The rest of the car ride to the airport was quiet. Once at the airport, Richard tried making friendly conversation, but Lexi wasn’t at all receptive. Finally, when they wee in their first class seats, Richard approached “the issue” again.
“Lexi, about what I said earlier…”
“Rich, I really don’t want to go into this again right now.”
“I’m not going to get into it again, but I just want you to know that I didn’t say what I said to you to upset you. I said that because I care about you and your career. As you know, you’re the first managing gig I’ve had in a while. I wanted to give this whole business up. But when I heard you sing…” Richard paused. “Now I don’t know how serious your relationship is at this point, but I don’t want you to hurt your image and the way the public perceives you because of a relationship that may not even exist this time next month. Do you see what I’m saying?”
“Yeah,” she said looking out the window at the passing clouds. “I see what you’re saying.”
“So do you want to take a look at your itinerary for the next thirteen days?” Richard asked while picking up his suitcase. He was hoping to lighten up the mood.
“Yeah, but later. I’d rather not right now.”
“Ok. Later.”
At about 6:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, their plane touched down at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Due to the time it took them to pick up their luggage, the rental, and the heavy LA traffic, they didn’t reach the Radisson Hotel Midtown LA until about 8:45.
Richard checked them in and walked Lexi to her room. “Here we are,” he said. “Room 1020.”
She opened the door with her electronic key, and said, “A suite?”
“Actually, it’s a junior suite. We figured that since we would be here for a couple weeks that a suite would be more comfortable.”
“And who’s we?”
“The record label, some of the producers you’re going to work with out here, me…”
“Well, thanks.”
“It’s no problem.” He looked at his watch. “Ok, tomorrow you have a photo shoot at noon, so we’ve got to be out of here by about 11:15. The photo shoot should last until about seven in the evening because of wardrobe, make up, hair, and setting changes.” Richard opened his suitcase and pulled out the itinerary. “Here. It’s probably better for you to just read this.”
Lexi took the agenda and began to read it.
“Well, I should let you get some rest. If you need me I’m right down the hall in room 1005.”
“I know that you only have my best interest at heart when you say things like that. It’s just hard to hear them sometimes.”
“I’m really glad to hear you say that, Lex. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lexi devoted the next hour to unpacking and making the hotel room as comfortable as possible. She plugged in her cell phone to charge and then took a long shower.
The whole time she was in the shower she was thinking about what Richard said. She never thought about how serious things were between JC and her. Then again, she was never given a reason to think about it. She did know that things were going well, but she definitely didn’t want to risk hurting her career over something (as Richard said) may not exist a month from now.
Lexi chuckled out loud to herself under the hot water. Of course their relationship would last a month from now, and probably even a year from now…right? Her hopes began to fade when she realized that she didn’t know if it would last. There was no way to know thing like that.
While Lexi was doing all this thinking in the shower, her cell phone was ringing. She had forgotten to call JC when she got in, and he was getting worried.
"Hey, guys, it’s Lexi. Sorry I missed your call, but leave me a message and I’ll be sure to get back to you. Later!"
BEEEP.
“Hey, Lex, it’s me. I was just calling to make sure that you got in all right. It’s not like you not to call…But I know you’re busy, so I’ll talk to you when I’m in New York. I miss you. Bye, sweetie. ”
Chapter Three
Mi casa es su casa