Chapter 20
SHE WALKED IN THE STUDIO AND STOPPED HERSELF BEFORE HE COULD SEE HER. HE WAS SITTING ON A CHAIR IN HIS OWN WORLD WITH GUITAR AND PENCIL IN HAND AND A PAPER IN FRONT OF HIM. SHE LOVED TO SEE HIM LIKE THAT. SHE LOVED WATCHING HIM WRITE AND PLAY THE GUITAR. SHE HAD READ SOMEWHERE THAT YOU KNOW YOU LOVE SOMEBODY WHEN YOU CAN WATCH THEM FOR A WHILE AND NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. WELL SHE KNEW SHE WAS DEFINITELY IN LOVE BECAUSE SHE COULD WATCH HIM FOREVER AND ALL SHE WOULD SEE WOULD BE PERFECTION ITSELF.
Justin: hey. I didn't hear you come in
Mariam: I was just watching you write
Justin: come in and close the door
MARIAM WENT IN, TOOK A CHAIR AND SAT IN FRONT OF JUSTIN
Mariam: what are you working on?
Justin: earlier today David Gray stopped by and we were talking and he said he would love to sing one of my songs so I'm just writing down some ideas
Mariam: that's great. So what are you thinking about?
Justin: well I'm thinking something real simple. Maybe just piano and voice or guitar and voice. If I use piano then it would be nice to add violin later in the song.
Mariam: sounds beautiful already
Justin: he performs amazing songs and I want to give him another great one
Mariam: you will
Justin: so what are you doing here?
Mariam: I'm done for the day. I told Barry I would help him finish the Promotion's portfolio for the press tomorrow but he said he was almost done and that I should go home cause I look tired
Justin: you do look tired
Mariam: well we got home late last night
THE MORNING AFTER THANKSGIVINGS THE FOUR OF THEM HAD PACKED THEIR BELONGINGS AND WERE READY FOR THE TRIP BACK HOME. AFTER TWO DAYS ON THE ROAD THEY GOT TO L.A REALLY LATE SO THE GUYS DROPPED THE GIRLS IN THEIR APARTMENT AND THEN WENT STRAIGHT TO THEIRS.
Justin: I know and we didn't have time to talk
Mariam: talk about what?
Justin: talk about stuff
Mariam: like?
Justin: natalia
Mariam: what about natalia?
Justin: don't give me that. Something is up with her
Mariam: nothing is up with her
Justin: you sure?
Mariam: yeah
Justin: she seems so distant. Specially with DJ
Mariam: really? I haven't notice
MARIAM KNEW THAT JUSTIN KNEW SHE WAS HIDING SOMETHING BUT NATALIA MADE HER PROMISE NOT TO SAY ANYTHING. NATALIA WANTED TO HANDLE THINGS HERSELF AND SHE KNEW THAT IF JUSTIN FOUND OUT IT WOULD BE ON THE NEWS THE VERY NEXT DAY.
Justin: Mariam you are a horrible liar.
Mariam: what?
Justin: you are! come on you know something
Mariam: ok, ok. I do know something but I won't say
Justin: why not?
Mariam: because natalia doesn't want Dominick to know yet and if I tell you the first you are gonna run to is Dominick
Justin: ok. I won't tell him
Mariam: yeah. Ok!
Justin: I'm serious! Now tell me
Mariam: ok. But Justin if I even suspect that you told Dominick I will beat your ass until the end of the year and then I will leave your ass without sex for another year!
DOMINICK WAS ON HIS WAY HOME WHEN HE CELL PHONE RANG
Dominick: yeah?
Justin: hey
Dominick: what's up?
Justin: where are you?
Dominick: on my way home
Justin: well you are gonna have to turn around
Dominick: why?
Justin: because I left some of the studio's files in mariam's apartment and I need them for tomorrow morning
Dominick: why don't you go get them?
Justin: I would but I have a meeting with Barry in an hour so I won't have time
Dominick: fine
Justin: thanks
JUSTIN HANG UP THE PHONE AND SMILED
Mariam: are you sure about this?
Justin: are you kidding me? They need to stop. You say you are tired of natalia ignoring DJ and honestly I'm tired of him talking about her all day and night.
Mariam: I just don't know if
Justin: trust me, they will be fine
Mariam: ok.
Justin: are you sure she is home?
Mariam: yeah.
Justin: good.
NATALIA WAS IN HER ROOM WHEN SHE HEARD THE KNOCKS ON THE FRONT DOOR
Natalia: I can't believe she forgot her keys again!
