Three days later, my parents were here visiting and I brought them to the recording studio and then shopping and lunch. I was supposed to do another photoshoot for Expressive Designs, but it was canceled last minute and I could use the break since lately, I’d done back-to-back recording or rehearsals for filming.
“Here’s where I do the recording,” I said and introduced them to Chauncey.
“Finally, we met the famous Chauncey,” Mom joked and hugged him.
Latoya and Leroy were the most humble and sweet people you’d ever meet. Being born and raised in the south, my upbringing was always focused on making sure my dreams were met and supporting me.
“You have an amazing daughter here, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers,” Chauncey said, then motioned for them to sit down.
“Do you want to hear a few tracks?” I asked.
“Yeah, let us hear the magic for the new album,” Latoya insisted as she plopped down on the seat of the couch.
“It’s not fully done, but here’s a little snippet of what we’re working on.”
Chauncey turned the knobs and adjusted the sound as my melodies came on for a new single called “Tainted Love”.
I feel different around him.
Yes.
I feel he’s the one.
Yes.
Can this be love?
Yes.
This tainted love.
My mom clapped her hands in excitement and my phone rang. I answered and stepped out of the room for a second.
“How is your day going?” Joaquin asked.
“Everything is going well, I’m here with my parents.”
“Are they having fun?” he wondered.
“Yeah, I have them listening to my music now.”
“Do you want to do dinner tonight?”
“Can I take a rain check? I wanted to have dinner with them tonight,” I explained.
“Of course, baby. Let me know if you need anything,” Joaquin said.
“Great, thanks, babe,” I said and ended the call, then headed back into the room.
“These are great, Sofia. I’m so proud of you, sweetie,” Mom said.
I dropped my phone back in my purse and sat next to Chauncey at the booth.
“Thank you. I know you guys got in early this morning. Do you want to go out to eat?” I inquired.
“That’s fine, what do you have an interest for?” Mom asked.
“I can eat anything, honestly.”
“What about your boyfriend? We see you in the pictures with him,” Dad stated and stood up.
“Joaquin is probably working.”
“We want to meet him. I heard he’s a dangerous man, Sofia,” Mom commented. I glanced at Chauncey and he kept his head down in his phone ignoring my glare.
“Did you say something to them?” I asked.
“You know I don’t get into your business, Sofia. The tabloids have you plastered on every weekly magazine with him,” Chauncey remarked.
“Joaquin isn’t perfect.”
“So, it’s true that he’s in the Cartel and kills people?” Mom asked.
“I can’t answer that question, because he doesn’t put me in those situations,” I answered, grabbed my bag, strolling out of the room then past security to outside. They unlocked the rental car and we got inside to head out of the parking structure and back into the food district. Fifteen minutes later, my phone rang so I hit speaker phone.
“Hello?”
“Sofia,” Joaquin said.
“Who's that?” Dad asked, hearing the thick accent.
“Joaquin, I'm with my parents in the car, keep it clean,” I said and he chuckled.
“Anything for you, sweetheart. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Chambers,” Joaquin said.
“Hello, Joaquin,” Mom said.
“What’s up? I’m taking my parents to dinner.”
I stopped at the red light.
“If you want to bring them to Antonio’s, they could have a meal on me. I’ve already arranged for you to have the entire place to yourself,” Joaquin advised.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to,” Joaquin answered.
“What do you do for a living, Joaquin?” Mom asked.
“I’m in investments, Mrs. Chambers,” Joaquin responded.
“Are your men following me?” I asked as I noticed two black SUVs turning at the same time. They had followed me from the time I had left the studio. He promised to give me a little space to enjoy my parents and now this.
“For your safety, sweetheart,” Joaquin said.
I went down the street where Antonio’s was located and parked in front. This was one of my favorite places and I hoped it wasn’t swarming with a lot of people.
“We’re here now, call off your people and give me some distance,” I told him and hung up the phone. I turned the car off and took the key out and picked up my purse as my parents followed and the doorman tipped his hat at me and the valet took my keys to go park the car.
“Sofia, it’s nice to see you again,” the hostess said.
“Hi, I was told the place was set up for dinner,” I stated.
“Yes. Mr. Fuertes arranged everything, and you have the place to yourself.”
“Perfect.”
“This is a nice place, Sofia,” Mom spoke as she looked around. Antonio’s was an old school Italian feel of a restaurant and one of my favorites. Not just because I met Joaquin for the first time here, but during my early years of trying to make it in the industry, this was the place we’d have most meetings.
“Antonio’s is one of the places I used to go to for meetings early in my career,” I explained, and the waitress came over with a bottle of wine and water. She placed everything down on the table.
“I remember you telling me about this place,” Dad said.
“How is retirement going for you, Dad?” I wanted to change the subject and get their minds off Joaquin’s background.
“Retirement is fine, but boring. Your mother wants to travel,” Dad replied, and asked for a beer.
“Sure, a beer for you and would you like bread and butter? Your meals are being prepared,” Stella informed us.
“We didn’t order yet,” Mom said.
“Joaquin told us to prepare the special for you three. Lasagna, baked ziti, penne, steamed vegetables, and Tiramisu for dessert,” Stella said.
“That’s fine. Thanks Stella.”
“Tell us the truth, Sofia. Are you happy?” Dad queried, as he reached over and touched my hand on top of the table.
“I am, Dad. Please, don’t worry. You’re not here for long so I want to talk about you guys.”
“Everything is good with us, the house is beautiful and we recently upgraded and added a swimming pool,” Mom said.
“Let me know if you ever want to move up here, and have a condo like mine.” I noticed a text message come through on my phone, I lifted it up and went back to Joaquin.
Joaquin: Enjoy your dinner.
Me: Thanks, but this is too much.
Joaquin: Nothing is too much for you.
“New York is too fast paced for us, baby. We like the quiet Memphis traffic,” Dad told me and I chuckled at his grimace looking outside; all we could hear were the loud honks from cab drivers. Stella came out five minutes later and brought our food to the table. We talked about my high school days and how I wanted to be an actress and we laughed about my first auditions and red carpet looks. Also, they explained that some photographers had come to their house to get a story about me and I told them I would get Edward to look into getting a restraining order if they kept it up. Photographers will go into your trash and talk with your friends to make up a story about you.