CHAPTER SIX

Our weekend passed and it was spent mostly in our bedroom as Edward and I re-acquainted ourselves with one another. Not sexually so get your mind out of the gutter. But, I can say that I think we were working on the art of communication and trust.

I swear we spent all Saturday in bed just talking and laughing with one another. We would watch a movie and then discuss it from a filmmaking point of view. It was one of the best weekends of my life. So simple and yet so powerful.

"I always loved this movie; doesn't Michael Douglas just make like the best president ever?" I asked before scooping a big wad of ice cream into my mouth.

"Of course he does. But I've always been a fan of Martin Sheen myself." Edward replied.

"Morgan Freeman…Bill Pullman. Today is our Independence day! I always get chills."

Edward laughed. "Speaking of which, you know next Tuesday is the big day. Who you voting for?" Edward asked like he was trying to be all coy.

"Nah ah. First of all, I already voted absentee and second of all; I'm not telling you."

"Come on Bella, we are supposed to be able to share everything together. You know who I'm voting for." Edward prodded.

"Everyone knows who you're voting for especially when you made that million dollar donation to your party." I rolled my eyes.

"I just don't understand what the big deal is…unless you voted against my guy. Maybe you're afraid to tell me because you think I'll be upset." I could tell he was trying to get a rise out of me.

"I really don't care how you feel although isn't funny to think if I didn't vote for your guy then my vote potentially will wipe out your vote come Tuesday and it's almost as if your vote didn't even count. Million dollars right down the drain." I laughed an evil laugh and Edward scowled at me in return.

"So you voted for the other guy?" he assessed.

"I'll never tell." I sang.

Edward huffed and I have to say I was a tad more amused with his frustration then I probably should be.

"We need more snacks and since you're being quite impossible at the moment, I nominate you." Edward stuck his tongue out at me. Edward had been doing all of the snack and food runs since we locked ourselves up here. He knew I didn't want to deal with Jacob so he was kind enough to go for me but now how the tides turned…over politics, ugh!

"Fine." I huffed getting off the bed.

I crept all the way downstairs without a sign of Jacob. He was still trying to say his peace so he managed to corner me in the pantry by blocking my exit.

"Holy mother of pearl, you scared the shit out of me." I scolded after I turned around to see him staring at me.

"Holy mother of pearl?" he chided.

I rolled my eyes and started to leave but Jacob blocked me.

"Do you mind?" I asked.

"I want to talk to you." He stated.

"Well you choose a really bad way of doing it. Blocking me in here? Really Jacob, I have no problems kicking you in the nuts?" I pulled up a can of mixed nuts in my hand. "Nuts." I smiled, holding it out for his inspection.

"Very cute. Look, you won't give me the time of day so this is what I came up with." Jacob defended.

I physically pushed Jacob aside. "You're so thick sometimes. Maybe there was a reason I didn't want to give you the time of day."

"All right. I screwed up. I apologize for baring my feelings to you. I learned my lesson; from now on I will just bottle everything up." He exclaimed.

"You think I don't want to talk to you because you told me that you love me? Jacob, that isn't exactly something I should be offended about. I don't want to talk to you because you were my friend. I trusted you and you never told me of this Second crap and more importantly you never told me you were Tria Fata. So why don't you return to your dog house with your tail between your legs and when I am ready to play with you again I will find a bone for you to fetch." I flipped around and refused to listen any further.

I knew that I needed to prepare for my meeting with WMG come Monday morning and I started to outline some of the points and conditions I planned to make. I really was in the best position; I wasn't desperate to be picked up by WMG. Don't get me wrong I wanted to work with WMG mainly because they were a Warner Bros subsidiary and my loyalties would always be with Warner Bros., if they wanted me. However Darren made it clear to me that if they were unwilling to agree to my very reasonable demands he was sure that another record company would scoop me up in a heartbeat. Darren said to lay down my conditions first and then let my music speak for itself.

Jacob always had a way to worm himself back into my heart. I guess that's why so many woman of all different ages were captivated by him. Monday morning after Edward and I were up and ready; I was just leaving our oasis when I almost stumbled on an object lying outside our bedroom door.

Wrapped in a red bow was a large dog bone, a note attached.

Did the hard work and found you a bone to throw. Hope you kill it at your meeting this morning. I know you will.

Friendly yours,

Jacob

"Why do you have a dog bone?" Edward asked coming up behind me.

"Don't ask." I sighed and tossed the bone inside our room.

We arrived at WMG and I started to feel the nerves. I wore a professional pant suit, a tad boring but hey sometimes you have to play the game. Our lawyer Sam met us at the door. I had only had one phone conversation with him and I made sure to inform him of my terms ahead of time.

