Music in my Life

I woke up early the next day. Feeling a bit dizzy, I reach for my phone. It has 3 messages, all of them were from Ralph.

The first text said, "Hey bro, wear something formal, ok." Time: 11:16pm.

The next text, 2 minutes after the first text. "Wear anything comfortable."

Then, another text just this morning, "Rise and shine Rockstar." I put back my phone on the bedside table.

I roll over into my bed. And I realized that I slept with my clothes again. I yawn widely.

"Thank God for this day. Please guide me all the time." I whispered.

I got up lazily, stripping my clothes and throwing them on the floor. I headed for the bathroom to take a bath. I turn on the shower and warm water sprayed all over my body. It was refreshing. I just let the water run through my body before I wash my hair and soaped my body.

Today is the day that I become an official recording artist. Until now, it's like it hasn't sunk in. Yesterday, I am just an aspiring recording artist. But today. Whoa.

I turn off the shower and dried myself with a towel. Then brush my teeth. I got out of the bathroom and headed through my cabinet. I would wear blue jeans and a green t-shirt with a guitar as a design.

"That's comfortable," I said to myself as I looked at the mirror. I put on my sneakers and combed my hair just like my mother said.

My phone rang and I pick it up, it's Ralph. "Hey bro. Are you all set?"

"Yup just finished combing my hair."

"Wow? You combed your hair?" he asked sounded surprised. "Well, I'll be there in 15 minutes. Ok?"

"Copy that." And I hang up.

I went down to the kitchen and found mom cooking. "Morning mom."

"Morning son, breakfast?" she asked, tossing a plate of pancakes in front of me.

"Thanks, mom." I started eating my pancakes without maple syrup. And she pours my glass with orange juice.

"I'm so glad you combed your hair son."

I smiled at her, still chewing my breakfast. "Good luck to you today, I hope everything's going to be fine. I'm so proud of you." And tears started to fall.

I swallowed hard, "Mom, why are you crying?" I push the big bulk of pancake with a gulp of juice.

"I'm just happy for you." She said wiping her tears. "Sorry bout that. Hurry, finish your breakfast." She smiled kindly.

I finished my breakfast and returned to my room. I didn't know what to expect for today. So, I pick up my phone and my jacket. And waited for Ralph. 5 minutes later, the sound of Ralph's car brought me back to reality. I hurried downstairs.

"Mom, Ralph's here," I called out.

"Take care you two." Mom sees me at the door.

"That's comfortable?" He asked me as I fastened my seatbelt.

"Hey, I know I'm off the hook with style. But this is what comfortable means." I answered him sarcastically.

He snorted.

"What?" I asked him, irritated.

"Wait till you meet Ana. She will have nightmares working with you."

"Who's Ana?" I asked scratching my temple.

"You'll meet her, don't worry."

We arrived at the recording studio a bit early than the call time. So we still have time to roam around the building. He brought me to his office.

Sarah, her secretary is just filling him with his schedule while I look around his office.

Ralph's been a producer for 3 years now. Like any other, he begins with nothing. But as his career progresses, he works very hard to become what he is today. He produces some well-known artists today. And still, he is the same Ralph that I used to know. He's 26, taller, and lean but still muscular with dark brown curly hair.

He has a sister, Monique, who is studying Culinary in a well-respected school. She's the same age as I am and I only met her once cause she's studying abroad. She is beautiful, with green eyes and long curly hair.

There's a picture of his family on his desk. His dad, David, his mom, Anita, Ralph, and Monique. It was taken on his 21st birthday. I recognized it because I'm the one who took it.

I sat on the front chair at his desk. "So, your contract signing will start in about," he said as he glances at his watch, "10 minutes. I say we go there now?"

"Ok," I answered.

We walked down the hall, and at the very end of it, we entered the office of the President of the Silver Recording Company. There is an oval table with 12 chairs surrounding it. On the far end of the room is another door with a brass sign, "Office of the President".

"Wait here, I'll just talk to the president," Ralph ordered me.

He crossed the room, and knock on the door. He waited for a while and the door opened, a woman ushered him in, and she closed the door. I sat on one of the chairs and surveyed the room.

Records were hanging on the wall. A platinum record of Ashley Smith. A gold one for Blake Hall. And Silver one for Brittany Brooke. There were others on the other side. They were once just a simple person like me that became stars.

There were also photographs and trophies. But I can't see who they were and to whom they belong.

The door of the president suddenly open. I stand up immediately. Ralph appeared followed by the woman who let him in and another woman. They were laughing over something. And when they saw me, they stop abruptly, making me feel uneasy.

"I'm sorry Mr. Cross. How are you?" The woman in a red dress asked me. She extended her hand as she comes closer to me.

"Good morning ma'am, I'm great, thank you. How 'bout you?" I smiled, reaching for her hand.

"I'm fine. Please take a seat." She said breaking our handshake. I took my seat again and she sat on the big chair at the end of the table. Her secretary, I assumed, hands her a folder.

She opened it. "Mr. Adam Cross. I am Lucinda Santos, the President of Silver Records. I am so pleased to have you here. In a while, my colleagues will be here for your contract signing. So." She folded her hand on top of the folder.

"I heard that you took away the breath of the 5 panelists in your audition?" She asked, looking at Ralph.

"Uhm. I don't know ma'am?" I answered, not sure if it's the right thing to say.

She smiled, she reminds me of mom. "Nervous?"

"A little." I smiled awkwardly.

"Don't worry. I don't bite. " She smiled again.

She flipped over the folder. "So you play piano and guitar? And a graduate of the Conservatory of Music? Have you had any experience in recording?"

"No. I don't ma'am."

She smiled kindly. "Just call me Ms. Lucy."

I'm not sure about that, so I looked sideways to Ralph who nodded. She's still reading from what I assume is my resume. Then someone knocked on the door we just entered. Ms. Lucy's secretary answered it. And I recognized the people who just entered. They were my panelists when I had my audition. Except for the short-haired girl. They took a seat around the table, and Ms. Lucy's handed us a different set of folders.

"This is your recording contract. You can read it, and then when you're done you can sign it."

I flip over the contract, it is 2 pages. I started reading it. It is a binding contract to Silver Records, and that my loyalty, whilst I am signed, belongs to them. That I will not do any act that may affect the integrity of the company. And that if any changes with the contract will be consulted to them first. Others were just basic. So after I have read the whole contract, I signed it. They also signed, as a witness. And I am now, Officially, a recording artist of Silver Records.

"Congratulations Mr. Cross. I hope you enjoy working with us."

They stood up, as well as Ralph and me. And they shook my hands.

"This is heavy." I thought to myself.

"Thank you, guys. Thank you very much."