No Ordinary Love, Part 3, chapter 221
221
“I love this, Lily,” I spoke to my brother on the other side of the glass utterly delighted with the way he played and the sound I was getting from him.
“Yeah, it’s great, isn’t it?” he returned and I nodded. “But let’s switch the guitars and do it all over. I want to see what will happen,’ he suggested.
“Sure,” I nodded. I wasn’t objecting Linde’s wish though I was quite sure the out take we’ve just got will be the one we’ll keep. But Lily was on roll and killing his guitar for the past hour, ever since we got in the studio that morning.
The entire thing was just rolling like a charm. Which wasn’t surprising at all since Linde is a genious. One thing I was really trying to get accomplished with this Daniel project is to fully bring out Linde’s skill to the fullest. Personally, I always thought that people still don’t truly understand what a great guitarist he is.
“Ville, you have to come we have a huge problem,” Jesse burst in the studio just as Linde was about to start playing. His face was seriously in panic and it got me utterly confused.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have no fucking idea,” he was shaking his head like mad. “Some blokes just burst in, told us to stop everything, it’s like some kind of inspection, I don’t know,” he run his fingers through his hair.
“What kind of inspection?” I asked getting up.
“I don’t know, they asked for all our books and financial reports,” he shrugged. “What are we going to do?”
“Hold on,” I said pulling out my cell and waited for it to turn on as I waved at Lily to come out. “I’m calling Sweetie, she’ll know what to do,” I said as I brought the cell to my ear and waited for her to pick up the call. “Hey, love, I need you to come over,” I said as soon as she answered.
“Can that wait a little bit?” she asked in manner that made it clear she’s occupied with something else.
“No, financial inspection’s here and I have no fucking idea what to do,” I made it clear I’m desperate.
“I should’ve known,” she said more to herself which confused me. I wanted to press it further but she cut me off. “I’ll be there in ten, meanwhile check their credentials and give them what they want if you can’t stall.”
She hung up at once not giving me chance to say a single thing.
“What did she say?” Jesse asked nervously.
“She’s coming,” Jesse was significantly relieved hearing that. “She said we should check their credentials.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jesse asked confused. “Like see if they have them?”
“I guess so,” I shrugged as I motioned him to take me to those people. “You wait here until I see what…”
“Yeah, yeah, just go,” Linde cut me off realizing something serious was going on.
Jesse and I walked down the hall as Jesse talked how they burst into his office, demanding everybody to stop working.
“I mean, I’m your assistant, I have no idea why they came to me. I said I have to get you for I’m not authorized to do anything on my own. They gave me like five minutes. This never happened before, right?”
“No,” I assured him. Ever since Sweetie and I started any kind of business on our own here, we never had anything like this. I wasn’t into administrative side of it, of any of it so I had no idea either what to do or what not to do.
“Mr. Valo,” a seriously looking tall man in a dark gray suit walked over to me sounding very cold and impersonal. Instead of offering me a handshake, he flashed for a very brief moment his credential and presented himself as a senior inspector. “We’d like to see all of your financial reports and books. I suggest you to cooperate with us.”
Now that sounded like unfinished threat. And didn’t quite go down with me the good way.
“May I see your credentials again?” I asked keeping my cool face but just slightly raising my eyebrows, looking him straight in his eyes. He was slightly taken aback with my request but pulled out his ID and handed it to me. My eyes slowly scanned his name and other data. Honestly, it meant shit to me. I wished Sweetie was there for I really had no idea is there anything else she was reffering to when she said to check their credentials.
“Is everything ok?” he asked after few moments sounding very cocky.
“Seems so,” I nodded and returned him his identification. Stall, Ville, I reminded myself as the arrogant S.I. tried hard not to be to satisfied with his own importance. “I supposse you’re not alone,” I added which irittated Mr. S.I.
“You want to check their credentials, too?” he asked putting his hands on his hips as I nodded. “Fine,” he said then led the way outside to the hall where two more of his look alikes were waiting. They stiffed, like soldiers do when captain approaches them. He instructed them to give me what I want. As they were pulling them out Sweetie stormed throught the door.
“I’ll take over from here,” she said literally snatching two cards from me and inspected them. “Do you have a warrant or something?” she asked glancing at the main inspector as she held her hand waiting for him to give his credentials as well.
“This is just a random inspection Miss…” he expected Sweetie to supply him with her name.
“Ok, everything seems to be good,” Sweetie totally ignored the guy returning him his ID and waved to Karina at the reception desk to come over. “Karina will take you gentelmen to our accountant. If you need anything at all she’s the one you talk to,” she flashed a brief smile as Karina asked them to follow her.
