The Inevitable Fanfiction

Simon Cowell was walking down the streets if London, like a normal Friday afternoon. People around him stared but luckily no one screamed this time. He smiled to himself, 'this is life,' he thought. Simon was an ideal man in many ways. He was rich, intelligent- street smart, good looking, funny, charming and a nice person once you got to know him. But he was a bachelor nonetheless. 'Bachelor,' Simon mused. He had gained that title back after 6 years. He had ended his long-time relationship with Terri Seymour a few months ago. It had been a long time coming and he was prepared. They would always be friends. He had bought her a house back in April for her to move to and she had found someone new that she was interested in. It would take some getting used to but he was happy for her. He couldn't give her what she wanted. His life consisted of work, his mum, work, work, his mum, friends and work. There was no time for children. He wouldn't even bring himself to buy a dog as much as he loves them. It was the same to him, why have one and never be there with it? The kid would be the nanny and the dog would be with the housekeeper when he was away. He'd have to stick with his friends' puppies. When he was in America, he did spend time in Paula Abdul's house, playing with her dogs. And maybe when she had a kid, he'd be close to them too. Simon smiled again.

"Simon?" A man called out his name. Simon turned towards the direction of the voice. "Do you mind if my kids took a picture with you?" The guy was sandy haired, about Simon's age with a husky voice and a pleasant face.

"Not at all," Simon grinned and looked at the kids. One was a teenage boy, maybe 14 and a little girl about 5. The kids came and stood on either side of him. The boy looked very confident, his dark fringe unable to disguise the maturity that was beyond his years. The girl was a sweet little thing, her dark brown hair parted into two little pigtails on either side of her head and her sparkling hazel eyes were captivating. She looked up at him shyly, sucking her thumb. Simon bent a little and signalled for her to come closer so he could carry her. She stepped forward and grinned cutely, her thumb still in her mouth. Simon swept her up and stepped closer to the boy, placing an arm around his shoulders. They turned back towards the father who had now got his camera phone in his hands, the lens pointing towards them.
"The camera won't get your pretty face if you don't move your hand away, love," Simon said to the little girl in his arms, lightly tugging at her hand. She smiled again and hesitantly removed her hand, and her other arm wormed around Simon's neck. "There we go," He said gently.

"Right. Smile now," The father said. Simon smiled. The little girl smiled. And the boy rolled his eyes. "Tom, be a sport. It's not everyday you meet Simon Cowell,"
"Who said I wanted to?" Simon's arm around his shoulders tensed, but he kept on a grin.
"You love X-factor. He always ses he wants to be just like you," The father aimed the last sentence at Simon, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"That was years ago, dad. No offence sir, I like you and all just fine, just don't really admire you like I used to," The boy, Tom, shrugged. Simon shrugged too, not very comfortable and didn't want to keep the conversation going. The kids' father did however.
"Why's that, lad?" 'Some people don't know the meaning of awkward,' thought Simon.
"Cuz I don't want to be half a century old and alone," Tom moved out of Simon's hold. Cowell snorted.
"It's all a matter of perspective don't you think?" Simon finally asked, insulted.
"Probably right. My perspective is that what you do is pathetic though," The teenager was so unimaginably rude. Simon mentally scoffed. He would never have spoken like that when he was a kid. 'Well, actually I would' he mused and suddenly found the whole situation amusing again.
"And what is it that I do?"
"Stay with a girlfriend for as long as she'll tolerate the way you live until she leaves you because you won't change and then just get another,"
"Is that what I do then?" Simon raised an eyebrow, trying to look indifferent.
"I feel bad for you, that's all," Tom paused and looked at his sister like she had grown two heads. The toddler was now leaning her head against Simon's shoulder, both arms wrapped around his neck. His father was standing a few feet away, his brows furrowed. "When you don't have charm and good looks anymore a young model couldn't want you for more than your money," Tom shrugged again.

The father cleared his throat. "Tom, go home. You're now uninvited to this outing," Tom smirked and walked off. Simon frowned after him.
"Interesting kid," Simon mumbled.
"Sorry about that. Kid's got an attitude problem. Hope little Faye over here doesn't turn out like him" He gestured to the small child still held in Simon's arms. Faye. What a pretty name for a little angel like her.
"He reminds me of myself when I was young. Opinionated, only I suppose with very different opinions," Simon replied and gave a small chuckle.
"Sorry," The man apologised again.
"Well let's take that picture if you'd like," Cowell changed the subject. "Smile, Faye, sweetheart," He took one of her tiny hands in his large ones, her fingers wrapping around one of his. She giggled, loving the attention.
"Kay," She said sweetly and faced her father.
"1, 2, 3" And the phone flashed. "Another one," This time Simon leant down so his head was against Faye's. Another flash. "Thank-you," The man beamed.
"No problem," Simon returned his daughter to him and shook her teeny hand. "Buh-bye," He said. He was good with kids, he knew. He wouldn't mind a little girl like this, but again, that wasn't how his life was.
"Bye-bye," Faye giggled. Simon shook her father's hand and took one more look at her before continuing his walk down the street. He was supposed to meet for lunch with a client just down the road. He looked down at his watch – 10 minutes late. Not too bad.