SHE OPENED THE DOOR TO SEE DOMINICK INSTEAD OF MARIAM
Dominick: hi
Natalia: hi
Dominick: you are gonna tell me to come in?
Natalia: oh yeah. Come in
AFTER HE WENT IN, SHE CLOSED THE DOOR AND TOOK A DEEP BREATH.
Natalia: so what are you doing here?
Dominick: Justin told me he forgot some papers here that he needs for tomorrow
Natalia: do you know where he left them?
Dominick: not really. Let me call him
AFTER 20 MINUTES DOMINICK GAVE UP
Dominick: he is not answering so I'm gonna go
Natalia: yeah. That is a good idea
DOMINICK WALKED TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR BUT STOPPED HIMSELF BEFORE OPENING IT
Dominick: why is it a good idea?
Natalia: what?
Dominick: I said I was gonna go and you said that's a good idea. Why.
Natalia: I don't know. I, well, I just said it.
Dominick: you clearly want me to go
Natalia: I never said that
Dominick: you don't have to say it. I can feel it. you are nervous
Natalia: no I'm not!!!
DOMINICK GOT CLOSER AND GRABBED HER HAND
Natalia: what are you doing?
Dominick: do you love me or not?
Natalia: what? What kind of question is that?
Dominick: it's a simple question. do you love me or not?
Natalia: I don't know.
Dominick: that is not an answer. You either love me or you don't
NATALIA CLOSED HER EYES AND DOMINICK KISSED HER CHEEK THEN HER NECK
Dominick: you have to understand something Nat, I'm tired of walking around circles so I'm gonna be as straight forward as possible. I love you and I think I loved you ever since the first day I saw you. There hasn't been a day since that moment that I don't dream about kissing you and I don't want to dream about it anymore. I want to be able to do it whenever I want to
HE DIDN'T WAIT FOR HER TO SAY ANYTHING HE JUST KEPT KISSING HER.
MARIAM TOOK A SHOWER AND BY THE TIME SHE GOT OUT, JUSTIN ALREADY HAD HIS EYES CLOSED. SHE SAT ON THE BED AND 3 SECONDS LATER HE OPENED HIS EYES AGAIN
Mariam: I'm sorry if I woke you up
Justin: you didn't. I wasn't sleeping
SHE SMILED AND LAID DOWN NEXT TO HIM
Mariam: I guess your plan did work after all
Justin: what makes you say that
Mariam: well she didn't call me to see where I was and he obviously didn't come home to sleep.
Justin: well good for them
Mariam: I know finally!
JUSTIN SMILED AND KISSED HER
Justin: I have to go to this producer's house tomorrow to pick up some songs for a new artist. Wanna come?
Mariam: of course
Justin: ok. Goodnight
Mariam: nite
Justin: love you
Mariam: dido
HER CELL PHONE'S RING WOKE HIM UP. HE LOOKED AT HER AND SHE WAS PEACEFULLY SLEEPING
Dominick: hello?
IT WAS BARRY'S ASSISTANT. SHE HAD A MESSAGE FOR NATALIA FROM HER FIANCEE ETHAN. FOR SOME REASON DOMINICK STOPPED LISTENING AFTER THE WORD FIANCEE. HE HANG UP THE CELL PHONE AND WAITED FOR HER TO WAKE UP
Natalia: morning
SHE SMILED AT HIM AND SAT ON THE BED
Natalia: are you ok?
Dominick: yeah. I'm just thinking
Natalia: about?
Dominick: Barry's assistant called earlier. She had a message for you
Natalia: everything ok?
Dominick: yeah. It was just your fiancée. He wants you to call him
HE GOT OUT OF BED AND SHE DID THE SAME THING
Natalia: Dominick I can explain.
Dominick: it's ok. Really. I just can't believe I slept with you while you were engage to another man.
Natalia: we didn't just sleep together we
Dominick: we what!?!
HE TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT HER. SHE COULD TELL HE WAS EXTREMELY MAD AND HURT
Dominick: are you gonna get all stupid and corny and say that we make love?
Natalia: can you please stop picking up your clothes and listen to me please?
