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Part 1 Matt Cory sat alone in the club where he had met Dean. God, it was good to see him again. He missed Dean and Jenna. Those were the days, back when they had their own fledgling music company. That was probably why he got back into music again. The music stirred his soul like nothing else ever had nothing except Sofia that is. Even though there were people every three inches, he couldn’t focus on them. His mind was elsewhere. His mind was back in Bay City, back with Sofia. Nick didn’t deserve her. He had cheated on her at the beginning of their relationship and that was something Nick could never change. Matt had to hand it to Sofia though. He didn’t know if he could forgive someone as easily as she. He tried to focus on the music but the constant pounding in his ears didn’t reach his mind. Dean was right, what was the point of success if you didn’t have someone to share it with? Matt exhaled a long drawn out sigh. The waitress came by with a fresh martini and he sipped it as the next musical act started playing their set. He tapped his fingers to the beat but the sound was hollow without Sofia there to experience it with him. Dean was right again when he said it was baloney denying his feelings for Sofia. She was a part of his life now. A part of his business and he’d just have to deal with it. The lights dimmed casting dramatic amber and blue shadows on the walls of the small club. His heart pulsed with the beat and as if out of a dream, there she was. The object of his affection. How had she known he was just thinking about her? Sofia’s eyes searched the darkened room. Her once ambivalent eyes changed to an expression of joy once they landed on the person she was looking for. She’d seen him and as she walked toward him through the crowd, he wondered what travesty she had to get through to be here now. "Sofia, what are you doing here? I though Nick needed you?" said Matt casually leaning back in his chair. "This is a great opportunity for me, Matt, I didn’t want to miss it." She paused to listen to the singer on stage. "He’s pretty good. Is that the guy you were telling me about?" "Don’t change the subject. You’re being here could hurt your relationship with Nick. And I don’t want him to think I’m the cause of that." "You’re not. Nick and Donna-" She paused to take a deep breath. "They were being impossible. Donna didn’t want Nick and I there but when I tried to talk to Nick, everything I said was wrong. I tried to be comforting to Donna but she only took it as criticism. They’re both impossible!" She remembered the visions she’d had of Matt in Donna’s apartment. I probably wasn’t a good idea to reveal to Matt that she’d gone totally mental. "Can’t we just listen to the music and forget Bay City for one night?" Matt
did a half bow while still sitting in his seat. "Whatever the
lady wants. We won’t discuss Donna, Nick or Bay City. At least
for tonight. But tomorrow, you’re going to have to tell me
what’s going on with you." Sofia smiled but the smile
didn’t reach her heart. Nothing that concerned Nick seemed
to mean anything anymore. What had happened to them? Part 2 Le Dump, the hole-in-the-wall club where Matt and Sofia sat, pulsed with vibrant energy. Couples littered the dance floor like some gigantic version of connect the dots. Sofia glanced at Matt under her lashed already feeling guilty about leaving Bay City and Nick in the lurch. She shook the emotion away. What did she have to feel guilty for? She and Matt weren’t doing anything wrong. This was strictly business, nothing more. Matt noticed the haunted look that suddenly clouded her vision. One moment she had the biggest smile he’d ever seen and the next she was frowning like she’d lost her best friend. "Nick," he muttered but the word was drowned out by the club music. There was only one way to make her lighten up. He had to make her forget about Nick, at least for tonight. "Hey, Sofia, are you all right?" asked Matt with concern. "Fine. Great. Amazing actually!" Matt smiled at her sudden change in mood. Her voice became more excited with every syllable she uttered. "Hear that?" she said. Matt craned his neck around to see the new singer on stage. It was the man they were there to hear, Billy Rush and he belted out the same romantic tune Sofia had been so earnest he listen to the other day. She was completely right about him. Matt was more certain now that she belonged in the music business no matter what Nick said. "That’s our song." She smiled and turned to watch Billy’s performance. Only one word penetrated Matt’s consciousness. She had said OUR song. Not THE song but OUR song. Hope trickled down his spine and reminded him of how close they had been at one time. The feelings she had for him back then must be in her heart somewhere, lingering closer to