A receptionist showed us into a very lavish conference room and offered us a beverage. I knew if I had anything other than water I may puke, my stomach was already turning.

Edward held my hand until we were greeted by the WMG exec's. We stood from our chairs and went to shake hands.

"Bella, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Stefan Vladic and this is Seth Clearwater, he has filled Riley's position." Stefan looked to Edward at this.

"And this is Quil Ateara." He continued as I went to shake Quil's hand.

"First we would like to apologize to you for Mr. Biers behavior toward you and want you to understand that we strive to create an environment where our artist's can work in a safe and secure place to better enhance their creative talents." Stefan said.

"Thank you for your apology, it is appreciated." I replied.

"I am a little surprised that you did not ask your agent or publicist to be in on our meeting today." Stefan remarked while taking his seat.

"Why would I need an agent or a publicist? There just going to take ten percent of my money and either try to control me or pester me to death. I don't need an agent or publicist; I just need one hell of a lawyer." I smiled to Sam.

"Okay." Stefan answered awkwardly. "Well, I have to say we were a little amazed that you were willing to call for a meeting. Riley had informed us that you didn't wish to continue with music. We have heard that you were working with artists here and were a tad confused on your reluctance to work with us."

"My apologies, it wasn't WMG that I was reluctant to work with. I have loved Warner Bros. since I was a child. I can assure you that my loyalties will lie with the WB. At the time that Mr. Biers approached me I was unsure of exploring my potential in the musical arts but after further reflection I think I am ready now."

I pulled from my satchel the discs and handed them to Edward to pass to the three executives.

"The past couple of weeks I have been working very hard on my music. Levi Grimes along with Darren Young helped produce this record."

"Just what type of record did you make?" Quil asked confused.

I chuckled a little, "Don't worry gentleman, I assure you that this is a pop album. I know what you want from me. There are fourteen tracks and I hope you will be as pleased as I am with this work. I am willing to allow WMG the rights to this album on certain conditions. You see, I have also worked up an additional album as well. Kind of like a companion to one in your hands." I pulled out three more discs and handed them to Edward to distribute.

"This is the deal I am willing to make. If you decide that my first record is something that WMG is willing to invest in; I am willing to give it to you for free. I will sign over all rights and you may do what you wish with it. All revenue you make is yours; I will not take a cut. I do however want you to pay Darren and Levi the normal contractual fee for their work."

"You are willing to take no compensation or residual fee?" Seth asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"That's crazy." Quil replied.

"No. It's strategic." I smiled. "This is what I want in return. I want you to distribute the second album at half. However many copies you produce to sell of album one, I want you to produce the second album that I gave you with at least fifty percent of the copies from album one. Of course I would like it to be available for download as well. I will tell you now that the second album is the night to album one's day. It does have a couple of pop songs on it but it also has many other genres. I also will warn you that album two may need a parental advisory label due to language and content. I will take the average compensation and residual plus ten percent for album two and we split the rights."

"And if we don't want album one?" Quil asked.

"Then I will shop it somewhere else." I replied with a shoulder scrunch.

"What if we only want album one?" Seth asked.

"It's a take it or leave it deal." I answered. "Look, I know it must be hard to discuss something without you hearing the product. So how about we table this for right now, and I will return after you have had a chance to assess the music."

"I would like you to consider something." Stefan began. "On Friday is the Annual Warner Bros. Halloween costume party. We will listen to the records and give you our decision by the third of November, one week from today. I would like to see you perform four of the songs I choose from your records at the WB Halloween party. Do you think you will be able to meet this request? We have many artists lined up that night and I think it might do us well to see you perform in a public arena."

Now this was something I hadn't seen coming. I wasn't about to let my terror show through. I had never performed in front of an audience bigger then Emmett's birthday party. I could feel my palms start to sweat and I ever so un-noticeably wiped them on my pants.

"I would love too." I replied with confidence and a smile.

All right Bella, go get 'em.

"So we will meet, one week from today with our decision." He concluded.

I nodded my head once. We all rose from the conference table.

"Now, now boys; please be sure to let me know sooner than later what you would have me perform so I may be ready." I laughed shaking their hands once more.

"Absolutely, we will call you by Wednesday." Stefan agreed. That left me two days to prepare. Suddenly a random thought popped in my mind. I was going to have to find a Halloween costume.

Edward and I thanked Sam for coming when we reached the parking lot. He said he would come on Friday to see the performance; at this point what's one more.

As soon as we got into the car Edward praised me. "I think that went really well; you did an amazing job, Bella."

