Heart Strings

Prologue

He could not remember when he started having the dream; only it always started out the same. They were in the car together, and she was sitting in the far corner. She was wearing a string of pearls that was worth the same amount as a small condo, and a custom made gown designed by none other than Harry Borrison. Her dark hair was pulled into a pony tail as it drifted from her pale shoulders. Her blue eyes were fixated on the scene outside, as if memorized by the lights.

Alex couldn't understand how someone could look so glamorous, yet feel so completely alone. He reached for her, his fingers lingered in the air for a few unknown seconds before he withdrew. Then he spoke, the crisp voice not his own as her name rolled off the tip of his tongue.

"Sophia."

And he saw her for the first time.

Slowly, her lips curled into a thin smile. Her cheeks looked ghastly pale, and it seemed like she hasn't slept in days. Her eyes held the same familiar sparkle that would light up whenever she laid eyes on him. And for the first time in a long time, he was truly happy.

Then it would happen, the undeniable crash that ended it all. He remembered instinctively reaching for her, his arms came full circle around her small body, and he thought it should have been this way from the start.

In the few seconds that followed, his mind shifted to the first time they met, the pink bow in her pig tails. How she'd purse her lips when she was mad, the jealous look on her face when he got his first girlfriend. How much he wanted to punch the guy that took her to her first spring formal. How her laugh seemed to resonate for miles when she was happy, and how gut wrenching it was for him when she was sad. She was all he could think about since the day they met, and all he thought about up to the point he died.

Alex jolted awake, heart pounding and short of breath. It felt like he lived a life that wasn't his, experience thoughts and feelings that weren't his. His mind was filled with memories of her, memories he thought were only a fraction of his imagination.

Slowly, he reached for his racing heart. Alex took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He'd remind himself every time that it wasn't real, that it was just a dream, and it may very well be just that. Yet every time he thought of her, it felt like heartache.

2: Chapter One: The Price of Freedom

Chapter One: The Price of Freedom

The rule of thumb was to steer clear of the post debut crowd when you were nothing but a trainee. Alex learned that the day he was first introduced to Empire E.T. There was a boy there on the same day he signed his first contract, who thought it was a good idea to approach Victoria on one of the rare occasions she showed up at the company. That boy was never heard of again.

Empire E.T was the biggest management company in Los Angeles, famed by its many successful talents in the entertainment industry, and even more infamous for its mass production of stars. Unlike its many competitors, instead of discovering talents and taking a gamble, trainees were selected at a young age and put through rigorous trainings until they were molded into perfection.

The term individuality did not exist within the scope of the company, only a production team that set the industrial standard. Or as Nicolai Lockwood, the CEO of Empire E.T puts it, "One hundred percent success rate, because we tell our audiences what they want." Needless to say, the concept was not without criticisms. The end result, however, was surprisingly successful.

With fifteen solo artists, seventeen A-list actors and fourteen runway models under contract, it's no wonder Youngers flocked to the doors at a chance to stardom. Alex was no exception. He was eighteen years old when he held his first audition with the company. Now, five years later, he has yet to make his official debut.

The life of a trainee was anything but easy. For five years, his life consisted of hours upon hours of practice in vocals, instrumentation, acting, speech and stance. He walked the walk, talked the talk, yet still longed the chance for stage.

Over the years, he'd seen countless trainees drop out of the program, because it was simply too hard. And what's left competed even more amongst themselves. There were people who'd been with the company for even longer periods of time, and still haven't made progress. Eventually, they were let go, because let's face it, there's only so much time a potential candidate could endure until their youth no longer perspires, and Alex fears himself to be one of them.

But perhaps what's even worse was being stuck in between; the artist that simply could not garner enough attention, which was the exact position Alex's friend, Ivy was in. She debuted as a solo artist some time back, and had a couple of songs that made it to the charts, but not quite take the hit. The company took a gamble with her for her first two albums, but once the numbers rolled in and she underperformed, the higher ups simply brushed her aside. Thus, a third album was stalled, and Ivy now spends her days lounging around the company, squeezing a song for a different artist every now and then, which was a shame, because she was one of the few people Alex actually liked.

"Did you hear? Nicolai's granddaughter is back!" Ivy chirped loudly in the practice room. Unfortunately, despite her many attributes, gossip remains to be her one glaring flaw.

The concept of granddaughter was foreign to Alex. During his time at the company, Alex has gotten to know one thing about the owner: he was never around. Instead, the company was managed by a man only a few years older than Alex, Nathanial Pierce.

Nathanial was adopted into the Lockwood family at a young age, after the tragic accident that left Nicolai without a son. He was first introduced to the company at twenty-one, after successfully completing a double major in marketing and psychology. Alex spoke with the man exactly twice, once when he signed his contract with Empire E.T and once during the annual Christmas Bash when Nathanial had mistaken him for the waiter.

"Granddaughter, huh?" Alex muttered, barely paying any attention to the blonde.

"Yes. Actually, she had quite the scandal a couple of years back with…" She paused, as if deep in thought. "What was his name again? That singer you really liked." She snapped her fingers a couple of times, trying to remember.

"Mhmm…" Alex answered absentmindedly. His pencil continued to scratch the sheet of music in front of him, not the least bit interested.

"Are you listening to me?" Ivy questioned.

When Alex was concentrating, the world ceased to exist. She watched him for a long time, remembering the first time they met. He was only a boy back then, and despite his talents, was put off every opportunity. It was a losing battle without the right connections, yet Alex continued to struggle against the odds with a childlike determination. Ivy had to admit, she had to give him props for his courage.

Her eyes rested on her best friend. His pitch black hair framed a firm, squared jaw. His skin was pale compared to your average beach boy, but that flaw was balanced out by a well-built body. He had a face that was made for the entertainment industry, and his eyes; they were so green and sharp, it seemed like he could see right through her every time he held her gaze.

