A/N: I Do Not Own Victorious.
"We haven't seen these high of numbers in over 5 years!"
The crowd cheered.
"Last Christmas alone we saw a skyrocketing increase of sales for ALL 12 of our labels."
An even louder cheer occurred.
"I'm really proud of everyone. We've worked so hard this year as a team that I'm happy to announce that the company retreat this year will be…"
The anticipation in the room was building.
"…In Palm Springs!"
"Wow!"
"That's so cool!"
"Yay!"
An uproar of excitement and cheer spread across the room.
"We'll be at a resort and country club for the weekend. Everyone can be one guest only, so maybe a significant other since this retreat will be a well deserved vacation for you all."
Craig Ferguson. He's the hottest name in Hollywood. The owner of Sunset Records currently held the top ten billboard spot in music with seven out of twelve current musicians claiming their spots. He owed it to his employees to have a luxurious retreat.
Mr. Ferguson was a great guy. He took care of his employees. Every year they would go on a company retreat to Malibu; three days to wind down and spend some corporate bonding with one another. Since they had a successful year, Palm Springs was a step up. After this corporate meeting, his assistants distributed brochures and reservation information to everyone. He had already made arrangements ahead of time and couldn't wait for the trip as well. Everyone went about their day, mostly excited and chatted with each other on the amenities that the brochure said about the country club they would stay.
"This is so exciting. Palm Springs! 'Dre we can actually relax and not have to worry about paparazzi because Ferguson is paying extra for security!"
"You're right, Tor! Finally, a real vacation! And we owe it all to our managers," he winked at his manager.
"Well you deserve it, Andre. You too, Vega."
"Yeah, thanks again you guys. Cat you're the best!" she hugged her manager.
Cat Valentine and Jade West were one of Craig Ferguson's top dogs. Cat Valentine was managing Tori Vega, Hollywood's biggest pop star. Lady Gaga couldn't compare to what Tori could bring to the stage. Andre Harris was a threat to every singer songwriter in the business. He wrote and performed his own music, which was very pleasing to his manager, Jade West. And he even gets asked by other artists to write songs for them. All four of them had been friends since high school. Craig Ferguson always joked that there must be something in the water at Hollywood Arts High School because they were his strongest musical acts for his label. Two years ago, Andre and Tori began to date and collaborated more and more with songs, eventually releasing a Holiday duets EP last Christmas. That was the hottest selling CD that brought sales through the roof that Ferguson was talking about. Cat and Jade didn't mind that the two wanted to work more together because they were best friends. This was an excuse to hang out more at work.
"Wow check this out. There's a spa, pool, golf course, tennis courts, baseball, basketball, soccer… the list is endless!" Andre exclaimed.
"He got everyone deluxe king rooms. It's not a suite but the space might as well be," Jade was impressed.
"Full HD LCD screen TV's will 1000 channels, a king sized bed, a couch, balcony, bath tub and shower, table, and mini foyer. Are you sure we didn't get suites?" Cat was bewildered.
"Nope. The difference with Deluxe Kings and suites is a larger living room and multiple rooms in one floor to yourself."
"Holy chizz, Ferguson really upgraded us, huh?" Andre said.
"Well of course he did. This year was awesome!" Tori cheered.
"Especially for you, Tori. Headlining tours, an album and an EP. Great job," Cat told her client and friend.
"Yeah, Tori. You're the biggest reason that we had a good year. Well you and Andre with the EP, then finally you and Andre confirming to the press of your relationship," Jade winked.
Their merriment was cut off too soon when their least favorite person in the world – well, the company – walked up to them.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Arts school bunch."
"What do you want, Tara?"
"I haven't tormented you enough today," she smirked.
Tara Ganz. Cat's archenemy. Not that Cat chose to have an enemy. Tara was out for Cat. She managed Craig Ferguson's daughter, Haley, so she was the top dog manager… until Cat and Jade came along. Tara knew she couldn't mess with Jade, nobody could. She was scary. So she went for the weaker link. Cat wasn't the most confident person in the world. She was pretty introverted and didn't like being watched by the public eye. She had a voice to die for, but only Tori, Andre and Jade had ever heard her sing. And Tara? Babies cry when she tried belting out a note. Haley wasn't a great singer either. She was usually auto-tuned and used a lot of repetition and synthesizers on her songs. Think of a broken record, a broken robotic record when imagining her genre. Mostly she just donned flamboyant outfits and always seemed drunk. But Tara knew that Ferguson loved his daughter so she always had an advantage in the company. Ferguson regarded Tara, Cat and Jade as his top dogs because they had the hottest acts in the business (yes, people bought Haley's albums. House music was still popular).
"Tara, don't you ever get tired of all this?" Cat sighed.
"Does it bother you?" Tara asked.
"Yeah. It does."
"Hm… Then no," she smirked.
"Of course," Cat rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, I just wanted to come over here to tell you that I'm bringing my boyfriend with me to the retreat."
"And?" Andre asked.
"And… I wanted to flaunt it all over Cat that I have a boyfriend and she doesn't."
"Wow, real mature," Tori answered.
"Are you bringing anyone to the retreat?"
