Chapter 14

Dominick: so how was her date?

WHILE NATALIA HAD GONE TO THE SUPERMARKET WITH JUSTIN TO BUY SOME STUFF BECAUSE MARIAM WAS GOING TO COOK FOR EVERYBODY, DOMINICK HAD DECIDE TO STAY BEHIND

Mariam: it was great. She came home real happy

Dominick: really?

Mariam: I think she even got some before she came home

Dominick: you are not serious right????

MARIAM LAUGHED WHILE SHE WAS CUTTING A TOMATO IN PIECES

Mariam: no I'm not

Dominick: ok. Good

Mariam: what is your problem? so what if she gets some. It's about damn time. Shit I don't even know if she remembers what to do anymore!

Dominick: I don't have a problem. I so don't have a problem. I mean I really do not have a problem. Seriously I don't have any problems

Mariam: DJ I got it!! you don't have a problem

Dominick: I just worry about her going places with somebody she don't even know. He could turn up to be a spychokiller you know

Mariam: right. since when do you worry about her?

Dominick: since we were kids. I mean I worry about the two of you, you know

Mariam: sure. But I didn't see you worrying about me when I started playing around with Randall

Dominick: yeah but that's different. I know Justin and I know that his intentions are good with you well not that good, I mean they are good but, at the beginning they weren't but that was only for like 10 minutes and then they were for like good

Mariam: DJ, do you have a point??

Dominick: the point is I don't know this guy she is going out with

Mariam: well first of all, you do not need to know him and second of all, she can take care of herself

Dominick: but

Mariam: look you are happy and getting some right?

Dominick: right

Mariam: then let her meet somebody, get some and be happy. And stop "worrying" so much about her, I don't think Tasha will appreciate that.

Dominick: now what is Tasha have to do with any of this???

Mariam: oh my dear Dominick, more than you know!

NATALIA HAD JUSTIN WALKING AROUND THE WHOLE STORE. HE HAD TOLD HER HE WAS GONNA WAIT FOR HER IN THE CAR BUT SHE HAD TOLD HIM TO GO WITH HER. WHEN HE SAID NO, SHE THREATEN HIM SAYING SHE WAS GONNA START SCREAMING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH TWINS AND HE WAS HER BABIES' DADDY

Natalia: so what's the deal with you and Mariam??

Justin: what do you mean?

Natalia: don't act stupid with me Timberlake. I don't understand you two. You aren't dating but sure act like it. you guys are not a couple but you two make out more than those two back in high school. What were their names?

Justin: who?

Natalia: remember our junior year, they got together and all they did was make out I mean non stop. So much they were the "ew" couple senior year. Remember?

Justin: yeah. retarded Frank and Lucia, and we are not that bad

Natalia: sure. Of course not. You two are worse

Justin: whatever

A FEW DAYS LATER MARIAM FOUND HERSELF IN BACK IN HER OLD JIVE OFFICE. HER "ASSISTANT DIRECTOR" OFFICE.

Barry: so let me say this in a official way, welcome to jive records

Mariam: thanks Mr. Weiss but I was already working here before

Barry: yes but now you are officially a jive employee.

Mariam: ok

IT FELT WEIRD TO CALL BARRY MR. WEISS. HE HAD BEEN ONE OF MARIAM'S CLOSEST FRIENDS FOR YEARS NOW AND IT WAS RIDICULOUS TO REFER TO HIM AS MR. WEISS BUT SHE WAS BACK IN 2004 SO SHE HAD TO ACT LIKE IT.

Barry: by the way you are coming to the party right?

Mariam: what party??

Barry: Justin didn't tell you? Jive has an annual party every year. It's for everybody that works here. It's always a huge event. Unfortunately last year we didn't have it but this year we will.

Mariam: well he didn't say anything but you can count me in.

Barry: good. See you around

Mariam: bye

THE NEXT DAY NATALIA CONVINCED EVERYBODY TO GO SHOPPING WITH HER

Justin: so tell me why we are here

DJ AND JUSTIN WALKED AROUND THE MALL LOOKING MISERABLE WHILE MARIAM AND NATALIA WALKED IN FRONT OF THEM LOOKING HAPPY AND SPENDING EVERY DOLLAR THEY HAD

Dominick: let's see. I don't have my girlfriend with me because she is out of town so this is the next best thing and you, well I have two different theories for you. Number one is you have no life.

Justin: what's the second one?

Dominick: you are in need to be around Mariam all the time and for that you don't care where you have to go as long as she is there with you and for that my friend somebody should shoot you. So which one will it be?

Justin: I think the first one

Dominick: yeah ok!!!

