Home is Where You are (Ally and Stevie)

5. Hide and Seek (They said)

(Stevie said)

I took two weeks off work and spent it with Granny--no phones, no internet. Shannon and Cammie helped me arrange a different place to live. They were also there to help me move in.

"Are you sure you will be fine here?" Cammie asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"We have a spare room you know," Shannon added.

"I will just knock on your door if I need to. Thanks, you two," I said. "I really appreciate it."

"So what's next with you?" Shannon inquired.

"Well I have to go to work in a bit," I responded

"We can drop you off there, Pab," Cammie suggested. Shannon laughed because they only call me that when I am being workaholic. I smiled. I missed going to work to be honest.

*****

There was a note and a coffee on my desk. It was from Ali. It said, "Final rehearsal today. Will completely understand if you miss it. But we'll see you in the meeting. --Spags."

I was not ready to see Ally's empty stare just yet. Besides, the band could function without me. I decided to use the time to listen to some demos and do some exec work.

Only my long-time producers, top directors and the platinum artists know that I am Pab--it is a secret that they enjoy keeping because it reflects their elite status.

I went to the recording studio where my producers hold their regular demo 'trashing.' Out of hundreds we receive every week, only a few get through their initial screening. From this bucket, I handpick.

"Welcome back, Boss!" Mercedes said. They all gave me a hug.

"Thanks, guys," I said. "Shall we start?"

"First up is the duo called Camren--well short for Camila and Lauren. Their song is entitled 'Who are You?'" Mercedes hit play and their demo sprung to life.

"It sounds great! Can Camren be ready to do the front act at Ally's concert this week?"

"I think they can," Mercedes answered.

"Ask them to record the song in the studio today and send it to Marissa at Radio Z so she could play it before the concert. Hopefully the song will catch on. Who's next?"

After the newbie concerns, we talked about the career progression of our current artists, including Ally.

And that is how I roll as Pab--I make quick black-or-white decisions. I try to be as objective as possible but I usually go for my instinct--and it has never failed me.

*****

The next meeting of the day was with Delphine, a Senior Director assigned to Ally's concert. Delphine has been a director at Pab's since I established it. She never left despite the many offers she got. Delphine has been very vocal about her feelings for me but as she said before she could be whoever I needed her to be. She had been consistently joking that she will strike once she sees an opening.

"Welcome back, Boss," Delphine said.

"Thanks, Del," I answered. "How is the preparation for Ally's concert?"

"Do you really want to know that? Or do you prefer to know how she is actually doing?"

"I am being professional here, Del." I gave her a buddy punch on the shoulder.

"She is getting it together. She has memorized her songs quickly."

"That's great. She and Ali are meeting us in a while right?"