Well, Faithful Reader, we’ve made it together to the end. I’m a little sad the story has to end, but it’s time. In this final chapter, I have tried my hand at songwriting again; please don’t make too much fun of the lyrics.
Thank you for sharing your precious time with me and my tale. I truly hope you’ve enjoyed the journey I’ve taken you on. I hope you’ve come to love Richie and Julianna as much as I have. I hope they’ve made you laugh a little, and want to cry. I hope you’ve gotten a little angry, a bit outraged, and maybe, just maybe, a wee bit hot.
And now, without further ado, here is the link to the final chapter. The Finale. Opening Night.
If you'd like to start at the begining, you can click here. Just keep clicking on "Newer Post" at the bottom of each chapter to progress through the story.
Please, don't post my work anywhere, but do feel free to share this site with a friend, and leave a comment or send me an e-mail and let me know what you think.
Faithfully,
Hathor
TheGoddessHathor@gmail.com
Welcome!
Epilogue
Over the course of the next two weeks, Julianna mostly lived at the theater, sleeping in her office. It was partly because she wanted to be close to the theater because the show was close to opening, and part of it was because she couldn’t stand to be in her apartment and see Richie not there – it made her remember.
When opening night finally came, Julianna was a wreck. She knew that the show would go off without a hitch; it was the finale that she was having trouble coming to terms with. She hadn’t heard from Richie since he left her apartment, and she was devastated. How the finale would play out was an afterthought in her head and her heart. She had been in contact with Jon over the last two weeks, and just this morning, she received a call from him, confirming the time and a thousand other details. The plan was for Jon to sing with her, and he didn’t know yet if Richie was even going to come. He wasn’t talking. Jon was all business. Gone was the easy friendship they had fallen into. She wasn’t surprised.
Shaking off the melancholy feelings, Julianna put on her professional face, and waded into the comfortable chaos of backstage. Inserting her earpiece, she was immediately bombarded by the booming voice of her stage boss barking orders to a dozen different groups within the crew. They were making last second preparations. Once the curtain rose, the only chatter she would hear was to the scene changers. She could feel her excitement growing despite the pain in her personal life.
The backstage lights flashed – five minutes to curtain. Julianna sought out her leads to give them hugs and to tell them to break a leg. Her leads and the other actors rushed around back stage, getting into position. Finally, the curtain rose to the opening strains of “Prayer”, and they were off and running.
Julianna watched most of the performance from the wings, smiling at the reaction of the audience. She saw a few of the younger crowd singing along, and everyone she could see had smiles on their faces. If this was any indication, the show was going to be a success. She sighed. At least one thing in my life will be, she thought.
Absently, Julianna fingered the charm on the necklace Richie had sent her to celebrate opening night. It was a silver heart with an elaborate T&G engraved on it. The gift came with a rather impersonal note, one he could have sent to anybody: Congratulations on the show. I know it will be a success. Yours, R.
Julianna was so lost in thought that before she knew it, the show was approaching the end – the finale. Julianna ducked into the ladies’ dressing room, and pulled her mother’s gown from the closet. Swallowing hard against a lump in her throat, she got changed. Positioning herself backstage in the wings, she signaled to the stage boss, who took her earpiece from her. As she waited in the wings for her cue, she grinned and winked at the pointed stares she was getting from the dancers and crew.
In the orchestra pit, hidden from the audience’s view, she could see the band getting into position – all but Richie. She sighed, resigned to singing with Jon. Not a hardship by any means, but not what her heart wanted. Jon caught her eye and winked at her. What the hell? She heard the opening bars of the final song, and started. This wasn’t the version they had rehearsed for the show – this was the acoustic version with Richie on the Alvarez. She looked at Jon again. This time, he was grinning broadly, and pointed at her, motioning that she should start. Julianna’s heart skipped. Could it be?
In this version, Julianna had the first verse. Shaking slightly, she stepped out from the wings. Her voice pure and strong, permeating the theater.
