Sorry that I have taken so long to upload! It's been a tough few months but I appreciate the reviews and follows so much! Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint..
Today's the day. The day I meet with Elijah. I don't know why I agreed to this. I have never been so nervous in my life. I know my voice is good but I'm not a performer. I'd much rather just sing with my head down in a bar or in the shower. This is the first step to singing live, in front of A LOT of people. People who would purposely be there to see me sing. Breathing would be a good thing right now I think.
Caroline came over this morning and helped me pick an outfit for the meeting. Of course, I changed a few things after she left (like boots instead of heels).
"Leni?" I hear Kat knock on the door.
"Yeah, come in."
"Hey."
"Hey Kat. What's up?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted me to do your hair maybe? I know you struggle to braid it and I thought it might look nice for the meeting." She looks sheepish. Jeremy is out with friends and Jenna's at work for the day so it's just the two of us.
"Yeah, thanks. That would be nice." Kat goes into the bathroom we share while I sit in front of my vanity. She comes back out and starts brushing my hair. "We haven't done anything like this in a while."
"I know. Mum used to brush our hair before bed. I guess I didn't want to take over her jobs too much."
"I know Kat. But this… It's nice."
"Yeah, it is." We sit quietly for the next 15 minutes, Kat playing with my hair and me sitting cross-legged, humming contently.
"There you go, all done." I open my eyes and look in the mirror. She's braided my hair all around the front of head and down the side into a bun.
"Wow, Kat. Thanks."
"You're welcome." She kisses the side of my head and leans into my ear. I look into the mirror to see us both as she whispers, "You'll do great today Leni."
"Thanks sis."
"Come on, let's get going. Don't want you to be late." She leaves the room and I'm speechless at how sisterly Kat just was. Maybe Elijah's good for her. Wow, it'll be weird if my boss ends up being my brother-in-law. Okay, thinking too much Elena. Get your ass up and let's get going. Breathe and stand.
We pull up to Elijah's offices, which are huge. No wonder Kat likes coming here so much. She's going to hang around the area while the meeting happens in case I need her but I asked to do this alone. As I enter Elijah's offices the first thing I notice is that the people are all gorgeous and stylishly dressed. Maybe I should've left Caroline's choice of shoes on.
I'm escorted to a boardroom and asked to wait. Tea and water is placed in front of me. Eventually Elijah and a blonde woman who looks like a supermodel join me.
"Please excuse my lateness Elena. Another client required my attention."
"Not at all Elijah. I haven't been here that long." He shakes my hand.
"Oh good. Allow me to introduce one of our managers here and my lovely sister, Rebekah."
"Hello Elena, Elijah has told me so many lovely things about you." Supermodel's voice even sounds perfect.
"Nice to meet you Rebekah."
"Call me Beks, please. We'll be spending a lot of time together if you decide to sign."
"Okay, Beks."
"Shall we get started, Elena?" Elijah motions for me to sit.
"So, as you know I think you have a real talent. From what I've heard from your sister and at the bar, you have a lot of potential. Katherine says you write your own songs as well which makes it much easier for us, if you're good that is, means we don't have to hire writers for you. Singer/songwriters are much easier to market as well compared to just a good voice. Isn't that right Rebekah?"
I turn to Beks. "Definitely. Much easier from a selling point of view. Makes everything more personal, your audience identifies with you more. Can you dance by any chance?"
"Dance?" I question.
"Choreography. Do you dance with any of your songs?"
"Not really. I mean I'm not completely uncoordinated but I prefer to be behind a piano or with a guitar in my hands," I reply.
"Okay. Well, our resident choreographer might change your mind. She's quite persuasive. But she also plays piano and designs some of our costumes for touring so even if you don't end up dancing; you'll spend some time with her. She's the unsung hero around here."
"She sounds great. I can't wait to meet her."
"First things first," Elijah starts, "your contract." The next hour or so Elijah and Rebekah go over the basics of my contract. They give me a copy to take home and look over which I'll probably just give straight to Aunt Jenna. She'll tell me the truth about what she thinks but everything they tell me sounds good. Of course, it's meant to sound good coming from their mouths but still. They proceed to show me around the facilities. I am blown away when they get to the recording studios and writing lounges.
The studios are all panelled wood and state of the art sound mixing boards. The instruments that line the walls make me want to cry and the grand pianos in every room are beyond what I dreamed. The writing lounges have baby grand pianos and the walls are lined with albums to inspire artists. In the corner are old-fashioned record players, CD players and computers to play them all on. The lounges and couches look like the comfiest things I've ever seen and god help me if I never get up from one of them again.
Elijah and Rebekah leave me in the lounges after being called into another meeting after I assure them I'll find my way out. Which of course, in this rabbit den I get lost. As I'm wandering around trying to find my way, I literally smash into none other than Damon Salvatore.
"Umph." I begin to fall before Damon catches me and lifts me back up.
"Watch yourself, Gilbert."
"Back at you, Salvatore."
"Feisty this morning. I like it."
"I didn't expect to see you awake at this time of day. Don't vampires burn in the sunlight?" Point 1 Gilbert.
"There are no windows down here Gilbert. So even if I was, no harm would come to me here."
"Pity."
"Don't act like you don't like me."
"I thought I made it clear to you the other night, you have no impact on me."
"Really?" he questions.
"Yep," I pop the P.
"Then why are you still holding my hand?" I let go and jump back from him. Crap. 1 point Salvatore. "Don't worry Gilbert, I won't tell anyone…. Do you need help finding your way out?"
"No, I'm fine. I'll find it myself." I start to walk in the wrong direction, apparently.
"Come on, Gilbert. Just let me show you out. We'll be spending a lot more time together if you agree to sign the contract." I halt in my tracks.
"What?"
"What, didn't Elijah mention it? I'm going to be your producer. Unless you really don't want me to." He suddenly looks quite disheartened. Wow, where did playful Damon go?
"No, it's not that. I mean you're very talented. I've been a fan of yours for ages. It's just I don't know, you are, you know."
"Dashing? Charming? Irresistible?" And Damon's back. It makes me smile. I want to kiss that smirk off his face. WAIT. WHAT. No. No. Maybe? NO.
"Distracting."
"Because of my dashing, charming, irresistible self?" Okay. Time to shut this down now.
"Are you going to show me how to get out of here or not?" Hands on hips. Playful tone's back.
He raises his hands in mock defeat. "Follow me, Gilbert." We finally make it back to the lobby.
"Nice seeing you again Damon."
"You too Elena." He grabs my hand suddenly and takes me by surprise again. "Say yes to the contract Elena, I would be horribly sad if you didn't." He kisses my hand and leaves me standing in the lobby alone.
Salvatore, point 1.
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