Awake, My Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 27

Heaven woke up the next morning with an excitement to go in to work and rehearse with the orchestra. Ricardo hadn't slept in their room that night and had gotten up early to go and get some work done for his business. Heaven saw the note on the kitchen counter that simply read: "Gone to work, have a good day". Heaven sighed, feeling the same guilt she from night before seeping back into her troubled heart. She thought about Sebastian and then Ricardo. Was Ricardo right? Did he really have anything to worry about? Shaking her head, Heaven ate breakfast, showered, and then got dressed to go to the playhouse. Her priority when she'd get there was to see Miss Vera about Sebastian's play.

When she arrived, she went straight to Miss Vera's office and asked the secretary if she could see her.

"One moment, please," said the elderly woman as she picked up the phone and dialed the extension to Miss Vera's phone line. "Miss Heaven Winters is here to see you. Should I let her in then? Very well."

The secretary smiled at Heaven and motioned for her to go on. Heaven held her breath and knocked before entering Miss Vera's office. The director smiled warmly at her as she went and sat down.

"Good morning, Heaven, how are you?"

"Good morning," Heaven smiled, "I'm doing fine, thanks. How are you?"

"I'm great, what can I do for you?"

"It's funny that you ask that," Heaven chuckled nervously. Suddenly she felt self-conscious about asking her for something like this. "I have this friend, who's a musician and written a show. He's looking for theaters to see if they'd show interest in his play."

"Oh? What's his name?"

"His name's Sebastian, Sebastian Sweeney."

"Has he had any experience before?"

"He's a wonderful musician," Heaven told her and then wanted to kick herself; she wasn't sure he really was a good musician – at least she couldn't remember if he was.

"I'm not sure," Miss Vera said a little doubtfully, "I'll have to arrange something with the owner of the playhouse and see if he's willing to give me the permission to set up a meeting. After all, all new shows are approved through him and his team."

"Oh," Heaven said a little disappointed.

"Did he graduate from any school?"

"Yes, from the Music Conservatory in France," she answered, remembering him telling her this the night before. Miss Vera gave an impressed look and nodded.

"I'll let you know by the end of the day."

"Great, thank you," Heaven grinned.

Sweeney Residence

Stewart watched his reflection in his mirror as he finished buttoning his dress shirt. He stared at himself for a moment, not able to push away the knot in his stomach. Stewart caught a glimpse of Esther fast asleep behind him in bed. He turned and leaned against his dressing table and stared at his soon to be wife. Stewart couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong with Esther. Lately she'd seemed to be distant, almost cold; he'd hope he hadn't done something wrong to upset her. With a small grin, Stewart quietly crept towards the bed and gently put an arm under her until he had her in an embrace. Much to his surprise, Esther started groaning until she snapped her eyes opened and violently jumped up and away from him.

"NO!" She yelled and looked around frantically. Stewart nearly fell off the bed with surprise. He stared at her as he saw a fear in her dark eyes he had never seen before.

"Honey, calm down," he said soothingly, "It's just me, you're fine."

Esther turned her eyes on Stewart and blinked as though she were just waking up from some sort of trance. "Oh Stewart, I'm – I'm sorry."