A New Era-Chapter 2

Anette opened her eyes, blinking against the bright sunlight coming in through the window. She glanced around the room, confused for a moment before she remembered where she was.

Tuomas’s house. That’s right. We start recording today.

Sitting up so quickly that it made her dizzy, she looked over at the clock. It was only 8am, she still had a few hours to relax, though she didn’t feel like it.

What the hell was I thinking last night? He must think I’m crazy…

She swung her legs off the side of the bed, and reached for her duffle bag, pulling out her robe. Looking down at herself, she realized that she had fallen asleep in her clothes, and laughed softly. It was just like her to make a fool out of herself. Deciding that she didn’t want to run into Tuomas in the same clothes she’d been wearing the night before, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a pair of pajama pants and a tank top and quickly changed, throwing her dirty clothes into the bag without bothering to fold them. She had just pulled the robe around her shoulders and tied it closed when there was a knock at the door.

“Anette?” Tuomas called softly. “Are you awake? I brought you some coffee and toast. You didn’t eat anything last night, so I thought you might be hungry.”

Almost as if on cue, her stomach growled loudly. “Yes, I just woke up. You can come in, it’s safe,” she answered, leaning back against the soft pillows, feeling very nervous.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee and a large plate of toast and eggs. Immediately, she felt her face flush, and had to fight the urge to pull the covers up over her head.

“You didn’t have to do that, Tuomas. There’s no need to treat me like a guest,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

He smiled. “It’s no problem, I just made enough for two instead of one. It’s…” He shook his head. “It’s rather nice to have someone here; the house starts to feel rather empty with just me here.”

He walked over to the bed, and she sat up, taking the tray from his hands, nearly spilling it all over the bed because she was shaking so badly. Setting the food down on the nightstand, she patted her hand on the mattress beside her.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. It’s been a long time since anyone brought me breakfast in bed.”

Tuomas laughed. “Why do I find that hard to believe? You should be treated like a queen!” He sat down beside her, and handed her a cup of coffee. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any cream and sugar. I usually just drink mine black.”

Anette smiled. “It’s alright, I’ll take my caffeine anyway I can get it.” She curled her fingers around the mug, letting the warmth from the liquid inside seep into her fingertips, and took a sip. “Tuomas…”

“Anette,” he whispered, reaching up and gently placing his finger on her lips, “you don’t have to say anything. What happened last night was a mistake, and it won’t happen again. I should be apologizing to you…”

She shook her head. “No, Tuomas. There is no need for apologies. It wasn’t a mistake. Mistakes don’t feel so…” She paused, trying to find the words. “So right.” She reached up and took his hand, lacing their fingers together. “I didn’t set out to fall for you. I had no idea what to expect. I know that I’m a married woman, but the truth of the matter is, it’s been a long time since I was happy. My husband takes me for granted, he can’t see who I really am, and you…” She sighed. “God, what am I saying? You must think I’m a complete fool, like some sort of high school girl with a crush…”

“That’s the last thing I was thinking,” he said, squeezing her hand gently. “To be honest with you, I felt something for you from the moment I saw you on your audition tape. You have such an energy about you, an openness that I’ve never experienced before. I’ll admit, that’s part of the reason why I chose you as our new vocalist. Perhaps that was a bit selfish on my part.”

Anette’s eyes went wide, and she felt her face flush. “I…I had no idea…” she mumbled, reaching for a piece of toast and shoving it into her mouth before she said anything stupid. This was unbelievable.

Tuomas lowered his eyes. “That’s not the only reason. Your voice is incredible. I don’t want you to think that I chose you as some sort of…game. It wasn’t like that at all…”

She dropped the piece of toast into her lap and took his face in her hand, tilting his chin up so that he had to look into her eyes. “It’s not a game, Tuomas. Not to me. I would never think that. I know that it’s about the music, above all else. But…” She swallowed hard, trying to slow her heartbeat and breathing, which she could tell was becoming erratic. “If we can get something…else out of this, too…what’s the harm?”

He smiled. “I don’t think I need to answer that question for you, do I? No one else is going to understand this. It’s wrong on so many levels, Anette.”

“So we don’t tell anyone. It’s none of their business, anyway, at least until we decide we want them to know. I truly don’t care if it’s wrong, because I have never felt so right. It’s strange, and amazing, and…”

He leaned in and kissed her, cutting off her sentence. She kissed him back, smiling against his lips and wrapping her arms around his neck. This was crazy, and they both knew it. But sometimes the craziest ideas were the best ones.

Reluctantly, Tuomas pulled away, smoothing her hair back. “You should finish eating, and get ready. Marco said he’d be here at 9:30 to pick us up for the airport. I have to go out and get a few things, but I’ll be back in plenty of time.” He got up from the bed, but she didn’t let go of his neck, and was pulled up with him. “Anette…”

She giggled a little, and let herself fall back onto the bed. “Oh, alright, go. It takes me forever to get ready anyway.”

He smiled, and kissed her forehead gently. “Typical woman,” he said, and she threw a pillow at the back of his head as he walked away.

Well, so much for sorting that situation out like an adult. This is going to be very…interesting.

Sinking back into the pillows, she nibbled at the edges of a piece of toast and finished her coffee, before gathering her things and heading for the shower.