We’ve been through Hell before
Baby, we’ve seen all the signs
But we’ve always made it through –
We’ve stayed just within the lines
Richie answered with his lines, stepping from the wings on the other side of the stage, resplendent in black tie. The theater erupted into applause and cheers, which he ignored. Usually he would have acknowledged the audience with a nod or a smile or a wink, but he wasn’t in the mood tonight. The 12-string Julianna had given to him was strapped to his broad chest, filling the theater with haunting music. He sang beautifully, but wouldn’t meet her eyes.
Now that life is getting hard
It’s too easy to give in
But we never took the easy way
Now’s not the time to begin
They joined their voices together in the chorus, still sounding perfect together; always the consummate professionals.
Hey, no matter where you go and no matter what you do
Know that I’ll be by your side. Babe, I’ll always be with you.
No matter what the cards may show, when they’re all dealt from the shoe
I won’t give up, I won’t give in. I will always be with you.
Julianna looked tentatively at Richie. She thought she still saw love in his eyes, but it was tinged with confusion, sadness, and pain. She imagined he must see the same in her eyes. Richie sang his next verse, staring across the stage at Julianna.
Things are going to get tough
They are going to get bad
But Hell, they can’t be tougher
Than the times that we’ve just had
When Julianna took her next lines, she crossed the stage, stopping to stand toe-to-toe with him, and sang the words with such passion, such emotion, that her eyes filled with tears.
I know your love is true
I know you’re always mine
And baby, that won’t change
From now ‘til the end of time
Julianna looked, really looked into his eyes. She watched as his love for her chased some of the shadows from his eyes. Her heart soared. After they sang the chorus again, Richie launched into a beautiful solo, his fingers flying across the strings. His eyes closed in concentration, chin tilted up, his head swayed back and forth gently with the music.
The music was uplifting and heart-wrenching at the same time. Far more poignant than she’d ever heard it in rehearsals. Glancing around surreptitiously, she noticed a look of surprise on the rest of the band’s faces. Guess this is a surprise to them, too. Julianna had to blink hard to keep from crying outright. They sang the bridge together, to each other. After that and one last chorus, they were done.
We’re in each other’s hearts, and we’ll never let that go
We’re in this for forever, and I want you to know
That no matter where you go, no matter what you do
You know that I’ll be by your side – I will always be with you.
No matter what the cards may show, when they’re all dealt from the shoe
I won’t give up, I won’t give in. Babe, I’ll always be with you.
Yeah we won’t give up, we won’t give in. I will always be with you.
The final strains of music faded, and the theater was completely silent. Looking into front row of the audience, she saw tears streaming down her mother’s face. A heartbeat later, the theater erupted in a cacophony of applause, cheers, and whistles. The crowd rose as one to their feet as the curtains closed on the show.
Once the curtain dropped, Julianna led Richie deep into the wings, still not touching him. “I didn’t think you’d come,” she said.
“Honestly? I didn’t think I would, either.” Richie handed his guitar off to a stage hand, and took Julianna’s hands in his, looking into her eyes. “Julianna, I’m sorry. I overreacted, and should have talked to you about, well, things. I never should have let it get this far. Never. Can you forgive me?”
Julianna was crying in earnest now. “Only if you can forgive me for my behavior. I can’t believe how childish and selfish and stupid I acted. I should have been more persistent; should have come to you; I’m too stubborn for my own good. I’m so sorry.” She squeezed his hands, and pulled him into a hug. “You mean so much to me. I’m sorry that I made you doubt that even for a moment.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Richie said. “I know you love me. I love you too."
At that moment, as the two were locked in an embrace, the rest of the band joined them. Tico spoke up first. “Guys, that was wonderful. You two sounded great.” He took in the sight before him, and broke into a grin. He asked “It looks like you’ve sorted things out?” The two nodded. “Good. Man, you are perfect together. I was, we all were, all so upset over all this.”
The others all voiced their agreement with Tico’s sentiments. Julianna could see the stage manager gesturing to her. It was the cue for the band’s bow. “Guys, it’s time for your bow. Get on out there.”
