A/N
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or it's character. Stephanie Meyer does. I also do not use or make claim to own any of the songs/lyrics/poems that may be used in this story. All songs/lyrics/poems will be listed with their respective artists at the end of each chapter. No copywrite infringement is intended.
A big sloppy kiss goes to my new friend TheUnderStudy for stepping in and helping a gal in need! She has wonderfully beta'd this chapter and is such a pleasure to work with! MWAH MWAH MWAH!
Another sloppy kiss goes to Upsidedownntwisted for suggesting TheUnderStudy to me! You da bomb PJ!
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Last time we saw our characters we were left waiting for the final showdown! Let us continue...
Chapter 5
EPOV
As I expected, Victoria performed exceptionally well for her second song. She easily moved into the final round with three others like I knew she would. I have the perfect song picked out for her final number.
Now all I have to do is wait. The final round begins in thirty minutes. If I'm right, then Victoria will not only win this contest, but she'll completely blow the roof off this place when she sings her final song. Yeah, the song is that good.
I dig my phone out of my pocket, needing to call Isabella. I know she doesn't live too far from here. If she can, I'd like her to get down here before the finals begin, so she can be part of the process of making this woman into a star. She seemed pretty intrigued by this part of the discovery process.
Dialing the number, I realize there's no way I'll be able to hear her speaking to me. It's so loud and full of energy here. Just then I notice Miss Nicci walking by.
"Excuse me, Nicci?" I stop her with a touch on the elbow.
"Edward! What can I do for you?" she has to stand on her tiptoes, putting her lips next to my ear so I can hear her.
Leaning closer to her I ask, "Do you have an office where I can make a phone call? I need to call my assistant right away."
"Sure thing darling!" she takes my hand in hers, weaving us through the crowd, passing the bar and heading into the kitchen. She points to a small office space in the back.
"There you are dear! Take as much time as you need!" she swats my ass as she leaves.
I chuckle lightly to myself as I watch her exit the doors leading back into the club. That woman really is something else!
From the quiet of the office, I dial Isabella's number again. It rings, and rings, and rings some more before her voice mail finally picks up.
"Hello. You're reached the voice mailbox of Bella Swan. I can't answer your call so please leave your name and number and I'll call you back shortly. Have a great day!"
Even on her voice mail she is nothing but proper, polite and professional. It's just one more reason to like her.
I wait for the beep to tell me to leave a message, "Isabella, this is Edward. I hope you're feeling better. If you are and you get this message in the next few moments can you please meet me at Nicci B's? I just found our next big thing and I really want you to be part of this. Hope to see you soon."
I hang up and shake my head.
That was lame Cullen. You could have at least offered her drinks or a late dinner for her efforts.
Shaking my head one more time, I decide to drop it. It's too late now. Hopefully she'll show up or call back.
BPOV
I can't believe how incredible this night has been so far! I am in complete shock over what I have been doing all night! Being Victoria is so liberating, fun and amazing! It's Halloween on steroids.
"Bella, how are you doing? Are you ready for this last song?" my best friend Rose inquires.
Rose, Alice and I have been sitting in a private room back stage for about twenty minutes now. It's almost time for the finals to begin and I am fully confident in my ability to sing the song the judges picked for me.
We're gonna bring down the house.
Damn straight.
"I'm so ready for this," I say with Victoria's sultry British accent, "let's go, it's time."
Walking back towards the stage, I get my first good look at the other finalists. I've been in the general area of all of the contestants all night, but I haven't paid any attention to them. My own mother could have been one of them and I wouldn't have known.
One of the finalists catches my attention. Even though he's sitting with his back to me I can tell that he's tall. He has long black hair that's pulled back into a low ponytail; I can see the outline of his muscular back through the tight black t-shirt he's wearing. There's something oddly familiar about him.
He turns towards us as we walk by, "Good luck Victoria," he calls behind me.
"Thanks, you too…" I can't remember his name. I turn to look at him, hoping to remember.
HOLY SHIT! It's Jacob, the custodian and delivery boy.
