Chapter 1

The voice of Amy Winehouse filled Lily's ears about going to rehab as she stirred her coffee in the break room with several of her colleagues. One of which was ranting about their board meeting that was going to happen in a few hours.

"Another damn meeting, I swear, they are just trying to drown us in these. I don't know why they keep doing this to us. They just shoot us down." Marvin, a friend of Lily's moaned as he put the cream on the counter.

"I'm sure it's about how well our last quarter went" Lily chimed in as she took out her headphones. Marvin's gaze over his glasses held as much enthusiasm as a wet rag. She couldn't help her laugh. "And here I was trying for some positivity"

"I hope I can add a few ideas on the matter. That'll get me a sure-fire way of a promotion. Like Thames did." A younger woman named Trisha mentioned as she walked around the room and sat in of the lounge chairs.

"Pft. Please. She's barley even qualified to do our job. She was senior and someone left on maternity leave. She's simply filling in" Marvin leaned against the counter and sipped his coffee. "Plus, we need an idea for the ever-going war against videos of scandal, harmful pranks and rising suicide." He spoke grimily. Picking up his folder he looked over chart information.

"I agree. There is so much pain and suffering already on the news and we can't watch and take down nearly as many videos as that go up a day. So many other avenues are being neglected and smothered" Lily shook her head in disappointment as she added sugar to her coffee and headed back to her cubicle, Marvin following in close behind her.

"I have to say, if anyone makes the master pleased, I will eat my hair." Marvin walked side by side as he looked over the file again.

"You could use a trim" She teased. His mock alarm made her giggle into her mug.

"This hairstyle is very popular, I'll have you know" He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes as they turned a corner.

"Yeah, in the 50's" She laughed.

"The Golden age" He added when he nudged her with his elbow. "So, any plans for tonight?" He asked as they walked into her cubicle and leaned on the thin metal frame as she sat in her chair.

"Unfortunately, not. I have been busy trying to get an idea in order". She set her mug down on her desk and shook her mouse so the screen of her computer lit up. "What about you? Any plans?"

"I got a date tonight" He said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh?" Marvin went out whenever he wasn't overly swamped, but lately he had been slowing down of 'checking the scene out' as he put it. "What happened to Nick?" She swiveled her chair around so she could fully face him.

"Nick didn't return my call when I asked him about the girl he was tonguing in a bar this past weekend." He frowned and tapped his fingers against his mug.

"I'm so sorry." He waved her comment away in a don't-worry-about-it gesture with his hand.

"Live and learn and all that jazz." He said gently. "Guess I have to learn that some people think Bi is not monogamous". She sighed softly as he sipped his coffee. "So tonight, I am going out on a date with a family friend recommendation. I'm kinda nervous"

"I'm sure it will be fine. You're quite a catch" He looked into his mug with a sigh.

"I'm just tired of being out of luck these days. I just wanna seclude myself in my photography and just... I". He trails off and looks away, lost in thought. "What do you do when you feel so down low, you just want to hide from the world?" He looked back at her and she leaned back into her chair, thought a minute and smiled at him.

"If I was in your shoes, feeling so down, I would play my GP playlist and turn that up so loud and dance it out" She laughed at his look of pure confusion.

"GP? What is that, a new band you found?" He asked. She simply shook her head no.

"No, GP, Guilty Pleasure. Like music people don't really listen too but can't help the way you feel. You just love them. Like… I have Spice girls, Salt N Peppa, and Slipknot on mine. They always make me dance around like a drunk loon." He had a blank look for a moment and then a smile broke out on his face.

"You like the Salt N Peppa?" He sounded shocked.

"I do. I won't hide from it anymore."

"No judgment. I think that's awesome. So, what was this idea you were talking about?"

"I don't even know if it's a good one".

"Don't let anyone crush your ideas, we've had good ones, and you have had many. You just have to speak up when were in the conference."

"Well, you know how we have so many videos popping up about random things and nothing very positive or productive right?

"Yeah"

"In a sense we've hit a creative wall on several artistic fronts and need to be able to expand on them. I think that would help. What do you think?" His face was one of thought.

"You are right about the artistic venues. They have been all but pathetic as of late." Looking back into his file folder his head shook from side to side. "It's been dropping faster and faster and it now just about 34% in our total bracket"

"Its not that bad of a number"

"Your right, it's not. But when 3 years ago it was higher than 76%"

"Jeez... How did we stoop so low?"

