4.
- New project -
After consulting Rony, my manager, I tried to play a role of a good guardian. Well, it wasn't so hard cause the kids were ok, I convinced them - Shauna - that all that situation was so hard for me and It takes a little time for me to accustomate with new situation. I decided not to hire a nanny right now. My manager, Rony, consulted me to spend more time possible with kids somewhere where I can be seen and photographed. Shauna's coming birthday would be a great oportunity for that.
Simeons Mall was the most populated shopping center in Simcity. Regarding to this, it would be great to take children there. Shauna was a bit distrusful about it, but when Emma and Tommy started to shout about toy store and pet playgorund, she haven't got choice. I knew it would be a great idea! When we got out of the taxi, I noticed a reporter behind the tree, prepared for taking the picture. I smiled, took Shauna in my arms and hugged Tommy. We were picture perfect ( in the tommorow's newspapers).
First we went into the toy store. Tony and Emma were distraughted when they saw all that toys llieing around; I bet they never saw that much of toys in one place before. I bought few toys fro Emma and two pc games for Tommy. That was the best way to keep them occupated.
After that, we left them in the pet playground - that was a playground with toys and little dogs. Tommy is crazy for animals; I bet he will bother me after this, but never mind. Maybe I will buy him some animal eventually. Maybe guinea pig, or golden fish.
I took Shauna into my favourit fashion shop and she found beautiufl - ok, maybe little to short dress, very expensive indeed, but since the money isn't a problem for me, and since I had to be good guardian now, I bought it for her. And since her's birthday is approaching, well...
After few hours of walking, we picked up Tommy and Emma (they both want a dog now, of course) and I took them on a lunch in a fancy restaurant. Famous fancy restaurant for chosen ones. I knew it will be reporters outside, so I walked slowly to be sure they will picture us. The mission was completed.
Honestly, I cannot say that it wasn't fun, I found out - it was refreshing - that Shauna is actually really smart and talented young girl.
She has that creative trait like me; but she's not interested in dancing. She likes music and writing, she's more pacific, artistic type. Tommy talks just about computers and games, he will be very good tehnician one day. And Emma, well, she don't talk much, she don't eat much...she is more like Catherine, my sister. Well, it was an pleasant afternoon. I never thought that It could be actually interesting with kids. Well, not that interesting, hehe.
"So...you're actually spending your time with that kids." said Johnny during our afternoon relaxation in the hot tub.
"Well, I have to. I told you that before."
"You're ignoring ME now. And your work is suffering."
"That is so not true! Why are you saying that?" I was surprised.
"Cause I think you could do bether." answered he talking about my dancing. "And you don't practice enough. Maybe I will have to took another partner."
"Ok, you're kidding!" smiled I and kissed him, and then said. "Ok, I will practice. But you know that I have spend some time with kids and make better picture of me. I don't want be on the knifes of publicity."
"And I'm not ignoring you! Don't ever say that again. It's just a period of adaptation." I kissed him to show him that I mean it. I love Johnny so much, I don't want him to ever think in a other way.
"I just expect you to be more...committed to me."
"I will be, love, I will!" promised I.
Guess that my effort was pay out - next day, papers were full of pictures of me and my family on our little trip in a mall with big title: "Claudia Sommers - woman of career and children - it really can be done!" Rony called me while I was still reading the first part of article where the reporter scribed all about me, my career and kids, their life with and without Catherine. Now I was the savior; woman who successfully balances between her outstanding career and her new family.
"Hey dear, have you seen the newspapers?" I know he was smiling satisfied.
"I'm reading it right now."
"You don't have to, everything is ok. More then ok, it's great. Well, enough with that, I have something for you." He coughed theatretically. "Have you heard about Josh Blane? Well, he is a new one, fresh meat, I will say."
"English please!" sighed I. He always speaked in riddles.
"Rock singer. New one. New star. Apparently, he saw your picture and his agent called me today if you could make a coreography for his new song. Music video, of course. And you will have a major part in it."
"Ok...that is nice..."
"Nice? Claudia, listen, your sinking career needs that rope to be saved!"
"Rony..." sighed I again.
"You're actually think about it? Well, as your agent I will say you must do it. I will book you a room..."
"Where am I going?"
"The Three Lakes; our rock star likes to be in a nature. So, you will meet him there."
"Great. Just book in a nice hotel. Five stars; I want sauna, jacuzzi and pool."
