Page 19 of The Price of Fame

Six

MARKUS SAT IN THE STUDIO. “I can’t. I’m leaving late Monday night.”

Gaelan, his manager, raked his fingers through his graying hair. “You have to stay. The record label wants you there on Tuesday. It’s an awards show, Markus, where the public votes, and you’re nominated for two categories.”

He knew he had to go to the awards show since he was already in town. He just missed Kylie and wanted to get back to her so he could convince her to come here with him. “Fine, call them and tell them I’ll be there.”

His manager scurried off, and Markus reached for his phone. He dialed Kylie’s home, only to get voice mail. He called her mobile, and she answered just as he was going to hang up.

“Hello, what are you up to?”

He sank down in a seat, enjoying the sound of her voice.

“I’m in the studio, and I’m missing you. I have some bad news. I won’t be coming back Tuesday. I’ve been delayed another week.”

Silence greeted him on the other end. A minute or two that felt like an hour ticked by before he heard Kylie mumble, “Just give me a minute, and I’ll be right with you.”

He groaned when he heard James’ voice in the background. “Okay, go find us a seat, and I’ll get your meal.”

He gripped the phone tighter when she let out a loud sigh into the phone. She finally replied. “What’s holding you up? I can’t sleep without you anymore. I miss you singing my song to me.”

He chuckled. “I have to go to an awards ceremony. I’m nominated twice.”

“Oh, who will go with you?” He heard the worry in her voice.

“Omorphoula, I’ll be going by myself, I promise, and I’m sending you a surprise. Check your email when you get home.”

“Please tell me you’re coming back, that this isn’t some famous person’s game where you play with me, and then throw me away.”

Clenching his fists in frustration because she was so far away, he tried to soothe her as best he could. “You, Kylie, are my one and only. My forever. I will be there Saturday night if I have to swim the ocean to get there. I did a little something for you. It should help you sleep. Check your e-mail when you get home, okay? Promise me.” He turned to his computer and sent the video clip he’d made of their song.

He heard James in the background. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry. Say bye. You’re tired…”

You have got to be fucking joking me.

He punched the table, angry that he’d made her cry.

She whispered, “Yep, I’ll check when I get home.” She hiccupped before she hung up on him.

Screaming in frustration, he threw the phone, watching as it smashed into pieces on the floor.

“I didn’t realize you were serious about the woman you were involved with on your holiday. I just thought she was some holiday muse.”

Growling, he turned to his manager. “That woman is the woman I love. I’m going to marry her. I just have to convince her of both of those things.”

He watched as his manager’s eyes widened for a moment before Gaelan returned to his serious-eyes-drawn-together, lips-pinched face.

“Look, I need some fresh air. I’ll be back. Get me a new phone too. The SIM card should have survived that.”

Markus got up and walked out of the studio, thinking about what he’d told his manager. He knew it was true. How could he not love her? She was the one thing he thought about before he went to sleep, and the only thing on his mind in the morning. She made him feel happier than he’d been since he was a boy.

Markus had been busy the last two days, barely leaving the studio. His worry over leaving Kylie for the extra days eased when she’d rung him, raving about her surprise.

“I love it, Markus. The pictures of us on the beach look fantastic. Buddha was barking at himself when I put the music video on to watch. It’s not as good as having you here with me, but it will do. Thanks for recording our song just for me.”

He loved that she knew it was her song. It made what he paid for it to be done all worthwhile.

Coming up for air for the first time in days, he checked his phone, only to see he had six missed calls from family. Worried that something had happened, he called his mother. “Mama, is everything okay? I have lots of messages from family.”

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