LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
by Carol and Lia

.script by Binha.

|story visited times|

Chapter
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Chapter One

For the first time in that long audition day, they heard the best performance. sang from her heart. It seemed that the little incident with had not affected her at all, and that was good, because it showed that she was a performer, and that’s what they needed. was annoyed, he wanted to tell her to stop but there was no way Louis would let him do it, he even asked to go to the studio they had in there and recorded the song.

“Ok lady… I’m amazed. You’ve put on such a great performance!” Louis said “We’ll let you know, but I’m almost sure that you’ll be part of Girlie’s!” smiled to him, ignoring completely, thanked and walked out of the room followed by .
“That was AWESOME! AWESOME! You’re in!”
“Oh … I’m so not in, Louis liked me and all but … We had a fight. That’s not going to happen!”
“You might have had a fight… But I know that fella, you’re in.”
“Yep… He called me bitch!” Both laughed
“You know… That’s just him…”

They kept talking until they got to ’s apartment.
“Let me introduce you the newest part of Girlie’s…” said while gave a casual kiss and was closing the door behind her
“I wouldn’t bet on that… It was a nightmare. Do you know the guy who almost killed me?” nodded
“OK, that was .”
“I knew he was going to be there but…”
“Yeah, he almost ran me over, and I called him asshole. So I’m out. I didn’t even want to go to this audition anyway… I mean, total failure!” sighed
“I won’t say anything. We’ll know by tonight. I know those guys…”
“I mean, can we eat?! Last time I ate was lat night since I was trying to look skinny to this freaking audition.” and started laughing and the three of them went out to grab something to eat.

Later on that night gets a phone call, it was Louis Walsh. She was in!
Next thing she knows, she is at the studio, waiting for her band mates to arrive. One of the two other girls were already there and they were chatting, usual things, things they do, where they lived… When the last girl arrived and she was holding hands with . Her name was , as she introduced herself to them.
“I see you’re in.” said coldly to while they were walking to their first meeting
“I thought you were part of the committee that decided that”

**Flashback**

“! There’s no way! She’s good!”
“She’s unbearable! Did you see her attitude? And she’s not even famous yet.”
“Attitude? You almost ran her over! How would you call someone that did that to you?”
“This is not the only point. She’s arrogant, and she’ll bring us problems!”
“Arrogant? I thought she was very humble and sweet. Besides I don’t care if she’s arrogant or not, she’s a performer and that’s what matters. She’s IN!”
“I don’t know why you guys are asking me then, as my opinion just doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t be such a spoiled kid, ! We do count your opinion, but only when it’s not based on a stupid situation which was created by you.”
“It was an accident; I didn’t try to run over her!”
“So, if it was an accident it isn’t her blame. Besides, she is a great singer, she’s got charisma, she plays two instruments and she speaks three languages, which is nice. She is complete. I mean, is a PR and we discussed about things that make a band more natural likely for the success. And ’s got it.”
“Marry the bitch, , if she is as nice as you’re saying. I seriously doubt it”
“Look, don’t blame me for you bad mood, . Go fuck your girl a little, perhaps you’ll wake up less bitter. And let’s tell the girls.”
“So the four of them are Kathy McLean, Joanne Hitchens, Araujo and…”
“Yes, yes. Let’s do it. But I say it in advance; I am not going to be kind.”
“…If you behave, daddy promises to give you a lollypop and an ice cream just after the meeting, right?”
“Shut up, !”

**Back to present**

“I am part of it, but I am just one vote. People are kinda deaf, what can I do?” People in the studio were setting things up for the first song they were going to sing, just for getting to know who would backing vocal who and the notes each one could reach.
“Well, if your opinion is the only one that doesn’t fit the group, perhaps you’re the deaf one. Clean you ears.” laughed sarcastically, holding the papers strongly, really nervous! Who that girl thought she was?
“If it depended on me, you wouldn’t be in.”
“You already said that and it happens that it doesn’t depend on you and here I am. So live with that.”
“I won’t give up, bitch. Let’s see if you can handle it.”
“I will. And stop calling me bitch! You don’t even know me!” Silence. They were still waiting and couldn’t stop being rude.
“You could have saved yourself from the freak show and just refused the invitation to be part of the band.” rolled her eyes in tedium.
“Can’t you just be quiet, leprechaun? C’mon, I am here for working and you just can’t shut your mouth!” saw the atmosphere tense and he knew both wouldn’t let it go so he interrupted.
“Hey, let’s start. The first song will be to test your high note reach.” And they started the test. got a nice amplitude: she could sing Cindy Lauper – which is very high – and could sing Carly Simon – which is low range. Another girl, Joanne, had the highest notes and she would probably match with Kathy, who had a good voice, but not that potent. Finally, started and, gosh, you gotta tell: she was so average. Nothing too different about her, besides a generous cleavage on her tight short dress. She was good, indeed, but the greatest voices were ’s and Joanne’s.
“Well,” Louis started “I think and Joanne will be our lead girls and and Kathy can do more backing vocal and harmony. For now, just go home, and tomorrow we have voice therapist, so from now own, no alcohol, no smoking and be careful with your diet. You’re artists now.” They clapped their hands and, after signing the contract – which said they would release the first single in six months – they finally left the studio.

“Girls…” said “Why don’t we go for a coffee or something now?! I mean, just to get together, chat and so on…” Joanne and Kathy agreed right away
“Let’s enjoy our last days being no one…” Joanne said and the girls laughed “, you’re not coming?”
“Yes, yes… Just let me tell , I came with him so… Can any of you give me a ride home?!”
“Sure!” said being nice and feeling a bit weird why she should tell anyway
“Meet you outside, it’s a beautiful day!”
“Meet you guys outside.”

thought it was a great idea the girls get together to chat, maybe they could even become friends if the unbearable didn’t spoil everything.

Chapter Two

At Starbucks…

People were kinda talking to and didn’t really get it so when she got the chance she asked if she’d been famous or modeling or what was that about…
“… I’m ’s fiancée.” was open mouthed
“Oh… Sorry, I mean, I really didn’t know. I mean…”
“It’s okay…” She said nicely and the girls laughed
“You didn’t know?”
“Seriously?! I don’t know how he can have someone, that damned pain in the ass!” Everybody laughed but
“He has his days… But he’s a sweetheart…”
“So you say…But it’s okay, he’s the producer and I’ve heard he’s competent, that’s what matters. Besides, it’s you who’ll marry him. Good luck, indeed.” She said, rising her cup.

The girls got really along, but was always a little bit to the side… She put herself on that position and she was far less talented than the other girls. Working hard to keep it up but…

“, what are you doing tonight?” This was Sunday night, they had spent the whole weekend inside a studio
“, I’ll have dinner and collapse, why?!”
“I was wondering if we could go out tomorrow then, I mean, could you help me with clothing and everything?” smiled
“Sure! I mean, I’ve heard we won’t have a personal stylist…”
“We have you!” said
“Sure we can go out tomorrow morning… But I really have to take off, I’m dead. , would you come with me?!”
“No, I’m staying. Have some paperwork to do… You guys have a billion interviews to schedule!”
“All right…” said tired “See you all tomorrow!”

Well, kept his promise… He was not being easy. He wanted the band to look, act and sing perfectly. The girls were so tired, even his favorite, was working her ass off to make it happen. But, you know, if when he didn’t want to he was a pain in the ass as a boss, you could imagine what was going through. was a MONSTER with her. “If you can’t reach the note, don’t try!” “Gosh, , you are certainly testing my patience.” “What are you doing? You were supposed to DANCE not to move like a worm!”

wrote a little bit that night and then went to bed.

At the studio…

“I see the adorable one has left…” said sarcastically
“… Stop that, it’s getting annoying, can’t you see that she couldn’t care less?” Louis said and was entering the room
“… You have to admit my friend is brilliant! And she’s writing songs!”
“For the band?” said entering the conversation and seating on ’s lap
“I don’t know… She is a songwriter. I don’t know if any of you asked for her to write something for the band and… Well, you could at least take a look, she is really sensitive.”
“No way! We want it to be a success! The band will record big names, big composers!”
“That I have to agree with him…” said yawning
“Can we go? I mean, I’m really tired.” said
“See, the unbearable one is not the only human that gets tired.” said, she couldn’t let this one pass.
“, honestly, you are really mean.”
“Good night, .”

It was missing not more than a month for their single to be released now. The girls were working madly and was driving insane. First because he was unbearable and second because he was drop dead gorgeous. Bad news, his fiancée wanted to shop with her; she’d have to see him in her unique day-off, he’d drive her to Regent Street, where was already shopping. They met at Gucci.

“Are you staying?” She said coldly to him, as she saw just in the store. He rolled his eyes listening to her voice.
“No, I won’t really spend my day by your side. Not that I have to give you any explanations, I just came to drive .”
“Don’t forget to come by later to pay for her bill either.” He looked at her trying to kill her with those piercing eyes
“Like if it was any of your business.”
“Granted, you should pay for mine too, as you are the producer of the band and this is business only.” She smiled
“Just in case you don’t know, you don’t need to pay for anything. The designers give you the clothes so you can wear, you know, this is a little PR thing.” He blinked. As didn’t know that, point for him, she just looked at him and she had nothing else to say, she made a weird angry sound and stormed into the shop, was laughing he had taken her out of her balance. Before found her she called .

“Is that true that we don’t need to pay for anything we want?”
“True but… Why do you sound mad?!”
“Because guess who made me act like a clown and told me that?!” couldn’t hold her tears from laughing so hard “And you laugh at me? THANKS!”
“I’m sorry…” She said between the laughers, “I am really sorry, it’s just that…”
“Just that what?”
“You two act like kids! I mean, it’s been more than 6 months since the audition… and you still didn’t have a proper conversation”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as he’s tough on me, I’ll be on him. Ops, gotta go… on the way…”
“Oh Lord…”
“She’s not that bad… I just have to make her look like a decent woman for our first photoshoot… You know what?! I should get paid more for all this work!” Both laughed “Talk to you later then, hun.” Talk later…

The day went by pretty smoothly… lost her temper a few times with , always trying to wear the most weird things on the planet, and the only thing could thing was “this is business, it’s the image of my band, I have to be nice and patient… nice and patient…”

Chapter Three

The photoshoot was going to be on the other day, and as the lead singer, had her star morning and was the last one to leave the dressing room. All the girls went crazy over her.

“Chicaaaaaaaaaa!!! That looks so hot on you!!!” blushed and smiled
“You know the make-up guy is an artist…” was coming closer to organize the photoshoot, they’d be joined later by the rest of the team. When he was a little far he didn’t quite knew it was her and he thought ‘Uh, yummy’. When he noticed, the naughty thoughts disappeared and he almost punched his head, so he would think that hot tempered woman, who gave him hard times and speeches, was hot and so beautiful.
“Indeed he is an artist… He made you look like a star. Where is he so I can greet him for that? It’s enough for a Nobel Prize, I’d say.” He said sarcastically, the girls blushed but just blew him a kiss and walked to take the photos. She was stunning, black low waist leather shorts, white shirt and high heels. Her hair was loose and she was wearing a long necklace which was between her breasts, a little show as the shirt was not totally closed
“Wow!” That’s what says when she enters the photo studio with “Baby I do love you, but look at !” could hear ’s brain turning in his head, he looked so mad
“I told you she was good in every aspect. Swallow it, .”
“Would you stop it? The photoshoot is late because of her, she took a million hours to get ready, all the girls had their picture taken already.”
“It doesn’t matter, she’s a star, .” Louis said
“We are great but …” Joanne said laughing
“Oh my God! LOOK AT YOU!” said looking at the girls “You also look amazing! Let’s take a look at the pictures!”
There was no envy among the girls. They knew that each one had an specific role, was the lead singer and that was about it. After choosing their solo pictures they took the pictures together and they were having a blast. You could hear the laughers if you were walking through the corridor.
When it finished, they went to the studio, to see if the photos were going to need any edition. When arrived to see her pics, was already looking at them, kinda speechless, really impressed with her beauty. She couldn’t handle her words and she teased:
“You can print one of those, if you like. I can put an autograph”
“You really think you’re the hot stuff here, don’t you?”
“I don’t, but it seems you do, as you’re open mouthed looking at my photos. A flagrant is a flagrant, .”
“I was, in fact, circling the areas of cellulites. There are plenty, as you may know.”
“I don’t believe you. You’re so low!”
“If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
“Look, I’ve had enough of this, . I don’t know what’s up your ass, but you just can’t be a professional here.” She yelled and then , Louis and got in.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” they completely ignored them and kept yelling at each other.
“I am not a professional? Is it my fault you have no manners?”
“Oh, Mr. Polite, I didn’t know you were teaching good manners. If you wish, I can teach you to DRIVE.”
“And I can buy you some glasses, so you can see yourself in the mirror better, and, also, see cars on streets.”
“LOUIS, have a conversation with this man. If he keeps being unfair to me, I am OUT of this goddamn band. Do you hear me? I AM OUT”
“Do us this favor and leave!”
“At least I didn’t pay for my girlfriend to sing in this band!”
“And then I am the low one!”
“If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!” she said, leaving and closing the door with a noise.
“, when will you grow up? Gee, man, you behave like a teenager!” said , leaving after her friend.
“Dude, it’s true. Stop being so bad at her.”
“That woman drives me INSANE!”
“She’ll probably drive the whole UK insane, but not for the same reasons.”
“How can she be so…UHHH!” he said, pissed.
“She is so what? She's talented? She is nice? She is what, ?”
“Don’t make me start.”
“Drop it, I know you like her voice and think she is beautiful, right? So stop behaving like an asshole!”
“Oh, so everyone is against me now? That’s just fine. And it’s very nice and ethical of her taking about like that”
“You know what? You’re that mad because you know it’s true. ’s kinda nice, but she is not that talented and she is not charismatic as well. , for example, is a greater singer by a mile and she could sell her charisma. So stop behaving like this, else everything is gone.”

The speech made some effect and now was just cold at her. Rudeness is no more. But, of course, if rudeness was out, coldness, irony, and sarcasm were totally in. , on the other hand used that on her favor, she was happy, singing and making sure everything was getting better. But her comment about reached her, and she kinda started acting a little weird with because of that, and didn’t really matter if had apologized.