Senior guy wasn’t very happy, and didn’t move. His eyes were squinted as he examined Sweetheart like he was wondering what game she was playing.
“Anything else?” Sweetie asked tilting her head tad to right keeping her unphased face. “If you don’t mind people need to go back to their work. That’s unless you aren’t here for just random check.”
What was going on between sweetie and S.I. reminded me of western’s showdown between two nasty cowboys. Their eyes locked as they weight down the situation, eyes narrowing trying to both intimidate the opponent as well as predict his move. Only in this showdown Sweetie remained absolutely calm and just raised her eyebrows at the S.I. in question.
The guy finally broke from Sweetie’s gaze and began following Karina to the accountant’s department. I was following the guy with my eyes when Sweetie pecked my lips and snapped me out of it.
“You can go back to work now,” she said as she walked over and gave Jesse a short hug and kiss on check. “I got to go to the centre, they’re there, too,’ she quickly said and wanted to leave but I grabbed her for her hand.
“What, the inspection?!”
“Yeah, I’m coming from the bookstore, they’re there, too as well as in the publishing house,” she explained. “I’ve been running around the entire morning. I should’ve known they’ll also come here,” she sighed.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked staring at here. Financial inspection at each and every of our businesses at the same time? That couldn’t be just a random check.
“Seems like somebody’s trying to take you guys down,” Jesse concluded.
“No shit,” I commented. “But who and why?”
“I think I have a pretty good idea,” Sweetie said. “But there’s nothing to be worried about. They’ll find shit.”
“You sure? I mean if they’re here to find something, then they will,” I pointed out. I had complete confidence in all and each of our employees but I also knew that they’re humans and can make mistakes. And that’s what these guys are definitively looking forward to.
“They won’t, ok? Trust me,” Sweetie assured me cupping my face. “Don’t worry everything will be fine.”
“Why’s this happening? And who wants to see us go down?” I asked.
“I put my bets on Nik’s dad and his wife,” Sweetie said sounding absolutely sure in her guess. “From his point of view we ruined him and now he want’s to pay us back.”
“But he’s in jail, how can…”
“But his friends and companions aren’t,” Sweetie cut me off. “All it takes is one anonmimous phone call and a juicy story about something shady going on and that’s it.”
“You sure we have nothing to worry about?” I needed her to say it again.
“There’s absolutely nothing to be worried about,” she slowly said looking me straight in the eyes. “I got to go now, ok? I’ll drop by later,” she said quickly kissing me and leaving the building.
“Well, I guess I can go back to my shit,” Jesse sighed like all the weight has been taken off of his back and he has nothing to worry about. He seemed like Sweetie has reassured him completely and he went to his office.
On the other hand I was feeling strange as I returned to the studio where people were waiting for me. Linde instantly wanted to know what’s going on so I told him what I knew.
“So can we go back to work or should we call it for today?” he asked like it was just a minor and unimportant break. Linde stared at me for a while and before I could say anything he spoke again. “Seriously, if you can’t concentrate let’s just drop it.”
All the while I was sifting everything that happened as well as Sweetie’s behaviour. She wasn’t worried at all. She seemed like she knows for sure those guys won’t find anything that could compromise us; she wasn’t afraid. Furthermore, it seemed like she had showed up just to put a show and make sure neither one of us does anything stupid as well as that the agents don’t overstep their bondaries. I pulled out my cell and dialed her.
“Is something wrong?” she asked as soon as she picked up.
“You expected this, didn’t you?” I asked feeling I’m going to get a positive answer and the way she chuckled a little fully convinced me I’m right. “You already checked everything, right?”
“I told you there’s nothing to be worried about,” she said with much more ease and relief this time. Kind of like she was glad I figured it out.
“You little devil,” I giggled shaking my head and glancing at Linde enjoying her chuckles.. “I adore you.”
“Love you, too. Got to hand up now.”
“Come here when you’re done,” I added and when she promised she will I hung up and shut off my cell. “Let’s go back to work,” I said to Linde grinning.
“Sure?”
“Absolutely,” I nodded as I turned around my chair to the board and prepared for the recording. It took me few moments to break my thoughts from my lovely girl who once again amazed me but I had a job to focus on.
Some fourty minutes later she sneaked in the studio and sat on the couch behind my back. She kept herself smoking, enjoying guitar virtuoso’s marvelous playing, not disturbing any of us who were working.
