Alejandro
arrived at the club early Tuesday morning to begin setting up for that night’s
performances. He made sure the liquor at the bar was stocked, the books balanced,
and the stage equipment and lighting worked flawlessly. Sometimes, Talia would
send Vanessa to help when it opened on consecutive nights. But she relied
heavily on him to ensure everything was taken care of. She would never admit
that to him personally, but deep down he knew. Her insisting he teach Emilia what
they referred to as “club maintenance” immediately gave that away.
Talia’s predicament with Juan Paulo coupled
with doctor’s orders to abstain from sex have made her so irritable she hadn’t
gotten much sleep. Not only did she relinquish Monday night to Ruby and Amber
(the chair routine with her and Vanessa was a hit in its live debut), but she
postponed rehearsal until after lunch.
Exhausted both physically and
mentally, she explained to Alejandro over the phone how she expected Juan Paulo
to make an appearance that evening.
“What
do you want me to do with him?” He asked, “Show him the door or just throw him
onto the street?”
“No, not this time. I need to settle
something with him. I suspect he will want to order me a drink.”
“The usual whiskey sour?”
“Yes, but with a quarter lime. Thank
you.”
Alejandro exhaled, trying to keep his
smile from penetrating the phone connection, “Anything else?”
“Escort him backstage to meet me
after the show when everyone else has gone. And have everything ready to go by
noon. I should be over there by then.”
“Will do, see you…” The phone went
dead before he could finish, but he took it in stride after receiving a rare
pat on the back from Talia.
“Alejandro?”
“Alejandro?”
He snapped out of his daze when his
head did the same upward. Scarlet donned a simple black cocktail dress with
matching ankle boots. Blue eyeshadow made her green eyes pop, although it could
have also been her wide smile. “Hey Scarlet. You’re here early. Would you like
something to drink?”
“Water’s fine, thank you.” He poured
her a quick glass from the tap. She took a healthy gulp, cupping her glass with
both hands. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, what about?” She put her cell phone on the counter, the message screen still visible.
“Javi just texted me. He wants to meet me for lunch and I told him to meet me here to pick me up. Could you pass the news onto Talia for me?”
“Sure, no problem.” He handed her phone back to her and she dropped it into her bag. “You know, if this keeps up, we might have to find a replacement for you.”
“Please,” she playfully rolled her eyes, “I’m not going anywhere. At least not right away.” Taking a second to readjust the purse strap on her shoulder, she added, “I never got to thank you for last night. I’ve been such a bundle of nerves lately and your support meant a lot to me.”
“It’s no problem at all. You and me, we’ve been friends a long time. So anything I can do to help, feel free to say the word.” He smirked while polishing some glasses. “Considering that even Talia approves of this guy, you may not even need my help.”
Scarlet leaned forward. “I’m still new to this, remember? I’m still going to need advice on a few things. Besides, Talia likes him for me. It’s the guys interested in her that she doesn’t like. No offense.”
“Eh,” he shrugged, “I’m used to it by now. I do have to commend Juan Paulo for being persistent, even if it’s all for nothing.”
“Hey Scarlet, are you ready to go?” She spun around and found Javier wearing a white Polo with the first two button undone, holding a single rose matching the shade of red in her highlights. “This is going to sound completely cliché, but I saw this and it reminded me of you. I made sure they removed the thorns.”
“It’s beautiful, Javi.” She took it and inhaled.
Javier eased his hands around Scarlet’s bare shoulders and gave them a nice massage. “I promise I’ll have her back in a couple hours, Alejandro. I’m sure Talia runs a tight ship around here.”
He sighed, his hands resigned on his hips, “You’re not wrong.”
“Thanks again, Alejandro.” Her eyes flickered up at him apologetically as Javier escorted her out the door.
“Of course, what about?” She put her cell phone on the counter, the message screen still visible.
“Javi just texted me. He wants to meet me for lunch and I told him to meet me here to pick me up. Could you pass the news onto Talia for me?”
“Sure, no problem.” He handed her phone back to her and she dropped it into her bag. “You know, if this keeps up, we might have to find a replacement for you.”