"Are you freaking kidding me?" I exclaimed. "I think I may have just shit a brick. I am going to have to perform in front of Hollywood royalty, alongside with seasoned artists. I think I'm going to have a panic attack. Yes. I feel it coming on." I started breathing heavily.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…baby it's okay. Just calm down." Edward tried to coach me. "Bella, you have performed before and done well. I know you can do this. You are going to knock it out of the park. What happened to my new confident Bella?"

"She just crawled right back up into my asshole." I fumed.

"No she didn't and you know it. We are going to go to that costume party on Friday and you are going to kick ass." He stated determined.

"And just what are you planning to wear that evening, Mr. Cullen?" I asked momentarily trying to put my focus off onto anything else.

"That depends, what were you planning to go as?" he asked, playing along.

"I was thinking... Cherry Blossom."

I gasped. "And you can be my brony."

"What the hell is a brony?" he looked at me in horror.

"It's the name given to boys or men when they love My Little Pony. Bro. Pony…Brony."

"I don't think there is enough love in the world." Edward shook his head.

"Edward Cullen! Are you telling me that if I asked you to be a brony for the night you wouldn't do it?" I raised an eyebrow.

Edward cringed and started to look positively sick.

I huffed. "Geez, I was kidding." I rolled my eyes.

"Thank god." He sighed in relief.

I started up the car, "Look, I have a lot to do before Friday. I will put you in charge of costumes but just remember I have to perform in this thing so don't go picking something too slutty or unrealistic. I'm sure you have pull at the WB closet so maybe you can call Magda for ideas."

"I'll get right on top of that." He replied sarcastically.

"We can always change jobs. You can perform and I will be in charge of the costumes."

"I was kidding Bella, take a chill pill."

"Edward, I don't think people in this day in age use the phrase, "Take a chill pill," you're dating yourself." I laughed.

"Whatever you say Miss Swan."

We arrived back to the production offices and the first call I made was to Darren. As I relayed the new information to him, I started to get more and more worked up. He told me to "calm my ass down." He said I should come by on Wednesday and he would work with me on my performance. I did have to say it felt good to have people like Darren in my corner.

After I was done with that I was surprised to be greeted by my Liberty Project boys. I had seen them the week before to go over the standard agreement with Warner Bros for the song we wrote together. I didn't have much to say in that meeting.

"What are you guys doing here?" I smiled while getting to my feet to welcome them with a hug.

"Well, we wanted to talk with you." Aaron replied.

"Uh-oh. Good surprise or bad surprise?" I laughed.

"Good surprise. At least we think it's a good surprise." Mark replied.

"Lay it on me."

"Can we go somewhere private to talk?" Scott asked.

"Follow me." I gestured to follow me into the conference room near my desk. "Okay, out with it. You're starting to freak me out and with the day I had, I'm not sure my heart can take anymore."

"So we've been talking. Of course WMG is on our ass because they want another music video; we know that you've been busy so that's why we waited. So now we want to ask you to do our next video." Scott relayed.

I sighed. "I would love to but, I have a lot on my plate right now." I told them of my meeting with WMG and how I just couldn't even focus right now.

"Look, we are really proud of you. I'm sure you will be successful and of course we will be there front and center to cheer you on come Friday." Mark replied.

"But, do you think there could be anytime in the next couple weeks to put something together?" Scott added.

"What's the song?" I asked.

"We were thinking of one the ones you wrote." Kyle said.

I sat there in thought for a moment. Whenever I wrote a song I usually had in my mind how I would want it to be performed and sometimes I even had ideas for music videos, however something about the music I had wrote for Liberty Project made me feel vulnerable and I wasn't exactly wanting to work on a project involving those songs. Maybe I could find a good alternative. "Give me a couple of days and let me see what I can come up with."

"Okay. Great." Scott answered excited.

Just one more thing to add to my plate.

Edward saw me saying farewell to the boys.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"They want me to do another video. I don't know if I can. This is why I was hesitant to do a record. Normally I would jump up and down for this opportunity but now I feel like I made a choice and I have to give up something I really wanted to do."

"Bella, you don't have to give it up. You can do both, it's all about balance. You just really have to prioritize and allocate certain days or times to certain projects. If I only worked on one project at a time, my filmography would be dismal."

I nodded my head and stood there reflecting on his words. This is a good thing. To be exceptionally busy is what you wanted. I guess I was afraid that since I recently was given balls to juggle I would eventually drop one due to my rookie position. Suddenly it felt like the balls were being traded for chain saws and with one wrong move and I might just lose an arm or a leg.