The curtains lifted, and the foursome strode out onto the stage like they owned the place. The crowd cheered loudly as the boys took their bows. Jon motioned to Richie, who stepped forward. After taking his own bow, he extended a hand toward Julianna. Blotting the remaining tears from her eyes, she smiled and stepped out onto the stage. If it was possible, the crowd cheered even louder. Reaching center stage, she made a deep diva curtsey, and turned to give each man a hug and kiss. Joining hands with Richie, they stepped forward together and bowed. Julianna’s father approached the stage with a bouquet of roses for her. She bent to take them as her father mouthed “I love you” to her. She blew him a kiss, and returned to Richie.
They stepped back to allow the leads, Sam and Lila, to take their rightful place on center stage. They each kissed Julianna, as they passed her. They made their sweeping bows and the curtains fell for the last time. Backstage, everyone came bustling over to Julianna, to congratulate her on the show and her performance; and to chide her for making it a surprise. Stan even made his way down from his box to add his accolades to the mix. Julianna didn’t register any of it, however. She handed her flowers to Stan, and turned. She had eyes now for only one man, and he for one woman.
They made their way toward each other, oblivious to the noise and commotion around them. Melting into each other’s arms, Richie and Julianna whispered to each other words from the song they just shared.
We’re in each other’s hearts, and we’ll never let that go
We’re in this for forever, and I want you to know
That no matter where you go, no matter what you do
You know that I’ll be by your side – I’ll always be with you.
The couple shared a steamy kiss and left the theater, their arms wrapped around each other.
Lyrics: With You © 2008
All Rights Reserved
Chapter 65: Threats and Promises
It was tomorrow, and Richie didn’t feel any better. He had hardly slept, and by the time the first rays of sunshine were poking through the window, he was done being in bed. He had tried to relax, had tried to put things into perspective, but couldn’t get past the point that Julianna had lied to him. Richie felt so let down, so betrayed.
He knew, though, that he had to deal with this or else risk going back to that place he swore he never would revisit. He pulled himself together as best he could, and went up to the house. When he walked into the kitchen, he was not surprised to see it empty. Jon was probably up in the studio or still in bed, and Dave and Teek were most likely home with their women. The song for the finale done, there wasn’t anything to do except wait for opening night.
Richie set about making coffee and after pouring himself a mug, sat at the table and stared at it.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Jon asked from the doorway.
“Waiting for you,” was his wingman’s tired response.
Richie told Jon everything and waited. Jon just looked at him. “You fucked up, man,” he said to his friend.
“What do you mean?” Richie answered.
“Julianna hasn’t done anything to make you think she’d get back together with that tool. In fact,” Jon said, taking a seat across the table from Richie, “if anything, she can’t stand him. I don’t believe for a minute that she invited him back.”
“Whose side are you on?” Richie asked, getting angry.
“Look,” Jon said. “Didn’t you tell me he just showed up at her apartment one day and she threw him out?” Richie nodded. He’d conveniently forgotten about that. “Why would she do that if she wanted him around?”
“Maybe she was lying about that too,” Richie said.
Jon was getting impatient. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” He looked at his friend’s face, and shook his head. “Man, you have to decide if you trust her or not. It’s an all or nothing thing.” He stood and slapped his brother’s shoulder. “You have to make that decision on your own.”
* * * * *
Julianna was in such a mood, that the final rehearsals, rehearsals that should have run smoothly, were choppy. Nothing made her happy. At one point, she made Lila so upset she left the stage. Stan, who’d been watching from the balcony called down to her, “What the hell is going on down there?”
“Nothing,” Julianna said, and promptly burst into tears and fled the stage, slamming into her office. She wouldn’t open the door for anyone, and Stan finally resorted to calling Julianna’s mother. Stan had a car bring Teresa to the theater, and she lightly knocked on the door.
“Cara,” she called softly, “Please talk to me.”
Julianna opened the door and fell into her mother’s arms. The two women disappeared behind the door and Julianna told her everything. Resting her head in her mother’s lap as she did when she was a girl, she told her mother everything from the time Mark came to her apartment to Richie leaving. “Have you called him, Cara, tried to explain?” Teresa was stroking her daughter’s hair.
“No, Mama,” she said. “I told him if he didn’t trust me, he should leave,” her sobs got greater. “And he left.” She was crying in earnest now.
“Then he’s a fool,” Teresa said.