"Of course I'm listening." Alex answered almost immediately, which suggested he was doing anything but.

Ivy heaved a long sigh. Slowly, the corners of her lips curled up in a smile. She pushed herself from the armchair and inched her way over to Alex, peering at the sheet of music in front of him. From time to time, his fingers would brush the keys of the piano in an effort to test the melody.

"Is that for Victoria's new album?" Ivy finally asked.

He seemed to have heard her this time. "Yes."

"It's nice."

"You think so?" Alex turned to look at her. His eyes flared with excitement. "Maybe I'll get lucky this time around."

And though they were smiling that afternoon, they both knew it would take a lot more than luck to make it in this industry.

***

Empire E.T's top entertainer, Victoria, was a tall woman in her late twenties. She'd hit fame at a young age, partially due to her good looks, and almost entirely due to her undying work ethics. Never in her seven years of career had she failed to show up for an appointment, and those blessed enough to see her perform, she made sure to make it worth their time.

Unfortunately, when it comes to picking songs for her new album, Victoria was known to be especially difficult, and today was no exception. Behind a glass wall, Ryan's fists clenched in anticipation. There was a time when Victoria would have succumbed to his every desire. It didn't matter what he gave her, she would have singed it and she would have made it good, because that was Victoria, she would have made anything good.

Slowly, Victoria removed the headphones from her ears. Ryan, who'd been fidgeting in his seat the entire time, pushed himself to the edge of the chair in anticipation. "Well? What do you think?"

"Who wrote it?" Victoria asked.

Alex, who had been quiet the entire time, slowly raised his hand; feeling like he was back in elementary and the teacher had just called on him to answer a particularly challenging math question.

Victoria gathered her things and walked out of the recording area, her lips were pursed in a way that suggested she was not pleased. She gave Alex the once over from head to toe. Though she did not voice her opinion she did little to hide her distaste.

"And what is your name?"

"Alex."

Ryan coughed rather conspicuously then, as if looking for ways to change the topic, knowing what's to come next. Alex, however, did not seem to notice.

"Don't you have a last name?" Came Victoria's absentminded request. She was gathering her things in the room at this point.

"It's just Alex."

This seemed to have gained Victoria's attention. "And how many songs have you produced? Just Alex." Her tone was laced with slight mockery.

"Victoria-" Ryan started, but was cut off by Alex's quick response.

"None."

"And are you a debuted artist?" She questioned again.

"No."

"So you have neither a hit, nor do you hold any recognition in the music industry?" Victoria went on.

The more she spoke, the more insignificant Alex felt. There he was, standing in front of one of the most influential artists in today's pop culture with what he believed to be his best work, and she'd managed to deflate his pride in mere seconds.

"Yes." Alex's reply shook with uncertainty.

The corner of her lips begun to pull, and she smiled at him, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Then what makes you think I'll sing this?"

No one's ever asked him that before. He'd thought in his naïve mind that if his music was good enough, then eventually he'd get noticed. He hadn't put much though into influence or recognition until Victoria questioned him. In that moment, he realized this industry wasn't as simple as he'd imagined.

"You shouldn't under estimate a new comer."

Suddenly, the room went silent. Even Victoria's manager, who was barking on his phone moments earlier, went complete quiet. The voice by the door was not loud, nor was she particularly big. In fact, she was rather a petite woman who could be mistaken for a teenager.

Dark hair drifted from her slender shoulders. She was in a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, an attire entirely too casual for any person of importance at the company. However, there was an air of authority about her that put everyone in the room at unease.

Alex could do nothing but stare. For the longest time, she did not exist outside of his subconscious mind. He thought she was someone he thought up, a fraction of his imagination, yet there she was, in the flesh, and instantly, his heart started to react.

It was Sophia.

"After all, were you not a rookie once, Victoria?" She did not wait for Victoria to answer before continuing. "You'll sing the song." Sophia said with finality.

A troubled look crossed Victoria's face. Slowly, she lowered her head, deep in thought. And in those few seconds, a slight unwillingness crept its way onto her features, followed by helplessness, and finally anger. But when she looked up again, all the agitation evaporated from her eyes and she was smiling a hallowed smile.

"Of course." Victoria replied.

And for the first time that day, Alex saw something on Victoria's face that made more of an impression than her pride: defeat. All he wanted then was to ask why? Victoria was supposed to be the most influential pop singer in the industry. Fame, status, recognition, all of which came attached with her name, but why did that strip her of her most basic of needs?

Her freedom.

The Sophia he saw was not what he remembered. She was cooler, more mature, and just as lonely as ever. Her lips were frozen in a thin line, and she was staring expressionlessly at Victoria, her blank face making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

"Good." She said courtly.

And with that, she left.

Behind Alex, Victoria's manager exhaled loudly, as if he had been holding his breath the entire time.

A long silence passed before Victoria turned to Ryan. "When did she get back?" She questioned with every ounce of dignity left within her.

"I don't know." It was the first truthful thing he said all day.

"Who was that?" Alex asked.

Ryan was surprised by Alex's words. He starred at the boy, as if trying to determine whether or not he was playing dumb. After all, it wasn't every day that Nicolai Lockwood's granddaughter decides to drop in unannounced, and with such good timing at that. Whoever this boy was, he was to be dealt with extra precaution.

"That's the King's granddaughter." Ryan said with one arm circled around Alex's neck. "You got 'em angels on your side kid."

Slowly, Alex reached for his chest. The pain seemed to have subsided in her absence. "I sure hope so."

***

Nathanial never liked dinner. It was one of those meals where each and every family member sat around a single table and talked about how their day went. In his case, the only other member in his adopted family was Nicolai Lockwood, and dinner with him was more or less intimidating. It wasn't just the fact that Nicolai hardly spoke; it was that Nathanial was never in the right when he did speak. This was the man that gave him everything, and it didn't help to know he could just as easily take it away.

