After another week of continuous rising success, I hopped off the stage nearly exhausted. Levi helped me down while others praised and clapped for us proudly.

"And another one down Miss Hart!" Levi shouted, spinning me around through the dance floor to get to the other side of the bustling crowd of others.

The songs on the radio started to play as I smiled to myself at how—now that I thought about it, a gift sent from heaven if it meant I could rest up a little bit on my vocal and definitely my body.

It was like I kept running an unending marathon.

But I ain't gonna complain. It has been some of the best times of my life. Seeing a man like Levi though was just a nice little perk I could get used to. "Well I obviously couldn't have done it without my new partner in crime, Mr. Janson." I professed. "Seriously, ya like a miracle worker when it comes to songwriting."

"Trust me, I didn't used to be this good as much as some say. I guess I just have an incredible muse now keeping me on my toes." He said, handing me a cup of water.

I nodded and smirked to myself. I could guess who. "Is it ya gal?"

He smugly looked at me and shook his head . "Actually, no. Maybe ya can say she's someone... possibly better."

I blushed, turning a bit away from him. Was he describing me? Oh, I wished he didn't say things like that so freely and unbothered. It only made me start to want him more and more as the days went by. 

And yes, the feelings were surely there after our little hug a week ago.

I knew it was horrible of me to be practically desiring after another gal's man, and I hated myself for it. But yet, I couldn't help it. The more time we spent together, the more my thoughts wandered shockingly wild at night. 

Like a lot. 

Sometimes in ways that I began to moan in my sleep at some of the crazy dreams of his palms searching my body—aching for him to be all over me from top to bottom without stopping while trying to secretly remain quiet. 

That is until Joy even questioned it one night. 

I had to quickly rush to explain it was just a side effect of the new job taking a toll on my head...and it was. Thankfully though, she ain't old enough to pester me going into further details on it.

"Ah rhatz! I should've known it was Rochelle." I joked, snapping my fingers.

He laughed, pushing me playfully to the side as I joined along. "Don't make me dislike ya again."

"I thought ya never did." I jokingly reminded him, now walking backwards.

"Or maybe I just wanted to see a pretty face like yours look so pissed." He then grinned as my thoughts started wandering again. But instead of the excessive moaning, it turned into clumsiness apparently as I suddenly bump into someone from behind.

"Whoa! Careful now!" An unfamiliar male voice let out.

Quickly stopping myself from falling, I turned to face an older but somewhat still young man. Probably in his mid 30s.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry sir, I should've looked where I was going." I immediately started to slightly panic.

Levi took my hand tightly just in case he was anything but pleasant. But yet, the man chuckled—keeping his jolly manner while shaking his head. "No, don't you even worry about it. Shouldn't I be the one apologizing to the extraordinary talent I keep reading and hearing about?"

I kindly shrugged as Levi raised his eyebrow up toward the gentleman. "You mean talents?"

"Yeah, yeah. Same difference." He answered him, but still oddly staring at me in a more intense way—closer to my chest from the costume I was in. I started to slowly keep my head down, covering myself up a little.

"What can we do for ya sir?" Levi now questioned.

The man then broke his gaze from me to finally toward him as well. "Oh please, absolutely nothing! It's really what I can do for you! Aren't you Ivy Hart?"

"Yes sir." I simply replied. 

I was still trying to figure out what he wanted with me. I'd never seen him before here.

He held out his hand toward me. "Name's Jake Johnson. I'm a recruiting talent manager from Columbia Records. I go around seeking new singers and professional acts around Los Angeles. The word on the street is..." He then pulled out a newspaper with me and Levi's photo together. We took it last week when the local media started buzzing around about us. My Mama never read the papes, so it didn't really matter if I was in it. "You're the girl with the voice." He smiled.

"And the girl with the man who's quite an excellent lyricist too." I gestured to Levi proudly. He nodded gratefully back.

"Oh yes. Him too. Sure." He replied, shrugging and focusing back on me. 