Edward and I arrived home and all I wanted was a couple of minutes of peace and quiet. I had so many things to go over and my head started to feel a tad bit crowded. I went outside and sat down on a chaise lounge that overlooked our pool flipping off my shoes.

Okay Bella, there no reason to even start worrying now about Friday since you don't even know what songs they plan on picking. Maybe they will listen to the records and decide to just pass on them sparing me from the performance. No. Those records were flawless. Darren and Levi made sure of it.

I huffed.

Problem two. Liberty Project wants a new music video. This time it wasn't a question on whether I could do it like before. Now it was a question of whether I had the time. Plus there was the fact that I needed to come up with a concept. I know the boys wanted me to do one of the songs that I wrote but lately I was leaning toward their track called, Erase Me. The words inspired something in me, I was sure I was going in the right direction.

The sound of a throat clearing shook me from my thoughts.

I sighed, "What do you want, Jacob?"

Jacob sat down near my feet. "How did it go today?"

"Good...and then bad." I replied.

"What happened?" He asked softly.

"WMG will give me answer on Monday. They seemed open at least to my concessions.

"But…"

"But, they want me to perform at the big Halloween bash on Friday. I know I'm stupid; I should have known that if I was planning on putting out a record eventually I would need to perform in front of human beings."

Jacob smirked and started to rub my feet. "You'll be fine. You just need to learn to adopt a persona when you're on stage. Kind of like acting, you play a part. When you go out on that stage you are no longer are Bella Swan but you are the character you create for yourself."

"It's easier said than done. Some of us weren't raised in the Actor's Studio." I replied.

"Acting isn't brain surgery, Bella." Jacob remarked.

"Liberty Project wants me to do another video with them." I continued.

"Really? That's great." He looked at my face, "Isn't it?"

"Of course it's great but I just don't know how I can focus on another thing right now. I think my mind is too focused on Friday."

"Well, then don't think about it until after Friday. I think the boys can give you that much." He paused for a moment. "Bella, I really am sorry. I know if I were you; I would have been upset as well."

Jacob changed topics sensing it was okay to finally discuss my issues with him.

"I am upset but I will remain friends with you and forgive you but don't expect me to trust you again so soon."

Jacob nodded his head. "That's fair."

"I will forgive you but I want your word that if someone were to come along someday; give them a chance. I care about you and as your friend I want good things for you. Please don't shut yourself off from possible happiness for a vow to a society that would have no problem taking away your prospects in life to ensure my happiness. I will be happier if I can see my friend find his mate and make little Jacobs."

"Little Jacobs." He laughed.

"Well, little Jacobs would be preferable to the Jacob in front of me." I jested.

"You know I wouldn't be too cocky when sitting next to an unheated pool in October." Jacob challenged.

"You do and there will definitely not be any little Jacobs in the future." I threatened.

Jacob barked out a laugh. "Come on little Swan, time to make dinner." Jacob got up and offered me a hand. "I'm making my specialty tonight." He boasted.

"Ah blue box. Nice choice." I teased.

It was after dinner; I was getting ready for bed when I had an epiphany. I was flossing in the mirror humming to myself the music of Erase Me when I was struck with a concept. That is why I was unsure of the new Liberty Project video; I didn't have a concept. I washed my mouth out and ran to the bed and jumped in grabbing my journal off of the night stand.

"Wow, someone's excited to get to bed." Edward remarked sitting beside me.

"Shhhh." I hushed him so I could focus and write down all of my thoughts before they left my mind. After ten minutes. I finally was satisfied. I turned to Edward with a big smile on my face.

"I'm ready to do this video." I proclaimed.

Edward laughed softly, "I figured as much. Good job, honey."

I started to settle down under my covers.

"Oh and I called Magda and told her what we needed. She assured me that she would go to the Warner Bros. closet tomorrow and drag out a couple of things and bring them to us." Edward commented.

"Hmm…past Warner Bros. movies, I wonder which one she will outfit us in." I pondered.

"Maybe we will be Batman and Wonder Woman." Edward suggested.

"I doubt it; I hardly have the body to pull of Wonder Woman." I cringed just thinking about the costume. Man I had left my fate in someone else's hands. I was suddenly very worried.

"I have to disagree; I think your body does wondrous things to me. Wonder Woman." Edward pulled me to him and we began to kiss. Lately our kissing was getting more and more PG-13, something told me that I wouldn't be able to hold off much longer and we were sure to enter back into our natural NC-17 rating where we belonged.

AN: Thank you so much for your Vegas well wishes, unfortunately everything I won my husband lost...oh well. As always thank you for reading and reviewing, I have truly appreciated your reviews!