Celine
Even as I sing, I watch Rene through the window as he nods along to the music. As my voice and octaves raise, his eyes drift from the sound board to me. The smile in his eyes gives me all the encouragement I need. Singing always comes from the soul. For this song specifically, I can't help but think of him. He makes the passion easy. I think back to when we first met. I'd sang without any music or a fancy recording studio. Just me in a room determined to impress, determined to share myself with the world anyway I could. My nerves died down the moment he'd smiled at me. Rene had cried for my voice. He'd dabbed at his eyes and with a nod and in that single moment, I knew that this was meant to be. The career took hold, the changes ripped away my normal, my world tilted on its axis, but I never felt a touch of whiplash. No one had ever been sosupportive, protective, or loving as Rene. I'd told myself not to mistake the harmless flirting and the assuring looks for anything romantic. And I still tell myself that. As much as I wish it was more, I'm no fool.We're just wrapping up a record. That's all. The infectious smile is for a job well done. His gaze is appreciating my voice and the potential sales, not me as I am. Not that it makes a difference really. I focus on the lyrics I'd memorized and pour my heart into them. Once finished, Rene's voice fills my headphones. "Absolutely Beautiful, Celine."My heart flutters and I tuck my thick brown hair behind my ear, smiling back at him. Suave, kind, determined, passionate, and so .... There aren't words. It doesn't matter that I'd never admit it, a big part of me loves Rene. Which makes having him my manager both complicated and easier. I can stand up for each decision I believe in, each change I want to make knowing – no matter how heated we get –that he has my best interest in mind. He's the key to success and I'm ready to walk through the door as more than some unknown face on passing by. After packing everything up, we meet to listen to the track together. I smile and tap my toe to the beat. Once the track wrapped, I prepare to go home. The process is exhausting, but I can't help but wish I had something other than sleep to look forward to. Just another lonely nightwishing I had someone other than my pillow to hold. "Celine!" Rene calls after me once I head to the parking lot. I adjust the various things in my arms and flash a smile, waiting for him to join me. He looks a little different, nervous maybe? Not that he should be. I'm the same girl he's known for year's. He fumbles with his coat as I bite my lip. Seeing him flustered is humbling and entertaining all at once. He's always so confident. "Is everything okay, Rene?" I reach out to his shoulder, squeezing gently. "Yes. Yes, the record is beautiful. Are you headed somewhere?" He glances to my car. "Iknow it's getting late." "Just to my hotel room." I smile. "I have bad TV and a second-story view waiting for me." Looking forward to a relaxing night?""Something like that." I don't want to hint at how restless I feel. "I'd like to ask you to dinner." "Of course." I agree. Rene shakes his head and takes one of my hands in both of his. He chuckles and kisses my knuckles. "A date, Celine. I'd like to ask you on a date." For a moment, I'm afraid to believe him, but Rene would never tease like this. Still, I stare. I shake off my stupor and beam, nodding eagerly. "Yes. Let's go." Since I don't want to leave my car in the lot, we decide to meet at a lovely restaurant that I've heard excellent things about. A good change of pace from takeout and Chinese food. Rene waits for me under a bright light and insists on opening my car door. He's such a gentleman. Despite the glow of my happiness, I can practically hear my mom screaming at me already. "Rene? He's no good for you! He's not good at marriage, Celine. Two failed one. Already has kids. Think of the age difference!" But none of it matters, not when he makes me feel so needed and loved. I practically meltas his strong hand wraps around mine. His eyes catch the light and seem to be a galaxy. One I'd be happy to be lost in. The blush rises in my cheeks and a wave of shyness washes over me. I'm not sure why. He's the same man I've argued with. He's seen me at my best and worst – there's no reason to beself-conscious or unsure, but I still bite my lip.I must float to the table we're seated at because I don't remember taking a step. Dates arealways nice in theory, but then comes the pressure. I feel it now, on my shoulders. What to say now that we're here? What don't we know about each other? "I didn't quite think this through." He chuckles as he hides behind the menu. "I expected you to say no." "Then why did you decide to ask?" "I felt like if I didn't tonight, that I never would. You know that I always go after what I want." "And you want .... Me?" I clarify. "Not to own." He drops the menu and takes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my fingers delicately. "I want to make you happy, to know you, to ... be with you." I blush and clear my throat lightly, an excuse not to answer since I can fill the silence by drinking water. The butterflies in my stomach are making me nauseous. "None of the other stuff bothers you then?" "Does this other stuff bother you?" He chuckles. I roll my eyes. "If it did, you wouldn't have said yes. If it bothered me, I wouldn't have asked." Before we can find another conversation, the waiter comes to take our order. We place it quickly and off he goes. Rene pulls out the bottle of chilled wine the waiter brought and pours me a glass before pouring one for himself. He offers a toast.To new possibilities and new beginnings." I clink my glass against his and take a sip of the red wine. "And to wine to make it all easier." He chuckles and nods. "This is very different from your normal snacks." "Well normally I don't have time. It's nice to be able to eat like this every now and again.A way to treat myself for all the hard work." That gets us talking. The topics move naturally, one to the next. One of his stories makes me laugh so hard that I don't bother reaching for my wine. I know it would just come out my nose if I tried to drink.I shake my head at him. "That's not the worst story I've heard. You'll have to try harder to get the number one spot there." "But it made you laugh, so it was worth telling." "Absolutely! I can't believe one child can destroy so much." "That's the beauty of kids. They don't think about what they should and shouldn't do. They're pure passion. Honest and innocent joy of the moment." He smiles. "Something more adults need to remember." "Can you imagine if we did exactly what we want whenever we wanted. The world would be chaos. You should know that more than anyone being a manager in this line of work." "Fortunately, I have the pleasure of working with you instead of those impulsive rock types. Promise me you'll never get thrown out of a hotel?"Oh no. I can be interesting in other ways." I assure with mock severity. "Please, give me all the details." I burst into laughter and see him crack a smile.
