Chereads / The Wicked: Storm Michaels Book 1 / Chapter 23 - CHAPTER 22

Chapter 23 - CHAPTER 22

The alarm goes off at six thirty am, I put it off. I don't feel like getting up, but I do. "Storm babe wake up," I shake him, he pulls me making me squeal, he pecks me good morning and holds me. We get up brush our teeth have a sleepy shower and get dressed. I put on a black jean, white body suit, a short black trench coat, and a high ankle boot and my hermes bag, I wear my hair straight and down, and wear minimal make up. I slip my studs in and I'm done. Storm just puts a jean and t-shirt on with his leather jacket. we take his camero and make our way to the studio, the executives flew in from New York just for this.

We arrive at the studio, we meet the GQ editor and their photographer, the editor shakes my hand and lingers a bit. Storm holds onto my hand tightly, he's very cold and distant with them, I'm aware that Chris the editor is flirting with me a bit, and quite frankly I'm uncomfortable. They keep talking and Storm stares at them coldly not saying a word. We go to his dressing room, and I make myself comfortable, they are doing his hair pin straight it's shines a glossy black, blue colour and they put his heavy liner on. He takes off his t-shirt and the first is a Versace outfit white shirt body hugging, sleeves rolled up, all his muscles and tattoos on his arms are showing, he looks hot, and a tight indigo Jean and bare feet. "Can you remove the ring sir?" The photographer asks.

"No," Storm says coldly, it's on his right hand, so it's shouldn't be a problem, even looks hot with the outfit. They make him sit on a black double couch and then a white one sitting laying, then a black shirt.

He changes for Dior, he wears a white sneaker and a black and grey check shirt open not buttoned up, with a baggy-ish jean, sleeves rolled up his body on display tattoos showing he looks hot, they switch him to a black shirt and lighter jeans, I laugh because they tell him look annoyed, trust me he has the look down.

Last but not least Guess, no shirt, just jeans bare feet. Sexy wet hair. I think I'm having hot flushes. He smirks at me the sexy bastard. He turns around and you see his angel tattoo, he done that on purpose his hands in the wall, him looking down. I notice he never took his ring off, so sweet. "That's a wrap, good job Storm," The photographer says.

The editor is speaking to me, but I'm uncomfortable, Storm just walks off the set, grabbing my hand, and speaks icily to the man, "I don't care if you're a big shot at GQ, don't fucking flirt with my fiancée."

His agent doesn't know what to do, I hear him say, "don't take it personally, you hit on his fiancée, back out now and we will have law suit and he hates photo shoots," his agent says and he walks off.

We settle in his dressing room, and they do a short interview, Storm keeps it mostly about his music and mentions the new single and they want personal stuff, he just mentions hobbies and we are engaged and living together that's about it, he puts his hair up in a low man bun and puts his clothes on, they give him a bunch of free jeans and t-shirts, he tells his agent,"have it sent over," and he takes my hand and we leave.

He doesn't speak to me, and I snap, "Storm if you think you can be mad at me for for some misguided reason, drop it now, because I'm not dealing with your fucking jealousy issues. I'm not dealing with this shit again, and have you sulk for three days, I'm engaged to you damn it."

He looks at me, a year ago he punched two guys on two separate occasions for 'hitting on me', and proceeded to sulk for three days at a time not speaking to me, he thought he was going to lose me. "I'm sorry angel, I can't stand it when someone..." he stops looking for the words.

I finish, "what? Thinks I'm attractive? Or has interest in me? I can't control that, but I'm with you and only you! Calm your shit please." I sit arms folded looking out the window and he's a bit shocked and out of his depth, I rarely get angry at him. He stays quiet for a while looking very lost and confused, I really want to laugh so I keep looking out the window.

"Angel, I really am sorry," he says sheepishly.

I scold him, "beside your singing and the band, that is what's is paying your bills and keeping you in this game, endorsements, at least be grateful for that, so what if he flirted, he knows I'm not interested. If I'm in trouble I will look to you, your reputation is to be unfriendly and that's the image I get it, but you can't go around throwing tantrums everywhere, or you are going to sit without anyone wanting to hire you or your band. I know you said you are super rich, but could you stand not doing what you love because some guy smiled at me?"

"I would give up the world for you," Storm says with no hesitation.

"I know that but don't throw away your hard work over something trivial," I say exasperated.

"You are right love, please forgive me," Storm says.

"Forgiven, just don't do it again unless I'm in trouble," he nods. "Where are we going?" I ask.

"Jill's place, have to pick up some things from her, contracts, want to go out for a late lunch?" He asks.

I nod, "that would be nice I am starving, I'm going to call Oli and Dom to join us, Jill and Carter I hope will come too," I say thinking.

"You miss all of them?" Storm asks.

"Yeah they are always around, feels odd when they aren't," I say shrugging.

We arrive at Jill and Carter's, they have a beautiful apartment. "Hey lovers," she greets us, we hug her, we go to the kitchen, "anything to drink?" She asks.

"Ginger ale," I say, she looks at me, out of Storm's earshot she asks, "are you pregnant?"

"No, I think all that drinking in Paris fucked up my stomach," I say cringing at alcohol.