“… Honestly I don’t know what to do…” and were working late at ’s apartment, they had their first interview on the other day “We are a band, so we should act like a band, but there’s no way is going to do that…”
“Yeah… I guess that now she’s going to show who she really is…”
“You know? I don’t care if she is his fiancée or anything but she keeps dancing weird, acting weird and every time I talk to her she is like ‘whatever’… That’s starting to piss me off!”
“I know… I have to tell you I don’t like her. She is completely not commercial, being 100% commercial”
“I try hard not to though.” Both laughed and stretched on the chair “You know… It’s time to go to bed…”
“Yeah… You have to be on the radio tomorrow…”
“Will be the four of us?”
“No, you’re going with to one interview and the girls are heading to another radio station.”
“? Why me?!”
“Because that’s how Louis wants it. You know him…”
“Oh Lord… So it’s really time to sleep, I need to get at least 10 hours of my beauty sleep!” Both laughed
“I hope you’re able to keep your good mood tomorrow…”
“Is there anything else I should be aware of?”
“Well, is going to be there too.”
“You’re kidding me?!”
“I wish I were, dear. I am not.”
“Why and with me at the same time? A person cannot live like this!”
“She is his fiancée and you’re the lead singer, of course he’ll be with you and her.”
“I hate business.”
“Stop being so whinny! He treats you way better now!”
“Just because he is not rude it doesn’t mean I like him!”
“You don’t have to like your boss, hun. No one does!”

Chapter Four

Next Morning

met them at the radio station. Funny, there were already fans there and she was delighted taking pictures and giving autographs when somebody saw and asked if they could take a picture with the fans. froze, just nodded, she really didn’t want him to put her arm on her or whatsoever, that was so not comfortable, but they did and didn’t like what she saw.
“I thought you couldn’t stand my fiancé.” She said coldly
“Oh God… That’s about everything I needed… I can’t stand him, , someone asked me to take a picture with him, he agreed at the first place.” stormed inside the studio before did. was outside still with fans and all.

While the girls were walking inside the radio station’s building he caught himself looking at instead looking at , he doesn’t know how long he stared at her but it was not enough to make the smell of her delicious perfume get out of his shirt. He hated to admit that but she was good, and… Attractive, he could even see the beauty on all that when…
“! !” A fan was calling him “Oh, I’m sorry I was just making sure the girls were going to the right place…” The girl smiled at him and started asking him questions about the new band so on and so forth and all he could feel was that freaking scent of ’s perfume.

Inside the studio

stayed outside, her heart was beating fast, she really didn’t know if it was because of the situation with , the situation with or because of the interview… She was trying to catch her breath when she heard ’s voice
“No, no… She's on her way, but we can start without her.” She couldn’t believe that bitch!
“No I’m not anywhere else, I’m here, I was just making sure your fiancé was on his way as he’s going to be part of the interview, and I don’t think we’re supposed to start it missing a piece.” smiled ironically and she could feel ’s anger. She didn’t really care, she took a seat and waited for to come in. He did and so the interview started. He was sitting beside and right across , from where he got a good view of her. Everything she did seemed to be in slow motion for him, she was indeed charming, and had loads of charisma. He hated himself for feel that way, but where else was he supposed to look? She was right in front of him, and she was a performer, totally comfortable, she didn’t even seem to care about his presence in that tiny room. There were all sorts of questions, open line with the fans and stuff. They left the station pretty sure the album would be a huge success.

“So… … How did we do in our first interview huh?!” asked truly trying to break that iceberg between them, he looked at her coldly and she could feel it
“Not bad for a first time.”
“Coming from you I think this is a nice compliment. Thanks.” She didn’t smile
“I barely spoke!” said
“Well, they choose who they are going to talk to.” said being mean, she was not happy about what happened earlier “So, see you guys later.”
“Hey, where are you going? We have stuff to do.”
“I’m going to Chanel to pick-up some stuff and then I’m going to the gym and then I’ll meet you at the studio.”
“I thought…”
“Today is Tuesday. Supposed to be my day off until late afternoon, why?!”
“I thought today was Wednesday, sorry.”
“It’s ok, see you guys later.”

left and caught staring at her walking to her car again.

“! Why are you staring at ?! Isn’t my butt enough for you to stare at?”
“Hm?!” He looked at her puzzled “What the hell are you saying!?”
“That you were staring at until I called your attention, that’s not nice!”
“… I have enough problems, OK?!” Said nothing he went to his car. His phone rings.

“… I have good and bad news for you… Which one do you want first?!” That was at the other side of the receiver
“Bad one first…”
“You and are going to record a duet!” He kept mute “And the good one is that it starts tonight!”
“You got to be kidding me, right?!”
“What happened, honey?!”
“I don’t know… For whatever reason I have to record a duet with .”
“What?! You don’t have to do that, I’m your fiancée, if it’s for the bands promotion I should sing with you not her!”
“, honey, please don’t scream, I’ll work this out as soon as I get there.”
“, don’t scream, , don’t do this, , don’t do that! What do I do right then, ?”
“It’s not really my fault if people here don’t like you. If they found more talented people! So you conform yourself with this fact and let me do my fucking job here!”
“I see things are bad around there. Meet us at the recorder by five, right?”
“It’s not right, but it’s ok.” And he hung up, pissed. What was that shit now?

She got her Chanel clothes and, after that shopping, when she got fantastic clothes and just didn’t need to pay for them, she felt better. And then her phone rang.
“”
“My dearest honey! Ceci here!”
“‘My dearest honey’? What happened?”
“Well, I tried to flatter you so things would sound better, but I was kinda busted. Are you sat?”
“I am holding my Chanel stuff, why? You got to see what I got there and…”
“I have something to tell you.”
“So I see. Shoot.”
“We just got out of a meeting, by ‘we’ I mean I, Louis and the recorder.”
“So…”
“Louis decided one thing for the PR. And I won’t blame him, because I agreed with it.” Silence. “You’ll record a duet with .”
“My work is turning in some sort of PUNISHMENT!”
“Be cool. It’ll be for the first single. ’s name is completely related to success. And you’re the best singer so, it’s got to be you and him, not as the main song, but as a bonus, so people can get more interested.”
“I am not the best singer! I won’t do it!”
“You are the lead singer, of course you’re the best!”
“, my friend: I won’t do it.”
“, I am your friend, but I’ve had enough of this. You got to be a professional, because in this business you’ll work with nasty people very often and success doesn’t match ‘I don’t do this’ and ‘I don’t do that’ for spoiled kid reasons.”
“Don’t be this hard on me…it’s just…”
“Tell me what the matter is! Because what it seems is that this personal thing with is turning bigger than your dream and I don’t fucking get it anymore.”
” is one of the most successful singers of UK. Do you get how big this is for me? I just can’t do it.”
“You mean you like him?”
“As an artist, of course. He is definitely talented, I can’t say otherwise.”
“You always call him an asshole, a huge pain the ass and that he must have something into his ass to be this unbearable…”
“Indeed it’s true. But he is a really talented artist. I don’t know if I am this good to sing with him.” Silence. That info was kinda surprising, but decided not to make it a big deal.
“Oh, shut up. You’re awesome and get used to singing with stars. Meeting at the recorder at five, right?” and they hung up.

Chapter Five

At the recorder

“, can I tell you something, before both arrive and this room turns into a battlefield?”
“Sure, honey…”
“This situation is driving me insane. There is no way I am going to make it ‘til the end of their release if they keep doing this to me. I am a chubby woman trying to work here and this situation just makes me want to eat more chocolate!”
“You’re not chubby. You’re juicy!” she laughed. “And they are also driving me insane. I don’t get how they can keep doing this non stop. Don’t they get tired of this teasing-answering thing?”
“It seems they don’t, and Louis just doesn’t get it and put them to sing together. What song will be?”
“Probably will be ‘That thing you do’, The Wonders. There’s also a Ronan Keating song, called ‘Loving Each Day’ remember? ‘I’m loving each day as if it’s my last, dancing all night and having a blast…Baby, I need you right here, next to me”. The dancing-romantic one?”.
“Oh, and it’s a romantic song? Perfect. Louis will be the responsible for my peptic ulcer!” he laughed.
“You overreact so much, my love… I guess they arrived.”
came in, really nervous; he had an argument with and he was going to sing with . That day just didn’t seem to have an end!
“, mate… how are you doing?”
“Awful. Can we do this quick?”
“ just arrived. We can make it as quick as possible. So hold your tongue.” Said . came in still a little dizzy about that.
“Finally!” said.
“Are you deaf, ? What did I just say?”
“Sorry, ma’am. Can we begin this?”
“Right. Well, Louis decided that there will be a CD-bonus, not a single bonus, but an album bonus, and you guys will sing together.”
“There is just no way this could be possibly changed?” asked , in slow motion.
“No, there is just no way, unless you want to argue with Uncle Louis. But this is out of my reach, as I want to be alive.”
“What song will be?”
“We got two options: The Wonders and Ronan Keating.”
“I want to sing the dancing one.” said.
“I agree with anything you guys decide. I don’t give a damn about it, anyway. Even if I did, my word doesn’t realy count in here”
“Do you have to be this asshole 24-7?”
“I can turn into an eight days a week one.”
“Regard yourself. We can have the Ronan one then?”
“Perfect, indeed. It’s named ‘Loving each day’. The recording will be just after the premiere of the single.”

They set up the final details and left quickly the room and ran to her car, still a little emotional about the meeting and the opportunity to sing with a star – even though he was an eight days a week asshole. did the same. He entered inside his car and stopped it, to get his phone.
“Are you leaving the recorder already or will you ask out to have a few pints?”
“, I am NOT in the mood of this kind of jokes. So drop it.”
“Don’t be hard on me, it’s not my fault!”
“You’re making this harder to me and that’s not what a relationship is about!” he was angry and he didn’t notice was coming on reverse to get her car out. The result? She crashed into his car, obviously! “OH SHIT! My car! I’ll call you later” and he hung up “What were you thinking, goddamn it?”
“Oh boy…” said sarcastically walking out of her car “What were you thinking? You park in the middle of the way and even after I signalized you still didn’t move. I didn’t have…” she said, scared. She was so in other world that she wasn’t quick enough to see his car and stop. And that had happened now.
“My car, my BMW…” He was kinda sad looking at the car and passing his hand through his hair
“Why every single spoiled kid doesn’t own the objects, but the trademarks?”
“What do you mean, Mr. Magoo?”
“I mean that you don’t have sunglasses, you have ‘PRADA”’, you don’t have trousers, you have GUCCI’S, you don't have a car, you have a fucking BMW! You see, my car is also going to be fixed. And I am not acting as if the dog was murdered here!” she said, a little loud.
“When you work hard enough to have as much money I have, you’ll be able to say the trademarks! This will cost a fortune! Why do you have to be always on my way?”
“YOU are always on MY way. I was pretty fine before the day I met you and now everything you mean for me is trouble and rudeness.”
“If you knew how I sorry I feel for you…”
“Save your sarcasm. And if the problem is the money…” she said, opening her wallet. “She wouldn’t…” he thought. “HERE! Eat it! I do have it as well, you cocky bastard!” she said, throwing the notes on his foot. Then she got in and left the recorder, in Speedy Racer velocity.

The crash was not that bad, and the worst situation, was ’s with all those money there, should he take it?! Ah… He would and give it to the first homeless in the street. He was completely surprised by her attitude. She threw the money on him! He laughed thinking that it was beyond the limits of insanity already…

“Why are you yelling at me?” was on the other side of the line and couldn’t understand who was screaming and crying at the same time
“I’m coming over, I just can’t do this phone thing.” hang up and drove to ’s.

“What’s the matter?! I mean, why are you so upset?!” looked at her helpless
“Why he has to be always on my way? Why? Why do I have to be the one to record with him? Why do I have to hit his car?! I mean…”
“Honey… Shit happens and do all the time. I didn’t know you were so upset about this duet thing…”
“I’m freaking out with this duet thing!”
“I don’t see why!”
“No?!” took a breath “Ok… The thing is, is a great great great artist, I know, I know he’s powerful, talented and good. I admire him. And I just don’t feel capable of doing it, besides he hates me! It’s like having a challenge for my career with someone who just won’t cooperate!”
“But you hate him in return… Right?!”
“I really, really do hate that bastard!”

The duet was decided and they were going to be recording it on the next week, as everybody now was worried about the premiere…

Chapter Six

At the premiere

The girls were looking stunning. Beautiful, happy and all ready for that. They had done a signing earlier that afternoon, which missed because she was getting ready, and it was a success. But the anticipation of all this “launching” thing was in the air and was no different.
She drove her own car, and when she got there, everybody was already at the red carpet. She stepped out took a deep breath and smiled for the cameras, that was it, she was a big star now. And for a moment and that awful situation weren’t on her mind.

was working like mad with all the PR thing to be done. They had managed to invite all the big shots from the industry so it had to be perfect. But when she saw her friend almost gliding through the red carpet she stopped. was gorgeous, wearing a sexy designer golden dress with a generous cleavage which also showed her legs, her hair was loose and the make-up just perfect.
That’s what the UK loved about her, she knew how to be everything good for the eyes. She smiled at her friend and hugged her.

“Hi … Do I look as nervous as I am?!” She said still smiling to the cameras
“Nope! You look the hottest one on Earth! I mean, and look as you were born a star!”
“Oh my God… This is such a hard way of living, these sandals are killing me!” Both laughed
“Pretend nothing is going on… You know who is here?!”
“Who?!”
“Tom Fucking Cruise!!! He came!”
“OH MY GOD. I can’t scream, can I?!”
“Look at this mood… I can hardly remember you were freaking out last night…“ looked at her friend
“Well… That’s what being an artist is about, right?! Perhaps I just got to learn a few things. I’ll make it, honey.” Both smiled at each other “Now, take me to Tom Cruise!!!”
“After the pictures, honey!”
“Gosh, this has no end. C’mon people! Tom Fucking Cruise is waiting!” she joked, bright.

“Did met yet?!” Louis asked worried
“Not really… I guess she is at the dressing rooms…”
“Yeah, the girls need to go to the stage in about 15 minutes and I don’t want to see any fight around here, keep them apart.”
“Will do, boss!”

The moment had come and the girls went up to the stage, they were to perform 3 songs, which they did, to everybody’s delight.