“Was that good for you?” Linde asked at one point and I nodded. “I’m taking a break, ok?”
“Yes, sir,” I saluted him then pushed myself off the control board enjoying the short ride in the chair to the couch. “You didn’t kiss me,” I said pouting my lips at her.
Smiling, she puffed the smoke and gently pressed her lips on mine, then pulled just a tad away from me, “Happy?”
“Almost,” I nodded as Linde slouched on the couch right next to Sweetheart, grabbing her for her shoulders and pulling her down with himself just to separate us.
“Leave her alone,” he joked as he pushed me away with his right leg, my chair rolled few inches stopping as it hit the control board.
Luckily I was unharmed as we all laughed.
“You mind if I borrow your brainwaves for a few minutes?” he asked Sweetie and she nodded instantly. “Play the first track,” he instructed me and I obeyed.
“Is there something specific I should be looking for?” Sweetie glanced at Linde.
“Just listen.”
I played the track that both Lind and I were having trouble to make it complete. It was a fantastic song but seemed like some very tiny detail was missing. And that we couldn’t figure out.
“So?” Linde asked her as the track finished.
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “There’s something…” she tried her best to pinpoint the problem as both Lind and I were very eagerly waiting. “I don’t know how to explain it… but it’s like at the very end of the intro…”
“Something’s missing, right?” Linde asked.
“Yeah,” she vaguely agreed. “Can you play it again?” she glanced at me and I nodded, playing it again from the beginning. “It’s like a bit, disconnected, I don’t know,” she commented as she focused.
“Just put it for her on a loop,” Linde signaled me feeling like she’s onto something.
She closed her eyes and rocked her body slowly in the rhythm, and soon she was humming the melody in a bit higher scale than Linde’s guitar, slowly putting up the volume of her sound and at the very end of the intro she did a scream. Linde’s eyes locked with mine and we were both thinking the same. That’s it! I stopped the track and Sweetie opened her eyes looking at Linde.
“Go there and do it again,” he instructed her eagerly to go to the deaf room.
“Are you sure?” she frowned.
“Yeah,” Linde quickly nodded.
“And do a proper scream,” I added looking at her preparing myself for the recording. “Like full blown?” I glanced at Linde over my shoulder and he nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, go for it,” he encouraged her.
She walked into the room and knowing the drill she put the headphones on.
“Tell me when you’re ready,” I told her over the mic.
“Love, I was born ready,” she joked as she motioned to me to just play the fucking the track as she closed her eyes. Something she always does when she’s recording. In order to do her best she has to shut off everything else and concentrate on what she’s supposed to do. That’s probably the reason why she always does everything in just one take. Just like this time. And she knew it for before I managed to tell her it’s good she had already put down the headphones and was walking out of the room to join us.
“Now, we need to get Manu to do this,” I said to Linde and he nodded.
“If it doesn’t work can we keep you?” he asked her like he was suspecting that his singer won’t be able to nail it that good as she had.
“Do you really need to ask?” she casually returned and made Linde grin.
Manu arrived some two hours later when we had the entire music sorted out and first track Linde wanted him to do was the one that Sweetie had helped. I played it for him so he’d know what he’s supposed to do. Unfortunately, take after take, Manu was failing to fully satisfy Linde.
“You know, you’re just torturing him if you expect him to do it identically as I did,” Sweetie said after Linde requested one more take and gave further instructions to already slightly frustrated Manu.
“Man, I can’t do better that this,” Manu sighed in defeat. “Seriouslly my throat is hurting already, I’ve been screaming repeatedly for past half an hour.”
“You’re roaring,” Linde pointed out. “I want a scream, like a simple clean scream like on the sample.”
“Well, fuck me I can’t, ok?” Manu threw his arms in the air as a sign of surrender. “This is the best I can do. Take it or leave it. I just can’t fucking do it.”
My eyes flew to Linde, he’s the boss so it’s up to him. Personally, Manu was right, his outtakes were far from having the same effect as Sweetie’s one. He did do his best but his best was still leaving the missing feeling to the song. He’d began good but then quickly he’d take it into completely different direction and end up in total disharmony which made that intro sound even more disconnected. What Sweetie did with her was completely opposite.
“Ok, so be it,” Linde finally put the boy out of his misery, with feeling of disappointment. “Let’s move on.”
“I need a break and something to drink,” Manu said and walked to us.
Sweetie moved to fetch him some water and Manu thanfuly nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Sweetie sheepishly glanced at him.
