A Dream Come True
1232 Words
Not giving Chloe the chance to flare up in annoyance, Mikey guided her back to his office. The bar was way too noisy. Seeing that the manager himself had offered his private space to the visitor, Chloe reckoned that her guest was indeed respectable.
“Did you ask why he was looking for me?” she inquired, clenching her clammy hands into fists.
“Nope. He just asked for you. We chatted a little bit about the club. But he never mentioned why he was looking for you.” Mike grinned, tilting his head in her direction, then added, “Do you have relatives?”
Chloe shrugged. “Not that I can remember. I mean, nobody even showed up at my parents’ funeral. My family’s poor as dirt. Surely, they don’t want to associate with us.”
Chuckling, Mikey shook his head as he opened the door to his office.
“I’ll be right here. Just holler if he dares to take advantage of you.”
“Come on, Mikey. I’m not a fragile glass doll. I can throw a punch or two.”
Raising an eyebrow, the manager folded his arms on his chest and eyed her meaningfully. Without another word, he pushed her into the room with his knee, then winked.
“I’ll be here.”
“Thanks.”
Inside, a middle-aged man dressed in a formal suit was sitting on the couch, sipping from his cup. He was scrolling from his phone with one hand and tapping the arm rest with the other. Chloe greeted him with a warm smile the moment their gazes met. She had no idea who it was or why he was looking for her. But being courteous has been seared in her bones ever since she was a child. Acting rude was not in her books. Of course, if provoked, it would be a different story.
“Good evening!”
“Ah, Chloe Brooks…” the man greeted, rising from his seat after setting the cup back on the coffee table. His eyes sparkled in delight as he gave her a friendly grin. The man extended his arm for a handshake, which she obliged. Studying his face, Chloe thought he was not a dangerous person.
This was enough for her to relax.
“It’s nice to finally meet you. Brandon Schwimmer, Ms Brooks. I’ve been meaning to discuss business with you.”
Chloe paused and blinked frantically. Her hands trembled as her knees grew jelly. The Brandon Schwimmer came looking for her! The man was not only respectable, but he was an icon in the music industry! Never in her wildest dreams that the day would come for her to be shaking hands with a legendary figure!
Okay, relax. Breathe in. Breathe out. Get a grip of yourself!
Heaving a deep sigh, Chloe recomposed herself and settled on the seat across Brandon. God knows how much self-control she needed to stop herself from squealing right at that moment.
“Have I kept you waiting for a long time?” she queried nervously.
“Fifteen minutes isn’t that long…” he answered after a light chuckle. “I’m not going to beat around the bush, Ms Brooks. I would like to sign you up and offer a record deal.”
Chloe couldn’t believe her ears as she felt her heart beating hard against her chest, her pulse rising. Her mushy mind completely stopped working and the words ‘record deal’ were the only thing that sank in. Swallowing hard, she stared at Brandon’s face for a moment to see any traces of pranking. But there was nothing but pure sincerity and seriousness.
Was she dreaming?
If yes, she wished she’d never wake up again!
“Ms Brooks?” Brandon waved a hand, snapping Chloe from spacing out. He was grinning from ear to ear as he watched the young lady infront of him freezing in surprise. He thought that she was born to be a star the moment he laid his eyes on her. Were his words difficult to believe?
“B-But I have been sending demos to your studio for the last three years. I-I thought you–“
“I am so sorry for that, dear. The people in-charge of screening do not have the heart and ears for true art. They are inclined to their own profit and have been accepting incompetent imposters for their own benefit! I regret not being able to hear your demos sooner! So, I decided to come personally! There’s no way I’d let a talent like you slip away!”
Chloe was thrilled to hear that. All this time, she thought she was not good enough. Who would have thought that after the very long wait, the man at the peak of the industry would personally invite her?
“Pinch me.”
Brandon laughed heartily. It has been a long time since he went on his own to scout a talent. Though Chloe’s reaction was nothing out of the ordinary, he found the young lady funny and endearing.
“You are not dreaming, my dear. I am indeed right here in front of you. I will make you the number one musician in the world! You will sparkle brighter than any star!”
Feeling her eyes grow watery, Chloe pursed her lips in response. She pinched her thigh and indeed felt the pain. She was not dreaming. Instead, the first step of her dreams had just come true! A mixture of emotions filled her heart, all she thought was she felt like swimming in the clouds.
“I-I don’t know what to say, Mr Schwimmer. I… I…” Chloe stammered, feeling completely lost in the sudden burst of emotions as her tears escaped her eyes. She was stupidly surprised and ecstatically grateful to finally hear a piece of good news after a very long time!
“I totally understand. Let it sink… Think carefully and we can draw up a contract. Of course, I’m not going to take a no for an answer. Call me when you have made up your mind. I’ll be leaving for New Letherbridge tomorrow.”
Chloe laughed heartily in between tears as she accepted the calling card Brandon handed. The man was easygoing, like the news she had read from the internet. For a moment, she was scared he would feel annoyed by her emotional outburst.
“I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible, Mr Schwimmer.”
“Great! I like that!” Brandon chirped and added, “I can’t wait to work with you, dear. You’re a diamond in the rough. You should know that. All right, I won’t take more of your time. I still have something going on.”
“Thank you, Mr Schwimmer. I’ll send you out.”
“No need. You rest. You don’t want to go onstage with puffy eyes.”
Grinning, Chloe nodded and waved Brandon goodbye. She spent the next thirty minutes spacing out in Mikey’s office, staring blankly at the ceiling. Countless thoughts flooded her mind. But she was certain of one thing; tonight was the last time she would call herself an indie artist.
Starting tomorrow, she would be officially a recording artist and she would have a bigger stage to showcase her art. Oh how good it felt to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
- Writer