“… Man… Seriously… If they are not a success for the music, which I doubt, they are going to be a success by their looks! Look at those girls!!!!” said making turn around to see the girls on the stage
“Well…” He took a little while to finish the sentence “Indeed they are pretty but…”
“Oh no ‘buts’, they’re good! And after the duet it is going to be huge!” He just gave a smile.

After the short presentation was greeted by no more no less than Tom Cruise. She gasped and couldn’t believe it. The other girls were all talking to famous people, celebs and all. All of them but , who was with all the time and getting drunk. was kinda bored and he took a look around. He saw having a very enthusiastic conversation with Tom Cruise. “Poor guy.” He thought. And then he noticed that Tom Cruise just wouldn’t leave her. “Someone’s gotta save that man!” he thought, moody.

“This is so nice of you, Tom… I mean, you are totally my favorite actor and having you here tonight! That’s amazing, I really appreciate.” He flashed that 1 million thousand Pounds smile
“I was in London, got the invitation and decided to come. I’ve heard you are even thinking about going to America!”
“That’s the big plan… Yeah…” There was no flirting in the conversation at all which let a little bit frustrated because she totally digs Tom Cruise, but they took photos, gave away interviews… She was having a blast!

“You have to walk around the place to talk to all the guests, .” said almost whispering on her ear and that proximity made her shiver, she looked at him, nodded
“Tom, this is my producer , very nice fella… I should leave you with him as I scoop around the party to talk to some other people, as he instructed, see you around?!”
“Definitely!” Another one of those smiles, she felt she’d die because she could feel her heart stopping. He kissed her cheek goodbye and rolled his eyes. She wasn’t that nice, for God’s sake. What were they all about her? Ok, nice legs, he admitted that. No big deal! “And , you should tell the same, all she does is stay at the bar getting drunk.” She smiled at him and left before she could even think about an answer. Minutes later he followed her.

Chapter Seven

was so excited about all this thing that she could not stop hanging out with the girls at the party, she was having so much fun. Around 1 am, was so drunk that she had to be taken home, and totally thought that had driven her. Silly mistake…
The party was so good that was the one who said goodbye to everybody, when she was about to leave she hears someone calling her, guess who that was?

“!? What are you doing here?!”
“The same as you, smarty pants.” He was drunk “I was having fun.”
“I see, and drinking. Well, I’ll take off, bye, see you never again hopefully.”
“Erm… ?!”
“What?!” She turned back at him annoyed
“Can you give me a ride home?!”
“What, one more time?!”
“Yeah… The driver took home in my car, and now I just can’t go home because my other car is at the repair shop because…”
“I know why your car is at the repair shop, and you might shush if you want a ride home. As you just can’t, I am afraid I won’t give you a ride to anywhere, not even to the corner!”
“Please?! I’m drunk and I have no money, as my wallet was in the car, so I really don’t have any other way to go home…” sighed. Why was she so soft hearted?
“Damn, . It’s fine. I’ll give you a ride.”
“Thank you, thank you!” they got into her car and she turned it on.
“, I repeat: SHUSH or LEAVE.”
“I am quiet as a…well I don’t know… I am quiet as whatever you wish!”
“As a mummy. Pretend you’re a mummy praying at a funeral!”
“Right, right…” he said, opening the window. She was the driver and then she shut it. “It’s hot in here!” he said.
“You’re drunk. I am not. You’re hot and I am cold.” He put it down again. She shut it. “, let mommy explain: DON’T open the fucking window, because mommy is cold!”
“C’mon, , I am hot. Let me open this!” he said, opening again. she shut and locked it. He tried again and she yelled “GOT YA! It’s locked.”
“Why are you so mean? I’ll unlock it!” he said, bending over her so he would unlock it. The contact made both shiver. And the scene was quite ridiculous.
“You’d better stop, I am driving here.” then he turned to his place and raised his hands, like surrendering himself.
“You won. I know you really got to be concentrated in order not to kill us.”
“Indeed I am a bad driver. All I know is respecting the traffic lights.”
“Oh, you’re really…” and she stopped the car abruptly.
“I tried. You’re not a mummy, so GET OUT of my car.”
“You’re for real? C’mon, don’t leave me here! I am drunk and with no money. No one would be this cruel.”
“You really don’t know me, .”
“I am sorry, all right!” he said, honestly. “Shall we go?”
“, it’s MY WAY or the HIGHWAY. Understood?”
“Yes, I’ll be quiet…” Silence for, like, ten seconds and then she screamed, scaring him.
“ WON! And the world is a fair place again…” He wanted to laugh, because that one was funny, but his pride kept his mouth shut. And then she turned the radio on and there was a Westlife CD inside it. She started singing ‘World of our own’. heard it and then he raised his hand, as if he was in a classroom, asking the teacher to speak. She laughed and he laughed also. “Say it, .”
“I KNEW you loved me! I knew it” She looked at him serious and he understood that he was a second from the highway, but he decided to keep on talking “May I give you a tip? A real one, no teasing…”
“Right, shoot…”
“When you sing long high phrases like ‘Funny how life can be so surprising, I’m just realizing what to do…’ Try to start the phrase high and go down for two or three words. Then you go up again. Or start low and go up, whatever is more comfortable for your voice. You put up a nice rhythm and you don’t get tired and you save your throat.” He said nicely, for the first time in seven months. She smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Try it on the next one.“ She did and it sounded better.
“It was really better, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Silence. Then he couldn’t help it. “I knew deep inside you were my fan.”
“WHAT?”
“Don’t deny it…Westlife CD on the car…”
“I like the band, not you!” she said, lying. He was her favorite singer of the band. But I don’t have to say she just WOULDN’T say it to him.
“Ouch, bad girl. Who’s you favorite then?”
“No one.”
“Really?” he said, raising one eyebrow. “Everybody has a favorite, as they say…”
“Indeed, I mean, I have no favorite. I just like the songs, that’s all.”
“Are you sure?” she nodded, a little nervous. “I guess I am your favorite!”
“You wish!” she said laughing. “Here you are, at home.” He got out of the car and looked at her.
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“The day after, . There is no way you’ll recover for tomorrow…”
“Are you kidding? There is alcohol inside my veins instead of blood!” They weren’t having a conversation properly: they just had a break. And was drunk, that was another point. Sober he wouldn’t be that nice.

Chapter Eight

was so drunk that he just blacked out on the couch. On the other hand, was driving home, and wishing that her days with were just like that, at least peaceful.

Next morning people were all crazy at the producing company and at the studio. The premiere was a success and there were phone calls for interviews, show cases and all that jazz. Louis was there getting crazy because there was no sign of , either . Joanne and were giving interviews over the phone while got hung of the other stuff, and Kathy was busy recording something for the DVD release.

On the way to the studio…

“WE’RE LATE!”
“, stop saying that! By the way stop screaming, that’s what you do with me since the moment we woke up!” The atmosphere in the car was tense, had a headache and it got no better when he saw some news saying that had left the party early because she was drunk. And lots of knews were all about how the lead singer was stunning, nice and bright. 'Goddamn it, the world is totally insane!" he thought, completely forgetting he had had his first nice conversation with her. C'mon, he was too drunk for such memory.
Besides the headache and the papers, he knew he should be there early he was not, and just because took a hundred hours to get ready. And he HATED waiting. Right, spoiled kid's atitude, but he was almost old enough not to have any changes going on…
“I’m not yelling at you, what I’m saying is that we should drive separate cars! I should have been there 2 hours ago!”
“You and your mood swings! By the way how did you get home last night?” 'here we go...' he thought.
“ drove me home.” Silence
“Who?”
“, your band mate.”
“So now you’re friends? Are you faking that you hate each other in front of me so I can’t notice that there’s nothing going on there?!” He took a deep breath
“, seriously, I won’t answer that.”
"I'll get it as a yes then."
"You really have a mental issue. Find some treatment!"

She kept talking talking but he didn’t answer, his headache was all that he could handle.

At the studio…

Everything was on high speed when they got there.
“, you’re late!” said, "go to the room 1 they’re waiting for you there." Saying nothing left. She was a talking head but she knew it was no good to get into an argument with . It was against her self-preservation instinct.
“Wow… Good morning for you too, bitch!” couldn’t hold herself and heard her saying that and smirked “Sorry handsome, but what’s wrong with her?!”
“I don’t know… Now she’s jealous of because she drove me home.” laughed.
“What? She drove you home and both of you are alive?”
“Well… See?! Even you know that she is a danger behind wheels…” He was joking and she couldn’t believe it.
“No, I mean, the point is you two in the same car for about… What? 30 minutes?!” He nodded “Oh my God… You’re civilized!” She said sarcastically walking out of the room with her thousand papers. Seconds after Louis got in.

“. Honestly, you have to tell to be a professional!” rolled his eyes
“Why everybody bitches about her? Jesus!”
"Perhaps you know the answer. You know she is impossible to deal with."
"Whatever...be cool and low. What I must do, boss?"
“She’s want all the spotlight for her, that’s all, and she’s never on time! It can’t be! Now she’s at the make-up room instead helping the other girls with interviews!” ran his hand through his hair
“Louis, please don’t scream, I have a terrible headache, besides you’re the manager of the band, why don’t you talk to her?!” was getting really pissed off because of this thing with
“Because she’s in this band because you wanted her to be! Damn it, can’t she be professional?!” Tense atmosphere again
“Louis, please I…”
“Louis, phone call for you.” They got interrupted
“I’ll take it.” And then he turned to
“You better get this right, kiddo, or the fab four will became the fab three.”

Chapter Nine

had never appeared for any interview, she was too busy putting her make-up on. But when the girls were rehearsing (and for Kristen, their choreographer, it was never enough) she appeared at the room.
was trying to help her out with some routines, but it’s sort of hard when you want to teach but the other one doesn’t want to learn, right? Then entered the room. The choreographer had the idea to have some dancers on the stage but no one was available… And then she said: “! Would you help us out with the routines?”
“Who? Me?! Are you sure? I’m hangovered!” He smiled “Good morning, ladies. How are you doing?” He was incredibly charming that morning, his hair was messed up and he was wearing nothing more than a white T-shirt and dark jeans, held her breath when she saw him. 'Why does he have to be this good-looking? How am I supposed to hate him when he appears like this in front of me, as a ivory god? Easy, , remember how he treats you, how he is arrogant and how he just doesn’t respect you. See? I hate him again.”
“Well… We need a dancer here as I just had an idea.”
“All right, all right. I’ll lend you my shaped marmoreal body.”
“Thank you. ! Can you come over here so we can do it?!”
“Me?!” She was at the back of the room drinking some water, at her sight gasped, there was nothing special about her, but the fact that she was a little sweaty and drinking her water was a little too sexy for him not to notice. Besides the dancing practice costume was really hot on her. “I must HATE this woman and not look at her butt. FOCUS ... She is unbearable and tempestuous. And that butt cannot be real.”
“Yes, you.” Kristen said and rolled his eyes
“Why her, Kristen?! Why can’t be Joanne or me or Kathy?!” said with her annoying voice. passed her hand through her eyes and then she pressed her forehead, as if she was with a though headache. “Ok, sucks. But NO ONE deserves to hear a ‘Good morning’ with this voice for the whole eternity…” she thought.
“Because is the lead singer and she is a professional dancer, it’s easier for me to show. Besides, you don’t know the routines, .”
“Oh my God… Oh my God… A DUET and now I need to DANCE with you?! This nightmare never ends!” said teasing him, she could feel his eyes on her, so why not tease him a little bit, just to piss off who was being rude with her for days already?
“You have no choice! Do you think I like it?!” He said looking at her and just didn’t know what to do when she saw that their eyes were locked challenging each other, refusing to let that ‘let’s-see-who-gives-up-first’ atmosphere.
“Let’s get over with it… What do you want me to do, Kristen?!” That was too much for , who totally stormed out of the room to go to Louis office to complain. Bad move as he was already fed up with her.
“LOUIS WALSH, I DEMAND TO TALK TO YOU RIGHT NOW!” she said, yelling at the corridor. , for the first time, felt embarrassed and he thought: “This is the woman I’ll get married. Would I be incapable of doing it better?”.
All they could hear, then was Louis answering back. And then the girls looked at each other and ran to the door, followed by , Kristen and .
Truth is: Louis was a great guy, very calm. But when things became non-professional, he was a dragon. And that day he woke up a dragon already. And , besides rude and unprofessional was spoiled and tactless.
“ , you low your tone here. I am your fucking boss and I don’t admit this kind of tone with me. You don’t demand shit. All you should do was obeying and you just can’t seem to do that! Besides you talk like this to who takes whatever you do without complaining, not to me!”
“Ouch, I believe Louis said you’re a chicken…” said, laughing, because EVERYONE knew he was yelled and yelled, got unsatisfied but always chickened out and obeyed her.
“And who asked you opinion?”
“HEY! Go argue near the window, I want to hear being smashed by Louis rhetoric!” said and they blushed, embarrassed.
“That woman is hitting on my fiancé! I don’t admit that!” she said. pretended he was coughing, with his ego exploding, imagining that would, perhaps, have some sort of attraction for him and he gave her a look. was about to answer to that silent teasing when gave her an evil look and then she didn’t answer that one back. got kinda disappointed. C’mon, he wanted to argue!
“Are you blind? Not in a million years she would want to go out with him. Did you hear on papers what Colin Farrell said about her? Colin, the Irish actor, said she is gorgeous and that if he gets her number, she’ll be tired of seeing his number on her visor, as he’ll call her all the time, until they go out! And you think she’d be into a committed guy who she argues with all the time? You’re not just unethical and unprofessional: YOU ARE DUMB!” rolled his eyes. What was happening to the world?
“I’ll go out with you, Colin, no need to call me that much!” she said, feeling delighted and revenged. The girls laughed, in agreement and then couldn’t stop the words of jumping through his mouth.
“Oh, don’t be this excited. If he sees you with no make up and talks to you for like, five seconds, he will change his mind… No Irish Smart Man would go out with…YOU.”
“What’s your problem, ? I wasn’t even talking to you.”
“Someone’s gotta tell you the truth!”
“Oh, Mr. Truth-Owner so let me tell you…”
“The window, guys! I’ll lock you guys on the balcony!” said, pointing the balcony. It was a building and it had dancing rooms with balconies. As they were in one of those, it was a possibility to lock them there. And they stopped to hear and Louis’ argument.
“I don’t admit being called dumb! You can’t do that! Who do you think you are?”
“Me? I am Louis Fucking Walsh! I am one of the most well succeeded men of this business, lady. It’s YOU who people know as ‘’s girlfriend’!”
Then he continued “I don’t admit making everyone wait for you to put your make up so we start doing this rehearsal. See, , you can sing, you can act and you can dance. We gave you a shot, because asked us to. So show me you deserve the opportunity, because if I put someone else onto your place on fab four today, no one will notice the difference. If you really dream to be a star, start behaving like one.” Silence. “And get out off my office. Next time you show up here, you knock the door and IF I say you can come in you enter.” She left his office crying and didn’t even go back to the rehearsal. Louis entered the room and they spread around so he wouldn’t notice they were all listening to the discussion.
“Guys, we got a trouble with . Keep doing it here just for half an hour and then you shall go. I’ll see everyone tomorrow. , I told you before and I keep my position: fix that woman and put some wisdom into her head. Am I clear?”
“Clear as water, Louis.” And he left.
“Well, as everyone here is tense so let’s do a relaxing exercise. We can finish the routine tomorrow and then the dancers will be here."
“Thanks God! I’ll save my feet from ’s steps…”
“Are you saying, fake Ballerina, that I don’t know how to dance?”
“I am saying that you’re kinda stuck…”
“This is absurd! I can’t believe I’ve just heard this!”
“Guys….”
“Well, someone’s gotta tell you the truth…”
“Oh my GOD! Why me?!” he said, pulling his hair, nervous.
“Don’t pull your hair, pumpkin! You’re getting bald without doing it…”
“How dare you!”
“GUYS! I GIVE UP!” said, pushing them to the balcony and locking them outside.
“! Open this fucking window!” yelled.
“I can’t hear you!” mouthed to , who gave her an evil look.
“Open it up, , really…” said, desperate with the possibility of being with at the balcony.
“You guys will be there until you like each other!”
“I hope you give us food while waiting, or we’ll die of starvation here!”
“Oh, my God… This will end no good!” already left the place and closed the curtains
“Well, you are not the one who have to explain to how this happened later.”
“Do you know you sound, like you were twelve years old saying that, right?”
“Why is that so?”
“You’re almost thirty, you shouldn’t be this worried about what she thinks.”
“Well…we’re getting married. I must worry about what she thinks…”
“But if you must explain yourself all the time, if she just doesn’t understand you. It turns into a deaf conversation: you talk and she doesn’t listen, she talks and you don’t listen. I don’t know how you bear it.” She said, spontaneously.