* * * * *
Mark’s secretary rushed into his office without knocking. “Mark, there’s someone here to see you,” she said excitedly.
“Jesus, Martha, don’t you know any better than to rush in here?” Mark hurriedly closed what he was working on, not wanting her to see the change he had made to Sam and Lila’s contracts. He was going over to the theater today to get their signatures, and Julianna wasn’t going to stop him.
“But Mark, it’s…” She was cut off by the person in question coming through the door.
“Valentino,” he said, eyes cold and hard.
Mark nodded at him. “Well, well, well,” he said. “Martha, you can leave us, and shut the door.” He waited for Martha to comply before continuing. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“It’s not a pleasure, believe me.” Jon started advancing on Mark, who had the good sense to retreat behind his desk. “I want you to stay away from BIO,” he said.
Mark just laughed and sat in his chair. “What’s the matter? Little Julianna go running to her boyfriend for help?” Mark’s laugh was bitter and evil.
“No,” Jon said, “she hasn’t said anything to Richie or me.” It was true enough, Jon supposed. Not that Mark needed to know the whole truth.
“What’s it to you, Jon?” Mark sneered.
“You’re fucking with my family, and I don’t tolerate that,” Jon said, steel creeping into his voice. Jesus, he thought, this guy really is an asshole.
Mark shook his head. “Look, I’m a big boy, and I don’t have to take orders from you. If that’s all you came to say, you can just take your ass on out of here. I’ve got work to do.”
Jon knew that threats wouldn’t work on this guy, so he switched tactics. Taking a stroll around Mark’s office, he saw photographs of Mark with various people – famous people. People Jon considered his friends. Taking out his phone, he dialed a number. Mark looked on, amused. “Hello? Yeah, it’s Jon.” He waited a few moments for the person to finish his response. “Yeah, listen, I’m calling to ask a favor. Do you know a Mark Valentino?” Mark’s eyes narrowed at the mention of his name. “Yeah, well, he’s fucking with Richie’s girl.” Jon laughed. “I know. So anyway,” he stopped as his friend spoke some more. “That’s exactly it. Thanks, Chris. See you soon.” He hung up and looked at Mark. “That’s one,” he said, and dialed again.
“Look,” Mark began. “I have shit to do, and it doesn’t include watching you make inane phone calls.” He buzzed for his secretary. “Martha,” he said, when she opened the door. “Mr. Bongiovi was just leaving.”
“Oh, OK. There’s someone else waiting for you,” she said.
“Tell whoever it is to wait,” Mark answered, dismissing them both.
“This isn’t over,” Jon said to him.
“Yeah, rock star, it is. Bye-bye now.” Mark went back to rewording some of the clauses in the contracts he had drawn up for Sam and Lila. By the time he was done with them, there was no way they could get out of the contracts without giving up everything they had. He’d own them.
When Jon went out to Mark’s outer office, he was surprised to find Teresa there. “What are you doing here, signora?” he asked her. Teresa looked up from the magazine she was reading.
“Jon!” she said, pleased. She stood and Jon kissed her cheek. “I am here to see that snake,” she said, distaste evident on her face, “and to tell him to keep away from my baby. What are you doing here?”
Jon laughed. “I was doing the same thing, though Richie isn’t my baby. He’s a piece of work,” Jon said, waving at the door.
Teresa rolled her eyes. “Tell me something I do not know,” she said.
Martha looked up at them. “Ma’am, Mark will see you now,” she said.
“I’ll wait for you,” Jon said, and settled into the waiting room,
Teresa breezed into Mark’s office.
“Teresa? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Delivering a message. Stay away from my daughter or I will have you killed.”
Mark sputtered and stood, outrage turning his complexion red. “How dare you come in here and threaten me. You can’t do that!”
“It is not a threat, it is a vow,” Teresa said quietly. “Do not think I cannot or will not have this done,” she said. She opened her bag and took out a single black rose. “This is your only warning,” she said, and laid the rose on Mark’s desk. Without looking back, she headed for the door.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Mark mocked, and didn’t see the narrow-eyed look Teresa shot him before closing the door.
Jon rose when she came out. “Well?” Jon asked.
“One way or another,” she said cryptically, this is done.”
