Chapter 49: To Barry, and Barry

Tyler Kingstone was currently one of the most popular pop musicians in the world.

Having broken off from Midnight Avenue, he’d gone on to release five banger albums, three of which had performed extremely well.

He had also gone on two tours, one of which had been such a major hit, his record label--which was also Midnight Avenue’s former label--had decided it was worth making a movie about.

However, for as successful as Tyler was, his rise to fame had also been marred by several controversies.

From his not-so-smooth departure from his former band, to a few unsavory molestation allegations, and also a case of infidelity with a revolving door of partners, Tyler’s case was the prime example of a celebrity whom was just as famous as he was infamous.

Not that it stopped his momentum. In fact, his actions only seemed to fuel his fame and concerningly, the ever-increasing fan of teenage girls whom were suckers for his bad boy persona.

That said, despite the initial plans to have a movie about his ultra-successful tour, it was also Tyler’s knack for finding himself in the next hodgepodge of controversies that had stunted the production of the movie.

This time, it was an incident of infidelity between he and a newly wedded actress whom was quite popular in Hollywood that sparked a new wave of controversies on the tabloids.

To that effect, the studio that had originally had plans to produce the movie had cut off the deal with them, citing Tyler’s mixed image as their grounds for their decision.

As a result, Vinewood Records was now stuck with an unfinished product and several video footages left unused.

And though they had tried to get other studios and production companies to consider producing the movie and tying up its loose ends, none of their efforts had yielded any fruit.

Well...

That was until a few weeks back.

Walking into one of the modernly designed offices, Tyler whom was dressed in a simple, silken red shirt and sleek, black leather pants, took his seat on the couch.

Reflected in his inky-black irises which was framed by strands ash-brown hair and seated from across him over the desk was Debra Williams, a key executive at Vinewood Records.

Despite being aged fifty-five, she looked to be in her late thirties--no doubt in thanks to her plastic surgeries--her brown hair accentuating her equally brown irises and symmetrical features.

Dressed in a form-fitting business attire, she crossed her legs in a seductive pose that only earned a cocked brow from Tyler.

Though the woman had made several advances on him over the years, cougars simply weren’t his type so he’d simply ignored her, resulting in their interactions being rather one-sided.

However, after hearing from his manager that she had something rather important she’d like to discuss with him--one said manager had informed him would be of benefit to him--he had reluctantly agreed to meet with the woman.

Seeing the type of shit she was getting up to though, he couldn’t help but think that there really wasn’t anything of ’importance’ she actually had to discuss with him.

That was until he heard her speak;

"Your movie... or the uncompleted stint that it is anyway,"

"I found a rather interested investor whom would like to take us up on the offer to tie its loose ends and have it ready for a theatrical release," she said with an almost casual air whilst loosening her hair.

Tyler’s eyes on the other hand had gone wide, his pupils widening in evident surprise.

"Whether we accept that offer or not... well that’s yet to be seen." she simply added, her hands loosening the buttons on her bust to reveal some cleavage.

Hearing that, Tyler tilted his head slightly, a sardonic expression on his features.

Only a simpleton wouldn’t pick up on the actual meaning behind her words.

There was no ’we’ here. Just her and only her.

She was also reminding him of the dynamics of their work relationship, alluding that only if she gave the investor the green light would he have another chance at having his movie produced.

Simply put, all the power was in her hands currently.

Still, Tyler wasn’t that stupid to jump on the offer.

Sure, it was annoying that he wouldn’t have the movie produced anytime soon, but it also wouldn’t cost him anything to just wait out the heat of the controversies, allow things to blow over a bit and then have his agents pitch the movie to studios and production companies again.

As if sensing his thoughts though, Debra soon spoke again whilst staring at her nails with a nonchalant air;

"Also, Midnight Avenue’s starring in a movie that’s seemingly looking to be something special, or so the rumors say. Heard they have plans to release it towards the end of next year."

Upon hearing that, Tyler’s thought process shifted.

There was no way in hell he would allow his former bandmates to pick up a second wind. Not after all these years on freeloading off of their demos.