Chapter Ten

He was quiet for a while and turned to see the view that she had from the balcony. It was getting a little cold, and she was still wearing only the gym clothes, after few minutes he had to talk.

“You know what the problem is? Everybody says what they think about our relationship.”
“So you should listen… Right?! I mean, it’s just that what everybody sees…” “And what do you have to do with that?!” was not expecting that reaction, she thought he was being nice
“I don’t have anything to do with that, I was trying to make you see how things go for you and .” She kept her calm tone, she was so tired of fighting
“And who are you to know?”
“, seriously don’t start…”
“No… Tell me. What do you know about relationships? I don’t see you having a boyfriend, you just keep fooling guys like Tom Cruise or whatever around!”
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t fool anyone around, I just don’t have a boyfriend!”
“That lets you knowing nothing about relationships!”
“That leaves you being an asshole again! I was just trying to HELP!”
“I don’t need your help, mind your own business!”
“Hm… It’s really not of my business if EVERYBODY knows you CHICKEN OUT when it comes to your beautiful fiancée.”
“What did you say?”
“That you behave like a freaking coward! Worse! Like a puppet! Yeah a puppet that she does whatever she wants with that!”
They were looking at each other very close and at this point, yelling at each other again, they were so close that he could smell her light perfume, that woman definitely had an effect on him, without even knowing, lust took over his senses and he kissed her. Listening to the silence after the fight, , walking back into the room decided to let them go, and next thing she knows, left the place.

“Ops…” said playfully
“You have a very very very difficult friend!” said and stormed out of the room again. He went to work on some stuff, he was worried about what he’d do with and the band with a plus, he had kissed .

“Can I come in?” said knocking on ’s office door
“Sure mate, come on over”
“We’re going to the pub down the road, chill out a little bit, the day was not easy around here…”
“Tell me about it… Who’s going?”
“Just Louis, and I. The girls were off after all that mess…” sighed
“Yeah… I guess I’m going, I definitely could use a drink to relax!”

They were off at the pub where they were already known. After they put down some drinks, Louis was not even mad anymore, and was feeling more relaxed.

“Man… Do you remember all those stories your mum told us, ?!” asked his friend laughing
“What stories?!” asked curious
“Oh my God!” Louis said “She told us that had a crush on his neighbor and that her father told him that when he saw up on that tree again, just to see the girl changing, he’d kill him with a riffle!”
“Actually he shot me, and that was no kidding!”
“Oh God baby… Shot you?”
“Totally, but I was up on the tree for the third time on that afternoon…”
“I guess the girl liked to shower huh?!” Everybody laughed at Louis comment
“Worse was when she showed my naked baby pictures!”
“Yeah yeah she does that to everybody!”
“So did you have anything with your neighbor Mr. ?!” said pretending she was mad
“Nah… At that time only had kissed…”
“Yeah! And my first kiss was the best in the whole world!”
“Really?” said playfully
“Still nowadays I don’t know who was that girl!”
“That’s what he says…” Louis said rolling his eyes pretending he was annoyed
“But it’s serious! I mean, I just…”
“How was that best kiss in the whole world, let’s see if it was better than mine!” said again
“Hm… Ok! I’ll tell you!”
“Here he comes again… That’s the hundredth time I hear that!” said playfully
“But your girlfriend never heard it!”
“Yeah… So I want to know how’s the best kiss in the whole world!”
“You know… It was like err… Summer and we were all at a camp playing, there were boys and girls… ”
“So you don’t know if you kissed a boy or a girl?!” teased him and he looked at her pretending he was mad
“… and we were playing truth or dare, and I chose dare, because actually I liked one of the girls that was part of the kids group that were at the hotel. So, I chose dare and my friend said, we’ll put this blind on you, and you have to find and kiss the girl you find.”
“Hm… That sounds interesting…”
“Yes it was! Because I didn’t have a clue, and they were not allowed to find me!”
“I told you before, mate… I’m not sure if somebody would have tried to find you…”
“Bleeeeeehhhh. Can I continue?” nodded taking a sip of her drink
“So I was blinded and looking for one girl.”
“I don’t see any dare on that…”
“Louis, you’d see if you saw some of the girls… They were disgraceful!” Everybody laughed “So… I found this girl, I touched her face, and her skin was so smooth, I touched her eyes, they were closed, her nose… And then I pictured that girl being the girl I liked, nobody knew I had never kissed before… So I touched my lips on hers, and I’m not sure but I had the feeling she had never kissed anyone before. I mean, it was not a French kiss or anything like that. But that was something pure. After touching my lips on hers, I kissed her and she kissed me back.”
“How come you didn’t take off the blind to see who that was?!”
“That was part of the dare… I’d never know who she was! And we were all kiddos, so there is just no chance I’d know who she is today. And back at that time, I say I liked her, but she was just a pretty kid, you know? She may be a dragon now!”
“Awwwww. That’s a shame… But that was cute!”
“Yeah… I had a platonic crush on that girl for years! Kind of insane, actually.”
“Ok, ok …” They bartender saying “Beautiful story… But time is up. We got to close the bar!”
“But is it 11 pm already?! Damn it!”
“Yeah… And you’d better hurry or your lovely…”
“… Don’t start, I had enough of this conversation today…” They smiled at each other, after finishing their drinks and talking for a little while they called it a day and headed home.

Chapter Eleven

At ’s…

“Hello?!”
“Hi dear!!! How are you doing?”
“After showering and eating… I feel good.”
“I just came back home from the pub… Was there with Louis, and . Do you know that almost got shot when he was a kid?”
“You’re kidding me!” said half laughing because that kind of thing had to happen with , and then told her the whole story “Oh my God… Do you think he was aroused and was jerking off?”
“EEEEEWWWWWW that’s gross! Do you think my boyfriend is some kind of freak?”
“No, hun… Boys start masturbating before they stop wearing nappies!” They were both laughing
“I’m not sure… But he told me that he didn’t even had kissed at that time…”
“That doesn’t keep him to… You know?!”
“You are so mean!!! Oh! I was almost forgetting!!! Talking a bout kiss…” froze “We’ve heard a cute story from Mr. tonight…” kept frozen and asked
“About kissing?”
“Yeah… He told us how the best kiss in the whole world was…”- All could think was ‘She’s got to be kidding!’ –
“Oh…. Really?! But I don’t really want to talk about that jerk!”
“But I’m telling you ANYWAY, because I thought it was so cute…” At every word said was getting paler.
“Where was he?!”
“He said it was in Spain, in a sort of a camp or something…”
“It can’t be! What’s his full name again?” said a sounding a little shocked
“It’s ”
“Goddamnit it! ! SHIT!”
“… What’s wrong?!”
“, my dear, unless it is the biggest coincidence on the planet, I’m the girl whom he kissed!”

At ’s…

Despite the whole discussion with , and even if he didn’t want to admit it… She had a point. As soon as he got home, the speech had started was annoying him with questions, and all that. He was so tired. He just told her that he needed a long bath and locked himself into the bathroom.

“?!”
“Yeah… Hey! Missing me already?!”
“Cut the crap, mate… Do you think I’m a chicken?!”
“What?”
“Yeah, the way I lead my relationship with … Do you think I’m a puppet?!” didn’t know what to say… “Yes, you do think I am…”
“Why are you asking me that?!”
“Because told me so, and she also said that’s what everybody sees!”
“Were you and talking about your relationship? What’s going on?”
“No… We were actually… Arguing…”
“Nothing new… But yeah, I guess she has a point. And by the way, where did it happen? I didn’t hear anything.”
“Oh!” He had to laugh when he remembered “At the balcony, when locked us out. We were arguing and arguing. Then, that tiny woman pushed us to the balcony and locked us there.” laughed
“That’s so her!!!”
“But … I was mad and… Something really bad happened.” They stopped laughing
“With ?! Did you punch her?!” Silence
“Hell no! Worse. I kissed her!”
“Holly crap! What?! Why?”
“She made me so MAD that I had to shush that woman and when I saw myself, I was kissing her. But It was because she makes me so ANGRY. I said already: that woman drive me insane!”
“You’re going to get married and kissed your fiancée’s band mate? I guess you’re in big trouble here…”
“And why am I in big trouble?”
“Mate… I can see brightly ahead… You’ll have to dump !”
“Can you talk a little bit louder? I don’t think heard that in the living room.”
“I know this is not something nice to say now but… You’re going to marry … But I like more!”
“Ok… Here’s the thing, I’m the one getting married, and the groom chooses the bride, not the best man does.”
“It’s incredible how you can keep your sense of humour! What you’re going to do now?”

Back to ’s…

“You what?!”
“Seriously, that’s my first kiss story.”
“Oh Lord…”
“And I have something else to tell you.”
“Go ahead… I’m ready.”
“He kissed me today.”
“WHAT?!”
“We were arguing and when I told him that he was a puppet, he kissed me.”
“And… Did you kiss him back!?”
“I don’t know how to answer this kind of question. How can you be kissed and not kiss back? I don’t see how a kiss can be one person’s attitude.”
“You French kissed .”
“This is not the point here, honestly!
“, honey, unless it meant something to you, just don’t keep this into your mind. You already have much to worry about.”
“You’re right. Well, I got to sleep now.”
“Right, sleep tight, hun.” And then hung up.

Back to ’s

“Well… I have two weeks off. Going to take care of some Westlife stuff, other project, so hopefully, when I see her, she’d have forgotten about it.”
“Will you have forgotten about it?!”
“Oh, of course I will. It was something I did impulsively. I did not mean to kiss her. It’s not like I like her, !”
“If you’re saying. Give your parents and a hug, will ya?”
“Yeah, sure. Show up there, they like you, dude. I don’t know how on Earth it’s possible, but it’s a fact.” They hung up and went back to his thoughts and he truly thanked he had to go to Sligo, so he would get away from work, from and, imagine, he thanked he’d be away from .

Chapter Twelve

They had the album ready; it was just missing the famous duet. Their first single ‘Makes me Smile’ was number one and they were utterly happy and content. And then, one morning, Ceci dumped on . looked kinda tired and worried. But he smiled when came to talk to him.
“Hello there, ! How are you? Give me a hug!” they hugged and smiled. They headed to the office.
“I am just fine. How are you? How are things going around here?”
“We only need to record the duet and then we are ready to launch the album.”
“Good, good.”
“You look kinda weird. Did something happen?”
“Well, I went to Sligo, and, well, my little brother, , is about to be completely fucked in French at school. You believe it?”
“Shit, I am so sorry, , really. He still can get good grades and be approved?”
“High ones, yeah, but if he made to get an A or B- he could make it.” He said, sitting on the chair and passing his hand trough his hair, messing it.
“Well…” remembered one thing. Perhaps it was not really nice of her, considering the situation, the kiss and the embarrassment. But, well, when she noticed, she had said it already. “I know a great French tutor. Graduated in French literature and grammar. And, besides, it’s for free.”
“I liked the ‘free’ part. Who is this person? Give me the number!” Right on this moment got in. She had just arrived and she had probably taken shower before she came so she was kinda wet. swallowed hard and decided that it was time to admit was a hell of a woman. Unbearable, indeed, but a beautiful, beautiful woman. And then he remembered their kiss. He felt shivers. ‘Hello , what’s going on with you?’ he thought, like wakening himself up. On the other hand, noticed his messed hair and the smile he held before she got in. looked like a sculpture. ‘It’s a shame that he speaks…’ she thought. “Oh, you…”
“Good morning, . , I was going to tell you a few things, but I come over later.”
“Actually… I was talking about you.”
“You were not!”
“, this is the French tutor you need for your brother!”
“What? So now she speaks French!”
“Oui, monsieur. Je parlez François.”
“God, this is turning into something personal. Do you hear me?” he said to the roof, as if he was talking to God.
“God, you could have made him mute, couldn’t you?”
“Oh, here we go…”
“What’s the matter here?”
“’s brother needs some help with French. Would you… you know?”
“Oh, sure.”
“Really?”
“The kid has just no fault on being his brother! I mean, there is just no problem, as long as is two miles away.”
“I’ll be more than that, sweetheart. Actually, you WON’T tutor him. There is just no way I’ll accept this.”
“, can’t you be a little less childish?”
“No, I can’t. She won’t tutor my brother, period. She can’t be the only one who can tutor him. I have until Sunday to find one.”
“I hope you find someone quick enough. Otherwise won’t have time to learn and study. And then he’ll fail that test.” said and then he sighed.
“You were trained with Saddam Hussein, you terrorist!”
“Right, when will it be?”
“Could it be on Saturday? He’ll come over to my place to watch Arsenal x Liverpool and then you can tutor him before the game.”
“Perfect by me.” She said, leaving. gave an evil look. He rolled his eyes and said:
“Hey, .” She turned around. “Thank you.” She smiled to him and he smiled back a little shy.
“You are welcome.”

