CHAPTER 2 #2
A message at the right time. Leah made Ellen see some endings that could be graceful and not a source of lasting wounds, unlike her experience with Caroline.
Yet, Leah kept a significant secret from Ellen: even after all those years after their breakup, Leah's heart still belonged to Ellen, a love Leah knew could never be.
Ellen grabbed her phone and swiftly texted Leah.
Ellen Caldwell (Via Satellite) - 5:45 AM Hey! Taylor just shared your message with me. Leah, I love you, my friend <3 Thanks for being there.
Taylor leaned over to her bag to take out her black binder Ellen gave her on their 20th birthday ten years ago. It was where Taylor wrote all the new songs popping into her head. Only Ellen could touch it because, you know, twin privilege. This binder was a real journey into Taylor's heart.
She looked at Ellen nervously and said, "Twinie?
I have this new song I think could really fit on our next album, but I don't know if you'll be comfortable with us using it.
It was there in my head for so long, and I had to get it out.
" She gave her the binder, and it was already open to the right page.
"Is that the title? 'The Way She Kills You Slowly,'" Ellen asked, looking at her. Taylor always had a knack for finding the right titles for her songs.
"Uh, yes. It is about your toxic relationship with Caroline," she answered, while still bracing for a denial while Ellen read the lyrics.
"Taylor, it's..." But the flight attendant interrupted her, approaching them with a professional smile.
"The captain says we're starting our descent in a few minutes. Do you need anything before landing?"
Ellen replied, "We're good, thanks," after Taylor shook her head, glancing at her.
She disappeared just as quietly. Ellen took a slow and measured breath. Her fingers tightened briefly around the edge of the binder. Taylor was still saying nothing, but she had her worried stare at her twin.
Ellen looked up from the binder and thanked her with a warm, heartfelt smile. Taylor had a way of putting Ellen's pain into words, and the smile instantly returned to Taylor's face, as if Ellen had just made her day.
***
To Ellen's relief, the landing was a soft arrival, far more pleasant than the rest of the flight.
From her window seat, Ellen couldn't tear her eyes away from the stunning Australian coastline stretching before her.
She had always dreamed of Australia, and even though she had visited with Leah before, she vowed to return someday.
Overall, the descent took thirty-five minutes before the wheels touched down smoothly on runway 34L at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
The Global came to a halt in front of the airport's private terminal, where a Mercedes Sprinter was waiting for them on the tarmac, ready to leave.
Standing right next to it was a blonde woman, probably in her twenties and dressed in an immaculate suit.
Taylor looked out the window before glancing at Ellen, who understood immediately: she found her attractive. "She's Jamie, my personal assistant. So, hands off."
"Don't worry. You know my rule between mixing professional life and romantic life. But a little warning would've been nice, Twinie," whispered Taylor, smirking.
Throughout her career, Taylor emerged as a queer icon for her generation, lauded by critics for crafting exquisitely beautiful sapphic songs.
The twins had come out to each other on the evening of their 17th birthday in a highly emotional moment.
Taylor had always known that Ellen was gay, but she wanted to give her all the space she needed to feel comfortable.
And in a move that defied all odds, Jess came out to her sisters as bisexual after meeting Blake Voss, Taylor's protégée, following a difficult divorce from Renaud, her partner of the previous ten years.
There was no doubt that the Caldwell family was one of the queerest on Earth.
Jamie greeted the twins with a shout, "G'Day, ladies, and welcome to Sydney," and then addressed Ellen, saying, "Miss Caldwell, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Please call me Ellen," Ellen stated, "not 'Miss Caldwell.'"
Jamie appeared surprised by Ellen's request, but she quickly collected her thoughts. "Okay, Ellen."
Then she looked at Taylor, maybe slightly nervous or impressed. "And well, you're Taylor Caldwell. I am a huge fan of SNARL. You just do not know how your last album was a complete relief for me, and your first EP was basically my soundtrack growing up."
With a smile, Taylor said to Jamie, "Thanks—That's precisely the reason I make music. It means the world to me."
Taylor agreed to pose for a photo with Jamie, which meant Ellen would once again be the one behind the camera, in a familiar position when she was out with her famous sisters. It was one of her ways of supporting them in their art.
Taylor's simplicity had taken Jamie by surprise, causing a slight blush to colour her cheeks as she gestured toward the vehicle. "So, um… Your car is ready."
With a gentle whoosh, the driver opened the Sprinter's door, revealing a cabin designed for comfort, featuring four generously sized captain's chairs positioned to face one another. With Taylor claiming the back seat first, Ellen took the one beside her, positioning Jamie directly in front of them.
The Sprinter set off for the new house that Ellen had bought remotely and was eager to see. "Help me recall, which area was it where you found the house?" Taylor asked Ellen.
