Beautiful

Chapter 32

Veronica POV

"Honey? Where are you?" I hear Theo yell from my bedroom.

"Closet," is all I manage back. He walks into the room I converted into my closet when I moved in, wearing only sweatpants.

"What are you doing?" he asks sweetly.

"Clothes," is all I manage to get out while running around the room looking at various articles of clothing. I'm so nervous I can't even form a full, coherent thought. It's my first day going to the recording studio. "I have to be at the studio in an hour," I tell him.

"The what?" he asks.

"The recording studio," I say pulling out a pair of my thigh-high boots.

"For what?" he replies. At this, I stop and turn around to give him a confused look.

"The songs?" I say like it's a question. Did he forget?

"Babe what are you talking about?" he asks. That's when it dawns on me, I completely forgot to tell him about the record deal at all. It all happened so fast, I just figured I told everyone immediately. However, we didn't speak for, like, almost a week so that's probably why.

I go over to him. "Okay so don't get mad," I say as I wrap my arms around his torso.

"I love when people start sentences like that," he says sarcastically.

"No, it's really not bad. The night after Hannah's gala, I got a call from Camille that I got this record deal that I've been pursuing since the beginning of my career," I say. He looks surprised, but after a moment, he picks me up and spins me around. I let out a squeal.

"Honey, that's amazing! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asks.

"Well, to be honest, it all just happened so fast and," I lean in close so our lips are almost touching, "we've been a little distracted with other activities." I peck his lips, but he holds me there and deepens it. After a few seconds, I pull away, our arms still around each other, and say, "okay now I really have to get ready."

"Okay," he pouts. "I actually have to get going. I have a few meetings today, but I'm all freed up this evening," he says. I love that he comes and stays the night with me sometimes. It's like an endless date night in. "Actually, there was this girl I wanted to take out tonight, if my girlfriend's okay with it," he says.

"Girlfriend says yes," I reply with a smile.

"Then I'll be back here around six-thirty," he says and turns to leave. When he's almost at the door, he turns, points to me, and says, "I love you," without ever breaking his stride. 

"I love you!" I call after him.

Once he's gone, I turn and decide on a big, matching sweatshirt that will protect me from the cold. When I'm done getting dressed, I straighten my hair and just leave it down. 

After putting on a nude lip and a little mascara, I grab my purse, folder, and head downstairs to get on the elevator. Once I'm in, I text my car service that I'm on my way down so it will be ready once I'm there. I get in the car and the ride to the studio only ends up taking, like, ten minutes. I arrive at around 12:15 so I'm about fifteen minutes early.

I think it's really important to be early for things. It shows that you are a professional and that you really care. I learned that during my time as a community theatre kid.

When I walk in the building, I see Camille standing there in the lobby with two other people. One is a young lady in a nice pantsuit, and the other is a man in jeans and a puffy jacket. "Veronica, this is Layla and Steven. Layla is your producer and Steven assists her as the sound board tech," Camille introduces us.

I shake hands with both of them and say, "it's so nice to meet you both. I'm really excited to get started." 

"Nice to meet you too," Stephen says.

"Yeah we're gonna have a blast. And don't be nervous, we got your back a hundred percent," Layla says, "let me show you guys to the studio." I smile as we all gather in an elevator and head up to the tenth floor. I'm really good at reading people and I already get a really good vibe from them.

I'm lead into a real recording studio that looks just like the kind you see on TV. I feel my heart lift and my stomach twist with a bit of anxiety. 

We spend the next few hours going over all of my material. They give me some really great insights and ideas on my music. 

Then, we spend the next few hours after, actually recording. It was such a phenomenal experience. By six o'clock, I have a couple of songs recorded and I could not be more proud of them. I am so happy with everything. My production team is a dream to work with. They made me feel comfortable and at ease, not at all like a newbie with no experience. Also, as soon as I started singing, I wasn't nervous at all. 

I leave after giving hugs to everyone and scheduling more sessions in the studio. I'll be back again on Tuesday, tomorrow. 

On the car ride home, I can't think of anything except how today was a dream come true. It was everything I've been dreaming of since I was a little girl and I dressed up as Beyonce for Halloween. I know that, if Damon could see what I did today, he would be so proud of me. Now I just can't wait to get home and see Theo.