the surface than even she knew. Closer to the surface than ever before. He knew Nick still held her heart but something was going on with them. Sofia never seemed happy anymore especially after spending quality time with Nick. And it shouldn’t be that way for her. She deserved the best, to be treated like a lady. And tonight that’s exactly what he would do. Billy’s voice wove a spell over the entire room including Matt and Sofia. The music failed to hold her attention as strongly as the knowledge of how close Matt was sitting to her. How close his arm was to her back resting on the top of the chair. The slight brush of his sleeve against her arm as he shifted position sent a shiver down her spine. She tried as casually as she could to nonchalantly glance up at him but it came off more awkward than she’d like. His eyes held hers with a powerfully intense gaze. A sensation like fireworks sped up her heart. Momentarily, she broke eye contact and then cursed herself for feeling so weak as to look away at that instant. Again, gathering her courage, she lifted her eyes to meet his. The lights swirled around them painting their bodies with tones of blue and amber. A shaft of blue light fell across Matt’s face. The new color brought out angles in his face she’d never noticed before. He placed his hand on her arm and she about jumped out of her skin. The sensation was somewhere between a shock and a burn but this burn wasn’t painful. Being so near to him was intoxicating. Her heart pumped faster as the song reached it’s climax. Matt extended his hand out to her and she accepted it. Sofia tried to speak but words wouldn’t come.
Her eyes sparkled with an ethereal quality as he squeezed her hand and pulled her up and out of the seat. "But the song’s almost over," she lamented. "Don’t worry. That’s the great thing about a club atmosphere. The music doesn’t stop for long." The song ended and only seconds lapsed before another took it’s place. "See, what did I tell you." Matt smiled and held her closer. Sofia was a bundle of mixed emotions. She didn’t have to feel guilty just because this felt so good, just because being in Matt’s arms was the closest thing to heaven she’d ever experienced. As they swayed she closed her eyes and commanded all her senses to record this moment. Because once they returned to Bay City, her heaven would have to come crashing down into the real world. Into a world where Matt was her boss and nothing more. But tonight, tonight there was no Nick or Donna or Joe to confuse her. It was only the two of them on the town in the Big Apple. As she leaned her head against Matt’s shoulder, she knew this would be a night to remember.
Part 3 Matt held Sofia in his arms. He’d always wanted a reason to be near her and this was the perfect opportunity dancing around in a roomful of people. The perfect opportunity to show her how special she was. A couple nearby spun into them and Matt caught Sofia with one hand behind her waist before she fell into a table. The movement brought them closer together, only inches apart. His other hand rested at the nape of her neck and brushed against her jet black hair. It glistened under the amber lights of the club. It’s scent reminded him of a time not too long ago when they had been much closer. A time at the Cory Boathouse when they had almost made love. As they twirled across the floor, he envisioned how glad he was that night that they had waited. Sofia was a good Catholic girl and even though good Catholic girls were notorious for fooling around, she was different. The one peach of the bunch. She wanted to wait until the time was right, until they were married. And Matt respected that moral commitment. Even though it had been difficult to back off, he had done it because in the end he knew it was the right thing to do. Mac Cory didn’t raise insensitive children. As he entertained the memory of the past, the only thing he wondered was how had he gotten so lucky to have her in his life? "Are you having fun?" asked Matt. He noticed that Sofia seemed to be in a world of her own. She paused to ruminate on the question. "Of course I am," she quickly answered hoping Matt hadn’t noticed her staring at him. "I’m glad, so am I." Sofia smiled and laid her cheek against his shoulder. Matt almost thought he had heard her sigh over the club music but later decided against it ruling it up to wishful thinking. "Matt?" she asked her head still firmly planted on his shoulder. "When do we get to talk to Billy?" "As soon as his set’s over. Which-" Matt checked his watch. "Which should be anytime now." Her face sprung to life, adrenaline pumping in her veins. This was her first shot at being "in" the music business and she couldn’t wait to start. "Any time now? Why didn’t you say something? Let me prepare?" Matt chuckled. "Sofia, I didn’t expect you to be here