Dominick: let me tell you something, I made love to you. I don't know what the fuck you did to me
Natalia: that is not fair
Dominick: no wonder you couldn't say it last night
Natalia: say what
Dominick: that you love me. Of course you didn't say it I mean how can you love a man and be engage to another
Natalia: I know I should've told you before we, I just, I was gonna talk to him first before talking to you. But you just came last night and I just couldn't hold myself
Dominick: you know what? It don't even matter. I'm done
SHE SAW HIM WALKED OUT THE DOOR. SHE KNEW THAT SOMEHOW SHE HAD TO FIX THINGS. SHE HAD TO GO AND TALK TO HIM BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST. SHE WAS GOING TO TALK TO ETHAN
Mariam: so where is this producer's house again?
Justin: in Hollywood hills.
Mariam: so why are we going again?
Justin: I told you I need to get some songs from him
Mariam: ok. Well let's go
NATALIA WALKED OUT OF ETHAN'S OFFICE FEELING HORRIBLE BUT AT LEAST SHE KNEW SHE HAD BEEEN HONEST WITH HIM. NEXT THING WAS TO GO LOOK FOR DOMINICK. FIRST SHE WENT THE STUDIO AT JIVE RECORDS AND HE WASN'T THERE, THEN HIS OFFICE AND HE WASN'T THERE EITHER AND AFTER LOOKING FOR HIM IN THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR SHE FOUND HIM TALKING TO BARRY IN THE EXECUTIVE ROOM
Natalia: excuse me. Hi Barry. Can I come in?
Barry: oh hey Nat. yeah of course
Natalia: I was wondering if I could speak to DJ for a minute
Barry: no problem I was just leaving anyway
Natalia: ok. Bye Barry
SHE WAITED UNTIL BARRY CLOSED THE DOOR TO SAY SOMETHING
Natalia: I know you must be really mad right now but I think you need to listen to what I have to say
Dominick: say whatever you have to say
Natalia: I know that I should've told you that I was engage to Ethan but I didn't want to hurt you. I was just waiting for the right moment and then I realized that my engagement was a joke that it wasn't going to work with Ethan if all I kept thinking about was you. I talked to Ethan earlier and even though I should've done that sooner, it's better later than never. I know I made a mistake but I was hoping that you could forgive me
SHE WENT AND STOOD NEXT TO HIM
Natalia: I'm in love with you
Dominick: I can tell it's gonna be damn hard to say no to you
SHE SMILED AND KISSED HIM
Natalia: I'm sorry
Dominick: you are lucky you are cute otherwise I wouldn't forgive you
SHE LAUGHED, PUT HER ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND KISSED HIM AGAIN
Natalia: I love you egghead
HE SMILED AND KISSED HER BACK
Dominick: love you too
THEY ARRIVED AT THEIR DESTINATION BUT THE GATE WAS CLOSED.
Mariam: how are we gonna get in?
Justin: don't worry. the guy gave me the code to get in just in case
Mariam: ok
THEY WENT IN AND ONCE THEY WERE OUT OF THE CAR AND IN FRONT OF THE DOOR, MARIAM NOTICED IT WASN'T LOCKED
Mariam: the door isn't locked
Justin: we could go in
Mariam: we are not going in. just knock on the door and if no one answers we can just come back tomorrow
Justin: or we can go inside and look around
Mariam: Randall since when are you curious
Justin: there is always a first time. Come in, we are just gonna look around maybe this producer guy is inside
THEY WENT INSIDE, WALKED AROUND THE MANSION BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY
Mariam: ok well it's obvious that he isn't here so we should go
Justin: what do you think about the house?
Mariam: what do I think?
Justin: yeah
Mariam: are you kidding me? it's beautiful! Did you see that pool. That producer guy keeps it really clean and the music studio would be perfect for you
Justin: well I'm extremely glad you like the house. I mean I wouldn't want you to dislike your own house
Mariam: I know I
SHE STOPPED HERSELF FROM TALKING AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HE HAD JUST SAID
Mariam: what did you just say?
Justin: I said I wouldn't want you to dislike your own house
Mariam: oh my god what are you talking about?
Justin: it's my birthday present
Mariam: my birthday is not for another two months
Justin: I know but I couldn't wait so I just closed the deal a month ago
Mariam: oh my god are you serious?
JUSTIN GOT CLOSE TO HER AND GRABBED HIS ARMS AROUND HER WAIST
Justin: this is your home now
Mariam: oh my god!
HE LAUGHED WHEN HE SAW HER SCREAM AND RUN UPSTAIRS. 10 SECONDS LATER SHE SCREAMED AGAIN AND HE JUST SMILED
Mariam: oh my god Randall. Have you seen the bathtub??
