When I'm With You

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The next morning, I get up and since having the day off, I put on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater. Sitting down with my coffee, my phone rings. "Hello?" I answer. "Good morning Sweetheart." Hernan says. "Good morning handsome." I say. "How'd you sleep?" He asked. "Surprisingly well. Seems I sleep better on a full stomach." I tell him laughing. "Me too. What are you doing today?" he asks. "I'm off today so just hanging around, planning out my set list for next weekend." I tell him. "Well, I was hoping to see you today." he says. "You want to come over? We can order Chinese and watch a movie?" I ask. "Be there in an hour?" he asks. "An hour." I say. "I'll pick up food on the way." He tells me. "Okay. I'll be here." I tell him.

An hour later, there's a knock on the door. Looking through the peephole, I see Hernan standing there with food in one hand and flowers in the other. Opening the door, he hands me the flowers before kissing my cheek. "Come on in." I say. "These are beautiful Hernan." I tell him as I smell the flowers. As I put the flowers in a vase of water, he says "Not as beautiful as you." I start laughing and say "Smooth Hernan. Real Smooth." He starts laughing and pulls me close. Kissing me softly he says "Only for you Sweetheart." We head to the couch and spend the rest of the day, curled up together watching movies and talking. A little later, his phone rings and after he answers it, he looks at me and says "I gotta go Sweetheart." I stand up with him and walk him to the door. "What time do you need to leave in the morning?" He asks. "I have the leave here at eleven." I tell him. "My car will be here to take you." he says. "Hernan..." I start. "My girl will have a car waiting." he says. I sigh and say "Okay. Thank you." He kisses me softly and says "I'll call you when I can." I nod and say "Please be safe." He kisses me one more time before heading down the hall. Walking back into the apartment, I lock the door and spend the rest of the day, working on my set list to take to work the next morning.

Walking out of the apartment building the next morning, there's a car waiting and I recognize Hernan's driver standing there. "Good morning Ms James." the man says "Good morning..." I say and he says "Bruno." I smile and say "Good morning Bruno." as I get into the back seat and he closes the door. Pulling up to Harlem's Paradise, I go to head inside and Bruno says "Shades will be here before your set starts." I smile and say "Thank you." I head inside and to the stage. We go through the set list and once it's time to start the set, I look up to the VIP area and see Hernan standing in his normal spot. I start the set and look up during one of the songs and see Cottonmouth's cousin, Mariah, running her hand up and down his chest. Guess he's not so different after all. I finish the set and am led to the dressing room. Walking inside to change, I lock the door. There's a knock, about the time I get all of my things together. I open the door and see Hernan standing there. I go to walk by him and he gently grabs my arm. "Sophia? What's wrong Sweetheart?" he asks concerned. "I'm not feeling very good. I'll talk to you later." I say as I pull away from him. "Let me take you home." he tells me. "That's okay. I need the fresh air." I tell him and go to walk away. He grabs me again and pulls me gently into my dressing room. "What's wrong? Talk to me." He says. "I saw you with Mariah. I guess you aren't that different after all." I say and walk out the door and this time he lets me.

I walk into my apartment and lock the door. Kicking off my shoes into the crate by the door, I walk to my room and change into something comfortable. Lying on the bed, I just look out the window and wonder why I let myself even think that someone would be interested in just me. How could I have been so stupid. I feel the tears start to fall and decide that I won't make that mistake again.

I wake up the next morning and don't want to get out of bed. I pick up my phone and since we only have rehearsals today, I text the band and tell them that I won't be there today. Staying in bed, I turn on Netflix and start to play a sappy, crappy chick flick. I broke my own rule of not letting people close. How could I have been so stupid?

I finally get out of bed and get a cup of coffee and sit on the couch. There's a knock on the door and I get up and look out the peephole to see Hernan. I walk away from the door and he knocks again. I don't answer. "Sophia, please open the door. Talk to me please." he says. I finally open the door and say "Fine. Talk." He asks "Can I come in?" I cross my arms over my chest and say "Nope." He sighs and says "I'm not interested in Mariah. She's interested in me. Had you seen all of what happened you would have seen me push her away and tell her that I have a girl." he tells me. "Really now." I say. "Yes. Really. She's been trying to push up on me for awhile and I have no interest in her. My only interest is in you. Please believe me Sweetheart. I wouldn't do anything to make you walk away from me." he says. "I swear to God, Hernan, she touches you again, I'm done. I can't let myself get hurt again." I tell him. He pulls me to him and says "I promise baby. It won't happen again." He kisses me softly and I let him in to talk things out a little more.