Manu’s eyes stared at her blankly then turned to Linde and me, “Isn’t there anything else you can do instead of this? Like add another guitar track?”
“No, they blend in for the similar sound,” I pointed out since before Sweetie arrived Linde and I already tried out every instrument but somehow it wasn’t what we were looking for. Two guitars with no matter how different sound simply blend in and go into the song which Linde hated. He wanted that intro to be mellow one that ends with something grande and open very fast and aggressive song.
“Well, I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” Manu shrugged.
“Ok, then,” Linde looked at Sweetie. “Thanks for saving our asses ma’m,” Linde saluted her as I turned to the board to go back to my work.
“Wait, you did that?” Manu asked Sweetie and she nodded. “And you guys have been fucking me for an hour?!” the singer was now even more irritated. “I thought you’ve taken that from someone else and I was so pissed I can’t nail it.”
“So am I,” Linde returned.
“Fuck Lily, I knew I can’t do it like that the moment I heard it. If you only told me I could’ve spared us all this torture,” Manu explained.
“I’ll keep that in mind for the future,” Linde significantly nodded.
“Hey, guys,” Kat’s exhausted voice entered the room as she walked around and exchanged the kisses with everybody. Then she slumped on the couch. “I’m fucking beat,” she sighed. “Thank God Anita finally showed up. Ari’s just impossible today. I don’t know where she gets all that energy from.”
We all giggled feeling sorry for Kat.
“I’ve been running around after her all day long,” she continued lighting herself a cigarette and puffing the smoke. “I though ok, let her run, she’ll sleep better. Well, guess what? She was still fully wide awake when I left. She hasn’t slept all day.”
“Aww, poor darling,” Sweetie playfully embraced her with motherly care and Kat gave in. “I told you to call Anita right away.”
“I know,” she pouted. “But I thought how I’ll survive. You know to test myself with kids some more. Oh, and speaking of kids, you have problem Kai.”
“What problem?” I spun my head around seriously.
“Massa’s invited to some birthday party at her mom’s town. Kai’s also invited,” she explain.
“What’s the problem?” Sweetie asked.
“Well, he think you maybe won’t let him go.”
“Silly kid,” Sweetie shook her head and dialed Kai’s cell phone.
“Hi mom,” he said with somewhat sadness.
“Hey darling,” she returned.
“Hey kiddo, what’s wrong?” I joined in and he sighed.
“I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. When are you coming?”
“I don’t know,” I returned.
“It can wait till tomorrow,” my little son returned.
“Or we can tell you that if you want to go to that party with Massa, you can start packing,” Sweetie said significantly.
“What? You sure?” he tried not to sound too excited. “I mean, it’s a long way, you know.”
“What, you think you’re too young to go somewhere without us?” Sweetie teased.
“Yeah, I can’t let go of your skirt,” he sarcastically snorted.
“Then pack your shits while we’re in a good mood,” I commented.
“Ok, thanks guys,” he finally rejoiced.
“But you need to do us a favour,” I pointed out looking at Sweetie who smiled mischievously like I did.
“What? You’re going out tonight and I need to tell Anita she’s baby sitting?” he asked knowingly.
“That’s my little smarty pants,” Sweetie confirmed.
“Ok, but please don’t come in the morning and tell me I’m going to get another sibling ok? This one’s enough,” he teased then hung up.
“I fucking love that kid,” Kat giggled. “He’s totally busted you.”
“It’s not that hard, Kat,” Linde chuckled. “First thing he learned about his parents is that they’re shagging like rabbits.”
“You’re just going to let him?” I glanced at Sweetie.
“Well, he’s not lying, so…” Sweetie just shrugged.
“Are we done for today or I have to listen to this?” Manu interrupted.
“You’re free, be here at 9AM sharp,” Linde dismissed him and Manu left.
Then Jesse walked in grinning.
“Well, the snoops are gone,” he happily said handing over some paper to Sweetie. “They left you this.”
Sweetie briefly scanned the paper then grinned and returned it to Jesse. “Send it to the accountants.”
“With pleasure,” Jesse grinned like a Cheshire cat. “They weren’t really happy, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, but, bad luck,” Sweetie pretended to be sorry then chuckled.
“Tell me,” I began leaning a little to her. “How did you know they’ll come?”
“I didn’t know for sure,” she assured me. “But I’ve considered it as possible. You don’t go hunting sharks without harpoon, my dear,” she pointed out. “I was getting ready for this since Ri accepted Nik’s case. Not that anything was wrong, anyway, but still, I slept better knowing for sure.”
