The Model & The Singer

Chapter 4

Sam woke up the next morning feeling more optimistic, especially after he told Santana about him getting the job. "What did you do?" She asked him. "Nothing really," Sam stated as he sat in the cab. "She looked tired and kept rubbing her feet. So, I sat on the ground and took her pumps off before I rubbed her feet." He said, nonchalantly. Santana made a choking sound over the phone before she screamed into it. "You what?" She yelled. "I-." Sam began before Santana cut him off. "I wasn't really asking you, Sam. I heard what you said. I just couldn't believe what I heard." She told him. "You actually sat on the floor and rubbed the feet of Miss Mercedes Jones. The same Mercedes Jones whom everyone calls, 'the million dollar star with the billion dollar voice'? What did she say?" Santana asked Sam.

Sam noticed he was at the building that Artie told him where they would be shooting. It was a big glass building not too far from MTV Studios. He paid the cabbie before getting out and answering Santana. "She didn't say much." He said as he remembered how he made her feel. "She just thanked me and said that I had the job." He told her as he made his way in the building. Santana laughed a bit before speaking. "Well, you need to congratulate yourself Sam. Because of that one gesture, you may have found a way to refresh your career. Maybe this video could lead to acting jobs. Of course, we will need to get you some acting lessons and a course or two." Santana said as she started to type on her laptop.

Sam smirked to himself as he could tell she was starting to get busy paving the way for his new career move. "Okay, San. I'm here. I gotta go." He told her. "Got it. I'll be in touch with Zizes and I will get busy working other career options." She said. "Santana, thanks for all that you're doing. I know you have other clients." He said before pausing for a minute before continuing. "But it means a lot that you care to help me find another chance at working in this field."

"Sam, you were my first client. and one of my best friends. You stood by me when I came out. And you were there supporting Britt and me when we got married. I love you and I would never give up on you. Now, go rock your first day and show Miss Jones that she made the best decision of her life. Lata, Gata." She said to him. Sam couldn't see it but knew she was smiling as he smiled too. "While, Dile." He told her before he hung up and stepped up to the receptionist. "Hello, my name is Sam Evans and-." Was all he got out when the receptionist cut him off. "Yes, they are waiting for you in room 7. Down the hall, to your right." She told him.

"Am I late?" He asked before the receptionist. "No, they just walked down to the room three minutes ago." She said. Sam thanked her and headed to the room. He saw the door was opened and they were all seated around a big conference table. "Sam Evans, come on in," Artie said with a smile. He noticed the people from yesterday as well as a few new people and Mercedes Jones as they all sat around chatting with each other.

Sam saw an empty seat next to Artie and went over to sit down. "Okay, good." Artie began. "We're all here and I wanted to say this to you Cedes once Sam got here." He said as Mercedes received a paper from Lauren. "Lauren and I went over your new album's song list. And I have to say I have an idea to give you that may work with the singles you want to release." He said. "What do you have planned?" Mercedes asked as she started to glanced down at the page. " For the first song, which is a fast and upbeat one I want to do the initial meeting. But the next couple of songs will show a progression." Artie stated. "I have your favorite choreographer, Mike Chang, to come in for the first video-." He said before she glanced up and focused in on Artie. "Artie, are you serious?" Mercedes said in shock. "Was this going to be the idea no matter who was chosen?" She said, standing up as they could all hear the tone in her voice go high. "Yeah, Cedes. I wanted to do a storyline that would connect several videos." He said.

"Cedes, it's the reason for the cattle call of models, actors, and regular guys," Lauren said, looking up at her. " We needed to see how you and the guy would interact together. You needed to get along and show that it was natural. These videos have to make your fans and any music fans feel and relate. It's what they want." Mercedes bit down on her lip as she thought on it. She wasn't sure if this was going to fool anyone. "And that's why we want you and Sam to get to know each other as the first single is being released," Artie said as a gasping sound went around the room from certain people. Mercedes' brown eyes went wide before she locked onto Sam's green eyes.

He had a surprised look as well, while she instantly recognized the voices around the room who gasped. She glanced to see Kurt, Unique, Marley, and Mike with their mouths wide open. She then saw Artie, Lauren, and the owner of the record company and Kurt's brother, Finn Hummel all sit there with calm looks on their faces. Her eyes then glanced to see Quinn Hummel, Finn's wife, sitting there biting down a smile she had on her lips.

"Finn, why can't we go back to the way we did the videos. The old way was fine." She said. Finn sat at the head of the table as he leaned back and was looking relaxed in his green t-shirt and faded blue jeans. The indie company he built up from scratch thanks to his adopted dad and Kurt gave him a sense of purpose. Especially when he first listened to Mercedes sing for Quinn and him as a present during their reception. He knew he had to build a record company around her and find other incredible talents. And sure enough, the money they made from her first three albums not only helped him pay back his dad and Kurt but gave him and Quinn their dream house plus buying this building for his growing record company.

He knew Mercedes was scared to be outside her comfort zone. But he also knew that this could push her to that next level of stardom. To branch off into acting and even gain a new following of fans. He knew what to say to her. "Mercedes, we can go back to the old way," Finn said as he watched the smile appear on her face as it left Lauren, Artie, and Quinn. "After we try this way." He continued before he glanced at everyone. "Hey everyone, can I talk to Mercedes." Finn said before glancing at Sam. "Sam Evans, you can stay. This concerns you too."

Mercedes sat back down as everyone else left, leaving her with Finn and Sam. Finn got up and walked around to where she sat. He towered over her before he sat next to her. He watched her glance up at him as he still towered her, even sitting down. "Mercy, between you and me, this about is what you're comfortable with. Not about what works. And that is why I am the one who came up with you and Sam getting to know each other. We do promotion and we come up with a basis for the first video. All I need you to do when you aren't promoting is get to know him." Finn said before he looked over where Sam sat. "Sam, will this be a problem for you as well?" He asked him.

Sam shook his head and spoke. "No, it's not. I need this and I am going to make sure I do a great job." Finn nodded. "Good. Because Mercedes isn't just my first artist that was signed here. She's also a family friend and like a sister to me, my brother, and my wife." He said. "I want you to promise that you'll take care of her. Because if you do and the first video is a success, then I promise to make sure you'll be well compensated."

Finn put an arm around Mercedes and gave her a side hug. "And you, let him get to know you. For me and for the company, okay?" Finn told her. Mercedes sighed as she nodded. "Okay, Finn. I will." She said before Finn gave her a kiss on her forehead. He let her go and got up before he headed to the door. He saw Quinn give him a wink as he reached out to take her hand.

After Finn and Quinn left, it was just Mercedes and Sam still sitting there. Sam grabbed a post-it note and a pen before he scribbled something on it. He then took the top sheet off and got up to walk over to her. "How about this?" Sam said to her. "I'll give you my number and you call me when you want to start working on getting to know each other." He placed the paper in front of her before he walked out of the room.

Mercedes glanced from the table to the paper and saw his first and last name with his phone number. She picked up the paper before she got up and finally left the room, mentally weighing the pros and cons of calling Sam Evans.