Always You - 5
1707 Words
"Nic, the last layout will take a little longer to set up. You can grab a snack or some coffee after you change." The production coordinator told her.
"Okay. Thank you." She said in a quiet voice.
John and her style team got her prepped for the next set up. Her hair was blow dried back to her normal straight look, her make up was toned down to light natural colors before she stepped into her final dress.
Nic had a few more minutes to spare. She heard Chad say her name again and she instinctively walked to the direction of his voice.
A group of production members, including her style team, were flocked around a TV set where his concert was being shown.
They all quietly stared and made way for her as she sat in a chair in front of the television.
Nic's eyes were glued on Chad as he said his short message for her before their next song cover.
"Nic, remember when there was you and me and it was us against the world?" Chad spoke softly as the lights dimmed down and the crowd hushed.
She watched as he looked down and started plucking the strings of his guitar, took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he sang.
Us Against The World
Coldplay
Oh morning come bursting the clouds, amen
Lift off this blindfold, let me see again
And bring back the water, let your ships roll in
In my heart she left a hole
Nic closed her own eyes as she listened to his smooth voice that took her back to when they started to take the path they were on.
The tightrope that I'm walking just sways and ties
The devil, as he's talking, with those angel's eyes
And I just want to be there when the lightning strikes
And the saints go marching in
***
After graduation, Chad asked his dad,who wanted him to start properly training to take over the family business, for a year off to try his luck in the music industry.
His dad agreed so long as Chad promised to join the company after a year, no matter what the results were.
He even signed a contract for it. His dad was strict that way.
Chad and his band started recording audition CDs and booking gigs in local bars.
The band with the hot frontliner easily secured regular gigs in three popular bars but their shot at getting a recording contract was not as great.
For the next two months of that summer, Chad and the boys enjoyed their nightly shows. Chad would even bring Nic along when she was free.
Most nights, they had fun together as she sat in the audience and he dedicated songs for her.
Other nights, Nic was upset at how some girls from the crowd would walk up to Chad and openly flirt with him.
She should be used to it. A lot of other girls in school used to do that too. What she disapproved of is how, this time, he would throw them a teasing smile, talk to them in whispers and randomly touch their arms or back which encouraged them to continue seducing him.
One night, she finally told him as she sat in the bar during the band's break.
"It's nothing, Babe." Chad started.
"It's all just for business really. We have to keep the customers happy so they come back to the place. That way, we keep the management happy and they keep us as regulars. Look, the other guys are doing it too."
Chad explained that what he did meant absolutely nothing, disregarding her feelings altogether.
"Yes, but they don't have their girlfriends here, do they?" She raised her eyebrow.
"Oh, baby, please don't be mad." He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
"You know I love you and only you. It will always be you and no one else, Babe. I don't even remember those girls' names and faces anymore." He smiled.
She kept quiet and frowned.
He lifted her chin up with his thumb to make her face him and kissed the space between her eyebrows.
"You're really cute when you get mad, Babe. I mean that little wrinkle on your forehead when you frown, the slight flaring of your tiny nostrils and that irresistible pout is too damned sexy." Chad said with a smirk as he gently kissed her forehead, her eyes, her nose and her cheeks.
"Stop, Chad. I'm serious."
"I'm serious too, Babe. You're far too beautiful and wonderful to even think that I'd be interested in those girls when I already have the most perfect girlfriend in the world." He stared into her eyes.
"I love you, Nic. There is no one else like you in this world and you are the only one in my heart. Please believe me, Babe. You are the only one I truly care for. Don't be angry with me anymore please. I'm sorry." He smiled as he caressed her cheek.
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. I believe you, Babe." She smiled back at him and fixed her gaze on his eyes. "I love you too and I will try to be more understanding about this whole set up."
"Thank you, Babe." He beamed. "I really am the luckiest man in the world to have you."
He then slowly inched his face closer to hers and kissed her lovingly on the lips.
And sing slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
***
Two weeks later, Chad found Nic crying when he came over to pick her up from their house to take her to one of their shows.
"Hey, Babe, what's wrong?" He asked as he sat beside her. He put his arm over her shoulders and pulled her towards him.
She laid her head on his shoulder and sobbed as he held her close and brushed her hair with his fingers.
"It's okay, Babe. I'm here. Tell me when you're ready, okay?" He said, trying to calm her down.
Like a river to a raindrop
I lost a friend
My drunken hazard Daniel in a lion's den
And tonight I know it all has to begin again
So whatever you do
Don't let go
After a few minutes, Nic's sobs subsided. She took a deep breath and faced Chad.
He touched her cheek and wiped her tears away.
"What is it, Love?"
"I can't continue going to college anymore." She said softly as her voice broke and her tears flowed once more.
"Hey... Okay... Calm down, Babe. Let's talk about this." He said, wiping her tears away.
"Mrs. Chan, my Dad's boss, said I have to marry their youngest son, Steve, for them to continue supporting my studies." She sobbed.
"WHAT??? NO!"
"She said my education is their investment for the business and they want to secure my loyalty by marriage." Her shoulders started shaking again as she cried even harder.
"Oh, Babe..." He pulled her into his arms again. "Don't worry. I won't let that happen."
"I don't want to marry him, Chad. I love you."
He sighed. "I know, Babe. I know."
"But they're my only hope of finishing my studies and fulfilling my Dad's dream."
"No, Babe. No they're not." He said defiantly.
"Even with my full scholarship from school, there are other expenses I need to cover. Mom and I barely have enough to go by everyday plus when I say no I'm pretty sure they are going to kick us out and fire my Mom."
"Let them. I can support your other expenses and Dad can give your Mom a job in one of our restaurants. We have staff houses you can stay in or better yet come live with me."
"No, Chad. I can't accept that. I don't want to impose on you like that. What would other people think?"
"You're not imposing. I want to do it for you and I don't care what others think."
"But I do. Also my Mom will not agree on that either. We're done relying on others."
"Okay. At least let your Mom take the job from us. I can help you look for a place to move in to." Chad suggested.
"I guess that's fine. I need to find a job too, though." She added.
"I'll talk to Bob, the manager in the place we play in three times a week. Maybe, he has a job for you there. That way I can also make sure you're safe." He said.
"Okay." She finally smiled. "I can wait tables. I have years of training for that here."
"See? We can do it. There are a lot of other options." He smiled and cradled her face in his hands.
"Thank you, Babe."
"You're always welcome, Babe. Just remember that there is nothing we can't do when we're together. I will always... ALWAYS be here for you, Nic. I love you so much."
"I love you too."
They stared into each other's eyes full of hope and love for one another. Chad gently kissed her nose before kissing her lips lovingly.
"Let's go, Babe." He said after their sweet kiss.
"Go where, Babe?"
"Let's go tell the Chans you're leaving and that they can shove their greed and money up their asses." Chad spat with a determined expression as he took her hand and marched into the restaurant.
***
"I remember, Chad..." Nic whispered as a tear fell from her eye. "What happened to us?"
On stage, Chad sang the last part of the song with all his heart, wishing from his very soul to get back the "US" that he had always longed for.
And sing slow it down
Slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Chad bit his lip as they trembled from the emotions that flooded him throughout the song.
"Nic, I just want you to know that despite everything, I'm just here. I'm still here. I will always be here for you."
He spoke with his eyes closed as the lights went out for the break.
- Writer
