More Than Manager

chapter ten

chapter 10//James

A small red box with a scrap of paper attached read, "Call me after you open" with a number attached.

I sat up in bed and examined the box before removing the lid, revealing a beautiful gold necklace with a rose quartz pendant. I gasped at it's beauty (and what looked to be cost).

I cleared my throat and hesitantly dialed the written number. I already know who it was gonna be before he spoke.

"Good morning, love. I see you saw my message."

"Mhm." I hummed cautiously, encouraging him to continue speaking.

"I wanted to properly apologize about our little spat last night. That was my real present. I was going to give it to you privately last night, but I figured that wasn't a good time to give it to you," He chuckled to himself.

There was a long silence after that. "...Are you still mad at me?" he inquired finally.

I sighed and pulled out a cigarette. "I'm not...mad, Roger. I'm just worried. I don't want to put the future of Queen in jeopardy because you can't keep it in your pants."

He gave a chuckle, but I wasn't necessarily joking.

Another moment of silence.

"It's not my fault you're playing games," he broke the silence.

I rolled my eyes and lit the cigarette. "I'm not playing games, Roger," I could feel frustration rise a bit, but I kept it together. "You just can't handle the fact that some girls don't want to put out for you."

"But 'some girls' isn't you," I could almost hear his smirk through the phone.

I rolled my eyes, but a smile still teased my lips. "I called to thank you for the necklace, you asshole!" I laughed. "You don't get one now."

"Awww, c'mon! I spent good money on that," he whined playfully.

We both laughed. And then another silence.

"Thank you, Roger. It's beautiful," I spoke quietly into the phone.

We hung up and I fell back onto my pillow. I held up the necklace and smiled at the crystal of love. The necklace truly was gorgeous. I almost can't believe he spent time and money finding such a gift for me.

~

"I see you're wearing my necklace," Roger stated triumphantly as I sat down on the plane to his right.

"My necklace, actually," I said, twirling it between my fingers. "Interesting crystal of choice," I said, feeling bold.

"It's pink. Your favorite color," he smiled like a doofus, making me giggle. His ignorance was laughable. It's the thought that counts, though, right?

"Pretty necklace," a man sat down to my right. He was handsome, dark hair and deep brown eyes. The exact opposite of Roger- who was now staring past me to him.

"Thank you. It was a gift for my birthday," I smile politely at him.

The plane begins to roll forward and I put my head back and closed my eyes. But the man wasn't done talking. "I'm James."

"I'm Samantha. This is Roger," I say, gesturing to him.

"So, you're visiting as well?" he says, noticing my British accent. I nod. "And, uh, you? You look familiar to me, Roger...?" he says, pointing at him.

"Taylor," he spat. "Roger Taylor. Drummer of Queen." I can tell he's forcing a smile. James reached his hand out to shake it, but Roger only looked at it in disgust before resting his head back.