THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 59. A Toast to James.

SkyLab Music Studio Manhattan.

"You need to know, SkyLab adheres to the musical ideology of the seventies. Producers who follow musicians. Not a musician who follows a producer. So, you don't have to worry about being driven by us." The big-bodied man, Jerome Adams, explained shortly after the signing of the debut production of the album by The Bad Boy Of Manhattan. Jerome is the CEO of SkyLab.

"I feel lucky that you accepted my offer. Because I heard, Darren is a little stubborn," Jerome chuckled as he rolled his eyes at Darren. The young man also chuckled.

"What's more when we hear there's Nathan Bradley's son who's a genius." Jerome turned his eyes to Elric. "And also your drummer and bassist." He pointed to Samuel and Jacob. "The point is we like you guys and whatever we're going to produce."

As a frontliner, Darren represented his friends in thanking Jerome. The first mission is to complete the material of the debut album. Since they have their own studio, then all activities from arrangement to recording, mixing and mastering are all done at their headquarters. SkyLab only facilitates some recording tools that are not yet available in the studio and also two sound engineers.

"Your closest show is the annual concert of the Festival Of Pop & Rock Music at Columbia. You're guest stars with Lily Boyd" Harry said one day. He is a man in his thirties who was appointed as the manager of Bad Boy Of Manhattan. The guy is pretty firm and thorough. Although it has little tolerance. But people like Harry are all they need.

"Lily Boyd?" Darren raised both of his thick eyebrows.

"Yep. Son of Mia and Brandon Boyd of Funeralopolis. That girl is one management with you guys at SkyLab, you know?"

Darren chuckles. Mia Boyd was her violin teacher as a child, and she was once close to her father, Ben. But according to Ben, it was a story that made his chest tight. She is abandoned by Mia because she is in love with her best friend. It's a pity for his father's fate in love. Ah-one more woman who once filled the heart of the father, Kania Dervishi. The son of a New York conglomerate, who eventually ran aground as well. Darren recalled, somehow he didn't like the woman very much.

"Strategy ...." Harry tapped the table several times to call attention from the four young men before him. "Can you get one single done in three days?"

"Piece of cake (easy)," said Darren in welcome other nods.

"Okay. Make one single immediately. I'll deposit it to SkyLab, and have them send a press release to all the media. Spam, spams. Until boom. I think SkyLab class just takes a week to make your song go up." Harry explained.

"Just before the show at Columbia, your song should've been booming."

***

"No way!" nathan said as he slapped James on the shoulder. The two men were at Nathan's private bar at his residence. Their bartender is, Rosalina. Thirty-five-year-old woman who used to be baby sitter Elric. But now Nathan appoints her as a housekeeper to help Lupita.

"Yes way, Man." James smiled with pride.

"How could Emma Lopez be the lover of an old man like you. You forced him, huh?"

James heard Nathan's joke. "Do you think I'm easy to resist?"

Nathan hissing. Then he took one whisky sloki that had just been poured by Rosalina. "I think it's faster that Elric is dating Emma."

James shakes. Nathan doesn't know that his son really likes Emma. "They're better suited to be best friends" he said. "You know they share an apartment in East Harlem?"

"Yep. I hope they're just dating. I'm sure Emma had a hand in changing Elric's life for the better."

James snatched the sloki that Rosalina had just proffered. He gulped it down quickly. "You want to support your best friend or your son, huh?"

"It doesn't matter, Nathan. You know what, I'm gonna marry her (no problem, Nathan. You know, I'll marry her)."

Nathan rounded his blue eyes. "What's? I didn't hear wrong? James Howards talking about marriage?"

"Come on, don't overdo it."

Nathan is back. "Alya! Come, Honey. Someone wants to make a confession!" his voice called out to Alya who was passing by the door.

Alya leaned back while twitching her forehead. "Come here, Baby!" call Nathan back.

"What are these two handsome guys talking about?" alya asked as she pulled the chair beside Nathan and sat down on him.

"Whisky, Mistress?" bargain Rosalina.

"Oh, no. Wine only," said Alya while smiling at the woman of hispanic descent.

"James here, she's dating Emma. Elric's former teacher" Nathan reports.

Alya squinted her eyes at James. "Really?"

Nathan couldn't help but laugh so much that the man almost choked. "Si Breng this is really shocking me," she said.

James exhaled a rough breath. "You two should have saved me. Are you guys happy to see me alone until I'm old?" hisses. "You have a happy family. Got a beautiful wife," she pointed it at Alya. "Have a son who sucks like Elric." Alya's eyes glared at James. The man chuckled. "William has a family. His wife is pregnant with her second child. I just found the right woman."

Alya and Nathan exchanged glances. Both of them were lip smacking at the same time. I can't bear to tease James all the time. It seems serious this time. It seems that he is in love.

"But, you look like a pedo .. mmmph!" Alya hurriedly silenced Nathan's mouth with her palm.

"Okay, let's toast to your happiness, James" said Alya, raising her wine glass.

James smiled. "You're the sweetest woman I've ever met, Alya. Why didn't you just marry me, huh?" The man raised his eyebrows. Nathan hissed as he rotated his eyeballs. Then the three clinked at each other's glasses and sloves.

"For James' happiness."

***

Well, Hello ... Nathan.