Nikita stood in her office, her hands trembling like a vibrator. On her computer screen, it was right there, e-mailed specifically to her, there were pictures of her going into a private hotel with her long time secret affair. There were several photos before her eyes, showing her hand-in-hand with an ex-convict, then another of them kissing. This must be a dream. She had ended, buried and forgotten it years ago. She managed to keep it hidden from everyone until now. If the press ever got a hold of those, she' be done for good. Her career, fans, friends and family all would collapse. Who? Why? Someone took those at least three years ago before deciding to send them to her now. They probably wanted money in exchange to keep them out of the media's sight, it's only typical.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
It was her manager, Fred, reminding her of the meeting in half an hour. Shit, the meeting of course, she had an extremely important meeting with some potential sponsors. If she could make an agreement with them her entertainment career would be sent flying. All she needed was their money to cover the costs. She quickly deleted the pictures on her computer, then left her office and composed herself in a professional manner. Whoever had those photos, won't just release them like that, because they would have done so already since it was a long time. Whatever their game was it wouldn't be a problem once she sealed that deal. She'd have money to burn. So she could forget about that mess for now, and focus on milking these sponsors.
The four men sat there patiently, their face spelled profit-makers, not charity workers and they were ready to discuss business. Nikita was used to these consultations, but was nervous, especially when she saw the man in the middle. He was definitely the alpha in the group. He was used to having only to convince one of the others to agree and this instance was another of those. He was lean, muscular and fit, white male, probably in his thirties possessed quite handsome features, of course his firm and dominating expression shadowed them completely. Fred began the conversation by welcoming them and moving straight into the paperwork, trying his best to show them how profitable their investment would in the brand, NIKITA TURNER.
The other three seemed interested so far, but the top dog just glanced at the papers once and kept a focusing, serious stare on Nikita while her manager was speaking his life away. She felt uneasy in this man's presence like she was prey being stalked. Suddenly the predator spoke with his deep voice, asking Nikita why she was so worthy of their investment. That confused everyone since it was what her manager was explaining all along. If he cared to listen that was. Nikita was shocked, she looked and saw Fred gesturing her to say something impressive, so she turned on her superstar charm and million dollar smile. She started to inform them of the fans she has worldwide, concerts she sets on fire, records she sold, but the man was not buying it at all.
"Miss Turner, we're not teenage boys, so that's irrelevant to my question. We already know all that, the music industry is practically our lifestyle as well as our business!" She was stunned.
"There is another important issue to address, your public image, and the media seems to enter into war zone at the very mention of your name, care to comment on that?"
"Ummm, I well, the media can get out of hand, but that's due to how popular I am and does bring more attention to our audience!" she defended herself.
"Yes, but it depends on the type of attention. We don't want any scandals that could reduce the audience or revenue, understand" he said like a father to a child.
"Of course that won´t be a problem, sir!"
Nikita's mind returned to the incident a second ago as the intimidating man scrutinized her. It was almost like he knew what she was hiding something. She tried not to make eye contact with the predator. His cold blue eyes and bleak stare looked so DANGEROUS.
"Hmmm. well, I think we'll have to get back to you on this, if that's okay?" He said 'we' speaking for the others as if they had no choice on the matter, and then asking an obvious rhetorical question, what arrogance mixed with a whole lot of nerve.
"Sure we are very patient with this business deal please take as much time as you need gentlemen!" Fred insisted, and ass kissing like never before.
"Nikki, I'm telling you, all we have to do is show him you're profitable," Fred said through the phone.
"Don't you mean them, even if he seems to be the leader of the pack, I still think we should try to win over the others, they're more reasonable. That guy is just a hard ass nut to crack," she said truthfully.
"I wish it was that simple, but John controls every investment the group makes. He decides whether they should or shouldn't."
"John? The scrooge has a name huh?"
"Ah, yeah, and his own music company, also get this, he called me and requested a private meeting with you. There can you believe, Nikki?"
"What! You mean only me and him, but why?"
"Isn't it obvious Nicky he wants to invest, you have to go, try to impress him or something just be nice, listen to him carefully and whatever terms he has just agree and seal the deal. You know much we need this... "
"Of course I know how much, but I don't get why - never mind I'll go when should I meet him?"
"That's my girl, tomorrow at eight. I'll give the driver the address to his company. Good luck Nikki!"
The ride was uneasy as Nikita looked outside the limo window. This was very important. She had to focus on melting the ice off this John. She had worked too long to finally set her career off internationally. This was her chance, yet she still couldn't forget about the other issue in her life, regarding those intimate pictures, especially since John had zero tolerance for celebrity scandals.
She finally arrived at the building which was marked MASON RECORDS. Fred told her that his last name was Mason, so she guessed that it was only fitting. She wondered if his name carried more popularity than hers, oh well, not after she got him as a sponsor.
She walked inside and was immediately escorted by a lady employee to John's office. And what an office it was? It had marble floors, a crystal glass table and chairs decorated in an elegant manner, clean as a whistle with even a water fountain at the end of the room. The guy was rich. Far more than her, being a black girl from Georgia that had made it big in the music world at the age of twenty five. She still was far from living like that.
"Admiring the décor?" A strong voice came from behind. She saw him standing in a suede suit, hands in his pocket with less than cold stare. She didn't feel as nervous this time. She thought that maybe this time it would go much better. She was confident and was definitely going to win this guy over.
"Pretty much it's exquisite" she complimented, honestly too.
"So shall we," he gestured for her to sit in the expensive glass chair.
"There's something important we need to discuss, Nikita?" He said as he sat behind his desk.
"I'll be happy to answer any questions you have, Mr. Mason."
"Excellent, so tell me was he good?"
"Well - excuse me?" she asked clueless.
"Was he good, you know the criminal that you were seeing before he was arrested" Jason had an evil grin.
"I ummm I don't-
"So, are you saying it wasn't you in the pictures I had taken?" Her heart could have stopped right there. John sent the pictures, of course, an affluent guy like he could be capable of such a thing.
