Karen woke up at 7:30 am, to realize that she had an hour to get ready for rehearsals. she was staring at the ceiling. Her face remained expressionless, she was unsure how she felt. She had an amazing performance, and an even more amazing time with Derek. she thought about his smile, what a smile. She thought about the hours they spent talking last night, and how they almost...well...That is until Ivy showed up. She remembered the look on Ivy's face when she saw them together. She sat up as she tried to erase that memory from her head. But she couldn't. Karen really enjoyed her time with Derek, but when Ivy came he didn't ask her to stay. He didn't insist that she stayed, he actually insisted the opposite, or at least he agreed with her. But she had known they were in a relationship. She had known that Derek had a way of being a womanizing man whore. But a part of Karen thought she saw something else last night.
She couldn't lay in bed all morning dwelling on what could have been with Derek, and she didn't want to think of Dev either. But of course she couldn't help it. As she rolled out of bed she was happy to see she was alone. She looked at her phone and checked her messages.
Karen we went to grab free breakfast in the lobby! Meet us there at 8:30 so we can get to rehearsal! Oh and where the hell ere you last night. Bob-B
Karen let out a chuckle and knew she wouldn't be able to avoid the questions from her friends. That made her smile too, she didn't think that she would make it to the friendship stage with the broadway vets, but she did. Iowa went from a term of insult to a term of endearment. She walked over to her suitcase and collected her shower necessities. She was glad she hadn't brought her stuff to Dev's room, despite his persistence. She walked into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. When she got into the shower she let the water run down her head, to hide the tears that were running down her face. She didn't even want to admit to herself how hurt she was. She never thought that Dev would be the one to do this to her. Maybe some of the stupid guys she dated in high school, but not Dev. Somewhere deep down Karen knew it was for the best. She loved musicals, they were her passion, the reason she left home in the first place. She couldn't give up her dreams. What would she do if she lost her lively hood? The tears began to fall faster. Why couldn't he have just broke up with me. Sure I would've been devastated, but it would be better than this, She thought to her self. She knew that even though she didn't want to she need to get some closure. But that would have to wait.
Karen got out of the shower, brushed her teeth, did her hair and make up. She took particular care with her hair and make-up. She somehow wanted to look extra special for Derek, which was odd. She grabbed her bag and looked for something to wear. She saw a yellow net shirt that she pair with a black dance tank and shorts. She knew yellow was Derek's favorite color via their conversation last night.
Karen picked up her phone and sent a text to Dev, against her better judgement. Dev I know we need to talk, I just wasn't ready last night. I am extremely hurt, especially by your last text, but that's neither here nor there. I have rehearsal today, but I can meet you at top of the hub 7:00 pm. See you later. Karen
She noticed that it was 8:27 am and took off out the door. when she got off the elevator she seen her friends waiting anxiously for her.
"Oh my Gosh it's Marilyn"' bobby shrilled and ran up to Karen like a groupie.
"Hi guys, how was breakfast.", Karen asked with a smile, the first smile of the morning.
"It was great, here is your muffin, you ready?'" Sue handed Karen a banana nut bread muffin.
"Are you ok hun, I am so sorry about you and Dev, have you talked to him?" Jessica asked concerned about her friend.
"It's ok guys. I haven't talked to him. But I will tonight. I just needed to clear my head before I talk to him." Karen replied.
The group walked out of the hotel and headed down the street to rehearsal, Karen was surprised nobody question her where abouts last night. They simply chatted and made lunch and shopping plans.
When they arrived at the theater, the group went to the dressing room.
"Can you take my bag to the dressing room for me. I want to enjoy the stage before rehearsal starts."Karen said to Dennis
"Sure, we will be down in 20, don't go running off this time. Dennis joked with Karen.
Karen walked into the theater from the side door, she was entranced by the stage. So much so that she didn't even notice Derek sitting in the front row of the theater. She stepped up to the stage as he watched in silence. Once upon the stage she did a swirl and a curtsey. She walked over to the side wings and took in all things Bombshell. She really was extremely proud of herself.
"So your plan was to sneak past and not say anything to me?" Derek said as he approached the stage.
