So I wanted drama between Tom and Derek to come to a head fairly quickly in this story because it sets up what I have planned for changes with Bombshell. Hope you like.
"We should probably go back inside," Karen suggested with a twinkle in her eyes. "Far be it from me to deprive the throngs of women awaiting your charm" a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Nor I deprive you of the full opportunity to witness my prowess for wooing" the director replied drily earning him a full smile. Reaching out his hand to her he was pleased to see she didn't hesitate in taking it. Pulling her close to his side he whispered in her ear, shall we Ms. Cartwright as he began to lead them to the balcony entrance.
"I really love this view; I'm going to miss it" she whimsically voiced before following his lead.
"What, do you mean?" he asked eyebrows furrowed in mock confusion "I thought you agreed to join me for dinner later this week?" Karen couldn't help but laugh, she had to give the man his props, he was smooth.
"Geez, your right, what is wrong with me? "she teased. "How could I have forgotten such a monumental event? It's not often I agree to keep company with creeps." Her quick wit made Derek bust out in laughter and that was how Tom and Ivy found the director and singer as the four came around the wall dividing the balcony's main space from its entrance. Coming from opposite directions a collision was barely avoided thanks to quick reflexes on the part of Derek who was able to pull Karen out of harm's way.
Tom and Ivy, at the request of Eileen had been looking for the director for over 30 mins. Angry at the fact Derek had gone missing on the biggest night of Bombshell's brief history, the sight of him casually laughing with a beautiful brunette was too much for Tom. Also fueling his anger was the closeness of the two bodies and their intertwined hands.
"What is going on here?" he questioned with an icy stare at the director. Karen who hadn't met Tom but knew who he was from introductions overheard in passing was taken aback by the harshness in his tone. The immediate change in Derek's disposition was also a sign for her of trouble brewing.
"What does it look like Tom, we are heading back inside."
Infuriated by the director's vague response and not recognizing his female companion, the composer continued. "I mean what have you been doing for the past 30 minutes out here? You do realize that 50ft away gathered inside your apartment are investors looking for the next big thing. Investors Bombshell needs and yet I find you laughing with some high price escort." Karen gasped at the remark but before she could form a response Derek had already lunged at the composer grabbing him by the lapels of his jacket before landing a punch. Ivy's scream alerted those inside and Julia and Eileen quickly made their way outside. They had just exited onto the balcony when blow thrown by Derek caught Tom by surprised causing him to stumble backwards landing on his buttock. Towering over him Derek growled "Get the hell out of my house. Stay away from me and stay away from Karen. If you ever speak to her or about her that way again you will get more than a bloody nose, I promise."
"Derek, it's alright" a soft voice and a tug of his arm assured "Walk me out?" she asked. Turning to face the owner of the silky voice he had enjoyed hearing a few minutes before, the Director's back was facing the others when he offered an apology. A crowd had begun to gather as Julia and Eileen made their way over to where Tom was but before they could reach their destination the composer was on his feet and with full head of steam he ran towards the other man. Karen could see Tom but her warning to Derek came too late as his body was projected forward. Trying to keep himself from falling the director reached out to grab the arm of a metal chair close by. His effort proved to be fruitless however, as the weight of not only his body but that of Tom's proved to be too strong. The hand intended to grab the chairs' arm instead pushed the chair farther out and with a sickening sound Derek's face caught its metal corner.
Screams and utter chaos followed as no one had to be told the injury was likely to be serious. Julia called for her husband, Frank, and son, Leo, for help in moving both Tom and Derek. She also shouted for someone to call 911 as blood was beginning to pool around the director's head. "Eileen, you need to get these people out of here" she instructed the shocked producer.
Karen who had been stunned regained her composer and quickly told the writer she would run inside to grab towels in an effort to stop the bleeding. Frank and Leo finally managed to disentangle Tom from Derek and after a quick glance and finding no injures, pushed the composer off to the side. Together father and son next worked on carefully rolling Derek over. A deep gash could be seen reaching from the side of his temple to below his cheek. His eye was already starting to swell shut. "What the hell happened Tom?" the Julia hissed after taking in the director's face.
"Me," he angrily responded "he was the one who punch me first after I called him out for wasting time with an escort instead of promoting Bombshell."
"What are you talking about, you have got to be kidding me." Julia fumed "Karen Cartwright is a singer under Bobby Raskin's label. She came in his place tonight." She yelled. "I can't believe you called her an escort," she finished just as the young woman reappeared. Gasping at the sight in front of her she Karen handed a towel to Frank as he tried desperately to stop the bleeding.
"Derek," Julia tried to get the director to respond but to no avail. Glancing at Tom in disbelief she saw his eyes wide with fear staring at the singer.
Unable to wrap his head around what he had just done Tom looked to Karen but she refused to meet his eyes. At a loss for words he began to stutter "I'm sorry," but his words were immediately cut off.
"Go to hell," Karen answered. "I don't need your apology and I sure as hell don't need your show. After your little display, you'll be lucky to find any investor who will want to risk money on a production whose own creative team can't get along. Not even Derek's talent can save that issue."
Eileen who had returned after ushering everyone out including Ivy listened along with Julia as the singer articulated what the other three were thinking. How could she have been so stupid as to not have put an end to Tom's constant berating of her director and realize just how insecure and jealous the composer had been. She could only hope it wasn't too late.
A soft moan brought her back to the present. "Derek," Frank called. This time a barely open eye and a whispered call of Karen's name was their response.
"I'm here," Karen replied coming into the director's view.
"I'm sorry," he offered.
"Shh it's alright," she assured. "Just try to stay awake okay." A slight smile and a nod was her answer.