Love Beyond
BEY
BY SUN
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PTE
, leaning over excitedly. The old pink table my aunt has had for the
he tireless hours educating myself have lead to. My brand new agent, Joe Howard, informed me just minutes ago th
ways dreamed. The way my mother always dreamed. Ida re
ew you could
ing they needed
etro... Gosh, you're going to blow them
an save up. I'll b
dollar for the trip. Knowing Al, he's
ally think I'm going to t
ter a moment, nods. "If you're sure.
ake sure I get this solo is perfect. My whole career could be based
"You've worked at that dry cleaners way too long.
aid the
n, kissing her cheek. "But I don't
want to get famous and take care of me
and straighten. "Well, ther
.
t before I leave, and I still feel lik
s of one song. I lift the kettle of cold water, setting it down onto the warme
eyes. When the door bell rings,
ood to deter myself from," she utters. I open the d
iar man in our doorway. My first instinct is to slam
" I br
es softly, his young, masculine fe
ghtly, looking back at my aunt, who i
. I shake my head, closing the door enough so he can't get past. "We have not
me five minutes," he p
oh
eas
He walks into our small two-bedroom and I'm transported bac
how ar
nce you've been
He deserves this. She tr
g his throat. "I'd like t
ve to say to her, you can say in front of me. Or are you worried y
essing my lips together. "
g as my aunt lifts herself from her seat on the c
says, protectively. I nod, silently, on
l are you doi
I'm here for? I'm
g my hands onto my hips. "I know there ar
nd you have ev
o the hospital, not that I wanted you to. But damn, I expected an
tten hel
of New York involved in a bloody domestic dispute? He
is head. "Wha
d me to sign a non-disclosure agreement and when I said no
d have done something
Told him to let me talk if I wanted to
ew that. We loved each o
tear my eyes from John's face, walking over to the
?" I whisp
e, terrible mistake. I was fucked up, Mia. I
a either. And I paid dear
ou to for
ne. He flinches and looks away from my gaze of hate. "Now, get the hell out! I'm not going to talk. That should make you feel better." "I di
e, awed at his auda
, pl
t O
stare at each other. I finally allow myse
number if you
e he
or sla
.
up, but she insisted on coming with me to see me off. Since I was thirteen, she's raised me solely on her own, sacrificing so many possible relationships and j
r out of any pict
nts yo
kno
d talker, l
t he
my hands on her shoulders. "I am not in love with him anym
lright, get on this plane and am
her cheek quickly. "You take care of yo
o weeks. My health isn't going t
y at her. "No c
be the one telling
or my bags. "I'll t
ove you,
you
1930's. It was my father's, handed down by his father. Resourceful as hell, I seem to be able t
seat, breathing in deeply
nd
ah, I ca
.
from my window. St. Paul's Cathedral is within eyeshot. I
stice. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be here during the 1800's, that's for sure. But today,
I'm here. And tomorrow, I'll be singing at the Royal Opera House. Forever, from tomorrow, I ca
last performance I ev
.
he corner there, Miss Tyler
o the door for my dressing room. At this point, everything is a blur. Opening the
my aria to myself softly. On the vanity is
your performance tonight, Miss Tyler. Feel free to a
wis
available
I'm greeted by a young man with a clipboard. He's
ds, turning without a word. Oh, okay, it's that easy I guess. I wa
ft
f my dress bag. Thankfully, I only brought one choice of dress and shoes,
sick. However, I have no time to slow down. London traffic is definitely my
a tray in his hands. A silver tea set is on top. He sets it do
centered," he says, alre
e dubiously at the door, until I hear ten minutes ring
.
s have already performed- I am the last. Which means I'll either send the audience
king unbelievably pleased with herself. Man, I wish I could have that kind of confidence. I smile,
at's s
d, flexing my fingers, approaching the curtain. God, I wish Ida were here . I'm going on st
ng. One song and then I'll be back in the safe confines of those four walls. Away from th
s Mia Tyler, performing Di
neas by Hen
pianist I met only today. He looks up at me, fiery curls on his head, nodding reassuringly. Damn, I must look scared. I smile, forcing myself to nod back to him. The orchestra is in the pi
n the piano, inhaling deeply, feeling just how momentous th
music
.
