| Chapter 42: Deals, Lies, and Audiotape Two Weeks Later The girls arrived at Sony Music Entertainment, with Riley and Salvatore Caggiano, their new lawyer, who oversaw process of reading their contracts and helping them with the negotiating process. Riley had given the girls a list of entertainment lawyers, none that he was affiliated with of course, and Salvatore was the one that seemed to give the girls a fair deal. The negotiating was complete, and through Riley and Salvatore’s advice, it looked like Sony was giving them a fair deal. They would have creative control of the music, get a decent stipend amount for their services along with royalties, and such. So the whole crowd was there, awaiting the official signing of their record contracts. Tommy walked to the waiting area and shook hands with all of them. “Looks like your going to be famous today,” Tommy smiled. “Shall we all head into the conference room for the final signing?” The all walked into the room, where Tommy offered each girl a pen. “Just sign on the dotted lines.” With shaking hands, they all signed the contract, with Lauralee finishing with a flourish. They all applauded loudly, with the girls giving each other a group hug. Tommy passed around champagne glasses and filled them up. “A toast if you will. To Elegance, where they will enjoy a long future of success, fame, and happiness.” “To Elegance,” they all lifted their glasses and sipped the champagne. “Now, we need to discuss some business,” Tommy took a seat at the table, where the others followed. “We figured that we could get this album released by the beginning of July.” “July? That doesn’t leave much time for anything,” Laura rubbed her cheek. “Which means that we really have to hustle on the recording. We really need to finish the album by the beginning of June. Not only the recording, but also publicity, dancing, and staging, which we can space until mid-June. Girls I’m saying that this is going to be a long haul ahead of you.” “What about me?” asked Bianca. “You will be going to school on a regular basis. You will also have a tutor on standby to make sure that you’re getting the work done. We can plan recording your parts and all, around your school work.” “It’s cool, I have a light schedule anyway,” Bianca nodded. “Lauralee, Elizabeth, you have cancelled classes?” Lauralee nodded. “Withdrew yesterday.” “OK, so I guess you’re on your way then,” Tommy stood up. “We start tomorrow morning. So I will see you all then.” ~*~ “Can you believe this is happening?” Elizabeth asked as she looked at her menu. “We were in here a couple of months ago, talking over whether we should get a manager. Now, we come in here as a signed group of Sony.” “Too weird,” Bianca agreed. “I never thought that this could ever happen.” “Me either,” Veronica put her menu down. “I just don’t know how we’re gonna get this all done by June. So much for a social life,” Laura laughed. “Your days as the party girl are numbered Laura,” Veronica smiled. “So, Lau, what do you think about it?” “Huh?” Lauralee looked up from her menu. “Uh oh. She’s got that weird look in her eye again,” Laura patted her hand. “Come on Lau, cheer up! Don’t you realize what has happened today?” “Yeah, the deal of a lifetime,” Lauralee put her menu down. “But now the lying starts.” “I know, but we all have it worked out. We have been planning what to say for the past two weeks. We’ll get it done, as long as we stick together.” “Think so?” Elizabeth smiled. “Lau, I know that this is affecting you the most. But think about what will happen in the end with it. We will have an album out. An album Lau… most people never get to do what we will be doing tomorrow.” “I know, but this will probably be the mother of all lies.” “Everyone will see why by July,” Veronica reassured Lauralee. “OK, here we go,” Lauralee smiled, but on the inside, she was a wreck. ~*~ “You mean to tell me you quit school! Why?” Sandy stood up and walked to the window. “Listen to the girl first, Sandy. I’m sure she has an explanation,” Catherine looked at Lauralee. “But it better be a good one.” “Mom, this job is the job of a lifetime. I can’t pass this up. Stratton Entertainment called me up and said they were expanding into New York City. They want me to go there and help them get started. They knew I had the experience of working there when I was in Florida, and they knew of my background. I had to take it.” “But why now? You only have a year of college left. You can work there when you graduate.” “But Mom, it’s only for one semester. I can take classes over the summer and make up for it. Besides, at least when I graduate, I’m practically guaranteed a job, with a great position and salary.” Catherine put her hands on Lauralee’s shoulders. “I don’t necessarily agree with the idea of taking the job and withdrawing from classes without asking us first, but… if this is what you want, I will support it.” Lauralee hugged Catherine. “Thank you Grandma.” She walked over to Sandy. “Mom?” “Are you sure this is what you want?” “Yes, I’m sure.” “Well, if you promise to make up for the classes you dropped out of… I guess its OK.” “Thanks Mom,” Lauralee hugged her mother. “Well, when do you start?” Catherine asked. “Tomorrow morning.” “Tomorrow? Isn’t that a little soon?” “Well, they have already started the move. Now listen, these are going to be really long hours, plus I might have to work weekends. They don’t really have any phone services, so you use my cell phone if you need me.” “Alright,” Sandy smiled. “Looks like you have really thought this through.” “I have. It’ll be fine, you’ll see,” Lauralee got up. “I have to call Alex and tell him now.” “OK honey, dinner will be ready soon,” Sandy called as Lauralee headed to her room. Lauralee grabbed her phone and called Alex’s house. “You got him.” “Hey!” “The answer to my prayers,” Alex laughed. “What’s up?” “I have something to tell you.” “Do I need to sit down for this?” “I don’t think so,” laughed Lauralee. “I quit school.” “What! Are you crazy?!” “Easy, easy. I haven’t even told you why.” “This better be good.” Lauralee told him the same story as she did with Sandy and Catherine. “So, what do you think?” “Are you sure you want this?” “Positive.” “Then I’m happy for ya baby.” “I’m so glad.” “Lot of long hours then huh?” “Yeah, and weekends.” “Then maybe you’ll finally know what it’s like for me then.” “Maybe I’ll have an inkling of what it’s all about,” Lauralee smiled to herself. They talked for a while longer and then she said goodbye. She went down to dinner. ~*~ “So everything went OK?” “Yeah, they bought it,” Lauralee said over the phone in a low voice. She was talking to Elizabeth. “How did everything go with you?” “Same. They seemed to buy the whole job thing.” Elizabeth had used the job excuse too. “Weird huh? Seems like we would be going to class tomorrow. Who knew we would be doing this?” “God only knows,” Elizabeth said. “Brian was shocked at first, but when I reasoned with him, he said as long as I was following my heart, I should do it.” “We are, in a way.” “Are you OK with this whole thing Lau?” “As long as it will work out in the end, I’m sure it will. But this won’t be the first time that we’re gonna lie.” “Yeah I know. My dad always says lies are like a snowball on top of a hill. It’ll keep growing until it’s an avalanche. But like everyone said, it’ll all be over in June.” “Yeah. Listen I’m gonna get going.” “Me too. We got a big day tomorrow.” “Alright. Later.” “Bye.” Lauralee lay in her bed, looking at the picture of Alex and her on the night table. She was sitting in front of him, with his arms wrapped around her shoulders. It was taken the last time she was in Orlando. She picked it up and looked at it. “Please forgive me baby.” She drifted off to sleep. Chapter 43 Contents Chapter 41 Part 2 |