“Hey, how about I take you all for the drinks?” Linde suggested and we all gladly accepted.
“Can we first go have some dinner? I’m starving,” Kat frowned.
“If you’re buying,” Linde returned and so we left.
We stopped for a dinner, before we headed to the club, where Linde said there’s some local band playing. Some fourty minutes later I caught Kat and some guy having a rather lively chat. Kat was enjoying herself, she was laughing all the time and I knew she won’t be going home with us. They kind of separated from the rest of the crowd so when it was time for us to leave instead of going over to her and risk disturbing Kat’s moment of joy I texted her then waited for her to read it. She glanced at my direction grinned and texted me back.
“Don’t lock the doors, C U in the morning,” I read nodded knowing Kat was watching me then told my friends we’re free to go.
In the morning I couldn’t help but tease my friend about her little flirt.
“You know, it would be nice if you’d move here.”
“Damn, dude, it was just fling,” she giggled.
“It all starts with fling.”
“Dude, it was nice and sweet but I need a bit time on my own,” she toned down the fun. “Seriously, I love this country and you but I love warm weather of LA more.”
“You could get used to everything here.”
“I could get used to all these cute, handsome guys and music but the rest no fucking way. I’m LA girl,” she paused. “But I must say that you Finnish men are perfect for healing broken heart.”
“He was that good?”
“He was that good kisser, I tell you,” she sighed in such infatuated manner that it made me giggle. “Hey, we were just making out, that’s it. C’mon give me some credit, ok?”
“Hey, I did say anything,” I pointed out shaking my head in defensive manner.
“Leave the girl alone,”Sweetie decided to finally join in the conversation as she finished feeding Ari. “She’s entitled to have all the fun she wants.”
“Thank you,” Kat smiled at her. “You’re just not fair, you know,” she returned her eyes to me. “You’re always eager to hear all the juicy stuff while you’re never giving any on your side.”
“It’s not true,” I refused.
“Yeah, it is,” Kat insisted.
“She’s right,” Sweetie confirmed.
“No, it’s not,” I was stubborn.
“Oh, yes it is. Dude, I never heard you say for any of your girls anything like “oh, she’s a good a kisser’ or “she’s good in bed”…”
‘I’m a gentlemen. I don’t kiss and tell,” I interrupted.
“Exactly,” Kat continued. “But you always lead other people to tell you such things with these little mind games of yours.”
“I’m just having fun. I’m not really interested in…”
“Well, it doesn’t seem like that,” Kat cut me off.
“You can always tell me to fuck off if you don’t want to say anything, you know,” I pointed out.
“And I always do,” she giggled. “But you still continue to push until I spill it out.”
“It’s not my fault you’re eager to brag.”
“See, this is exactly what I’m talking about, dude,” she shrugged.
“Fine,” I left it to rest and took a sip of my coffee.
“Oh, now we go all indifferent, yeah,” she snorted.
“What the fuck is your problem?” I giggled glancing at Sweetie who was truly amused with this little conversation between Kat and me.
“Nothing,” Kat pursed her lips and frowned averting her eyes from me. “You’re just pissing me off.”
“What did I do now?” I laughed.
“Oh, you know,” she squinted her eyes at me. “You always do it. Tease then retreat and shut up when I want to talk.”
“Ok, then talk,” I simply said shrugging.
“Not when you’re like this,” she shook her head.
“Aww,” I pouted and put my arm over her shoulder and pulled her to me and she grinned. “Come on Kitty Kat, I’m all ears,” I played with my charm and she poked my ribs.
“You really want to hear?”
“You know I do,” I grinned and then listened to her re-tell everything that went on last night. I listened attentively, noticing each of her little infatuated sighs, and nodded whenever she expected me to confirm that something that guy did was actually nice.
You can’t not love Kat when she’s real little kitten. She’s just a big sucker for romance whether it happens to her or to people around her, it doesn’t matter. She’s just such personality that makes you smile and such a big kid.
“See, you did it all over again,” Sweetie commented when Kat finished her kiss and tell. “You’re just plain bad.”
“It’s ok, I’m used to it,” Kat assured her.
“You just can’t keep your mouth shut, that’s all,” I returned and kissed her hair before I let go of her leaving her smiling.
“You should relax and have fun while you’re here,” Sweetie told her.
“Think so?” Kat scratched her nose.
“Definitively,” Sweetie assured her.
“Yeah, I could,” Kat sighed thinking it for a while. “You know, we should go out tonight.”
“Then it’s a deal,” I confirmed.