Chapter 12
Merlin was so nervous he was going to puke, which was funny considering he barely ate all day. Too nervous to eat. He was sitting in the lobby of Mora Studios wearing his best white button down shirt and black trousers. Gwen wanted him to wear a tie but he sternly told her he'd rather choke himself. The tie never made it to the assemble.
He had been waiting anxiously the whole week after he called Helen Mora and scheduled an interview. He went through his own recordings, looking for the perfect song to use during the interview and finally found one he hoped that Helen would like. He had the CD and the folder with the lyrics and score in it. He was a nervous wreck all week and less than confidant that Helen would like his music.
The only thing that brightened Merlin's day was his tutoring sessions with Arthur. It wasn't just Hotel Management Arthur needed help with. Knowing how good Merlin was in school, Arthur asked Merlin's help in every class they had together. They had fun writing essays and Arthur even helped Merlin with his poetry assignment. He didn't know the blonde had good poetry sense until he started quoting a Shakespearian sonnet. Merlin never told Arthur that he wanted to be a songwriter, so the blonde believed that he was really into poetry. More than once he wanted to tell Arthur that he was Wizard, but he kept himself from saying anything. Despite how much they talked, Merlin didn't know anything about Arthur's world, and Arthur didn't know anything about his. It was best if it stayed that way.
They didn't just talk about their classes. They would talk about things outside of classes as well, Arthur usually the one striking up a conversation because Merlin was too scared to reveal himself to say a word. After his initial fear abates, Merlin enjoys the conversations and listens to Arthur like it was the first time.
The only thing that darkened it was Mordred. It seemed that wherever Merlin was, Mordred was there. Merlin would think the man was stalking him if it wasn't just at work. He was glad that Mordred didn't go to classes with him or follow him home or he would really be panicking. He didn't know what had happened to the man to make him creepier, but Merlin wished Mordred would stay out of his business.
Now he was so nervous his leg was shaking. He grabbed his knee to force it to stop.
"Merlin Emrys?"
"Yes?" said Merlin, a little too loudly, looking up at a man with a clipboard and glasses. Very secretary type. He cleared his throat. "That's me."
"I'm Bill Ramsey, Ms. Mora's secretary," said the man. "Ms. Mora will see you now. If you'll follow me."
The man turned and started walking toward a set of elevators. Merlin hurried to grab his things and follow. He stood next to the man in the elevator as he pressed a button for the top floor.
"Nervous?" asked Bill, noticing how Merlin was shaking. Merlin gave a nervous laugh.
"Am I that obvious?" he said.
"Don't worry. Helen will talk to you, but she'll listen to your music more. It's the music that'll tell her everything she needs to know about you."
"Because music's universal," said Merlin in understanding. Bill nodded.
"Now you got it."
Now, Merlin was less nervous. They rode the rest of the way up in silence. When the doors finally opened Merlin walked into a lavish lounge with a secretary desk in front of a ceiling to floor window with a nice view of the city. To the side was a pair of double oak doors. Merlin's nervousness returned.
Bill walked to the desk and pressed a button on the intercom.
"Ma'am," he said. "Merlin Emrys is here."
"Send him in," came Helen's voice through the speakers.
"Yes, ma'am," said Bill and went to the doors and opened them. Nervous, Merlin walked through.
The room was spacious with couches, chairs, a television and stereo system. Helen Mora sat behind a desk and smiled as Merlin walked in.
"Mr. Emrys, welcome," she said walking around the desk to shake his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you in person."
"You as well, Ms. Mora," said Merlin. "You don't know what an honor this is."
"Please, call me Helen. We don't stand on ceremony here." She waved to the couches and Merlin sat down. "Would you like something to drink? Tea, water, soda?"
"Water, please," he said.
Helen nodded to Bill who served them both a glass of water.
"When I heard your songs at the benefit, I must say I was impressed," she said. "Have you had any experience with music?"
"Only what I write down," said Merlin taking a sip of the cold water. It felt good and helped calm his nerves.
"I hear you're in college," she said. "What classes are you taking?"
"Mostly literature courses, plus some poetry and Musical Composition. I've been writing poems since I could write, and when I first picked up a guitar, I knew I wanted to write music."
"That's usually when it starts," said Helen smiling at him. "How about your parents? Do they support you in your writing?"
"My mum does," he said. "But my dad died before I was born."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said sadly.
"It's okay," he said. "I never knew him so I'm not too choked up about it. I wish I did know him through. Mum would talk about him and it sounded like he was a great guy. She says I look like him."
"A parent always sees a loved one in the eyes of their children," said Helen. "And I'm sure that if your father was alive, he'd be proud of you too."
