Chapter 10: Terminate

Laura's POV:

“Just like that!” Gwen was even more angrier than I was, as I recounted my experience at the rehearsals to her.

I told her everything: the piano stunt, the staring, the smug little ‘one more try?’

She listened, spatula firmly clasped in her hand.

We were in her apartment, I dropped by after the rehearsals to clear my head before going home.

“You should be more careful with him.” She muttered, turning over a bowl of vegetables into a frying pan, that sat just above her electric cooker, hissing and simmering with vegetable oil.

“I don't know what his intentions are, but I don't think they are any good.” She stirred the vegetable over the flame, more hissing sounds filled the room.

I quite agreed with Gwen, Jaxon was all shades of annoying…and unbearable.

I was frustrated at the thought of having him as my boss. I reclined back on the kitchen door, resting my head on the frame while watching Gwen perform her magic.

“If there was only a way to get rid of him totally.” I said, letting out a defeated sigh.

Gwen stoped stirring and turned on me. Smiling like she had just discovered a secret recipe of some kind.

I looked her up, quirking my brows at her sudden change in countenance— my eyes asked the questions before even my lips voiced them out. “What's it?”

She lowered her spatula, her smile spreading even more— revealing her brilliant dimples.

“Who said you couldn't get rid of him?”

My heart did a small flip, as if breaking all the knots that had held it down.

My brain short-circuited for half a second.

“What do you mean?” I asked, eyeing her curiously— I still wasn't getting her point.

“Of course, you can get rid of him?” She repeated again, her hands reaching out to stir the vegetables sitting over the flame.

I drew closer to her, just inches from her and trying so hard to hold my breath in.

“What are you planning on doing?”

“It's very obvious—” She said, throwing in a dash of salt over the vegetables and stirring it even more determined not to let any part of the vegetables come out undone.

“You can just break off your contract with the Record Company, it's just that simple.”

My eyes widened, I hadn't ever taught of that!

It was like clutching at straws though, but it was still hope enough to make my insides churn— or was it the pleasant smell from the vegetables that did that.

Anyway, I kept my eyes on her. “But I still have twelve more years with the company— breaking the contract wouldn't be easy.”

“It's still a fifty-fifty chance.” She turned off the flame, and wheeled pass me to wash her hands in the sink and then wiping the water off with a towel.

“Yes.” I muttered, my hands clenched, ready to grab my chance even if it was just a glimmer.

“You can get all the good lawyers money can buy now—” She reminded.

“And so can he..”

Jaxon was not to be underestimated, if he could get the company in just two weeks, even if I tried leaving and he didn't want me to. I couldn't go anywhere.

But still it was best to be optimistic.

Gwen sighed softly. Walked over to me and place her hands on my shoulder, squeezing it gently.

I looked in to her eyes, stil contemplating on what to do.

“So far as we have a fighting chance, we can change alot of things.” She said softly, barely above a whisper. But loud enough to clear the doubts in my heart.

It's this or nothing at all.

I smiled weakly at her. My stomaches churned again, A loud grumble—

My face flushed with embarrassment.

“Hahaha.. you're in luck since I just finished cooking.” Gwen laughed, hitting my shoulder lightly. I smiled too, temporarily letting go of Jaxon and whatever related to his thick skull.

“Come over here and lend me a hand.” Gwen called over her shadow, pulling me from my thoughts.

I stepped forward eagerly, grabbing a dish from the kitchen cabinet. Watch her fawn over the food and it reminded me of a certain memory of us— sixteen year old again, donning our high school uniforms and cheerleading the rest of the girls.

A genuine smile, lit up my face as I watched her.

We had really come a long way, and I was grateful for her, for everything.

“If you keep staring at me like that, you might as well eat me up.” She snapped cutting through my thoughts.

“As If you'd be edible enough.” I muttered under my breath and withdrew my gaze, staring at the dishes in front of me. She had scooped spaghetti pastas into each of the dishes and garnished them with her special vegetable recipe.

I swallowed hard. My actions didn't escape her sharp eyes, she chuckled loudly.

“You look like you haven't had food in years.” She said.

I rolled my eyes, quickly reached for the dishes and took them off to the dinning room. I laid the dishes down, and drew a seat for myself.

Gwen walk out of the kitchen holding a pack of yoghurt.

She sat opposite me, poured the drink into two glasses, all the time I was munching on the food.

“I’ll let Ryan contact the lawyers” I suddenly said, wrapping the food with my folk—making it into a frenzy spaghetti ball.

My eyes staring at the food, but not even seeing it.

Gwen quirked an eyebrow at me, then she stretched her hands across the table and reached to mine, she squeezed my hands gently, I looked up at her—just like I had always done.

She smiled, her face etched with determination, a kind that spread through me like wildfire.

It wasn't much, but it was worth a try. At least.

I was going to shake him off, no matter worth.

I return the squeeze, grabbing her palm in mine and tightening my grip round it.

“Thank you.”

I stared into her eyes, saying everything that I hadn't had the chance, to say before in that one look.

“It's alright girl.” She pushed my hand away, grabbing her folk firmly and stabbing away at the food. “Now are you going to eat up your meal?”

I smiled and lazily lifted up the ball of food into my mouth and chewed on it, savouring the sweet taste of the food—

While determined to flush out every other sour taste from my mouth.

Sour tastes like Jaxon.

Yes, Jaxon!