Between Songs

by N. Kognytao

  Therefore, even though everyone was very impressed that Mr. Gracie was sitting in the VIP seats of the Outdoor Show through the concert, it also meant that everyone was nervous about letting down the CEO with a sub-par performance. The lighting and sound directors were very careful to do their very best, hoping that the Outdoor Show was up to his standards.

  Tim always enjoyed the concerts most out of all the events he did as RM Entertainment’s CEO. As a former musical performer, he loved to be back in the environment where he had always felt the most joy in his life.

  He watched all his artists dazzle the audience and ride the energy high of the hot August evening. He smiled, sitting quietly, watching with careful eyes and being sure to act as both CEO and audience member.

  Therefore, near the end of the concert, when Sean took to the stage and everyone saw him dressed as Leeta, the joyous cries of the concert-goers made him happy both as an audience member and the CEO. As rehearsed, Sean put on an incredible performance and everyone enjoyed the parody of Leeta, laughing at the exaggerations and singing along with the popular songs, even with the different key to accommodate his deeper voice.

  But when Leah came out afterward dressed as 4U back in the days of 4Ever, with the dated fashion and hair, the screams and laughs from the audience made Tim forget that he was there was RM’s CEO. He smiled along with the others and clapped at Leah’s impersonation as the song Night Drive began to play.

  Tim could not help but rock his head in time with the beat of the song that he knew by heart. It had been from the last album 4Ever had made before disbanding, and even though the breakup of the band had been very ugly, the songs always filled him with happiness at the memories of better times before the scandals and deceit.

  Clearly fueled from the feedback of the excited audience as Night Drive began to transition into Blinded, Leah put her all into the performance and began singing, mimicking the moves of the most famous artist in the RM label.

  Tim felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and glanced at the screen as the song continued.

  Michael: Hey, you said you would always love me, right? ;-)

  Confused by the message, Tim looked around him and then back to the stage.

  Why? Are you up to something?

  He did not bother to see if there was a response. He immediately stood from his seat and half-ran toward the stage, lifting the phone to his ear as he tried to call the stage manager.

  However, before he could reach him, the song moved into the first bridge, distracting Tim as a black-robed figure emerged from one of the elevators to the stage, the spotlights focusing on him. Leah was also taken aback and she turned to the figure, even as she continued singing.

  After the chorus was a verse that Tim had sung in the original version of Blinded. The figure ripped the black shroud from his body, exposing a costume to mimic Tim Gracie’s signature high-fashion style, complete with a hat sitting on the back of his head. However, there was no mistaking the person on stage.

  Screams pierced the air as fans exploded with excitement at 4U’s surprise appearance.

  When 4U began singing Tim’s part, Tim nearly collapsed against the barrier around the stage in laughter at seeing his former bandmate and close friend mimicking his movements, even though they were exaggerated. Other singers and dancers of RM Entertainment were giggling uncontrollably backstage. Leah, however, felt as though she was in a dream.

  4U’s presence was all-encompassing, radiating from him like a shockwave and engulfing the entire dome. She felt her heart race and quickly ran to him, lifting the microphone to her mouth to continue with the song, pretending she was 4U as the real 4U pretended to be Tim Gracie. They reacted to one another, lost in the performance, moving only in relation to the beat and the other performer. It felt so natural that, even though everyone backstage knew 4U’s appearance was entirely unplanned, it looked perfectly rehearsed.

  The energy among the concert-goers was palpable. Everyone was soon jumping in time with the beat, screaming excitedly or singing along, ignoring the cameras that swung above them to capture the experience of the performance.

  All too soon, the song ended with the pyrotechnics firing into the air and the lights going dark.

  Leah stood in the dark for three long seconds before lowering her microphone and turning to 4U, who she could barely make out in the ambient light.

  That was when reality hit that she had just shared the stage with her idol. 4U was also looking at her, a broad smile on his face, his eyes dancing with exhilaration. Leah laughed before she could help herself. But before she could say anything, the lights returned and 4U turned to the crowd.

  “How’s everyone feeling tonight?!” he called.

  The audience screamed excitedly.

  “Sorry I was late. You would not believe the traffic from Tokyo to here!” he teased. “I have to say it’s always best to be with the family.” He motioned to the fans, who cried and screamed, beginning to chant his name. “Are you guys happy to see me?”

  They screamed once more.

  “I said are you happy to see me?!”

  Somehow, the deafening screams were even louder.

  “Not as happy as I am to see you,” he said, his wink shown on the large screens at the back of the stage, causing yet another round of cries to ring out. “Now, I think we all need to take a moment to recognize someone here tonight,” he said, looking around as he pinched the brim of his hat. “You know who I’m talking about. The CEO of RM! Get up here, Tim Gracie!!”

  Tim’s expression was exasperated as the cameras and lights turned to him at the side of the stage. A few of the security personnel walked to the barrier and kept people back as he climbed over and jogged to the stairs, climbing onto the stage as a stagehand ran out with a microphone and in-ear device. As Tim took the microphone and put the in-ear in, the stage helping secure the battery pack, he laughed.