Well that was a little strange too.

"Johnson! Long time no see!" Rochelle shouted from across the room, holding up a tray of drinks. With us all turning to her, she paced up to us happily. "I thought I told you last time, you ain't gonna keep taking my girls here without ordering a drink. I run a business. Not a talent agency."

"You guys know each other?" I inquired. She nodded casually.

"Oh yes! Quite well! He's one of the best in the biz—so I've heard. This is Jake. He came here three years ago with his older brother and scout Jack Johnson to enlist my last actually good waitress, Victoria Singh."

"The actress?" My eyes widened.

"And my best friend...if I ever see her again that is." Levi added, but still staring Jake down sternly.

"You make it seem like by enlisting—it's into a boot camp, and not Hollywoodland. It's what makes Los Angeles so great now. Isn't it? Maybe you Rochelle should stop hiring girls with exceptional skills and star power." Jake then uttered.

Okay, now I was seriously lost. "Star power?"

He smiled. "But of course! Look Miss Hart, your voice is simply one of the rarest and remarkable things me and my bosses have ever heard at the recording company. I've come to a few shows here, but remained in the back and beat it before you noticed until we were sure we wanted to do this."

"This?" All three of us now wondered. He chuckled once more.

"We want you...and your musical partner to be signed to the label. We want to make you guys famous singers!" He happily announced—side eying Levi.

My eyes nearly popped out again. My heart beat started racing and my palms were turning all sweaty again like a sinner in church.

Discovered?! Famous?! Me?!

"What?! Are you serious?! Oh my god! Ain't that the bees knee's Levi?! He wants to discover us! I can't believe it!" I jumped up excitedly.

Who wouldn't be with news like that?! My Daddy always wanted to be a pro singer too.

Getting the chance to sing everyday for the whole world to hear, having fun with Levi, and putting my family in a nice grand house if we make money with our music...the possibilities were endless. 

It was like the universe was giving me a sign.

"Yeah, neither can I..." Levi trailed off, staring cautiously at him before turning to face me. Here we go with him being scared again because of all the unknowns. But hey, he didn't have to be. We'd be right there for each other, like we did best. So with a pleading look in my eyes to just get a feel for what could come out of it, he sighed deeply in relief and agreed. "Let's do it!"

I squealed as Rochelle smirked and walked away. Maybe I should've done that in a more discreet way.

Levi now laughed at my excitement, pulling me into a side hug as I squeezed back. Jake suspiciously stared at us both. I didn't care about his glancing though. Me and my new best friend could be full time performers!

"Um wait a minute now, I think we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves. I didn't say you would automatically be in. We just want you to be. It's an entire process which I'd love to explain if you have-"

"Hart! Janson! Tables and drinks don't fix themselves!" Rochelle ordered from afar. She had a point.

"Sorry sir. This isn't a good time right now. We really have work to do-" Levi tried getting away, still holding tight to my hand.

"Hey! That's fine, but I am having a party tonight!" We both froze again. "Yes! Well really, it's the company's party. I can show you guys our connections there if you'd like to come. Tonight at 8."

Uh oh. Now that was a challenge. I already arranged to clean the house up, do everyone's laundry, make dinner, give the smaller kids baths, and make sure everyone gets to bed on time.

"Does it have to be so late?" I wondered.

I had never been to a party before, but it was much more feasible time wise if it was much earlier. All I had to do tomorrow or the next day was to restock my neighbors groceries again. I could easily speed that up.

"Not my time to choose but...yes. Why? Is there a problem?" Jake asked. I spun to Levi who looked like even a piece of him wanted to explore it too.

Who was I to step on his chances and say no? Equal recognition. Equal opportunities.

"No. Sounds...great." I nodded shyly.

Jake smiled back as Levi squeezed my hand for a silent 'thank you' I'm assuming.

I just had to figure out how like always.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Now you've officially met Jake Johnson! What do we think of him so far?

Stay tuned! :)