"I can do this," Karen said to herself as she stood outside Derek Wills' hospital room. "He isn't going to hold the video against me," she reminded herself of Ana's words. Taking a deep breath, she gave a soft knock and hearing the familiar voice say come in she opened the door. "Hi, "she greeted but made no more effort to fully enter the room.
Derek couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face when he saw Karen open the door. A shy hi was his greeting but he noticed immediately something was wrong. She remained by the door and her nervously fidgeted with her purse strap. "Good morning, is everything alright?"
"Have you seen the video?" she asked.
"I have, but I don't understand what that has to do with anything?"
"People are calling for a boycott of Bombshell," she paused "I…I wasn't sure if you would still want to see me." She finished her teeth biting the corner of her lip.
"God, has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you bite you lip," he inquired of her. At Derek's comment Karen could feel herself flush for of all the possible reactions to her statement she had not expected that to be one of them. His battered face staring directly at her with an expectant expression; she wondered what exactly it was about this British man that made her melt. Composing herself she replied.
"That isn't an answer?"
"No, but it's true none the less." When the director didn't expand, Karen thought he was going to ignore her; then, in his deep baritone voice he began "Last night on my balcony, I had no idea the stunning woman I was about to meet was a Grammy winner. I figured we would exchange pleasantries and that would be the end of it. But you see, the more time I spent listening to her rant, the more I realized that she had to be the most beautiful, intelligent, very opinionated, highly sarcastic and quick witted woman I have ever met. And what I relished most was the fact I met her as Derek Wills the man; before she knew I was Derek Wills, director of Bombshell."
When he finished his response, Derek waited to see if the brunette understood what he had tried to say. He wanted her to understand that whatever the two of them might become, he wanted it separate from their professional lives. Giving her time, he could see her mind working. He chuckled because playing poker was something definitely not in her future as her face easily betrayed her emotions. Finally, after several minutes had passed, he could see her eyes light up with realization and the corner of her mouth curve up. She started to move towards him and without saying a word her small hand reached for his as slowly she intertwined their fingers. When she tiptoed against the bed rail and leaned her body closer he mimicked her actions until he felt her soft pink lips brush against his. The gentleness of the kiss left him wanting but she pulled away before it could intensify.
In a whisper she told him "Mr. Wills, something tells me you are going to be someone very special to me."
With a roguish smile he answered "I take it my answer pleased you, then?" Not trusting her voice to come out a giddy squeal Karen nodded her head yes. "Good because I'm famished, Love? I take it that's my food you left by the door?" He grinned.
"His teasing and simple endearment of Love enough to break the building tension but not the moment."
Riding in the elevator with Tom it was all Julia could do not to break down. How could the man next to betray her the way he did? Was the trust she thought existed within their partnership just a mask? Lost in thought she was startled when Tom's hand touched her shoulder.
"You understand don't you Jules; we're good? He asked. "I mean you would never let Bombshell continue without my scores, right?
"Don't talk to me right now Tom. Apologize or don't apologize, it doesn't matter to me." She remarked and without another word the red head exited the elevator.
Hailing a cab and instructing the driver to take her to Manhattan hospital; once a few blocks away from Broadway, Julia finally gave into tears. Thirty minutes later with traffic she stood outside Derek's room. From the other side of the door she could hear a soft but eerily beautiful voice and taking it as a sign it was alright to enter, she carefully opened the door. Once inside, she could see Derek sitting up in the bed with his eyes closed and Karen sat by the small table working on what appeared to be a thin piano keyboard laying in front of a laptop. The song she sang was not one the writer recognized but it felt and sounded like Broadway. The lyrics were chilling and for a moment Julia stood mesmerized. Listening to the song for the first time in a very long time she could picture a musical come to life. However, the book she visualized wasn't hers, it belonged to a young man by the name of Kyle Bishop. Like many aspiring writers, Kyle had sent her a copy of his book hoping for feedback. From the moment she had read it, she knew he was onto something and that if developed properly, could be big but she hadn't been able to pin point what was missing and where it needed to go. Listening to Karen sing, it came to life. She could visualize a specific scene and knew it would be the heart of the show. She knew now what he needed.
So caught up in her thoughts she hadn't realized the music stop until she finally realized someone was calling her. Opening her eyes, she had closed at some point, she could see the concern face of Karen Cartwright. "Julia, are you okay?"
"Sorry, yes I am more than okay," she chuckled while making her way to the open chair. Glancing over to the bed one more time, she now saw the director looking at her with an amused smile. He nodded in her direction and upon doing the same in return, her attention was once again returned to the brunette. "That song it was incredible," she complimented. "Is it from a musical or your album?" she asked.
"Thank you," Karen beamed. "It's from neither, it's just a song for me. The melody came to me last night when I was looking out at the city but this morning obviously was the first time I could develop it and come up with lyrics."
"It's too good to be kept a secret," Julia said. "Have you ever thought about composing for Broadway?"
Derek looked on with interest. He had never seen the writer this excited before and he was curious as to what Karen's song had to do with it. Listening to singer compose all morning he had already concluded musically she was a genius but to hear his opinion confirmed he wanted to know what the red head was thinking.
"Really, you think I could do something like that?" Karen asked.
"Not only do I think it but you already have," she commented. "Four months ago a young man sent me a rough copy of a book he wrote. The moment I started to read it, I knew he was onto something but his thoughts were a mess and I couldn't pin point what was missing or where he should go with his concept. But today, listening to your song his book came to life. I could picture your song at the heart of the musical, a turning point for his characters." She finished.
Hearing Julia talk that way about any project had Derek sold. Whatever this young man had sent her, the fact it invoked such passion and such certainty in need for Karen's scores he wanted to know more.
"My song did that for you?" Karen was in awe. She loved to write and knew that while some of her songs held special meaning to her fans, never did she imagine her songs could bring to life someone else's vision.
"It did," Julia replied looking between Karen and Derek. "And I know it's a lot to take in but I think your scores could make this book iconic." Julia then proceeded to tell Derek and Karen the book's premise and where she envisioned the song.
"Wow, I mean I've always written and composed just for me, but to write and compose so that someone's vision can come to life; you really think I could do that?"
Derek couldn't help but laugh. In getting to know Karen better this morning it amazed him how unassuming she was. "Love," he smiled "I have sat here listening to you compose all morning and I can tell you, many a seasoned Broadway composer would kill to have your ability. Your arrangements are genius and I'm not just talking about this song. I have no idea what you were working on before but let me say I'll be the first to buy it when it comes out." He complimented.
Thinking back to the song Derek was referring to, Karen couldn't help but blush. It was a slow ballad his words to her earlier had inspired. It was a song she knew she wanted on her next album. Realizing both Julia and Derek were waiting she said "If I agree to work on this or if this writer agrees to let me work with him; will the two of you be on board?" She asked.
Julia laughed "I can't imagine this young man whose name is Kyle Bishop, by the way, would say no to either you or Derek but if he allows me to be involved then yes I'm in."
Karen looked to Derek "From what we talked about earlier do you think we could work together?" she inquired.
The director smiled "Will you stop talking to me or refuse to see me if I yell or scream at you in the heat of the moment that a that a particular run, note or lyric doesn't work? Because ask Julia, I can be brutal." Julia smiled and nodded her head in affirmation of what had been said.
Realizing what Derek was really asking was whether she could keep work separate from their relationship Karen knew her answer.
"I can leave work at the office."
"Then yes I'm in."
"What about Bombshell," the singer asked knowing that no one had addressed the elephant in the room since Julia's arrival.