* * * * *
Buried on page 23 of the New York Times, several days later
An unidentified man was the victim of a hit-and-run accident last night, outside the Bring It On theater. The man was Caucasian, 34-40 years of age, 6’2” dark hair and eyes. He was wearing a business suit and trench coat, of good quality. No identification was found on the body. Anyone with any information is urged to call their local police station.
Neither Julianna nor Richie saw this article, but Teresa did. She went outside, taking her pre-paid cell phone with her. “I see it is done. Your debt is paid.” She dropped the phone on the ground, crushed it with a rock, and threw away the pieces.
Buried on page 32 of the New York Times, two days later
The man struck outside the Bring It On Theater earlier this week, has been identified as Mark Valentino. Valentino, producer of television’s, ‘New York Minute’, had apparently just left the set of the upcoming Broadway show, ‘Tommy & Gina’, when he was struck and killed. Officials still have no leads and are asking the public for help. Anyone with any information is urged to call their local police station.
This one, Julianna saw, but said nothing.
Chapter 64: Setting Things Right
Julianna sat on the floor in the middle of her room, and cried. How could he not believe her? How could he believe Stan over her? Did he really think so little of her – she trailed off in her thoughts. Obviously that’s what he thought. She looked around at the room, focusing on the bed; its sheets still mussed from last night. The sight broke her heart. “Well, fuck him,” she said out loud through her tears. She stood, dried her tears, and stripped the bed. Carrying her sheets to the washing machine, she pressed her face to them, inhaling the musky smell of Richie. She refused to let the tears overtake her again, and got the laundry started.
Pacing her apartment, she could feel the walls closing in on her. This was ridiculous. It was all a big misunderstanding, but she couldn’t think how to fix it. “Snap out of it, Jules,” she told herself, but it was easier said than done. The pacing picked up speed. This was not her fault, damn it, she thought. She wasn’t the one who was being stupid and stubborn and unyielding, and – she stopped. She was getting distracted from the problem. The problem was Mark. He was the one who was the cause of all of this, and it started when he showed up at rehearsals again.
Grabbing her bag and keys, she strode to the door. No way was she letting Mark win.
* * * * *
Richie made the drive back to Connecticut in record time. He didn’t want to face his friends – not yet – so he went to Julianna’s cottage. He pulled out his keys and let himself in. Standing there among her things and her smells, he let the grief that he was holding at bay flow free, and collapsed to the floor. Laying there, looking up at the ceiling, he tried to be objective about this – tried to hear Jon’s reasonable voice in his head. He couldn’t. The emotions were too raw.
Richie crawled into the bedroom. He climbed into Julianna’s bed, clothes, shoes, and all, and let himself give in to the blackness. He didn’t relish the numbness like he thought it would, but maybe, just for a little while, it would help. He lay there, staring at the walls, trying desperately to think this through. He wasn’t going to be able to. He needed his best friend’s help. Again.
Exhausted, Richie looked at his watch. Tomorrow, he thought, and tried to sleep.
* * * * *
Someone was pounding on the door. Mark looked at his watch and swore. It was 9:30 at night – who the hell could that be?
“What?” he called through the door.
“Open the fucking door,” a very angry woman’s voice demanded.
Mark complied, and smiled when he saw his ex. “Julianna, darling, how wonderful to see –“ his words were cut off by a jab to the mouth. “Son of a BITCH!” he screamed, and before he knew it, she was in his apartment.
“Shut up and listen, asswipe,” Julianna said, slamming the door and advancing on Mark. “You are NOT welcome in my life. Not personally, not professionally, not tangentially. Not at all. Period.” Mark had backed up as far as he could, and was wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. “Stay away from my theater, my actors, my apartment, and my life.”
When Julianna raised a hand again, Mark caught it and twisted her arm around behind her. Pulling her close, he pinned her other arm between them, and grumbled in her ear. “Now you listen, bitch,” he spat, “I will do whatever I want, whenever I want. Always have, always will. You do not scare me, you stupid little fool.” He hiked her arm up higher, making Julianna wince. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of crying out.
“Get your filthy hands off of me,” she said angrily.
