ONE HEART

Chapter 24 Starting Over!

WARNING: This chapter contains sensitive material about rape that may be distressing to some readers. If you are concerned that this content may trigger negative emotions or experiences, we advise you not to read it. Please prioritize your mental health and well-being above all else. If you feel comfortable proceeding please do so.

Mariah's phone alarm went off, dead at six o'clock. Argh, she screamed from under the sheets. She scrambled for her phone so that she could turn the noise off. Why do I always pick the most god-awful sound, for my wake-up call? Mariah questioned herself, probably because I wouldn't get up if it were a nice calming one. She stuck a leg out from under the sheets. Okay, Mariah, let's go, she told herself. She stood under the shower for ages, so that the water could pound her head so she would wake up. Who's idea was it to meet at seven? Devon's! Mariah shouted out. I need coffee and then I will feel more human. She got out of the shower, dried herself off, and found herself some clothes to put on from her closet. She then did her hair and makeup and headed for the kitchen. Nick was there hoovering over the coffee machine. Is there enough for me in there? asked Mariah. My god! said Nick. Am I seeing things? "Dad" I'm in no mood for you and your jokes, before I've at least had some coffee said Mariah glumly. Is it a special occasion why are you up so early? asked Nick.

Err didn't mom tell you about last night? questioned Mariah, sipping her lovely mug of coffee, her dad had just given her. It was making her feel more alive with every sip she was taking. I'm not quite sure said her dad. I was pretty drowsy, by the time your mom came to bed last night. Well, I don't have the time to tell you all the details. So all I'm going to say is, that Devon found out about Tessa and me. And I have to go to his office, at seven to explain myself. Oh wow! said her dad. That's a Biggy. Yeah, said Mariah starting to get all clammy just thinking about it all. I'm glad you won't have to hide anymore said her dad. It's not good for any relationship. Also, you don't have to lie anymore. Devon's a lovely guy and a good businessman. I'm sure he will get over it. "Dad," said Mariah sternly. Anybody would think you didn't like him. It's not that I didn't like him said Nick. I just know my daughter, has liked someone else for a very long time. And now you get the chance to be with her finally. Mariah smiled at him. Thanks for not freaking out, that I want to be with a girl said Mariah.

Geez! I'd better get my skates on, I don't want to keep Devon waiting. She walked over and put her mug in the dishwasher. Then she kissed her dad on the cheek, before collecting her bags and heading out the door. She sat in her car and collected herself before heading down the driveway. She wondered how Tessa was getting on. They had decided not to message one another until it was all over. Tessa hated early mornings. It was mainly due to the fact, that most musicians were late risers. Because most gigs went late into the night. Not that she'd done any yet! But she'd heard all the stories from other artists that were around the studios, that it takes a while for the adrenaline to subside, after a concert so that you can go to bed. So they told her, that you don't see bed until the early hours of the morning. Tessa also found that she did most of her best music writing into the night too. Her alarm had gone off, at the unearthly hour of five! She needed to get up that early, just to feel human enough to deal with her meeting with Sally. She wanted to text Mariah desperately, to make sure she was doing okay. But she then remembered, they had decided to text one another after their meetings with Devon and Sally. She was dreading it, in so many ways. 

She also knew deep in her heart, it was the right thing to do. In fact, they should have done it so much sooner. After a shower and three coffees! She was bouncing off the walls, and heading for her car to drive to the Grand Phoenix. She held onto the steering wheel. Okay, here we go. She said to herself. She pulled into the Grand Phoenix parking area, at six forty-five. After driving slower than she normally would. But she wanted to make sure, she had her words in the right order to tell Sally, what was happening without hurting Sally too much hopefully. Getting out of her car, she took a deep breath of Genoa City air. I can do this, she told herself as she headed for the restaurant inside, where Sally would be sitting waiting for her. Mariah was sitting in her car, at the Hamilton Winters Studios. She had arrived at six-thirty, way earlier than she had planned to. She hated it when she did that for a meeting. It gave her way too much time to overthink things. What she hadn't realized, was Devon had seen her arrive from his office. He'd not had much sleep, after what he had seen between Mariah and Tessa!