“Please,” she playfully rolled her eyes, “I’m not going anywhere. At least not right away.” Taking a second to readjust the purse strap on her shoulder, she added, “I never got to thank you for last night. I’ve been such a bundle of nerves lately and your support meant a lot to me.”
“It’s no problem at all. You and me, we’ve been friends a long time. So anything I can do to help, feel free to say the word.” He smirked while polishing some glasses. “Considering that even Talia approves of this guy, you may not even need my help.”
Scarlet leaned forward. “I’m still new to this, remember? I’m still going to need advice on a few things. Besides, Talia likes him for me. It’s the guys interested in her that she doesn’t like. No offense.”
“Eh,” he shrugged, “I’m used to it by now. I do have to commend Juan Paulo for being persistent, even if it’s all for nothing.”
“Hey Scarlet, are you ready to go?” She spun around and found Javier wearing a white Polo with the first two button undone, holding a single rose matching the shade of red in her highlights. “This is going to sound completely cliché, but I saw this and it reminded me of you. I made sure they removed the thorns.”
“It’s beautiful, Javi.” She took it and inhaled.
Javier eased his hands around Scarlet’s bare shoulders and gave them a nice massage. “I promise I’ll have her back in a couple hours, Alejandro. I’m sure Talia runs a tight ship around here.”
He sighed, his hands resigned on his hips, “You’re not wrong.”
“Thanks again, Alejandro.” Her eyes flickered up at him apologetically as Javier escorted her out the door.
Five short minutes later, Vanessa
arrived with Talia. Although it was tapering off, the discussion sounded so
heated, Alejandro jerked his head up to gauge the best friends’ demeanors
further. Vanessa posed question after question, only for Talia to shrug them
off.
“Are
you sure you want to go through with this?”
“My mind is made up.” Talia threw up
her arms and took a bar stool. Alejandro held an empty glass in his hand, a
question on his lips, but she waved him away. “No more games. Juan Paulo needs
to hear the truth from me.”
“Well, this is certainly a first. A
guy should be so lucky to get a dose of your honesty.” Alejandro didn’t even
attempt to keep the bitterness from coloring his tone.
“Stay out of it, Alejandro. This is
none of your business.” Talia hissed deep in her throat like a rattlesnake
preparing to strike. But the tirade of insults that typically followed never
came. Instead, she massaged a headache with no interest of going away.
After the dust settled, Alejandro explained,
“Javier took Scarlet out for lunch. He promised to have her back in two hours.”
“Good for them.” Vanessa glanced at
Talia, who hadn’t moved. “I hope I get to meet him. He sounds great.”
“He is great,” Talia lowered her
hand, “great for Scarlet. This is what she wants and she deserves it.”
“You know, my uncles would say
you’re selling yourself short. Everyone deserves happiness, Talia. Even you.”
“No. I have happiness in my job and
when I perform. I do not need a man to be responsible for my happiness when all
they have done is destroy it.” Her eyes flickered, launching daggers into his. “Now
if you will excuse me…” She hopped off the stool and disappeared behind the
velvet curtain.
Sighing, Vanessa stepped down as
well. “I’m sorry, but I have to go too. I’m meeting Amber for lunch.”
“No, it’s all right. I’m sure once rehearsal starts, everything will settle down here.” He rung out another towel and wiped down the bar—for the third time since he arrived. The various narratives unfolding within the siren collective created a perfect distraction. “So, you and Amber, huh? You seem to be getting on great.”
“Yeah, it’s been interesting to say the least.” Looking away, she combed hair away from her ear. She’d promised Amber she’d keep her secret and didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Not until she was ready to explain everything herself. “I thought maybe I could open her up to the idea of collaborating with us and it’d be one less thing for Talia to worry about.”
“You’re a great friend, Vanessa. Talia’s lucky to have you. And I think Amber is too. She was amazing last night, almost like she was a different person, when it was the two of you performing.”
“You have no idea…” She carefully muttered under her breath before adding at full volume, “Now I really have to go. Hold down the fort until I get back.”
“I’ll do my best.” He smiled back, but only did so halfheartedly.