"New management. More hiring of people whose thinking is just about money. Not the public. The new heads of this damn hydra are barely making any leaps or bounds in different directions. Or they see what works and try to make that better."

"So, they're not bothering to try keep other categories afloat?". She leaned back in her chair.

"A float? YT isn't a boat that's stuck in the sea. They just… Don't like rocking it" He said raising one shoulder than dropping it. YouTube. It was becoming a dark place recently. Their branch overlooked the upload of videos from over 9 states. But with complicated times more and more videos were sliding in and not with a good message. It wasn't looking good.

"A boat that doesn't rock is one that isn't getting anywhere" She said after a few seconds. He laughed, holding his folder to his chest.

"Make that your slogan. It would certainly get the attention of a few ears". He laughed and with a wave, headed to his cubicle. Turning and facing her computer, she signed in. Her draft was still saved on the open screen. Putting the final touches on it, she set the mouse over the print button. This had been in her head for years. But whenever she had a chance, she had kept quiet, someone had taken the lead and it was over before she could voice anything. Was she ready to take it forward? Would they even like it? Would they simply listen, encourage and set it aside, never to make? No. I won't think like that. And with a press of her finger and a tiny click, the whir of the machine made her heart race. Glancing at the clock she had about 25 minutes till their meeting.

Placing her hands together, palms up she closed her eyes. Imagining all of the fear and worry about the meeting and centered it into the palm of her right hand. Taking a finger, she dragged it across her upward palm in an X shape. Then slowly felt the feeling of her fear and eagerness center in her palm. Slowly she raised her open palm to her lips and places the palm to her mouth. Almost like she was taking a pill. She had done it for years. It was something her father used to do and for an unknown reason, it worked. She felt calmer. Pulling the papers from the printer she stacked them and placed them in their folder. Picking it up, she headed to the conference room. Several others were already there. A pair of women were talking about a movie that would be premiering in town. One man sat in a chair, looking bored, pulling at lint on the edge of the chair and more would be coming. Checking her watch, she had 15 minutes to spare. Her nerves were gone, but still, the hope she had for her idea, made her eager to get started.

"I still hate meetings." Marvin said curtly as he walked up behind her giving her a nudge. She smiled. The man who had been sitting down dropped a hand into his lap.

"Employees hate meetings because they reveal that self-promotion, sycophancy, dissimulation and constantly talking nonsense in a loud confident voice are more impressive than merely being good at the job." His voice was deep and gravely. Like he had spent his whole night drinking. All he was missing was a big mug of coffee and sunglasses. His hair was blond and short, fading into the sides. She knew him around the office. Calvin. Or Carter? Something that begun with an 'C'. Green eyes, cold and bored against the light blue polo shirt he wore that didn't match his dark jeans and black runners. He reminded her of guys who played golf but would also be the one to say that he missed his shot due to his club being misaligned. Then would toss the damn thing.

Lily sent him a raised eyebrow. "Quite a mouthful for something as simple as saying we're all bluffing flatterers who talk to much" She spoke quietly but heard a deep chuckle somewhere behind her. Turning towards the sound she saw a man who looked new to the company. Tall. Dark. And cute. His grey eyes popped out against his dark skin, like the soft grey shirt and black slacks. He was tall looking. Probably pushing 6 feet. His eyes landed on her face, scanned for a moment and slid back to the man in blue. Damn. What was his name?

"It is depressing to lack these skills but even more depressing to discover one's self using them. Right Cory?" Dark and cutes voice was soft, yet the slight mock was clear. Cory! Right! He was part of Service Representative if memory served. Good Grief. No wonder their branch was becoming a mess. If more and more people like Cory were hired, then this branch would go belly up.

"The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings." He threw back.

"And what about us?" She asked, causing Cory's eyes to come back to on he stood up. He stood at a solid 5'8 at best. He had to look down at her due to her size. She was small, barley 5'5. The way he literally tried to look down his nose at her, made her spine stiffen, making sure to keep her eyes locked on his.

"This meeting is literally about shouting out ideas to be bounced off of and passed off as someone else's idea after it finally takes off" One of the women quipped looking at her phone.

"Exactly" Cory smiled at the woman who spoke.

"I don't bring ideas to meetings so they take a nap in their head. I don't talk simply because my voice sounds good." Marvin added in, sounding annoyed.

