23. Good songs and bad, bad shocks

My heart is riding on an unicorn over a rainbow whenever I see you. - Alex

23. Good songs and bad, bad shocks

(Alexandra)

Alex opened the shower and stood under it, eyes closed, a small frown adorning her lips. She had been feeling vengeful and murderous since that fateful night and the ruined morning. Her morning.

It had been two days since he had brought her all the way to the airport --she didn't want to, did she? All she wanted was to sleep in --and then asked her to go on her honeymoon alone.

He is such a moron.

She still didn't know where he was planning to bring her, she still didn't know why he had to cancel at the last time.

It wasn't like he was giving her excuses or reasons. He was giving her nothing.

She felt moody and vexed and she wanted to kill someone. If that someone was Logan, all the better.

They hadn't been talking much since then. He was barely home and when he was home, he was on his phone half the time, whispering into it.

She just didn't care anymore. She didn't want to be the only one who was trying.

What am I suppose to do? I am an idiot. A brainless, senseless idiot. I should have woken up the moment he gave me that damn contract, shouldn't I? She thought as she toweled her hair dry.

I hope he had had his breakfast. She thought as she pulled on a robe.

"Well. I don't care. No. Dammit. I won't care." She muttered as she turned off the shower and walked out.

It wasn't like she had too much time on her hands. She couldn't waste time thinking or pondering about the mystery of Mr. Enigma.

Oh, he so loves to act all so mysterious, doesn't he? She scoffed as she threw the towel at the bed. If he saw that, he would be all mighty and smug and tell her not to be messy.

"If you want to take that towel and dry it, you do it. I am not doing it, stupid ass."

Girlie, you are going insane.

"Stop thinking about him. I have things to do."

Of course, she had things to do, as well. She was busy redecorating Mathilda Shine's mansion. She had to call the furniture store two times to ask about the shipment and they had said no both the times and it was frustrating.

Alex pulled out a cardigan and put it on before she walked out. She had called Emma to ask for a ride, because Logan was just so busy to do so. He was already a no see.

Alex scoffed as Em opened the door for her and gave her a frown.

"You two are the most unromantic, impossible people I have ever seen."

"Not me. Just your moron of a brother."

"Why again did he cancel the trip? He was excited about it." Emma said as she stared at Alex.

Alex really wanted to ask where he had planned to bring her, but she knew how it would sound and look. So she curbed her curiosity and looked out the foggy window.

"Don't look so morose." Emma said and Alex shook her head as she sulked.

"I have earned the right to be. I hate your brother."

"Nah, you love him." She chuckled and Alex threw a candy wrapper that was on the dashboard at her. "Ew."

"I do, but for now, I have earned the right to hate him, as well."

"That you did." Em patted on her palms. "You should buy yourself a car."

"Ow, what? You don't want to be my chauffeur?"

"I like it, but what if I am not available?"

"I will ask El." Alex shrugged. She wasn't going to ask Logan for a car. It wasn't in the damn contract.

"What if she is not there as well."

"I will walk." Alex grumbled.

"Don't be an idiot. He is your husband. You have also earned the right to nag, complain and empty his bank balance. So?" Emma said with a smug look.

"No, don't do anything, please. I really don't want a car."

"Alexandra Annie Steele. You are the most stubborn woman I have ever seen. You really are a perfect person for my brother."

If only your brother can see it, Alex thought with a frown. But he would never see it. Never see her the way she wanted him to see her.

Of course he cared. Of course he liked her. but that was as far as he would go, and it was so obvious with everything he did. Or didn't do.

"Here is your stop. Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No, Leo said he will give me a drive. Apparently he has a singer's block or something and he has so much time in his hands."

"Leo Shine is cute." Emma smirked. "Maybe this isn't completely pointless."

"Don't let your brother hear that!" Alex wagged a finger at her before she stepped out and waved Emma a good bye. She watched as Emma drove away before she walked in.

"Hey, Alex."

"Hi, Leo. Are you ready for this adventure?"

"I am born ready." He said as he gave a fist to her.

