This Boy | j.l. [complete]

Chapter 18

       After the meeting, I decided I should tell John about how I was now under Thomas's management. I wasn't sure how he'd react, I just hope he wouldn't argue with me over this like he always did. I took the bus to his apartment and walked up to the door, he buzzed me inside the building and I made my way up in the elevator. Taking in a shaky breaths as I walked down the hall, my heart still fluttered at the thought of him. I knocked on his door and sighed. I wanted to back out but he opened the door swiftly.

"Hello," He smiled cheekily

"Hi," I sighed, not making direct eye contact with him

"Come in, doll." He opened the door wider and I stepped inside

He walked over and sat on the couch, then patted his lap. I smiled softly as he grabbed my hand pulling me to his lap. He kissed my cheek and wrapped an arm around my waist looking up at me with his dark, almond eyes.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" He asked with a chuckle

"I've got some news," I bit my lip and his face fell slightly

"What's wrong now?" He asked

"Nothing's wrong, it's just I need to tell you something."

"What would that be?"

"Well, last night where I first got back to singing in the club a guy named Thomas Richie was in the audience," I started

"That talent bloke from London?" John asked

"Yes,"

"Brian told me about him, he's not to keen on this Thomas character," John shook his head slightly and I sighed once again

"Why not?"

"Competition," John shrugged "Continue." 

"Well he came up to me back stage, then asked me to meet him in his office today,"

John shifted, I got off his lap and sat next to him on the couch. He glared at me, and I took another deep breath in. I put my back against the couch and looked at John with a shy face, making his look soften slightly.

"I signed a recording contract with him just before I came here, John I'm going to be recording-"

"Ruth," John interrupted standing up

"What?" I asked cautiously looking up at him

"You're not doing this," He grabbed a cigarette from the table and lit it

"What do you mean?" I asked, slightly irritated

"That's not what you're supposed to do, you're supposed to sing in night clubs and I'm supposed to be the one making the records," He gave a slight dirty look and I fell in disbelief

"Since when was that a rule?" I argued

"I thought it was clear, go tell him you don't want to be his client anymore," John huffed

"I'm not doing that," I stood up now, I was about three inches smaller then John but I still stood with my back straight

"Yes you are," John spoke sharply

"What's so bad about me having a record deal, think I'm gonna take the spot light from you?" I asked harshly

"You're suppose to be the supportive girlfriend, not the person in the lead," John growled

"Maybe I want to make a living doing something I love, ever think of that John?" I spat

"Ruth if you want us to work you're gonna go and tell Thomas you're not doing it!" John yelled

"Then I guess we won't fucking work!" I shouted

"Fine!"

"I should've listen to Will. You're a heartless, greedy, bastard!" I yelled, chocking back tears

"Just go, Ruth!"

I spun around and out his door slamming it loudly. I started walking down the hall, wiping away tears trying to make is seem as though I was alright, but I obviously wasn't. I've been good at keeping my composure, all my life it wasn't hard to hide my feelings but when it came to John all of my feelings almost mushed together, I felt more vulnerable sure, but I also felt so much more comfortable with crying or laughing, yelling or having my stomach turn inside out. Everything was okay with him.

The thing that hurt me the most was that confidence had suddenly vanished. I felt trapped in my own bubble once again. So I walked out of the apartment, away from the fight, away from my tears, away from that confidence, away from John.