So, what? When you do talk you're doing some ass-kissing in hopes of getting a step ahead of other ideas? Then your just like the rest of us." Cory leaned against the door, looking nonchalantly smug. A thread of anger spiked, making her fingers tightening on her notes.

"I wouldn't" Lily's voice was sharp, causing Cory to look sideways at her.

"Everyone does". He shrugs. After a second, he adds "Eventually".

"Well, I'm not like everyone else. I refuse to scrounge from others when I believe that I can get there on my own ideas"

"Mhm. And tell me, how has that been going for you? Why are you still hear amongst us grunts?" He crossed his legs at the ankles, his weight supported by the door. Crossing her arms, folder to her chest, almost like protecting it, she swallowed.

"I haven't had a good opportunity. But I will. I just need a chance, A shot. A-" He cut her off with a scoff.

"You sound like one of those inspirational posters around our office" He laughed.

This is pointless. Talking to this guy was giving going to give her a migraine "Is anyone in there?" She asked motioning to the door. People who had gathered looked around and switched between shrugging or shaking their head.

"Door was closed when I got here." Cory stated.

"Did you try the knob? She asked taking a few steps towards and leaning past him, grabbing hold of it, turning it and the door opened. Without the door for support, the jerk himself fell backwards. Lily couldn't help the laugh that fell out of her as she looked down at him, stepping around. "Your right. No more motivational poster sayings from me. I'll open my own doors. No matter what or who standing in my way".

"Well said Ms. Liang" Looking up I saw several people sitting at the long desk, the Manager, Darien Smoke, her old boss, Melissa Thames. And a few faces she didn't recognize. As people found their seats, one man caught her attention as he shook hands with a female who already sat at the desk. Dark and cute, who was smiling warmly, as he whispered a few things in the woman's ear making her smile. Taking a seat, she found him sitting across from her. Once everyone was seated, the meeting begun. The general information spewed out. Thank you for coming. Names of the big dogs who were here. The usual. Though she said little, her mind was like a folder. Making mental notes of who was who.

"Things have been well in our other branches that we have established but we are in need of some different ideas" Mrs. Thames was sleek and professional looking. Hair tied back, in a tight red bun with her usual fitted pink blouse. "We need something that will bring in out ideal customer. Keep them interested in the things we like and provide" She spoke to the point, and rarely looked away at the rest of the board, simply kept her eyes on Mr. Smoke. He looked comfortable and decent for a man pushing his 50's, His black hair mixed nicely with white, his brown eyes were warm as they glance back and forth between people who spoke. They crinkled at the sides when he smiled. His black pants and collared white shirt gave him a sense of authority, but the tie he wore that had several children handprints made him hold a lighter air about him. He didn't use intimidation. She liked that about him.

"Your ideal customer should be attracted to the fabulous culture you created, but they don't have to share your personal interests or have the same lifestyle you do." Dark and cute spoke offhandedly, clicking a pen with his thumb.

"A good point Mr. Owens. Yes." So. Looking over him a new note was made. Owens. Name to the face.

"When you have a strong company culture it will shine through your brand and you can authentically say, "This is what our brand is about." Mrs. Thames said, giving him a solid look. All business. Her statement made her scoff, making a note in her folder. A brand?

"It's the new Dior. Get it while supplies last". She spoke more to herself with a salesperson voice. Marvin, who sat beside her covered a laugh with a cough.

"Something amusing to you Mr. Wallace"? Mr. Smoke asked, his voice ringing through the room. Lily caught Marvin giving her a small smile.

"Miss Liang was simply pointing out a flaw in what Mrs. Thames said a moment ago." He sat back in his chair.

"And that would be?" He put his hands in his pockets waiting for the answer. His eyes stayed on Lily, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"YouTube is not a cologne to be packaged and sent off to people who would pay for it by the bottle. We represent a company, not a brand." She had a few people chuckle, but Melissa's cold stare made her shift a bit.

"And I am guessing since you know so much about the company, so much that you can make jokes in board meetings, that you have an idea to help it grow more?" Her voice held an edge to it, clearly not liking the fact that she was corrected.

"I... I" She swallowed. The nerves returning. Looking at Cory, who gave her a smug look mad her spine stiffened. "As a matter of fact, I do"

"Then please. Share it.

"Does anyone know what genre of videos are most common in our site recently?" She asked glancing around the table.

"Vets coming home?" A woman on her right spoke out.

"Dog or Cat videos?" A man added

"Video Game Play?" Cory himself added.

