"Charlie, you make it look so easy! I wish I have talent like you so that I won't have to just always wait for my allowance to come. Anyway, you're really great at this, even the song I wrote which I can't really say is mine anymore because you, ugh, scrapped almost everything that I can barely recognize it, turned to become so amazing." Kylo praised after he and Charlton went back to the control room.
Charlton smiled as he shook his head, "You can stop with all the flattery now. Edward already agreed with releasing this song together with the others after the signing event. So, if it sells well, your monetary problems would be solved. Anyhow, go to that booth there so we can finish this before the girls arrive. Try not to choke alright? Last time in class you sounded like a croaking frog at the beginning."
"Ha! That was just because Via was watching. You know just how amazing my voice is!" Kylo said confidently.
"Okay, okay. Anyway, you can go in now."
Kylo grinned as he nodded his head. He had to beg Charlton for this because he has no more extra cash for the trip to Militeia and he knew his mother won't send him anymore so that he would return home early. He has to really thank Charlton though; this could be his own debut song as a producer and he can sing better than him. Still, he let him have the credit. He felt a little guilty, but oh well, he has talent so maybe he can come up with a better one.
--
When Serena and the girls arrived inside the studio, Charlton and Kylo were inside the room for the instruments with 3 guys they did not recognize. Anyway, when Charlton looked up after explaining something, he saw them. He smiled and waved his hand. Then, he said something to the guys and exited the room with Kylo in tow.
"How was your trip?" Charlton asked as he approached Serena.
"It was okay. Have you had lunch already?"
"Yes, and we also just finished preparations for the songs you will be singing. Oh, sorry Gizel, Via, and Milly, good afternoon. Thank you for accompanying Serena here." Charlton said while Kylo was already beside Via chatting her up.
"Well, we also will be singing you know?" Gizel replied.
Charlton chuckled, "Indeed. Anyway, as it is your first time here, would you want me to give you a mini-tour first? Just so I can explain how everything works and introduce you to the instrumentalists."
"Where's Edward?" Serena asked.
"He's on a meeting, but he'll be joining us shortly. Shall we?" Charlton asked the girls.
--
Since they were in the control room, Charlton first explained everything from there, then he led them to the room where the instrumentalists were in. He also introduced the instrumentalists, Richmond, Willy, and Jerome to the girls. The three men were starstruck meeting Serena. They were even more surprised to know that she was a very agreeable person.
Anyway, after that, Charlton led them to the singing booth and also explained how it works. Milly and Gizel were so excited as they tested out the mics and placed the stand-on-ear headphones.
"Woah! This is fantastic! Via, I think your description was not up to par! It didn't do it justice!" Gizel finally said their tour.
"This wasn't the studio we recorded in last time." Via defended.
Milly just giggled. "Serena, maybe you should record your song first so we can observe how you guys do it?"
Serena turned to look at Charlton in askance. They're supposed to record 3 songs today.
"We can go with against all odds first. Listen to the instrumentals first, see if it's to your satisfaction." Charlton suggested as he pressed the intercom to tell the guys to play out the song.
The instrumentalists then started playing against all odds with their respective instruments.
"So, what can you say?" Charlton asked.
"AWESOME!" Gizel was first to answer.
Serena smiled, "Really good."
Charlton nodded as he smiled back. "Okay, so we can start."
--
"What are you doing here?" Via asked, confused why Kylo was also in the studio.
"Well, I wanted to see you perform and, hehe… I also got my song for you recorded. That way, you will always remember me when you hear it!" Kylo replied sweetly.
Via raised her brow, "I thought you can't join the entertainment industry because you're a prince?"
Kylo blushed as he laughed awkwardly, last time was an excuse coz well, he was on Charlton's side not Serena. Though there was also some truth to it. "Well, last time, the song can be interpreted as a something akin to political movement, but this time it's purely for entertainment so I think it would be okay."
Via nodded her head then she finally smiled. "I see… anyway, you should've told me beforehand, that way, perhaps I could've come earlier and saw you perform too."
Kylo could only nod and grin.
--
When Edward joined them in the studio, it was already quarter to 4 and Serena and Charlton already finished recording 'Nothing's gonna stop us now.' And at the moment, the girls and Serena were inside the singing booths, each wearing a stand-on-ear headphones as they stood behind their respective mics.
"Sorry for the tardiness. How are things going? Also, which song are you on now?" he asked.
"Oh hi, Edward. No worries, we're doing just fine. We're just about to start recording 'wannabe'" Charlton replied.
Edward nodded in response and greeted Kylo, "Kylo, by the way, for the cover of the album, would it be alright to have your photo taken later?"
Kylo took a moment to think it over, then he nodded his head. It would be nice to have a memento that he did something like this at least once in his life.
"Great!" Edward replied as the introductory melody for 'wannabe' started to play and they heard Gizel's voice enthusiastically singing the first line.
--
TBC