“When I’m good and ready, sweetheart,” Mark answered, menacingly. “I am not ready to abandon this little project. I have too much invested, and nothing you do or say is going to change my mind.” He opened the door, and still holding Julianna close, walked through it. “Now, kindly go away,” he said, and releasing her roughly, he stepped back into his apartment.
“This is not over,” she said to him, daggers firing from her eyes.
“Not by a long shot,” Mark agreed, and slammed the door.
* * * * *
The next morning, Julianna was the first one to the theater. As people entered, she told them to go take a seat in the audience; she had an announcement to make. She was going to take care of this once and for all. Everyone, including Stan and her leads were sitting with puzzled expressions on their faces when Julianna strode onto the stage.
“Everyone, thanks for bearing with me,” she started, looking out over the people who worked with and for her on this project from the very beginning. “I know most of you personally as well as professionally, and if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll know that I don’t make personal requests lightly or often.” There was some shifting among the staff, but it appeared as if they were just anxious to get to work.
Julianna continued. “It has come to my attention that Mark Valentino has been hanging around the theater again. I want to make this absolutely clear.” She stopped and scanned each face in turn, noting the apprehension on her leads’ faces. “I have banned Mark from this theater. I cannot stop you from pursuing personal relationships with him, but he is not welcome here at all. Period.” She saw Sam and Lila slide looks at each other then turn their attention back to Julianna.
“We only have a few short weeks until opening night, and I need everyone to be focusing on their roles in making this show the success I know it can be. I’m asking for you to honor my wishes in this respect.” Julianna sighed and paced the stage a little. “For those of you who don’t know the history, or who have only heard the rumors, Mark is my ex-husband. We did not part on good terms, and I do not want him around. Any questions?” There weren’t any. “Thanks, everyone. Sam, Lila, with me. Everyone else, back to business.”
Julianna led her leads into her office. “Now, you two want to tell me what you’re all twitchy about?” Julianna smiled at them. “I could practically feel the nervous energy wafting off of you out there.”
Sam and Lila looked at each other, then at Julianna. Sam spoke up. “Mark, Mr. Valentino, offered to help us negotiate a record deal after this run was done,” he said sheepishly. “We didn’t know that he wasn’t supposed to be here,” he added.
Julianna seethed inside, but didn’t let it show. “Did you sign anything yet?” she asked. The pair shook their heads. “OK, I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to get independent verification if you don’t believe me. Mark is not a nice man. He is good at what he does, but he is ruthless and will cut corners and tell you whatever you want to get his way.” She grinned ironically. “He’ll probably tell you the same things about me, but you’ve worked with me, and I hope that you don’t feel that way.”
She sat behind her desk. “Now, if you’re serious about wanting to get into the recording business, I have lots of contacts I can set you up with, but AFTER we get through opening night. I don’t want to stop you from realizing your dreams, but I do want to keep you from getting distracted. You need to be focused on your roles right now. Your performances are excellent, and I want them to stay that way. Does this make sense?”
Lila nodded. “I’m so glad you said something; he wanted us to sign a contract right away, and we were a little anxious about doing that.”
Julianna nodded. “That’s fine. If you want a contract with someone to manage your careers, that’s your business. If it’s Mark, that’s your business too, but he’s not welcome here.”
Sam shook his head. “No,” he said. “We heard the rumors about what your ex did, and knowing it was Mark who’s the ex, we don’t want anything to do with him. Our loyalties are to you, Julianna.”
Julianna stood and hugged her leads. “Thank you. I promise you, when we get through the first night, I will help you any way I can.”
Chapter 63: Confrontation
Julianna was in high spirits when she got home. Rehearsals were going smoothly, and her leads were performing better and better with each run-through they did. Admittedly, she hadn’t spent too much time with them today, but in the last run-through, everyone hit every mark, and executed every step and sung every note perfectly. She was humming to herself as she fit her key into the lock, and called out, “Rich, baby, I’m home!”
There was no answer. Frowning, she looked around the main living area, but Richie was nowhere to be found. She called him on his cell, but there was no answer. She left a brief message, and went to take a shower. As she entered her bedroom, she stifled a gasp. Richie was sitting there on the bed, staring at the doorway. And he looked mad.
