I know that I stated this was a more realistic approach to Cartwills, but the fangirl in me took over. So now I am just going to write the way it flows out of my brain. So if you don't like it…I'm not sorry. Lol
This is a chapter to fill the gap. But something interesting appears to happen at the end. I hope that you enjoy! Oh and Happy 2013 guys!
It had been three weeks since Derek took Karen on their first date. That date had been one of the most amazing dates of his life. He had an elaborate menu of things that he wanted to do with Karen. But she didn't want the fuss. Instead they went to a diner and ate messy, greasy, delicious burgers. She ordered a cute milkshake and spilled it all over her clothes, which was hilarious to Derek. When he couldn't contain his laughter she came over and gave him a great big hug. Then he was covered in milkshake too. Derek becoming more spontaneous by the moment simply left a hundred dollar bill on the table and chased Karen out of the diner and through the streets of downtown New York. When he was finally able to catch up with her Derek wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. They didn't have a care in the world about who seen them, or who cared. They just enjoyed each other's company. After destroying Derek's shirt Karen purchased him an outfit from Armani Exchange. Derek laughed at the outfit stating that it was horribly daft, and he would never wear anything like it. But with a little charm, and a few kisses, she easily persuaded him to change his mind. So Derek left out of the store wearing a red and black graphic t-shirt and a par of dark denim jeans, with far too many embellishments. Karen thought that he was riotously adorable and kept cackling when she looked at him. To return the favor Derek took Karen shopping as well. He purchased something that he thought was hilarious as well. While the man in him wanted to put her something skimpy and revealing, he figured that wouldn't be appropriate, or surprising. So Derek purchased Karen a New York Yankees hooded sweatshirt in a size that was so big it swallowed her slender frame. He also brought her the matching sweat pants, in the accurate size so he could stare at her behind and a Yankees hat. They looked very amusing walking down the street in their attire, however to the rest of New York they blended in quite well. They took pictures and shared sweet kisses. Eventually their date came to an end and Derek escorted Karen home. Anna once again yelled her crazy obscenities out of the window. Derek couldn't but feel like his day was surreal.
Reminiscing on that first date was the only thing that Derek could do to stay sane. He was dealing with Diva-like demands from Ivy and finalizing the routines for Bombshell. This production was becoming a whirlwind of mess for Derek. As long as he kept Ivy happy and spoiled her, she was happy, which meant that Leigh was happy, which meant that Eileen was happy. The whole thing was entirely mind boggling for Derek. He really couldn't understand how Eileen became so intimidated. Nevertheless Derek did as he was told. When Ivy wanted more stage time, he gave it to her. When she wanted more personal time he gave it to her. The only thing that he was no longer willing to give her was his body. This was becoming very irritating for the young woman, and even more so for Derek. But he knew that sleeping with Ivy would do no good for his situation with Karen.
Now Derek was heading to view the Musical stylings of Karen's bloody arrogant boyfriend and his gay writing partner. Fun! Derek had been trying to put this off for weeks, but Karen kept insisting. There was nothing that he wanted to do less than see her with her boy-toy knowing that she was the woman that consumed his dreams. They hadn't had much time to spend with each other outside of rehearsal. They constantly texted, video chatted and called one another, but that was as far as it went. Derek would have loved to take it further. Unfortunately lack of time and privacy limited his abilities.
When he walked into the small Manhattan Theater Workshop Derek felt as if he was going to gag. His father was one of the founders of the Manhattan Theater Workshop. It was a small side project for his father and one of his business partners/lovers. Derek had never been inside of the building. It was a smaller space with a stage and a maximum seating capacity of 200 hundred. There were two guys on the stage, one which was clearly Jimmy and the other Derek assumed was his partner. Karen came running up to him wearing the same blue and white sweats that Derek brought her and a white sports tank. Derek felt chills run up his spine. He smiled at her as she walked up.
"Karen, good to see you love" he said with a smile, he wanted to kiss her, but he'd forgotten where they were.
"Derek! I am so glad you came. We were just going over something we wanted to show you." She placed an arm around his back and escorting him towards the stage.