“No, it’s all right. I’m sure once rehearsal starts, everything will settle down here.” He rung out another towel and wiped down the bar—for the third time since he arrived. The various narratives unfolding within the siren collective created a perfect distraction. “So, you and Amber, huh? You seem to be getting on great.”
“Yeah, it’s been interesting to say the least.” Looking away, she combed hair away from her ear. She’d promised Amber she’d keep her secret and didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Not until she was ready to explain everything herself. “I thought maybe I could open her up to the idea of collaborating with us and it’d be one less thing for Talia to worry about.”
“You’re a great friend, Vanessa. Talia’s lucky to have you. And I think Amber is too. She was amazing last night, almost like she was a different person, when it was the two of you performing.”
“You have no idea…” She carefully muttered under her breath before adding at full volume, “Now I really have to go. Hold down the fort until I get back.”
“I’ll do my best.” He smiled back, but only did so halfheartedly.
* * *
Javier helped Scarlet into her chair
at the al fresco café before taking his seat. “So how’ve you been since we last
saw each other?”
“Oh,” she gasped in an attempt to
contain her excitement, “everything’s been fine. Except Talia’s been stressing
out and it’s kinda been getting to the rest of us.”
“It’s about JP, isn’t it?”
“You
heard that, huh?” Swallowing, she looked up at him. His expression was
surprisingly resigned.
“It’s okay.” He said with a shrug. “I know about Talia’s reputation with the guys. She’s more likely to sleep with them than have a real relationship with them.”
“Well, that’s certainly it in a nutshell.” She flushed, turning away. “But don’t you care about your friend’s feelings enough to warn him? Talia can be pretty stubborn.”
“I do, and he can be stubborn as well. But I’m sure Talia’s already noticed that…” He broke off and chuckled, “What are we doing, talking about all this drama with our friends? You have Talia’s schedule to keep so we should be making better use of our little time together.”
“Right, of course… how the La Scala gig going so far?”
“Going very well, thank you. We’ve had a good crowd these past couple nights. And from what I hear, the other bands are only pulling in crowds half the size. Of course, we probably won’t be as lucky when Calypso starts doing daily shows again.”
“Well, we generally operate for four hours from seven to ten. Three or four performances throughout the night, each at the top of the hour. Maybe you can just save your best material for after ten in case the crowd wants to visit both places on the same night. And,” she bit her lip, “maybe I’ll come see you guys after I finish.”
“I’d like that very much.”
Suddenly, a burst of cheers and loud singing took her and Javier out of their private bubble. Upon entering the cafe, Vanessa was greeted by a rousing rendition of “happy birthday” from the hostess and wait staff. Her face was completely red, and her smile was so vivid it could have lit a city in the middle of a blackout. Once it concluded, applause from employees and patrons alike moved through the area like a tidal wave. Vanessa made eye contact with a few people, nodding and mouthing thank you’s until she took a seat across from Amber four tables left of Scarlet and Javier. Just as quickly, everyone went back to their business without missing a beat.
“Wow…” Javier grinned, shaking his head with amazement, “there’s never a dull day in your lives, is there?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, the locals know us, and our names are on the marquee in bold letters. Usually, we do get plenty of breathing room in public so we can mingle without the extra attention.”
“It’s okay.” He said with a shrug. “I know about Talia’s reputation with the guys. She’s more likely to sleep with them than have a real relationship with them.”
“Well, that’s certainly it in a nutshell.” She flushed, turning away. “But don’t you care about your friend’s feelings enough to warn him? Talia can be pretty stubborn.”
“I do, and he can be stubborn as well. But I’m sure Talia’s already noticed that…” He broke off and chuckled, “What are we doing, talking about all this drama with our friends? You have Talia’s schedule to keep so we should be making better use of our little time together.”
“Right, of course… how the La Scala gig going so far?”
“Going very well, thank you. We’ve had a good crowd these past couple nights. And from what I hear, the other bands are only pulling in crowds half the size. Of course, we probably won’t be as lucky when Calypso starts doing daily shows again.”