HE WENT UPSTAIRS AND SMILED WHEN HE SAW HER LAYING DOWN ON THE WATERLESS BATHTUB
Justin: yeah babe. I saw it already
SHE GOT OUT AND SAT ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO HIM
Mariam: Randall. This is too much. I mean this is not a typical birthday gift. This is no roses, or jewelry, or chocolates. This is not even a car. We are talking about a house here. I mean I can't
Justin: yes you can. But of course nothing is perfect so if you want to live here there is something you got to do
Mariam: what?
Justin: you got to let me move in with you.
Mariam: baby I can't believe you
Justin: Look I know that it feels like we are moving too fast but I want us to be together, I want to wake up next to you every morning. I know that we are not married but I saw the house on a magazine and I saw us living together so after thinking about it and I mean really thinking about it, I called the number.
SHE GOT CLOSER TO HIM AND KISSED HIM
Justin: is that a yes?
SHE SMILED AND KISSED HIM AGAIN
Justin: I guess we are moving in together
Mariam: I guess so!
THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF HER LIFE AND OF COURSE HE HAD BEEN THERE WITH HER. SHE FELT SOMEWHAT WEAK AND NEXT THING SHE KNEW, SHE WAS HEARING SOMEONE COUNTING BACKWARDS
Dr. standback: three, two, one
SHE WOKE UP AND SMILED
Natalia: are you ok?
Mariam: yeah. I'm more than ok.
AFTER TALKING TO THE DOCTOR, BOTH NATALIA AND MARIAM WERE READY TO GO. MARIAM OPENED THE DOOR AND BEFORE LEAVING THE OFFICE SHE TURNED TO DR. STANDBACK
Mariam: doctor?
Standback: yeah?
Mariam: thank you. I mean really thank you
THE DOCTOR JUST SMILED AT HER. 30 MINUTES LATER MARIAM WAS IN HER HOUSE
Natalia: so what's next?
Mariam: well I think dinner. I'm extremely hungry!
NATALIA LAUGHED AND WAS GLAD THAT MARIAM FELT BETTER
Natalia: ok. So how about we go to my house and I'll cook something for the three of us?
Mariam: sounds good.
Natalia: alright let's go
Mariam: you go ahead. I think I'm gonna go buy some flowers and visit the cemetery first
Natalia: ok. We'll be waiting
NATALIA GRABBED HER KEYS AND WAS READY TO GO
Mariam: hey
Natalia: yeah?
Mariam: will you go with me to Dr. Nicoletti's office tomorrow?
SHE LOOKED DOWN AND TOUCHED HER STOMACH
Mariam: I wanna know how my baby is doing
Natalia: no problem
Mariam: thanks
NATALIA CLOSED THE FRONT DOOR BEHIND HER. SHE PUT HER GLASSES ON AND SMILED. SHE FELT SO MUCH BETTER. NOW SHE KNEW HER FRIEND WOULD BE ALRIGHT.
IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE JUSTIN DIED AND 5 IN A HALF SINCE I WENT UNDER HYPNOSIS. NOW I KNOW THAT IT WAS ALL WORTH THE PAIN AND TEARS. AND I DON'T JUST MEAN THE HYPNOSIS BUT ALSO MY LIFE WITH HIM. BEFORE, I WAS BLINDED BY THE PAIN AND MY NECCESITY TO BE WITH HIM. NOW I KNOW THAT I CAN LIVE IN PEACE KNOWING THAT I WAS LOVED BY ONE OF THE BEST MAN I HAD EVER KNOWN.
I WAS NEVER LIKE ANY OTHER LITTLE GIRL. I NEVER DREAMT OF MEETING PRINCE CHARMING AND LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I NEVER DREAMT ABOUT THE PERFECT PROPOSAL AND THE PERFECT MARRIAGE. I NEVER DREAMT ABOUT FINDING THAT ONE TRUE LOVE. BUT NOW SITTING HERE IN RANDALL'S STUDIO, I REALIZED THAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS I WAS THAT LITTLE GIRL WITH THAT DREAM. JUSTIN GAVE ME THAT DREAM, HE MADE ME BELIEVE IN LOVE. WHO KNOWS MAYBE SOMEDAY ANOTHER MAN WILL MAKE ME BELIEVE IN LOVE AGAIN. FOR NOW THE ONLY LOVE I KNOW IS THE ONE HE LEFT ME, THE ONE THAT LIVES IN HER.
5 Years Later
Mariam: JT get over here! We are going to be late!
