Chapter Seven: When Do You Know It's Real?

Erik threw himself back into his music. He wrote song lyrics, he mixed music. He did concerts. After a few months when his heart was no longer aching, which surprised him, he found himself ready to try dating again. One evening as he approached the venue for his latest gig, there among the usual gaggle of Sims, Paparazzi and fans, was a Sim. He didn't recall ever seeing her before, whereas many of the other faces were quite familiar.
Feeling unusually confident, the Superstar walked over to the rather beautiful Sim and introduced himself. This time, despite how his heart started racing at the sight of her, he decided to take the lessons he’d learned. Flirty isn't love. Erik learned her name was Tillie McMahon and that she worked for SimBeat. That was interesting, he decided. So, he asked a few more questions, trying to get to know her while noting that her hair was long, a light brown bordering on chestnut color and that her eyes were a pale shade of green. Besides being a lover of music, she was cheerful — this he could tell by her ready smile and how easily she laughed. And he also learned, she had a strong love of family.

They shared at least two things in common. This had Erik intrigued. He decided since tonight’s gig was set for the early evening, that perhaps he’d invite Tillie out for a bite to eat afterwards. Yes, it was high time he started dating again. Besides, he was very curious to know how she would handle his adoring fans.
Sitting in the booth at the restaurant, they had a very good conversation going that sometimes got very deep. Erik loved exchanging ideas with her and did his best, while not being rude to his fans, to keep his attention on his guest. After all, he’d invited her out to dine with him. Things went well and Erik asked her to go dancing with him, since the evening was still young. She agreed and off they went to the Pan European Discotheque in Windenburg. Although Erik did a fair share of flirting with Tillie all evening long, he’d held his tongue when it came to asking her outright to be his girlfriend. Slow was better, as he’d learned.

But the flirty was starting to take over. Taking Tillie with him to the basement floor, he convinced her to step into “his office” as he called the closet.

“No, come on, it’ll be fun,” he promised.
“The Paparazzi — we’ll end up in a rag mag.”
“Then we end up in a rag mag. Think of the story you could write.”
“Erik, I’m not that kind of reporter. I work on the ratings of hit songs. Not gossip.”
“Ah, the numbers games.”
“Yes.”
Tugging her gently by the hand, Erik smiled. “Are you going to talk numbers all night, or are you going to let me kiss you?”
“Erik,” Tillie blushed, glancing quickly over her shoulder as she reluctantly slipped into the closet with him. After several intense moments, the loud clacking of camera shutters could be heard, even through the closet door. Erik sighed. They had been found out. So, the two slowly left their not-so-private place to face the press. Answering a few questions, the couple fled the dance hall.

Erik was getting so popular, his booking agency had back-to-back gigs lined up to accommodate the ticket sales. The next day, he noticed something was up with Tillie when she met him at the huge stadium. He signed a few autographs and suddenly, she was sad. “Not again,” he sighed, his shoulders slumping. Wasn't there a Sim out there who would understand that his love for his fans wasn't the same kind of love as he may have for them? No wonder so many famous people break-up all of the time. Erik was disappointed. Tillie appeared to be so very mature, too. Certainly much more mature and sure of herself than Leila had ever been.

When the afternoon gig was over, he grabbed Tillie by the hand and the two went off to the Romance Festival. At least this time she was willing to drink some of that tasty Sakura tea with Erik. Warmed by the pink glow, Erik again approached the Romance Guru, Bradford Benner.
“I see you’re back,” Bradford said.
Erik gave him a sheepish grin. “Yeah. I am hoping you’ll bestow some romance wisdom upon me.”
“Of course, Friend. Let me see now,” the Guru looked upward, then held up his hand. “A life without love is not one worth living.”
Erik gazed at him blankly. “That’s it?” Bradford Benner merely shrugged his shoulders.
“Then, can you please tell me about my current relationship, if you would be so kind.”

Bradford paused for a moment, closing his eyes, his hands clasped together as if consulting a higher authority. Then he held up a finger. “Vibrations show a tall, dark stranger in your near future.”




“Okay, thank you.” Erik left the Guru feeling baffled. Did he mean Tillie? Or did he mean there was someone else coming along?