  “You should have told me you were going to be here. I would have put you in some decent clothes rather than those knockoffs.”

  4U’s expression was exaggerated as his jaw dropped and the audience erupted in laughter.

  “How can you tell these are knockoffs?!” he demanded.

  “It’s very obvious.”

  “Well, I wanted to raid your closet, but nothing fit! I’m too short for your clothes!” He turned to the audience. “In case anyone was wondering, his wife has one closet in the house. All the guest closets and the biggest closet in the master bedroom are all his.”

  It was Tim’s turn to look surprised.

  “What are you doing wandering my house and creeping through my closets?!”

  “You gave me a key!”

  Tim laughed, shaking his head and turning to the audience.

  “Please do not believe such slander, everyone.” He turned to 4U. “After all, how can you trust someone who doesn’t tell anyone that he’s going to crash the end of the show?”

  4U put a hand on his chest, pretending to be wounded.

  “I thought you would be touched that I got right off the plane and ran here!” He motioned to the audience. “They were happy to see me! Right?!”

  He turned the microphone out to the audience and they screamed again.

  “You guys were happy to see me, right?!”

  The same chorus sounded.

  “See?”

  “Oh, and I would like to point out that I never did this.” Tim folded his arms over his chest and rocked side to side, bobbing his head as 4U had imitated earlier. 4U nearly collapsed in laughter, as did Leah.

  “No, you absolutely did!” 4U laughed. He mimicked the pose, bobbing his head and singing into the mic. “As the night wears on, the temperature rises.”

  Tim leaned his head back, closing his eyes and attempting to look exasperated while trying not to laugh. Leah quickly leapt over to stand next to 4U, imitating the same movement, and singing the rest of the lyrics with 4U.

  “It’s getting darker, baby, I don’t want to talk. Ju
st close your eyes, hold your breath. Together, feel the way we rock.”

  The audience cheered as 4U and Leah started dancing around Tim, doing the same rocking motion. The band at the back of the stage was laughing hard enough to be heard behind them, and Tim turned to glare playfully before watching the two singers chant “uh-huh” around him as they danced.

  Tim sighed heavily and raised his microphone once more.

  “You know, it’s no wonder she did so well at impersonating you,” he said, motioning to Leah. “You both are insane.”

  Following 4U’s lead, Leah and the older singer flanked Tim and began rocking back into him, their shoulders hitting his as he tried to maintain his balance.

  “Everyone, please lend me your strength, as now I have two crazy people to handle in this company.”

  4U straightened suddenly.

  “I know what we should do!” he cried.

  “We should wrap this up,” Tim said, glancing at his watch. “It’s nearing midnight.”

  “No, they want more, right? You guys want more?!”

  They screamed, waving their banners and phones excitedly.

  “We should sing a really old song. Relive the glory days!”

  “What song?” Tim asked nervously.

  “Into the Fire, baby. What else?” 4U answered with a mischievous grin.

  If the previous screams had echoed around the stage equipment, the screaming that followed the song name rattled the stage on its foundation.

  During the screaming, 4U took the hat off his head and turned it, placing it on Tim’s head and nodding once. “Better.” He agreed. “This time, you be you.”

  “I think I can manage that,” Tim said playfully.

  “I’ll be me, I think,” 4U said pensively. He looked at Leah who smiled broadly, striking a pose that had the older two laughing and the audience cheering.

  “Yes, absolutely, you be Sam!” he declared. “Hmm…we’re missing a member.” He glanced around before lifting his microphone to his mouth. “Oh Hay~den,” he sang. “Hay~den!”

  The leader of Glaring Nights grabbed his microphone as the fans cheered for him. He ran to join the other three on stage.

  “We need the last member of 4Ever. What do you say? Wanna play Jake?”

  “I think I can pull that off,” Hayden agreed, nodding confidently.

  “Okay, everyone. Now, we can’t just jump right into the song, you know,” 4U said, laughing. “Are you ready?”

  The crowd screamed.

  “I can’t hear you!”

  They cheered even louder.

  “One more time!”

  Another scream rattled the dome.

  The drums began to beat. As if they had never been off stage or apart, Tim and 4U moved forward and began a chant to hype up the crowd. Leah and Hayden joined in the chant, but both of them were also captivated by the two veteran singers.

  Leah felt as though she went into a trance singing the song that launched 4Ever into stardom. Even though the members of 4Ever generally played instruments when they performed, Tim and 4U moved easily about the stage as though they were both vocalists. Leah and Hayden tried to match the energy of the older two, but they were also feeling the energy and could only sing their lines with every ounce of emotion they could muster in an attempt to match the power of the song.

  4U ended the song and then brought out all the performers of the night for a group bow while Mr. Gracie stood to the side and watched. When Leah bowed at the end, she noticed that she received the most cheers of the younger artists of the company and it caught her off-guard. She smiled broadly and waved as 4U bounded over and wrapped his arm around Leah’s shoulder like a proud parent.

  Mr. Gracie’s eyes turned to Hayden, seeing the fire burning in his eyes. Standing to the side, remembering his own time on the stage years previous, the CEO started to see the dangers unfolding within the company.

  He knew from experience that he had to handle the problem quickly.