Karen let out a scream, and then grabbed her chest.
"I didn't know you were here." She replied trying to even out her breathing.
"Darling it's my show, I am always here. You know with everything going on yesterday I never told you how brilliant your were last night. You Karen are a star, and I mean it. " Derek smiled as he spoke the words, almost as if it gave him joy to say them.
"Thank you. I never would have been able to do it with out you Derek. Thanks for giving me a chance." She says as her face starts to blush.
"You really are terrific, I have always seen it, but I could never justify what I saw." He replied as he walked past her and sat on Mr. Zanuck's chair.
"Karen, I need to apologize to you for last night." he said as he looked at her from the side, she really was the so beautiful to him.
"Me too", she said.
"You go first" he motioned his hand as to say after you.
" I am sorry that I interfered with you and Ivy last night. You were being a great friend, and I would never want to cause you any problems." Karen stated.
"Darling, you where there because I asked you to be. Never feel bad for it. I didn't intend on her coming to my room. I am the one who is sorry. I am sorry our night was interrupted. I had the best time with you Karen." He smiled. "But" he sighed. "As much as I would have loved our night to end with an explosion of passion. I am glad it didn't .You just broke up with Dev 24 hours ago. And you need time to work that out. I don't want to over step my bounds.". Derek was really showing how much of a gentleman he could be.
"I appreciate that. " Karen said, somewhat confused.
"Karen i want to get to know you, for the woman you are. Not the talent you posses." he looked at her face, she wore a pleasant smile. "I know if I would have took you to bed I may never have had the courage to say these things. I don't want you to be another starlet in my resume. You are too good for that" "So with all that said would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you to lunch?"
"Sure, that would be great!" Karen smiled. "I am gonna stretch before run throughs. She couldn't believe her ears she couldn't wait to get alone with Derek later. She had som amny questions for him.
"Of, course" He said and walked away from the stage. He smiled. He couldn't believe that he just asked Karen to lunch, instead of the bed. but there was something very different about Karen. He didn't want to overwhelm her with affection, nor did he want to rush into something that might harm her. He was scared of his own actions. Admitting this to himself was a huge step.
"Alright everyone! we have a lot of work to do today, it seems like Ivy has decided to leave the show. So we need to rework the blocking." Derek announced as the cast headed into the theater.
"No I'm not, I am right here guys" Ivy called out with a smile. she looked great when she walked into rehearsals She had a few hickies on her neck, that she tried to hide with concealer.
"Ivy a word please." Derek said. His face went flush like he seen a ghost.
"What can I do for you Derek?" She said almost as if she had forgotten the conversation from last night.
"Ivy I only want to say this once. I am not about to allow you to destroy this production with your antics. You need to make a decision and stick with it now either you are in this production or you not. got it!" Derek was furious when he spoke. He scolded at Ivy. "Also i had your key to my room deactivated, and the guest service won't be giving another key to my "wife". so you need to act like a professional from here on out. If you cannot I will be happy to have you escorted out now, do we have an understanding?"
"Yes." and ivy stormed off to the wings of the stage to prepare for the rehearsal.
Run through went exceptionally well almost as well as the show` went last night. it wrapped up around 2pm, which was a lot earlier than Karen expected .
"Karen Cartwright. Where is Karen Cartwright." Derek called out without looking up to notice she was right in front of him.
"You don't have to yell, I am three feet in front of you." She smiled.
"You did amazing work today. Are you ready to go to lunch?" he asked recalling the conversation they had earlier.
"I think i should go change, do you want to go back to the hotel first?"
"And have you change out of my favorite color? You look great. I take it that was not an accident." Derek said arrogantly.
"I didn't know you noticed." She smiled when she spoke. She was using her Marilyn voice, whic reallt turned him on.
"Of course I did, I notice everything about you including that incredible scent." Derek said as he packed up his bags. Karen looks around to see who is still here. Ivy is glaring at them with Sam. For a moment she felt a bit of guilt but it quickly went away.
"Shall we darling?" Derek states as he stands up and grabs his bag .
"I guess we shall!" Karen replies.
She didn't know what this day would bring, but she was excited to share it with Derek!