Aaron's Fall (12 page)

Asia stared at the door for a minute. She sat with her head on her knees as the tears dropped on the blankets, confused. Aaron’s words had been so cold and blunt the blood in her body became icy. How many times had she heard about Aaron and the hearts Aaron had broken? She ignored them all. Aaron cared about her; she could feel his love whenever he held her. Was she wrong?

*****

Asia rehearsed long and hard as usual. She worked hard to disguise her distress from Tia, but Tia notice her quiet, distant ways returning. When they went to get their hair done, Asia paid with cash, rather than with Aaron’s card.

Later that night Tia asked Martin did he know anything about Aaron and Asia.

“Yes, I know,” Martin said, “I haven’t spoken to him since. It seems that Aaron has gotten tired of Asia now, after every practice he has a different women waiting for him. Eddie would have punched him out, if Wayne didn’t stop him.

“I’ll kill him!” Tia yelled, “That’s why Asia been so quiet, she hasn’t mentioned anything about it.”

“How is she in rehearsal?” Martin asked

“She great, as if nothing happen, I think that is what keeping her focus; but I’m going to kill Aaron.” Tia stated, meaning it.

The benefit night arrived to a packed house. Chez and Wilson were in the dressing room preparing hair and makeup to a very quiet Asia.

“Asia honey, what going on?” Chez asked while curing her hair.

Asia didn’t respond. Wilson looked at her face and frowned.

“Bags, you’ve got bags under your eyes; we’ve got to fix that.” When they finished, Asia was beautiful.

In the lobby, Tia stood with her friends and family. Brie and Trevet came to support Asia. Martin looked up and saw Aaron arriving with one of his women on his arm. The guys saw this too. They blocked Tia view, because they knew her temper and didn’t doubt that she would do as she threatened. Tia looked up at Eddie frowning.

“Move!” she said pushing them out her way. When she saw Aaron walking in with a date, she lost it. Tia started going after Aaron, but Martin caught her around the waist lifting her from the floor, pulling her back against him.

“Don’t make a scene at your benefit,” he whispered in her ear, Tia calmed, but was still very angry. Brie saw her son, and frowned. She went to stand next Tia.

“What’s going on?” she asked as she watch Aaron approach.

“Aaron broke up with Asia.” Tia told her.

“He what!” Brie said loudly. Trevet heard his wife voice and knew she was not happy. He went to his wife. “Honey, what wrong? Trevet asked concerned.

“It seems your son has rediscovered his cavalier ways.” Brie announced.

Trevet shook his head. Aaron approached his parent. He shook his Dad‘s hand and bent to kiss his mother; she turn him her cheek.

“Mom, Dad, this is Shanna.” Aaron introduced

“Oh Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” she gushed sweetly kissing them both.

“Son, can we talk?” Trevet said walking away. Aaron followed his father.

“Son what happen to Asia?”

“It over Dad,” Aaron stated.

“Why?”

“She’s needy.”

“Needy?” Trevet repeated.

Trevet shook his head. “Well son, your mother tells me she fragile, did you consider that when you took up with her, she seem to care for you a great deal, would do anything for you, and you seem to think she needy, I hope you didn’t hurt her Aaron.”

“Dad she’ll be alright.”

“Are sure of that son?”

Aaron shrugged. “I’m grown and so is Asia, what ...”

His father interrupted him. “Yes Son, you are a grown man, at least I thought that’s what your mother and I were raising; I didn’t realize how callous you can be.” Trevet said with disappointment, and walked from him.

Everyone were seated when Aaron and his father returned. The show had started, everything was going well and the audience were enjoying the entertainment.

At intermission, Tia glared down at Aaron, their eyes met, and Aaron lowered his head. Tia rose; she couldn’t help herself, and stood in front of Aaron, Martin behind her. Aaron looked up in to clear silver eyes and knew she was angry.

Why don’t you just leave with your date Aaron?” Tia asked harshly.

“I brought a ticket too Tia,” Aaron replied coolly.

“You really want to hurt her don’t you, I thought better of you Aaron,” Tia stated disappointed.

“You don’t understand Tia, I can’t...”

“On no!” Tia yelled stepping away from Aaron. Martin caught her hand.

“What?” Martin said alarmed.

“Asia going to sing the last song to Aaron,” Tia said rushing for the room.