“Baby, didn’t you hear me call out?” She laughed nervously. “You surprised me.”
“No more than you surprised me today,” he said coldly.
“What are you talking about?” Julianna was confused, and a bit uneasy. He looked angry, hurt, and, well, dangerous.
“You lied to me today,” Richie said, “and I don’t like being lied to.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Julianna’s uneasiness was turning to annoyance. She didn’t like this cryptic game, whatever it is.
“You know damned well what I’m talking about,” Richie said. “Stan told me all about it.”
“Stan? He told you what, exactly,” Julianna demanded.
“If you have to make me say it,” Richie said, disdain dripping from his voice. “I came to the theater to find you and apologize for earlier today.” He shook his head. “Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t find you,” he finished bitterly.
“You should have checked with the booth,” Julianna said. “I always have a radio on me; they could have called me and let me know you were here.” She was still puzzled. “But what does this have to do with Stan?”
“Stan set me straight on some things,” Richie said.
“And so we go, back around in a circle. Will you just stop a minute and tell me just what the hell you’re talking about?”
Richie shook his head. “Mark,” he said, but didn’t say anything else.
“Mark what?” Julianna said, exasperated. “Jesus, Rich, stop making me drag this out of you one sentence at a time. What the hell is going on?”
“Mark is what’s going on,” Richie said, his eyes flat. “Stan said that you decided that Mark could hang out at the theater.”
“WHAT?” Julianna was incredulous. “I’ve said no such thing! Why on earth would he tell you that, and why the hell are you getting all bent out of shape about this? You’re being ridiculous.”
“Then what the hell was Mark doing there, palling around with your leads like he owned the place.” Richie looked daggers at Julianna. “Level with me, what the hell was he doing there?”
“I’ve been doing nothing but leveling with you.” Julianna was shaking with rage. “I have no idea what he was doing there, but you can bet your obstinate ass I will find out.” She pointed an unsteady finger at Richie. “You have one hell of a nerve, pal. You’ve apparently got a trust issue here and I don’t deserve it.” She turned on her heel and stalked from the bedroom.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Julianna,” Richie said, springing from the bed and following her. He caught her arm and turned her roughly. Julianna yanked her arm from his grasp and shoved at him, sending him backwards several steps.
“Do not put your hands on me in anger, Rich,” Julianna said, heat and pain firing from her eyes. “You are scaring me.”
“Don’t try to turn this around on me. I’m not the one cavorting with my ex and letting him back into your life.”
Julianna just shook her head. “You aren’t listening to me, you stubborn jerk,” she said quietly. “If we don’t have trust, we don’t have anything. I can’t believe you’re accusing me of, well, I don’t know; just what exactly is it that you’re accusing me of?”
“You lied to me,” Richie said simply.
“I already told you I didn’t,” Julianna said. “If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do to change that.” She walked into the kitchen, and put the counter between them. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she willed them away. “You believe what you want. But I will not spend the next couple of weeks fighting with you. If you believe me, get over it. If you don’t,” now she couldn’t hold the tears back, “then you need to go back to Connecticut with your friends.” She crossed slowly to the door, seeing the shocked look on Richie’s face. When she reached the door, she turned back to look at him. “The choice is yours,” she said, then left her apartment.
Mark was congratulating himself on neatly slipping back into the show. He had talked to Sam and Lila about the show and they gushed on and on, and it was all Mark could do to not puke. He had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that they had strong voices. He told them that after the show’s run was done, they should consider a recording contract, and guess what? He was someone who could make that happen for them. They were understandably excited, and anxious to get a contract in place, naming Mark as their manager.
On the way back to his office, Mark dictated a rudimentary contract to his secretary. He made sure that there was a clause in there stating that he had final rights over what work the pair did and did not accept. It was a standard clause he added to most every contract, and usually, the simps were so eager to have “A Manager” that they signed without a second thought. He smiled to himself. Sam and Lila were young and naïve; this will be a piece of cake. And, he thought, he’d make sure they had nothing to do with his bitch of an ex-wife after this run of the show was done.