AFTER WHAT ACCORDING TO DJ FELT LIKE 100 HUNDRED YEARS, THE GIRLS FINALLY DECIDED TO STOP SPENDING MONEY AND THEY ALL WENT TO THE GUYS' APARTMENT. 20 MINUTES LATER THEY ALL GOT THERE AND AFTER TAKING HER SHOES OFF AND GETTING A DRINK NATALIA PRESSED THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE ANSWER MACHINE

Natalia: hey guys you have two new messages

MESSAGE #1: 1:15 PM: HEY BABY. I CALLED YOUR CELL PHONE BUT YOU DIDN'T ANSWER SO I LEFT A MESSAGE AND I'M LEAVING THIS ONE TOO JUST IN CASE. ANYWAY I'M SORRY I WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE IT FOR THE JIVE PARTY. DADDY WANTS ME TO STAY MORE DAYS. I'M SORRY BABY. HAVE FUN AND I'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

MESSAGE #2: 4:45 PM: HI JUSTIN IT'S TINA AND I JUST CALLED YOU TO SAY I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT PARTY YOU INVITED ME TO AND I HOPE WE CAN HAVE A LOT OF FUN. SO GIVE ME A CALL. OR EVEN BETTER, STOP BY. YOU KNOW WHERE I LIVE.

Mariam: um I hope she is not talking about the jive party.

Justin: I can explain. I didn't invite her

Dominick: I thought you were supposed to go with Mariam

Justin: ok DJ. You are not really helping right now so just stay quiet

Mariam: and who the hell is Tina?

Natalia: um remember that girl he got the number from and they went out and you got drunk?

Mariam: that bitch's name is Tina?

Justin: yes

Dominick: she is not a bitch. She is actually really nice

Natalia: DJ you aren't making this any better so just sssshhhh

Mariam: and how is it that you know who Tina is and I don't?

Natalia: well DJ told me

Justin: man I told you to keep your big mouth shut!!

Mariam: so I was making plans for both of us to go together and you didn't even bother to tell me you already had the bitch in mind. Of course, you didn't even wanted to go with me in the first place

Justin: you know that's not true. Look, it all happened so fast. She called me wanting to hang out and I felt bad and couldn't say no so I told her to come over and mister stupid here opened his mouth and told her about the party and she sort of invited herself

Mariam: well what the fuck am I supposed to do now??

Justin: I don't know

Mariam: you know what? I don't believe you

Justin: what!!?

Mariam: we both know how you are. so you probably invited her thinking that maybe after the party you could, I don't know, have sex with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin: well at least I'll have sex with somebody!!!!!!!

Mariam: shut the fuck up!!

Dominick: guys I don't think yelling at each other is gonna solve anything. Plus I'm sure the neighbors can hear you

BOTH MARIAM AND JUSTIN TURNED AROUND AND TOLD HIM TO BE QUIET

Dominick: ok. I'm just gonna be quiet now.

Mariam: go ahead and go with her. I really don't give a fuck

Justin: fine!!

Mariam: fine!!

NATA AND DJ WATCHED AS MARIAM LEFT THE APARTMENT AND JUSTIN WENT STRAIGHT TO HIS ROOM.

Natalia: well, that was interesting!

Dominick: so wanna go with me to the party?

Natalia: sure. Now let me go before she leaves my ass here

Dominick: ok. Bye bitch

Natalia: bye egg head

JUSTIN WATCHED AS SHE FLIRTED AND DANCED WITH PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE ENTIRE MALE POPULATION OF THE ROOM. SHE HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE THAN MAD AT HIM SINCE THE WHOLE TINA INCIDENT AND APPARENTLY DANCING AND FLIRTING WITH ALL THE GUYS WAS HER WAY OF GETTING BACK AT HIM.

Dominick: so how are you doing?

Justin: I'm ok. I'm fine. I'm excellent. Why. Does it look like I'm not having a good time??

Dominick: you look like you wanna kill somebody

Justin: well that's all in your head because I am having a wonderful time.

Dominick: yeah?? So where is your date?

Justin: I don't know and I don't care.

Dominick: you know she is just dancing

Justin: no, she isn't just dancing. She is dancing!!!!!!! And she hasn't stop drinking since she got here

AN HOUR LATER HE HAD ENOUGH. JUSTIN STARTED MAKING HIS WAY TO THE DANCE FLOOR AND TINA STOPPED HIM

Tina: hey come on let's dance!

Justin: I have to do something first

Tina: you can do it later

WHEN THE SONG WAS OVER MARIAM SMILED AT THE GUY SHE WAS DANCING WITH AND STARTED MAKING HER WAY TO THE BAR. JUSTIN SAW HER AND WENT AFTER HER

Justin: I don't think so

Mariam: what!!

