Eve woke up in the next morning, being alone in bed. She raised herself slowly and checked her phone. It was half past eight. She wondered, if she should be grateful that JC let her sleep longer or if she should be disappointed, that he just left without saying goodbye.
She stood up, put her bathrobe on and went into the bathroom. As she sat down at the toilet to pee, she noticed a message on the big mirror above the sink, being written with her black eyeliner.
Hey sleepy kitty,
I went home to grab some fresh clothes. If you don’t wanna wake up on your own, I suggest you make some room in your closet.
Love, Josh
Eve’s phone rang on her way to the office.
„Hey girl, what’s up?“
„It’s sounds like you aren’t at work, yet. What happened?“
„I’m on my way.“
„But it’s almost nine.“
„I’m aware of that fact.“
Sandra laughed dirty.
„You benefit from spreading your legs for your boss, hm?“
„Yes, I do.“
„Smart bitch.“
„I am. Now tell me what you want.“
„It’s Christmas next weekend.“
„I noticed.“
„My mom expects you to join us on Christmas Eve.“
„That’s very sweet of her.“
„Does it mean you’ll come?“
„Um… ya. It’s not like I have different plans and you know it.“
„Well, I thought maybe someone else asked you to join him…“
There was a short pause.
„He didn’t. I have no idea how he’s gonna spent the holidays.“
„Do his folks live here?“
„No, he mentioned they live in Florida."
„So, probably he’ll visit them.“
„Ya…“
„Would you join him, if he asked you?“
„Um… I don’t know… honestly, I have no idea what’s our status at this point. It might be way too early meeting his family, right?“
„Are you just trying to convince yourself, that this is not what you want?“
„Yes.“
„You should talk about it.“
„Sandy, no. The last thing I want is him feeling obligated to ask me, if I wanna join him.“
„This is not what I meant, girl. I suggest you just mention you need to buy some Christmas presents urgently and see how he’ll react to that topic.“
„Okay. I’ll think about it.“
„Good. And if he has no plans, you can bring him to my folks.“
Eve chuckled.
„Deal.“
„Oh wow, this is impressive,“ Eve said, entering JC’s studio.
As promised he let her join him during his daily session with his business partner.
„This is Jim. Currently I’m helping him to write a song for a German band,“ JC said, pointing at a guy sitting at the control desk, wearing headphones.
Jim interrupted his work and stood up.
„Hey man. Didn’t expect you bringing a visitor today,“ Jim said.
Then he shook Eve’s hand and smiled.
„This is my assistant Eve,“ JC introduced her. „She’ve never been in a sound studio before.“
„Nice to meet you, Eve.“
„The pleasure is all mine,“ she replied.
„So, it’s just the two of you?“ Eve asked curiously.
„We didn't finish the song, yet. If we have a solid concept we’ll consult some colleagues for their opinion and maybe change few things in the end. But for now, it’s just us,“ JC explained.
„You wanna hear what we got so far?“ Jim offered.
Eve smiled at him and nodded. JC grabbed a guitar leaning against the control desk and sat down at a stool. Jim sat down in front of a keyboard. Both exchanged glances, before starting to play. Finally JC begun singing the ballad.
When you’re feeling hopeless
I hope that you know this
Know that in your soul
You’re rich with love
Big love
[…]
Eve was lost in the moment. Of course she expected JC being a good singer. But she absolutely didn’t expect her body and mind reacting this way when she listened to him. She felt hot and cold at the same time, feeling shivers running through her whole body over and over again. The sound of his beautiful strong voice burned into her soul. Her heart was beating wildly against her chest. She stared at him with her eyes wide open, being hardly able processing the overwhelming experience.
And you’re the lucky one
Even when you feel small
And don’t matter at all
Just believe you got so much to give
Dream big
And you’re the lucky one
JC and Jim stopped playing and gave their attention back to Eve. JC smiled at her calmly, as he noticed tears running down her cheeks.
„If this isn’t proof that she likes the song, I don’t know what it is,“ Jim said.
„What?“ Eve replied.
Jimmy smiled at her.
„Tears don’t lie.“
Eve grabbed her cheeks. She didn’t realize, that she begun crying and felt embarrassed. Hastily she wiped away her tears.
„It was beautiful,“ she confessed, giving JC a shy look.
He felt deeply flattered, that he made her feel this way and gave her a loving smile. Jim was watching the scene and realized quickly, that something must going on between them.
„What are the whole controllers and regulators for?“ Eve asked, to distract the guys from her emotional outburst.
„Come here, sit with me. I’ll explain to you,“ Jim replied.
Few hours later Eve and JC were on their way back to the office. Eve was lost in thoughts, sitting next to him in his car. He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers, to get her attention. She looked at him and smiled.
„What were you thinking about?“ he wanted to know.
She stared at him for a short moment, trying to figure out how to start the conversation.
„Why aren’t you a singer anymore, Josh?“
He turned serious.
„It’s a long story.“
„The traffic is a mess. We have time.“
„This industry is tough, Eve. Very tough.“
„What does it mean?“
„Look. You must understand, in first place being an artist isn’t about making art. It’s about making money. You have no chance surviving on the market, if you live with the naive idea your work will change the system.“
„I’m aware of that fact. Every business works like this. But it doesn’t answer my question.“
„I was sick of it being just a product of that badass industry.“
„What happened to make you feel this way?“
„Too much.“
Eve noticed he wasn’t in the mood giving her more information.
„Why you don’t wanna talk about it?“
„Because it makes no sense.“
„Okay, obviously the industry pissed you off. But you’re still a part of it. Honestly, this is what makes no sense to me.“
JC sighed.
„I founded the label to give artists a fair chance. I can’t change the fact that it’s all about money. But I can treat my clients as equal partners and give them room for own choices, even if it means taking risks. Everybody who comes to me knows, there’s a tough road in front of them. And I can’t promise we’ll make it till the end. But at least I’m not trying to turn them into something they don’t want to be.“
„Is this what happened to you? Did someone try to turn you into somebody you’re not?“
„Yes.“
„When exactly?“
„From the beginning.“
„You mean during *NSYNC?“
JC nodded.
„If you think it gave any of us a thrill making teenage girl’s panties wet, you are terribly wrong, Eve.“
„This is tragic.“
„Ya, but at that time I didn’t see things like I see them now.“
„Means?“
„Having success is like an addiction. Once you tasted it, you can’t get enough. I found myself back in reality when I tried doing things on my own. It was a very painful throwback. But in the end I learned a lot about myself and the things I really wanted. Unfortunately no one supported my interests. That’s when I decided to leave things behind.
Eve looked at him for another moment.
„I’m very sorry this happened. But you shouldn’t have stopped singing. You’re gifted, Josh.“
JC scoffed.
„So what? Do you really think someone cares? Talent means nothing, Eve. The world is full of great singers. It’s not about the way your voice sounds. It’s about your personal will to do absolutely everything for your success. Even if it means selling your soul to the devil.“
JC was still holding her hand. She played with his fingers.
„Did I upset you?“
„Yes. But it’s okay. I understand that you had questions.“
She bent in his direction and kissed his cheek gently.
„Let me make your favorite dinner tonight to make things up to you.“
JC glanced at her and smiled.
„Really?“
She nodded.
„It’s Coq au Vin.“
„What? That’s impossible. The chicken needs to be marinaded for at least 24 hours.“
„Sounds like you know how it works.“
„I do. But that’s something I can’t offer tonight.“
„Then pizza.“
Eve smiled all over her face.
„Okay. I’ll make the best pizza you ever had.“
