„So, you're a big someone in the music biz. What do you want from me? Been there, done that, done with it." Jude said slightly slurring. She wasn't in the mood for some stupid guy to tell her how great she was and what a career she could have and everything. In the end these guys all only tried to hit on her or to use her for something. It was just getting ridiculous how often Jude had already believed them. It was over by now though. She had no interest in getting her hopes up high once again.
"Jude, you really got potential and I can make a star out of you. You just gotta let me. I heard your song for Instant Star and the other songs you wrote since then and performed here in some sleazy clubs. This" He motioned for the whole club. "isn't worth you. You got talent. Now it's your call what to do with it."
Jude rolled her eyes, she had heard this stuff often enough. Even from some guy who had been sure as hell about 40 and in the end he had just tried to rape her. That had been the last time she had believed one of these wannabe-managers. She still had nightmares from that night. How he had clenched his fists around her wrists, how he had been coming way too close and had touched her in a very uncomfortable way…
"Darius Mills? You're the man behind Solid, aren't you? I love your magazine. It's great!" Ryan suddenly interrupted Jude's dark thoughts. She looked at him surprised.
"You know this guy?" She asked, completely ignoring Darius presence.
"Yeah, 'course I do! He's been often enough on the cover, hasn't he?" Jude looked a few seconds at Ryan, then she turned back to Darius with a small smile on her face.
"I'm sorry Mr Mills. It's just that there are a lot of lying idiots out there and at some point you just get suspicious against everyone and everything. It's saving you usually a lot of trouble if you're living my life. So no offence." Jude explained more politely now.
"No offence taken. I just want you to consider my offer." Darius said with a smile.
"Well, that would be what exactly?" Jude asked, trying to not sound too interested, but truth was that hope was slowly rising inside of her again. Everything had just been so wrong in the last few days and she couldn't help but not only hope, but want to hope.
"Well, I'd say you'd come by the studio tomorrow and I'll show you around and you'll try a session with a producer. Then you can decide if you want to sign a contract or not. If you do, I'll be your manager and I'm going to make a star out of you."
"Doesn't sound that bad. But I got two questions. First, how come you're choosing me? Out here in Toronto are a lot of good singers." Jude asked cautiously. Everything sounded a little bit too good for her taste. It was like she got the chance of a lifetime again. And that didn't just happen like that, especially not to her. Darius looked at her a few moments, like to estimate what would bring the most for him.
"Let's talk honestly, ok? I need a new female singer that got potential and is good enough for the competition. The biz wants new young girls and you're just what I was searching for. I saw you're appearance on Instant Star and when I asked around some weeks ago I heard you quit after a week. I looked around some more and then I found you and I heard your songs were still pretty good, just like this one tonight. You got emotion in it and you got an amazing voice. In don't know why you quit back then, but I'm offering you a second chance."
Jude looked at him more closely; he seemed to talk the truth. Something that was rare these days in every business. Jude glanced at Ryan, silently asking for advice. He was smiling at her supporting and she knew that he wanted her to take this chance. But he didn't know what had happened. What she had gave up already and how hard it had been afterwards. If it didn't work out this time, everything would be just even worse.
Oh come on, who am I? I've never been a coward, I used to love the challenge. This is what I have hoped for my whole life. If I don't take this chance, I'll regret it forever. Time to make something out of this mess they call my life.
"Ok, I'm taking this second chance. But I got one condition. I'mn nearly 18 and I want out of my parents house. I want a place to stay, even if it's just a room or something. Because my parents won't let me make music again." Jude explained with her head held high, she wouldn't let this man pity her or look at her with arrongance or try to deny her her condition. This was going to happen her way or not at all. The only problem was that if he wasn't going to agree, she'd be left alone again without any hope. After all, who ever got a third chance like this?
"Ok, then this is how it's going to be." Darius agreed after a few moments that felt like an eternity to Jude. "Be at I.O. Golden Records tomorrow at 9 a.m. You know where that is?"
"Of course, I'm a singer and I grew up in Toronto." Jude assured nearly affronted. I.O. Records and G-Major were the most successful labels in the area and at G-Major she had already been once.
"Great. Then I'll see you tomorrow Jude. It was nice talking to you." He said and walked away. Jude looked after him for a few moments, then she turned back to Ryan and squealed loudly.
"Did you hear this? I'm going to sign a contract! Again!"
"Yeah, rock star, I always told you, you're it!" Ryan said happily that Jude finally got what she deserved and he hugged her over the bar.
Finally! This time I won't get fooled by some stupid guy like Tom Quincy, this time I'm gonna make it!
Curious what will happen to Jude at D's label? Well, let's just say that she won't have another guy LIKE Tommy Q in her life, since he's going to be there himself :) Please tell me what you think. No matter if you hated or loved it, I want to know about it! Pretty pretty please!
