A Page in Time Ch. 2

Paige sat nervously in Jerem Tarnok's room.  The Imperium Hotel is where he was staying, which was located on the Eastern Wing of the space station.  It may have been just a hotel room, but the space was massive with a large window looking upon the stars.  The furniture was expensive and there was plenty of it.  The couch that Paige sat on was as soft as a cloud and surrounded her with incredible comfort.  And yet, she still could not shake the anxiety of the situation.  She looked around the room slowly, admiring the beautiful paintings and sheik statues.  The elegance and refinement of the room was impressive.  Paige was no stranger to wealth and expensive rooms, but even this was enough to put her in a state of awe.  This wasn't just wealthy, this was celebrity.  Her parents knew what is what like to be a star, but she did not.

Tarnok emerged from the kitchen, wearing a fancy robe and carrying a bottle of champagne.  He held two glasses in his hand.  Paige was only 19, and Tiberius had laws against underage drinking, not that anyone really followed them, but Paige tried to be an upstanding citizen.  Tarnok poured her a drink and offer her a glass.  Overwhelmed with pressure, she drank it instantly.

"Easy there," Tarnok said with a chuckle.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Paige said, somewhat breathless by the drink's powerful taste.

"That wasn't your first drink was it?" Tarnok asked.

"Well actually…" Paige trailed off.

Tarnok put the bottle away.  "We don't need this anyway."

Paige was surprised at his accommodating nature.  She had initially looked upon him with suspicion, but after spending this time with him, she was starting to see better qualities.  He was very polite and charming.  Still, being alone in a room with a powerful man in the likes of Jerem Tarnok was uncomfortable.  Paige's anxieties were ever present; however, she had built a certain level of trust with Jerem over their conversation.  She wanted to clear the air.

"Mr. Tarnok," Paige began.

"Please, call me Jerem," he said charmingly.  

"Okay, Jerem," Paige continued, "I don't really feel comfortable right now.  I just keep thinking that this is also too perfect."

"You're not used to this sort of treatment?" Jerem asked.

"Actually I am," Paige said with a laugh.  "My father is Ethan LaChance."

"His tax plans trouble me," Jerem said dryly.  The two chuckled a bit at the comment.  Another second went by as Jerem realized something interesting.  "That would mean your mother is Alexandria."

"You know my mother?" Paige asked.  The question could be interpreted two ways.

"Of course," Jerem said, shedding his stoicism and becoming excited, "she designed that suit I was wearing earlier."  

Of course she did.  Paige had problems with her mother.  Outside of the obvious infidelity, Alexandria cast a wide shadow.  She was known by everyone on Tiberius.  Expectations for anyone related to her were monumental and everyone always compared Paige to her.  A fact she loathed.  She genuinely despised her mother for her behavior and arrogance.  She always looked up to her father more.  He was an honest enough man, if a bit self-centered and career focused.  

"You look like her," he said softly.

There it was, as always.  Paige never liked being compared to Alexandria, but at least in this case, the comparison allowed her to see a deeper side to Jerem.  She still was not fully comfortable.

"Look, I think I know why you're nervous," Jerem said.  "You think I called you here to seduce you, right?"

Yes, Paige thought instantly.  "No," is what she said.

Jerem laughed, "Please. It's all over your face.  You needn't worry about that, my dear."

Paige's nerves grew.  She's seen this movie a hundred times.  This is the part where the creepy guy knocks the unsuspecting victim out cold and has his way with her as she is unconscious.  

"Why is that?" Paige asked nervously.

"Because I'm gay," he admitted with a confident smile.

Maybe Paige watches too many movies.

"Really?" she asked.

"Oh yes," Jerem said.  "I thought everyone knew at this point."

"Well I'm not really in the celebrity circle," Paige said with a laugh.  

The two laughed off the nerves of the situation, and Paige finally began to relax and have a good time.  

"Speaking of celebrity," Jerem said, "I asked you hear because I wanted to know if you would be interested in signing on with Galaxia Records."

Paige let out a surprised cry, but quickly covered her mouth when she realized what she did.  She began to laugh while holding her hand over her mouth.

"It's exciting, I know," Jerem said with a grin.  

"It's a dream come true," she said.  "Is there any paperwork we need to sign?"

Jerem's smile faded.  "We?"

"My band," Paige said.

Jerem became serious and he placed his champagne glass on the table next to the couch.
  
"I'm sorry for any miscommunication on my part," Jerem said, "but the deal is only for you."

"What?" Paige said shocked.

"You have an amazing voice, and incredible talent.  Even better, you seemed to have mastered your talent into full-fledged skill.  Your friends however, are not so skilled.  The guitarist missed his mark more times than I care to count and the drummer couldn't keep the beat straight.  These are armature mistakes," Jerem said.  "Of course I could attempt to bring them up to your level, but that's time and money that I cannot afford to pay."

"What about Vox?" Paige asked.

"The Serpien?" Jerem seemed uncomfortable.  "Unfortunately, the majority of the Serpien people have allied with the Pirate Clans.  He is every bit as talented as you, and his skill is certainly worth investing in, but I'm afraid the negative PR would be detrimental to our label."

"That's racism!" Paige cried.

"No," Jerem said calmly, "it's business.  Besides, it's not like we wouldn't sign him just for being a Serpien.  His race's choice of factions is what concerns us."

"That's terrible," Paige said.

"You may disagree with me on this," Jerem said, "and that's fine.  Business can sometimes be a harsh world.  But don't forget what I can offer you.  I can offer you a contract for well above 3 million in the first year alone."

Paige glared at Jerem, "You know who my parents are.  Do you really think that I need any more money?"

Jerem was agitated, "I suppose not.  But I can still offer you a chance to live your dream."

"No," Paige said forcefully.  "You can't."  

Paige stood up from the couch and took a long look around the room.  Suddenly, it didn't look so special.  Most of the paintings were knock offs, and at least two of the statues were in her mother's garden.  

"Good night, Mr. Tarnok," she said.  "I'm sorry we couldn't do business."