. I have you scheduled for a session with Larry tomorrow morning at 10." Derek tried to speak as directorial and professionally as he could manage.
"Cool. Is that all?" She said as she glanced towards the door.
"Should there be more?" Derek asked with a smirk.
"Maybe…..I guess we'll find out." She said low enough so only Derek could hear.
Derek whispered in her ear while he caressed her arm knowing this would make Jimmy hot behind the ears. "I'll see you tonight, love"
Karen smiled at him and he kissed her on the forehead. Derek strutted out of the room before Karen. Jimmy stood there paralyzed wit a look of shock, anger and confusion.
"Mr. Collins." Derek nodded as he passed the young man.
Derek wanted to laugh to himself. He wanted be thrilled, but something was stopping him. Uncertainty was afflicting him. What if Karen didn't stop seeing Jimmy? What if she didn't want to be with Derek? Derek's contemplation didn't go long because before he knew it Eileen was calling his name.
"Derek. We need to talk. Immediately." Eileen said in her alto tone. She seemed to be more that a little upset with the director.
Derek quickly tried to think of anything that may have ticked her off lately.
"In the studio, now!" She said fling open the door.
"Yes principal mum": Derek said sarcastically.
"This is not a joking matter Derek. I just got off the phone with Leigh Conroy." Eileen paced across the studio.
"Ivy's mum? Why?" Derek asked confused.
"She is beyond furious that Ivy is out of the production. She believes that you have a vendetta against Ivy, and they are threatening to go to the press. She is practically Broadway royalty Derek. Do you know what that could mean for our production? I can't afford to keep having these obstacles Derek."
"Bloody hell Eileen! I have no vendetta against her. This is preposterous. I just took her to lunch…and you know what she did Eileen. She quit. She thinks that I have some obsession with Karen and she quit."
"Well her thought wouldn't be far off. I warned you not to let this blow up" Eileen quipped back.
"Oh, not you too? Does anyone think it is possible for me to have a platonic friendship with a young woman?" Derek began to rub his forehead.
"The bottom line is we have to find a way to make Ivy happy." Eileen sat down in front of him.
"Eileen have you lost your marbles? When did this production become about Ivy?"
"No Derek I haven't! I need this production to be successful more than anybody else. If that means bending over and kissing the behinds of people that can make that happen; then fine." Her desperation becoming apparent.
"Eileen seriously, you have to be kidding me. I can't sit her and listen to this. I am directing this production the way I see fit. This is Bombshell the musical of Marilyn Monroe. Not Ivy Lynn." Derek began to feel his cheeks heat with panic. What did this mean for his job? What did it mean for Karen's job?
"Yes and I am producing it. You never think about the politics behind the things you do. Do you think productions like Wicked, Rent and Cats just happened because the directors chose to sleep with everyone on the production? You have made this mess now you need to clean it up. Whatever it takes, you need to make Ivy happy."
Derek got up and excused himself from the office. He could hear Eileen calling him, but he didn't turn to answer in fear that he may explode.
Had this been the true consequence of his choices? Derek went home to reflect on his choices.