“I am going to the office. Jason, when you get a chance I do need to talk to you and Peter about some business matters.”
“Don’t take too long,” Belinda grinned in excitement. “I want to take you out to the garden. You are going to shit.”
Peter swatted Belinda’s butt and she dropped down onto his lap and wrapped her arm around his neck.
“Give them time to get relaxed, B. Remember how much we slept when we got here?”
“True,” Belinda nodded. “That was some serious jet-lag.”
“Make yourself at home,” Y spoke. “Akita Tom would have offered you the same invitation.” Everyone became quiet and Jason smiled slightly and nodded.
“Yeah, Akita was so nice. It didn’t matter if you were a protégé or not. He treated everyone like they were important.”
“He was an amazing individual,” Peter said softly. “I’m going to miss him. I’m just happy that I got an opportunity to work with him even if it was just for a few months.”
Amberly slipped her hand into Y’s and Robin saw that the man had turned his head and was looking down at the wood floor. He then turned to look at his wife and smiled and Robin wondered how the mix-matched couple had fallen in love. Amberly was pretty in a willowy, fragile sort of way. Her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulder. Her big brown eyes were bright although they appeared guarded today, but Robin knew that they were normally happy and excited.
If she felt guarded because she didn’t know how to take Robin then that was her problem. Robin knew that she could make things easier for the girl but she wasn’t uncomfortable and had no inclination to ease the tension between them for the other girl’s benefit.
Robin and Jason’s room was comfortable although not huge. There was a Queen sized bed, a dresser with a mirror and an armchair. Other than some artwork the room looked no different than any room that one would find in a chalet or fine hotel in the States.
Robin dashed through the room to one of two closed doors. “I gotta use the bathroom.”
“Don’t forget to use the bathroom shoes,” Jason called after her.
Robin paused to look at him. “Are you for real?”
“Just try it Robin. We might as well follow the tradition.”
“Alright.” She opened the door to a bathroom that was as large as the bedroom. It was breathtaking. The room looked like it should have been a piece of art. The floor was dark wood but there were rugs that looked like woven mats. A corner Jacuzzi was nestled beneath a huge picture window, but there was a cover over it like you would find on an outdoor hot tub. A stand up shower was to the right of a spa vanity with double glass vessel sinks. The shower was like a room but it was encased in glass, which meant it would be an off-limit zone for Jason.
Robin slipped off the comfy slippers and stepped into her bathroom shoes—they actually had the word ‘Bathroom’ written across with a cute cherubic little girl blowing out rose petal kisses. Robin shook her head and smiled but decided that she would go along with the program.
Once her feet were properly adorned, Robin walked into the room not immediately seeing a toilet. There was a wooden wall on the opposite side of the shower and she opened the door only to find a small sauna.
Damn, was all that she could think. Akita Tom knew how to live in style. Eventually she saw another one of those artful screens and when she pulled it back she saw a toilet. Gratefully she saw that it was just a regular toilet but on the wall to the side was an electronic control center. Robin looked back and forth from the toilet to the controls.
“Jason! What the--?”
Jason appeared shortly. “Oh yeah, those. Well you can wash your butt—or your lady parts while you’re using the toilet-“
“Ugh! I heard about that. Where the water from the toilet sprays up on you-“
“No, it’s not like that. It’s not the toilet water, it’s a fountain.” Jason could see that Robin didn’t understand, so he explained how to work the controls and wanted her to sit down on the toilet while he walked her through it.”
“Uh … no.” Robin ushered him out of the room. She had some business to attend to that went beyond reliving herself and the cleansing function of the toilet although strange might come in handy.
When Robin returned to the bedroom she had a smile on her face.
“Jason, you should put one of those in your house.”
Using his cane he walked stiffly to her and pulled her against him.
“Would you like that Sweetheart? Would you like your own personal toilet? I can install anything you want in the house.”
Robin cocked her head. “I meant for you, silly. You know how your hands don’t always work so well.” She went up on tiptoes and kissed him lightly before moving on to her suitcases to begin unpacking.
Jason received the kiss and contemplated whether or not Robin would move in with him—whether she would accept a proposal of marriage from him. He would have to work hard to rebuild the trust between them. It was unfortunate that it would begin under the nose of the one person she didn’t like; Amberly. But it would just be for a week or two and he had already noticed that Robin was not open to making up with his old friend.
This would be interesting, Jason thought.
Jason moved carefully down the stairs. He was anxious to talk to J about all the things the older man was hinting towards. On the plane, Jason had talked to Peter who was just as clueless. Jason looked at Robin who had changed into a long flowing summer dress that brushed the floor. Her short hair was wrapped and partially concealed by a colorful scarf and she was so beautiful that he nearly dismissed J and their important meeting.
But Robin already had her arm hooked around Belinda and the older girl was dragging her off—hopefully not to smoke weed.
“Do you need anything, Jason?” Y asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
“No, thanks Y.” Jason looked around. “It’s nice being back here but …”
“I know,” Y replied. “Without Akita the place isn’t the same.”
