A/N: Thank you all so much! We have finally reached 50+ reviews. This is such an amazing Christmas present. Thanks to all of you who have added this story to your favourites and story alerts.
There's some harsh language in this chapter, but I guess it's already been forewarned by the "T" rating.
Disclaimer: I don't own BTR.
Katie walked into her office, smiling gratefully, as she saw Magdalene holding out a steaming cup of coffee for her.
"Mags, you are the best."
"I figured you're going to need it. That Fulton can be a right bastard sometimes, coming in here like he owns the place. But enough about that," Mags grinned slyly, as she followed Katie into her office. "I got a glimpse of the photo shoot yesterday. You were amazing! I mean, I knew you were a model, but Kate, you were really hot!" She smirked before making her next comment, "I honestly thought that you two were going to have sex, right in front of everyone."
Katie gasped at her friend's crassness, blushing to her roots, "Magdalene!"
"Have you seen the pictures?" Mags quirked her perfectly arched eyebrow.
"Well, no, I have to call Tony and Daniella, ugh," Katie flopped her head onto her desk. "I can't deal with this right now, Fulton is going to walk through those doors any minute and I have to concentrate on how to deal with him."
"Hey," Magdalene reached across and placed her hand on Katie's shoulders, concerned, "Just relax. I'll call Tony and Daniella for you, it's why I'm here. You got to learn to stop worrying about the small things. We don't want you having another fainting spell. Did you eat yet? 'Cause I can go and grab you something−"
"I already ate," Katie interrupted, lifting her head to talk to her assistant. "Thanks for the offer, though. I know you and Russell have been in contact, talking about me, but, that whole entire malnutrition thing was a one-off. I'm doing my best to stay healthy. Oh hey, that reminds me," Katie sat up straight. "You've made an announcement about me hiring another manager, right?"
"Yep, I've already forwarded the electronic CV's to you and I'm going to sort the ones that have been faxed over," she gave Katie a stern look, "We can't be too careful, you were in the hospital for a couple of nights. That's really serious, Kate."
"Wow, that was really fast, it's been less than twenty-four hours," Katie noted, astonished at the level of response and trying to move away from the topic of her health. "And, I promise to let you know if I'm feeling off, okay?"
"Good, and people know where the money goes," Mags joked, as she turned to leave the room. "And, I was only joking about you and James, but, you did look amazing," she winked at Katie.
Katie only blushed deeper. She ran her hand through her hair, before deciding to go and fix the up-do in her bathroom, so that she would look impeccable for the meeting.
Paul Fulton was an arrogant man who knew that he had the running power in the city. Katie had heard stories of him destroying smaller companies, much like hers, before she got in the business. Katie knew that Fulton had attempted to do the same with her company, but he had yet to come up with anything that he could use against her. Katie smirked, thinking of the upper-hand that she had against him, even though she had never come so far to use it; her connection with the fourth most prominent CEO in America, had reduced Fulton to give her some respect. Katie never asked Arthur Griffin for help, but she knew that he would have her back, after facing off against a much younger her, many times, Griffin recognized and appreciated Katie's potential. The fact that Griffin remembered the name of one of his boy band's ten year old sister proved that Katie had tenacity.
Her thoughts of Griffin reminded her to call Kelly to tell her that James was coming in for rehearsal. The phone only rang twice, "Hey, Kelly. It's Katie, I just wanted to tell you guys that James wanted to come in today for a session. I'm not sure what time though, so you may want to give him a ring. Yeah, I know, it's not only him, I've agreed to sign Carlos too," Katie replied to Kelly's astonishment that Katie had agreed to manage James. Katie laughed when Kelly told her that she was going to be in over her head with the two of them, "Don't I know it. I've lived with them for a good while. Hey, thanks for sending me over the files, are you free for lunch next week? Tuesday sounds good, we can definitely use it as a work and social date." Katie quickly opened up her calendar on her computer to mark the date. "The guys will probably want to have a dinner with you and Gustavo before they leave as well, so we'll have to schedule something too." Katie looked down at the flashing light on her phone, signalling a page from Mags. "Oh, hey, I gotta go, I'll see you soon. Bye, Kelly."
Katie switched lines, "Yes?"
"Ms. Knight, Mr. Fulton is here for your meeting," Magdalene told her.
"Thank you, Mags, let him in," Katie replied, hanging up the phone, before standing up and smoothing out her skirt. The door opened to her office.
Katie put on a smile, and held out her hand. "Mr. Fulton, always a pleasure."