  Chapter Eighteen

  After the concert, the musicians of the RM label were gathered in the dressing rooms, congratulating one another, still riding the high of the concert. 4U’s appearance had brought an energy that infected even the makeup artists and wardrobe managers. Everyone greeted the legend of RM Entertainment as he bounded around the room like a child, eagerly congratulating everyone and saying hello to friends.

  Leah was also bouncing around, hugging Aaron as Yasmine yanked her over and nearly crushed her ribs in a hug.

  “You were awesome!” she said.

  “I cannot believe everything that just happened!” Leah laughed loudly.

  Other artists walked over and told her how wonderful she was, and she thanked the whirl of faces and smiles.

  Mr. Gracie walked in and everyone cheered, clapping as he raised a hand and nodded.

  “Thank you, thank you,” he called, trying to get everyone to calm down. When it was quiet enough, he clasped his hands together and shook his head, his eyebrows high. “I don’t know what to say. You all were absolutely amazing tonight. I know I say it every year, but I really believe that, every year, you put on a better show. This one was phenomenal. You should all be incredibly proud.”

  Whooping and cheering surrounded them as another round of congratulations were voiced.

  “I want to thank you all for your energy and your dedication. Without your talent, RM would not be nearly as strong as it is. Thank you all.”

  The claps were directed toward Mr. Gracie that time.

  “Please take care getting home tonight. Normal schedules will resume on Monday.”

  Everyone cheered once more as Mr. Gracie turned his eyes on 4U, who sheepishly slinked behind one of the managers.

  “You…” He pointed, darting over to 4U and grabbing his shirt, yanking him back as 4U laughed loudly.

  “You said you would always love me, remember?!” he half-cried, half-giggled.

  Mr. Gracie took the hat off his head and put it back on 4U.

  “You need to work on your impersonation of me,” he laughed.

  4U resumed the rocking position he had imitated on stage and teased his former bandmate again as everyone laughed. 4U suddenly straightened, as if remembering something.

  “Oh!” He darted to Leah and placed a hand on both shoulders, turning her away from Keith. “You. You were amazing!”

  Leah blinked stupidly at 4U before smiling like an idiot,

  “Thank you!”

  “No, seriously! I mean, as soon as I saw you at the auditions, I knew there was something about you. I just knew!”

  “Wait, you were there?!” everyone around Leah gasped.

  “No, I was in Sydney. But I watched remotely. Once you finished your song I texted Tim and told him he had to sign you.”

  “Really?” Leah gawked. “You…I mean…”

  “I was so inspired by your voice! The song, the lyrics, there was so much raw energy and talent there, I felt every word. I was blown away.”

  “Alright, that’s enough. Let her go,” Mr. Gracie laughed, putting a hand on 4U’s shoulder and pulling him back. “Do your post-concert breathing, otherwise you’re going to be going for hours.”

  “I did one and a half-songs!” 4U laughed.

  “You did do exceptionally well, Ms. Dillon,” Mr. Gracie said with a nod. “And after this concert airs, everyone is going to want your album. Starting Monday, I want you to meet with marketing and our stylists. Let’s get prepared for your album.”

  “A full album?”

  “The single has done well. You won the fan poll. I think we better strike while the iron is hot and while everyone is still talking about you.”

  Aaron laughed and hugged Leah again.

  “I told you you were amazing!”

  The others of the band exchanged high-fives while Leah could only stare, the words ricocheting in her brain and a broad smile across her features.

  “Tim!”

  The CEO of RM Entertainment turned,
his eyes going wide as a lithe woman with short blonde hair ran to him.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, picking her up and spinning once around as she giggled. “I thought you had a benefit tonight.”

  “I lied,” she said, grinning wickedly. She wrapped her arm around 4U, who leaned his head against hers. “Michael asked me to rush him from the airport.”

  Tim pointed at 4U once more.

  “Now you’re conspiring with my wife behind my back?” he asked, though he was smiling.

  “Oh, it’s all in good fun. I mean, I’m practically a member of the family anyway.”

  Tim’s wife turned to the stunned Leah, who was studying her carefully. She looked nothing like Braydon. Her blonde hair was cut short around her heart-shaped face and her bright blue eyes were large and alight with energy. She wore designer clothes as well, nearly matching Mr. Gracie’s style. It took Leah an embarrassingly long time to remember that she was Braydon’s step-sister, not blood sister.

  “Leah,” she greeted. “I’m Emma Gracie. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

  She extended her hand, though it took the singer a few moments to meet it.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, too.”

  “Em, you know Aaron,” Mr. Gracie said, motioning to the guitarist. “This is Keith, Carson, and Yasmine. Everyone, this is my wife.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you all. I didn’t see tonight’s show, but I was here for dress rehearsal last night and you guys were amazing.”

  “Thank you,” they said, all shaking her hand.

  She returned to her husband’s side and wrapped an arm around his waist as his arm went around her shoulders. Hugging her, he pressed a kiss to her head.

  “I’m so happy you came tonight.”

  “I saw you up there,” she said, rocking slightly as 4U beamed triumphantly. “Looks like you never left.”