Justin: you are not drinking anymore

Mariam: don't tell me what to do Timberlake

Justin: you are drunk

Mariam: don't worry about me. Go and enjoy your date Randall

Justin: that's it

JUSTIN WASN'T ABOUT TO START FIGHTING WITH HER IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY AND GIVE THEM A SHOW NOMATTER HOW MUCH MARIAM WANTED TO FIGHT. HE PICKED HER UP AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE EXIT. NATALIA AND DJ SAW THE WHOLE THING AND FOLLOW THEM.

Mariam: put me down Randall!!!!

JUSTIN PUT HER DOWN AND GRABBED HER BY THE ARM

Justin: we are going home now

Mariam: what happened? Not enjoying the party? Or you got what you wanted out of that Tina bitch and now you are done?

Justin: ok. I'm gonna pretend like you didn't say that

Mariam: why are you mad Justin? Maybe is because she doesn't want you anymore. I saw her flirting with all the millionaires in the room. Now I'm absolutely sure she used you Timberlake.

Justin: you don't know what you are talking about

Mariam: of course I know

Justin: well I'm surprised you took the time to see what she was doing. I mean I don't know who was flirting more you or her

Mariam: what I was doing in there is none of your business. I can do whatever the fuck I want. I'm a single woman

JUSTIN LET GO OF HER ARM AND GOT CLOSER TO HER

Justin: you must be happy. Tonight you were doing what you do best

Mariam: and you are jealous because you know I was having a great time. Without you.

JUSTIN GOT SERIOUS AND GRABBED HER ARM AGAIN

Mariam: what happened Randall did I hit a nerve?

Justin: we are leaving now!!!!!

Mariam: let go of me. And don't you dare put your hands on me again!

JUSTIN LET GO OF HER ARM AND LEFT THE PARTY. MARIAM TURNED AROUND TO FIND DJ AND NATALIA BEHIND HER

Dominick: why did you have to be such a bitch?

Mariam: mind your own business Dominick

A SECOND LATER MARIAM FELT LIKE SHE WAS GOING TO VOMIT AND RAN TO THE BATHROOM

Natalia: I'll go with her

Dominick: and I'll try to find him

IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS DJ LOOKED FOR JUSTIN UNTIL HE FOUND HIM IN HIS OFFICE AT JIVE RECORDS. NATALIA AND MARIAM GOT HOME A LITTLE AFTER 4 AM. AFTER HELPING MARIAM GO TO BED, NATALIA CALLED DJ

Natalia: so he is ok?

Dominick: yeah. He is at the office. I just left him alone

Natalia: well miss thing is already sleeping

Dominick: I'm coming over

Natalia: ok. I'll wait for you

THE NEXT MORNING MARIAM WOKE UP WITH THE BIGGEST HEADACHE OF HER LIFE. SHE OPENED HER ROOM'S DOOR TO FIND DJ SITTING ON THE LIVING ROOM TABLE WITH HIS GUITAR ON ONE HAND AND A PENCIL IN THE OTHER

Mariam: morning

Dominick: the bitch finally awakes!

Mariam: are you still mad at me? Come on I'm sorry. I know I acted like an idiot

Dominick: I just think there was no reason for you to act like you acted last night. I mean don't you know how he feels about you?

Mariam: he still went with Tina

Dominick: well I guess he was just trying to be nice. I don't know

MARIAM GOT A CHAIR AND SAT NEXT TO HIM

Mariam: right now all I want to know is if you are still mad at me

Dominick: of course not

SHE SMILED AND GAVE HIM A HUG

Mariam: good that way you can tell me what is that you are writing

Dominick: a song. actually I didn't write it. Justin did about two weeks ago and gave it to me so that I can look at it and give him my opinion. I just haven't had time. I was just playing the song to see what it sound it like

Mariam: can I read it?

Dominick: go ahead. Lord know you'll find a way to get it from me even if I say no

Mariam: it's scary how well you know me

MARIAM READ THE SONG WHILE DJ PLAYED HER THE MUSIC

Sometimes
it amazes me
how strong the power of love can be
sometimes
you just take my breath away
you watch my love grow
like a child
sometimes gentle
and sometimes wild
sometimes
you just take my breath away

and it's too good to slip by
too good to lose
too good to be there
just to use
I'm gonna stand
on a mountain tall
and tell the news
that you take my breath away

your beauty is there
in all I see
and when I feel your eyes on me
don't you know you just take my breath away

my life is yours
my heart will beat
singing for you
eternally
don't you know you just take my breath away

Mariam: it's beautiful

Dominick: I think it's his way of telling you he cares

Mariam: he wrote this for me?

Dominick: come on who else?