Paul Fulton was fifty-five years old, but looked ten years younger. The sprinkle of greying hair only added to his sophistication. His personable demeanour charmed most of Hollywood, but his perfect smile never seemed to reach his baby blue eyes. Katie's keen intuition made it so that she never trusted anything this man said.
"Pleasure's mine, Ms. Knight," Fulton replied, pasting on a smile, reaching across the desk to shake Katie's hand. She gestured for him to take a seat.
"What can I do for you, today, Mr. Fulton?" Katie asked pleasantly, cutting down to the chase. She didn't want to prolong this meeting any longer than necesssary.
Fulton gave a chuckle, "I've always admired how you get straight to business, saves me plenty of time." He remarked, but quickly continued, after seeing Katie's straight face. "I've heard that you recently acquired James Diamond; pity on our part, I know the potential that he has, but alas, family must come first." He stated modestly, referring to his relation to Larry, James' previous manager.
Katie gave a wry smile, "Yes, James mentioned that incident to me. I have to say, I'm quite surprised that Larry didn't bring this to the press."
Fulton nodded, "Yes, under my discretion, I persuaded Larry to let the matter...slide. You see, Ms. Knight," he leaned in slightly, giving Katie the feeling that he finally reached the reason for his visit. "I can only keep Larry quiet for so long. He is, after all, a proud man, and to have his own client sleep with his wife, well, who's to say how long he can simmer before releasing his anger."
Katie leaned back in her chair, steeling herself for Fulton's next move. "What do you propose we do about this, Mr. Fulton?"
She watched as Fulton gave her a winning smile, "I do believe I have a solution to our dilemma." Katie waited for him to continue. "I suggest that you allow FMA to buy out Knight Management."
Katie couldn't believe her ears, "Excuse me?"
Fulton nodded, maintaining his cool disposition, "Yes, if Knight Management were to...integrate," Fulton stated, choosing his wording carefully, "into FMA, James Diamond would once again be under FMA contract. As his managing company, we are to serve him completely, meaning that all of his indiscretions will be kept under wraps. You too, will benefit greatly with this merger."
Katie stood up, schooling any facial expressions, "Thank you for your offer, Mr. Fulton. However, this is quite sudden, and I think I need time to consider the details."
Fulton got up as well, recognizing that the meeting was ending, "Of course, of course, but this offer will not last long, Ms. Knight. May I request that you come up with an answer in a week's time?" While his tone suggested nothing but pleasantry, Katie noted the cool and calculating look in his eyes.
She forced a smile, "Absolutely. I'll be in touch." She walked around her desk, escorting Fulton to the door.
"Again, it's always a pleasure meeting with you, Ms. Knight. You are so young to have such talent." Fulton complimented, again showing his pearly whites.
"You're too kind, Mr. Fulton. I only strive to be what you are," Katie gave him what she hoped was a winning smile of her own.
He chuckled, and wagged his finger at her, "Flattery will get you everywhere. Good day, Ms. Knight."
"And you, Mr. Fulton." Katie watched as he made his way out of her office suite. She turned to go back to her seat.
Katie mulled over the discussion from the last half hour. As she swiftly put the pieces together, she couldn't help but note Fulton's cleverness in his plot. Fulton manipulated the issue between Larry and James to his advantage. There was no doubt that he had found out about Katie and James' connection, through his background search on her. Fulton had mentioned that he had to let James go, on account of familial relations, but she was certain that James could have easily been transferred over to another manager in the firm. Fulton had correctly assumed that James would turn to her in his time of need. While Fulton had nothing on Katie, he now had something over James, and as his manager, she would have to do anything to the best of her ability to satisfy her client's needs and integrity, including selling her business.
"That son of a bitch," Katie muttered, knowing that she was finally cornered. She didn't miss out on Fulton's threat either, she only had one week to decide what to do before he leaked the news about James' scandal.
She leaned back in her seat to stare at the ceiling fan. She knew she had to talk to James about this matter, she was only joking earlier in the week about how he brought her trouble, but now it seemed that her words rang true. Katie looked down at the only picture she had on her desk, it was taken just before Big Time Rush broke up and everyone was still living at the Palm Woods. Someone, maybe Buddha Bob, had taken a photo of the occupants of apartment 2J, when everything was simpler. She knew that one of the easiest way to get rid of this problem was to terminate the agreement and have James find another manager, but it was a last resort; Katie would sell her company before turning her back on him.
A/N: If I don't update before Sunday, I want to wish you all a happy holiday! Thank you so much for all the positive responses these past couple of months. It really means so much to me.
P.S. I really need this information for the story, but what is Katie's full name? If you guys could send me the information with a credible source (yes, I'm sorry, the scholar in me needs this) that would be GREATLY appreciated.
Much love,
D