by N. Kognytao
The studio keyboardist also climbed into the van, but he said nothing, his headphones emanating music as he sat heavily in the seat behind Aaron, scrolling through his phone.
“So, how’s everything?” Aaron prompted. “How’s Meggie? How old is she now?”
Leah was able to ground herself back into reality a little with the conversation. As the van drove away from the Aurora Dome the short distance to the skyscraper where RM Entertainment operated, Leah told Aaron about Meggie’s treatment and how it had been difficult on the family’s already-limited finances, which was how she ended up working two store clerk jobs to help her family pay for the small apartment they were barely able to afford while paying off the medical debt.
Aaron smiled.
“That will soon change, believe me.”
The reality hit Leah again.
But after a few moments, Aaron began explaining everything that had happened in his life while Leah had been helping her family. Aaron’s relaxed nature helped keep Leah grounded, even when she was reminded of what had been decided about her future less than an hour previous.
Leah had walked often by the RM Entertainment building, but the towering structure of glass with modern sculptures out front and sweeping architectural lines somehow seemed different as she realized she would be working in that building every day.
Aaron walked in without thinking about it, since he had been at RM Entertainment for years. He told Leah to sign in as a guest for that day before walking her through the lower floors of the building, pointing out the cafeteria, gym, lounges, and other rooms on their way to the locker were Aaron had stored his helmet and the keys to his motorcycle.
“Um…so…” Leah looked around the artwork along the walls and the posters of the different artists under the label, starting to feel the nervousness and excitement mix into a confusing ball in her stomach. “What happens now?”
“Well, considering the enthusiasm from the judges once you left the stage, I’d say they’re going to get you signed immediately, which means a lot of paperwork first and foremost.”
“Can you be there to translate the contract for me?” Leah asked with a smile and playful bat of her eyelashes.
Aaron chuckled, rolling his eyes. “Sure,” he agreed, also grabbing his phone from the locker and unlocking it, handing it to his friend. “Give me your new number and let me know when they want you to sign. I’ll help you out.”
“It’s so nice to have a lawyer around again. I’ve missed it,” Leah teased, taking the phone.
“That’s my father,” the guitarist teased. “But after the contract, as a recording artist you’ll be set up with a manager and a producer. That will be decided pretty quickly. You’ll meet with them to discuss your songs and the image they want for the company and the image you want for yourself. It’s going to be a lot of talking at first.”
“Okay…I think I can handle that.”
“But you really blew them away,” Aaron reminded her yet again, smiling as he took the phone back and closed the locker, moving to leave the building. “Mr. Gracie might push you to work fast.”
Leah took a deep breath and nodded.
“Great, so no pressure.”
The two exited the building, Aaron saying that he would text Leah the following day to decide on a day to meet up for coffee to chat some more. He also congratulated his high school friend once more and then went to the parking garage to get his motorcycle while Leah slowly walked away from the RM Entertainment building toward the nearest bus stop.
She halted and turned back to the building, the dreamlike feeling of her success starting to overwhelm her once more.
“Leah, was it?”
Leah turned quickly, surprised at the sudden address from the bench near him. Not only had the voice surprised her, but the attire the man was wearing also confused him. The man’s brown hair was mostly-hidden under a black hat, though the hat sat on the back of his head, exposing his expensive sunglasses and small smile across his pale complexion. He wore a black shirt with a blood red vest and an oversized, heavy black trench coat that rested on his forearms rather than his shoulders.
“Excuse me?” Leah stuttered, confused.
“Leah Dillon?”
“…yes?”
The man stood, extending his hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Timothy Gracie, CEO of RM Entertainment.”
Along with her eyes shooting wide at the name, Leah also found it impossible to move to shake Mr. Gracie’s hand, her heart stopping in her chest.
“I am grateful I caught you. Considering the environment of the audition, I was unable to speak with you in person, but I want you to know that it was unanimous among the judges that you have an enormous amount of potential, and we would be honored to take you on the label.”
Leah, finally able to move, met Mr. Gracie’s hovering hand and let out a nervous laugh.
“Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that. I was a huge fan of 4Ever in middle school. You really inspired me.”
“Oh, that makes me feel old,” Mr. Gracie teased, breaking the handshake. “I also wanted to tell you that our top-earning band, Glaring Nights, has their kick-off concert in a few weeks, and I would like to give you the opportunity to open for them.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Do you think you can write a song in time?”
“I…I…”
“I have already placed some calls around the company to pool some resources that would give you a studio, and some of our label musicians to help you with composition and arrangement with such a tight timeline. Aaron included, if you wish. You are my first choice to open for Glaring Nights, but if you are unable to come up with a song in that time—”
“No, it’s not that!” she protested quickly. “I would be absolutely honored.”