"Jake," he answers me. I must look like a fish out of water; my mouth is flapping open and shut. I am shocked and in total disbelief. What is he doing here?
"Jake, yes, good luck to you too," I finally get out, laying on the fake British inflection even thicker. He cannot know who I really am, that would be bad. Very, very bad.
Just then the MC comes around the corner with a deck of cards in his hand.
"Okay finalists!" he is way too chipper and a little annoying. "Let's see the order you will be performing in! You'll perform lowest to highest." He fans out the deck of cards and tells us all to draw a card.
Reaching in I pick a card. I draw the Queen of Hearts. Gail gets a two of diamonds, Jake the ten of diamonds and Embry pulls the six of clubs.
I am very happy that I get to go last. My song deserves it. Yeah, it's going to be that good.
EPOV
The final round is about to start. The MC has announced the lineup. I know Victoria will be last to sing but I can't help but to sit on the edge of my seat as soon as the lights dim.
This round of judging is a bit different. Each of the three judges will give a whole number score, between one and ten. The three scores for each finalist will be combined for a total score; the one with the highest score wins the contest and the $500 prize.
Gail and Embry are the first two performers. Gail does a decent job singing Aretha Franklin's "Respect" but she just doesn't have that star quality that seems to radiate from Victoria. Embry does alright with his Aerosmith song, but Steven Tyler he is not. I give them a seven and six, respectively.
Jake comes next. He's singing a song that I really don't like, "Rockstar" by Nickelback. Being a professional in the music industry, I find the lyrics somewhat offensive. They seemingly promote the negative side of this business in a way that seems cool. Sure, we've all heard about the stars that get into drugs and go to rehab, but that is not the way things always happen, and it's not a given that a rock star will turn to drugs. Yeah, yeah, I know it's supposed to be a funny song, but really? Cutting your hair and changing your name to become a star? I don't get it.
Personal taste for the song aside, I have to admit that Jake did an amazing job. He doesn't miss a beat, sounds great and has every single woman in the bar pressed up to the stage drooling, including the owner Ms. Nicci!
I'm torn. I really want Victoria to win, but I have to be fair to the others as well. Jake didn't make any mistakes and sounded great. I can't justify giving him anything lower than a perfect score of ten. Unfortunately for my odd need to have Victoria win, the other two judges give him perfect scores as well.
As Jake exits the stage the MC appears again, Victoria will be on in five minutes.
VPOV
This is it; it's make it or break it time. This will be the final song of the night, the one that everyone will remember and talk about when they leave. I better put on a good show or all that talk will be in the negative.
My back is to the audience. The stage is pitched in blackness. I doubt anyone can see me right now; my entire body is draped in a floor length, long-sleeved, hooded cape. The hood is pulled up loosely around my hair.
The men will go nuts when you turn around.
I've ditched the shirt I had been wearing. The cape has two buttons that fasten over my chest, giving my boobs a massive cleavage boost. The rest flows around my body in gentle billows. I still have the hot shorts and boots on. I'm one hot and sexy bitch right now.
I glance quickly to my backup singer provided by the club. Since the song chosen has a small, but important, second vocal part, I am allowed to have a partner, though he will stay in the background and just sing his parts.
The opening notes flow through the sound system, I take a deep breath and begin to sing.
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb
Without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home
As I begin the first line in the chorus I turn to face the audience. They are already going nuts. I love that I can bring this sort of reaction out in people. It spurs me to pour every ounce of my being into this song. Everything I have is about to be laid out upon this stage.
Chorus: (Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become
Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life
Chorus
Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life
Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead
(All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me)
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
(Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul)
(Don't let me die here)
(There must be something more)
Bring me to life
Chorus
Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life x2
I cannot hear a thing as the final line resonated around the stage. The crowd is going ape shit! The men have their tongues wagging; I see Alice and Rose at the corner of the stage crying, and Edward…
God, he's gorgeous.
Edward is just sitting at the judge's table. His mouth is hanging open, eyes wide in shock. Or is it amazement? I can't tell.