She laughs, "I saw it you guys rocked, bet ya didn't know Storm could sing anything other than Rock," Jill says laughing.

"Yeah I was super surprised, he has an amazing voice," I say and we laugh. "Nice surprise."

"Storm get your ass here the contracts are on the table," Jill shouts and he comes over and starts reading.

"Jill you guys wana grab a late lunch or at this point dinner?" I ask.

"Yeah I hate cooking anyway," Jill says

"What's up your ass babe?" Jill asks as Storm goes over to the boys.

"Well Jill, nothing really, just heard you and Storm..." I say uncomfortable.

"Oh shit, yeah it was so fucking awkward, we just done it to do it and never again, like fucking my brother," Jill says and I laugh

"I guess I'm glad it was you then, yeah but Storm's temper at the shoot, we had an argument," I say sighing.

"Best to keep that one on his place and you do it well," Jill says and I smile.

"Guess I do." I answer.

"He loves you sweety, I have never seen him this way ever, I mean look at that rock," Jill says pointing to my finger.

"It is beautiful isn't it?" I say flaunting it and we laugh. We go to her bedroom, I lay on her bed and she gets ready.

"What's on your wrist?" Jill asks.

"Oh this?" I show her.

"You branded yourself, wow girl," Jill says shocked.

"Let me show a picture I took at the shoot today,"I say and I show her Storms tattoo on his back.

"Jesus you both got it bad, it's so sweet though, you have changed him for the better you know." Jill says and she's done and we head down.

"D you wear any other colour beside red?" Storm asks Jill.

"Fuck off Storm!" Jill says crudely. I can't help but laugh.

"Let's go, I need to text Oli and Dom," I say shakigg my head.

We pull up to Bar and Grill Steakhouse, I run to Oli and give him a hug, I missed my friend. "Hey you!"

"Hey karaoke queen, you guys were awesome," Oli jokes, I laugh.

"Thanks we had a ball who would have thought Storm in a karaoke bar!" I joke.

"Angel, I need to speak to you about something," Storm calls me, he looks concerned.

"Oli order us drinks, be right back," I say cheerily.

We go to the terrace across the bar, "Angel, they want us back in LA to record the rest of the album, they are bringing in a collaborator they want on the album, but it has to be in LA in our studio there, it will be about three or more months to do the songs with the person they bring in, a new producer," Storm says and I see Jill staring at us as if she knows something.

"Storm, well if you need to go then go, I was by myself for a month before, and we are engaged now so I don't see why you are struggling with this? I have varsity so I will be here," I say confused.

"Angel you don't understand," Storm says.

"What am I failing to understand?" I ask even more confused.

"They want you," Storm says and I laugh.

"Nice one Storm," I say thinking he's joking.

"I'm not joking love," Storm says seriously.

"Have you lost your fucking mind? I'm not a Rock singer, I have done it once or twice for you, I'm not a real singer!" I say raising my voice.

"You are part of the deal, and you're getting paid for 'Keeper', about two million or more, and you will be getting paid with the rest of us for being on the album."

"Holy shit this can't be happening, I have my studies," I say in panic, he looks at me not kowing what to do.

"Let's just eat and go home," I say huffing. I walk inside and sit at the table, "vodka cranberry please," I ask.

"Angel," he says, I shoot him a look.

"Not now," I say. We manage to get through dinner, I barely eat, but I have had a few drinks, I am a bit tipsy, but quiet, we all decide it's time to leave, and I just about greet everyone.

We are in the car and I haven't said a word, I don't know what to feel. I can't let them down, but my studies start Monday. We get home, and I jump out the car, and head inside, Storm follows me not saying a word. I don't even know what to say to him, am I mad? No, just conflicted.

"Angel, we have to talk about this," Srowm tries.

"I'm pre-med, I have to start my internship soon, what do I do about all of that? Give it all up after coming so far?" I say sadly.

"It's about three months or more I'm not sure how long it will take, I'm sure we can work something out," Storm says.

"I have to choose, but doing a few songs for you and the group does not secure a future for me to be independent," I say exasperated.

"But that's just it, I want you to be part of us," Srowm says.

"Storm, 'The Wicked' is Storm Michaels, not some duo," I say face palming.

"You give us something we never had before, the fans love you angel,. I'm not asking you to give up anything but this is a big deal, we are not a small time band trying to make it, we have made it, you will be secure always and your going to be my wife, which means I look after you," Storm says trying to convince me.

"Harvard is something I have always wanted, I'm on a full scholarship, I can't just drop out. I will speak to the dean tomorrow and pray they can work something out," I say disheartened.

"I'm sorry love, but they don't want anyone else," Storm says apologetically.

"I have always dreamt about singing with you and doing something like this, but now it's a reality and I never thought I would have something else I felt passionate about." I confess.

We sit in silence for a long time, "I'm going to shower and go to bed," I say sadly.

"Angel please," Storm calls.

"Just let me be! I need to think," I say and he looks at me like he's about to lose me. I get done and I put on one of his shirts, panties and a messy bun, get into bed and lay there, Storm hasn't come up yet, I assume he's in the studio playing his guitar. Where to from here? If I don't do it they lose their contract, if I do it I could lose what I've worked so hard for....

*End of Part 1*