Chapter 33 Hollie
HOLLIE
Being locked in the penthouse might mean I can’t go anywhere, but that doesn’t mean people can’t come to me. Tiffany arrives a little after twelve with wide eyes and a bottle of champagne.
“Girl, what is with the spooky men in your lobby?” she asks in a fluster as she stumbles inside, then her eyes become saucers as she gazes from the sparkling lounge to the open-plan kitchen covered in mess from the sandwiches I made. “What the fuck?”
“What?” Taking the champagne from her, I set it aside in the kitchen and grab the two glasses of orange juice I prepared instead.
“This is Maxim’s place?” Tiffany wanders to the lounge and gazes up at the Christmas tree, then turns and takes the glass from me. “You should have invited me sooner.”
“Crazy, right?”
“Tell me.” She sips her drink and drops onto the couch with a soft moan. “Oh my God it’s like sitting on a cloud. But tell me, did you marry him that fast because of his money?”
“Definitely not.” I chuckle, placing my own glass on the coffee table and hurrying back to the kitchen for the food.
“Is he insane in bed?”
“Yes, but also not the reason.”
“Okay, so it’s not the money and not the sex. He’s hot for sure, but that can’t be the reason you married him,” Tiffany muses, watching me over the back of the couch.
“Did you really come here to pick apart my marriage?”
“No, honey. I came to see how you were and make sure you were okay. I put out the word that Mr. Havershire is a dick and not to be booked anywhere, so he won’t be welcome anywhere in this city, that’s for sure. Nowhere of note, at least.”
Back in the lounge, I flop down next to her and set the plate of sandwiches and nibbles on the table. “Thank you.”
“Of course. But honey, tell me what happened?” Despite her frantic way of moving through life and throwing gig after gig at me, her concern is genuine so after biting into a sandwich, I lean back and fill her in.
Every detail makes her frown deepen until her hand is on my thigh and she apologizes profusely. “I had no idea he was such a monster. I feel awful for sending you there.”
“There’s no way you could have known,” I assure her.
“Honestly, who would do something so diabolical at this time of year? I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Please.” Taking her hand, I squeeze gently.
“I’m okay. Maxim is taking care of everything and I’m okay, I promise.
” As true as those words are, there’s still one concern in the back of my mind.
A concern that won’t fade until I get a chance to speak to my doctor.
While I’m sure nothing’s happened to the baby, I need to be sure before I tell Maxim the truth.
I can’t break his heart with the truth and then find out that the attack harmed it.
“Maxim’s taking care of you, huh?” She pats the back of my hand. “Well I’m glad you found a good man who does that, at least. God. You’d never expect such a thing in this line of work.”
“The only thing I’m sad about is I left my violin there. God knows what happened to it.”
“Well, that actually brings me to the real reason I dropped by. Not to say that I wasn’t concerned about you because I absolutely am. I just have another reason.”
“Oh?” I drain my glass as Tiffany busies herself in her bag.
She pulls out a blue plastic folder and hands it to me. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“You know how you were always talking about leaving New York and seeing the world a little?”
“Mhm.” Opening the folder, a large picture of an exquisite cruise ship takes over the first page.
“That’s a private liner. They’re looking for a long-term musician to cover their entire round-the-world cruise next year.
From February to November, visiting thirty-seven countries with top-of-the-line guests, food, drink…
everything you could ever wish for in a luxury liner.
They pay more money than either of us could ever dream of, have an insurance package and a loyalty card for employees, so even if you never wanted to work for them again, you get a discount on their cruises! ”
The sleek black ship is lit up with gold lighting on a deep blue ocean just in front of a gorgeous sunset.
Inside, the booklet details not only all the fantastical activities that you can do on board, but the beautiful countries that will be visited as well as details on perks for employees.
Specifically, a dedicated hand masseuse for musicians, a personal chef for dietary needs, and bonuses every two months on board.
“Tiffany… this is insane!”
“I know!” She claps her hands together. “Apparently, the slot they need to fill is for their eighteenth musician, as the previous person has had enough sailing. Can you imagine? Anyway, I heard about this from a friend of a friend and there’s a banquet on Christmas Eve for you to attend.