Lucky for him, he's perfected his smile over the years. No matter how intimidated he was, he'd carry on with his infamous smirk. Tonight, however, the atmosphere in the dining room was not at all pleasing.

There was a polite exchange of greetings between grandfather and granddaughter as Sophia took her seat beside Nathanial. Her back was in a ninety degree angle and she was eating with every amount of grace demanded of the Lockwood family. Nate couldn't imagine it being too comfortable.

It was the first time the whole family dined together in over five years. From time to time, Nathanial caught Nicolai glancing at Sophia, but it seemed the child was determined not to look up.

"I heard you were at the company today." Nicolai started.

And just like that, the silence was broken. Sophia did not answer right away, but took the time to swallow her food. Her next set of words were carefully calculated. "Yes, I was familiarizing myself with the employees."

Nicolai scuffed at the remark. "Is that right?" He sliced away at the steak on his plate. A smirk spread the length of his lips. It almost seemed like he was laughing at a private joke. "And what was the whole ordeal with Victoria?" He asked casually.

Raising his glass, Nicolai took a long sip of wine. His attention was focused on his granddaughter. She was fidgeting slightly under his gaze, but did not show any signs of intimidation. When she spoke again, he was sure she'd run the whole conversation in her head.

"I was simply putting her in her place." Sophia replied coolly.

Her words surprised Nathanial. "A celebrity of that caliber is not to be taken lightly, Sophia."

"No. Of course not." Her voice was calm. She was still exerting an excruciating amount of control. "But freedom is power. Take that away and you have yourself a contracted slave for life." Then, she turned to Nicolai, and even though she was smiling, the smile never quite reached her eyes. "Isn't that right, Grandfather?"

She was looking Nicolai straight in the eyes when she uttered the words, her stare was so cold, Nathanial felt chills climbing up his spine. This was not the same little girl he met when he first entered the Lockwood manner. She was vicious, and more aware of the powers that came with the Lockwood name. Then she shifted her gaze and wiped her mouth with the napkin in her lap.

"I'm not feeling well. Excuse me." She stood abruptly and left the room.

Nathanial's gaze followed her every move. Her footsteps echoed a long time in the empty halls until he could no longer hear her. His heart went out to girl, but the power to change the status quo was beyond his reach He had tried to keep her from being contaminated by the harshness of the game, but her emerge was almost inevitable.

"Tomorrow you will officially introduce her to the company." Nicolai said. A ghost of a smile laced the corner of his lips.

Nathanial was silent for a long time. Then, out of nowhere, he replied. "As you wish."

He could not disobey.

3: Chapter Two: Bounds

Chapter Two: Bounds

 

William Blake was a certified womanizer, and one of the oldest producers at Empire E.T. He targeted young girls and potential trainees under the assumption that he would help them debut. As long as he made money, the company was willing to turn a blind eye. Unfortunately, his luck ran out when he mistook Sophia for one of the trainees a few years back. This resulted in the liquidation of almost all the shares he held at the company, and he hasn’t quite forgiven Sophia for it.

 

One could only imagine his surprise when he saw her stroll casually into the boardroom beside Nathaniel on a Wednesday afternoon. The few that recognized her nodded their heads in acknowledgement, others simply assumed she was just another one of Nathaniel’s assistants.

 

Sophia took a seat silently beside Nate, where a coffee mug was immediately pushed in her direction. She stared at it for a couple of seconds, then traced its path until her eyes landed on the owner of the mug. Leigh Borrison, the head of the finance department peered at her from behind a copy of the Los Angeles Times.

 

“Fill it up, would you?”

 

“Leigh, she’s not-“ Nathaniel began, but was silenced by Sophia, who laid a hand on top of his.

 

The corner of her lips twitched into a half smile. Slowly she rose from her seat and maneuvered the coffee mug towards the kitchen. Then Leigh, who’d been completely oblivious to the situation, seemed to have changed his mind.

 

“On second thought, why don’t you fetch me a Starbucks from downstairs?”

 

Another pause, and again that faulty smile returned. Sophia made her way back to the table. The muddy liquid swirled back and forth within the walls of its confines. When she returned, she purposely dropped the cup from an unusual height, where upon contact with the mahogany surface, its contents spilled with a loud bang. This seemed to have caught the attention of the entire room as conversations subsided.

 

Though the smile remained, it failed to reach her eyes. “I would. Unfortunately, nothing discussed in this meeting can be approved without my presence.” She explained, not the least bit intimidated by the absurd looks from the other shareholders. “My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Sophia Lockwood. I am here representing my grandfather, Nicolai Lockwood.”

 

She watched as Leigh opened his mouth to say something, then closed it several seconds later. Some nodded towards her, others stared in awe, and a few looked dumbfounded that the company would be entrusted to a child. But the silence was unanimous.

 

“Now then, before we begin. Would anyone else like another coffee?” And as Sophia looked around the silent room, she couldn’t help but smile. Her plan had reached a desired effect.

 

Thirty minutes passed in which financial situations at the company was reviewed. Sophia sat listening for the most part. She was distinctly aware of the looks the board was giving her. They were all wondering what she was doing there.

 

“I’ve looked through the names of the trainees put up for debut this year and added a few selections.” Sophia suddenly spoke, interrupting the marketing department’s debrief about future opportunities. “The list this year is rather…” She paused for dramatic effect. “Generic.”

 

“We’ve selected the best of the best this year.” William was eager to cut in. “In fact, each of the trainees selected is top of his or her class.”

 

“That’s precisely it. Our top of the class hardly holds any interest to the younger generations. It’s been two years since any of our new artists made headlines.” Sophia went on to argue.