“Well, we generally operate for four hours from seven to ten. Three or four performances throughout the night, each at the top of the hour. Maybe you can just save your best material for after ten in case the crowd wants to visit both places on the same night. And,” she bit her lip, “maybe I’ll come see you guys after I finish.”
“I’d like that very much.”
Suddenly, a burst of cheers and loud singing took her and Javier out of their private bubble. Upon entering the cafe, Vanessa was greeted by a rousing rendition of “happy birthday” from the hostess and wait staff. Her face was completely red, and her smile was so vivid it could have lit a city in the middle of a blackout. Once it concluded, applause from employees and patrons alike moved through the area like a tidal wave. Vanessa made eye contact with a few people, nodding and mouthing thank you’s until she took a seat across from Amber four tables left of Scarlet and Javier. Just as quickly, everyone went back to their business without missing a beat.
“Wow…” Javier grinned, shaking his head with amazement, “there’s never a dull day in your lives, is there?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, the locals know us, and our names are on the marquee in bold letters. Usually, we do get plenty of breathing room in public so we can mingle without the extra attention.”
“Having that anonymity is nice. Not that I would know personally but having a spotlight on you all the time… it can’t be an easy thing.” He studied Amber, who was busy chatting away with Vanessa as they split a piece of chocolate cake, and added, “JP talked about meeting Amber the other day to pass a message onto Talia. He was like ‘all these Calypso girls are so gorgeous they’d stop traffic in big cities just crossing the street and cause a pileup going back 20 miles.’” The comment made Scarlet giggle so hard, she almost spat out her drink, making both of them laugh twice as hard.
“Your friend’s quite the poet.”
“And a hopeless romantic… songwriting brings that out in him like nothing else.”
Finding themselves at another conversation crossroads, they turned their attention back to Amber and Vanessa. Both were very animated but even though they were close by, the chatter from the surrounding tables made the subject matter indecipherable.
Javier stole a few glances back toward Scarlet in the meantime and spoke his suspicion aloud. “If you want to go join them, I wouldn’t mind.”
“What?” She snapped out of her trance and shook her head as her blush overcame her freckles.
Javier’s comment wasn’t entirely off base. Her friends often said they were jealous they didn’t have a sister like Ruby. Sometimes it was difficult for anyone to get a word in edgewise when they were in a room together. Seeing how Amber and Vanessa were faring together gave her a pang of jealousy but for a different reason. She’d tried to be Amber’s friend since she joined the group and every attempt had been thwarted. She couldn’t bring herself to begrudge Vanessa’s good fortune, but she kept wondering to herself how Vanessa broke through that ironclad facade so easily.
After recovering, Scarlet waved off Javier’s comment, “Oh no, not at all. That reception earlier got me thinking about something kinda silly.”
“What is it?”
“Your friend’s quite the poet.”
“And a hopeless romantic… songwriting brings that out in him like nothing else.”
Finding themselves at another conversation crossroads, they turned their attention back to Amber and Vanessa. Both were very animated but even though they were close by, the chatter from the surrounding tables made the subject matter indecipherable.
Javier stole a few glances back toward Scarlet in the meantime and spoke his suspicion aloud. “If you want to go join them, I wouldn’t mind.”
“What?” She snapped out of her trance and shook her head as her blush overcame her freckles.
Javier’s comment wasn’t entirely off base. Her friends often said they were jealous they didn’t have a sister like Ruby. Sometimes it was difficult for anyone to get a word in edgewise when they were in a room together. Seeing how Amber and Vanessa were faring together gave her a pang of jealousy but for a different reason. She’d tried to be Amber’s friend since she joined the group and every attempt had been thwarted. She couldn’t bring herself to begrudge Vanessa’s good fortune, but she kept wondering to herself how Vanessa broke through that ironclad facade so easily.
After recovering, Scarlet waved off Javier’s comment, “Oh no, not at all. That reception earlier got me thinking about something kinda silly.”
“What is it?”
She grinned, looking him straight in the eye before rolling hers back. “Have you ever noticed that when people sing that song, they tend to do it off key?”
“I never thought about it actually but now that you mention it…”
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But I try to make an effort any time I sing even it’s just me in the shower.”