In Asia dressing room, she was ready to go on stage.

“You look beautiful,” Tia said.

“Thanks,”

“Asia, the last song, lets take it out.” Tia suggested.

“We can’t, it too late now. I should have told you about Aaron, I’m sorry. I just hoped…,” she paused. “Taking it out will just confuse the dancers, I’ll get through it. Is he here?” she asked dejectedly.

“Yes, but he’s not alone.” Asia shoulder slumped.

Tia sighed. “Okay Asia.”

When the curtain opened after the intermission, Asia sang with all her heart to perfection, the dancer showing their excellence, in their performances.

“So Man, how do you feel?” he asked sarcastically. Aaron glared at him.

“She beautiful huh?” Martin replied.

“I think she okay, but I’ve heard better singing,” Shanna stated.

Shanna was sitting between Aaron and Brie.

“Who asked you?” Brie said bitterly.

Tia returned and sat beside Martin. “She didn’t want to mess up the show; she still going to sing it.”

“Did you tell her, he wasn’t alone?” Tia nodded.

The curtain opened; Asia came floating down from above the stage. She wore a white gown, which was flowing softly by the wind machine offstage. Her long hair bone straight and blowing behind her, singing as she was lowered to the stage.

Aaron mouth dropped opened. She was like an angel descending from the heavens; her voice sounding sweet and emotional. When her feet gracefully touched floor, and was free to move, Asia walked slowly forward.

“Oh no!” Tia cried. “The spotlight going to shine on Aaron.” Tia informed Martin.

“Damn, this isn’t going to be good,” Martin replied shaking his head.

Asia walked forward, her eyes on Aaron. The spotlight shone on him and the women beside him sat with her head on his shoulder. Asia stilled, but didn’t stop singing, tears flowing unstoppable down her face. Even through her tears, her voice didn’t crack, nor did she miss a note, she was perfection. the spotlight shone on Aaron and his date.

“She singing to us Boo,” Shanna cooed.

Brie looked over at Aaron, he lowered is head, noting the disappointment in his mother eyes. The song ended and Asia step back as the curtain closed, the audience came to their feet. The curtain opened again, and she stood there. The curtain closed for the final time. Chez and Wilson ran to her on stage. Asia was frozen, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Honey please stop crying so.” Chez said softly.

Tia and Martin went backstage. She looked at Tia.

“You think I’d be use to being hurt, wouldn’t you,” Asia said cynically walking off the stage.

In her dressing room, Asia stared at herself in the mirror. Tia came in.

“Asia, I’m so sorry,” Tia said sadly.

“Give me a minute, I’ll be fine.”

All her new friends came back stage to congratulate her on her performance. Asia looked up and saw Brie as she made her way to Asia. She hugged her telling her how wonderful her performance was.

“If you need to talk, Asia, just call me, okay.” Asia nodded.

“Asia, we have to get to the after party.” Tia reminded her.

“I can’t go, can I just take me home please?” she stated firmly. She turned and looked at Martin.

Tia looked over at Eddie. “Will you take her home?” Tia asked him

“Of course, you go; I’ll take care of her.” Eddie replied.

After everyone had left, and she was back in her own clothes ready to leave. Eddie took her bag and opened the back stage door. Asia hesitated for a second. She grabbed on to Eddie hand, and held it tightly. Eddie felt her trembling beside them. His last thought was how foolish Aaron was.

*****

Tia convinced Asia to let Wayne produced her. Asia threw herself into recording at his studio, day and night. Wayne and Asia connected musically, a bond forming between them. Wayne took Asia’s music, and turned it into what Asia thought it could never be. They worked very closely, sometimes most days and long into the night and Wayne always there to get her home. Tia explained to him her fear of the dark. Wayne felt instantly protective of her. Aaron was a fool, Wayne thought, the love she had for him, as she sang her song, ‘For You’ portrayed her love in every note she sang.

One night Aaron was riding up the street when he saw Wayne and Asia holding hands walking to his car parked up the street. Aaron watched as she smile up at him, the smile that was only for him, and he became infuriated.

Wayne and Asia were busy talking about the arrangement for a song, when a car came to a screeching halt beside them. Wayne pushed Asia behind his massive body. Aaron jumped from the car confronting them.

“What in the hell is going on!” Aaron yelled. Asia moved from behind Wayne.