Chapter Thirteen

Saturday…

“…” That was calling him, despite she didn´t want to “Would you mind bringing over?”
“No… Not really, but… Why?” didn´t feel like driving, getting ready to go to his place… Besides she didn´t want to be into HIS habitat
“I´m kinda lazy to drive all the way and…”
“Oh I see…” He said already trying to figure out something behind that, he didn´t believe that she was only lazy “But yeah, ok, I can drive him there.”
“And you can wait here until I´m finished, I mean, if you want.” He was surprised, but the idea of spending 1 or 2 hours in her place didn´t hurt, I mean she´d be teaching his brother, she won´t be under his sight anyway, that couldn´t harm. He agreed and after the game he drove there.

was upset, he didn´t want to study French, it was Saturday afternoon for Christ's sake! But it didn´t really matter… When his brother says so… There´s no way back.

“Hi!” said smiling when she opens the door, gasped “What´s wrong ?” She said really concerned, he was flushed, but the truth is, he didn´t expect her to be that pretty with no make-up.
“Err… Hi. I´m sorry I was just thinking about something else. This is my brother .”
“Hi … Do you want to come in?” She said giving a kiss on his cheek and making room for him to enter her place, he smiled and got inside followed by
“Are you staying?”
“Yeah… If you don´t mind.” He said shyly and smiled, she almost forgot that he was her boss and unbearable, he must suffer from double personality, that was all she could think of.
“No I don´t… Actually I told you could stay… Come on in.” She said closing the door behind her, turning to face inches from her, they stood still for a while, she made the move and walked past them, she could feel ´s piercing eyes looking at her.

“, stay wherever you are, I mean, I have beer in the fridge, new movies if you want to watch, a swimming pool outside…”
“We might be paying you enough huh?! Business is promising…” She smiled
“Don´t forget I had to pay for your car damage!” He laughed and again that uncomfortable silence was between them. was already outside, finding his spot for the lesson
“Well err… Let me show you your way around so you won´t need to bother us if you need anything.”

She showed him around the house and he was enchanted. That was exactly how he´d like his house to be, even the furniture. And for that moment, at least, she was the sweetest thing, making him comfortable to be at her place.

“, all I need to know is where´s the beer and the bathroom!”
“Well… I guess I already showed you, I mean you can try the pool if you want, it´s pretty warm, I tried earlier.”
“Are you sure I won´t bother you and outside?”
“Nah… You can get a pair of Bermudas in the guest room, you know your way out right?!” She said leaving him alone staring at her, she was so sexy, the way she moved, her curves, he could feel the desire he felt for her. He wanted her, which was for sure. But she was soooooooooo annoying, how could that be? When had the annoying turned into a dream walking on the Earth?

He got dressed (undressed better saying), got a beer (she said he could), turned off his phone (the last thing he wanted was answering it and find at the other side of the line making tons of questions) and went to the pool. was already reading ´s material, she had a teacher look, she was wearing glasses and had her hair in a ponytail. He did his best not to bother, but he could not avoid noticing how nice she was being with his brother, they were even laughing and she was trying to teach him how to speak in French, clearly they were having a nice time. So did he.

Chapter Fourteen

After two hours or so, the lesson was over. She said goodbye to , they were speaking in French.

“Would you two mind stop speaking in French?!” He said playfully, and she opened her mouth to say something “Thank you.” He said before she could say something and she smiled shyly she could feel something different in the way he was looking at her
“I did that for him, not for you.” He smiled
“I know. But thanks anyway.” The awkward silence “See you tomorrow?” She nodded
“We still have to record that freaking duet. If there´s someone with a place guaranteed in heaven…”
“That´s me!” He completed playfully
“All in the name of the art. See you tomorrow.” She said goodbye and went back to her house. And took his brother to watch the game. It was a wonderful time and then they had this talk about the test when he was driving home.

“I am feeling more confident for the test now, .”
“I am glad, . And, next time, ask for help before things are completely fucked up, mate. We are all here for you.”
“Well, I was considering getting more and more in trouble with French.”
“Why is that so?” asked, shocked.
“So then I can always have classes with . She is awesome, don’t you think?”
“I…I don’t know, what do you think?” said, a little uncertain of what to say.
“I think she is pretty, nice and she is way better than !”
“Hey, kiddo! Watch your mouth!” he said, playfully, but firm.
“Why can’t you get a nice girlfriend, like ? She treats you way nicer than . She is not bossy and spoiled. You’d be happier with someone like her than with someone like…!”
“All right, love advisor, there you go. Good way home and send me a message when you get there.” they said their byes and went back home, still with ’s words echoing inside his head. That afternoon was a fact: was impressive. And, perhaps, there was just no problem on admitting she was not a monster.

It was Saturday night now… But she decided she was not going out. She had to work with tomorrow, and that “peace moment” they had, would mean nothing if she messed up that recording tomorrow.

Next morning came and they went to the studio. There were not many people there. was already there making the sound arrangements, went with him and the sound guys were there.

“Good morning…” said putting her purse on the desk “Am I late?”
“Not really, we got here earlier…”
“Yeah, and I had to come along that early!”
“… That was your choice!” She smiled
“He´s right… But I wanted to come over to learn more about singing and sound stuff”
“Really?” said surprised “That´s awesome, !!”
“Isn´t it?” asked “Indeed… I need to warm up so I´m going to the booth”
“I´ll follow you in a little while”

**Flashback**

“Oh my God, !!! Where were you?”
“I was at ´s with .”
“What?” looked at blankly
“Yeah… He needed some French tutoring… Guess what? She was the easiest option.”
“But why did you stay there?”
“I didn´t want to drive back and forth…”

and were out to dinner. Saturday night.

“But you can´t stand her!”
“You know what, ?! She´s not that bad… You should have seen her with . So attentive…” He took a sip of his drink
“Was she?” She said trying to disguise but she felt jealousy consuming her
“Yes. She has… hm… I don´t know how to explain, she was motherly and all. totally loved her and she was a hell of a help for him.”
“Motherly?” That was a subject always avoided, she so didn´t want kids, she didn´t like those, not even ´s little brother
“I don´t know how to explain… She was patient and was really doing that with pleasure.”
“I assume it’s peace then?!”
“What do you mean?”
“You and … No more fights?!”
“I´ll try, I guess she´s not the worst person in the planet as I thought so…”

**End of flashback**

was already warming up her voice when entered the booth.

“You still need to warm up…” said “This is for beginners.” He said clearly teasing her as a joke
“Are you sure you want to start this?” He laughed
“I´m just teasing you. Warming up is not bad, but I kinda don´t need it.”

was so nervous, truth be told, she loved Westlife and was her favorite and now there she was, recording a duet, for her album, with that man who now was a complete stranger to her. It was way easier the times that they hated each other.

They started singing, and was watching them, you know that music puts people together, that was not different with and , as they were singing for hours, at the end they were dancing and joking while recording. That was more than could handle.

After a whole day of work, for and , not for , that was there just to spy on , they left.

´s drive home

“Oh my God… I feel so relieved!” said trying to start a small talk with
“Why?”
“That we could make this duet. I mean, I thought it would be worse…”
“Yeah… Now you´re singing with the fave one…” She said with a sad tone
“Oh hun… She´s more experienced, that´s why… You should even learn from her. I mean, it´s hard for me to admit but she´s good.”
“Oh really?”
“That´s no way to deny it…”
“I think there is just no way…”

Chapter Fifteen

Few weeks later

“Where the hell are and ?” asked Louis, worried about an interview the girls would do live. People wanted to talk to and was supposed to be there also. Right on that moment, both arrived, with a huge smile upon their faces. “Hey, finally! Where were you?”
“Telling my parents the brand new event you guys will witness soon.” said, with those eyes shinning. “We are getting married!” everyone cheered together and gave them a hug. “Sorry we’re late, Louis…”
“Oh, you can fix it throwing a great wedding party, you stud nut! Now let’s work!”

“! Oh my God, I am thrilled! It’s like…you guys are my favorite couple in the world and you’re getting MARRIED!”
“Thank you, . I am just…wow, I still can’t believe it.”
“And when it’s going to happen?”
“We’re thinking about six or seven months.”
“Thanks God, then I can put off some weight!”
“You’d better not, actually. I don’t want my maid of honor to look like a skeleton.”
“Your what?!”
“You heard me. Wanna be my maid of honor?” yelled her lungs out in agreement. And then she went to the interview.

Close to them, in a room nearby

“Mate, that’s just awesome. I am so happy for you and this stupid smile you’re carrying upon your face!” said.
“I am so happy. It’s like flying, dude, honestly.”
“Flying? Flying Without Wings?”
“Oh shut up! You can’t be this stupid and be my best man, honestly!”
“Your what?!”
“You heard me. Wanna be my best man?”
“I fucking do, you bastard!” and they hugged.

They came back to the studio and Ceci was behind the scenes, helping the staff.
“Baby, how is it going?”
“They are doing just fine. Isn’t it too hot in here?” said, a little pale. and looked at her a little worried.
“, it’s just fine in here.”
“I feel hot. And dizzy.” She said. They got into a break.
“Are you alright?” and asked and then she passed out. It was a nightmare, people started running to her trying to wake her up. “Baby, baby…wake up, please… baby…”
She woke up. And there was this crowd around her.
“Why is everyone looking at me? And why am I laid on the floor?”
“Sweetie, you passed out! And you almost killed me, , , the girls, the staff, Louis…”
“Sorry, guys. I guess it was just that it was too hot in here.”
“Darling, you’re tired. Go home and rest until the end of the week. We need you healthy here, not passing out in interviews.”
“But Louis…”
“No ‘buts’. Go home and I deal with things here.”

She left and everyone went back to the interview. She still looked a little dizzy and green. And, in the end, it was better to go home and rest a little.
When the interview finished, started dialing , who didn’t answer.
“Why do you look so worried, ?” asked, nicely.
“Oh, I am trying to dial , to know if she got batter and she just doesn’t answer me.”
“Oh, she certainly is. said he put her into a cab and that she is at home already. Perhaps she is just sleeping a little bit.”
“ doesn’t sleep. She is like a zombie! She drinks all the coffee in the world and she stays awake for ages.”
“Well, maybe that’s the reason she passed out. She needs some rest.”
“Yeah, it must have been stressful for her this whole band beginning.”
“And, truth be told, we were probably driving her to the bounders of madness!” said, with that perfect smile. laughed and they felt that good atmosphere between them for the second or third time already.
“…are we making good talks between us a habit?”
“I think it’s not as hard as I expected being nice to you.”
“Oh really?” she laughed and then arrived, hugging him from behind.
“Let’s go, baby? I still have to eat…”
“Oh right, . Go to the car, I’ll follow you in a minute.” She got the keys and left with the look of victory in her eyes. laughed sarcastically, because kept obeying her. “What?”
“Nothing…”
“You’re laughing. I know what you’re thinking. Tell me, c’mon.”
“Nothing, really. I got to go home. See you…on Monday?”
“Yes, I think so. Have a good week.” She waved and both went their ways.

Weekend

That week was such a freaking madness, with interviews, rehearsals and stuff like that. and the other girls thanked God truly for the weekend.
was laid on the couch, having her fruits and drinking juice happily, watching funny sitcoms on TV and then her phone rang.
“ here.”
“I am pregnant.”
“What? Who is it?”
“It’s , for God’s sake. I am pregnant!”
“WOW! Cool!
“Cool? Cool? I am freaking out here! How will I explain that to my parents? And the press?”
“Are you insane? You date for four years and you’re 25! It’s more than expected that you guys…you know! And the press just loves this kind of stuff. Did you tell already?”
“Yes and he bought so many things that I feel like we are having seven babies and not one.”
“You see? Time to be glad! You’re pregnant and you’ll have a cute -eyed little girl!”
“There goes my diet.” laughed loudly. Only would think of something like that.
“How long are you pregnant?”
“Three months, can you believe it? In half an year I’m gonna have a baby!”
“And what about the wedding?”
“Well, this is another reason why I called you. We’re going to rush things, into a smaller thing. I didn’t want it to be in a castle or something anyway. There will be only one couple as best maid and maid of honor.”
“Well I am the maid of honor and there is no way I’m gonna give up on my position. I am eating fruits on Saturday to look pretty and sexy at the church!”
“I wouldn’t let you give up either, you silly. It’s just that… will be the best man. Is that cool?”
“Oh sure. We are civilized now. Three conversations and no forks flying towards each other.” laughed.
“That’s good, that’s good. Because he also said yes, you know?”
“Really? He didn’t put any silly opposition?” asked surprised, with one thought in her mind.
“No, he said he was cool. Like what did you mean?”
”Like the little fact he has a fucking fiancée who loves to be in the spotlights, even when she is not supposed to!”
“Very well remembered. He didn’t even mention the bitch.”
“Are you sure you won’t get in trouble with this? She is…well, it’s !”
“If I hear any whisper about it, I’ll say it’s a pregnancy desire. Some pregnant women wake up willing to eat bricks. I want to piss her off!”
“You are devilish! Anyway…When will our wedding be, bride?”
“April 30th, in Dublin.”
“Oh tell is in that cute chapel near ’s parents’ house!”
“Precisely. And I hope I won’t get too fat in a months and a half!”
“I am sure you’ll look so cute in your dress.”
“Thank you for not minding being with .”
“ is not that bad actually.”
“Yeah, he is kinda nice.” They talked a little more and then they hung up. Happy with the new, decided to go shopping and buy everything she saw for their baby. It was like having a niece or a nephew. Smiling, she changed her clothes and went to the shopping mall. There, she bought all she could see it was for babies and pink. And then she drove back home. She would visit her friend on the following day and give that to her and to her baby.