 

“Yes, but sales is up fifteen percent from last year.” Leigh was quick to come to William’s defense.

 

“Thanks to a loyal fan base. But as you all know, our contracts don’t last a lifetime. And what’s stopping, say Victoria, from moving to one of our competing companies?” Sophia watched as a couple of producers shift uncomfortably in their seats. By then, she knew she had them by the hook. “The entertainment industry is constantly re-inventing itself, and I’m afraid we’ve been injecting the market with too many carbon copies of Victoria. I propose we go a different direction this year.”

 

Reports were handed around the room with fresh selections, candidates who otherwise might not have been anyone’s first choice. Unlike the well rounded celebrities, these trainees all had one thing in common, they were not the top of every class, but had one area of expertise.

 

“Even if this were the case, Miss Lockwood, why should we go with your selections?” Leigh’s questions were sharp. “If I may be forward with you, you have no experience on the job, and no part in any of the projects before today. So aside from representing your grandfather, I’m afraid there’s not enough to convince the board to invest in these wild cards you’ve managed to select.”

 

“I did debut Harry Borrison a ways back, did I not?” Sophia watched Leigh flinch at the name of his estranged son. He leaned forward, his gaze was furious. That was the thing about Leigh, he never failed to unmask his emotions.

 

“Yes, well, prancing around on stage with a dozen prostitutes can hardly be justified as a career.” Leigh spoke through his teeth.

 

“Of course not, but a five hundred million dollar fashion empire does.” Sophia watched the old man’s eyes widen in surprise. “And don’t forget, those prostitutes accounts for one third of the business here.”

 

Leigh looked like he was about to say more, but was interrupted by Nathaniel, who’d been observing the argument silently for quite some time. “There’s a very simple solution to all of this.” Nathaniel was quick to resolve the issue before it could escalate. “Debut stage is only a few months away, we’ll let the audience decide. I see no harm in adding a few extra acts to the show.”

 

For a moment, there was silence. Nathaniel had made his intentions clear. As much as Leigh liked to win, he was unwilling to put himself in Nathaniel’s bad grace. So he did the next best thing. He gave in.

 

“Splendid idea.” Leigh agreed halfheartedly. “I look forward to what these trainees of yours could bring.”

 

“You won’t be disappointed.” Sophia smiled.

 

Another hour passed, and the details of current projects were revealed. Action items were jotted and a long line of decisions were made. As the directors and producers filed out of the room, Sophia sat idly by, observing each and every one of them, nodding politely as they exited in an orderly fashion.

 

“Did you see how many of them opposed me?” Sophia asked as soon as the room was cleared.

 

“Too many for comfort.” Nathaniel replied honestly.

 

Sophia’s plan to test the waters showed her exactly who would support her during consequential decision makings. In the event that her grandfather no longer holds further influence over the company, these shareholders would be on her like sharks, and Leigh Borrison would probably be at the head of the pack.

 

Nathaniel’s attention diverted to the massive glass walls to the side of the room, finding sudden interest in the L.A traffic. “Those Harry Borrison billboards are rather impressive, aren’t they? I saw three of them on my way to the office this morning.” This seemed to have caught Sophia’s attention. “I think it’s time he repaid the favor, don’t you?”

 

***

 

            Alex was nervous. He was in the middle of dance class when Taylor Thomson asked to see him. Taylor was a tall, sharp looking man. He was in his signature grey suit and poke face when Alex met him in the halls. Taylor greeted him with a small nod, then asked Alex to follow him, what happened next was a whirlwind. Alex was strapped to a chair for the next four hours while two girls washed, cut and scrubbed him clean. Before that day, he didn’t even know manicures existed for men. Now he was polished from head to toe and shoved into a two thousand dollar Ferragamo suit.

 

            At first he was confused, until Taylor explained he would be accompanying one of the company heads to a charity auction. He’d seen the other trainees do it, head out with company officials in an effort to get some exposure, and secure sponsors through more extreme methods. But a male companion was rare, and Taylor had reassured him it was strictly business.

 

            At a quarter past seven, a town car pulled up to the front of the building. Alex felt his breath caught in his throat when his eyes landed on the extra passenger. She was on her phone at the time and gave a court nod when the two took a seat on the opposite side. Alex shifted uncomfortably, trying not to stare creepily at Sophia, but failing miserably. She was in a black laced dress that reached three inches above her knees and her hair was draped in massive curls down her back.

 

            “So,” Alex nearly jumped at the sound of her voice. She was off the phone and her azure orbs were now fixed on him. She gave him the once over from head to toe. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, apparently satisfied with how well he turned out. “Was that song you wrote for Victoria the only thing you have so far?”

 

            There was a pause. Alex tried to grasp her question. She was asking him for more songs, and if this were headed in the right direction, it was definitely a cause for celebration. “Yes!” He replied eagerly. “I have a few demos on my phone.” He fumbled with his jacket clumsily, trying to locate the device. That’s when he saw it.

 

            The scar ran diagonally across the back of Sophia’s hand, all the way up her arm and disappeared into the cuffs of her coat. It was red and angry and didn’t look like it belonged there. Alex couldn’t help but stare. This drew a sharp glare from Taylor.

 

Sophia took the phone out of his hand and scrolled through his playlist, stopping now and again to listen to a particular song, giving each tune an average of a minute before moving on to the next. Then all of a sudden she stopped, her finger swiped across his smart phone and she was replaying one of his songs over. Alex leaned forward in anticipation. It was a slow song he wrote on a whim, but it seemed to have caught her interest.

 

            “This won’t do.” She concluded a minute later.

 

            Alex could feel the weight of her words. It wasn’t the first time his song was rejected, but he could not for the life of him figure out why her opinion mattered so much.

 

            “Why?” He asked stubbornly.

