To Be Young And In Love In New York City

Chapter 28: "You're so chubby!"

Jesse inserted a key to River's apartment and unlocked the door. Han was nice enough to go out of his way and get him another key made.

Nari came running towards him, demanding to be sat on his shoulders. He sighed and did as she told, a faint smile that he was careful to keep hidden from her. He had never been the biggest fan of kids but Nari had begun growing on him. Sure she was annoying and he found her Barbie dolls in the weirdest places in the house, but she was pure and loud and wild and cute.

Jesse pulled out a chocolate bar from his pocket and waved it in Nari's face. It lit up at the sight of it, and she leaned forward to grab it only for Jesse to put it back in his pocket. "You'll get that only after you eat your veggies."

Nari pouted.

Yuna came out of the kitchen and smiled at him. He smiled back. 

She wiped her hands on her apron. "Dinner ready."

"Thank you," Jesse said, putting Nari back on the ground. "Is River home?"

Yuna nodded. She did not speak much, not to River, not to him. River said it was because she was insecure about her English.

Jesse pushed the door to his bedroom open to find River laying on his bed, scrolling through his phone. Ever since he had the fight with Colette, he had been doing just that. He went to work in the morning and after he came back, it was just being on his phone or binge-watching Barbie with Nari until the next morning arrived.

River's eyes landed on Jesse and he sat upright. "Hey."

"Hey." Jesse took off his backpack and put it on the desk. 

"Did you do it?"

Jesse pulled the chair out and sat down heavily, deeply sighing. "Yup."

"Do you regret it?"

"No. Not yet? I don't know."

Jesse had signed the contract. He was officially the newest member of New York's favorite band, Forgotten Blood.

That morning, he was called to Forgotten Blood's studio. He ended up meeting the entire team, all of whom he found warm and welcoming, and also got an exclusive tour of the studio. The band played him their newest single, promising him a part in it if he signed the contract. Jesse also played them a couple of instruments he knew, just so they could get an idea of the role he would play in the band. Carl and Jessica were terrible people but there were perks to being a rich couple's children: being able to afford a private tutor for any instrument he wanted to learn.

Finally, Jesse along with the band and the team had a serious meeting in their pretty spacey office in their studio. They told him all about his requirements and a bunch of business stuff he didn't understand very well but pretended like he did. 

Then finally, he was asked to sign the contract. River and Jesse had spent around 3 days reading the whole thing and also hired a lawyer with the little savings River had. The lawyer approved of the contract, giving him the signal to proceed with his decision.

That moment was it. One signature and his life would change forever.

He felt too many emotions at once; fear, anxiety, excitement, nervousness, zeal, and happiness.

There were so many voices in his head disapproving of the idea but he knew better than to listen to them. He had spent enough days contemplating the decision. He made sure he understood the consequences before making his mind up. There was no going back.

He swallowed deeply and looked at Genevieve, who gave him a reassuring nod.

Gripping his pen, he signed the Forgotten Blood contract.