Chapter Sixteen

Sunday – the visit

knocked the door and then opened, smiling.
“Hey there! How are you?”
“Daddy! Congratulations!” and she hugged him, still holding all those things, wrapping and boxes. “Where is the mommy?”
“Come in! She is at the living room with !”
“ is here also?”
“Yeah, he came to make me a visit. Make yourself at home, I’ll get you a beer!”

She went to the living room, and was there, in his best black shirt – jeans – messed hair style. “He is gorgeous, the son of a bitch.” She smiled, nicely and he smiled back.
“Hey mommy! How are you?” turned around and hugged her friend. “, how are you?” she said and she kissed his cheek. It was the first time that happened and it was something huge: it was like the other’s still was electric and both felt shivers with that simple touch.
“Hello there, . How are you doing? Need help with those…?” he said, helping her with the boxes.
“Thank you, .” And she sat beside , who got what was happening right away. “, I bought all the mall for your baby!”
“I will need a third wardrobe: one for your gifts, one for ’s and other for ’s.”
“You bought gifts as well, ?”
“Oh yeah! When I heard the news I had to go buy the whole shopping mall for my future nephew, so to speak!”
“ thinks it’s a boy… he bought cars, airplanes in baby’s rubber and a complete Liverpool uniform for the baby.”
“Well, I am pretty sure it’s a girl. In fact…” and she gave the biggest box. “Open it…” And when opened it, there were lots of dresses, combs, purses, pacifiers and everything it was cute and pink had bought. “And I have this one… which is not for you, baby…” she said, talking to ’s belly. “But for your mom.” was just sat watching it, impressed and touched by her tenderness and motherhood sense. She was born to have kids. And he didn’t miss the fact both had the same attitude when they heard the news: buying things to the baby and running to share things with her friend.
opened the wrapping and it was a pregnant dress, flowered and blue just the way she liked.
“Thank you, . Thank you so much…” and she hugged her friend, crying. “Oh shit. I am crying. I am so goddamn pregnant.”
“Oh, this big boy must be giving you some trouble already.” said, more for teasing , who laughed and answered teasing back.
“He would, if it wasn’t a girl!”
“Well, I say they are twins!” said. Everyone laughed. “You laugh? My feeling is never wrong: they are twins.”
“They’d better not be. It’s me who’s delivering and feeding them later!” they all laughed loudly.
“Guys… You have to excuse me but I guess might be up to something… It´s just too silent up in the kitchen…”

said making her way out of the living room and now it was only and .

“That´s a lovely place they have here huh?!” She said starting the small talk “I like the pool area… It´s awesome.”
“They can even fit things for the baby all over the place…” agreed and said “Thanks for not giving up on being the maid of honor.” looked at him puzzled
“Why should I give up?”
“Because there will be only you and me, and you know you…”
“Shhhh , don´t start, that´s past. Now we can even be colleagues. It’s just like..there is no need of BFFs, but we can even make to be our best friends best man and maid of honor.” They both smiled to each other

The wedding

“I… Just… DON´T FIT IN MY WEDDING DRESS!” rolled her eyes for the millionth time
“You not only fit as it looks perfect on you, we can only see a small bump. What are you talking about?! Look at yourself in the mirror!”

turned to see her image in the mirror and she was amazing. The dress was a little bit loose as she asked in order not to show all her baby bump, she had her hair half loose falling through her shoulders and was wearing a flat sandal.

“Do you see what I see? You are the most beautiful bride, you´re glowing.”
“I know I´m freaking out, honey, but it´s because I´m so happy…”
“I know, and that´s how it´s going to be. Are you ready?” nodded “Let´s go because it´s late!”

The wedding was taking place in one small chapel in Dublin, it was beautifully decorated, had taken care of it all, but there was only the four of them, their families and the priest, very intimate, no press or whatsoever. When they got there, and were already in the chapel.
went inside first to let them know that the bride had arrived. gasped at the sight of her: she was wearing a beautiful green lorgnette dress, her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing only emeralds on her ears, very classy and beautiful. He couldn´t take his eyes of her cleavage, as usual.

“Hi.” She said trying not to sound too excited at the sight of in a dark grey suit.
“The bride is here, are we ready?”
“I was born ready!” said
“Hi …” said Casablanca like holding her hand and placing a kiss on it, and looked at each other puzzled
“Hello Casablanca. Always a pleasure to see you!”
“Ok you two, can you flirt later? I mean, I´m trying to get married!” Both of them laughed and blushed
“I´m not flirting, I´m just being nice as everybody is telling me to be for the last everlasting months!”
“Ok, I´ll get the bride!!”

The wedding was beautiful, very intimate. and were in heaven. After that, they headed to a restaurant, they would have a celebration lunch. Everything couldn´t be more perfect!

“Guys… I gotta get going…” said after lunch and the tenth drink “I´m so happy for you two, I can´t even express, and I´m very honored to be the best man. But I gotta go, it´s late.”
“And your phone didn´t even ring yet!” said teasing him
“It´s off, I didn´t want to be bothered.” They laughed
“Ok handsome best man… Thanks for coming, and as I´m the only one who´s not drunk here, I´ll take you to the door.” said standing up, followed her saying byes to everybody. stayed with at the table still downing drinks to celebrate.

Someone in the restaurant might have spotted them because when was walking with , still dressed in her lovely wedding dress, there were some fans asking for pictures. He posed for those with her and then left, was back in the restaurant to continue their celebration before they left to Greece to their honeymoon.

Chapter Seventeen

´s home…

“Honey, I´m home!” He said playfully when getting home
“, where were you? Why are you dressed this way?!” said obviously upset
“I´m sorry I didn´t tell you, I was at and ´s wedding.”
“A wedding? And you didn´t take me? Why?”
“They did it like with no guests just them, their families, the maid of honor and I.”
“I assume the maid of honor was the perfect .” She said sarcastically, rolled his eyes
“, she is their friend, they had the right to invite whoever they wanted to the position of maid of honor!” He said while taking off his tie and relaxing on the couch
“, I´m so tired of this thing. Everybody think she is the nicest one, but she isn´t. Even you think she is nice now!”
“And isn´t she?”
“Ha ha. You should know her better.”
“What do you mean, ?”
“She is a manipulative bitch!”
“Pardon?”
“Yeah, manipulative and demanding. I bet anyone that this small wedding was her idea to be alone with you!”
“, I drink and you get drunk? What you´re talking about? That makes no sense.”
“, honey, she is manipulative, she does things her own way, and she wants everything to be like that.”
“She might be a hell of an actress, because I just can´t see that on her.”
“Are you defending her now?”
“I´m not defending her, I wouldn´t, I´m just saying that this is not what she shows.”
“She is a two faced person. She is manipulative and demanding. She even wants to say how things should be in OUR wedding.” looked at her intrigued
“What?”
“That´s what you´ve heard, she gets the band her way ALWAYS, and as it was not enough now she wants to have a say on OUR wedding.”
“Our wedding?!”
“Yes! Our wedding. We are getting married, in case you don’t remember that.”
“Cut the drama and tell me what you were saying about .”
“When I told her that we were looking for a nice buffet for our wedding she said something about some place she knew. And I thanked her. And she said like we should do that and she made me feel stupid when I said I didn’t like it much, as if I were tasteless and dumb. There is no way someone won’t do what she wants. Even the other girls know that. No one bears her. And she always keeps saying to me I can’t do anything right.” said, faking some tears. Obviously, this whole thing was made up. But hearing that and seeing suffering so much made the volcano inside explode and all the good feelings he had developed for and the new friendship they her built carefully after months of stormy situations vanished.
“I can’t believe this…”
“But it’s true.” She said, wiping her tears. “I never told you because we were so afraid of what could happen. But this is almost unbearable, , really…” she said, crying again. And then no doubts lasted on his mind. The sweet awesome woman was a huge fake image that existed just in his mind. And for an unexpected and surprising reason, he felt a twinge into his heart wondering how he could be so wrong about her. She was unbearable at first. Then she was pretty. Then gorgeous, nice, talented with a great heart. Finally, she was a dream walking on the earth. And now, she was a forge.

Later that day called him.
“Hey bro, how are ya?”
“, mate, just fine. You?” asked, still sad about the events of that day.
“I’m also fine. You sound a little sad, brother. What happened? Did hit you today?”
“I am not comfortable with you talking about like this. She is my fiancée and she is a nice person, so no more about this tone when referring to her. Understood, ?” he said, pissed. He was in a bad mood and, well, it was not ’s fault, but it ended up being the scapegoat.
“Wow, sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It was just a way to ask you if you were really fine.”
“I am sorry, it’s just that I had a tough day.”
“It’s all right. How was ’s wedding?”
“It was awesome. looked fabulous and loves her so much that makes me wanna punch him.” laughed.
“And ? Did she go?” became tenser and tenser. It was not a good moment to talk about .
“Yes, she was the maid of honor. She is ’s best friend.”
“I knew there was a reason why I liked also. She is an Arsenal fan and also has this great taste for friends.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I called to tell you I am approved in French with B-.”
“Really, ? That’s awesome, I am proud of you.”
“Yes. And you should thank also, please. The teacher said that I am really better. It’s all because of her. She is an angel.”
“Right. Enough of compliments for .”
“Why are you so bitter today?”
“, I don’t want to talk about , honestly.”
“All right. I won’t push. But she is an amazing woman, yeah. And I am really grateful.”
“, I don’t wanna hear compliments about . She is definitely not what you think she is. And you can’t get it, because you are a bloody brainless kiddo. So, if you don’t mind, I would like to hang up now and go rest.”
“All right.” And they hung up.

Chapter Eighteen

Back to the recorder – on Monday

and were traveling, in their honeymoon. , , Joanne and Kathy, though, had to work. And , being the manager with Louis, had to work also. He couldn’t barely look at and when he arrived he didn’t even wave a hello. Of course, found that weird.

“, did something happen with ? I mean, he is kinda moody today…” smiled inside and just put an innocent face.
“No, I don’t think so.”

They started rehearsing and after long hours, Joanne, Kathy and decided to go get some Gatorade. kept rehearsing for a few moves. was near, working on some papers and he decided he wouldn’t talk to her, even though part of him wanted to and found her great and gorgeous. He couldn’t just forget what had told him. On the other hand, she felt like talking to him as they were…well…friends now.

“Hey ...how are you?”
“Alive.” Silence. She felt like something was not right. But she insisted.
“You’re so quiet today…” when he heard her voice, the anger inside him started to boil and he couldn’t be nice when answering.
“And this should be an answer itself, right?”
“I am sorry?” she asked, surprised by his tone, stopping her moves and turning her neck to him.
“If I didn’t say a word until now you should understand that, perhaps, I just don’t want to talk to you.” She became open mouthed and felt that answer as a slap on her face. And, of course, she wouldn’t just hear him behaving and answering like that and remain quiet.
“Are you fucking bipolar?”
“What?”
“Why are you talking to me this way?”
“How come can you bear being such a farce?”
“Excuse me? Who do you think you are talking to?” she said, crossing her arms and increasing an octave in her voice. He stood up and leaned his body on his hands, over the table.
“It’s unbearable to look at you now, when I know who you really are.”
“What happened here? Am I missing something?”
“Stop acting! Stop these games! Don’t you get enough of this fake life you built? It’s all right, people love you, you’re a success, you got everyone. It’s fine by me, but don’t put me into your dirt.”
“I don’t get why I am hearing such a speech from someone who is far from being a model of behavior.”
“What?”
“You heard me. It’s minimum ridiculous someone who’s manipulated, and who has no firm opinion about anything saying that I have a fake life.”
“At least I play it fair. I am not manipulative and dishonest!”
“Are you suggesting I am manipulative and dishonest?”
“ told me everything about you and about your behavior and how you made her feel so stupid and tasteless when she didn’t agree with your suggestion for the buffet. You thought I would never know, didn’t you? Flash news lady, you’re WRONG. She told me about how you make everything your own way. And I completely despise you and your attitude. You should be ashamed!”
“What are you talking about? This is not true! This is insane!”
“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe a word you’re saying!”
“See if I care!” she yelled.
“You put a nice smile and then you fucking bewitch people around you with your fake sympathy, pretending you are nice, pretending you are a decent human being. You almost got me, . You almost got me into this strategy. But I am done with your games and your lack of decency.” She got close to him and pointed him a finger.
“You have to turn into someone better before you have the right to talk to me like this.”
“Don’t point me the finger!”
“Oh, we are beyond the bounders of education here. I’ll do what I fucking want. And I don’t give a damn!”
“You did that to my brother! You only treated him well and taught him because you wanted me to like you.” laughed loudly and sarcastically, he was hurt
“Oh, you do think you’re the center of the world you cocky bastard full of shit!”
“You did that also to me, , , Louis… no one really knows you! You only care about yourself! Why are you such a self-centric manipulative spoiled bitch?” that was enough for her and she slapped his face strongly.
“You will never EVER be man enough to talk to me like that, . Never.” She said looking deep into his eyes and letting a teardrop fall down. And the slap with her tear was way more painful than the slap itself. She seemed to be really hurt and got really confused. “People who really know me and love me would laugh the guts out when they heard you saying I am manipulative, spoiled or even a bitch. And then your opinion just doesn’t matter. I may be all this. But it’s you who I feel sorry for. You just can’t see things, and you buy whatever people tell you. I am completely DONE with this. I am DONE. And I won’t ever talk to you again.” she said and then she left the room, quickly. Kathy got inside the room and then she saw static, confused and dazed about what had happened.
“? What happened? I saw at the parking lot, crying a lot going away into her car.”
“I had a fight with …” he said a little later.
“Oh, that…” she said, not giving it importance.
“It was quite serious. It was about what told me, that she always wants things her way and that she puts you guys under pressure and…”
“What? ?” Kathy laughed and then ’s heart started stopping with the perspective of being so unfair to her. “, is an ANGEL. She helps us with anything, anytime. is one of the most wonderful people I know. She is far beyond being... manipulative!”
“Are you sure? Because told me…” he was even pale.
“Look, , I never got involved, but the problem into our band is . She is the spoiled kid, she is the weepy child. is an angel and she even tried to help once at your wedding. But threw the numbers gave her of buffets and restaurants on the trashcan. And then, well, didn’t get involved anymore.”
“Oh fucking Jesus…” he said sitting down, pale, with his heart beating fast. Inside his heart, the part of him who found her a great woman yelled at him a huge ‘I told you so!’.
“What did you say?”
“It started with the liar, it ended with self-centric bitch.”
“Ouch …why do you believe so blindly?”
“Why would I doubt on the word and tears of my fiancée?”
“And then why do you believe me now?”
“I…I don’t know…”
“You believe me because you know deep inside that there’s no point on thinking of as this woman you described. She may be hot tempered, yeah. But then again, that’s what makes her special and charismatic.”
“Oh shit…what will I do now?”
“Go after her! And try to undo this.”
“Will do, will do…” he said getting the car keys, the wallet and running to the car. In the middle of the way, he met .
“Baby, where are you going?” she asked, smiling.
“, I’ll tell you later. But we must have a serious conversation here. A very serious one.” He said, intimidating and he left.

