We left the building after telling our respective parties where we'd be heading. Since it wasn't that far a walk, we decided to go ahead and do that. Darren and I had talked about several different things. Like the cool summer air, that thankfully blew in off the ocean and had been there the whole week. I actually ended up telling him abit more about myself, something that I don't normally do. But I felt at ease and just knew that I could trust him. We walked into the Starbucks and stood in line behind a couple that was from Florida. We ended up talking to them. After we got our coffee, we walked over to a table that sat off in the back abit. Darren spoke, "I could get used to places like this." I giggled then asked stirring my Latte`, "What do you mean?" He smiled and said, "The coffee houses. Like this. If I was given a chance to, I'd actually live in one." I stifled a laugh then answered, "That would be a first."
He grinned then took a sip from his cup. I asked, "How long are you guys going to be in L.A.?" Darren thought a moment then answered, "Just until this weekend, actually. Promotional things." I nodded then replied, "Must be nice to get to do all of this. Is this something you've always wanted?" He smiled again then answered looking into my eyes, "Yeah. I believe so. What about you? What do you do besides being a 'right hand director'?" I laughed this time then stated, "It's a fun job, really. I get alot of time off, as boring as that sounds. But I also work part time for my sister as a costume designer." He nodded then asked, "Did you design the stage costumes for the set today?" I beamed then answered, "Well, No. Okay, yeah... but my sister helped. I come up with the idea for the first outfit." Darren smiled again then said, "Very nice job there. Have you thought about doing that full time?" I watched him a bit then answered with a smile of my own, "Only in my dreams. I don't think I have what it takes to go it alone."
Darren was silent for a few minutes as if he was going over my answer that I just gave him, then said, "If we need a costume designer in the future, can we call on you?" My heart went straight into my throat at him asking this. I tried to keep it cool then replied, "You mean, to work for you guys?" I felt stupid for asking that, of course he meant that. I waited in silence again then heard him answer, "Well yeah. I think that would be excellent. From what I've seen of the costumes that were used today, I believe you'd fit in perfectly with us." I smiled then said as best as I could, "I'd need to talk this over with my sister. Hope that's okay." He nodded then answered setting down his cup, "Sounds good. It'll be your decision, then." I grinned and picked up my cup. I found it abit hard to keep looking into his eyes. They were a lovely color of blue and not any shade I'd ever seen before.
After we had our coffee's, we headed back to the sound studio. The production crew was just beginning to dismantal the stage area. Darren spotted Daniel. I quickly gave him my mobile phone number. He thanked me then said, "I'll call you before Friday, okay?" Then kissed my cheek and walked off. I stood there in stunned silence, still trying to remember half of our conversation at Starbucks. I finally smiled and went to find Nigel then headed to my place off of Ventura Blvd.
Later that evening, Cassey, my sister, came home and said when she saw me sitting on the sofa looking at some of my sketches, "So, how'd first day on the job go?" I looked up at her and smiled then answered, "Great actually. I even got offered another job to help design costumes." She watched me abit then asked crossing her arms, "And how did this happen?" I sat down the huge notepad and stood up then said, "We were shooting a music video for an Australian group and I just happened to get the opportunity to talk with the vocalist. He offered the idea." Without asking anything else, she walked into the kitchen. I hated when she acted like this. Everything seemed to evolve around her. Even my own designs, somehow became her property. I said, "Cassey. It's a dream come true for me. You know how much I've wanted to do something like this." She opened the fridge door and took out an evian water bottle then said walking past me, "Fine. Do whatever you want, Gab. You always do."
I stood there and watched her leave the living room and up the stairs to her room then heard the door shut. One thing to know about my dear sister is that if she could control my life, she would. It's been that way ever since our parents had gotten a divorce and ended up staying with our dad. After he passed away, Cassey left home, and I went back to our mom's. Still visit her from time to time. Though, my sister never seems to have the time to do so. And for that, I am bitter towards her. But this, this was different. She seemed to be geniunely jealous of my being asked to be a costume designer. On one hand, she has the right to, I mean she has more experience with it. But on the other, I was the one who was asked and therefore the ball ended up in my court. I grinned slightly at this realization then went back to my sketch pad.
Sometime after Cassey decided she was going out for the night and she'd see me tomorrow afternoon, I grabbed my notebook and began writing down some thoughts and ideas about new designs. I was in the middle of drawing in my sketch pad when my mobil phone rang. It did startle me, because I wasn't expecting any calls. I answered turning the tv down, "Hello?" And waited. After a short pause a soft voice spoke, "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything." I grinned widely then asked, "Who's this?" A soft laugh then an answer, "It's Darren. Don't tell me you forgot me already." I blushed abit then replied, "Just wasn't expecting any calls tonight, especially not from you." "Okay. Erm, should I maybe call another time then?" I quickly answered, "No, no. It's okay. What's up?" And placed down my pad. Darren said, "Just couldn't wait before Friday to call you, is all. Are you busy this evening?" My poor heart was pounding in my chest. I took in a deep breath then answered, "Nope. I was just finishing up some designs is all. Would you care to see them?"