 

            “Sappy songs don’t make good debut material on stage.” She made a writing motion to Taylor. The man quickly pulled a few blank sheets of music from his binder and handed it to her. “And quite frankly, I don’t think you’re depressed enough for this type of music. Unless you’re secretly cutting yourself in the middle of the night, which is highly unlikely.”

 

            Alex was at a loss for words. “You never know. I could be spurting a scar or two under this suit.”

 

            The corner of her lips twitched into a smirk, but she did not look up. “You leaned forward, which suggests my remarks are important. You question my intentions, but does not deny my proposition. And let’s face it, if you really were depressed, my opinions would mean very little.”

 

            It was irritating.

 

            Alex thought she hadn’t paid him the least amount of attention only to learn she was observing him the entire ride. What annoyed him even more was she was right, the song didn’t suit him.

 

            “Here.” Sophia handed him her notes once she finished.

 

            Alex skimmed the first few lines. It was essentially the same song, but she had upped the tempo, switched a few of the notes to a higher octave and went even as far as to specify which instruments she wanted to insert, and where. The concept was the same, but her version was much more hip.

 

            “You listened to it once and memorized it?” Alex was stunned.

 

            “What can I say? It’s a curse.” She was gloating. “Give that to Ryan when we get back and have him compose it into your first EP. We’ll start recording next week.”

 

            He wanted this for years, dreamed of the day that he would debut as a solo act, but when it finally came, he couldn’t help but feel a sinking sensation at the pit of his stomach. There was so much he wanted to say to her, to show his gratitude for giving him the chance of a lifetime, but instead he blurted, “Why me?”

 

            Sophia held the urge to roll her eyes. Across from him, Taylor shook his head with a dry smile. It was a dumb question, and one Alex could do without.

 

            “Let me guess, you are expecting the ‘I saw something special in you’ speech. I can recite it for you if it makes you happy.” Her voice was tainted with traces of mockery. “But really, Empire hasn’t debuted any solo artists in over two years, and I decided to take a gamble with you. And boy, did the old geezers back at the office object.”

 

            Alex felt his chest tighten at her words. It wasn’t the fact that she was being a complete bitch, it was how disposable he felt when he heard her justification.

 

            “Oh don’t look so shocked. I know what they’re thinking: I only got to where I am because of my grandfather, and they’re absolutely right, but you are my ticket to prove I am here to stay.” She leaned forward, both her elbows were propped against her knees and she was looking him straight in the eyes. “So for the time being, my pride and my position at the company is linked straight to how well you fair in the industry.”

 

            Alex could feel her eyes baring into him. She was searching, looking for any hint of anger, and when she found none she leaned back into her seat, satisfied by his lack of response. Alex knew she was telling the truth. He knew he should feel angry, but instead he felt a tinge of pain in his chest.

 

            “I have a lot of money riding on you Alex. Don’t let me down.”

 

***

 

            Ivy sat fidgeting in her seat, waiting without much patience for her producer to arrive. She’d recently been called into the office to discuss her conditions at the company. This had her on edge.

 

            The entertainment industry was cruel. It could elevate one to the top of the world over night and could just as easily grant a death wish. What’s worse was it was as addictive as heroin. Once Ivy had a taste, it was hard to get off.

 

            Suddenly, the door to her left swung open and William Blake walked through. The man was in his late forties and have had quite the successful streak. Unfortunately, when it came to Ivy, he hasn’t put nearly as much work into her as he did the others.

 

            “So sorry I’m late.” William apologized.

 

            “It’s not a problem. You look well this evening.” Ivy gave her normal compliments, trying her best to sound cheerful.

 

            “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.” William retorted, and because he was never one to beat around the bush, he got straight to the point. “’I’m afraid I got some bad news.”

 

            Her face dropped. “Okay?” She shifted uneasily in her seat.

 

            “The company decided to drop you.”

 

            It wasn’t like she didn’t see it coming, Ivy just didn’t expect him to be so blunt about it. Still, the news came as a shock. William went on to explain the terms, how much money she was entitled to, but all Ivy could hear was noise. In the years following her debut, she did the best she could at work, and stayed away from controversies, believing her talent alone was enough to garner the attention she craved. Now it seemed like she’d been going at it the wrong way.

 

            “No! Please don’t do that!” Ivy interrupted William mid-sentence. “Give me another chance. I’ll do anything!”

 

            She meant it. She was too far along the allure that was fame, and it ate away at her until she was consumed by its venom. She was a woman crazed, and she would not allow anyone to take what little popularity she had left. Ivy was willing to do anything, even if it meant shaking hands with Lucifer himself.

 

            William was a known womanizer. Ivy suspected for some time now that half the girls he helped debut were selected based on obscure standards, she just never imagined herself to be one of them. Now, seeing the sudden satisfaction on his face, she realized she played right into his hands.

 

            “Anything huh?” William didn’t bother to hide the lust in his voice. After all, this wasn’t the first time he prayed on the weak.

 

            These girls, though talentless, were eager to please. He recognized her weakness the moment he laid eyes on her. Unlike Victoria, Ivy did not possess the talent required to be successful. Instead, she, like many others, had the same quality that made them easy targets: desperation. Sometimes these girls’ needs to prove their self-worth became the underlying motivation for their success, but more often than not, they turn into nothing more than just another one of his playmates.

 

            “You know Ivy, I’ve always liked you.” William began his routine. “Personally, I think the company is making a mistake. Why don’t you take a walk with me? I’m sure we can work something out.” He extended his hand towards her expectedly.

 

            Ivy knew what he wanted. She considered all her options in the few seconds to follow, but in the end, she knew if she allowed this opportunity to slip, it would mean the end of her career. So even though she was disgusted by her helplessness, she managed to put on the brightest smile she could master.

 

            “I’m sure we can.” And just like that, she made a deal with the devil.