J and Peter were sitting around a low table where refreshments of tea and bottled water was positioned. A third man was seated there as well and Jason didn’t know him. He was dressed in a stylish dark blue suit, a blue shirt and blue silk tie. He was a mid-thirties Asian man that wore glasses with tinted yellow lenses that oddly worked.
J stood. “Jason, let me introduce you to Akita Tom’s lawyer, Hideo Choi.” Mr. Choi rose and offered his hand, which Jason shook with a polite nod of his head.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the two driving forces behind Wheels of Steel.” Mr. Choi stated in heavily accented English. “I’ve been with Akita for many years, and he had several ideas for where he wanted to take Wheels of Steel.”
Jason sat down in a chair next to Peter’s wheelchair. Peter and Jason exchanged surprised looks.
“Really?” Jason asked. ”What things?”
J poured tea for everyone and continued where Mr. Choi left off.
“Well, for one thing he wanted to continue to work with you two. The first album has been a huge success and … well after Akita’s death this unreleased album will go off the charts.”
Peter nodded solemnly but there was a sense of excitement that Jason could feel radiating off of him.
“For that reason we would like to offer you a contract to record under the Akita Tom Productions record label. We would like Wheels of Steel to be among the first artist to represent the sound of Akita Tom.”
Peter’s posture straightened and he smiled happily. “Are you serious?” He bumped fists with Jason. “What are the terms?”
“That would be negotiable,” Mr. Choi stated with a wave of his hand, taking over where J had left off. “The important thing is that we need to keep the music going—both Akita’s and yours.” Jason couldn’t stop the grin from spreading cross his face. It was one thing to work on the two albums but to now work on the same record label that had been owned by Akita Tom was a dream come true.
“How much unreleased music does Akita have? Does anyone know?” Jason asked.
J sipped his tea before answering.
“We believe that there are hours of unpublished music—enough for several albums.” J stated. “But we will need someone who is accomplished with the Akita Tom sound to finish it.”
Jason shrugged. “There should be no shortage of people who know the sound. I mean he’s worked with Shim Shu. There’s M.T.N and The A Posse-“
Peter continued. “Akita worked on Hidalgo’s album and that’s his best friend.”
“Yes,” Jason concurred. “That album hit the top ten in America’s ambient charts.”
Both young men looked at J who nodded.
“Yes, and they are fine musicians. But the difference is that they are backed by their own publishing companies and you two aren’t.”
Jason contemplated that. “Okay.”
“So you want us to finish Akita’s unreleased work?” Peter seemed in awe.
“Yes, in part. There are sound technicians that can accomplish a lot of that but no one can fill in the missing pieces the way you two can.”
Jason didn’t know if he believed that. Akita Tom wanted a fusion of the two types of sounds for a reason—because they were different.
“And Akita Tom Productions will continue with new artists?” Peter asked slowly.
“It has to.” J insisted. “We have to keep the music going. We owe it to Akita.”
Jason lowered his eyes. His head ached and he was tired, sore and needed time to digest everything that was happening. But he agreed that the music could not die with Akita.
Chapter Six
Belinda was showing Robin around the house. There were several different levels but the upper area was where Akita slept. The door to his bedroom was closed and Belinda explained that Akita’s brother and sister-in-law were due to arrive later in the evening and they would have these quarters. There was a small studio and sitting area and with a jolt Robin realized that this is where she had first seen the talented musician.
He had set up a video link to the states and she remembered how excited and happy everyone had been.
They walked through each level and Robin saw that there was a room that showed a video feed along with theatrical seating. The television was streaming video of a DJ set and the acoustics were perfect. She began bobbing her head and Belinda explained that the DJ was named and he was an Akita Tom protégé as well as his best friend.
“Tonight we’re going to Genius records where they’ve been having boiler room sets every night since Akita Tom died. Robin, I have never been anyplace that’s so live!”
Despite the sad situation, Belinda’s enthusiasm was catchy and Robin felt herself getting excited by the prospect of going out and partying with Jason, Belinda and Peter.
She watched the television set, feeling herself moving to a mix of a chopped and screwed Drake rap. The people in the audience were dancing and grooving to the beat and Robin was no longer that girl that was afraid to go to a party. She now enjoyed being one with the dancers on the dance flow—faded, half drunk and allowing herself to become one with the music.
“You should consider changing your hair color, sis.” Belinda stated. She too was now dancing. “Nothing permanent, something funky and cool. It’s really common here.”
Robin was feeling the music mix and she closed her eyes and nodded while her body began to flow with the sounds surrounding her. “Yeah. I’m up for that.”
They went downstairs a little later and Belinda explained that they kept the music streaming because it made it feel as if Akita was still in the house.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t get a chance to know him the way the rest of you did.” Robin stated.
“Yeah, I know you would have liked him.”
They went into the kitchen. Amberly was cooking something in a large saucepan. She looked over her shoulder at the two women and scooped back her hair.
“I figured we could eat before heading out to the boiler room,” she said.