"Well you practically twisted my arm off to get here." Derek smiled as he held the nook of her arm. "I miss you" he huffed under his breath.
Karen smiled and her brown eyes sparkled as she spoke with the director.
"I have a fond likeness of your trousers." He said beaming at her.
"I didn't know you were a Yank's fan Mr. Wills" She teased noting the inside joke.
"Yanks fan? Are you kidding me I wasn't aware that you theater boys were into such manly things." Jimmy cut in wrapping his arm around Karen.
"Boys, may not be. But I am man…..you son, are a boy." Derek said coldly. He tried to contain his temper wondering why he was even here.
"Mr. Wills glad you could make it" Jimmy said with a smirk that made his face age considerably. "This is Kyle, my writing partner." Jimmy said pulling the young man in the mix.
"Mr. Wills what an honor." The young man said.
"The honor will come when I hear what you've got" Derek said as we waltzed down to the front row and took a seat. He didn't want to be rude, but he had a status to keep. So he left the standing in his wake.
They quickly scurried behind him to the stage. Karen sat on a stool center stage and began to sing along to the electronic orchestra that Jimmy composed. It was spectacular and Derek could see why Karen wanted him to see the production. Derek was beyond impressed. He was thrilled. He tried not to let it show but he did share a small smile with Karen. For the first time in years Derek was excited about a project, really excited. He had a chance to take a blank canvass begging to be painted and molded into something new, something spectacular and edgy. This was his one shot towards making a transition from director to producer. He has been waiting his entire career to showcase his skills as more than just a director. He wanted to make things happen, and this could put him in the position. The musical was perfect despite the fact that he would be working with Karen's boyfriend. This was stupid, how did he let Karen talk him into this. How could he pretend not head over heels for Karen in front of the (for lack of a better work punk) she was seeing.
"She amazing, isn't she." Jimmy called over from the piano.
Derek just nodded in agreement as Karen continued to sing. What a wanker. Derek thought to himself. Did Jimmy think he owned Karen? Derek had been working with her for months. Of course he knew that she was brilliant! He'd know she was brilliant since the very first time he had seen her. Derek continued to watch as Karen sang. As she hit the last crescendo Derek smiled at her. And with that he stood up and walked out of the theater. He was going to be a huge part in this production, but he didn't want them to think that. He wanted Jimmy to panic and squirm in his seat. Jimmy might have tried to play the boyfriend card in order to exploit his dominance. But Derek would play the director card, they needed him.
"I told you to lay off Jimmy!" Karen said as she gave him a angry glare.
"He's a prick and you know it Karen." Jimmy stood up off of the piano.
"Yeah, well he is going to get you where you need to be. You should be grateful he even came!" Karen said. It sounded to Derek as if she was getting closer to the hallway where he stood.
"Yeah yeah yeah." Jimmy said in an annoyed tone.
"Jimmy you really are something you know that." Kyle butted in.
"Kyle shut it." Jimmy yelled back at him.
"You guys stay here and scream each other, I am going to go talk to him." Karen said as she bust out of the theater door and smacked Derek in the head.
"Whoa! I didn't know you were right here" she said after catching him with the door.
"That didn't stop you from trying to ram the door through my head." He said with a soft chuckle rubbing his head.
"Sorry…." She exhaled roughly. "So what did you think?" She asked skeptically as she took a seat on the ledge of the window.
"You were spectacular darling. I can honestly say that they got something special in the making." Derek said rubbing his hand through his hair.
"Well then…! Does that mean that you are in?" She asked with a hint of excitement in her eyes.
"I don't know love. I am not sure that I can." Derek admitted feeling a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Derek you have to. I need you here." She said with a hint of desperation.
"I need you….." Derek whispered sounding winded.
"Then come to the show. You know that I am not going to last long in Bombshell. Eileen is one step away from printing Ivy's name in the program…..and" Karen said slowly.
"And what Karen? You want me to sit around a direct a musical for your boyfriend. You want me to sit around and watch him grabbing your tail and calling you baby? Is that what you need Karen?" Derek began to feel used and angry.