"Do I have to bump it." Alex shrunk her nose as she looked at his fist.

"Oh, come on. Do it already." He groaned when she shook her head.

"No, I am fine here."

"God." He shook his head, looking dejected. "Have you lost your funny bones after being in the company of Logan for so long?"

"Maybe." Alex grinned as he opened the door. "Hey, are those-"

"Books, yes."

"They are already here. Wow, fast."

"Do you want to do the library today? I can help you out?"

"So you really have so much time in your hands, eh?"

"That is what I said."

"Ok, let us do it then."

They both walked to the library and stared at the shelves for a while before Alex dragged a box inside the room.

"God, they are heavier than they look."

"You know, you must hire an assistant. It will get harder once your business grows, and it won't be easy to do this all alone. Two assistant, much better. A guy to do grunt works and a girl. Hire a pretty one."

"Leo Shine, stop thinking about girls and get into these boxes." Alex ordered as she plucked a pocket knife from her bag, which was more of an utility sack than a bag and started pulling it across the tape in the box.

When she opened it, she couldn't blink. It was breathtaking, the sight and smell of it. So many beautiful covers of so many beautiful stories...

This was like Alex's heaven. This here was beautiful, beautiful beings living inside a book, fighting for what was theirs, giving hope to the hopeless. This here was magic and reality packed together, pages after pages of words and worlds.

She sighed.

"Oh, you look like you are in heaven or somewhere closer."

"Yes, I am. What have you there?"

"Autobiographies." He said with a smile. "And this one is a box full of romance novels." He gave her a wink. "The covers look hot."

"Yeah, the stories are hot, too." She said as she picked up a novel by Nora Roberts and pretended to swoon. "I love Nora Roberts."

"I do, too."

"You do?" She gave him a look that said she didn't believe it.

"What, I grew up reading my mom's novels. My mom loves Nora and so am I. It made me who I am-"

"A playboy?" It wasn't Alex. Alex looked up to see Trish Patel standing there, her hands on her hips, a frown on her pink painted lips. Her ponytail was still straight, still neat and her power suit fit her like a glove.

Alex tried not to cringe. She knew how she would look -- like she had just been on a ride in the rollercoaster-- messy hair and an even messier cardigan.

"Nah, a romantic. But, what are you doing here?"

"Hunting you. Are you hiding in your Mother's house? Have you really stooped that low?"

"No, I am not."

"Really?" Trish gave him an irritated frown. Alex shook her head as she went back to her books. This was not her problem and she really didn't want to make an enemy out of Trish Patel. She looked like she could win all the battles and wars and still stand without any wounds, so...

No, thank you.

"Come on, just don't call Meredith. Please. I am in a rut here and I need a muse. I am trying to find a muse, I am, so cut me some slack, Tree."

"Leo Shine, I have been to two of your messy apartments --do you clean them ever?-- and after that I went to three of your friends houses, and except Greg, the other two are sex-addicted morons with penis as their brains and after that I have to call your mother and then Sameer and then here I am. So don't tell me I need to cut you some slack. What I need is to cut you. Into damn little pieces."

Alex really wanted to chuckle. Or maybe applaud. The woman didn't even look breathy after that very long, angry monologue. She looked calm and steady as she waved her hands at her face before she took a deep breath.

It was really amazing and amusing to watch Leo turning that shade of vivid red as Trish went on and on about how irresponsible and childish he was.

Alex was enjoying the show. She let out a small chuckle when Trish called Leo a pea-brained pest and a moronic monkey. That was really creative.

"What?" Trish gave Alex a glare. "You think this is funny?"

"No, sorry." Alex said as she shook her head.

"Why don't you get someone else to do your works? He already has too much to do and-"

"I didn't ask him to help me, you know." Alex cut in. Yes, she almost feared Trish Patel, but she wouldn't sit still and not say anything when that woman accused her of things she didn't do. It wasn't like Leo was a kid and she took advantage of him.

