18 Chapter 18: Making plans 2

Alicia P.O.V

I didn't stop being surprised today and I doubt it will be the last time either but seriously first surprise was Ace coming to New York way before he was supposed to second surprise was he didn't live at 90 Morton streets he fucking owned it and now he fucking know how to sing and he wrote a song and told me he wrote another one but wanted me to sing it probably a song for a girl to sing if it is anywhere near as good as the one he has sung and I'm sure it is. The song will be a hit for sure when I realized that he was dragging me while holding my hands all my thoughts flew out the window I couldn't think about anything else his hands were rough, especially his fingers he must be playing the guitar or other instrument often with how good is cooking was. I knew he was good with his hands he should also be good in ... stop those thoughts, you naughty girl thanks to this I was feeling my face heating up as my thoughts were progressing in this direction if Ace looked at me now he would probably thing that I was the Big Apple how embarrassing 

Ace P.O.V

While I was making my way toward the studio with Alicia, I was thinking about the lie I almost made earlier, of course, I wasn't the one who wrote this song, well I was on this earth since Creed didn't get formed here I was not talking about this lie I almost said to Alicia that Lotus was the one who wrote it even if technically it was me and that was not a lie she would have recognized my voice and probably be mad that I didn't tell her it was me from the beginning also I had a hunch about Alicia identity from my last life, this plan was for me to confirm if I was right not that it would matter much because even if they have the same look and name they were two different people I was just curious that's also why I said I would use a pen name. I will suggest her to do the same I should be sure after this. Now that I had nothing else to think about I realized that I was holding her hand saying that I was not embarrassed would be a lie I did have some sexual relationships in my last life but I never invested myself enough in my relations to 'fall in love' but I also never felt this much appreciation for a girl like Alicia right off the bat either her hand was as smooth as silk and the scent of her shampoo seems stronger than when we were in the car which I'm sure that it was only my hormones talking

I suddenly wanted to take my time walking but we were already in front of the door with an M painted in silver on it I think this is something I do not understand why is my family that obsessed with big letters painted on the door to indicate what room was for what use or for who it was supposed to be used by on a gate at the entrance of a mansion I could understand but my family take this tradition a little too far in my opinion well at least it looks good if anything this can probably be useful for visitors I didn't look but if there a letter painted on the bathroom door I will need to talk to my Uncle (giggles) I opened the door of the room with Alicia still following behind me it was a surprise for me too since it was the first time I saw this room even if I approximately knew what it would look like since I made the plans but seeing it with my own eyes isn't the same thing the room was well lit in part because of the wall of glass the entire right side of the villa was made of glass this is one of the reason I put this room here I like working with good lighting also seeing the city while creating should give us a good view I turned to and looked at Alicia

-So what do you think about my studio pretty nice eh?

-Why am I still surprised of course you have a studio in your villa omg is this a Steinway? asked Alicia

-Yes it is my Uncle who sent it here when I said that I would study here this piano was my gift for my 10th birthday I also have two Stradivarius violins one made in 1717 and the other in 1726 well only one of them really belongs to me I found it on an auction on the internet someone was selling it for peanuts he didn't know what it was I paid 1300$ for it I still can't believe it to this day 

-Wow seriously, poor guy if only he knew or maybe he might fare better if he never learned about it 

-Well too late for that because the director of the Rock Hall Museum commented on my purchase saying he wanted to know if I was interested in selling it for 2000$ dollars 

-Two weeks later I might or might not have sent an appraisal report about my Stradivarius to this director this was absolutely not to rub it in his face and laugh about his risible offer

-Pff ahhahahaha sure sure you are not this petty right?

-you know me I would never be this petty over something so harmless

We both looked at each other with knowing glances before erupting in laughter I must say this girl knows me well which is weird if we take into consideration the short time we interacted well it is true that we talked a lot over the phone. I won't admit it but 2 weeks so far from her made me miss her so I called her every two days when I was back on the island and each time our call would take between 2 to 3 hours one time we even talked 5 hours straight but it only happens once so it doesn't count for information it was also the first time we called each other I might not have been the only one missing her 

after having a good laugh we looked at our surroundings since it was both our first time here everything looked new and fun I made a tour making a list of the things I had making sure everything was there

Brand new computer-check

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)-check

Audio Interface, digital conversion, mic preamps, DI boxes, headphone amps, monitor management each of these items, are organized within a rack.-check