MARIAM WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BUT NOBODY CAME TO THE LIVING ROOM
Mariam: JT!!
MARIAM COULDN'T WAIT ANYMORE SO SHE WENT UPSTAIRS TO JT's ROOM.
Mariam: sweetheart the limo is waiting for us
SHE STOPPED HERSELF BEFORE GOING INSIDE THE ROOM. SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT SMILE
Julia: dear God and daddy
THE LITTLE GIRL WAS SITTING ON HER BED AND SHE WAS HOLDING A PHOTO OF HER FATHER.
Julia: thank you for watching over me. Mommy says that you are always watching over me and that you will always be. Mommy is really happy. Uncle Dominick is also very happy and aunt Natalia too. And cousin Veronica too. I have to go now
Mariam: Julia Raquel Timberlake . I believe I was calling you
Julia: sorry mommy I was praying
Mariam: ok.
Julia: mommy I heard auntie natalia telling uncle Dominick about us taking a trip. are we gonna go visit grandma soon?
Mariam: maybe. Now let's go or we are gonna be late
MARIAM SMILED AS SHE GOT OUT OF THE LIMO. TONIGHT WAS A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT FOR HER. SHE LOOKED AROUND AND SAW MANY FAMILIAR FACES. IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS. PEOPLE THAT HAD WORK WITH HER HUSBAND, PEOPLE SHE KNEW RANDALL WOULD WANT CLOSE TO HIM IN SUCH A SPECIAL NIGHT.
Veronica: auntie Mariam
NATALIA'S LITTLE GIRL RAN TO MARIAM AND BEHIND HER WAS DOMINICK AND NATALIA.
Mariam: hi sweetheart. Hi guys
Dominick: hey. Where is JT?
Mariam: Barry took her. He said he wanted to show everybody what a beautiful niece he has. And you know her, she loves the attention.
Dominick: can't deny she is a Timberlake
THEY TALKED FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES AND THEN IT WAS TIME FOR MARIAM TO GIVE A SPEECH. SHE STOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY AND ONCE AGAIN SMILED. THERE SHE WAS MAKING RANDALL'S DREAM HAPPEN. THAT WAS HIS DREAM, TO GIVE MUSICIANS A PLACE TO CREATE. SHE WAS PROUD OF HERSELF AND DOMINICK. AS HER BUSINESS PARTNER, HE HAD BEEN THERE FOR HER FROM THE BEGINNING. IN 5 YEARS THEY HAD OPEN ONE STUDIO IN SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI. ONE IN NEW YORK CITY. ANOTHER ONE IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE AND THE NEWEST ONE WAS IN HOLLYWOOD HILLS, CALIFORNIA.
Mariam: good evening and thank you so much for being here tonight. I'm extremely content that all of you are here and I know that Justin would've been happy too. He believed in the power of music. He knew what music could do to one's soul. He felt music and he taught me how to feel it too. His dream was to give musicians a place to create and experience that feeling. He wanted the studios to be every artist's second home. So, for the fourth time, welcome to "Music is Me" studios and enjoy!
2 HOURS LATER SHE WAS SITTING IN HER SOFA WATCHING A DISNEY MOVIE WITH JULIA. THE LITTLE GIRL HAD WANTED THAT MOVIE SO BAD THAT HER UNCLE DOMINICK HAD BOUGHT IT FOR HER. SHE WAS HAPPY THAT JULIA HAD DOMINICK. HE TOOK CARE OF JULIA LIKE HIS OWN DAUGHTER AND SHE WAS SO GRATEFUL. THE LITTLE GIRL KNEW THAT JUSTIN RANDALL TIMBERLAKE WAS HER REAL AND ONLY FATHER AND THAT HE WAS IN HEAVEN BUT MARIAM WAS MORE THAN HAPPY JULIA GOT ALONG WITH DJ BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT FRONT TIME TO TIME EVERY CHILD NEEDS A MASCULINE FIGURE. MARIAM SMILED WHEN SHE LOOKED AT HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS NOW SLEEPING NEXT TO HER. SHE PICKED HER UP AND TOOK HER TO HER ROOM. SHE KNEW JULIA WAS TIRED AND THE GIRL WOULD BE MORE TIRED AFTER TOMORROW'S TRIP TO MEMPHIS. SHE CLOSED HER EYES AND WITHIN MINUTES SHE WAS ASLEEP. LIFE SOMEHOW WAS GOOD AGAIN.
THE END
