A Rock & Roll Romance

Chapter Fifteen

Four weeks later...

Meghan was editing her latest video at her desk when the phone rang.

"Hey!"
"Hey John. How are you? Or should I say Bonjour, Ca Va?"
"Ahh trés bien! Ca va bien Merci, et tu?"
"Oui.. trés bien. Je travaille.. et tu?"
"Non.... I'm painting." He chuckled.
"Nice! How are the children?" Meghan was genuinely interested and since he left for France he had made an effort to at least text every other day and call a few times a week. They were fast becoming good friends.
"They are good thank you, Lily is a classic teenager. She's talking to me about fashion weeks, make up, stuff I have no idea on. Jack is sleeping the summer away and only emerges when he wants to play music or eat."
"Ha. Sounds like somebody I shared a tour bus with."
"Yeah Tommy is awful like that isn't he?" Johnny chuckled once more.
"Yeah Tommy. Not." Meghan giggled saving her files. "So what's your big plan? It's Saturday?"
"Ha, not a thing. Although Alice and Sheryl are in town, they are coming by for brunch tomorrow. I hope that's ok"
"Doll stop asking permission. It's your property remember? And by the way you should not have paid that bonus we gave you for that tour straight into the charity account. You should have treated yourself!!"
"I didn't need anything though, and now it will go to somebody who needs it."
"Wow. That's a beautiful way to look at it."
"Thank you.... Now can I help you or did you just call to discuss my rental payments?"
"No I called because I have a huge favour.."
"Let me guess you've left the stove on... you've got a parcel that needs delivering? You want me to water the plants?" Meghan said giggling.
"Ha... no. It's a little bit bigger than that."
"Oh?" Meghan asked seriously.
"How do you feel about doing the social media, content and overall online promotion for my new movie?"
"What?!" Meghan asked shocked. She was biting her lip and playing with her hair a proper tell she was anxious.
"Well Stephen and I had asked Gina but she is snowed under with the Never Fear stuff and we thought maybe you could both team up together? Like a team effort?"
"You want me to work for Gina?" Meghan asked surprised.
"God no not for her, jeez she would hate to manage you just with her? You could probably dedicate a lot of time to being on set whereas she can't until much later on. Would you mind considering it?"
"Johnny, would I mind? I would love it, my god, yes of course I'll do it... wait hang on. Is this another favour to me? Like the house? You're feeling sorry for me?"
"God no, you're the woman for the job and you know G, and you know how I work. It's a no brainer really."
"Promise?"
"Darling I pinky swear. Will you consider it? I'll get Infinitum to send the official stuff but I wanted to ask you myself personally."
"Oh god of course, thank you Johnny. I won't let you down."
"I never thought for a second that you would."
"Thank you, thank you thank you! I was starting to think I would never work again!" She giggled.
"First things first, I'll get them to send the paperwork to you ok, we start shooting in just over a week. It's up to you if you wanna be there from the start, if you've got some things to tie up first then come out later on..."
"No honest I can be there in a week. Where is the set I'll look at flights now?"
"Doll, the company will do that don't worry. I just need you're ok."
"Well you have it."
"Amazing, thank you... and yes would you mind watering my plants?"
"Johnny you don't have any plants.."
"Sorry yes you're right. I better go my kids are arguing over oxygen by the sounds of it."
"Night Johnny."
"Ha. It's mid afternoon for you."
"I know but it's getting late for you."
"Night doll."

5 days later, Meghan had boarded a plane to Milan. She was shown to a business class seat and after re checking her boarding pass many times she accepted that maybe this was just a perk of the job. She had been informed by Christi, Johnny's sister and CEO of the American division of his production company that somebody would meet her at the airport the other end and escort her to the properties where cast and crew were residing. Since being offered the job by Johnny, Meghan had been on cloud nine. She signed the paperwork instantly, a 12 month contract that asked her to not only capture content during the pre production, shooting and editing stages but also during the promotional and premiere tour. That was a whole year's worth of work, and she was extremely excited to get started. Her aunt and uncle praised her when she informed them of the news and told her they always knew she would do great things. Her brother sent her a congratulatory message along with some flowers to celebrate her new home and her little sister had sent a thumbs up emoji back to her lengthy WhatsApp message that held all the gossip from recent weeks in including the split from Alex.

She got comfortable in her seat and was offered a glass of champagne from a passing stewardess. Normally she wouldn't indulge but she smiled to herself, she didn't have anyone to answer to and this was a big moment for her. The start of the rest of her life so she happily took it and toasted herself before taking a sip. As she went to take a photograph for her Instagram story a message came through.

Safe trip doll. Looking forward to catching up and hearing how you've been settling into Sweetzer. Any issues at Linaté call me and I'll sort it. Sending Mark to get you. JD X

Meghan was touched that Johnny had thought to message her, and to send one of his private security to fetch her from the airport. From what she knew the location was about two hours from the airport close to the lakes. She hoped she wasn't causing too much trouble for Mark. She quickly typed a message back.

Thank you, that's very kind of you. The business class seat was unnecessary too, looking forward to hearing all about the movie. Talk soon x x

Are you not travelling on business? Xx

Well yes I guess so..

Well then does that not warrant a business class flight? You're one of the best in the business, I can't afford for you to travel coach. X x x

Meghan smiled at the irony of his words she had no idea how she had found this path but she loved it.

Once again, thank you. For everything. You're too kind. Xx

I'm just me. Xx

Well never stop being just you. X

Johnny smiled at his phone before he heard Stephen clear his throat, "sorry what was that bud?" Johnny said grabbing his cigarette tin. "I said have you reviewed the changes in the script?" "Oh yeah I'm happy if you are. I just think that last scene though needs work," "Yeah I agree. What's your plan for dinner?" "Dunno probably just grab something here, what about you?" "Well I kinda promised G I'd take her out.. you know before she flies home and with Megs arriving tomorrow it will get hectic." "Go on. Go. Go spoil your girl." "Thanks mate. Promise we won't be back late." "Take all the time you need."

Johnny poured himself a glass of wine, and admired the view over the lake, he was extremely excited to start another director role but even more excited about the arrival of Meghan. He couldn't put his finger on it, but that woman seemed to be a Ray of sunshine and he certainly enjoyed her company.