After the recording was done, Edward congratulated the girls, saying that their song would surely be ground-breaking. Anyway, after that, he suggested that they have their pictures taken for the album cover later. When everyone agreed, he asked them to wait in the control room as he go ang get his camera.
"My mother will go crazy once she sees my picture on the cover. I'm so excited to see her reaction." Gizel excitedly shared.
"My mother too. Thanks so much for this opportunity Serena!" Milly seconded.
Serena smiled as she nodded her head, "I'm just happy that you also joined me in this. Perhaps later, when I come up with other group songs, I can invite you three again to sing with me. No promises about them for now though." She explained. She doesn't want to heighten their expectations as she's aware that a lot of friendships gets broken because of things like this.
The girls all nodded still happy as they did not expect this to be something permanent. They were just glad to be there now.
When Edward arrived, he first handed a document to Serena, "Before we start the shoot, Serena, here's the contract you requested for the song 'wannabe'."
Serena thanked Edward as she took the document and gave it a once over. Satisfied with the contract, she asked the girls to read through it first then sign it if they find it satisfactory.
The three had their eyes wide open after reading it. They did not expect that Serena will give them an 5% each for the total profit of the song.
"Serena, is this for real!?" Milly asked. Although she did not need the extra income, it's still very much appreciated. Besides it will be the first money she will make that doesn't come from her allowance.
"I love you so much Serena! I don't think any man would be as good to me as you are!" Gizel exclaimed happily as she hugged her friend.
"Are you sure?" Via asked.
Serena nodded her head as she smiled. "You three also have your contributions. It's not like I'm the only person who sang earlier." Aside from that, although they were friends, it's better this way. If you want the friendship to last, you must keep the formality. Especially when it comes to money. She only placed 5% as there were 4 of them, she came up with the lyrics and melody, so she gets the largest share. Then, Charlton also gets a share because he came up with the harmony.
Edward smiled observing Serena and her friends, then he also handed one to Charlton for Kylo to sign.
After everyone was done with the signing, they all started discussing how their photo for the cover should be taken.
For 'Nothing's gonna stop us now' deciding to give the instrumentalists some exposure, they took the photo with them behind their instruments while Serena and Charlton both stood behind a standing mic each, looking at each other as they pretended that they were singing.
For 'Can't take my eyes off you' they took a photo of Kylo inside the singing booth. He was wearing the stand-on-ear headphones. He was smiling, looking and pointing using his index fingers with his thumbs raised towards the camera.
For 'against all odds' they chose a more dramatic style. They went to the room they used to take the photo of 'can't help falling in love' and this time, Serena was alone behind the piano just looking at the keys. He expression sad.
Then finally, for 'Wannabe', they took the photo outdoor to give a more fun and warmer atmosphere. The photo was taken with the four girls standing, hugging each other, as they faced the camera.
After all those, Edward invited them to have dinner which everyone accepted. When they got back in their dormitory, it was 8:30 in the evening.
--
Come next morning which was a Sunday, Serena and Charlton again went to go to their love nest to spend some alone time. It was 2 weeks before the end of the school year and both knew that they would be busy the coming weeks and would not be able to have the opportunity to spend their time like this.
The next weekend, they would need to spend with their friends to review for the final exams. Then, after that would be the spring ball, to be followed by the signing event. Serena's parents would be coming during that time, and she would be spending the night and the succeeding nights in their Ducal mansion in town.
Serena also informed him that her parents would be hosting Gizel's parents from their arrival until they leave for Militea. They need to somewhat get to know each other better to ascertain that they can trust and leave their daughter in their care for about 2-3 weeks considering the travel time.
On the 19th, they would go to the orphanage to meet the children one last time, then after that, on the 20th, Serena will leave Windsor with her friends. They would meet again only in the 28th, and even then, they could only be together for 3 days as Charlton would need to go back to Windsor given his commitments.
Anyway, Serena would be back to Windsor by the 8th of July, and by then, hopefully, she can still attend the opening of Benz-motors which was tentatively slated on that day.
And so, after discussing their schedules, the two of them spent the whole day in their love nest, being intimate and enjoying each other's company, not letting anything faze their attention from one another.
--
The next two weeks passed by in a blur with how everyone was busy studying and preparing for the final exams. It was their last hurrah for the school year, and everyone just wanted to get through with it, looking forward towards summer break.
When the final exams were finally over, it was time for the year-end ball.
--
TBC