Nothing Like Us

Chapter Ten

"We're not getting shit done." Nick sighed and leaned forward onto the desk. His head hung down and his eyes were closed as he took a deep breath. The singer opened them again and starred at the paged in front of him. "We're not gonna find someone by simply looking through their applications. This can't work without castings, demos, video applications...what am I supposed to do with this fucking vitas?" he asked and pushed the sheets of paper across the desk.

Phil ran his hand over his face, leaning back against his chair. "Maybe you should calm down first. A vita is actually not a bad thing to send in. Do you wanna sign someone up who's never had any musical experience? Probably not. So it's good to know what experience that person has. It's not always clear if they just send in a demo, Nick."

Nick looked at his manager and clenched his teeth. He hated to admit it, but this label was going downhill. Ever since Demi left, it was as if nothing seemed to work out for them. They didn't sign anyone up anymore, they even lost a few artists. The atmosphere wasn't the same anymore. Demi was the foundation that kept this business on a solid ground. And ever since she quit, the foundation started crumbling around them and slowly dragged them down.

Phil noticed the expression on Nick's face and he couldn't deny that he was worried about their label as well. "I know what you're thinking, Nick. And I agree with you." Phil said and raised his eyebrow. Nick licked his lips and sat down on his chair as well, leaning on his elbows on the big conference table.

"Yeah? That this is all just one big joke? Good, glad we're on the same page about it." Nick said looked away from his manager.

Phil groaned. "You're frustrating." he said and stood up, pulling his phone out of his pockets.

"What are you doing?" Nick asked.

"I'm gonna try to fix this shit." Phil said and raised the phone to his ears as he walked out of the officer and began pacing up and down the corridor. He looked through the window every now and then, seeing Nick going through the applications again.

"Come on, pick up. Pick up."

It took a while before he heard a tired voice on the other end. "Hello?"

Phil frowned. "Hey Demi. Is everything okay?" he asked, getting a little worried. He hasn't heard from her in a while. Whenever he tried to call, he couldn't get a hold on her. She wasn't even posting on social media, which was so unlike her.

"I...yeah. I'm okay."

Phil knew she was lying. It gave him another reason to tell her to come. "Okay. If you say so. Listen, I need you in my office as soon as possible. I have to discuss something with you." he said and checked if Nick was still checking the vitas.

"Now?" Demi asked. "Phil, listen, I..."

"No excuses. I'll see you in 10." he said and hung up. He knew she would come. The manager inhaled deeply before he turned back and opened the door of his office again. Nick looked up with a questioning expression on his face.

"Just had to talk to someone." Phil smiled.

The two men sat together for another few minutes. Phil checked the time very now and then and began moving his leg nervously. He pressed his lips together, looking out onto the corridor to see if he could spot Demi already, but nothing happened.

Another five minutes later, he heard a knock on the door and him and Nick looked up. "Come in." Phil said and stood up.

"Okay, Phil. whatever you wanna ta-..." Demi saw Nick sitting at the huge table and stopped right in the door frame. "Are you fucking kidding me?"