"Yeah, whatever. Look here, Leo, if you are not done writing that cover track for the 'Last Summer Night' in two days, I will personally deliver you to Meredith. I am not even your damn manager. God. You should pay me a hella lot than you are paying me now." Trish sighed before she looked at Alex. "Hey I am sorry, it is just that he can be so frustrating at times. I- I am sorry." She looked ashamed.

"I am sorry, too." Alex said as she waved at Leo. "Get going, Leo. I can do my work. I don't need you here."

"But I want to be here, Alex."

Alex didn't miss the sour look Trish gave Leo when he said that.

"Do whatever you want. But that damn thing has to be ready in two days. That is all. Now, I am going to go." She said as she stormed out the same way she stormed in.

"Gosh, can you believe that woman? It is like she is paying me and I am working for her."

"But she is not totally wrong. You need to finish that track, no? I have been waiting for your new album, Leo."

"The thing is, I-I just don't have the right music for the cover track. It feels too bland, too ordinary, and I don't want that. You know, as you get older, it almost feels like the music is slipping away from you and you are doing this all for money and I hate that feeling. I hate that."

"Why don't you let me hear the track and be the judge?" She said as she picked up the books and stood up. "After I finish this. You can go to the room and work on it until then."

"Okay. Thanks." He said as he stood up with a grin. "My guitar is in my car. I will go and bring it in."

"Very good, go on. I am fine here."

"Bye, Alex."

[Sunkissed goodbyes]

The magic in your eyes

The twilight hours of

Love and dreams

The blush in your cheeks

The sun-kissed skies of

Pinks and romance

Oh,baby, I close my eyes and see

That all your smiles are not for me.

I close my eyes and dearly wished

For all the things I have missed.

Leo's voice was smooth and beautiful. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was lost in his music, in the words. He sang like he meant it, but still...

He opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "So? What do you think? Good enough to be the cover track?"

Alex smiled up at Leo. "This is beautiful, but yes, as you said, it is not totally right there. There is something missing. I don't know what, but I just know I am not feeling Leo there."

She had heard all of his songs and there was something in that, some magic, heart and feeling in the music, even if it wasn't in the words.

"That is what I am saying. I feel like it lacks some essence. Something. That is why I need time to get it together." He said as he stood up. "I am going to work on it, some more." He said and waved at her. "Come on, I will drop you off." He grabbed the keys from the lone side table and picked up his guitar like it was a baby.

It might be his baby.

"Thanks, Leo." She grabbed her bag and walked out with him.

"Nah, thank you. I feel like I can make the song much better now. I needed the break. I needed a friend."

"Yeah? I am a good friend material, am I not?"

"Weirdo. Stop." He chuckled and rolled his eyes and she followed.

***

(Logan)

"Tom, I have a meeting scheduled now. I have to go. You will get me an update on the new site, right?"

"Just whatever. Boss." Tom grumbled.

"What is with you today? You are all one words and grunts. You don't sound like yourself."

"I sound like you, I know."

"Okay, are you going to tell me what is wrong?"

"What is wrong? What is wrong?"

"Yes, Tom. That is what I asked."

"What is wrong is that you are here. You are here for two damn days and you got married. To an amazing woman. That is what is so wrong."

"I just have some important-"

"Yeah, save it." Tom said as he walked out. Logan shook his head as he stood up.

"Donna, I asked Amelia about the Marble price from Al's and Eckhart's. Make sure she has that ready for tomorrow. I am going now."

"You should be going yesterday, but here you are."

"Wow, everyone in this office is really concerned with my honeymoon. Even my wife didn't care that much."

"You sure?"

"I am sure." He was sure. Almost. Okay, he wasn't sure, but he didn't have lot of time to think about that right now.

"Bye." He said as he walked out and opened his car door.

To think about it, he had not seen much of her since that disaster in the airport and after he said those angry words. She reacted angrily and he didn't know whether she had gotten over it or not.

Today, I am going to talk with her. I have to.

He thought as he steeped out and walked inside a tiny, cozy cafe.