I take a bow, wave to the audience and leave the thunderous applause behind as the MC takes the stage once more.
EPOV
I must have her. I need to get her signed.
That's all there is to it. Victoria is the next big thing for Vamp Records.
But first, I must score her performance. Not that I have a difficult decision to make on that. Myself and the other judges give yet another perfect score.
I hand in the scores for all of the finalists to Miss Nicci. All we have to do now is wait for the final results. I know there's a tie between Victoria and Jake. I can only hope they use the audience as a tie breaker. Victoria would win by a mile.
As I sit, waiting for the announcement of the winners, I start thinking about Victoria. As soon as this contest is over I will be making a bee-line for the backstage area where I'll introduce myself and give her a card. I'll tell her to call Isabella and set up an appointment to chat. I could get things rolling tonight if I really wanted to, but I have a feeling that Bella would really enjoy being part of bringing Victoria's talent to the masses.
Isabella.
Glancing at my phone I realize she hasn't called back. I can't help but be let down a little by that knowledge and I have no clue why I'm feeling that way.
It's called infatuation.
No, I think its attraction. I did almost kiss her, on the lips, this afternoon. I never, and I mean NEVER, kiss women on the lips. It's too personal and intimate. I'm not a relationship kind of guy. Or at least, I never thought I was. I've always been more of a hit it and quit it man.
You want her.
I do. I want Isabella. I also want Victoria, but in a different way. I want Victoria to sign with me. Of course, I wouldn't say no if she led me to her bedroom and had her way with my body. She wouldn't get kissed on her lips though. No matter how beautiful the notes are that come out of it.
The MC interrupts my thoughts.
"Ladies and Gentleman! Are you ready for the results?" the MC asks as the crowd goes wild.
Taking an envelope from Miss Nicci the MC continues, "In fourth place," he rips open the envelope, "Embry Call!" The crowd claps and cheers as Embry makes his way to the stage, taking a bow and moving to the side.
"In third place, we have, GAIL!" There is a group of wild and crazy girls going nuts over Gail as she goes to stand next to Embry.
Miss Nicci hands the MC another envelope, giving him a sly wink and whispers something in his ear.
"In second place," he rips open another envelope and stops. "Well, well, well… it seems we have a small predicament here! Both Jake and Victoria received PERFECT SCORES from the panel of judges!"
He has to wait a few moments for the audience to quiet down once again.
"I don't know about you guys, but I think we should break this tie with one final song! A duet. A sing-off. Jake versus Victoria. What do you think?"
Crap. Will this night ever end?
It's not that I don't want to hear Victoria or Jake sing again; I just really want the contest to be over, and go speak with my future superstar. I want to hear from Isabella too. I have an unexplainable urge to share everything from this night with her as soon as possible.
BPOV
A MOTHER FUCKING TIE!
What the hell? How can Victoria be tied for first? This makes no sense. And now I have to sing… again…
I'm not happy about these results. I have had my fun, but really, I'm ready to go home. It's been a really long day, and all I've been thinking of since I ended my last song was curling up in bed and dreaming of Edward and where that "almost kiss" could have gone.
I bet he's amazing in bed.
I sigh to myself. The dirty path my mind was about to take is cut off as Jake comes and claps me on the shoulder.
"Looks like we'll be singing together, Victoria," his smile shows off a perfectly aligned set of pearly whites.
"Looks like it," Victoria drawls back. "I wonder what song they'll choose. I do hope you can keep up."
I stifle a yawn. It really is tiring pretending to be someone else.
"I think I can manage," Jake responds as he heads over to his friends.
I know he can manage just fine. He's good at what he does; I just hope to hell that I'll be able to find that last little bit of energy in me to be Victoria for just a little while longer. Tired as I may be, and as cute as Jake is, I still want to wipe the floor with that Native American ass.
I need my girls. Heading towards the door that leads to the main floor of the club, I spy a peek at Jake. He's been mobbed by the audience.
Great. Just what I need. Tons of people swarming me.