4: Chapter Three: Control

Chapter Three: Control

 

            It was one of the most spectacular properties Alex had ever see. Expanding on six acres of land and sprouting a twenty four room mansion was Harry Borrison’s massive Los Angelas home. The black town car pulled up slowly behind a navy blue limousine, where a valet immediately opened up the door. Sophia extended a delicate hand and was helped out of the car, followed by Alex. She then instructed Taylor to leave, which meant he was done for the evening.

 

            Once inside, Alex got a glimpse of the lifestyle of the rich and powerful. Italian marbles lined the foyer leading to the lounge. Chinese silk draped off each window of the European styled manor at twenty five thousand dollars a yard. Furniture had been rearranged and moved to incorporate the ten to twenty showcases that had been set up, where an antique glistened under the spotlight of each glassed wall.

 

            There was a celebrity standing on every corner of the room. Actors, models, singers and writers. It seemed like anyone who’s anyone in L.A was present. They were talking in small groups amongst themselves, mangling, networking, doing anything but what they were supposed be doing, which was observing the auction items, and Sophia soon joined the.

 

            The lack of personal space, the noise and the smell of alcohol all made Alex uncomfortable. He was introduced to a handful of people, but could barely recall anybody’s name. For the first time, Alex was accustomed to what his life would be liked in the not too distant future. Endless social gatherings and countless parties. He was nothing but a puppet, and surprisingly, he began to doubt his choices. Alex couldn’t help but wonder how Sophia faired so well under the circumstance.

 

            She was mangling her way through the crowd, stopping to say hi to a few starlets who were obviously surprised to see her at an event, but mostly to speak with business partners and representatives with the potential to invest. She picked up Nathaniel’s signature smile and laughed her way through conversations, that fake amusement entirely too real for any method actor, and Alex could tell she was bored.

 

            They spent the next hour roaming amongst expensive paintings and priceless artifacts, all of which were donated by society’s top one percent, then bought back by the very same people at an escalated price. It all seemed silly, but worked to the charity’s advantage.

 

            Harry Borrison donated an entire booklet of hand drawn sketches from his very first collection, which was rumored to be worth more than half a million. The man struck fame at a young age, hosting his first runway show at New York fashion week and made it to Paris that same year. At the age of twenty two, he was considered an icon in the fashion industry. His unique take on structure and beauty led a cultural phenomenon. Now, nearly half a decade later, he’s considered one of the most influential designers under thirty, with sixty standalone stores all across America. However, the man of the hours, their gracious host, has yet to reveal himself.

 

            A showcase in the center of the room caught Alex’s attention. Its intricate designs and newly polished features glistened under the spotlight. Its fingerboard was made of rosewood, it had maple for the bridge and the finest spruce for its soundboard. It was an 1866 handcrafted violin named the Siren, known for its exquisite sound and alluring melody. It was last played five years go in Vienna, and Alex knew exactly who it belonged to.

 

            “You are selling it?” He asked.

 

            It was the first time Alex saw her hesitate. Sophia stood staring at the instrument, her linger gaze clung to the object, unwilling to part ways with something she treasured. At that exact moment, Alex saw past her hard exterior and caught a glimpse of the girl from his memories.

 

            She was only twelve years old when she joined the New York Orchestra. At the time, she was dubbed a child prodigy. By fifteen, she toured around the world and played side by side with some of the best musicians of the century. It was as glamourous a career as any, and one that did not last.

 

            “Something like this doesn’t belong on a display stand. It should be played.” Sophia answered a moment later. “And I can’t do that anymore.”

 

            Alex’s thoughts immediately flickered to the scar on her arm. Had the damage really been so great that she was unable to play? Then again, was she unable? Or unwilling? Alex could not take his eyes off the girl beside him. Underneath the glamour that came with her social standings was a girl who had no options. She was shackled to a fate pre-decided, a birth right she could not escape no matter how hard she tried.

 

            For a fleeting second Alex thought she was going to withdraw the violin and be done with this presumptuous act. Instead, she smiled Nathaniel’s delirious smile. The mask she set aside was only momentary, and again, she was social royalty, Sophia Lockwood.

 

            “Now there’s a face you don’t see every day.” A voice boomed behind the pair.

 

            Sophia mentally rolled her eyes skyward, but was all smiles when she turned to the man behind her. He was in a navy suit and black tie with traces of grey dominating his black hair. Age was not kind to William Blake, what with his reclining hairline and layered wrinkles. In an effort to redeem himself, he almost always had a young mistress. Alex soon found a familiar face in a foreign room. In the nook of William’s arms was Ivy, and she looked just as surprised to see him.

 

            “How nice to see you out and about Mr. Blake.” Sophia greeted him courteously. “With company assets no less.”

 

            “That makes two of us. I didn’t know you were a fan of Harry Borrison. Although I must say I’m not surprised, the boy can be rather charming under certain circumstances. I’d imagine he’s the same in the bedroom.” Venom dripped form the older man’s words. “After all, I can’t quite figure out why you’d auction off such a valuable item at his charity.”

 

            The corner of Sophia’s lips twitched, and there was anger in her eyes, but the smile remained. By then, William knew he got the best of her as he went on. “A shame you don’t play anymore Ms. Lockwood, I rather liked that aspect about you.”

 

            “Yes, it is unfortunate isn’t it? All the more reason for me to direct my attention elsewhere.” Sophia nodded in agreement. “I’m sure my grandfather will be thrilled to know you been making such a good use of our investments. Say, did we not choose to end Ms. Moore’s contract by the end of the year?”

 

            The look on William’s face was priceless. There was a mix of shock and terror. This continued on for several seconds until his face was contorted to fury. He never expected her to have such a firm grasp on what went on at the company in such a short amount of time, and he certainly did not anticipate her to maneuver Nicolai Lockwood into the equation.