“Yeah, that’ll be good,” Belinda replied. “What are you cooking?”
“Noodles.”
Robin opened the refrigerator for the noodles they’d purchased. She sniffed them and then found a fork and began eating them cold.
“You’re going to spoil your appetite,” Amberly said tightly.
“No I’m not.” Robin replied while taking another bite.
“Where’s Y?” Belinda asked while grabbing a bottle of soda from the refrigerator and sitting next to Robin at the breakfast bar.
“He’s going to meet us at Genius. He had to see his uncle in Ginza.” Amberly dropped diced spring onions into the pot as she continued, “I hate when he goes there. I always think I’m going to get a call that he’s been gunned down or robbed.”
Belinda shook her head. “Y can take care of himself. Don’t ever worry about that.”
Robin didn’t know what they were talking about and she stood up and headed out the kitchen. “I’m going to find Jason, I’ll see you in a little while.”
She went to the office where she last saw the guys but it was empty. She didn’t want to bother him but she was concerned that he not push himself too hard after such a trying day. After they had gotten back together, Jason had explained that he didn’t experience seizures the same way that he had in the past. In fact, she had yet to witness one—which was completely fine by her. His seizures had terrified her. He would stop breathing, sometimes to the point that he would begin turning blue. Robin would be happy never to have to witness another one.
She went up to the upper level and heard them in the entertainment area where they were listening to the streaming music of a different artist.
“As long as we get there early enough to see Hidalgo’s set I’ll be good to go.” Jason was saying. He was sitting in a wing chair and Robin thought he looked like royalty.
“No doubt!” Peter exclaimed. He had moved from his wheelchair and was now in one of the theater seats.
Robin saw that Mr. Edelson was seated in another armchair, smoking a cigar while a fourth man stood quietly by.
“Hey,” Robin said. “Can I come in?”
“Sure babe, come here.”
He gestured for her to sit on his lap and she did. He was smiling broadly and she wondered what was up with that. He’d been down since finding out about his mentor’s death.
Before she could find out the reason behind his good mood, Mr. Edelson stood. “Robin allow me to introduce you to Mr. Choi. He is Akita Tom’s attorney.” The stylish Asian man came forward and shooked Robin’s hand with a brief bow.
“Please, call me Hideo.”
Robin noted that the man looked at her with more than just a passing interest. “Robin, I am happy to finally meet you. Akita Tom was very impressed with your voice. I hope you will honor us with a song or two—when you are rested, of course.”
Robin smiled. “Okay … if you want.”
Mr. Edelson nodded, his expression serious. “You are a true talent Robin. Akita mentioned it but at the time you were … uh-“ his cheeks reddened as he realized that he was bringing up a possible touchy situation.
“I was out of the picture for a time,” she completed.
The older man nodded and then quickly changed the subject. “Although Akita is no longer with us, that doesn’t mean that there is not an opportunity for you with Akita Tom Productions,” J stated.
Robin looked at him in surprise. “In what way?”
“Well we’ve offered Peter and Jason an opportunity to be signed to the Akita Tom record label.”
Robin looked at Jason in surprise. He felt her tense slightly but she quickly covered it with a smile.
“Wow, okay.” She looked at J again. “And how does that work with Akita being—well, not being here?”
Peter answered. “Normally a company is not owned wholly by one individual. Akita’s death doesn’t mean the end of the company.” Peter sai
d while looking back and forth from Hideo and J for confirmation.
“So who owns the company now?” Robin asked.
J replied. “Akita Tom Productions has shareholders but currently I have the controlling interest. However, as I said, no one person controls the company. We’re hoping to continue on in the vision of our founder. We believe that the music has yet to meet it’s potential.” He smiled.
“With talent like Wheels of Steel and other young visionaries we can keep the sound of Akita Tom alive.” J continued. His eyes met hers and held. “We’re also very interested in you, Robin. Very interested.”
She looked at Jason in surprise. He was smiling at her and nodding. She had just been offered a record deal without even trying.
She could feel Jason and Peter’s excitement but could she be a singing star? She knew that she had the singing skills but that isn’t what made you into a star. First of all there were tours and hours of producing. Was that the life she wanted? She sang for the joy of singing. It brought her girl’s group enough money to purchase weed and to have some spending cash and Becca and Tracy had been content with that. They had never aspired to be more because they knew the truth—they were good but not that good. But could she be that good?
Robin was unable to convince Jason to nap before they headed out for the evening. He explained that he was running on an adrenaline high and wanted to mess around in the studio, which was separated from the main house. So Robin went back to the room where she immediately fell into an exhausted sleep.
She was awakened hours later by a feathers touch across her cheek and jawline. She opened her eyes to a mop of red curls. Jason’s lips were now trailing along her neck.
“Jason. How long have I been asleep?”
“A few hours, it’s almost eight.” He propped himself up on his elbow and watched her and Robin was struck by the deep green of his eyes. His rust colored lashes lined hooded lids that she was unsure were that way because he was tired or if he was just in need of some loving.