On Tour

Chapter 27 - The Promoter

GABRIELLA

The exchange with Daan has left me cold all over. I completely own this mistake and hope that I can learn to control my impulses in the future. I only don't know if I'm still in a relationship or what will happen after this.

"Gabriella..."

Erica places her arm over my shoulders and escorts me towards the women's bathroom where we know few people will come in.

"Did you guys break up?" She asks while watching me with compassion.

"I won't be surprised if we do," my words come out shaky. "It's my fault. I wasn't thinking right and now I've fucked up things beyond repair."

"Maybe he needs time to cool off. He knows you love him and you didn't do this to hurt him."

I feel as if I'm about to get sick; my stomach churns and my throat hurts. All I want is to lie in bed and pretend that this day never happened. I'm meant to find the promoter of the show to discuss the payment problem and I don't even know how I'll handle that when my brain is going a million miles an hour after what happened.

"I'm really sorry too, this is partially my fault," Erica's words surprise me and I stare at her.

"What do you mean?" 

"Instead of spending time with Ozzie doing shit, I should have been there to get Alec off your back. Just like you do for me when they won't let me work. I think Alec got lucky with a kiss, he deserved a punch."

"Somehow that idea is making me feel better," I try to give her a smile.

"Daan will realize soon enough that it's not worth having an argument over this," she gives me a comforting hug and the tears I've been holding come out.

Erica stays with me until I'm in control of myself. After I wash my face, she lends me makeup to cover the redness in my skin. I then take a deep breath and walk outside.

"I'll be at headquarters. I have my regular reporting call, but feel free to to interrupt me if you need me," Erica says before walking in the opposite direction.

Holding my bag higher on my shoulder, I follow the signs towards the main sky box and get a glimpse of Daan standing at the lights and sound booth. I feel like an idiot for betraying his trust. 

When I reach the hospitality suite, I stop for a moment to gather my thoughts, put on my best smile and enter the room. A tall, handsome man swirls a glass of something while standing in front of the bar and flashes me a smile.

"You must be Gabriella. I'm Vincent Mills," he offers me a hand that I shake.

"Pleasure to meet you and to put a face to the name," I say while he gestures for me to have a seat.

"You didn't search for me online? I'm pleasantly surprised."

His words have a strange ring, but I get on with what I'm supposed to be doing here.

"According to the tour accountant, we only received half of the performance fee. I'm hoping we can solve this together."

"Banks," he huffs. "I seem to have missed including an insurance document in the collaterals and they held up part of the credit line. I have a copy here of the money release and I'll email you the correspondence. The money should be in today or tomorrow."

After reviewing the documents he hands me, I'm satisfied that everything has been handled correctly and that it won't become a nightmare to chase for the payment after we move to the next venue.

"Everything seems in order. Thank you Mr. Mills. I hope you enjoy the show tonight."

"Don't leave yet. Can I offer you something to drink? A classy lady like you probably prefers a glass of white wine."