 

            But perhaps the real victim here was Ivy. The girl unknowingly became collateral damage between an internal power struggle, and was devastated to learn her past couple of weeks with the old womanizer did little to secure her position at the company.

 

            Alex was shocked by this news. He couldn’t figure out why Ivy did not come to him with her problems. Instead, she chose the devil. Nevertheless, Sophia’s words were uncharacteristically cruel. Alex thought her disposition at the company must have been less than desirable.

 

            “Ms. Moore is my guest tonight.” William stated firmly.

 

            “Of course she is.” Sophia retorted, her voice laced with mockery. “How rude of me.” She suddenly gestured to Alex. “Allow me to introduce you to Alex. He is one of the trainees I will debut this season.”

 

            At this, Alex reached his hand out automatically, but his eyes were on Ivy. There was so much he wanted to ask her, but she was adamant in avoiding his eyes, almost like she was ashamed.

 

            William stared at his outstretched hand with a disgusted look on his face. “You have yourself a wonderful evening Ms. Lockwood.” With that, he promptly turned on his heels and left.

 

            “Of course Mr. Blake, I’ll make sure to send my grandfather your regards!” Sophia called out after him with a mischievous smile.

 

            It was a lavish victory.

 

***

 

            The auction started at eight. Alex watched intently as the bidding war took place. It was amusing how much people were willing to pay for stuff they did not need. Sophia joined in two or three times, but always managed to pull out at the last minute. This went on for several rounds until most of the art were auctioned off.

 

            Alex couldn’t help but steal glances at Ivy, who was sitting all the way on the other side of the room. William’s hands were constantly on her thighs, groping her rather inappropriately. For some reason this bothered him, so much so that he was trying hard not to march his way over.

 

            “You know her?” Sophia suddenly asked.

 

            “Yea.” Alex replied stiffly. At least he thought he knew her. Now, he wasn’t so sure. The Ivy he knew always avoided getting herself caught up in these kind of schemes. “She’s a friend.”

          

            “Well you might want to tell your friend to stop wasting her time with that one.” Sophia said absentmindedly. “Her sells numbers were so bad last quarter it would take a miracle to renew her contract. Besides, William Blake hardly makes any decisions at the company anymore, Nathaniel oversees everything.”

 

            “Can you do anything to help?”

 

            Sophia laughed. It was almost like Alex asked if pigs could fly. “Don’t be stupid, why would I do something like that?”

 

            “Because she’s talented.” Alex replied honestly.

 

            “So is everyone at the company. Believe it or not, there’s actually a reason why we only debut three trainees a year Alex.” She mocked him then, as if she were lecturing a child. “I’m sorry, but the girl’s about as interesting as door knob. No controversy and no limelight in three years. How is she expecting to sell CDs when no one knows who she is?”

 

            Alex was taken aback by her response. He then thought about how quickly he’d be dropped if he didn’t make it big. “So that’s it then? After three years, nothing.”
 

            Sophia heaved a long sigh. “If I were you Alex, I’d worry more about myself and spend less time stressing over trivial matters.” She turned to him, her voice was firm and all the amusement was extinguished form her eyes. Her words were so cold, it send chills down his spine.

 

            Her attention was diverted when the Siren was carried onto stage. The bidding started at an absurd two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It was wrong to say Sophia did not care for the instrument. Her fist clenched tighter with each increase in price, and although she was smiling, Alex could see her knuckles turn white.

 

            One million dollars was the final bid, and with that money came many exclamations from around the room. What’s even more unsettling was that the bidder was bidding for someone on the phone. Sophia could do nothing but watch helplessly as the lady in white claimed her prize. It almost seemed like she sold a part of herself that night.

 

            “It looks like we have a late entry ladies and gentlemen. I was just informed our host of the evening, Mr. Harry Borrison has graciously offered to auction off his entire evening to the highest bidder.”

 

            The announcement drew a handful of scandalous whispers. A tall man emerged from the doors to the side of the room. He stopped, smiled and made his way on stage. For the first time, Alex got a glimpse of who this Harry Borrison was, and was shocked by his beauty. His pale, delicate face was framed by ash blonde hair. He had cheekbones that were the envy of every woman, complimented by a set of full lips. And his nose was so tall and straight, Alex was almost certain it wasn’t real. He was more beautiful than any woman Alex had ever laid eyes on, so much so it was almost crippling.

 

            What was perhaps even more stunning than his beauty was his youth. Alex thought this man couldn’t be more than thirty, and already he was a world renounced designer. Harry was looking straight at Sophia with a smirk across his lips. His expression was one third smug and the rest amused. It almost seemed like he was challenging her.

 

            “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your generosity tonight.” There was a certain charm in the way Harry carried himself. His half smile was boyish, yet sexy at the same time. “You been kind in opening your wallets to tonight’s biddings, but I guarantee you I’m worth more than anything you could have purchased. We start the bidding at one thousand dollars.”

 

            A wink here and here, and the gloves were off. Harry’s shameless flirtings on stage resulted in a string of bids from the ladies in the room. The amount quickly reached a startling ten thousand dollars, twenty, after Harry strategically removed his dinner jacket.

 

            “Ladies and gentlemen, the bid is now at twenty thousand dollars. Do I hear more?” Again, Harry’s eyes landed on Sophia. “Twenty thousand going once, twenty thousand going twice.”

 

            “One hundred thousand dollars.”

 

            The room fell silent. All heads turned in Sophia’s direction, but she paid them no attention. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She’d won the bet, and at that exact moment, Alex felt an unease clutch at his chest. The discomfort only increased the more attention she plaid the designer.

 

            “Well, I guess we have ourselves a winner. Come claim your prize Ms. Lockwood.”