I opt to text them instead and head to the small room backstage where my stuff is at. Picking up my phone I notice I have a missed call and message from Edward.
What the fuck? Why would he call me from here?
I quickly listen to the message. He thinks he's found the next big thing here at the club and wanted me to be part of the "process" of shaping a new superstar.
I smile.
He's thinking about you.
I know. I love it.
I dig through my purse, making sure I have some of Edward's business cards handy. I'm sure I can figure out a way to transform back to Bella before it's time to leave. Then I can slip the card to Jake so he can set up a meeting.
As I pick up my phone to text the girls there's a knock on the door. I absently open the door as I'm typing my message.
"Victoria, I'd like to introduce myself," I'd know that slight British accent anywhere.
"Edward Cullen," I look up from my phone and reach my hand out, he grasps is gently in his large hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Shit shit SHIT! I did NOT want to end up this close to Edward tonight! What if he recognizes me?
"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," he leans forward slightly as he kisses my knuckles in a gentlemanly fashion. "Unfortunately, this is a business call." He straightens and opens the door wider so I can see Jake and the MC waiting behind him.
"Come on in," I gesture widely with my arm as everyone files into the small room. I'm trying not to panic, but the only thing running through my brain is that I've been caught, by my own boss, pretending to be someone else.
"Well, Victoria, Jake, we've never had two perfect scores before, let alone a tie for first place with perfect scores. I'm at a slight loss as to how to conduct this tie breaker," the MC explains to us.
Phew. This is just about this stupid contest.
"If I may make a suggestion," Edward interrupts. "I think we should get them both back on stage and have them sing a random duet, of the judge's choice, without them knowing what the selection is before hand."
I can't believe this guy. Yeah, it's a smart idea. It is something that will truly test our skills as "karaoke artists" and all. I just don't like the idea of going into something like this totally blind.
"What happens if one of us doesn't know the song? Or has never even heard of the song?" I challenge. "Are we not here to put on a good show, as well as to compete? We can hardly do well if we're up against a song we've never heard."
Edward looks at me with that look I learned all too well. It's that one that expresses his disbelief that someone has stood up to him. It really doesn't happen very often. As far as I know, I'm the only one to do so since he's come to Seattle.
"I suppose you make a valid point, Victoria. What do you suggest?"
"Well, Mr. Cullen, I suggest that Jake and I are told the song selection a few minutes prior to singing it. Just long enough for us to at least hear it first, if either of us is unfamiliar with the tune." I look over at my competition.
"How does that sound to you?" I ask Jake directly.
He licked his full lips, his dark eyes sparkling dangerously, "Bring it on Red."
"Oh, it's on Sitting Bull," I reply playfully, my voice dripping with anticipation and sarcasm.
Jake laughs. Edward and the MC both agree to the terms. And with that, the three gentlemen leave me alone in the room once again.
EPOV
Wow. She is fucking hot.
I have to shake my head a few times to clear the images of a naked Victoria, kneeling in front of me, my cock in her moist, talented mouth, hands gripping her fiery locks as I fuck her face.
Yeah. That helps.
Ugh. I can't be thinking like that now.
Why not? She's hot, you're a man. Did you see those tits?
God, what I could do to those milky white globes.
You can probably fuck her senseless tonight, all you have to do is ask.
No, no I can't think that way. As much as my dick would love to pound into Victoria's sweet pussy I can't. These nagging feelings that I'm beginning to have for Isabella won't let me do such a thing. Even thinking those thoughts about another woman feel traitorous.
She's not your girlfriend.
Not yet she's not.
I head out into the crowd, before my semi can become a raging hard-on. I have to get to the judge's table and throw in my song suggestion. It's another good one. I think it's perfect for these two, and I have Isabella to thank for it. She had it playing quietly from her computer the other day in the office.
She was cute, quietly singing to herself, shaking her ass in her chair when she thought no one was looking.
And the semi is back, this time for Isabella. Thank God for thick denim, no one will be able to see it.