If they so much as found a way to regain some popularity, it wouldn’t take long before they spoke on the true events that led to them splitting up with him.

And though he wasn’t an industry veteran in the production of movies, he could at least make an estimate of things based off the little knowledge he did have.

If his movie were to go into post-production right now, it could have the chance of landing in theatres the same time as whatever movie his previous band was currently involved with.

That way, he would have every avenue to suppress them from utilizing any opportunity they might have to rip into him.

Which was why,

"What do you want?" he suddenly demanded of the woman, his jaw set.

"You know very well what I want." Debra replied, her voice taking on a seductive tone.

Rolling his tongue around the insides of his mouth, his expression telling, Tyler acquiesced;

"Where?"

"Right here..." Debra got off from her chair and moved towards him.

"Right now." she leaned onto him with an unrestrained lust in her eyes.

In response, Tyler simply went with the motions, playing to the tune of his executive and the sexual favor she wanted of him.

As that event was playing out, the crew and the main cast of [Silver Comets] had gathered at a pretty nice restaurant after a job well done for the day.

Though they had another hectic day of filming ahead of them tomorrow--especially since it involved yet another slew of live performances--it was a good move to have an avenue like this to unwind.

Given how smooth sailing filming had also been, it wasn’t a surprise that the atmosphere was very homey and warm as glasses clinked, plates clattered and laugher filled the air in between quiet chatters of conversations.

Currently seated from across Sam, Archie and Lucas though, Victor and Henry seated on his flanks, Niall couldn’t help but gestured with his fork at the trio;

"Say, I never got to ask ’cause it skipped my mind and we’ve been so busy these past couple months but..."

"Why a café?" he curiously asked.

To that, all three chuckled to which Sam then spoke, a glass of brandy in his hands;

"Well, that’s where we first met,"

"It’s also where we first performed." he added with a rather wistful smile.

"The owner of the restaurant at the time was also a good friend of ours," Archie chipped in, chewing on his meal for a bit before he continued with a nostalgic chuckle;

"He often let us perform as long as we promised to never forget his restaurant when we became stars."

"Unfortunately, by the time we won Rising Icons, he passed away and there was this messy, catty fight between his family over whom to take ownership of his café," Lucas filled in the gaps, his thumbs tracing the rim of his glass cup.

"So, we simply decided to buy it off their hands and settle them amicably. That’s how we got ownership of it." he concluded and took a sip of his wine.

"Unfortunately, we could’ve never anticipated that the hullabaloo we’d face at the hands of our record label." Sam sighed in resignation, opting to also take a swig of his drink.

"Still," he continued, Niall listening intently--as were Victor and Henry.

"We owe it all to him. Without Barry, Midnight Avenue would’ve never been formed." he concluded as he poured himself another glass.

However, for the duo whom had heard that name, they couldn’t help but be genuinely stunned, a reaction that everyone around the table noticed.

"Everything okay?" Sam immediately asked of them.

Opting to remain quiet for a few seconds, Henry was the first to speak this time, a bittersweet smile on his lips as he looked to his closest friend;

"What are the odds, huh?"

A confused expression flashed across everyone’s features in response to that, save for Victor who gave some context, his expression similar to Henry’s;

"We once had a friend that was also named Barry,"

"He was an extremely talented artist with a promising career ahead of him. A good man too," Victor glanced over to his talent and then looked to his plate again as he cut a piece of steak in two.

"Sadly, he left the world unfairly, and far too soon." the agent simply concluded, unwilling to make the air heavier than it already was.

Seemingly picking up on it, Niall raised his glass cup, his gaze empathetic as he looked to everyone around the table and said;

"To Barry, and Barry."

Glancing over to one another, a bittersweet smile tracing their individual lips, all five then raised their cups in unison;

"To Barry and Barry!"

Downing their drinks immediately after, a shared warmth amidst them, Niall then looked over to Victor from the corner of his eye.

He’d noticed the agent flitting his gaze over to him when he’d made mention of Barry. And though he didn’t know why, he had to admit that he was rather curious about this friend of his and Henry’s.

Which was why,

’I’ll have to ask him for more details on that later.’ Niall inwardly decided.

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/Caer07