Logan looked at his watch and then at the door. The woman was still a no see. He frowned as he opened the file in front of him.

He didn't feel like ordering anything when the server came. "Coffee." He muttered. But he really needed coffee if he was going to do this.

His phone rang, again. "Are you here?"

"You need me, Logan. Not the other way around. So why don't you hold your horses."

Logan gritted his teeth. He really didn't want to be here, waiting for her, but he had to.

"Okay, take your time." He said sarcastically.

"Good." She hung up.

Logan stared at the phone before he switched it off and drank his bitter coffee. It was sweeter than his mood.

***

(Alexandra)

"I think she hates me." Leo said with a frown. His fingers kept tapping against the steering wheel and it was kind of distracting for Alex to think.

Yes. She was thinking. Again. About her contract husband and the surprise and the ill-timed phone call. Yes. She was doing it again. Torturing herself with the questions she could never ask and the answers that she might never get.

"Hey, you." When Leo shouted, she jerked back in her seat. "I am talking to you."

"God, I know. Don't scare me like that." She gave him a look. "And who hates you?" Alex asked as she looked away from the window.

"Trish. She is always calling me names. And making me feel like I am still a teenager. A troublesome teenager." He had this cute wrinkle at the side of his eyes. He got that look whenever he was angry or thinking or both. Alex smirked.

"Then don't give her reasons to treat you like that." Alex said. "And she won't."

She really wanted to say more on the topic about Trish Patel and her probable feelings, but it was none of her business. Not at all. So...

"It is not like I am intentionally doing things like that. It is just-" His eye brows were knotted as he shook his head. She patted his hands.

"Hey, don't worry about that. You are a good guy. So that is that." She said with a smile.

"Ah, the silver lining." He gave her a pout. "But I am a great guy."

"Umm, let me sleep on that for a while." She said and he gave her a fake glare.

"You are a great woman, too."

"Really? Or is that one of this complement exchange? I am not doing it with you. I am not going to say you are a great guy just because you gave me one." She wagged her brows and he grinned at her. One of his sunshiny, Leo-ey smile. She had seen this smile, a million times, had crooked over it and here she was, witnessing it in the person, but somehow it didn't make her feel all warm or hot or tingly or sexy just looking at it. It didn't make her want to lean in and kiss or bite him.

It is not like that with Logan, is it?

Yes. It was never like that with Logan. Logan's smile made her want to do all the things she would never consider doing in million years. Logan made her feel things she wasn't supposed to feel and he made her do things she wasn't supposed to do.

And look where that has gotten you. Pining over for a man who is clearly emotionally unavailable for you. That is a bad idea.

The inner voice thing, it sometimes need to take a break. Or maybe go on a long, long vacation. Whatever.

"You and your weird ideas." He said and she smiled.

Leo didn't make her feelcakk those things, but he made her feel comfortable and happy and she liked it. Liked having him as a friend.

"It is not weird. It is a very valid one."

"Whatever, Alex." He said as he hummed a song and the started belting out the tune to a random song.

"God. Stop."

"What? Anyone would love to have a private concert by Leo Shine. Consider yourself lucky that I am not asking you to pay an exorbitant amount to hear it."

"I am not paying you anything, silly." She smiled as he continued to belt another song in a weird voice.

Her happy smile died when she saw two familiar faces through the glass walls of a cafe. They were both having a red mug --blood red mug-- in their hands.

Her face went rigid and her heart felt like stone as she tried not to flinch back. It felt like a bucket of ice cold water in her dreamy, stupid, impossible dreams.

Is this why he is so busy all the times? He had me and he didn't want me anymore. Is that it?

As the car sped past the cafe, she tried not to look back, but she did. And yes, her eyes weren't playing tricks and no matter how much she tried to blink, it wouldn't go away.

The image Stacy and Logan sipping coffee in blood red mugs.

____

Umm, how is that? 😌

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I am writing 3500 words for you to read and it is only fair that you should atleast write me some 10 words for me to read back, right? Right? 👀

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Look at this beauty... Hope one day this would come true?? #dreaming