#Chapter 16 Singer, Songwriter, Star!
Rachel POV
One Week Later
"I think you really should let put your hair up at least partially. In case, you know," Bella mid throwing up, "It has been happening a lot lately."
I laughed easily because she was right. Morning sickness was troubling more than expected. I still had dizzy spells and was forced to keep a tight check on my diet, but my whole life had changed in a week.
Joy was my constant companion.
"Go ahead! I’ll just sit here and pretend I’m at the salon."
Sitting on the couch, I turned so Bella could reach my hair. She and I were around the sa size which had co in handy in the past when sharing clothes.
Our mothers had joked we only beca friends to double our wardrobes.
I missed my mother terribly. Tears prickled my eyes and I sniffed at the sudden realization my mother would never see my child.
"Seriously? You’re crying? You’re going to give Salon Bella a bad na! Stop right this instant!"
"The hormones are getting to ! Salon Bella is providing excellent service. Does the salon offer costic assistance too?"
I really didn’t want to go do my makeup. Standing in the bathroom for any length of ti made feel ill. My suspicion was the room had poor airflow with only a small window which didn’t open.
Bella tugged my hair gently, "Needy much? You’re lucky you’re my favorite custor. Plus, I do not want you going on cara looking like a ghost."
I grinned, "I know, right? I didn’t think it was possible for to look so white. I was born with a natural golden tan!"
All the morning sickness in combination with the problems I was experiencing with my blood pressure caused to look pale, almost ashen, all the ti. Fatigue wore on often, but I worked my way through it by focusing on the positives in my life.
Of which there were many!
"I can’t believe they’re doing a press conference."
"I can’t believe it’s taken this long for you to realize you’re a superstar!" Bella cheered as she fetched her costic bag from the bathroom, "Did you check the numbers on YouTube recently? You’ve gone over 100 million views on the proposal video!"
"I haven’t checked. I don’t want to let it go to my head!"
I laughed, but I was telling the truth about trying to avoid becoming too impressed with myself. My natural confidence had returned in full force since I’d rejected Tyler. Living with Bella allowed a freedom of expression I had lost for the full three years of my mating.
I felt slight guilt Bella was delaying moving in with her mate, Jack, but they were both being supportive of above their own needs.
"Enjoy it! Girl, you are on fire! Fla on!"
Bella was the world’s best cheerleader.
I cheered alongside her as I thought on all those people listening to sing.
My performance at Blue Diamond had been magical for because it hadn’t been planned. All I put out there was myself: only and nothing else.
Feeling accepted, embraced, even adored by millions of people made feel vindicated for every hour I’d spent composing music alone physically and ntally.
My mate hadn’t wanted . My father hadn’t wanted . My first love had been taken from by the cruelty of fate.
Music had been my only outlet and finally I could prove to the world I was a true musician!
"Do you think I should wear sothing more flashy? I don’t look too fiery," I admitted.
I had left my designer clothes with Tyler. My wardrobe was helped with Bella’s due to her generosity of spirit, but I didn’t have anything I would consider attention-getting.
Not for a press conference!
My wolf, Rayne, stirred in my mind, offering to , ’I think we should go with blue. Red is gawdy.’
"Rayne says I should go with sothing blue. Do you have anything I could wear?"
My simple dress was too boring by far. The press were looking for a woman who brought a whole restaurant to tears with her music. Showing up in a cotton sundress wasn’t captivating to anyone.
"Rayne is right, as usual," Bella agreed, stopping her work on my face, "I think I have sothing which will work! Give a few minutes!"
Bella hurried to her bedroom closet while I picked up a compact to look at the work she’d done on my face. I had more color with the concealer and foundation.
I didn’t have to check the lipstick to know it would be a deep red, rich and bold.
I wished I had soone to talk to about my sudden stardom.
Bella cheered on as did her mate Jack. My brother had called to tell I was amazing after he watched my performance.
Patrick, my father, hadn’t bothered to reach out at all. I knew he would only co around after the press conference since he’d be sniffing after any hint of money I could offer him.
"Tell this isn’t perfect! I double-dog dare you!" Bella crowed as she showed a gown I’d never seen her wear before.
She brought it to to examine and I noticed the tags were still on it.
Raising a brow, I asked, "Never found a reason to wear it yourself?"
"Can you bla ? It isn’t exactly the kind of thing I could wear out for coffee or for a bite at a diner with Jack."
I was a little intimidated by the sleek satin sheath with its ultra-thin straps.
Bella was offering a dress daring even by her standards---and I was going to wear it!
"It’s perfect!"
I was not going to cower in any corner any longer. My music had finally been noticed. I stood up and stripped, slipping the dress on only to realize I would have to forgo my bra.
Fine! I would go without!
I was a bold, daring woman whose music moved mountains and the hearts of my audience. I shimmied out of my undergarnt, then smoothed my borrowed gown into place.
"This was made for you, Rachel. Absolutely made for you."
Bella sounded breathless. I called it a victory.
"I think we should go et my agent now."
I straightened my spine, drew my shoulders back proudly, and made my way to the door. I could still enjoy walking in heels even if I did worry my stomach might rebel at so point.
We wound up arriving at the auditorium of Calot Records early enough to only be snapped a few tis by the most ambitious paparazzi. Howard, who remained my agent, ushered us over to an area in the wings off the edge of the stage.
Calot Records did private audiences at their headquarters to promote new acts.
I would be singing my song ’Love at the First Sight’ for the press before they were going to be allowed to interview .
"We have you a seat reserved upfront," Howard directed, pushing Bella off to her place and towards the piano as if we had done this a thousand tis before, "Go to Brent -Head of Security- and he’ll bring you back to the mixer afterward, Bella."
I hugged Bella once, tight, before taking the stage with the gait of a woman walking toward her destiny.
I wasn’t an unwanted fated mate. I wasn’t a pregnant woman facing raising a child alone. I wasn’t the sad, small woman I had let Tyler Wright turn into for three years.
As I settled on the piano bench before my audience, I was Rachel Flores: singer, songwriter, star!
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