I Need You

15. Little Child

"Hello Victor." I forced a smile as I looked at his lifting expression once he saw me.

"Hello Penelope." He grinned back warmly.

"I was wondering if I could get your telephone number so I can call you with details later tonight?" He looked down at me flirtatiously, his dark eyes illuminating with lust in the poorly lit hallway.

"Erm, sure," I agreed shyly before giving him my uncles home telephone number.

I realized Cynthia was still close behind me, watching the awkward tension filled scene with a large complacent grin that I couldn't quite understand, surly she didn't think this was going well and I was instantly falling head over heels with Victor. I couldn't help but wonder why she decided to set me up with him anyway, she seemed so sure before that I'd end up with George.

Swiftly, the metal dressing room door swung open again to reveal George with a sour look on his face, stopping in his place as he looked up to Cynthia, Victor and I.

"Have a good night George." I grinned contentedly at him to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Goodnight Poppy." His expression lightened.

"Goodnight George." Victor nodded cutting in, smiling smugly.

Georges expression dropped once again, nodding to him straight faced before continuing to walk away uninterestedly.

"Alright, I better get a move on myself." Victor smiled, brushing off the encounter.

I grinned slightly feeling as if a weight was being lifted off my shoulders.

"Until tomorrow." He spoke amorously.

"Goodnight." I smiled before he turned to leave.

I shifted my attention toward Cynthia and Julian, who was giggling as she kissed his head all over repeatedly in a playful manner.

"Happy Birthday Jules." She sang, Julian afterwards trying to hum the same tune she sang it in.

I watched in awe, completely forgetting what I wanted to ask her about before that had been lingering in the back of my mind ever since she had set me up with Victor in the first place.

"There's my birthday boy." John spoke kindly as he came out of the dressing room taking Julian from Cynthia gently, grinning widely.

I gulped as I stared at him, hoping he'd say something to me and break the silent treatment.

"Poppy!" Brian called from further down the hallway beckoning me to follow him.

"Have fun at Julian's party." I smiled squeezing Cynthia's shoulder lightly before leaving to follow my uncle out.

"I have brilliant news." Brian beamed.

"What is it?" I inquired hoping it would make me forget about John's silence.

"I've got a new assistant." His smile grew tremendously making my heart sink.

"Y-, I-Huh?" My mouth gaped open.

That seemed like anything but great news. That meant I hadn't an excuse to stay longer and that I would go back to Liverpool.

"But, I want you to stay." He smiled proudly down at me.

"Brian, I can't." I spoke breathlessly, feeling overwhelmed suddenly.

"Why not?" He frowned as we walked out of the studio and began to walk in the parking lot to the car.

"I have a job. A-and our house. I was going to school, I can't leave that all behind for good." I shook my head begging to bite on my fingernails.

"It can all be taken care of." He still seemed confident that I would stay.