Chapter Nineteen

At ’s

She got at her house completely devastated and sad. Who had she been fooling, thinking would be always nice and charming? It was already taking too long so he would be a jerk again. The thing is: she really thought they were going to be friends, that it was over. And she was truly getting involved with him. And now…

When she was about to take a shower, someone knocked the door. She opened it without thinking and it was .
“, would you…?” she just closed it again and locked it. But he kept talking. “C’mon, please, I want to talk to you.”
“GO AWAY!”
“I got it all wrong… I am so sorry. I…look, there is… Open the door, I can’t talk to a piece of wood.”
“And I can’t talk to you, so you would better get going. Your cell phone will ring!”
“Give me a chance, I want to explain myself!”
“It doesn’t matter, , I don’t want to hear.”
“… Please…” He said seating on her doorstep “I’m not going anywhere, I need to talk to you, open the door!”
was sat resting her back on the door, she was hurt, but there was no way she was going to open it for him, even though she wanted to open it and say to him everything that she carried inside. They stayed in silence for a little while.
“… I know you’re there… Open the door. I need to talk to you, there are things that you should know…”
Tears were falling through her cheeks, she couldn’t hold it. She opens the door.
“, listen, I’m tired, tired of everything. Of your tantrums, of fighting with you, of pretending everything is okay when it’s not. This is it, , you made your choice, leave it!”
“I understand, I just want to explain myself! I’m sorry.”
“Goodbye, !”
And then she bangs the door.
“Okay, If you are not talking to me, I’ll talk to your door. Maybe you’ll listen. I’m sorry, I understand you’re mad, but I want to tell you that I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have listened to , but she’s my fiancée and I trusted her, then it’s you, someone I thought that it was too good to be true, it happens that you’re real. I’m sorry, , and I want you to know that whenever, I’ll say it again, whenever you decide to forgive me, I’ll be waiting.”
could hear her sobbings fading away, and he couldn’t help his tears. But there was no way now, he apologized. He stayed there, seated on her doorstep for hours, and he ended up sleeping there. He woke up with the sun rays on his face, she hadn’t opened the door after all… So he left.
When he got home, was awake with a newspaper in her hands.
“! I want to know what this means!” “, some other time, I didn’t have a very nice… Night if I can put it this way.” “Where were you, ? Where were you? I ought to know what those pictures mean!” She threw the newspaper on his chest and he took it, his mouth felt dry. Some pictures of him in front of ’s door and from both of them were splashed on the tabloid’s first page.

“WESTLIFE HUNK BEGS FOR ATTENTION FROM HIS… AFFAIR?”

’s lies, ’s despise, lack of sleep, pictures in the papers and screaming was much more than he could handle at that moment.
“Hey, hey, hey…less morality here. For someone who lied to me and SCREWED UP with the whole thing I’ve been working for months, you’re far beyond of having the right to talk to me like this.” He said serious. He hadn’t forgotten that was the main cause of that whole stupid situation.
“What? Are you calling me…?”
“A liar? Someone with no character, envious and whom I completely despise? Yes, darling! I am!” her eyes filled with tears and in that moment she learned that all we do in this world come back straight to us. “You see Frank Sinatra mentioned that ‘this fine old world, it keeps spinning around’. It does. I don’t know how on Earth I got so blind and couldn’t see that you’re evil, self centric and spoiled.”
“You’re offending me!”
“GOOD! I’m getting to my point here.”
“What? Do you hate me now?” she said, sarcastic, but almost crying, seeing the man she loved hating her so much.
“If I gave you any importance right now, I probably would. But I quite don’t give a damn for how you’re feeling. I like you each second less and less.”
“Why do you care so much about her?”
“Perhaps, someday, when you become HALF or even a QUARTER of the woman she is, you’ll understand why.”
“You’re breaking up with me?”
“It’s over!”
“Why? How come? Why is this happening?” she was crying hard now but even though he was sad, he couldn’t drop a tear. And her behavior was making him only more and more nervous.
“Are you this dumb that I have to explain even that you’re not welcome here anymore? You lied to me. You made me behave like a fucking idiot in front of , Louis, my family and the press. You made me a fool in my personal and professional life. I have an image to preserve; I can’t afford being made look ridiculous. And that’s what you did! There is no possible way I would marry, date or even be a friend of someone like you.” And their relationship now seemed something pointless. It made no sense.
“You guys were too close; I couldn’t stand seeing you so involved with her. I was..I was AFRAID, , afraid of losing you!”
“And see how you were efficient; that’s exactly what happened. It’s over, I despise you and I don’t wanna see any clothes, photos, or whatever else that belongs to you in my house. Out. Get your things and get out of my house.”
“, please…Try to think, calm down and consider what made me do this…”
“I did. And you know what bothers me? The fact that you put on as a supposition that I am stupid. I would find out someday. I just regret that I didn’t hurt you as much as I hurt !”
“You’re in love with her!” she put that as an accusation. “Can’t you see?”
“If I am or if I am not is not quite of your business anymore. But if I am it just shows that I finally have good taste.” Silence. That was the end for her, she wouldn’t talk anymore. “I am leaving. And I’ll come back in half an hour. Whatever is yours that I find here, I’ll donate to homeless people. They will love your fancy clothes, bought with my paycheck.” He said, leaving and closing the door behind him with a loud noise.

Chapter Twenty

loved reading some gossip… That’s why she got The Mirror subscription. When she opened that paper she couldn’t believe it.

“, WHY DIDN’T SHE OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU?”
spends all night knocking on ’s door, and even after his apologies she remained strong and made him sleep on her door step. What’s that supposed to mean? See for yourself! More pictures inside.

Inside there were some pictures of from last night and that was in front of her house, and there were some other pictures of them spotted together while they were working, but indeed they made it look like she was his affair.

Immediately she called Louis.

“Louis here”
“Hi Louis… This is , I…”
“What happened between you and ? I mean, it’s on all the tabloids in Britain!”
“Louis… I don’t know how to explain that to you but all this gossip and this thing with , … I can’t do it.”
“You can’t quit, …”
“I’m not saying I’ll quit, but I don’t want to be involved with , or whatsoever. I’ll do my work but can I do it away from them??” Louis sighed.
“It’s all right. is coming back today, she can be the…you know, speaker, between them and you.”
“I appreciate that Louis, I really do. I won’t miss any of the appointments, but I just can’t take this couple anymore.”
“What happened?”
“I am not in the mood to talk about it Louis, honestly. I really think you should ask about what happened. And be sure that I’ll remain as professional as I’ve been until now.”
“I have no doubts on that. Just be fine. We need you, all right?” and they hung up

Well, that day, a little later, and came back from Greece and ’s bump was showing already, but they were, by far, the happiest couple had seen and picking them up at the airport did him some good. It was not good enough for hiding how he was truly feeling from .

“Mate, mate…what happened?” asked.
“I completely screwed my life up, . And there is no return on that.”
“What do you mean? The girls are a success! They are even saying they will be the album of the year and that your duet with will be the record of the year. What’s the matter?” asked, while she got the guys two beers and two carrots for her, as she had another bizarre desire.
“I know that it’s all right professionally. But I…, after your wedding, when I got home, started saying few things to me about .”
“Oh shit. Like what? That she was demanding and self centric?” gave a shot.
“How come I am the only one who couldn’t see it was a lie?” said, surprised with ’s sharpness.
“She told you that?” nodded. “And you fucking believed her, ?” He nodded again, sadly now. “Oh man, I can’t believe this.”
“I don’t believe it either. But she cried and she was all emotional that…”
“That you just couldn’t see she was talking about her own behavior as if it was ’s. She is so stupid that this is the farthest she could go making up something about someone as nice as is.” said, already thinking about the state her friend was going to be depending on what had happened.
“Right and then I put a speech on .”
“What do you mean by that exactly?” asked.
“I started saying she was a liar and ended up saying she was a self centric bitch.”
“Please, tell me this is a joke.” said, after a pause. shook his head side to side. “Do you have any idea of how you were unfair?”
“Right after she left the room, Kathy told me everything and I do feel like a jerk. And I tried to talk to her and even slept outside her door trying to have a conversation. And the paparazzi got me, we are in all the tabloids of UK, as far as I know.”
“And then your dearest came all over you, screaming with that annoying voice?” asked, eating her carrots.
“Yes and I completely lost it with her, said loads of things and we broke up.”
“I bet she didn’t have half of the speech had.”
“What do you mean by that, ?”
“I mean that you certainly were way more worried in not hurting your beloved than in not hurting , who has always tried to be nice with you.”
“That’s where you’re mistaken. I completely lost it with . And I even told her that if when I got back at home I found anything that belonged to her there, I would donate to poor people.”
“Really?” said surprised. And then her mobile rang. “”
“Hey pregnant girl. I hope you guys had a nice trip.”
“We did have, but I just found out things are kinda out of control around here.”
“This is exactly what I wanted to talk about with you. just called me and she says she won’t work with or anymore.”
“What?”
“We’ll need you. You’ll be the mediator. She won’t come to meeting where they are and things like that, at least for a long time. I am not quite sure of what happened. And I really want to have a word with Mr. later. But I need you to know that I am counting on you more than ever.”
“Be cool, it’ll be all right. Talk to you later.”
“Right. And tell that I DEMAND to talk to him today.”
“Yes boss. Bye.”

“Who was it?”
“It was Louis. asked not to work with you or anymore.”
“What? Did she quit?” asked, shocked.
“No, I’ll be her mediator. She doesn’t want to see you or your fiancée.”
“EX fiancée.”
“Whatever. Phew, she must be in need of conversation. I’m heading to her place, all right, baby?” nodded and before she left, she told him; “And Louis said he wants to talk to you today.”
“Oh shit. Let’s head to his office, ?”
“Better if we do, mate.” And they all left.

Chapter Twenty-One

At ’s

When heard the door, she got her baseball stick, in order to shock anyone who came to her with questions about . It was ENOUGH of that man, for God’s sake. It was hard enough not to think of him without people calling her and asking about him all the time.
“What?” she asked, with the stick on her hands when she opened the door.
“Hey, would you beat a pregnant woman?” said and she laughed, relieved to see her friend again and they hugged.
“I am so glad you’re back…”
“I imagine...How are you feeling?”
“Come in...” and she closed the door. “Wanna eat or drink something?”
“If you get carrots there, I’d appreciate.”
“Carrots? Pregnant women, who gets you?” she said, giving her a carrot. “Did Louis talk to you?”
“Yes and so did and I am really worried about you and about what you might be feeling.”
“I am devastated, to be honest. We were doing fine, we were friends and he was so nice to me that…” And started crying. got the point right away.
“… You’re not…I mean…you didn’t FALL for him, did you?”
“Is this a question?”
“I suppose. You’re not in love with him, are you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I am, but all I can feel now is that he hurt me in a way that I didn’t deserve. And that I don’t want to hear about him anymore. I won’t do the fucking duet anymore, in any presentation. I am done.”
“All right, I understand you’re mad at him but…”
“But nothing! I made up my mind.”

At Louis'

“… … What have you done with my best singer?”
“I made a mistake.” And he told the story again. Even Louis knew what would say and almost got angry. He would have been angry if he weren’t so sad.
“Wanna know something weird?” Louis said.
“What?” was just listening, really worried about his friend.
“I always had the opinion that you and would like each other so much if you had given yourselves a chance to be nice and talk, to know each other that I am sure that it was the main reason for all those stupid arguments. And I see I was right, because you were magnificent the short time you behaved like civilized people.” Wise words, Louis Walsh.
“Right now I can’t remember a reason for not liking her. Not even one. And I’ve been trying so hard to find mistakes on her behavior so I can say this isn’t all my fault.”
“… You’re not…I mean…you didn’t FALL for her, did you?”
“Is this a question?”
“I suppose. You’re not in love with her, are you?”
“I don’t know, Louis. Perhaps I am.” He said, shyly, scratching his head and messing his hair.
“If you are, this happens to be the confirmation of what I told Simon ten years ago…” Silence. “I always knew you were a bright boy.” smiled shyly.
“What do I do now, Louis?”
“Well, shit happens, you made a huge one happen. Try to clean it yourself, kiddo.”

We can’t say didn’t try. He dialed every single day. She didn’t pick it up not even once. He tried once from ’s mobile phone, so she would answer. And she did:
“”
“, it’s here…” and he heard her hanging up.

In the end it was not just about what he had done to her, but it was about facing the damages, the consequences of trusting someone whom, everyone knew, had a doubtful personality governed by futile and envious principles. And it was also about how he missed her, missed talking to her, teasing her, and her presence. He regretted that mistake he made every second after he found out the truth. But he didn’t have a chance to explain himself.
, on the other hand, was working like a crazy person. And every time he called, she wanted to answer, but she was still too hurt by his attitude. And more hurt with the fact that she just couldn’t help but thinking of him and missing the time they spent together. Because even arguing and fighting, it was sort of nice. Both admitted that now, but would have admitted before.
was just singing, dancing and leaving. She worked and was like a ghost around, also feeling the consequences of her own acts. And she intended to leave the band soon and travel, do something else. But singing and being at Girlies was all right for now. And she kept doing that.