Several hours later, Julianna returned to an empty apartment. Her heart was heavy, because her phone hadn’t rung. She ran to the bedroom, and found the drawers that had held Richie’s things gaping open and conspicuously empty. His toiletries were gone from the bathroom. He had left. He didn’t believe her.
Chapter 62: A Man Scorned
Richie wasn’t thrilled that Julianna decided to keep this from him. “I thought we had agreed on total honesty?” he said.
Julianna was a bit surprised at his tone, but really couldn’t blame him. Much. “I didn’t want to talk about it, “she said. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
Richie sighed. “It’s not that it’s a big deal, it’s that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”
“No, Rich,” Julianna insisted. “That isn’t it at all.” She started pacing. “Look,” she said, looking at him. “When he called, I was not exactly in the best place, if you’ll recall.” Richie nodded. “I didn’t want to talk about it. Sorry. Sue me.” Richie was a little surprised by her sarcastic attitude, but said nothing. Julianna continued. “I actually forgot all about his call until he showed up here.” She was trying not to get aggravated with him, but it was hard.
Richie looked skeptical. “You mean you never gave it a second thought? Really?”
“Really,” Julianna said. “Rich, he doesn’t mean anything to me. Not anymore. Not good, bad, or otherwise. He’s just a nuisance now, not part of my life, and I don’t want to waste another moment talking about him.” She crossed the room to take his hands. “You helped me make him powerless against me. End of story.”
“So quickly?”
Julianna sighed angrily. “Look, believe me or don’t, but don’t preach about trust to me if you don’t trust me yourself.” Her eyes searched Richie’s, darting back and forth between them. “Now,” she said, her voice softening. “I’ve got a lot of work to do this afternoon and need fuel. What’d you get for lunch? It smells delicious.”
All the way back to his office, Mark was livid. How dare that bitch attack him. Who the hell did she think she was? Just because she was screwing a rock star didn’t make her any better than him. He sat behind his desk and fumed. Then he plotted. He knew that she wouldn’t make a scene in front of the company – she never was one to do that. He’d simply take what he wanted. He wanted in on her show.
Later that afternoon, Mark presented himself at the theater. Since he had made himself scarce in the past weeks, nobody was really expecting him. He waltzed in like he owned the place, and sat quietly in the back of the darkish theater. Nobody said anything to him, and he smiled. This might just work out after all. He watched the rehearsals for a while, bored out of his mind. He thought the story line was insipid, the choreography simple and plain and the songs? Well he never did understand the appeal.
Still, his nose knew when he smelled something good, and given the popularity of this band, the show was sure to be a success. Any success was worth being a part of. He made his way out of the theater, and walked around the rehearsal rooms, being careful not to be spotted by Julianna. If his plan had any hope of succeeding, he had to make nice with everyone first, then let Julianna know he’d been around. That way, she’d look like the bad guy for sending him away when all he was trying to do was make nice.
Attack him? He’d show her. He’d get what he wanted from her, then she’d be sorry.
When Julianna left to go the theater, Richie sat and looked out the window, thinking. He knew that he was being ridiculous. Julianna had never given him any reason to doubt her. He was just being a jealous fool, and what was worse, he was being jealous of someone she hated. That was screwed up. Sighing, he decided he needed to apologize to Julianna. He didn’t want this to fester between them. Decision made, he slapped his thighs and stood. After cleaning up from their lunch, Richie went shopping.
When he arrived at the theater, Richie went in the back entrance, as he did the last time. He found someone to tell him where Julianna was working. Making his way to the rehearsal room, he smiled, patting his pocket. Nothing says “I’m sorry I fucked up” like jewelry.
Walking quietly to the door, he peeked in the window, and gaped. Mark was sitting there, talking to Julianna’s leads, looking as if he had every right to be there. Julianna was nowhere to be found. Fuming, he stalked around looking for her, but with no luck. He did run into Stan, and asked him why Mark was there.
“I guess Julianna decided he wasn’t hurting anything by being here,” Stan said.
“What about all the rumors and gossip he was trying to start?”
Stan just shrugged. “She doesn’t run all her decisions by me,” Stan said. “Maybe you should ask her yourself.”
“Maybe I will,” Richie said angrily, and left.