 

            Sophia paused, her posture upright, her smile impudent. She was in control. She rose slowly from her seat and looked straight into Harry’s eyes as she made her way towards him. He extended a pale hand towards her. His long, soft fingers gripped hers tightly. Harry lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, the way a gentlemen from another era would when they were in the presence of a lady.

 

            “Last I checked, prostitution was illegal.” Sophia teased softly.

 

            Harry was irked by the contempt in her voice. Instead of justifying himself, he took a step forward, catching her lips in his. Sophia was caught off guard, but did not pull back. They stayed in a lip lock for a few seconds before he withdrew, by then the room had erupted in a fit of gossip. He licked his lips, taunting her. Then he leaned forward again, and this time, she took an immediate step back. Harry gave a soft chuckle at her reaction, but continued to close the space between the two.

 

            His lips grazed the lobe of her ear as he spoke. “I trust you remember where my bedroom is.” It was more of a statement. “I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.”

 

            And just like that, Harry gained control.

 

***

 

            Exactly thirty minutes later, Alex was standing in a nine hundred square foot bedroom with Sophia by his side. The eighteenth century furnishings gave the place a gothic, yet mysterious touch. Sophia made a beeline for the liquor cabinet once inside, and fished out a bottle of scotch in a matter of seconds. Alex couldn’t quite figure out how he felt about how well acquainted Sophia was with Harry’s bedroom.

 

            A minute later, Harry emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a towel. His ash blonde hair was damp and matted against his skin. He was quite toned with a wide chest and muscular bicep. All the more reason for Alex to envy him. Harry smiled upon seeing Sophia, and although the smile was genuine, Alex couldn’t help but notice the flash of annoyance when Harry’s gaze maneuvered in his direction.

 

            “Kinky, but I enjoy my threesomes with a little more boobs.” Harry stated.

 

            Sophia rolled her eyes, and because she was never one to beat around the bush, she got straight to the point. “I have a favor to ask.”

 

            “Of course you do sweetheart.” But Harry was no longer listening. “I seem to have misplaced my pants.” He muttered under his breath. Then to Sophia. “Make yourself useful, will you darling?”

 

            Sophia didn’t budge. There was a silence in the room, but it was never awkward. Harry scrambled around, collecting various items of clothing from different drawers in his massive walk in closet, not the least bit embarrassed that he was practically naked, and for a good reason too. His legs were long and his body was well proportioned. If he weren’t already a designer, he could very well give any model a run for their money, regardless of the gender.

 

            “Well what is it? I’d imagine you didn’t jet in from France to watch me put on clothes.” Harry said in between buttoning his shirt. “Although I can see why you’d be intrigued.” He finished with a smirk.

 

            “No, you’re right.” Sophia nodded. “I want you to put Alex in your spring collection.”

 

            This came as a shock to Alex. He was a singer, not a model. If this were her plan of action, Sophia had more than a little to lose. Harry burst into laughter. The sound rolled off the walls of the room and resonated for several seconds before he regained control. When he saw the stern look on Sophia’s face, the smile immediately disappeared.

 

            “Oh god, you’re serious.” Harry allowed another few sounds to pass, trying to digest her request. “Absolutely not!” He exclaimed, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

 

            “I will not take no for an answer.”
 

            “Well that’s not really up to you now is it, sweetheart.” Harry stated. All the warmth was gone from his vice, and at that moment, he resented her.

 

            “Oh I think it is.” From her clutch, she pulled out a stack of papers and laid it out neatly in front of Harry. “I own sixty percent of your company.”

 

            Harry ripped the papers out of her hands with perhaps more force than he intended. He skimmed the document, then read it again, and because he couldn’t believe what was happening, he read it a third time. There was a finality with the way he set the papers aside that indicated his defeat. It was inevitable, the girl before him, Sophia Lockwood, who was barely twenty three years of age, held the majority share of his company; a brand he spent half a decade to build.

 

            “You know, Daniel told me this day would come.” Harry said after a long silence. He tilted his head back, quoting the man that gave him everything. “There comes a time when she would need your help, and you will give it to her with no hesitation.” For a split second, Harry was lost in his memories. “That was Daniel Atlas’ condition for giving me the money I needed to start my own brand. Now I see even in death he has your best interest in mind.”

 

            Alex saw the grief in Sophia’s eyes, and the pain that jolted her entire features at Daniel’s name. She struggled to stay composed, her poker face was faltering, and Alex realized even if she were at the top of the social pyramid, she was utterly and completely alone.

 

            “So Ms. Lockwood, putting your boy toy in my spring catalog can’t be the only thing you want. What do you plan to do with my company?” Although Harry tried to conceal the bitterness behind his words, it was of little use.

 

            Harry couldn’t blame him. The man was getting everything he worked for ripped out of his hands, and somehow, Alex felt like this was all his fault. Sophia took a long drain of scotch from her glass. There was an intense silence in the room, and she could feel Harry’s eyes on her, questioning her every move. She chose her next set of words carefully.

 

            “In twelve hours, my lawyers will show up at your office with legal documents for you to sign. By this time tomorrow, you will be the sole owner of Harry Borrison.” Harry’s expression was a mix of surprise and confusion. Nevertheless, his face lit up as Sophia went on. “You will take my shares and purchase a total of ten percent of the stocks at Empire E.T. You will present yourself at every stockholders meetings scheduled. And when the time is right, you will pay me back for this.”

 

            Sophia watched as the weight of her words sunk into Harry’s mind. She was giving him control, and in turn he would give her his loyalty. At the end of the night, a single most genuine smile made its way across Harry’s face, devoid of any of the pretentious charms he pulled that night.

 

            “And here I thought art was priceless.” Harry muttered under his breath.

 

            There was a long pause, then out of nowhere, Sophia said with a sad little smile. “Don’t be absurd Harry. Everything has a price.”