Time passed and the end of the year arrived. The girls were about to win two awards: album of the year and the duet was the record of the year. When realized that, he felt a little sadder and this was when our story had a turn.

got into his office that day, to get few schedules and noticed he was looking at a picture of , in a magazine. And, for the first time, she felt some compassion, some mercy. And this means a lot when it comes to her! Because , deep inside, felt like he deserved something like that considering what he had done. But seeing as how he was really sad, he also deserved a chance to explain himself, and apologize properly.
“Feeling nostalgic, ?”
“What?” he said, closing the magazine, blushed and busted.
“You heard me. You’re feeling sort of…”
“Busted!”
“I didn’t know you were this sad.”
“Well, I am. I do have feelings.”
“I know that. At least I do know that now.” Silence. “What are you intending to do?”
“I don’t know what else to do. I… it’s ridiculous feeling like this when she is completely ignoring me. It makes no difference. What I feel about her and…It just doesn’t fucking matter.”
“…” started. She decided it was time to END that situation. “I have a few things to tell you. I could have told you before, but I didn’t know if you felt things as intense as she feels. And I wouldn’t do it until I was sure about it. ’s been through too much already and I had to be sure before I did what I’ll do now.”
“You mean…?”
“I mean that she is suffering just as much as you are. And all that happens is that she is hurt. But it makes a difference. It makes a lot of difference the way you feel.” And he opened this hopeful smile. “It’s not done until it’s over.”
“Indeed it isn’t. Thank you for letting me know that.”
“And there is one more special info…”
“Really? Good news?”
“Probably. I know who the girl of your first kiss is.”
“You do? Are you sure?” he said, completely enthusiastic, with his eyes THIS big.
“A hundred percent sure. Why is she so special to you?” She asked, wanting few more info about that story.
“It’s stupid.”
“Oh, it’s about you, , I am used to that already.” She joked and he laughed.
“Well, , I am older now and I am quite sure that we had chemistry. We had the chemistry I never experienced with anyone else in my entire life. This must mean something more, something special. And I would like to know her better, because I am quite sure this would be a unique chemistry and..” He said and she raised on eyebrow. He thought he had gotten something. “It wouldn’t…”
“Have you NEVER felt that? Not even when you…kissed ?”
“Are you kidding me? is the girl I kissed back then?”
“Precisely. She is the girl of your first kiss. And you’re the boy of her first kiss.”
“Oh my fucking helpless God…”
“No need of cursing God. Just..be a brave man, as we all know you are.” She said, before leaving the room.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The award

“, I still think you should go. You can’t run away from him forever.”
“I certainly can! I’ve been doing it for almost two months now, and we are doing fine.”
“Yes, I wonder what you’ll do when this baby inside this BALOON that is my belly now comes out to this world. Stop acting like this.”
“Right, right, RIGHT, I’ll be back when your baby is born. By the way, is it a boy or a girl?”
“Didn’t I tell you? They are twins. A boy and a girl. was right.” They laughed a bit. “You’re really not coming?”
“I am NOT coming. There is just no way I’d get it all ready in an hour. Hair, clothes, make up. Let’s leave it. I’ll watch it on TV though.”
“Whatever… I and my two little monsters shall be going now. See you soon”

Getting inside the theatre, after the red carpet, found and . The girls hadn’t gone either. When decided not to go, Kathy and Joanne said they wouldn’t go either and would go by herself to see ’s glory. Then, sent a note for the press, saying they would travel to work on their new album, but that the managers would be there to get the prizes if they got one.
“Let’s get that seat over there?” suggested, all worried with , whose bump looked like two watermelons.
“Right, right…” said, deadly gorgeous on his dark grey suit. He had a mischievous look, as if he was hiding something.
“…” said, after she sat and made herself comfortable. “What’s this look on your face?”
“What look?” he said, every second more mysterious.
“This look you’re carrying. I know you’re up to something..” She said, pointing the finger to him on a joke.
“Gee, do pregnant women get paranoid?”
“We get extra sensitive and I know you are up to something, kiddo.” He laughed, they sat and just kept that way, without saying a word.

was watching the presentation at home, with her ice cream and wearing her pj’s. The presentation was just fine until the moment arrived: they won as the album of the year. and went to get the award for the girls and they thanked people for making the girls a success, thanked the support given for Louis and the crew and that was it, people cheered a lot, because their album was really something for that musical niche.
The night went on and on and was feeling all right: until now, no and they had won their first award!
The last award of the night was the duet, as best ‘partnership’, that would be also the last musical presentation. Daniel Bedingfield was the one who would name the winner and then he opened the envelope and said…
“The best partnership of the year was… and , from Girlie’s. HEY!!” and everyone cheered. cursed it at home.
“All right God, what’s the point, honestly?” she said and when she saw coming up to stage, to get their awards, she went to the kitchen, to get more Coke. “Fuck off the diet, yeah!” she said to herself, as if someone was disapproving her attitude. It was when she heard ’s speech.
“I would like, first of all, to thank each and everyone who voted for us to win this award. It was very special and unique for me to do this with , who is an amazing new talent. It was refreshing for me as an artist. And it’s a shame she couldn’t here tonight to win this award with me.” He said, as first words. Hearing that, put her head outside the kitchen, spying through the door, with one eyebrow raised, in a ‘WHAT’ expression.
“What is this man up to?” she said to herself, feeling her hear beat faster.
“Moving on, I would like to say a few words about this special lady, who couldn’t come tonight. I have the feeling that even if she could have come with the girls from Girlie’s, which was not the case, she wouldn’t have come. And this is completely all my fault. You see, I know I am taking too long here, but this is the last award of the night, so there is no problem. I need to say that I am the proof that we all make mistakes all the time because we just can’t be a hundred percent sharp; we can’t see who the good person is and who’s the bad person. I always sucked on it and this time I sucked really badly and I…I messed it up. I am only human, I do make mistakes and I made another one. But I do think I am being sincere and that apologizing publically for what I made her go through makes me less guilty.” He said and he took some air to move on. was sat on the couch pale and static as a marble statue. “People said lots of mean things about and me, because they don’t get the size of the damage they might be causing. And I also apologize for making her go through the chaos of the press. It was also my fault and I recognize that. She doesn’t deserve at all to be through this. She is an amazing, fantastic woman, great artist and marvelous person. And I won’t let go on my desire of having her in my life.” People were completely shocked. Was he apologizing publically to ? And what for? Why was he doing that?
“And it’s not only about losing a partner in singing, but losing the woman I met in Spain, when I was really young, not famous and not interesting at all.” People laughed, intrigued by his speech. “She is someone who sees me since I was invisible. And I seriously don’t believe that I can’t work it out. If this world is fair, I must have a chance to clean up the mess I made. She does deserve better friends or better people around her. And I was not one of those. I was weak, immature and selfish. But I am turning into a better person and I do deserve some space in her life for my own.”
“DAMN IT! told him!’ said, almost fainting. And then he turned to the camera and looked at it as if it was ’s eyes.
“, I would have really liked to have the opportunity to say this in person. As I can’t, I said live on TV. I am so sorry. Please, believe me and give a chance so I can explain myself and what I’ve been through lately.” By that point, everyone knew what he meant by that. “And I’ll sing our song now, alone. I hope we can work it out. Thank you again.” people applauded and the press was getting in-sa-ne. what was that? Apologizing? Some sort of love assumption? What had just happened?
, at home, turned off the TV, recognizing that was really in love with to apologize worldwide on TV.

And he got to the stage and started singing.

'Cause I'm loving each day
As if its the last
Dancing all night
Having a blast
I need you here

Girl I'm on a mission
To cure my condition
'Cause without your kissing
My heart just a prison
I'm hoping and wishing
That girl, I'm forgiven
Say yeah, oh yeah
'Cause every time
You leave me
I'm sad
The moment
You're returning
I'm glad
So let's not go forgetting
What we had
'Cause its bad
So damn bad, yeah

I'm loving each day
As if it's the last
Dancing all night
Having a blast
I want you right
Here next to me
We're loving each day
As if its the last
Dancing all night
Having a laugh
'Cause baby
I need you here

If I hurt your feelings
Then maybe we're even
'Cause I've been bereaving
Since you said
You're leaving
But now you're
By my side
Let's not fight
'Cause you're right

Every time I lose you
I'm lost
No more you
Versus me girl
There is just us
'Cause anything without you
Just a bust, baby
Trust you must thing

So don't go throwing
Our love away
It's here to stay
I'm telling you
There is nothing that
Can stop us anyway,
Yeah
I love devotion,
Let's get in motion
I'm loving each day
As if it's the last
Dancing all night
Having a blast
I want you right
Here next to me
We're loving each day
As if its the last
Dancing all night
Having a laugh
I need you here

When he finished, they ended the ceremony and went to the party.
“, I knew you were up to something.” said and he laughed.
“I had to apologize. I did it my way.”
“So I see.”
“Did I make it clear?”
“Just as water. I got so shocked with what you were saying and.. Oh shit, run, the press. We get you later at the party.”
He ran to the limo while she waited a little with . And then he cell phone rang. It was of course.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME TO GO TO THIS PRESENTATION?”
“Easy there, I told you to come, remember?” it was true and regretted not going to the BONES.
“If I knew he was going to do this, I would have gone!” she said, almost crying.
“No one knew he was going to do a ‘Forgive me, ’ winning the award, baby. If I knew, I would have dragged you here.”
“What do I do now? I HAVE TO TALK TO HIM!”
“I agree a hundred percent on that. Come to the party before they closed the back doors and then you get in hidden and find him.”
“I can’t get my hair and my clothes ready and…”
“Well, you have two options there: getting fucking ready or coming with whatever you find, the way you can and talk to your Prince Charming.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

hung up and ran to get jeans, high heels and a very nice golden top. Not too right for the event, but it was the best she would ever get.
She made something with her hair and ran to get a cab. She had to talk to him, to say it was no problem, that he was forgiven and, if she was drunk enough, say how she felt about him.
She got inside the cab and said to the driver:
“I’ll pay 200 pounds for you to drive me as fast as you can to the Award party.” The man ran like a mental person and when they were about to arrive, it started raining and the traffic became insane, because there were too many people arriving at the same time. Impatient, got out of the car and ran to the back doors of the event. Her hair was gone, so was her make-up, and then her clothes. Getting to the door of the party, finally, her heel broke. And then, the security guy looking at her like that: messed hair, wet clothes, no make-up and no shoes, basically, couldn’t let her in.
“What’s your name again?” she asked him.
“It’s Jameson.”
“Jameson, I must get in, you don’t understand. I…I wasn’t supposed to look like this, but I had to arrive and talk to…”
“Ma’am, I cannot let you in like that. I’ll lose my job, you know?”
“It was just because of the rain! I came running. Please, Jameson, let me in…” she said almost crying. It couldn’t be this difficult to have the chance to tell how she felt about his apologizing and about the space in her life thing.
“I am sorry, I just can’t.” and he closed the door. Facing the situation honestly, she sat on the stairs and started crying: 200 pounds, make up, sandals, hair, clothes and a terrible flu on the following day for nothing. She was so sad and crying that she didn’t even hear the door behind her opening.
“Hey there…” it was . He was leaving the party, by the back door, a little sad, thinking about the fact she hadn’t called him and she hadn’t showed up also. And there she was. When she turned around and saw , she became so immediately happy that she jumped on him, hugged him tightly in a way that all he could do was hugging her back.
“! I am so sorry, I am so sorry also! You’re forgiven! I know you didn’t mean to hurt me and I am all right and…” she started saying nonstop.
“…” he started.
“And I know I am kinda hot tempered, but I can change! People can change and I do believe you changed and…”
“…” he tried again, giggling a little.
“And you’re not evil. You’re the first guy I kissed and I never forgot how that felt! You were always in my life somehow and…
“…” he tried, more serious.
“And I really think that all that happened had a reason and…”
“!” he yelled. And then she stopped and looked at him puzzled. “I am in love with you” he said, solemnly and deeply. She smiled and tears came to her eyes before she said:
“And I am with you.” And then they finally kissed. When the kiss broke he said:
“You look kinda messy, you know.”
“Oh, I had to come running. A freak apologized on TV and I had to show up hidden to talk to him.” She said, teasing him.
“Just because another freak wouldn’t pick up a goddamn phone or wouldn’t even OPEN the door.”
“That’s why you love me.”
“I would rather saying it’s all about you having a house with a delicious pool, but, yeah, you can say I love you because you put me a hard time.”
“Will we ever behave normally?”
“ here has never been normal. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“I can’t believe I am with the first guy I kissed.”
“I could have never guessed it was you.”
“Why not?”
“Who would imagine that I was so tasty even before I was an adult?” they laughed. “Time to get you home, though. I think I owe you a ride you gave me.”
“Very well remembered…” and he took her home. Under the rain, after all the emotions of that night, they went home, as if they were a couple for years already.

Months later

“Baby, we’ll be late. must have had the babies and the idea was being there to chill !” said.
“I can’t go out looking like a homeless!”
“Oh, I like your messy look. Mainly when you break your sandals heels.” He said, teasing her and she slapped his arm, heading to the car.
“Ha-ha, so funny, .”

They went to the hospital and was getting insane.

“Hey…how long it’s been?” asked hugging him
“Almost half an hour they took her and she was into lots of pain.”
“You mean like screaming?” asked.
“No, like saying ‘it hurts a bit’. plays rugby with guys since she was 18 and she never complains about pain. She was dying.”
“She was not dying, calm down. Hey, isn’t that the doctor?”

The doctor came and the babies and were fine. In few hours they went to the room, to visit them.

“Hey, I was, I mean, and I were about to ask you guys something…” and looked at them puzzled. “Wanna be the babies godparents?”
After all that noise and hugs of acceptation, had to tease.
“It’s awesome to be able to ask you guys to do things knowing that you won’t attack each other. You’re our best friends, and even if you hated each other you’d be their godparents.” They laughed and provoked .
“I would accept anyway. Just don’t be so sure I don’t…erm…attack her anymore!”
“!” she said, blushed. And they laughed. Who would ever guess that, months back, they would be a happy and successful couple? No one. But past doesn’t matter. And what it does matters, reader, is that and are certainly a happy couple, one of the few ones we see nowadays.

THE END