“Wonderful,” Mr. Gracie said with a broad smile. “I try to give all new artists a few opening acts so they can warm up to the stage and so that we can properly coach them as needed. Therefore, I may ask you to open for a few others as well before we discuss singles and albums. However, considering the rushed schedule, I will need you to come in tomorrow at nine to sign your contract.”
“That soon?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Um…I have work at seven-thirty.”
“You will have to quit all other employment,” Mr. Gracie said seriously. “I will need you completely dedicated.”
“Oh, um, yes, o-of course.”
“Where do you work?” Mr. Gracie asked, pulling out his phone.
Hesitantly, Leah told him the names of the stores and the CEO of RM Entertainment nodded once.
“I will call them and inform them of our decision and your terminated employment. Just be sure to be here tomorrow at nine. I will work out all the details.”
Leah was not sure why she was nervous at the way Mr. Gracie took care of quitting her job for her. Perhaps it was the knowing smile and the eyes hidden behind the expensive sunglasses that made her feel nervous.
“I am very excited to see where your talent takes you, Ms. Dillon,” Mr. Gracie said, extending his hand once more. “I know you will do great things.”
Chapter Two
As Aaron had said, there was an enormous amount of paperwork to go through in signing to RM Entertainment. However, as he said he would, Aaron was there to translate some of the legal jargon of the contract as Leah sat across from a few members of the RM Board of Directors who explained to her the rules of working for their company.
There were a lot of rules about physical care, mental care, number of hours worked, number of songs prepared in the span of a year, and even more on the extensive contract. Leah was also given the option of living in one of the trainee apartments in the dormitory down the block from the studio, which would make commute easier at all hours.
She put off the decision about living arrangements until she spoke with her family.
&n
bsp; By the time she had finished with the contract, she was absolutely exhausted. She took the bus home around noon and collapsed on the pull-out bed on the couch, sleeping until Meggie got home from school.
Leah was rested and renewed for the celebratory dinner with her family.
Griffin’s Point was in the heart of downtown and was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. Even though their finances were strained, Leah’s parents insisted they celebrate their daughter’s contract with RM Entertainment. All dressed up, they walked into the lavish, yet dimly-lit restaurant and were seated at a table with more utensils than Leah had ever seen on a table in her life.
“Are you sure we can afford this?” she asked, leaning over to her mother.
Anne smiled gently, placing a hand on Leah’s shoulder.
“Anything for my soon-to-be-incredibly-famous daughter,” she teased. “For tonight, we can afford to celebrate you.”
“This place is so pretty,” Meggie murmured, holding her clutch purse on her lap as she studied the decor. Leah was happy, when she saw her excitement at getting dressed up for their dinner, asking her big sister for help with her makeup. As her hair had slowly regrown from the cancer treatment, Meggie had taken to fashion and design. Creative genes ran in the Dillon family, despite both parents working average, middle-class jobs as a mid-level manager and an administrative assistant.
“Good evening,” a young waiter greeted, handing out menus with a gentle smile. “Welcome to Griffin’s Point. May I get you anything to drink to start?”
“We would like a bottle of red wine to celebrate.”
“What is the occasion?”
“My daughter’s amazing new career in the music industry,” her mother said proudly, causing Leah to hide behind her menu in embarrassment.
“That is certainly cause for celebration. Is there a particular wine you prefer?”
“Um…” Leah’s father, Kyle, looked over the wine list, his eyes moving frantically along the titles, increasingly nervous about his lack of knowledge on wines. “Which do you recommend?”
The waiter smiled graciously, glancing around the table.
“If I may make a suggestion,” he said, leaning over the wine list and motioning, “this is a very nice red wine that is more palatable than many of the others.”
“That one it is.”
“And for the younger lady?”
“Shirley Temple, please.”
“Absolutely. I will be right back with the drinks and then I will take your order.”
As the waiter walked away, Anne nodded, impressed.
“The wait staff is certainly accommodating. He didn’t try to make you buy an expensive bottle?”
“No, it was not that bad.”
Leah looked around the walls, glancing over the art in ornate frames and the dim chandeliers, wondering if she would be able to treat her family to expensive meals in the near future or if it was still a few years off before she could afford such luxuries.
“Leah?” her father called. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, sorry, zoned out for a moment.”
When drinks arrived, the Dillons ordered their meals, trying not to let the price determine what they would eat, but choosing the least expensive of the options that appealed to them. Once the waiter left the table again, Anne raised her wine glass.
“To my incredible daughter,” she said proudly. “Who never gave up no matter the odds and proved to everyone, even herself, that she had what it took to chase her dreams.”
“Learned from the best,” Leah said, looking around the table and nudging Meggie with a wink.
“Damn right you did,” Kyle played along. He lifted his glass. “To Leah.”
“Cheers!”
Everyone at the table drank heartily.
“I always knew you could do it,” her father said with a strong nod.
“You did not!” Leah teased, glaring playfully.