“Aaron what wrong with you?” she asked frowning. He glared furiously at Asia.

“Are you fu...?”

“Don’t say it Aaron!” Wayne interrupted, warning Aaron, and stepping to him. Wayne was large men, and knew he could hurt Aaron. Where Aaron was tall Wayne was massive.

“What going on Asia?” Aaron said ignoring Wayne.

“Wayne is producing my music, not that its any concern of yours Aaron,” she stated curtly.

“Who in the hell do you think you are Aaron, asking her anything, you made your choice, so split!” Wayne said calmly as he could but Aaron was starting to piss him off.

“Shut up Wayne, I’m talking to Asia!”

Aaron moved away from Wayne to confront Asia. Wayne stepped in front of her.

“Get lost Aaron!” Wayne said, his temper rising.

“Get out of my way Wayne!” Aaron said through bared teeth.

“Let it go Aaron, she doesn’t want to talk to you!” Wayne said equally as angry. Aaron was in Wayne face.

“Didn’t you hear her; it doesn’t concern you anymore!”

“Stop it you two!” she yelled.

Each man sizing up the other, all Asia knew is she had to stop him before a fight started.

The darkness started to invade her and she begun to feel the panic build inside her. All she knew was she had to get away. Images of Marcus’s shooting came into her head. Asia screamed and back against the wall of a brick building, tears streaming down her face, trembling.

“It’s dark,” she screamed.

Wayne and Aaron went to her; she fell into Wayne’s arms.

“Please, please stop it, stop it, take me home Wayne!” she cried. Wayne’s arms went around her holding her, Aaron forgotten.

“Come on Baby,” Wayne said softly, leading her away. Aaron stood helpless watching them, his heart pounding with concern for Asia.

“Stay away from her,” Wayne hissed over his shoulder.

Aaron drove to Martin’s house, banging on his front door. The door was snatched opened an irate Marin glaring at the fool who decided to knock at his door at this hour.

“Aaron what in the hell are doing here at this hour, if you awaken my boys, I’m kicking you ass, what do you want?” Martin whispered harshly.

“What going on with Wayne and Asia?”

“You came here to ask me that?” Martin asked agitated.

“Go home Aaron, she doesn’t concern you anymore, your choice remember,” Martin said slamming the door. Aaron stared at the slammed door for a second.

Damn it, Aaron thought walking to his car. What the hell is happening to him, he did make a choice, and so why was it so hard for him to deal with it. When he saw her holding Wayne’s hand holding Asia’s and her smiling up at him, he lost it. He got into his car started it. His head fell against the steering wheel. The thought came to him to ride pass Asia’s loft to see if Wayne’s car was in her driveway. Aaron cursed. What was wrong with him, he had women at his disposal, and if were honest with himself none compared to Asia, she was inside him. He wanted Asia; the times he was out he couldn’t even be intimate with the women he dated. He didn’t have that problem before he met Asia. Aaron shook his head, not believing his own action, since he broke off with Asia, he’s been miserable. He hit the steering with both his hands, put the car in drive, and headed for home.

Chapter Eight

Asia was invited to perform for the for the Bueto’s New Years Eve party. Tracy booked “The Coz” for the evening’s entertainment. Ross Coz, the bandleader, bass player, and lead singer was elated that he would be performing with Asia. He remembered Asia from the cookout. How could one forget the way Asia took a song and make it her own. Both Coz and Asia look forward to working together, so rehearsal started right away. The music Asia composed and sang for the group was impressive.

Wayne stopped by to see how their rehearsal was coming along. With Asia, and ‘The Coz’ accompanying her, it gave her music a totally new sound.

Excited Wayne replied. “Asia, this is the arrangement we’ve been missing; with the band backing you, it gives the songs a more deeper appeal,” Wayne replied jubilantly.

Smiling, Asia agreed.

The band took a much-needed rest, while Wayne, Ross and sat to talked. Wayne suggested The Coz back up Asia. After few minutes of discussion, the three came to a decision.

“So, Ross, what do you think?” Asia asked with anticipation; she really liked ‘The Coz,’ and she recognized the deep musical chemistry they shared.
“We’re in,” Ross said smiling earnestly at Asia.

The other band members were elated with the partnership. Finally, after five years of struggling to stay in the music industry they would have their big break. With Asia as their lead singer, the band had no doubt that they were on their way to fame.