Mariam: well it could be that Tina girl

Dominick: well you have to admit she does have big boobs and a great ass but what can I say he is infatuated with you. And your small breasts

DJ LAUGHED WHILE MARIAM PRETENDED TO BE HURT

Mariam: whatever. Someday I'll get a boob job and you guys won't be able to make fun of me anymore

Dominick: anyway I gotta get ready to pick up Tara from the airport and then drop her off at her sister's so I'll see you later

Mariam: hey do you think I should go talk to him now?

Dominick: I think you should wait for him to come to you

SHE WAITED FOR HIM UNTIL SHE FELT ASLEEP. HOURS LATER SHE WOKE UP AND LOOKED AT THE CLOCK. IT WAS 11:00 PM. SHE KNEW IT WAS LATE AND SHE KNEW EXACTLY WHERE HE WAS. THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE ALWAYS WENT WHEN HE WAS ANGRY, SAD OR CONFUSED. THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE ALWAYS WENT WHEN HE NEEDED TO BE ALONE OR NEEDED SOME PEACE.

Mariam: oh good you are here. I need you to let me borrow your car

NATALIA AND DJ WERE IN THE SOFA WATCHING A MOVIE AND EATING POPCORN.

Dominick: for what?

Mariam: I know that Justin is at the studio and I want to go see him

Dominick: ok. but if you are gonna be a bitch to him again then I suggest you leave him alone

DJ FELT SOMETHING HIT HIS HEAD AND REALIZED IT WAS NATALIA'S HAND

Dominick: ouch!! What was that for?

Natalia: that was because you need to mind our own business and because you need to give her the keys right now

Dominick: fine. Just don't be such a bitch this time and Mariam?

Mariam: yeah?

Dominick: I would really appreciate it if you just have sex with the guy tonight I mean it would be nice if he gets some before the year 3000

Natalia: yeah before the world actually ends

MARIAM SMILED, TOOK THE CAR KEYS AND LEFT.

Mariam: hi Mr. Jones.

THE SECURITY GUARD SMILED AT MARIAM AND WAS KIND ENOUGH TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HER

Mr. Jones: hello Miss. Mariam

Mariam: Listen I'm going to go upstairs to the studio and I'll be there for awhile

Mr. Jones: no problem miss Mariam

Mariam: thank you

SHE TOOK THE ELEVATOR AND SOON SHE WAS OPENING THE STUDIO'S MAIN DOOR

Justin: like always DJ couldn't keep his mouth shut

Mariam: DJ didn't open his mouth at all

JUSTIN STOOD UP FROM THE CHAIR HE WAS SITTING IN, LOOKED AT MARIAM AND SAT ON THE COUCH

Mariam: I knew you would be here. sometimes you forget how much I know you.

Justin: sometimes I think you don't know me at all

MARIAM SAT NEXT TO HIM AND HELD HIS HAND

Mariam: I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean any of what I said

Justin: didn't you??

Mariam: Randall you know me better than anybody and you know that I can be a major bitch sometimes

Justin: got that right

Mariam: I was drunk and stupid and jealous and I wanted you to leave me alone and you know that's how I am. I say hurtful things so that people can actually leave me alone but you know I don't mean them. Well except for that time when I told Natalia very mean words about those horrible things she called shoes but that was the only time I meant it I promise

JUSTIN SMILED AND MARIAM FELT A LOT BETTER

Mariam: is that a smile I see?

Justin: I guess

Mariam: good.

SHE GOT UP FROM THE COUCH AND SAT ON HIS LAP

Mariam: I'm sorry Randall

A MINUTE LATER JUSTIN WAS KISSING HER. MARIAM TOOK HER SHIRT OFF AND AFTER SHE WAS DONE SHE STARTED TAKING HIS OFF.

Justin: are you sure about this? We don't have to do this.

Mariam: actually we do have to. Your friend Dominick almost begged me to sleep with you and our dear friend Natalia said that I should sleep with you before the world ends so you know I'm actually not doing this because I want to, it's just that they are making me do it

JUSTIN LAUGHED THEN KISSED HER SHOULDERS

Justin: tonight is not about sex. It doesn't have to be.

Mariam: I know. It's about how nice you are to me. It's about how from the first moment we saw each other you haven't stop making me feel beautiful. It's about how everytime we kiss I feel alive and how everytime I do or say something stupid you look at me like I'm the smartest person in the world. It's about you sharing everything with me and how everytime you do something you always ask for my opinion first. It's about how much I love you and how you just take my breath away

Justin: hey I think I have heard that before

Mariam: yeah I borrowed it from this great songwriter I know

JUSTIN KISSED MARIAM AND SHE FINISHED TAKING HIS SHIRT OFF.

song: take my breath away by tuck and patti