Controlled By The Billionaire

Damnit! Mel thought, tears burning the back of her eyes.

Her parents had given her the guitar and the case. It was irreplaceable; not that she had money to replace it. Sighing, she took the guitar out of the useless case and stood, tossing it over her shoulder after hooking her arm through the strap. She couldn’t risk her guitar falling out as she traveled out to her car. That would be even more expensive to replace. Out of her peripheral vision she caught movement and turned quickly towards it, and came face to face with Tristan.

“By the time I realized you were on the floor you were standing. I didn’t have a chance to help you up. Are you alright?” He asked, reaching his hand out to her for whatever reason. Mel was already standing.

Mel nodded, unable to meet his eye. Why was he here? She wasn’t used to encountering Tristan as she was leaving, in fact she rarely saw him while she was there recording. Maybe he was just checking her progress, even eager to be rid of her.
“I’m fine,” Mel answered, smoothing her skirt and top into place. “I can’t say the same for my guitar case.” She lifted it with her hand to show him where it was broken.

Tristan made a strange face and Mel didn’t have time to interpret it before it disappeared. “I can replace it. I didn’t see you through the window when I pulled the door open.”

Mel shook her head vehemently. “It’s alright. I don’t really need a case anyway. A couple of week’s tips should cover it.”

The strange face again. “If you’re sure?” Mel nodded. “Alright.” Tristan sounded defeated. What did he have to be defeated about?

Everyday Mel told herself she would call the deal off, let Tristan go so that he didn’t feel obliged to be with her when all he really wanted was s*x. She told herself every night was the last night and that every morning when she walked away from him she would never look back. That was ten days ago. She wanted to protect her heart but her heart wanted to be with Tristan.

“I have to go. I’m late for my shift at the bar again.” Mel turned on her heel and started down the hall, vowing to keep the promise to herself that she made every day. Today was the day. It had to be, because she was falling in love with him and she knew he didn’t feel the same way.

*****

Tristan silently cursed again, it seemed like that was all he was doing as of late, as Mel hurried away from him down the hall. Mel was a smart woman; she knew what she wanted and what he didn’t want. Tristan had come to speak to her about breaking the deal and still letting her have her album. She had made the commitment and she had talent. Mel would make the company a lot of money and he knew it would be stupid to only give her an EP at this stage. He also knew he was getting in too deep with her, he had to end what they had or they would both regret it.

“Mel!” Tristan yelled before he could change his mind. The relentless ache in his chest at the idea of letting her go was back. He pressed at it with his fist before grabbing her shoulder.

“I have to go, Tristan.” Her voice was shaky when she said it. That was when Tristan realized she had made the same decision as he.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’ve really enjoyed these last two weeks with you and…”

Mel held up a hand. “Don’t say it okay. I get it. I’m not some dumb man-trapping idiot. I know when a man is done with me and how to walk away with grace. Just don’t say anything. I’ll come in and record my last few songs and from then on out I will deal with marketing and PR to get the album out. That is if I still have an album to do?”

Tristan nodded, stunned at her revelation. He was going to break it to her gently, tell her he didn’t do commitment and that this thing, whatever it was, couldn’t go any further. But she beat him to the punch.

“You do. You’ve put in the time and work and you’re talented, Mel. More so than some of the other idiots I’ve signed recently. I’m sorry.” She held up her hand again at his last words and he nodded again.

“I’ll see you around, Tristan.” She gave him a weak smile and walked out the glass double doors.

Tristan waited for the relief that he usually felt when ending an affair to wash over him but there was nothing but muted pain and grief.