I Love You No Matter What

Chapter 17: Charles

Amber shifts next to me in the bed. I look over at her. She's staring up at me. "Why are you working so early in the morning? It's ten o'clock on a Saturday," she says sleepily.

I close my laptop and face her. "Your father has me working very hard. And now that Willow has a liking in my writing, she demands songs all the time," I defend.

Amber wraps her arms around my bare chest. "That Willow needs to keep her distance from my man," she warns.

"You have nothing to worry about. Amber Wall, you are the one and only woman for me," I promise her.

She kisses me. "You know it."

Amber and I finally got together seven months ago. She's the one who asked me out. Marcus jumped up and down in excitement when he found out. I'm still living with my family, but Amber is constantly over.

"Don't you have a fashion show to prepare for?" I ask Amber.

"Yes, but I work Monday through Friday," she says.

I laugh. "You have to work on weekends too," I say.

"Sometimes. You do every weekend though," Amber argues.

"I'll take a break today then," I say.

"Good. That means we can-"

Amber is interrupted by a knock at my door. I get up to answer it. "Willow!" I gasp.

Her brown eyes widen. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know-"

I close the door as I step out into the hall. "What are you doing here?" I ask.

Willow's freckles disappear as she blushes. "Your mother said I could come up. I wanted to talk to you about my next album," she says shakily.

I sigh at the teenage girl in front of me. "Okay. I'll be right back out," I tell her.

I go inside my room again. Amber is fully dressed now. "Call me when you are done," Amber says.

"I will," I say. I kiss her.

Amber leaves the room. I quickly pull on a shirt and pants. I step back out into the hall. Willow is swaying from side to side, combing through her auburn hair. She is a very average looking girl. Luckily, her fans love her for the music. "Follow me," I say.

I lead her to the music room. Willow looks around in awe at the place. "This is amazing," she breathes. Her fingers trace the instruments.

"Shall we get started?"

"Thank you for working with me. I know this is your day off, but I have some ideas I want to go by with you," Willow says.

"Could have called," I say with a smile.

She shrugs. "I think we work better together in person," she says.

"Do you have any songs ready?"

Willow takes out pieces of papers. "I wrote a few."

I sit down at the piano. She hands me the papers. "What is the theme of this album?" I ask.

"Since the last one is about my breakup, I think this should be like a recovery album," Willow suggests. "It has been hard after Jerry dumped me."

I snicker. "What?" Willow says incredulously.

"You're only nineteen. Life doesn't revolve around one relationship," I say thoughtfully.

"That's why I need you," Willow states.

"Let me hear the songs. I'll decide on the music. We can then work on the rest of the songs," I inform.

            ***

"Thank you again for being okay with working today," Willow says gratefully.

"Anything for my first artist. We'll continue this on Monday," I say.

She gives me a big hug, that lasted way too long for me. I awkwardly pull away. Willow leaves the house.

"She's a little young for you."

I turn around. James comes walking up behind me. "Hey. Is it that day?" I ask nervously.

He nods. "We can always wait until Faith gets back. Your mother is busy anyway," James says.

"Please tell Diana, Junior, and Maria that I'm sorry. I'm just all over the place right now," I apologize.

"They'll get over it. We can reschedule to the day after Miracle's wedding," James suggests to me. I must've made a face because he realizes, "you aren't happy with the wedding."

"I am happy for Miracle. It's just I've met Brandon a couple of times. He has a short temper. With Miracle being sensitive, I fear for her," I tell him.

"Miracle is a strong woman. I'm sure she'll be fine," James assures. He has always been so kind to Miracle, despite the situation of her birth.

"I hope you're right. I think I'll spend the night with Amber. Tell Mom for me."

"Well, I'm glad you and Faith have found your significant other so soon," James says.

"Neither one of us are getting married yet," I say.

"Yet," James repeats.

I shake my head. "Talk to you later, Dad."

He smiles when I call him Dad. "See you, son."