tonight so when I set up the meeting I only told him I would be there." Matt knew that would raise her dander but he wanted to know just how committed she was to working with him on a professional basis. He knew she wouldn’t be so easily left out of a key meeting no matter if she hadn’t planned to be there or not. He was going to tease her about it and see just how far she would go to be included in the night’s festivities. But in his heart he wanted to know how far she would go to be with him. "We’ll just tell him I had a change of plans, which I did, and that now I’m going to sit in on the meeting too." Matt had to hold in the laugh that welled up in his throat. Trying to keep her out was just going to make her more insistent. His hand covered his face so she wouldn’t noticed the sides of his mouth turning up in an unconscious smile. Her eyes were intently focused on his. "Are you sure Nick won’t mind?" If he knew Nick, this would set his hair on end. He would never approve of Sofia being here with him and signing an act in New York City. How she had gotten out there without Nick hot on her heels was weighing on his mind. "Mind? Why would he mind? This is my life, my career. He really doesn’t have a say in it especially after the rotten way he’s been treating me lately." Matt hadn’t expected that answer. And he never thought she would see Nick in that light. She had always so eagerly come to his defense. He knew Nick and Sofia were having trouble but he never suspected she wasn’t happy with him anymore. And to him that was the message she was sending him. He picked up on it loud and clear. Suddenly, the music ground to a halt. Men in blue police uniforms filtered into the club from the front and side doors. "This is a raid," one of them screamed. A confused look crossed Sofia’s face. "What do we do Matt?" The police seemed to be everywhere, everywhere except backstage. Matt in great haste pulled her behind the velvet black curtain and they disappeared into the eves of the backstage area. They stood enveloped by the velvet curtains for some time until a masculine voice called out to them. "This way." Matt had no choice but to follow. It was either that or get busted in the raid. He didn’t think Sofia would appreciate spending the night in jail. They slunk through the back exit with many of the club employees. Once outside, the employees scattered to their respective cars and sped away. Within five minutes Matt and Sofia were completely alone. An eerie silence filled the alley. They could hear muted sirens and people shuffling around inside but that was the extent of it. Matt never imagined New York could be so hauntingly quiet. "Boy, that was a close one." Sofia mimicked brushing sweat off her forehead. "What was going on in there anyway?" "I don’t know and I don’t want to stay around and find out." Matt took her hand and they headed for the street. They could see police cars parked awkwardly from where they stood in the shadow of the building a block away. A few were handcuffing patrons who hadn’t been as lucky to escape as they. Matt was familiar with New York since he’d been here many times but this particular part of it he wasn’t as acquainted with. He tried to figure out where the hotel was but they soon found themselves lost. Lost on an eerie New York street without a cab in sight. "Matt, where are we going?" "Yeah, Matt," said a gruff voice that materialized behind them. "Where do you think you’re going?" A man approached them from the shadows. He wore a black and white striped jacket, black pants and had a large scorpion tattooed on his forearm. The street urchin eyed Sofia. "Ummmm. Sweet, sweet meat boys." Said the man to his associates who were probably hiding in the shadows. "We ought to have us some fun tonight." He put extra emphasis on tonight. The man was indicating in very clear terms what he wanted. He wanted Sofia. "Matt, let’s just give him our money and get out of here," she said as she grabbed his arm. "Hon-ney, I don’t want your mon-ney. I want your bod-day," he said gesturing wildly. This man wasn’t interested in mugging them for their wallets he was definitely in the market for some hot action with Sofia. Matt pushed her behind him putting himself between the stranger and her. "Come with me little lady or Romeo here gets a whole new set of holes in his pretty new sports jacket." The man tried to reach around Matt but he hit his arm away. Sofia’s eyes got large and round as he knocked Matt down and gripped her forearm pulling her toward him. He withdrew a muted black pistol from his black and white windbreaker. "Don’t be a hero, Romeo." he said pointing the gun straight at him. He was at point blank range so Matt knew if he did shoot he wouldn’t miss. Matt ignored his taunting and rushed him, tackling him to the ground. A shot