Think of it as a dinner and interview all wrapped up in one! ”
“I… I can’t think what to say?” A few months ago, this would have been a dream come true.
A good job that lets me live in my music while traveling the world and getting away from things for a while.
Now, though… I’m not so sure I want to leave the city.
Being with Maxim has shifted my perspective slightly on what’s important in my life, and if I’m having this baby, could I really do that in the middle of the ocean?
“Say yes!” Tiffany clasps my hand. “You deserve this, darling. No more Christmas rushes to make enough money to last you the year, no more hotel lobbies or shitty lobbies and even shittier clients. You’d be part of a small orchestra with solo chances almost every night on top of everything else.
Just tell me you’ll go, please?” She looks at me with such hope.
“Just attend the interview. At best, you get a dream job and at worst, you just attend a fancy party. And this one is legit, trust me. After Mr. Havershire, I checked out everything.”
“I… thank you, Tiffany. This is insane.”
“They don’t call me a gold-standard manager for nothing.
” She grins, then her brow dips. “Well, if they don’t, then they definitely should.
Of course, full disclosure that I do get a fraction of your pay if you take this, but it’s nothing compared to what they pay you.
So this would benefit both of us.” Her brows wiggle. “Please say you’ll go?”
“Okay, I’ll go!” Despite my uncertainty, she’s hard to say no to and on some level, I’m with her. What harm could come from an interview?
“Yay!” She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. “This is going to be amazing!”
Tiffany stays for another hour and we eat, drink, and discuss Christmas plans.
She’s flying out to see her parents on Christmas Eve, the last flight of the night, and plans to sleep the entire way through.
My plans are so up in the air that I quietly assume I’ll be spending it with Maxim and my parents.
Soon, work calls her away and I stay in the hallway, watching the elevator descend until I’m certain she’s in the lobby.
After calling down to Toto to ensure Tiffany safely made it back to her car, I call Mom.
“Hi darling, you’re not calling to cancel on me tomorrow as well, are you?” she says as soon as she answers the phone. “Because you know I don’t like it when you cancel on short notice.”
“I know,” I assure her, returning to the couch.
“Today just couldn’t work.” I dare not point out that her lunch demand at the party yesterday was also short notice because that’s an argument I don’t have the energy for.
“I just wanted to check where you wanted to eat tomorrow so I can let my driver know.”
“Your driver? Oh, la dee dah.” Mom chuckles. “You can choose since your life is so fancy right now.”
“Alright. And yes. You know Maxim hires drivers because it’s easier in the city. It’s not as fancy as you think it is.”
“Sure. Back when your father was still at work and the most important man in the city, I didn’t have a driver.”
“Did you ever ask for one?” I slouch down until I’m prone on the couch and gaze across at the twinkling Christmas tree.
“No, but that’s not the point. I don’t want you to end up spoiled, dear.”
I roll my eyes. “Mom. It’s not a big deal.”
“I’m not entirely sure I like that your husband travels with so many men. It’s so… odd.”
“No it’s not. They all work together. It’s natural.”
“Well, as long as they aren’t at the Christmas Eve dinner then that’s fine. You’ll be there, right? I don’t want you bailing like you did on Thanksgiving.”
“What?” Sitting upright, my gut twists. I’d forgotten all about that dinner.
“Christmas Eve? Family dinner with the family? We exchange presents? I know you like to skip them but since you missed Thanksgiving, I expect you to be here this year.”
“I can’t, Mom, I have wo—”
“No!” She snaps and cuts me off. “I won’t hear it.
I’m tired of you choosing work over your family at Christmas so you will be here, you understand?
I’ve dealt with your cancellations, your silence, your sudden marriage and more, but I won’t have you stand me up at this dinner, understand?
I won’t forgive you this time if you miss it. ”
I ache to tell her she can’t force me, but every bitter word from her piles on the guilt until only one response slips from me. “I know. I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll be there.”
“Good.” She hangs up without another word and I gaze back at the tree.
Fuck.
If I miss the banquet, then my dream job turns to dust. There won’t be a second chance there. But if I skip Christmas Eve dinner with my parents, Mom won’t forgive me and she’s excellent at holding a grudge.
Family or work… How am I to choose?