“You do have an amazing voice.” He reached across the table, resting his hand on her wrist. “If you want, you could come on stage and sing with us. It could be something to keep the customers on their toes”
“I don’t know… I’d like to, but…”
“If you’re self-conscious about your voice, don’t be. I’d been listening to you sing for years.”
“That’s really sweet, but that’s not it. I… I’m not comfortable with being the center of attention on stage.” She rubbed her arm with her free hand. “I don’t know why at karaoke, it’s not like that. I always feel safe there.”
“Safe?” Her jaw dropped. This was the last subject she wanted the conversation to change to. “Is this about your father?”
“I’m sorry, but can we not talk about this here right now?” It was moments before she realized that she’d raised her voice. Her face burned from all the eyes staring at them.
“Okay.” He turned her hand over, took it in both of his and kissed it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. If it’ll make easier, I could arrange some of our songs so they’d be duets the both of us can sing.”
“Sure, I think I can manage that.”
When the waitress came to take away the plate laden with cake crumbs, Vanessa thanked her and handed her a generous tip.
She slipped it in her back pocket and returned her smile. “I appreciate it, but you should really be thanking Amber. This was all her idea.”
Vanessa immediately took her advice once she walked away. “Thanks a lot, Amber. That was really nice. Act or no act, you still have it in you to be sweet every now and again.”
“Yeah I know, I must be slipping,” she blew her bangs out of her eyes, “I spent so long creating this reputation, I’d hate to blow it pulling more stunts like this.” She caught sight of Scarlet and Javier just as both of them were in stitches over the “stopping traffic” comment and an unconscious sigh escaped her. “I really hope things work out with those two… Scarlet went through so much hell that she deserves that kind of happiness all the time.”
“I think we all can agree on that…” Vanessa concurred but with less enthusiasm. It was enough to regain Amber’s attention.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… that just made me think about Talia and what she’s planning to do tonight. At least she’ll be saving it for after my showcase, after most of the people have left for the night.”
Amber groaned and quickly shifted their focus. “Forget Talia. Today should be about you. What are you planning for your birthday celebration this year?”
“I have a couple songs in mind. One to sing, a couple to dance and some to fill the void in between sets. It’s all burned on a single CD disc.”
“I noticed you have a couple of them. That’s really clever: having set lists all in one place instead of flipping through different discs.”
“Still… sometimes I wish I could do more. Scarlet said the other day how she’ll sometimes imagine music like they’re movies playing in her head. I wish I were that creative.”
“Well, if you could do that, what would tonight’s movie be about?”
She shrugged. “Me, I guess. And all the things I wanted to say to Richie when we were together. How stupid his jealousy was. Fantasies about locking him out of the house and he couldn’t get in no matter how hard he tried.”
“What happened to him anyway? I’ve heard you talk about him but not about how it all ended.”
“Only Talia and possibly Alejandro know the answer to that. She appealed to the brothers on my behalf. I don’t want to speculate too much but whatever they did to him, I don’t think it can be undone.”
“Whoa…” Amber trailed off, staring into space. When she returned to the present, she noticed Vanessa studying her as if she could see into her soul.
“They helped you too?”
“Well they did hire when I first came here off the street. Actually, Alejandro helped me out my first night back here… I must have done a really good job blocking it out cuz I haven’t thought that in years.”
Vanessa checked her watch. “I guess I should be heading back. Thanks again, Amber.” She pushed her chair in and turned her heel to leave when she noticed her still lost in thought. “Hey… are you ok?”
With a renewed glare, she replied, “if you don’t mind, I’d rather keep this between me and Alejandro. Just because we’re friends now doesn’t mean I have to tell you everything.”
“Hey, it’s ok. You’re entitled. I was just going to say when I’m done with the show tonight, you can help yourself to whatever props you need for whatever you’re planning next.” Gauging her befuddled reaction, she added, “this new idea you want to bring Emilia into.”
“I never thought about it actually but now that you mention it…”
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But I try to make an effort any time I sing even it’s just me in the shower.”
