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