The guys of *Nsync sat in the waiting area outside the office of THE William Regan, owner of Jive Records. It had been a grueling few weeks of promotion of the new album and so they were unusually quiet and still. Even Chris’ hyperactivity was confined to some continual tapping of the back of Joey’s head.
The door of the office opened and three blonde children exited. The eldest, a girl, sighed and rolled her eyes impatiently as her younger brother and sister played at kicking each other. A short, blonde woman came next, with William following closely behind. He was an easy man to recognize, not only because he exuded money and power but also because of his fiery red hair and gruff manner. He put his arm around his wife and was about to speak to her, but turned and called into the office.
“Sophia?”
“Right here, sorry sir.” William turned back to talk to Mrs. Regan, and a woman slid easily out of the office door and immediately held the attention of every man in sight. She was made of varying shades of brown; golden skin, long chocolate hair, and heavily lashed doe-eyes. She was a vision; soft curls hanging down her back and dressed in a figure skimming calf-length black skirt and jade-green sweater banded with black around the chest. Joey couldn’t help but let out a low whistle when she knelt to help the little boy with his coat, causing the sweater to hug her curves all the more.
“Who is that?” Justin whispered.
“I’ve never seen her.” Lance whispered back.
“Nanny?” Chris suggested, his hand frozen behind Joey’s head.
“When you’re rich they’re called ‘au pairs.’ I saw it in a movie once.” Joey managed to mumble.
“Ok,” Chris returned. “Au pair?”
“Come on kids, it’s time to go home. Miranda, help Charlotte with her coat, it’s cold out.” Mrs. Regan said turning to the three blondes. The eldest sighed once again and hurriedly zipped her little sister’s coat before she grabbed the tiny hand to drag her along. The boy held up his arms and Sophie picked him up.
“Remember William, dinner with the Alston’s at eight.”
“I remember Jillian. No trouble tonight, right Sophia?”
“I’ll behave sir.” Sophie replied and began to follow the rest of the family to the elevator. The guys had so far remained unnoticed, but as she passed Sophie turned and smiled at them. It was a genuine smile that lit up her soft features. The little boy stuck out his tongue.
“Boys!” William’s voice rang out, pulling their attention away from the slightly swaying hips of the woman. Lance was the first to recover his senses.
“Mr. Regan, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person.” He stood and shook William’s hand as the others cleared their heads.
“Yes, I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t meet with you boys sooner. Especially with all the lawsuit business, but my wife had to have a trip to Europe, and well… you know how it is. Besides, I knew my lawyers would take good care of you.” He shook all their hands and they followed him into his office so he could get to know them. William was known for his personal touch with the artists under his control.
Sophie was still smiling as she got on the elevator.
“What are you smiling at Sophia?”
“Nothing Jillian, I was just thinking about something.” Sophie said quickly to the other woman.
“Well, it had better not be anything about making a scene tonight.” Mrs. Regan quickly fixed her hair in the gleaming metal of the elevator door before continuing. “The Alston’s are good friends of mine and I won’t have them offended in anyway.”
“I know how to conduct myself.” Sophie said thinly.
“Well, we never can tell with you. Thank God for boarding school, or who knows how you would have turned out.” The elevator doors opened and Jillian stepped quickly out followed closely by her daughters, one of whom giggled at her mother’s snide remark. Sophie quickly batted away an angry tear that had slipped out of her eye.
“Mommy has a headache.” The little boy in her arms said softly. “I heard her tell Daddy.”
“You’re right Chase. I’m just being silly.” She said, hugging him tighter, grateful for at least one ally.
“Who were those men by Daddy’s office?” He whispered into her ear as she trailed after his mother.
“That was *Nsync.” She said, the smile returing to her face.
“The ones Charlotte listens to.” He said matter-of-factly.
“Right.”
“They were staring at you.”