Killian Peters is a six foot four God.
Beth's starting to see why Daryl was so shook up by him. She cringes internally at Daryl's name. So, not thinking about it is the route she's going down today: good to know. Her eyes continue to track Killian as he moves around his office, firmly dismissing her personal issues. He's standing while she sits in one of his chairs.
There's records on the walls: artists she recognises. The windows are wide and tall, allowing floods of weak sunlight and tiny swirls of snow to fill her vision. It's cold out which is why she's in a jumper but the heating is on full blast in Killian's office and she's sweating so bad she's worried she's going to give off an odour soon.
Not like she wasn't sweating before meeting him since nerves are riding her as hard as the coffee she's been guzzling all morning. The office is large and minimal, but striking in its simplicity, unlike Killian. His jawline and cheekbones are as sharp as the blades on her kitchen counter and his eyes the same dark brown as the coffee in her cup.
He's tall and wiry in his suit and he gives off the air of a man who knows his shit. When he turns back to face her, his features strike her again. He's pretty, though he's not her type because of that. Beth prefers the more rugged approach which was her attraction to… nope, not thinking about him today. Not after he just left her in her bed two days ago with no text or note or – stop.
Focus.
She forces her eyes back to Killian who takes a seat in his impressive office chair. It's tall, even more so than him, possibly custom made and leather, black. It beautifully suits the backdrop of the opaque skyline and his bright blonde hair is striking against it. The whole scene makes Beth feel like she's meeting with a goddamn mafia boss.
He clears his thought throat and runs his manicured fingernails over the pad of his expensive laptop, waking it up. "So, Beth Greene."
She smiles because this is the first thing he's said to her and everything she's prepared to say has gone out of the window.
He breezes past this. "You're the girl from Dixon's, right?"
Beth tries not to cringe and feels as if she fails at the interested twinkle in his eye. "That's me."
"The manager there turned me away. Surprised you found me."
"I was busy at the time, he gave me your card later," she lies smoothly.
"Interesting, as I gave him the card a while ago. Why the hesitation?"
She pauses, giving consideration to the thought. "I had to consider a few things." Not exactly a lie.
His dark eyebrow tips. "Really? Such as?"
"The plausibility of what you're offerin'. All managers think they can take me somewhere an' yet it never quite works out," she lies.
She's hoping pretending like she's had multiple offers before will make her seem more interesting and appeal to a competitive side to try and keep her. Killian doesn't appear ruffled though and simply hums like he's humouring her which makes Beth flush with embarrassment and she quickly sips her still scalding coffee.
It feels like she's been here a lifetime but the assistant only made up the cup some ten minutes ago and it burns all down her throat like whiskey which is Daryl's favourite… no. KillianHe still doesn't speak by the time she lowers her cup back to her lap so she clears her throat and recrosses her legs just to pass the lapsing time between speech.
"Regardless, you're here." He flashes a brief, blinding smile before it drops. "Let's get straight to the point, shall we? You want to sing, I want to make money and we both get what we want if we work together. Not beating around the bush here, Beth, I can make you money because I can sell your voice."
A warm flush builds in her chest and she shuffles a little in her chair, trying not to look too impressed at his no bullshit speech. "What do you have planned?"
"First, a few tracks on our premium website, then a meet and greet with a local talk show. Some couple of those until the interest comes in, from there… a gig. Small first, like the bar you came from and then bigger. Around some places, no flying, not yet. Tester tour, if you like. Let the hype build while you travel and then reconvene when it's appropriate."
Beth swallows and sits upright, remaining passive. "A premium website?"
"Our website is full of new artists on the scene. We have people pay a fee a month to pour through tracks and create hype on social media, spread the word if you will. We rely on these people for momentum, to be your voice. To showcase you. Tell their friends, their parents and so on."
"So if interest doesn't build? If they don't 'hype' then what? Nothin'?"
Killian shrugs. "I've never been in this position. I've never not successfully sold an artist and created hype. It doesn't happen."
"You're jus' that good?" Beth asks in disbelief, a doubt stirring in her stomach.
"I am," he answers without missing a beat. "I know what the people want, Beth. I know how to do my job."
She has nothing to say for the moment so she sips her coffee first while she mulls over her words. "You think people want me?"
"I think people want your voice. Your accent. They love a good accent. You're pretty, you're young. Your outfit is exactly what every girl out there is wearing."
Beth's not sure if this is a compliment or not.
He leans forward, gaining momentum. "Your hair? Longer maybe or shorter. Mid-length doesn't sell. You're fit, in shape. Not very curvy, but with money?" He shrugs like this is a problem already dealt with. "You could look brand new in less than a year."
She flushes both with anger and embarrassment. "I don't wanna be someone brand new. I'm sorry Killian, but you ain't the manager for me. If I'm makin' music? S'only gonna be me makin' it. Beth Greene."
She makes to stand but he shakes his head and for some reason, this stops her. He doesn't talk or grab her or stand but the shake of his head is such a loud demand in the quiet room that she freezes in place.
"I'm just saying this for your benefit, Beth. Once you get into the industry, you think about these things. You're competing against other artists. You don't just sell records. You sell your hair and your smile and your Instagram page, your dating life. Your life becomes there's, I'm merely making suggestions for the future."
Beth narrows her eyes at him. "You're makin' it sound like I'm gonna hit it big on the first go 'round."
"With me as your manager? You are," he answers simply. When she doesn't react to this, he leans back in his chair and links his hands, bringing to attention his thick rings on both thumbs and middle fingers. "Look. I'm saying give it a shot. No tricks, no surprises. We get you in the studio, get a track for the website, and take it from there. Won't cost you nothing and expenses are covered by us while we move around. What have you got to lose? Or do you want to sing on a Saturday night at a club for the rest of your life?"
She bites down on her lip, her stomach churning with a whole mixture of things she can't name just yet. What has she got to lose? She's already lost… maybe lost something beautiful from her life for this, she can at least follow through. Delicately putting down the coffee cup, she primly clears her throat and nods.
"Okay. Let's do this."