After his lunch meeting, Simon was picked up by his driver and they drove straight to the airport. He thought about Tom's words. The kid sure had thought a lot of things through at such an early age. In a way, Simon knew he was right. Where was his life going? When things ended with Terri, he had planned to do a bit of dating, find someone cute and fun to have around, comfortable like her again. He would make no promises and she'd have to agree to his terms. Other than that, he'd be a great boyfriend to her.

Simon waved at the driver as he sped off and he was left in the crowds with his passport, ticket and suitcase. He went in the building and walked towards the gate. His bag went through the scanner and his passport was checked.

When his girlfriend figured out that he was never going to change, maybe after a few years, or maybe less, she'd leave and they'd remain friends most likely. Her biological clock would be ticking and she can't expect anything from him anymore. Always the same story. Perhaps if he cared about her enough, he would break it off with her first, instead of stringing her along, like he had with Sinitta. Then again, he'd look for someone else.

He was led towards the plane, and walked down the aisles of first class and sat down in his seat. His bag was put in the overhead compartment by the stewardess. He smiled at her, an unconscious habit. 'Cute' he thought before looking out of the window and forgetting her face already.

Once he found someone, the process would start again. Some young good looking brunette, in her late twenties or early thirties probably. She'd stay with him until she felt she was getting old and wasting her life. And then what? He would do the same thing again? Is that all his life was about? What if Tom, a little boy who probably hadn't even reached puberty yet just made Simon Cowell change his whole perspective on life? That was an accomplishment. Simon frowned as the plane took off, trying to imagine him at age 70. He'd be in good shape, he guessed, if all those cigarettes didn't ruin him and other than his hair which would eventually turn grey, he would be still be handsome (Give or take some wrinkles). He'd probably have his sense of humour but he'd be dating girls 40 to 50 years younger than him then. They don't care about how funny you are. Most of them would be gold-diggers, after his money. He slumped. He was more than that. He wouldn't be happy with a one-sided relationship. Terri was at least independent and didn't use him for his wealth. Would he finally marry one of them? And then give them half his fortune when he died? He didn't want to be remembered that way. They were in the air now and Simon tried his best to distract himself from this tormenting train of thought and get some sleep.

When he awoke and checked his watch, it had been many hours passed and the stewardess said that they were landing soon. He got settled and tightened his seatbelt as the plane descended. He collected his luggage and walked into LAX after two months of being in London. His driver on this side of the pond was waiting for him and they greeted each other friendly enough. Simon was tired. It was early evening here in Los Angeles. He was due for Hollywood rounds of American Idol tomorrow. That was always ghastly. But on the plus side, he got to see Paula again. A grin formed on his lips unconsciously. He had missed her. They kept in touch of course, but she was almost like a drug to him. Something he needed his fix of. He counted down the minutes until when he would see her and then he would dread her leaving. Before he knew it, he was home and he thanked his driver before getting his bag and made his way into the mansion.

Unfortunately for Simon, his thoughts eventually led back to Tom's lecture from before as he ate his dinner that his housekeeper had prepared for him. She greeted him warmly too before letting him eat in peace. He mentally grimaced. If he wasn't going to continue this lifestyle, what was he going to do? Never date anyone again? Definitely not. Surely there was a better alternative. He went to bed, frustrated with his mind over-analysing. He didn't have to change, did he? Wasn't it better to live life one day at a time? 'Not if one of those days could mess up the future ones,' He thought wryly.

When the alarm rang, Simon felt that only a few minutes had passed. He was groggy as ever but needed to be at the studio in an hour. He went about his morning routine sleepily and by the time he grabbed a bagel and his tea, the stupid haunting thoughts from the day before once again entered his mind. Simon groaned inwardly as he sat in his car and turned on the engine. The poor contestants were going to suffer if he was in this foul mood, he was sure.

Maybe he needed someone his own age? Maybe the idea of marriage, though old-fashioned, had some meaning after all. And not just marrying anyone. Someone who knew him well. Someone who could put him in his place when he needed it, someone who could make him laugh when he thinks he can laugh no more and someone he'll never get bored of and would willingly share everything with her because she has enough of her own success and independence not to cling to him. Something new everyday. That would be the ideal woman for him. And as Simon drove towards the studio, he knew very well that he was driving to that one ideal woman.