"Our top 3 tiers from bottom to top are controversy about the Washington Redskins name, personal views on gun control due to our new presidents standing and work out videos and suicidal videos are tied for the top tier". Several faced held shocked looks. "It's quite a jump from cats and babies, I know."

"She's right sir. Our numbers have become. A shock." Marvin spoke softly, handing papers out to the board.

"Then what would you suggest we do"? Smoke looked at the sheet and she saw a muscle tick in his jaw.

"We could cut back and focus on the other avenues sir" Marvin stated.

"Like which?" He asked looking up from the sheet. And there it was, her opportunity. Her chance.

"We could put more effort in endorsing music". She almost yelled out. Smoke looked at her and held her gaze.

"How so Miss Liang?" He regarded her carefully.

"Give musicians a chance to help out with the degrading sides of the poles. Music is one of the highest boosters in the world and has more positive and lasting effects. There are so many talented musicians who should be seen and well… I wish people could kinda do the same thing with music. There's so much and so little of avenues other than being pop stars or rap artists that have already made it big. We have talent in the wings and were not trying to encourage or promote them. They stay hidden till someone happens to stumble upon them. And even that's rare-".

"But sometimes, talent isn't worth squat. There are tons of talentless people out there making zillions of dollars. And unfortunately, an equal number of brilliant artists whose name and voices you'll never hear. Plus, pleasing a few thousands doesn't make much of a dent until you hit millions." Owens spoke casually. His eyes locked on her, but she didn't back down, she faced him directly. But what made her curious was the way he had talked to her. He didn't sound like he was shooting her down, more like egging her on.

"But that's the point! They have voices that should be heard! And it goes without saying. It's not like we need to please the whole world. Besides, people don't know what they like until they hear it. And that is the magic of music. Every song is a possibility, and all it takes is the right chord or the right beat and the heart is hooked."

"What kind of music?" Cory asked, making her gaze slide from Owens to him.

"Songs with a more uplifting meaning. Some of the popular classics, maybe even pay an homage to the greats, while also showcasing a few if their own". She had smiled at the thought and it fell when a snort came from the other end of the table.

"It's a vile habit to cover up works of good composers, to change parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art. It's not a glee club. It sounds like you have no respect for the musicians" Mrs. Thames spoke sharply, eyeing her up and down over her silver glasses.

"Excuse me Mrs. Thames but I greatly admire musicians, in fact my father was one! And I have seen first hand, their level of commitment, creativity, and uniqueness is amazing! Life without musicians would be lifeless. I appreciate and respect their craft!"

"Yet you want to create someone else's work, make it their work, and taking the credit. This sounds like a new version of Glee" Thames spoke coolly.

"Well putting it that way making it sound so much harsher. But the music would mainly be positive or requests in public polls would change the factor. Glee was scripted last I checked, since it was a tv show, and this would not be like that."

Thames looked at Mr. Smoke, motioning with her hand in a I Don't - Know gesture.

"I think that songs, music and musicians have a very good lesson that can be learned." Owens said after a second.

"And what is that?" Smoke asked him, putting the sheet down on the table.

"That if you're a singer or musician, you inspire others. People sing when they feel great emotion. If you're one of those who bursts into song at a moment's notice, imagine what that can do to brighten someone else's day. People are listening. They see you, who you really are. They are feeling the magic of those moments with you. You never know whose life you can change. You never know who is listening." Lily looked at him and couldn't help the feeling of surprise that rose. Dare she say that after that, she could perhaps admire him. Just a little.

"Musicians are the worst – they're charming if you're lucky but they ain't steady." Cory said fiddling with a highlighter cap. This caused Lily to look at him with narrowed eyes. What was with this guy?

"Are you serious? Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgement. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. In their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes." She finished and almost felt out of breath. Looking around, all eyes were on her. Marvin, slacked jaw and wide eyes said many things.

"And what, you would simply get some Hollywood movie stars to sing and dance and all's right in the world? Hasn't done much in the past." Owen motioned to her, pen in hand, before clicking it again.

"Hollywood stars? They may be able to spark an interest, but to many people, they are almost untouchable due to their status alone. Being a movie or music star makes them seems... Almost unrealistic. We want to relate. Not awe viewers" She worded it carefully.

" Okay. So, you don't want stars, so what? You'll settle for pulling random people off the street?" He moved from side to side in his chair, making it move gently turning his body away from her in a left or right motion.