Another pause then answer, "Sure. Okay. Should I meet you somewhere?" I looked at the time, it was almost 10pm. I said, "Not this late. Why don't come by here instead." Darren asked, "You sure about that?" I giggled then answered, "I know it's not something I should be doing. But, in your case I'll make an exception." I heard him softly laugh again then he replied, "How do I get there, then?" I gave him directions to the house then talked to him a few more minutes. After we hung up, I quickly gathered up things that were laying around the place and put them where they belonged then closed my sketch pad and tried to relax by watching some comedy show. Around 10:35pm, the doorbell sounded. I took another deep breath and stood up then walked to it. Once I opened it, I swear my heart stopped when I saw him there. Every bit as gorgeous as earlier that day. Only difference now was the fact that he had on a white button down shirt, with white pants and his hair was done differently. He looked *gorgeous*. I finally regained my composure and invited him inside.
After I closed the door back I asked, "Something to drink?" He looked at me and smiled then said, "Only water please." I nodded and walked into the kitchen. Darren went towards the couch and sat down on it and picked up my sketch pad. I watched him from where I was then said, "You can look at them if ya like." He again smiled at me. God, that smile was beginning to intoxicate me. I quickly recovered myself and put away the water jug then walked into the living room and handed him the glass. He thanked me then took a small sip of it. I watched his every move, especially when the glass touched his full lips. I then had a hard time trying *not* to wish that it was me instead. He sat the water down on a coaster and flipped open the first page. I got myself comfortable on the couch and quietly watched him as he went through all of them. He then said when he reached the last page of it, "These are amazing! You should be doing this instead of being a 'right hand', honestly." I blushed then replied, "Desiging clothes and costumes has always been a dream of mine." "Why didn't you pursue that then?" He asked sitting back on the couch facing me.
"Well, I knew that doing this was like a second breath to me. It was just natural. I wanted to do something that was a challenge. And I'll admit, being an Assistant Director is no picnic." Again that soft laugh. I was absolutely mesmorized by him. Darren then said after abit, "Why don't you do some designing for us. For this promotional tour we'll be doing this summer. Then if you enjoy that, we'll go from there." I listened to him and to what he was saying. My dream of being a costume designer was only a yes away from coming true. I then answered trying not to sound eager about it, "Okay. I'll see what I can come up with." He smiled then took another drink of water from the glass. I sat silently. Just him being in the same room with me and only a few inches away was sending me to the edge. I spoke, "We can go outside on the balcony if you like." Darren looked at me then said standing up and holding out his hand, "Okay." I took it then stood up as well. He was just alittle taller than me. I didn't notice this before.
We walked out onto the second floor balcony and leaned against the chest high railing. He spoke looking around, "Beautiful here. Reminds me of home." I looked out with him then asked, "Where are you from. I mean originally?" He looked at me with smile then said, "Brisbane, Qld.. actually Loganholme, but Brisbane now." I nodded. I watched the wind as it slightly blew threw his hair, softly. God, my strength to not do anything was beginning to deminish just by looking at him and the way he was standing against that railing. He was leaning into it with his arms just barely resting on the top. I said with smile, "Are you liking the States thus far?" Darren looked at me then said turning around with his back against the railing this time, "I could get used to it." I fought the urge to actually walk to him and embrace him. That was *not* easy to do. I nodded to the answer then said, "I've been in L.A. all my life. Born and raised here. Though, I have been saving up enough money to buy my own place." He folded his arms then asked, "Where at then?" I thought a moment then answered, "In San Fran really. But not in the city, more close to the coastline." He nodded this time and watched me.
His stare was beginning to get to me. I ended up looking away then faced out toward the beach. The next sensation that I felt, I know I will *never* forget. Darren walked up behind me then placed his arms around my waist and said close to my ear, "Do I make you nervous?" In my mind I was saying he was making me way more than that. But I just answered, "No. Not really." He gently turned me around until I was facing him then tilted up my chin and slowly leaned down to my mouth. I closed my eyes as I felt him softly kiss my lips. I melted on the spot. When he knew I wouldn't try to stop this, he gently moved against me then slowly pushed his tongue into my mouth. I whimpered slightly at this. I was way beyond any return. He then softly broke the kiss and whispered, "Hope that wasn't to soon." And caressed the side of my face. I smiled then said, "Not at all." He smiled back then licked his lips and leaned into my mouth again and softly slipped his tongue between my lips. I moved my arms around his waist and gently held him to me.
After a bit, we both broke the kiss. He was the one to speak first, "I don't want to, but I should be going. Interviews tomorrow." I smiled as I tried to regain my strength then said, "Will I see you later then?" He caressed my face then softly traced my lips with his fingers and answered, "Would love that." I blushed abit then looked down. Darren lifted my chin and gently kissed me again then took my hand and we walked inside. A little after he left, I felt that I was going to burst. My heart was pounding something fearce in my chest and I had to actually get a small glass of wine to calm myself down. I poured it into a small plastic cup then went into the living room and grabbed my sketch pad and notebook. I held them to me. I could still smell him on them. I brought them up next to my chest, switching off the lights I went into my room, which was downstairs and closed the door. I knew I'd have a hard time sleeping tonight though. So, took out a fresh sketch book and began drawing different ideas for Savage Garden's summer promo tour.