rang out and Sofia screamed. " Nooooooo!!! Maaaaattttttt!!!" Part 4 The New York street corner where Matt's body lay motionless resembled every other street corner on this side of town. Uneven cobblestone streets merged into blackened alleyways. Rank, overripe fruit and leftover TV. dinners filled dull and rusted blue dumpsters. Although it was unusually quiet, a lone bell clanked from the liquor store's door down the street. Matt had only been lying there a few minutes but images from what had transpired only moments before ran rampant through his mind. Sofia's eyes trembled in fear and looked to him for her rescue as the man in the back and white wind breaker grabbed her. He taunted Matt calling him Romeo. "Where for art thou, Romeo?" he growled. Then his anger turned on Sofia. "Your Romeo ain't gonna help you now, Juliet. You're comin' wit the Blood Pack and we'll show you how "real" men treat a woman." He sarcastically laughed and the echo of his laughter filled Matt's head along with Sofia's ear piercing plea for help. The gun shot wound at his waist was bleeding profusely by that time. Matt's world tilted and skewed as the life force dripped from his body. Matt thought he was dead. It was so black, so cold, and so unearthly quiet that death was the only logical conclusion he could draw. He wished Sofia had never come to the small club in New York's seedy district. A throbbing pain behind his eyes beat sixteenth notes on the inside of his brain. It was calling out for him to awaken and save Sofia before she became another New York statistic. Matt tried but his eyes wouldn't open. His body felt awkwardly positioned lying in a way that was reminiscent of a human chalk outline. This wasn't how it was all suppose to end. He had plans, big plans, and those plans that were once dotted with lonely hours were filled with the hope that Sofia might be around to share them with him. At that moment a gun shot pierced the solemn New York silence. Matt's body heaved in reaction bolting upward. He found himself sitting on a rough cobblestone street. The throbbing in h is head worsened as he attempted to stand. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and he fell back down. It felt like he had a stitch in his side and unconsciously brought his hand up to cover the pain. A thin film of blood saturated his palm. They hadn't taken Sofia yet because he could still see them standing over him. Matt knew he didn't have the energy to fight and luckily he didn't have to. A piercing shriek filled the air and he couldn't decide if it was Sofia screaming or an out of whack tea pot. Whatever it was, it scared the gang members and they disappeared each taking a different direction. Sofia couldn't move for minutes after the gang members left. Her mind told her body to go to Matt but it wouldn't so as she commanded. Finally, when she was certain they weren't returning, Sofia dropped to Matt's side. He was bleeding a lot and she didn't have the know how to help him. Suddenly a voice boomed behind her. She didn't know if it was because she was so nervous or what, but the voice sounded decibels louder than it needed to be. "Is he alright?" A black man asked as he appeared from the darkness. "What?" Sofia turned to find the singer they had come to New York to sign. "No, he's not alright. He's not alright at all. He needs to go to the hospital." "That's alright, that's cool. I have my ride right here." The door to his car stood ajar and a small blue bulb throbbed on his dashboard lighting the alleyway. "Are you a cop?" Sofia asked as they placed Matt in the back seat. "No, I'm a doctor." Billy paused as he pushed Matt farther into the car and shut the door. "My brother's a police officer. This is actually his car. He lent it to me tonight since mine's in the shop." "So it was you?" Billy cast her a confused look. "So it was you who saved us? I heard a police siren." They both climbed into the car and Billy drove toward the hospital. "Guilty as charged. I saw them come after you two so I followed along behind. I couldn't let some hoodlum ruin my chances at a singing career." "Sure, Matt came to talk to me before my set started. He seemed really excited about signing me. And I have to admit, it's a tempting offer." "You should take it. You won't get such personal attention with a big record label. They could overlook you. We'd be working for you 24/7. You couldn't ask for better than that." Matt was listening from the back seat and couldn't help but laugh. "I hear you up there Sofia. Up there selling Billy on our business while you're boss slowly bleeds to death in the back seat." He was laughing but he was scared. The blood was all over the man's back seat. Why was there so much blood. Sofia leaned over the back seat and gasped. "Hold
on, Matt. We're almost there."
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