" Not exactly." She leaned against the table arms braced, fingers laced on her folder.

" Okay. Super rich people, and regular shmoes off the street won't do it for you. Then what? Spirits? God's?" Cory asked trying for humor.

" I highly doubt that I have that much pull or sway in the world, but thanks for thinking that I do." She replied and felt a shred of glee when he frowned.

"Then who?" Owens asked, leaning forward, mirroring her. Thinking a minute, she inhaled and let it out.

"I was thinking YouTubers." She waited a second while everyone processed this.

"And why them?" Mrs. Thames asked, turning her chair toward her.

"I can see what your saying." Her friend spoke up from her left.

" And that is what, Marvin?"

"Well... YouTubers are the unknown celebrities to most things. But they have a certain degree of sway in all honesty. A few of them have over 20 Million subscribers. That's even, on bad days, roughly 6.8 million views for a single video that is posted. That's allot of people tuning in to one person. Not to mention that if a high sub level gives a shout out about more people, especially if they are a part of a bigger project, then that adds to the others who are a smaller sub limit. It's like-"

"Big fish causing a ripple effect for the smaller fish" Mr. Smoke finished for him. He nodded. "And no doubt there would be profits" Smoke began pacing in a line, he looked unhurried in his movements, no doubt the act helped him sift through the thought.

"Depending on the net income for each song or video, it could be generously divided into many things." Owen spoke informatively. "Each Youtuber gets a cut, our production company would, and then the remainder can go to, say, helping different organizations".

"Yes exactly! Like helping people who lost their Holmes, family who struggle to make ends meet after someone from their family goes to war, vets who have trouble adapting after coming home, schools to help kids get into arts and of course disease research. Stuff like that" Lily rattled off each thing, one finger at a time.

Mr. Smoke has stopped his pacing and now was looking at the faces around the table. "It's sounds like you have thought of everything Miss Liang." His tone was warm, and surprised.

"I've been preparing this for... Quite a while in all honesty sir." She gave a shy smile.

"And you think you can handle a baby this big miss Liang? Cody asked, taking his pen and clicking it with hi thumb again. Her eyes looked back at him.

"I wouldn't have brought it up otherwise." She spoke with a soft voice, but the defensive tone was there.

"I didn't mean for that to come across as an insult, but it does sound like a big job. Pretty big for just one person." Cody threw her off when he changed tact.

"I have taken assignments like this before. Don't you worry. I'm a big girl. I can handle it".

She looked back at Mr. Smoke who now stood, hands in his pockets, staring between the two of them after their exchange.

"This. Project. Do you have a name for it?" He asked.

"Music for More" She said quietly. He nodded, running a hand up and down his tie.

"How long before you could get this up and running" He asked after a few moments.

"About a month. Maybe two" She estimated. It was all in searching the right people and sound.

"What would you need?" Mr. Smoke placed his hands flat on the desk, his tie grazing its glossy surface.

"I need to contact several YouTubers, if granted their contact information, find a place to organize and hold the participants and get a hold of a few organizations for the donations." She rattled a few things off the top of her head. In reality those would be the top priorities.

His eyes roamed back and forth, and only then she realized how loud her heart was pounding in her ears.

"As chairman I approve of this idea. It's well thought out and sounds very promising. However, it's not just my decision. It's a company's decision. So. I hereby put it to vote. And since I believe that in all cases, bad news should come before good. All of those not in Favour of Music for More to become a project of an adjacent branch of YouTube, raise your hand" Lily's eyes closed. Scrunched tight. After a quick mental count, she concluded that there was 24 people in that room.

"9 in total not in favour. All in favour of Music for more?" She held her breath. Please she thought.

"12 in favour. 3 undecideds. Favours take it." Her breath rushed out. Opening her eyes, she found herself looking up at Mr. Smoke. He looked at her with a look that reminded her of her father. One of surprised pride. "I however have a condition Ms. Liang." Her head was swimming and heart was still going a hundred miles per minute.

"Yes sir?"

"Mr. Owens will be working with you on this case."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I'm not saying this because I don't think you can take care of it. I think you can. But a project of this size does need a team, and the way you Owens… Bounce off one another could make it run a little smoother. You can ask for assistance from anyone else in the company providing they can work it into their schedule… If you have your list of people, locations and information set up and you can get down to business. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. I want those papers on my desk by the end of next week." He looked up from me and scanned the room. "Any questions or concerns?" He asked, but no one said anything. And that was when it all began