The other judges agree with my song choice, so I head over to give it to the MC. He grins widely. His mind has gone into the gutter, just like everyone else's will when they sing this song together.
"The crowd will flip for this song, man!" the MC has to practically shout at me to be heard.
"I know! That's the point!" I flag down a waitress and order three shots. "I want to be the one to tell them the selection, if that's alright with you."
The MC is fine with that and tells me to be backstage in five minutes.
The waitress takes four of those minutes before coming back with my order. I pay her, leaving a generous tip, and take all three drinks backstage. Two of these are for Victoria and Jake. They don't seem to like each other much and they may need these for the next song, as they'll have to at least pretend to want each other for this next song. That is if they really want to sell it.
I find them glaring at each other once I'm back there.
"Here," I say, handing them each a shot. "You're gonna need this!"
"Cheers," Victoria purrs. She slams her shot down quickly, licking away one tiny drop of Jack Daniels that managed to escape onto her lips. My cock twitches.
"Cheers," Jake and I mumble at the same time, taking our shots. I'm pretty sure he's just as impressed as I am at Victoria's drinking skills.
"Okay, are you ready for the final song?" They both look to me expectantly.
"Before I tell you, the winner will be decided the same way as the second round. It will be a combination of the judge's scores and audience applause."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah Mr. CEO. Tell us the song already," Jake is slightly impatient.
"Okay, okay! It's "Promiscuous" by Nelly and Timbaland." Victoria is visibly pleased by the selection. She obviously knows the song. Jake doesn't seem too excited.
"We have to rap?" he asks, not sounding sure of himself.
"Yup. Rap/sing. Hip-hop, whatever you want to call it. I think it's fair. You both have to sing in the same style. Do you know the song?"
"Yeah, I know it." He still doesn't seem happy by it, but that's not my problem.
"I have one question," Victoria pipes up. "Do we have to stay on stage?"
I'm stunned by her question. I don't know how to answer it, so I look to the MC for the answer.
"No, you don't have to. If you want to mingle in the crowd while you sing, you can do so. But remember, you might not be heard through the mic as well if you do so. It's significantly louder on the floor than on the stage," he replies.
"Awesome," she responds. I can almost see the cogs turning in her head.
The MC glances at his watch. "You have five more minutes to be back here."
Victoria and Jake are openly glaring at each other again. It would seem that they both have a healthy appetite for competition, and that they both expect to win.
"May the best man win, Red," Jake says with an evil grin.
"Yes, the best woman will. Just sit back and watch, cause I'm about to mop the floor with that pretty ponytail of yours," Victoria winks and blows him a kiss back.
Laughing out loud at the exchange, I turn to make my way to my seat, giving the two of them time to prepare.
This is going to be one interesting performance!
I pass by two young ladies on my way out. One is a short woman with spiky black hair the other is her total opposite, a statuesque blond bombshell. They're bee lining it to Victoria, they must be her friends.
Once I get to my place, I take my seat, ready for the final number to begin.
A/N:
Please don't hate! I know I know I know! I have an addiction to cliffies! It's an illness really!
ALSO- I want to put it out there now, we will NOT be seeing the full performance of the final FINAL song. We've been in this club a long time. It's time to move on, don't ya think? I will, however, be writing a series of outtakes as the story progresses. I have a feeling this will be the very first one!
Hope you all liked the chappy! Leave me some love! Tell me what you're hoping to see or find out! Believe it or not, I have been known to gather some of my ideas from your comments! AND if you follow me on twitter (at)RobinsFF then you may very well find yourself as part of the story!
That being said- I present another shout out to two of my inspirations who appear in this chap (as well as chap 4) Gail (at)Kewlwhip on twitter and Nicci (at)NicciB23 on twitter are two amazingly awesome ladies! Go follow them!
Until next time... leave me some lovin and pass my story on to all your friends! And thanks for reading! MWAH MWAH MWAH!
Songs/Artists Mentioned or Used in this chapter:
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
Aerosmith's Stephen Tyler, no specific songs mentioned
"Rockstar" by Nickelback
"Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence
"Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland.