| “OK, what’s this all about?” Elizabeth asked as they all shivered from the cold. “Well,” Riley smiled. “I got a message for you all.” “And that is?” asked Bianca. “There it is now,” Riley motioned as a car pulled up. The door opened and out stepped Tommy Mottola. “Hello ladies,” he shook the girls’ hands. “And happy birthday Lauralee.” “Thank you,” Lauralee smiled. “What are you doing here?” “Giving you the birthday present of a lifetime.” “What?” Tommy pulled out a big manila envelope. “Go ahead, open it.” He handed it to Lauralee. Lauralee opened up the envelope and pulled out a bunch of papers bound together. Lauralee looked wide-eyed at the title. “Oh my God,” she whispered. The others looked behind her and read the opening page. “Is this… what I think it is?” Veronica looked at Tommy. “Just your standard recording contract from Sony Music Entertainment.” Tommy smiled. “Sony is offering you a three-record deal. Now I need you to look over that contract with some lawyers, if you prefer, and get management. Then, if you like, sign on the dotted line, and we can get started.” The girls stood there in shock, letting it all sink in. Finally, Bianca broke the silence. “Whoo-hoo!” She jumped up and down and the girls followed suit, embracing each other, crying and screaming. “Congratulations ladies!” Riley hugged the girls. “You are just what we’re looking for, and with talent like yours, I see nothing but a very bright future ahead of you,” Tommy said. “Well, I think what our first order of business is as Elegance,” Lauralee wiped her tears away. “I think we have already chosen our management,” the girls all looked at Riley. “Me?” Riley asked. “We’ve all been talking about this for a while,” Elizabeth explained. “You have brought us to this level and we couldn’t have done it without you. We want you to represent us, if that’s OK.” “I humbly accept,” Riley put his hand to his chest. “Myself and The Firm would be honored to represent Elegance.” “Good,” Tommy looked at his watch. “I have to go. I hope I’ll be hearing from you soon. And again congratulations.” He hopped into his car and drove off. “God I can’t wait to tell the guys!” Bianca started for the door. “Wait!” Riley stopped her. “Come on Riley! They’ll be so happy for us!” Bianca took his arm. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I have an idea,” Riley said, a smile crossing his lips. “What if we wait a little while longer? If we do sign with Sony, we can do this as a project and present them to you when you’ve performed your first single.” “You mean keep all of this,” Laura held out her hands, “a secret?” “Yeah don’t you get it? You can go out as a secret artist, and prove to the world that you didn’t get this because of your ‘affiliation’ with the Backstreet Boys. The problem with a lot of groups is that they don’t get any respect from critics. They think they get the deal because they think they’re manufactured. If we just present you guys as just Elegance, no pictures, just the music, I think you can have a shot here at creating something special and especially lasting.” Riley crossed his arms. “So, what do you think?” “Girls?” Veronica looked at the others. “Well… I don’t really like lying to people, but…” Laura smirked. “Yeah, I say that we do it.” Elizabeth and Bianca nodded. Veronica turned to Lauralee. “What do you say Lau?” “You mean, keep quiet about getting the deal of a lifetime, recording an album, doing all of this without anyone knowing?” Riley nodded. “I know that this is a long shot, but think of how it could turn out in the end.” “But what about Bianca? She has school and all. And what about me? I have college to finish.” “Bianca can work around her school time. But, you have a choice to make Lau…” “Such as?” “Postponing college.” “Oh boy, I was afraid you were going to say that,” Lauralee looked down. “I have been thinking about that possibility.” “And?” “And I know one thing. This has been my secret dream since I was a little girl. I even wished it tonight when I blew out my candles, as crazy as it may seem. Even though this is going to be tough to work out with the secrets and all… I say that Elegance has a record deal!” The girls grabbed Lauralee in a group hug as Riley looked on. “I think you are all making a wonderful decision. But first we have to get you guys to sign a management contract and get a lawyer to work out these contracts. I know some lawyers you can talk to, but you make the final call. I don’t want to be another Lou Pearlman, OK?” The girls nodded. “So, go back there and pretend like nothing happened. I should get going. Tell the boys I said goodbye for me.” Riley started to walk away. “Oh, Riley?” Lauralee called out as Riley turned around. “Yeah?” “Thanks.” “Happy birthday,” Riley winked as he walked away. The girls managed to regain their composure as they walked inside. ~*~ After the party, the girls and guys headed to the Thunderground, where Lauralee did what any normal person who was 21 did, drink. Later that night, Lauralee and Alex stumbled into Alex’s hotel room, where they “tended to their own business.” Lauralee and Alex spooned each other where Alex was tracing his fingers along her arm. “So did you have a good birthday?” “One of the best ever,” Lauralee smiled, remembering not only the party, but also the other life-changing event that happened to her. “I’m so glad. I wanted this birthday to be special, we all did.” “It was. God it was.” They laid in silence for a while. “Um, Lau?” “Hmm?” Her eyes were still closed. “What was it that Riley wanted to talk to you about?” Lauralee’s eyes shot open. “Oh, there was this story on this web site about some of us, and some program was thinking about featuring us as the Backstreet girlfriends or something.” “Oh, so why didn’t he tell you all that at the table?” “I guess he didn’t want to mix business with pleasure.” “True.” Lauralee heard Alex yawn. “Well, I guess it’s getting late. Good night baby.” “Good night.” Alex kissed Lauralee’s temple as he drifted off to sleep, with Lauralee still awake. It was the first time she ever lied to him. Chapter 42 Contents Chapter 41 Part 1 |