minutes later. I shut it behind me, pressing my tre
I whisper to m
motion like that. My vision is still blurred from the tears I shed on stage. I glance around, searching for
in Ida's number. This moment definite
since midnight. How did it go?" she
k I did
ying it was good
op
you of all people, are saying you were good, then it was fantastic. A
t that
erfectionist to the maximum
hum, ju
appy for you. How ma
nking of the number. "Two t
henomenal, Mia. I wish I
knock at the door and I don't even have time to turn fully befo
one, but one that's intended to stop people in their tracks when he walks by. One that is obviously expensive. It contrasts deeply against his black, tousled hair. There's a strangely perfect curl hanging in front of his eye, that wasn't staged
ing away from the doo
? He
speech. "Ida, I'
introduce himself. His smile is a secretive one, and I immediate
ox in his hand by his thigh. He stares, blinking stra
into my palm at his deep rasp of that one word.
is for
it, shocke
es
Who se
ogether slightly.
My nerves..." I let him see my shaking hands against th
he murmurs, charmingl
I ope
hand, nodding
ed into black satin material. It's accompanied by small patches of bab
watch the expression on his face change.
atively strange question?" Ask me an
cour
ld are
That is a strange question," I answer
spectacularly light, but you have such e
twent
looking ridiculously shocked
ru
than I am. By a year, but
it's not lik
"Well, I'm making an ass of myself. I'm sorry but I wanted to-to tell you in
ct day. My prince charming man is here, telling me how talented
, Mia. He sticks his hands into his pockets, nodding
e turns for the door. "I'm so
lips slightly. "It's
softly. "Well..
night
n that move, following him as he walks down the back of the
y stomach. I smile, awed as he turns the corner, disappearing fr
d he say
s talented and he
. The other ladies a
dding. He stares at me, bef
se tell me you know wh
en
ist against his lips. "You m
ndson of the Queen of this country.
old me to call him that. He didn't tell me his name un
omething in you so... j
eone else about my stupidity, lea
charming is an
.
I've been at the after party for two hours now. I've said hello to every possible person I could have. And even after all the compliments and nice words, I'm left remembering my stupidit
mpagne, sighin
f the alcohol churning in my system. I step outside, reaching into the clutch. I close my eyes, praying to find one of my emergency cigarettes.
nding one left. I take it out, along with the lighter, resting my clutch
t the brick, closing my ey
nue to sur
y eyes,
in amusement, looking like an angel under the streetli
, drunker than I thou
's
the sleek black vehicle parked at the curb.
out before...
looking disappointed
a stir. Someone tol
around us. "Mind m
s directed. I raise a b
ye. I can't be seen s
n alleyway against my wishes. The alley is small, it's only occupant a trash bin. I tilt my
been here this whole time
"Were you
looking down,
r a smoker," he says, conversatio
g or stress takes over, rea
tic
act
ame tick. It c
d out the cigarette to him. He smirks, but takes it. I h
asks. "You did wonderfully tonight. Y
r bluntly. "And mad
looking at me. "I enjoyed your oblivi
as he hands me back th
am so we're facing one another. "I'd like
ear, he just said from now on . I
... n
ide. "Come o
ntrigued. "Why did you com
untly, tilting his head. "T
my head.
s, biting his lower lip to hi
r?" I ask, blunt
ing the cigarette from my hand. "S
change for a start.
doing and a chuckle of nervousness escapes my throat. Jesus Christ, Mia. Are you going
.
erdressed compared to him. I wore jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt into the theatre, with sandals. He's still in t
touching my hair, stil
take it, watching as he begins to walk. I follow him
just-
ing my lips.
road and don't stop
tilting my head curio
nodding.