"That is what this show needs. It's what your career needs." She said as she walked up to him with worry in your eyes.
"I can't do it!" His skin began to turn red and his breathing labored. He was furious….but why was he so furious.
"I'm in love" Derek said as the door swung open and Jimmy appeared. He noticed the fear in Karen's eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin her shot at landing the lead in another musical. "with the bombshell production." Derek lied.
"Mr. Wills with all do respect we are willing to wait for you. We have a lot of work that needs to be done. But honestly we can't do it with out you." Kyle explained. For some reason the young man's plea tugged at Derek's heart strings. Derek recalled what it was like for him earning his way in this industry.
"Kyle, right? Tell you what. Here is my card. Give me a call Monday and will talk about the business side of things." Derek gave in.
"Does that mean you're in?" Jimmy inquired nonchalantly. But Derek could see the hope and excitement in his eyes.
"I suppose that is what that means." Derek said in the same tone as Jimmy.
The three men shook hands on it and Karen smiled as she watched her future career be sealed.
"I am going to call it a night guys. I have an early rehearsal for Bombshell tomorrow" Karen lied.
"I didn't hear about an early rehearsal" Jimmy said critically grabbing Karen by the wrist.
"Unless you are playing Marilyn Monroe I don't see how you would. Although, we might have a nice dress and wig that will fit you quite nicely Mr. Collins." Derek said attempting to lighten the moment. He was also preventing himself from breaking the young man's neck. His Jaw set as he starred at his large manly hand around Karen's delicate wrist.
"I actually have a meeting right by your place. Do you want to share a cab?" Derek asked her.
"Sure, I just have to grab my bag." She explained running into the hallway.
"You really have it in for her don't you. That's why you really want to be here." Jimmy said taking a step to Derek.
"Jimmy" Kyle grabbed his arm.
"It's fine Kyle." Derek said stepping into Jimmy and eliminating any personal space between the two.
"Look here mate. We're going to work together. You have an amazing show, and you need me to direct. So get over yourself and except that Karen and I are friends. Further more if I ever see you but your hands on her in more than a loving embrace, I will break your skull into a million little pieces. Sounds like fun!" Derek growled at him. He hadn't been forced to use such malice since Tom brought up the fact that his father was gay.
"Is everything okay?" Karen walked up noticing the thick tension.
"Fine" they two men said in unison separating from each other.
Karen head for the door and Derek walked purposely behind her so he could stare at her behind and make Jimmy feel inadequate.
Derek and Karen walked half way down the street in silence. Quite frankly he was afraid to speak. He realized that in the heat of the moment he almost told Karen that he was in love with her. Was that true? He had spent every night talking to her on the phone before he went to sleep, and she was the first thing he though about when he woke up. Maybe he really was in love with Karen. Maybe that was the reason that he had considered all of this foolery. But honestly how could he make her choose him. How could he still give her the show and opportunity of her life, without giving into her being with Jimmy.
"Do you have plans tonight?" Karen asked interrupting his train of thought.
"No, not really." Derek said sounding a little bit distant.
"I was wondering…..maybe I could stay the night with you." She said with a smile.
"Yeah…and while you are at it bring your boyfriend and we can all drink tea" Derek was very dry and sarcastic as he hailed the cab.
"Don't be like that Derek." She said placing a hand on his back.
"Don't be like what?" he asked as if he didn't understand what she was implying.
"Don't be mean. I am just trying to do what is right for my career." Karen said as Derek stood with his back to her.
"That is why I am here Karen….but I can't stand to see you with that wanker. The way he treats you is beyond abysmal." Derek barked at her.
"You could've cared less who I had relationships as long as Marilyn was a success." Karen barked back.
"That was before Karen!" He yelled.
"Before what?" Karen said forcing him to turn around.
"Before I feel in love with you…..know you have Karen. I love you…..I bloody love you." Derek said with passion, confusion and lust.
"I love you too." Karen said with a smile that was larger than he'd ever seen on her face.
The cab pulled in and they climbed inside. Derek was silent, he was confused and a mess internally. He didn't know what to say. So he didn't say anything.