"You're so spoiled. That's what I'm talking about! Ok, I will."
I was little bit worried for leaving my house under Shauna's custody, but she ensured me that everything would be ok. She will celebrate her birthday and invite her boyfriend; well, she can celebrate but...out of my house. Johnny wasn't so delighted with my business trip.
"Great. Now you're doin' your business without me." he accused me.
"Rony arranged that." whispered I.
"He should ask me first. I'm supposed to be responsible for your career. I hired him."
"Yes dear, you hired him and he is doing his job. I don't see the problem here?" And I was confused; why Johnny doesen't want me to go? First he told me not to ignore my career, now...
"Just that...I don't want you to slack with our dancing show. It's important to me, you know that. And I will miss you baby."
"I will not! And I will miss you too...oh, I'll make it up to you, I promise. When I came back. And I wouldn't stay longer then two days. Will you just check the house for me? And kids? I wanna be sure that nobody organises a party while I'm gone."
"It would be my pleasure." smiled he.
At least Rony found me a decent hotel; I actually loved it. It was big, five stars wooden hotel, with fountains around it, with big yard surrounded by decorated pine trees. It was just like it's Christmas, even it was november, and even if I didn't liked Christmas very much, it was beautiful. And then started to snow; ok, nothing can be perfect, obviously.
The rooms were very beautiful, that lifted my mood for a bit; very old fashioned but modern at the same time. Everything screamed expensive and carefully decorated. I put my tight jeans and fur coat on, looked myself in the mirror and smiled satisfied; I am ready. Rony gaved me the address of a hotel where I was supposed to meet with Josh and his manager so I called reception desk and ordered a taxi.
"We're here." said taxi driver. I was confused; there was no hotel, no motel, no winter cabin, no restaurant either; just long, white ski piste and endless cableway. Ok, where the hell am I? Before I managed to be more furious, a guy approached offering me his hand.
"Claudia Sommers? Uh, I will recognize you if somebody wakes me up in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping after few days of roaming in the desert."
"Uh...ok". answered I while my mood was little bit adjusted.
"Clark Whistle. Josh's friend and manager. Come with me beautiful."
"And where is Josh?"
"He will join us soon."
And then we sat in the ski-cottage and Clark ordered two sandwiches, for him and me I guess, even I told him I'm not hungry and that I want to talk about business. It was cold, wet and everywhere were exalted skiers with their children in pandemic chaos. I felt my migraine is approachign again. I wanted to kill Rony in that moment.
"Josh adores nature. It helps him for his songs. Cause, he writes them, you know?"
I nodded while he continued to talking.
"He will be great. Big star; rock star of the century! Have you heard his songs? He is unique!"
"May I ask where is he now?" said I very nervous at the moment.
"Snowboarding." answered he and bite off a big chunk of his sandwich. I wanted to scream.
"Great. So, can you tell me something about this...business?
"Right, right. Well, the point of the video is..." started he to explain.
After - possible - an hour, he was still talking what the point of video is, and after I figured that important things isolating them from non important, I basically switched myself off. It was still cold and I was more nervous.
"When will Josh come? And can we sit inside?" said I cancelling his endless monologue.
"Oh, there he is! That guy on the snowboard, in blue, right. Josh loves nature so much!"
"Great." sighed I.
Josh wasn't like I imagined him to be; big, tatooed and vicious; instead of that, he was like a teenager kid, gentle, soft...My doubts about him as a big rock star were bigger now when I saw him. He was very...childlish.
"We're waiting for you, Josh. Miss Claudia almoust frozed for a few times." waved he in mine direction. "She almoust left".
"Oh, I'm so unforbearing. Why didn't you warm her up a bit? Just kidding!" smiled Josh. They were slowly going on my nervs...
"Isn't wonderful here? Snow, nature, little kids playing around...perfect. What do you think Claudia?" asked he.
"Sure." answered I uncovincable. "Can we go now somewhere, where is warmer?"
Josh sat so near to me that I had to get away for few inches.
"You shoulda wear something warmer." said he. I wanted to punch him in a face, but instead of that, I put my irresistible smile on.
"Well, I didn't knew it would be a ski piste.
"Maybe we can go home, and show her few songs." asked Carl.
"Oh, that's good idea!" exclaimed I. I wanted that stupid appointment to be over already and dreamed about hot tub and massage back in a hotel...
"Ok, let's go then!" Josh agreed and we finally moved from that awful ski piste.