“You do have an amazing voice.” He reached across the table, resting his hand on her wrist. “If you want, you could come on stage and sing with us. It could be something to keep the customers on their toes”
“I don’t know… I’d like to, but…”
“If you’re self-conscious about your voice, don’t be. I’d been listening to you sing for years.”
“That’s really sweet, but that’s not it. I… I’m not comfortable with being the center of attention on stage.” She rubbed her arm with her free hand. “I don’t know why at karaoke, it’s not like that. I always feel safe there.”
“Safe?” Her jaw dropped. This was the last subject she wanted the conversation to change to. “Is this about your father?”
“I’m sorry, but can we not talk about this here right now?” It was moments before she realized that she’d raised her voice. Her face burned from all the eyes staring at them.
“Okay.” He turned her hand over, took it in both of his and kissed it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. If it’ll make easier, I could arrange some of our songs so they’d be duets the both of us can sing.”
“Sure, I think I can manage that.”
* * *
When the waitress came to take away the plate laden with cake crumbs, Vanessa thanked her and handed her a generous tip.
She slipped it in her back pocket and returned her smile. “I appreciate it, but you should really be thanking Amber. This was all her idea.”
Vanessa immediately took her advice once she walked away. “Thanks a lot, Amber. That was really nice. Act or no act, you still have it in you to be sweet every now and again.”
“Yeah I know, I must be slipping,” she blew her bangs out of her eyes, “I spent so long creating this reputation, I’d hate to blow it pulling more stunts like this.” She caught sight of Scarlet and Javier just as both of them were in stitches over the “stopping traffic” comment and an unconscious sigh escaped her. “I really hope things work out with those two… Scarlet went through so much hell that she deserves that kind of happiness all the time.”
“I think we all can agree on that…” Vanessa concurred but with less enthusiasm. It was enough to regain Amber’s attention.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… that just made me think about Talia and what she’s planning to do tonight. At least she’ll be saving it for after my showcase, after most of the people have left for the night.”
Amber groaned and quickly shifted their focus. “Forget Talia. Today should be about you. What are you planning for your birthday celebration this year?”
“I have a couple songs in mind. One to sing, a couple to dance and some to fill the void in between sets. It’s all burned on a single CD disc.”
“I noticed you have a couple of them. That’s really clever: having set lists all in one place instead of flipping through different discs.”
“Still… sometimes I wish I could do more. Scarlet said the other day how she’ll sometimes imagine music like they’re movies playing in her head. I wish I were that creative.”
“Well, if you could do that, what would tonight’s movie be about?”
She shrugged. “Me, I guess. And all the things I wanted to say to Richie when we were together. How stupid his jealousy was. Fantasies about locking him out of the house and he couldn’t get in no matter how hard he tried.”
“What happened to him anyway? I’ve heard you talk about him but not about how it all ended.”
“Only Talia and possibly Alejandro know the answer to that. She appealed to the brothers on my behalf. I don’t want to speculate too much but whatever they did to him, I don’t think it can be undone.”
“Whoa…” Amber trailed off, staring into space. When she returned to the present, she noticed Vanessa studying her as if she could see into her soul.
“They helped you too?”
“Well they did hire when I first came here off the street. Actually, Alejandro helped me out my first night back here… I must have done a really good job blocking it out cuz I haven’t thought that in years.”
Vanessa checked her watch. “I guess I should be heading back. Thanks again, Amber.” She pushed her chair in and turned her heel to leave when she noticed her still lost in thought. “Hey… are you ok?”
With a renewed glare, she replied, “if you don’t mind, I’d rather keep this between me and Alejandro. Just because we’re friends now doesn’t mean I have to tell you everything.”
“Hey, it’s ok. You’re entitled. I was just going to say when I’m done with the show tonight, you can help yourself to whatever props you need for whatever you’re planning next.” Gauging her befuddled reaction, she added, “this new idea you want to bring Emilia into.”
“Oh yeah, right… really?”
“After today’s surprise serenade, I owe you. With everything going on lately, it was something I really needed.”
“After today’s surprise serenade, I owe you. With everything going on lately, it was something I really needed.”
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