Behind The Spotlight Chapter 137
No matter where you are, I will love you~
Even if you're not around, I will love you~
My love is yours truly~
Chantal sang it with emotion and hit a higher note this time. Her voice echoed within the recording room, trembling slightly with raw passion. When she sang the song for the fifth time, she realized that it had a certain beat that made her want to sing it again. She looked at Niko, who was still inhaling the scent of the coins with trembling eyes... She admitted that he was talented. His odd quirks didn't matter now.
Even Collin and Isabella were amazed. They were just watching the recording and listening to the song, but they couldn't help but sway with the rhythm. Collin's usually composed face softened, while Isabella unconsciously tapped her foot and mouthed the lyrics.
"Impressive. Niko is great at composing songs, but this is the first time I've met someone who can match his level aside from Jackson Mike," Vivian weakly muttered, but Collin heard what she said. Her tone carried genuine admiration.
"Niko composed a song for Jackson Mike?"
"That's right. You know Thrilled? Niko is the composer and music producer of that song."
"Really?"
Even though Collin could see that Niko had golden talents, he still found it hard to believe that he had worked with Jackson Mike.
"You don't believe me?" Vivian raised her brow.
"I mean, can you blame me?" He glanced at Niko, who was slightly shaking and clutching his coins while adjusting the music effects...
"I hope I'm not being offensive, but Niko... Is he on the spectrum?" Collin asked, and Vivian nodded.
"He is diagnosed, but I don't know the specifics," Vivian's voice softened slightly.
"I see." Collin had no opinion on Niko anymore. In fact, he became even more interested in him. He had witnessed today how fast yet efficient Niko was at composing a song. Furthermore, Chantal needed a music producer to help her create an album. They needed Niko. The chemistry between Chantal's voice and Niko's melody was undeniable.
Ten minutes later, Chantal and Niko perfected the song. Niko talked to Chantal about controlling her voice around some parts of the chorus, and the young woman was surprised at how much it improved the song overall. Every small tweak he suggested seemed to elevate the music to another level, showing how deep his understanding of sound truly was.
"So, pay us. It costs $50 to rent the studio per hour, plus Niko's fee is $1,000 per hour. Also, he made a song for you. If you're going to use the song in the album, you'll either pay him $50,000 upfront or give him a share of the royalties," Vivian said. She delivered the words casually.
"Huh?" Collin and the two women were confused.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"You're here to rent the studio, right?"
"No, I mean, yeah, but that's not the main reason why we're here." Collin realized there might be a misunderstanding. He started to organize his words before it turned into a business argument.
"Then why are you here?" Vivian frowned. Business had been tough lately. She crossed her arms, her cigarette slowly puffing smoke.
"We're here to sign a deal with your record label."
"You want what?"
"We want your record label to work with my client," Collin explained more clearly. His tone became more formal, steady.
"Are you being serious right now? You want Moonrise Music to sign a deal with Chantal?" Vivian stared at the young but talented singer. She was confused because their record label wasn't even that famous or great. She felt like someone as talented as Chantal would be wasted under their label.
"Are you out of your mind?" she glared at Collin, her eyes flaring with disbelief.
"Excuse me?" Collin was taken aback.
"Chantal is someone who can reach the heights of Madunna and Jackson Mike, yet you're sabotaging her career. Look, I have a lot of connections in the industry. I can help you find a better record label." She was speaking to Chantal by the latter part of her speech. Her voice softened again, filled with genuine concern as she looked at her.
"I think we have to talk about this seriously," Collin recommended.
"Miss Vivian, I think your record label is promising," Chantal said sincerely. Her words made the room pause for a moment.
"Aww, thank you," Vivian smiled before glaring back at Collin.
"Chantal, Isabella, can you give me some time with Vivian to talk?" he turned to them.
"Okay."
Once they were gone, only Collin, Vivian, and Niko, who was currently groaning in pleasure, remained in the control room. The awkwardness was thick, yet Collin stayed composed, determined to make his case.
"I think I should start from the beginning. We're here because Lila recommended Moonrise Music. I've already met many record labels, and none of them satisfied me," Collin made it clear.
Most of the people he had talked to gave him bad vibes, and he couldn't entrust his client to their labels. He trusted his instinct. His gut feeling rarely failed him, it was the same instinct that had helped him throughout his career.
Vivian and Niko were different... Even though Niko was odd, Collin didn't find him bad or dangerous. As for Vivian, she was just a woman in her fifties. There was a kind of honesty in her tired eyes.
On top of that, Collin believed that Chantal and Niko working together on a music album would lead to Chantal's stardom. It wasn't just a baseless instinct, he trusted in the two's golden talents. Something about this partnership felt destined, a once-in-a-lifetime alignment that could define their futures.
"Let me make this clear, out of all the record labels you met, you want our company to handle your client?" She stared at Collin like something was wrong with him.
"That's right." He was honest. Even though this record label seemed shady, the way Vivian interacted with Chantal and Isabella was sincere. She didn't have hidden bad intentions. Furthermore, Collin couldn't let go of Niko.
Vivian narrowed her gaze while scrutinizing the talent agent in front of her. The tension between them filled the air, broken only by Niko's faint grunting in the background.
"Moonrise Music is owned by me, Niko, and Lila. It's an upstart record label created two years ago. We were supposed to launch a five-member boy band, but Velvet Harmony stole them to prevent our business," her voice carried bitterness.
"They stole your boy band?"
"Yes, the boy band paid all the damages and breach of contract fees. They believed they would have a better career if they signed with Velvet Harmony... Funny, because they disbanded after a failed debut."
"Since then, we've launched two more musicians. They had a great start, but they also left for other record labels," Vivian sighed. The disappointment was written all over her face, it was clear she'd been through too many broken promises.
"Niko is a great music producer, but because of his behavior, he offended some people. That's why they didn't like Moonrise Music," Vivian added. She looked at Niko for a brief moment.
"So I don't think you should sign Niko because it might implicate you. Furthermore, I will never let you sign him."
Vivian could see through his intentions. Her instincts were sharp, she had dealt with too many smooth-talking agents before.
"I talked to one of the executives of Velvet Harmony, and I didn't like how they proceed with business. I did my best to find a record label, but none of them satisfied me. I think Moonrise Music fits my client better," Collin said, ignoring her warning and focusing only on Chantal's future.
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