Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“A dating show.” He grins wide.
Horrible idea.
I immediately start sweating, while Kai curses under his breath and gives Solia a look out from under his beanie.
She’s staring straight ahead but her face is so pale it’s like she saw a ghost.
“A dating show?” Jay repeats.
“Yes.”
Jay presses.
“So we’re guests on the show? Judging it? What exactly are we doing?”
Rae takes that moment to pour a glass of water and take a large sip. All eyes flicker to him, momentarily distracting us before Siu speaks again.
“Your producer will fill you in with more details and the needs of the Network and label. But, in transparency and to save time, I’ll give you some explanation…”
Rae’s already on his second glass of water. I’m pretty sure he wishes it was alcohol. Hell, so do I.
“You’re not guests. And you’re not judging anything. You’re the main attraction. You’ll be dating eligible single fans from your most popular fan clubs for two straight weeks.”
Rae starts choking.
Lucas pats him hard on the back while Rae tries to get a grip. I’m surprised, really. This is the first time he’s shown such emotion in front of executives, let alone the president of the label. His melt down is definitely helping me prevent one of my own.
“We think it’s going to be unprecedented for the brand,” Siu begins and his eyes take on an almost fanatical look. I can see how excited he is. “This has never been done before. Fans dating their idols? For the first time, they’ll be able to live their dream and get up close and personal to you all. They’ll learn your taste and who you are in the privacy of your home.”
Ummm… this sounds awful.
More than awful, it sounds terrifying. Rae’s face says exactly what I’m thinking inside, and Siu takes note. He lifts his hand and nods at Rae as if he’s trying to reassure him. He has to know how crazy this sounds.
“Of course it will be in a controlled environment, and the show will have dignity.”
Dignity? Dignity? Is he serious?
How he can use that word when he’s trying to make us fall in love with one of our fanatical fans? Or just find “feelings” for some poor person on television in front of the whole world? Where is the dignity in that?
“Trust me, this will take the brand to a new level of popularity,” his voice is slick, and he’s back to sounding like a salesman.
Of course, no one dares speak or argue against this decision of his. No one dares tell him all the ways this sucks or how it could go wrong. We just listen and follow his orders, because that’s what we’re paid to do. That’s what is required of us.
And… we signed our rights away for fame years ago.
“This is a dream come true for a fan,” Siu’s voice raises a few octaves and I know he’s trying to pump us all up. He can tell the mood in the room has really shifted. “Look at it like this. Just as your dreams came true being in this band, you’re giving a chance to these men and women who adore you to fulfill their own—you’re giving them their dream come true.”
Huh.
For a moment he has me feeling like this is just another aspirational show, but then he dashes that sentiment away with his next words…
“Imagine what this will do for sales?”
Kai smirks. I know he’s thinking the same thing as me. Lucky for us, Siu doesn’t notice.
“Obviously we’ll have complete authority of the subject matter. And a lot of it will be scripted.”
Idiot producer who smiles entirely too much at Ari pipes in at that moment.
“Not only that, after looking at the data, the fans will get a chance to be able to be a part of your world and understand your process. It humanizes you more, and the numbers don’t lie.”
“The fans will never understand our process.” The words come out before I can stop them.
The room goes silent and I know all my bandmates are staring at me in complete shock. Even Siu can’t contain his surprise. I don’t even dare glance at Ari, but I can feel her eyes glued to me.
“Yes, well,” the idiot replies slowly. “This will open their eyes a little more.”
“Of course it will,” Kai chimes in at that moment. I can hear the warning in his voice and I back down.
I go back to being the meek Sookie they know me as.
“It will help both comebacks,” he says.
I watch Ari smile at him and I can’t tell if it’s a real smile or not, but whatever it is, I hate it. I dig my fingers into the conference table and I try to control my raging emotions.
I’m sorry,” Kai asks in confusion. “Did you say both?”
“Yes, I did.”
Kai stares at him in confusion.