"Thanks."
Helen set her glass down.
"And your band, The Rejects, what are their plans for the future?"
"Gwen, our lead singer, wants to be a fashion designer. She hopes to one day design clothes for celebrities, and Will wants to be computer programmer. We just play for fun at my uncle's bar on Friday nights."
She nods.
"That's good. It's good to have friends who support you, and yours seem to have gone the extra mile."
"Yes," said Merlin nodding. "I have a lot of friends, and all of them support me in my music career. They know it'll be difficult, but they believe I can do it."
"OF that I have no doubt," said Helen. "Merlin, I have heard your songs before I met you, which is certainly a first for me. I certainly would like to hear more."
"I have brought a track of one of my earlier songs," said Merlin holding up the CD.
Helen made a gesture and Bill took the CD. He put the disk in the massive stereo and pressed play. There was a couple moments pause before Gwen's voice came through.
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Helen was silent through the entire song. Once the song ended Bill pressed the stop button and returned the disk to its case.
"That was a very good song," she said. "Very good. And early work, you say?"
"Yes. I wrote it while I was still in high school. The song's pretty self-explanatory. You probably don't have experience with that sort of thing."
"On the contrary. I may have gone to private school and inherited this business, but I have had a run in with my fair share of bullies. I was the geek in school myself. I don't run this business on my good looks."
Merlin smiled at that. Helen really wasn't a beautiful woman. With her dark hair and brown eyes, her face was rather plain and the gap between her teeth certainly wasn't eye catching, but the woman had a strength about her that drew people in. Merlin could easily see why she was head of the top recording studio in the country.
"I really would like to work with you, and I'll draw up a contract right away, but I got to warn you. Most artists won't sing songs writers don't sing themselves. There's a music festival next month were a lot of music artist scout for new songs. I'm going to give you some advice, despite the bad business sense. I put your name on the list for the festival, and if you find a better offer than mine, I'll back off, no questions ask. You have that long to decide."
Merlin was shocked. He didn't expect to be turned down during an interview. He saw how sincere Helen was and somehow knew that she wanted him to make the decision himself.
"And what would your offer be?" he asked.
She pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him. He opened it and stared in amazement at the amount written on it.
"That…That much," he said is shock. "P-Per song?"
"Yes, we like to compensate for anything."
"Oh God."
Merlin was still in shock. Were his songs worth that much? He had always thought they were pointless poems written on paper till his friends helped him find a rhythm to the words. To think that his songs were worth this much was mind boggling.
"I have to think about this," he said. "This is…Wow."
I understand," said Helen. "Take as much time as you need. If you find I better offer, I won't be angry."
Merlin laughed.
"A better offer?! I doubt I would find one as good as that."
"We'll see. I hope to see you at the music festival in a month. A lot of music producers go to them to scout for new talent. I just hope they won't steal you away."
"I hope so too," said Merlin and left.
XXXXXX
"Mordred, please, I have to go," said Arthur, trying to convince his almost-boyfriend that he had to leave. For some reason, every time Merlin was brought up Mordred got tense and clung harder. Arthur never knew why. Merlin was a nice guy. Good person to talk to once Arthur got him going, but Arthur was sure there was nothing Mordred would be jealous over.
"But I can teach you anything you want to know," said Mordred. The comment had a sexual innuendo to it that had Arthur's nerves twitching.
"A deal's a deal, Mordred, and a Pendragon always makes good on their deals."
"I bet they do," said Mordred under his breath, almost angrily.
"Mordred, why don't you like Merlin?" asked Arthur.
"Because he's all you've been talking about since you come back from your first tutoring session. 'Merlin this', 'Merlin that'. It's annoying."
"Sorry, Mordred." Arthur had been talking about Merlin a lot, but they had so much in common that it was hard not to. The raven haired man was always hesitant when talking, as if not knowing what to say. They spent more time talking that studying and Arthur found himself anxiously waiting for each session. "I'll try not to talk about him anymore."
"Somehow, I doubt that," said Mordred in a huff before kissing Arthur's cheek. That was the most intimate contact they have had so far. Arthur wanted to take things slow. "Study hard, and no flirting."
"I won't," said Arthur and left.
It didn't take long for Arthur to get to the library and sitting on the steps outside was Merlin. They had been thrown out the day before because they were laughing hard at a show they both saw. Rather than disturb the students, or anger the librarian again, they decided to study outside the library.
"Hey, Merlin," called Arthur, already excited about seeing the raven man. Merlin looked up from the book he was reading and smiled when he saw Arthur near. "What book are you reading this time?"
