Chapter 8: Rehearsals with the New Boss

Laura's POV:

I stared at his retreating figure. He slipped out of the studio, a glass patio—he had made in a corner of his living room.

Why was Jaxon so determined to force himself into my life? Why?

He’d bought the whole damn label just to sit ten feet away from me, and offer to play in for my sick pianist?

He was peculiar. Too peculiar!

I bit my lower lip, eyeing the piano— “How long will it take to get a new pianist?” I asked Ryan, who was furiously clicking away on his phone.

“I don't know just yet...”

Wrong answer!

I glared at him. Transferring all the anger and annoyance, into that one stare.

He cleared his throat, uneasily.

“The other artist's are using the boys to prepare for their tours.”

I sighed, all my problems started with Jaxon. Jaxon!

The thought of him made me sick in my guts, I rested my head in my hands, trying to patch the whole broken picture together.

There was no way Jaxon, whatever Fallon was playing for me, no way!

Did he even know how to play?

I scoffed at the thought.

The door opened again, speak of the devil. He had changed in to a more casual outfit. A Short denim jeans, and a blue sports tee.

He was smiling…and looking at…

Me?

Why was he staring at me? Like that?

I frowned.

I wasn't one of his roadside chicks, that'd jump up at him at every turn he made.

Yes, he was all hot and charming!

But that still didn't change the fact that he was a pervert!

A fucking pervert.

He glided through the room, as proud as a peacock and sat over the piano set.

“So have you guys finally made up your mind?” He asked slowly, his blue eyes washing all over me. Teasing me!

Can someone tell him to stop the looking?

I looked away again, he chuckled loudly, muttered something under his breath, but all those were lost on me.

I stared helplessly at Ryan, who had also been watching me.

“What?” I snapped.

He nodded at Jaxon, waiting for me to make a decision.

“How well do you know how to play the piano?” I asked, even though deep down. I didn't want anything to do with him.

“Now you're saying something my lady.” He laughed again, his eyes glinting with whatever thoughts was going on in his twisted mind.

I picked up my guitar, decisively ignoring him. He wasn't going to play for me, for any reason whatsoever.

I just had to save him some face, as my boss.

Keys sprang to life at his touch, swift and decisive. My mouth fell open.

He could play?

He looked up at me, smirking. I met his gaze coldly. Trying to mask the surprise in m I-don't-care-whatever-you-do look.

Even if he could play, once my pianist was back on his seat. He had no damn chance in hell to play for me.

He began humming to whatever song he was playing, the melody filled the room and rose to his lips, I watched. Unblinking.

He had some skill there though.

He looked up again, on sensing my surprised look. He smiled, as if wanting to be praised or worshipped for playing a few notes that every pianist could play in a few stroke.

I looked away from him.

The music was beautiful but I wasn't going to tell him that.

“Cut it out quickly, my ears are bleeding.” I snapped. He slammed on a weird note, and the entire room erupted in chaos.

“Stop. Now.” I yelled. He halted abruptly, the room suddenly quietening down.

He chuckled— a loud cackling laugh, like some demon possessed being.

“Is this funny?”

I was getting ready to cross the room and slam my palm on his face..that's if he was not my boss!

Damn it!

“Oh, it's very funny.” He replied rubbing his sides— “You say I was making your ear bleed with good music, so I had to change tack!”

“Whatever—” I said, accompanying this with a loud audible snort. He stopped laughing, and stared at me, warily.

It was a rare privilege, seeing his face when his peacock feather was ruffled. I took a mental note, to always ruffle more of those.

“Whoever thought you how to play, deserves a lifetime jail term.” I added to spice things up.

Ryan chuckled softly.

His face darkened, he clearly didn't like been laughed at.

Good!

I was going to capitalize on that for the win.

He quickly regained his cool, smiling like nothing had been said.

But I wasn't one to loose a trophy halfway, I had to add some more salt down there.

I picked up a sheet from a jacket file resting on a stool beside me.

All the songs I was going to do on the tour were neatly typed on them. I threw it at him.

“Go through it quickly.” I said, not forgetting to add “Can you read music notes?”

And smiled in satisfaction, as his face contorted into a frown, and even darker shade of red. He could pass for the valet chief.

I chuckled, taunting helped loosen the anger welling in my chest, and I was not going to stop any time soon.

Not untill I got rid of him. For Good.

He was unusually quiet after going through the songs, I had written down.

“Any problem?” I asked.

“No.” He shook his head, then added. “Just that I'm not familiar with any of the songs here.”

My drummer thumped on the drum softly. Ryan shifted uneasily in his chair.

Was that supposed to be a come back at me?

Too bad.

“Well, not everyone has good music taste,you know.” I said nonchalantly, chuckling to my own joke. While he sucked away.

Nothing was more interesting than ruffling his feathers.

I strummed the guitar, “We'll be starting with Just Me.”

I wanted everyone on the band to get familiar with the songs we were working on for my New York Tour.

The Vixen Tour!