A Kiss and a Cuddle Read Free

man-child had to show up here to ruin
my big night?  The crowd dissipated from the stage and followed Rex towards the
roped-off VIP area of the lounge.  Apparently they preferred to watch a boy
sitting on a couch with two balding bodyguards instead of me putting on the
show of a lifetime.  In a stunning lace dress, I might add.  All reporters and
journalists eagerly turned to capture the heir.  Sitting on a couch. 
    My
heart dropped.  My stomach was in knots.  The image of seeing the audience turn
around and walk away from my performance would stay with me for a lifetime. 
And it hurt.  But I continued to play my songs to an empty lounge, except for
Derek, who continued to watch and clap along, almost too eagerly.  I hid my
pain with a weak smile and sang loudly so my voice would not quiver.  The set
seemed to drag on, and I was almost embarrassed to continue to play to a
disinterested crowd.  It was like Rex’s arrival was the real performance, and I
was some lame girl trying to steal his show.  I felt like yelling, “This is my
show!  He is the one stealing my show!” I was never big into
competition, and I wasn’t about to compete with a multimillion dollar heir for
the spotlight, so I quickly and apologetically finished my set early by cutting
a few songs short.  There went my big break.  You won, Rex .
    When
I finished my last song, I received a few lonely claps from within the lounge,
presumably from Derek, before I went backstage in defeat.  I walked silently to
my dressing room.  I passed Reggie in the hallway, but couldn’t bear to make
eye contact with him.  I was not in the mood.  And he could tell that.  I just wanted
to get out of there, go home, and get into my bed.  Then everything would be
better.
    I
sat down in front of my mirror, and rubbed my hands over my face.  My makeup
was smudged, but it didn’t matter now.  Not much mattered now.  I looked at my
reflection and could see the tears pooling in my eyes.  I tried to stop myself
to wait until I was home before the tears started, but there was no stopping
it.  The disappointment and embarrassment was too much, and soon my eyes were red
as hot tears spilled over, making my mascara run like black pathways down my
cheeks.  I finally gave in and let my face fall into my hands when someone
knocked aggressively on the door.
    “I’m
coming, I’m coming…” I managed to say, while quickly wiping my eyes and
mascara.  My performance may have been a complete mess, but I didn’t want
anyone to think I was.  I opened the door to see a tall, solid man with a bald
head and a black jacket. 
    “Miss
Rose, yes?” the man asked me, revealing a strong British accent.  Without
allowing me to answer, he pushed a note towards me and regally breathed, “From
His Royal Heir, Miss.”
    Bewildered,
I grasped the note and opened it to read, “ Miss Rose, Your singing is
mesmerizing.  I must say, you stole my heart tonight.  Can I have it back,
please?  Rex xxx”
    I
gasped, crumpled up the note, and threw it back at the man.  The note hit his
black jacket and fell straight to the ground.  The lightness of the paper made
it surprisingly undramatic, which was not my intention.  “He makes you call him
a royal heir?  Is that even allowed?  This is ridiculous.  He had the
attention of the whole lounge tonight, he doesn’t get my attention too.  Who
does he think he is?”  I was so upset that my voice cracked.
    “Well,
a famous, very wealthy man, I suppose, Miss,” the man replied in a snooty
manner and turned to walk away.
    “Well…
well… I don’t care!”  I shouted and slammed the door.  That was a great
comeback, Rose.  I don’t care?  So clever.   I was obviously so furious
that I couldn’t think anymore.  I just needed to get home and get the night
over with.

FOUR
    I
finally plopped my head on my pillow and pulled my white, fluffy duvet up to my
face.  My head was spinning with thoughts.  Mostly angry