The Girl With X-Ray Eyes

Chapter 3

I woke up Monday morning, the light shining through my window. I sat up and looked at the time, 9am. It was my first day working for my new client, that asshole of an old man. I wasn't really looking forward to it, but had to persist as my boss was counting on me. I got up and got ready and had some breakfast. I finished and sat down on the couch. I decided it was time to give him a call and introduce myself. I looked on my phone to see the number Sara had given me and pressed the button. The phone rang for quite a while but I stayed on the line. My heart beat faster the longer he didn't pick up. As I was about to give up I finally got an answer.

"Hello, who is this?" Noel said in a condescending tone.

"Hi Noel, this is Jessica. I'm your new publicist, that your wife hired."

"Oh, How did you get my number? Why are you calling me?" Noel kept asking.

"You're wife gave your number to me. Just thought I'd introduce myself since we will be working very closely together from now on."

"Great." Noel said. "Well, I am very busy right now and you've interrupted me during a session."

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Yeah whatever, just come by my house tomorrow. Im sure my wife gave you that as well. Goodbye." Noel hung up the phone.

"Well he sounds as much as a cunt as I expected." I thought to myself after I put the phone down.

I looked up Noel's address and saw it was a bit outside of London. That was good as there was way less of a chance of any media coming around, as I was told for this to be kept on the low down. I wasn't sure what exactly I'd be doing for him. With my younger artists I was teaching them how to deal with media. I figured since Noel was older that he would already know how to deal with them.

I wanted to know a bit more about Noel, other than his mean personality, to see what he was all about. I put his name into wikipedia and read through a bit.  "Lead guitarist and occasional vocalist of English rock band Oasis", why did that name sound familiar? I looked up Oasis and found what I had recognized, Wonderwall. I watched the video and the song hit me instantly. As I watched the video I saw Noel sporadically appear throughout the video. He looked so small and innocent and admittedly a little cute. I watched some more of their videos and came to a song called Don't Look Back In Anger. I knew this song was different as soon it started playing. Noel was singing this time. It was so emotional and he sounded so tender and sweet. How was this the same guy I talked to on the phone just a few hours ago?

The next day I was to head over to Noel's house. I texted Sara, as I still had her number as well, to see when would be a good time. She said that Noel was at home all day so anytime would be fine. I got myself dressed and brushed my long blonde hair. Before I left I gave myself a little pep talk in the mirror.

"You've got this Jessica. Don't let his shitty attitude get to you. You're a professional, you've got a job to do. Remain positive and be yourself."

My cab pulled up to the large house. I walked through the garden up to the front porch. It was a beautiful house with lots of space. I could see why he would want to live here. I knocked on the door and a few moments later Sara answered.

"Hi, its Jessica we talked on the phone the other day. I'm the new publicist for Noel."

"Ah yes Jessica, come in!" Sara said hugging me and waving me into the house.

I stepped inside, it was a lot bigger on the inside but just as beautiful. Definitely the biggest house I'd ever been in.

"Your house is lovely!" I said.

"Thank you, Noel had it built just for us when we started our family." Sara said, as we started walking further.

"Noel's in the other room working on some of his music. You can come sit and chat with me til he's done." Sara said sitting on the couch.

I sat and talked with Sara for a while. I asked Sara to tell me some things about Noel's personality and what he liked to do. I just wanted to know if was actually like how he seemed. The way Sara talked about Noel, he sounded like a totally different man than I had talked to. Maybe he was just being cautious, but I hoped I would be able to break down this barrier of his. I was going to need him to co-operate with me if this was going to work out smoothly. I asked her if she knew anything about his media presence. She told me that he did not bother with it at all. He hated talking to people in the music business. Noel had to be forced to make tv appearances and to do interviews. I was starting to see why I was called in to help.

"Is there anything that he does like to do?" I asked sounding a little desperate. I just needed something to give me a starting point.

Sara sat and thought for a minute. "Well he does like radio. Oh and he doesn't mind photoshoots, as long as he's comfortable and gets to wear what he likes."

After talking to Sara for a while, I excused myself as I needed to go to the bathroom. As I walked down the hall, I heard what sounded like singing coming from a room. I followed the voice and walked up to the door and pushed it open slightly. I peeked in and saw Noel sitting down with an acoustic guitar in his hands, strumming away. He kept singing some words then crossing them out. Noel sounded exactly like he did on that song I heard, the same sweet and tender voice. I smiled and then went to the bathroom.

When I returned Noel was sitting with Sara. I made my way back to the couch and Noel gave me a weird look. I didn't know what his problem with me was, but I was determined to stay calm.

"Hello Noel." I said to him. "Sorry about yesterday, hope I didn't bother you too much."

Noel didn't say anything, just stared at me.

"What you were playing sounded really beautiful." I said trying to get him to react.

Noel still didn't say anything until Sara elbowed him.

"Oh yeah uh thanks." Noel managed to get out.

"Well I guess I better be going." I said getting up. "Thanks for letting me come over. Noel, I'll be talking with you soon, have to get to business."

Noel just ignored me and looked at his phone while Sara walked me to the door.

"Don't worry about him, he'll warm up to you soon enough. You have a good night." Sara said to me as I left.

Sara walked back to where Noel was sitting on the couch and stood behind him. She put his arms around him and started rubbing his chest.

"Cmon Noel, don't be like that. I know you don't want this but trust me it will be good for you."

"Alright love, I'll try." Noel said finally giving in.