Dynamic MicShure SM57 – check Large Diaphragm CondenserRode NT1 – check Small Diaphragm CondenserAKG P170 – check

closed back headphones - check open back headphones - check

nearfield monitors - check

a bunch of balanced and unbalanced cables - check

microphone stands - check

pop filters - check

Desk/Workstation -check

Studio Chairs - check

Bass Traps - check

Acoustic Panels - check

Diffusers - check

Reflection Filters -check

Monitor Isolation Pads - check

Studio Monitor Stands - check

Rack Mount - check

Power Conditioner - check

Microphone Preamp - check

Headphone Amp - check

Monitor Management - check

Virtual Instruments - check

MIDI Controller - check

Control Surface - check

Software/Plugins - check

Snake Cable - check

Uninterruptible Power Supply - check

Direct Box - check

Master Clocks - check

Analog Hardware -check

Great nothing is missing I can say this is better than most pro studios out there well of course my Uncle didn't look at money when buying something so he only bought the best for everything I needed here when I finished looking through everything at turn to looked at Alicia who was standing still hoping from one feet to another 

-What are you doing?

-everything looks so new and expensive I don't dare to move around! she said sheepishly

-Common don't be like around this house except for my violin everything else can be bought again don't need to walks on eggs here

-even if you say that I will need time to get used to it 

-I understand anyway we will record our songs here so you better get used to it sooner rather than later. Do you think we should call your brother here so we can make plans for this summer?

-ohh right do you want me to call him or oh never mind my phone is dead do you have a charger here...

-Nah but there's one in my luggage, I doubt it will fit with your phone but that's not a problem I'll call your brother now 

-That is not a problem but my mother will surely worried about me if she tries to call me after talking to my brother give me your phone so I can talk to him okay?

-No problemo, my phone is in the kitchen lets go!

Teresa P.O.V (mother of Alicia and Derrick)

Like every morning when waking up I took it upon myself to wake both my children up like usual but when I got to Alicia's room she was not there which was really unusual since she never was an early bird I made my way toward the kitchen where I knew she would have left a note because I always told my children to never leave without telling me where they were going. New York is dangerous sometimes and as a mother, I always feel better knowing where my children are. Indeed there was a note on the counter that said 'I left to get a friend from the airport -xxx- Alicia' what is this short note, what friend and to which airport and where is she right now I took my phone and dialed Alicia number directly after one ringtone I was sent to her voicemail which left two possibilities 1- her phone didn't have battery anymore 2- she closed it I hope for her that's it's not the second option because her summer vacation will be cut short I swear seeing Derrick coming out of his room I asked him if he knew who her sister was talking about he read the note but he still didn't know who amongst their friend needed to be picked up at the airport with how bewildered he was looking I knew that was true with did nothing to quell my anxiety I was about to ask him to think more about it when his cellphone began ringing 

-HEY BRO! he shouted excited

-Hum yes yes, WHHHAAAAATTT you serious bro, that's fire Oh so Alicia is with you yeah I was...

I didn't give him the time to finish whatever he was about to say I snatched his phone from him as soon as I heard Alicia was with this person a man from what I could guess

-Derrick? the voice from the phone was saying with a questioning tone... a male voice

-No this is his Mother speaking

-Oh good morning Ms. Cook

-Augello Ms. Augello 

-Pardon my blunder I didn't know Ms. Augello

-Don't sweat it and who might you be young men?

-Right we didn't get the chance to meet yet I am Ace Smith a new friend of Derrick and Alicia I needed a ride to my place this morning and the only person I knew in New York that had a car was Alicia so I asked for her help 

-Is Alicia beside you right now?

-Yes she is do you want to talk to her, Ms. Augello?

-Yes give her the phone please!

1 second later the voice of my daughter came out of the speaker

-Hi Mom!

-Hi my ass you know I don't like it when I do not know where both of you are, you left a note saying almost nothing and I can't call you on your cellphone also tell me why you didn't mention you were going to pick up this man at the airport is he the same Ace your brother talked about for the last 2 weeks?

-Yes he is the same Ace also I was in a hurry this morning so I just wrote the essential I'm sorry

-that won't work with me those excuses can work on your brother but I know you... must have been excited to go get him right?

-MOM!

-humph I knew it bring your ass here right now ... bring your 'friend' I want to meet him bye

with this I ended the call and slammed the phone of my son back on the countertop now I need to get ready we got a guest coming soon!

-Derrick I want you to clean the place your sister Alicia is coming back... with your friend Ace, and hurry up in there I need to prepare I shouted through the bathroom door