“You misunderstand me,” Kyle said, turning his nose up and taking on a pretentious air that had everyone grinning. “If I had always praised you, you would have never pushed yourself to this point. You knew what you wanted and you were going to do anything to achieve it. In a sense, your desire to prove me wrong was what got you to this point. I knew that from the beginning.”
Even he could not keep a straight face by the end of his explanation and Leah shook her head, rolling her eyes.
“Next thing you know, when I become a huge success, you’ll be asking me to buy you vacation houses.”
“You mean that wasn’t the plan already?” her mother gaped, pretending to be hurt.
“No!” she laughed. “No vacation houses! I already agreed to a matching set of Benzs for the two of you. Don’t push my limits.”
“Ooh, a pair of Mercedes,” Anne said, her eyebrows high. “That does sound like payment for the last twenty-odd years raising this brat.”
“What are you going to get me?” Meggie asked, looking expectantly at her older sister.
“Hmmm, that’s a tough one…” Leah said, tapping her finger against her chin, thinking. “What do you want?”
“I want a car, too! But not a Mercedes. Maybe a Porsche!”
“You can’t drive yet,” she teased, ruffling her hair. She smacked her sister’s hand away, groaning.
“Do you know how long it took me to do this hair style? Stop!”
They waited for their meals, talking about the kind of success Leah would obtain and what provisions had been in the contract. However, when the waiter reappeared, setting down their dishes, he accidentally knocked Leah’s place-setting off the table. On reflex, Leah got out of her chair and helped pick up the fallen utensils as the flustered waiter apologized profusely. She laughed and assured him that it was alright and there was nothing to worry about, but the waiter still ran off to get a new place setting, his face pale as though he had committed a heinous crime.
“This place is too fancy for me,” Leah chuckled, standing to resume her seat. As her parents started talking about how it did not matter that Griffin’s Point was one of the most expensive restaurants in town considering the fame their daughter was about to achieve, her eyes locked on a familiar face taking a seat at the bar.
“No way…” she murmured.
“Leah?” Meggie asked.
“Go ahead and start without me.”
Ignoring the way her family questioned where she was going, she made her way to the bar, her eyes locked on the man ordering a drink. As she drew closer, her steps became slower. She wondered if she should talk to the man at all. She wondered if she was mistaken about who he was, or if he would think she was stalking him. It had been dark that night and she had not gotten a great look at his face, but she was almost certain it was the same man.
Taking a deep breath and riding high on her accomplishment, she stepped up beside him and cleared her throat.
“Excuse me?”
He turned.
There was no mistaking the man—he was the man who had been in the park the night before her audition. He seemed to recognize her as well, since he did not immediately demand to know who she was.
“Um, you probably don’t remember me,” Leah started awkwardly.
“I remember you,” he said simply. “How was your audition?”
“Amazing,” she laughed, shaking her head and taking the seat next to him. She started gesticulating enthusiastically, reliving the high for the umpteenth time. “Not only did I get signed into RM, they want me to open for their band Glaring Nights in three weeks. You know them, right? They’re really popular right now.”
“I’ve heard of them.”
“They’re starting their national tour soon. Somehow, Mr. Gracie, that’s RM’s CEO, thought I would be the best option to open for the kick-off concert. It’s far more than I could have dreamed.”
“Congratulations.”
The bartender set a drink in front of the man and nodded his head to Leah.
“Everything
alright?” he asked, clearly not used to seeing other people sit with the man.
“Yes, Rem, she’s fine,” he assured.
Leah watched the bartender walk away, though Rem still kept an eye on the two.
“I guess you’re a regular here, being on first-name terms with the bartender,” she noted.
“I’ve been here before,” he answered vaguely. “Is this your first time at Griffin’s Point?”
“Yeah, my family brought me here to celebrate.”
“Where’s your family?”
She pointed to their table. Her parents were looking at her with inquisitive glances, wondering why she had left the table, even though they were starting the meal without her.
“Your food is going to get cold,” the man noted.
“I’m going back there, but…” She stopped, taking a moment to look over the man in front of her. She had noticed his wavy brown hair that sat charmingly disheveled on his head when she had seen him in the park, but there were flares of blonde now that she saw him in full light. His green eyes were bright, but guarded at the same time. He had a mysterious air around his entire being, but he also exuded calm and poise from every pore that was alluring.
She was drawn to that calm and powerful allure. She had never known someone with such quiet charisma and she longed to know more about him.
“But?” he prompted when she did not continue.
“I wanted to thank you,” she said quickly, remembering her train of thought. “You know, for what you said in the park.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.
“What you told me about creation, I mean. You kinda…I don’t know, you made me find my emotional investment in singing again. I was able to get on that stage and blow them away.”
With a half-smile, he nodded once.
“I am glad that you took something away from that conversation. Admittedly, when you were talking about how afraid you were of failing, I wasn’t sure you’d go through with it after what I said.”