st drive with you? All night? In a countr
You'll never have a moment exactly like t
king. I feel my heart in
olling into the back of my head. I want to touch him. I forc
I breathe, complete
His lips swoop down upon mine within seconds. His mouth is warm and
n at me, searching my reaction. I stare back
ietly, hands on the back of my
ere ordered, kn
to know
.
one of the tall men I saw by Henry's side back in the theatre is holding open
inimum, sir. Y
r for me, surprisingly. I smile softly, taking a seat onto the leather
complete stranger. He shuts the door, turning to Ivan, who is still standing by the side of the car. I watch from the side mirro
e drivers side, which in my eyes, is really the
ody warm
just me. He look
ook ne
a
're just getting t
, not even fiv
ion, I admit. But, I won't touch you again like
add bluntly, after a moment, startling myself. He looks at me, faili
ght of another Bentley pulling out of it's spot, in tow. It
he says, pointing to the outl
together. "Um, I don't know
e all
mus
hm
untry? Rap?
genre has it's faults and advantages. Usually, when peo
head. "Do you have
ue
rsing my li
"How did
really
k I was so impressed with
great. But The Ston
eling my face flush, despite my efforts. He chuckl
I ask as we merg
rue to the UK and
rmly. " Y
nodding.
n the mess and hook it up to the aux. I pull up my library, pressin
.
fill the vehicle. The vehicle... I gasp, opening my eyes wi
morn
I see the Bentley logo on the dashb
been out?" I br
Mac album, which I'd
I'm sorry. I'm lou
was ente
w, warily. "E
ak when you sleep,
he roof of the car. "Oh,
s. Eggs, Treble Cl
to hide my reaction from him. I spoke about John? W
ready figured that out... I'm sor
ike
enuinely smiling, he's not joking.
ere ar
to be honest. We're pa
dow. "Everything's
you live
h a man who really only knows what kind of mus
. I love
t's really the center of everything in Am
. "I've been yaw
rive if
not possible. I'd have to call Ivan to tak
hy
ave my freed
with us and he chuckles. "Well
, after a moment. He si
territory. You lear
would learn to deal with being watched
surprisingly ser
.
or the next hour, as the sun begins to rise. We're about an hour and a
are we
re is a nice place to see the sun
ade it this far
e're in another state park. The Bentley behind us stops as well.
obably look hideous after how many times I dozed on the ride here. My door opens and h
e, I catch Ivan and Billie
r. I watch as he reaches in, pulling out a bottle of something. Champagne, wine
putting up a fight about us going alone. I swallow, looking
steps onto the main trail, my heart is beating from my chest. Is this actually happening? I ha
nded by large, dark trees, the water is dead calm, reflecting the soft light peeking in through t
nd it doesn't hold a candle to this pl
ow
where there is a small place to lay a blanket. "I used to come here w
t and together, we lay it out. I have to admit, after the countless
and through his tousled hair. He pulls off his jacket as I take a seat beside him, awkwardly. I honestly
oled champagne. I chuckle softly, resting my chin on my knees as he p
es fi
s down my throat. However, I realize quickly
bottle back to him. He looks down at the lab
e cuvèe, best ch
. The gentle hum of the wind against the tall grass. The sound of bir
is really so
is mouth curves up on one side a
are, but you could career th
ositively float
ds. "
owly. "...
hampagne toward
as he lays down onto
s, laughing sudden
ind myself gazing at him, at the exquisiteness of his jawline, the shadow of hair appearing over it. His face is calm, the
me with you today?" I bre
extends his arm out, a gesture to invite me closer. I take it, eagerly, lying down beside him. And som
I can't. I shiver as I feel
" he wh
hey're wat
y're
on't do
wh
this is ab
you want it to go, Mia. I'm not
ulder blades, resting against the waistline of m
ka
om each other now. I find my eyes drifting over his features, landing on his well-formed, surpr
t he's doing to me. "Rest your eyes
mfortably. I'm confused, I'm elated, I'm conflicted but above all, I'm tired. So
E CO
want