Chapter 39
When they arrived, Alessia greeted everyone, then headed straight to wash up before retreating to her room. She drew the curtains tight, pulled out her laptop, slipped on her headphones, and shut out the rest of the world.
Just a thin curtain separated her from Ivan, who was fast asleep.
Outside in the hallway, Brendan and the others sat together in a tense circle.
“Liam’s right. We’re being so careful around Lessie that it might actually be making things harder for her, Karen said, her voice barely above a whisper
“We can’t rush this, Zachary added. “It’ll take time. Slow and steady.” The others nodded in agreement.
“Oh, by the way, what’s this about a contract you mentioned earlier?” Brendan asked.
“I’ve got a set tonight. An agent approached me, wants me to come by their office Saturday to talk about a potential deal. I looked them up–it’s A&C Entertainment. That’s Tristan’s
Though Tristan had on
company.
only been in the industry for five years, he was already a household name.
“I’ve heard of them,” Brendan said thoughtfully. “But this is your dream. If you want it, go for it.“&
“What kind of offer are they making? Don’t take contracts lightly–read every word, Brendan cautioned, experience sharpening his tone.
Right now, they’re saying a 60/40 split, and they’ll cover my college tuition for all four years. 111 know more once I talk to them in person.”
Liam kept things vague, but everyone assumed he meant the company would take sixty percent, and he’d get forty.
“Actually, that’s better than I expected. I’ve heard this business can really squeeze newcomers. Sixty–forty is almost generous, Brendan said
Liam realized Brendan had misunderstood, but decided it was better not to correct him.)
“They’re paying your tuition too?” Zachary sounded skeptical X
“Yeah, but I have to pay it back after graduation.”
That explanation seemed to put Zachary at ease.
“You’re an adult now. It’s your call, as long as you’re careful with the contract. Don’t let yourself get burned. If it’s what you want, go for it,” Brendan said…
“Yeah, and it’s not good to keep putting college on hold,” Karen chimed in. “You’ve got this chance while you’re young–take it.” Zachary said nothing more, just clapped Liam on the shoulder. As twins, there were some things they didn’t need to say out loud.
Liam let out a sigh, feeling as if a weight had finally lifted from his chest.
“We’re going to be all right. Our family’s only going to get stronger from here,
“Call me superstitious, but I honestly think things have been looking up ever since Lessie came back, Karen said, glancing at Brendan He took her hand in his, silent but clearly agreeing.
“Exactly. All the more reason for us to work even harder.
Assuming Alessia and Ivan were both asleep, the four lowered their voices and quietly went their separate ways. Alessia, who’d been standing at her door with an empty water glass, finally let go of the doorknob. She set the glass back op her nightstand, sat down on her bed, and put her headphones on again.
Her laptop screen was still open to her music software. Just as she settled in, the audio file finished rendering. She made a quick note, then sent the file off.
I
“Sull awake, princess? Here I was thinking you’d forgotten all about my song,” came the reply almost instantly.
Alessia rolled her eyes at her screen–she always wanted to do that when talking to Tristan.X
To the public, Tristan was the picture of poise and warmth, but in private, he was sharp–tongued and wickedly sarcastic. Maybe it was an age thing, but lately, he’d even let that side slip in interviews, which only seemed to attract more fans instead of driving them away! Alessia shook her head. Show business was doomed
Still, she could hardly complain–she and Lillian White had helped launch Tristan’s career. He might be a bit of a pain, but he was. dedicated, poured his heart into everything, and–most importantly–had no scandals. He was fiercely ambitious, and she respected that No one valued this profession or the hard–earned success more than he did.
“Midnight Right on time she messaged back.
Translation. I’m not late, so quit nagging.
Onset Tristan smirked at his phone, lounging in full period costume like some ethereal figure out of a legend. The bright floodlights
Chapter 39
turned the night almost to day, and people bustled all around him.
Chapter 40