"The Silmarillion," said Merlin setting the book in his bag and took out a text book. "Ready?"
"Yes," said Arthur pulling out the essay that was due Monday that Merlin was going to review. It was mostly for spelling errors since Arthur knew most of the material. "Did you see the episode last night?"
"Yes, it was awesome!" Recently, both learned they had a love for a television series and would try to challenge the other into finding out who was the biggest fan. "I can't believe he did that, allowing an angel to ride shotgun in his brother. Why would he do that?"
"His brother's the only family he has left. If you had a chance to save your brother, would you do it?"
"I don't have a brother, but I kind of understand. If anything happened to Will or Gwen and I'd have a chance to save them, I would take it." He looked up from Arthur's essay and smiled at him. "But you know it's going to bite him in the ass."
Arthur's breathe caught in his throat at the sight of Merlin's gorgeous smile. He was beautiful in a way. The smile was familiar somehow, making his heart race and his whole body shake.
Knowing Merlin expected an answer, he cleared his throat and smiled.
"Of course, that's how they show they love each other."
Merlin and Arthur laughed and they continued through the session. Halfway through, Carry On My Wayward Son" filled the air and Merlin pulled out his phone.
"Sorry, it's my mum," he said and got up to answer it. He walked a bit away but Arthur could still hear bits of the conversation. "Yeah, Mum? …" His face contorted into fear" W-What did he say? …" It changed into shock and then happiness. "That's it? That's-That's amazing! Do you want me to come home? … You sure? … Okay, I will. Lasagna tonight. … No, I'm cooking. I'll see later, okay? … Love you, too. Bye."
He hung up, still grinning like a loon, and walked back to Arthur.
"What's up?" he asked.
"That was my mum. She collapsed last week, thought her cancer was back, turns out it was just low blood pressure. The doctor's going to give her a list of meds for her to take." He sighs. "I was terrified I was going to lose her."
"I'm glad you not," said Arthur smiling at him sincerely. "I never met my mom, but I think she would have liked you."
"Thanks," said Merlin happily.
They went back to studying. When they were finished, Arthur's phone went off and he answered it.
"Hey, Gwaine. … No, I just finished studying with Merlin. Why? … Sure, I'm game. … Hold on, I'll ask him." He lowered the phone and turned to Merlin. "Hey, do you want to join us in a football game? Gwaine and I are team captains this time and we get to pick the teams."
"Sorry, hand eye coordination not my game, but I'll cheer for you," said Merlin.
Arthur smiled. For some reason, He was glad that Merlin decided to watch. He turned back to his phone.
"He said he'd watch. … All right, I'll meet you there." He hung up. "Wait here, I'll get my bike."
"Your bike?' asked Merlin in surprise. "As in a motorcycle?"
"Yeah, one of the many things my father would have my head rolling for id he found out. I'll be back."
He turned and left.
"Just so you'll know, I'll be cheering for Gwaine."
Arthur laughed and he waved as he walked away to show that he heard. Merlin watched him leave, amazed with himself at agreeing to come with him a game between his friends. He was trying to avoid Arthur, and here he was agreeing to a game. He must be all kinds of crazy.
Picking up his bag, he started putting his book back in when movement caught his eye. Knowing it was the quad and always busy, he shouldn't be surprised to see two people walking through, but when the two were Sophia Cooper and Mordred le Fey, then he'd be worried. Those two together was just all kinds of trouble, and Mordred wasn't even a student. What was he doing here?
They turned a corner and out of sight. Seconds later, Merlin heard the sound of a motorcycle engine and turned to see Arthur riding a red motorcycle in front of the library. Of course his helmet would be gold.
"Get on," he said. "I got a spare helmet in the back."
"I've never ridden one of these before," said Merlin walking down to join him.
"Don't worry. All you got to do is hang on."
Putting on the blue helmet, Merlin sat behind Arthur and held on when he rode down the road. He would never admit that he got a thrill from the ride and wouldn't hesitant to do it again.
XXXXXX
"Merlin's getting to be a problem," said Mordred after meeting Sophia in the quad.
"Your problem, not mine," she said. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
"Not me, you." Mordred turned to look at her. "You're the one who's going to get rid of Merlin for me, and remember, my problems are your problems. So Merlin is your problem."
"I don't like being told what to do, le Fey," she said glaring at him defiantly. "This is your plan. I'm just doing my part."
"And you'll continue to do your part," said Mordred, glaring at her angrily. She felt a shiver go down her spine form the intensity of it. "And you'll continue to do your part, by getting rid of Merlin."
"W-What do you want me to do?" she asked.
TBC