"Woollahra. You're going to like it," Ellen replied with a hint of pride. "First, it's private, which is good for you and Jessie. The house has four bedrooms, each with an ensuite and a sunny balcony. You can pick yours when we get there. And we'll call Jessie so she can pick hers with Blake."
"Private ensuite?"
"Nothing but the best for my sisters, Tay." And perhaps it was her greatest conviction right now.
Taylor gently placed her hand on Ellen's knee before squeezing it.
"You're my favourite twin, you know that?
" She meant it as a joke (because obviously Ellen was her only twin), but there was a lot of truth to it.
"I am so fucking proud of you, Twinie, and love you so much.
Watch out for the big hug once we're out of the car. "
Taylor's show of affection toward Ellen brought a small smile to Jamie's face as she tried not to listen to the conversation, but Ellen spotted it.
After a moment of silence, a sudden thought popped into Ellen's head.
"Jamie. Something needs to be addressed.
" The spontaneity of the moment caught Jamie and Taylor off guard.
"Um… yes?"
"You were highly recommended by your last internship supervisor. You could be working anywhere with your profile. So why do you want to be my personal assistant?"
A smug smile instantly appeared on Jamie's face, as if she had expected the question and been ready with her answer.
"Ellen, you are 30 years old and we are sending you to coordinate a multi-billion-dollar merger.
I have done my homework and from what I have read, your father is not prone to nepotism.
This means that you are competent. I want to learn from you and surround myself with the best."
"Solid pick-up line," said Taylor, keeping her attention on her phone.
"It's not," Jamie replied, keeping her eyes fixed ahead. "This is my way in, as I don't have enough real-life experience to be there at your level on my own. I know this isn't a permanent situation and I am not here by accident."
Ellen studied her. Jamie was calm and direct. She didn't wear a fake smile. "You're aiming for my job?" she asked with a smile, without malice.
She gave a slight shrug. "I want to be your protégée."
"Fair enough," Ellen replied, satisfied with the answer. "Stay close and enjoy the ride."
A few minutes later, the vehicle stopped in front of a large house with a private gate, ideal for giving Taylor and Jess some privacy when they were in town. The twins got out on their respective sides, but before Ellen could realize it, Taylor threw herself violently to hug her.
"Told you it was coming," Taylor whispered in Ellen's ear. Ellen responded by increasing the pressure around Taylor. It was one of those moments when they were the same person. The twins finally parted ways, each wiping away the small tears running down their cheeks.
Jamie stood at a distance, clearly not wanting to disturb this beautiful moment between the sisters.
"Ellen? Almost slipped my mind. You wanted me to keep your schedule free for the next two weeks... but there's a bit of an issue we should discuss."
Sigh. "What kind of issue?"
Ellen was already bracing herself for bad news.
She was craving this time to adjust—to the jet lag, to the new environment, and to the pace.
Her last actual break was during SNARL's tour last year, when she followed Taylor and Jess all over North America.
And could she really call it a break considering she had replaced the tour manager at the last minute?
Jamie took a diplomatic tone. "A networking happy hour is being hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Lots of people want to go, but they're picky about who they invite. Nevertheless, their president contacted the Montreal head office with a personal invitation for you."
Ellen rolled her eyes. "And the event is this week, right?"
"Tomorrow evening, actually."
"Yikes, I'm really not sure about that, Jamie. Things are moving a bit too fast for me right now. I might just crash tomorrow and sleep."
"I wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't completely necessary. Apparently, the federal Minister for Communications is supposed to be there, and she's really keen to shake your hand."
"Fine by me, I guess," Ellen said, giving up. "It's not like I have a choice anyway. Do I at least earn a plus-one for this?"
"Of course, I can let them know that your sister will be accompanying you, no problem. Are there any special security arrangements that need to be made?"
"None, because there's no way I'm going," said Taylor, who approached them at the same time.
"Good, because I wasn't inviting you anyway." Taylor feigned outrage, but Ellen remained focused on Jamie. "Let them know you'll be there with me."
Jamie, on the other hand, didn't need to pretend to be surprised. "I'm afraid this isn't the kind of place where personal assistants are usually allowed."
"Stay close and enjoy the ride, Jamie, because if you want to be my protégée—well, it starts tomorrow."
Jamie opened her mouth, speechless, before she was able to articulate a few words. "Thank you, Ellen. Seriously. But why?"
Taylor's voice was calm as she reminded Jamie, "Jamie, always remember Caldwell's first rule. Every single person near us is important."
Ellen's smile widened as the rule was mentioned, her phone buzzing with Leah's incoming reply.
Leah Donovan - 6:43 AM Forever El.