"What gives if Cat brings someone or not?" Jade grew impatient.
"Well we all know Ferguson is a sappy romantic because Haley's mom's got him whipped. But he likes to know that we're happy with our personal lives too. You know that stupid 'family man' thing he believes," Tara said.
"That's right, my daddy wants you guys to impress him this weekend," Haley interrupted.
"And why do we care? We're already his favorites," Cat said.
"Because daddy's looking for one of his teams to cover his next magazine issue. Rolling Stones called him and they want to do a story on the record label because we did so well this year. Thanks to me of course."
"Haley!" Tara shouted.
"What?" she asked. Haley could be very dense sometimes.
"You weren't supposed to tell them about that!"
"Oh, oops!" Haley said not phased about it and skipped off.
"Whoa, did she say Rolling Stones?" Andre said.
"Yeah, well like I said, Ferguson likes romance and miss I'm-going-to-die-alone won't get it. I will."
"What makes you think you will get it?" Jade challenged.
"What? You and me? Jade you go from guy to guy faster than Andre can write a song. If you forgot, Haley's my client and the boss' daughter. So even if you bring your newest boy-toy, it wouldn't mean anything."
"But what about Cat?"
"Cat doesn't have a boyfriend. How can she impress Ferguson without one?"
"Uh I don't know, just by being herself? Does she really need to impress the boss with a guy around her neck?"
Until now, Cat was standing to the side quietly. She contemplated what they were saying. Was she that much of a loser? Granted she's been in relationships before, but her last one didn't end so well and she was still recovering from heartbreak. But that didn't mean Tara had the right to call her a lonely person. Cat didn't want Tara to win this easily. Not when she and Jade worked so hard this year. She had had enough of this girl.
"W-who says I don't have a boyfriend?" Cat said barely above a whisper. Though it was louder than she thought because all heads turned to her.
"You have a boyfriend? Ha! Yeah right!" Tara wasn't persuaded.
"As a mater of fact, I do," Cat tried to sound convincing.
"You do?" Tori raised an eyebrow. Andre and Jade didn't dare to ask anything. They were just as confused.
"Yeah, Tor. That's why I've been a bit busy lately. I was hanging out with my boyfriend on some nights I wasn't with you guys to record.
"I thought you were still shattered by your last boyfriend?" Tara speculated.
"Y-yeah, but my new boyfriend is much better than him. I completely forgot about him until now." That was a lie.
"Oh really?" Tara smirked. "What's his name?"
Cat hesitated. She looked around the room in panic. A janitor was emptying the trash bins nearby and caught a glimpse at his nametag: Bob. Hm. Bob. Bobby. Robert.
"Robbie. His name is Robbie," Cat exclaimed. Good enough.
Jade, Tori and Andre stood dumbfounded. They're jaws pretty much dropped to the floor.
"Robbie, aye? And what does this Robbie of yours do?"
"He's also in the entertainment business."
"He is, is he? Where do he work?"
"I don't want to brag about him," Cat tried to cover up.
"Of course. Well, I guess I'll just have to ask him myself when you bring him to the retreat then, right?"
"Uh well, the thing is-"
"Yeah, he'll be there," Jade interrupted. She wanted to end this conversation more than anyone because she wanted to talk to Cat.
"Great. See you guys on Friday then." With that, Tara left. Cat turned to face the music.
"Ok, Cat. Spill," Jade demanded.
"Spill what?"
"Cut the crap and tell us. Who's this Robbie kid and why is the first time I'm hearing this?"
Cat told them to go to their office and when the four were in a secured room, she promptly closed and locked the door before slumping on a couch.
"It's the first time you're hearing this because it's the first time I've thought of it."
"Wait, hold up. So he's not real?" Andre clarified.
"Of course not, Andre. I was with Tori in ALL of her recording sessions. I needed a cover up."
"But why? Now you're in deep waters? Tara's going to want to meet this 'Robbie' guy of yours."
"Well I was going to tell her he was busy but Jade had to go and confirm it for me," Cat complained.
"Look, I knew something was up when you just blurted this news out, but real or not, you couldn't just tell her you had a boyfriend and not bring him to the retreat. It would have been even more sketchier."
"Jade's right," Andre said.
"Makes sense," Tori agreed.
Suddenly they heard a knock on the door. Cat hoped it wasn't Tara. She was freaked out enough to get caught talking about her lie.
"Hey Mr. Ferguson," Tori waved.
"Come on, you kids can call me Craig, remember?" he smiled at everyone.
"What's up, boss?" Jade asked.
"So we've half of the resort to ourselves for the weekend starting Friday," he began.
"Yeah we're so excited. Two days from now we'll be in paradise!" Tori exclaimed.
"Excuse her, she's just excited there'll be no paparazzi," Andre chuckled.
"It's fine," Mr. Ferguson chuckled. "We're all excited. Which brings me to my point."
"Yes please get to your point," Jade suggested.
"I'm going to ask you and Cat a huge favor. Do you mind getting there a few hours early to make sure everything is set up, all the reservations have been set and the halls I've reserved are good? You guys can use a company car as well. Or the van if you're bringing anyone."
"The van. We're bringing people."
"Oh that's great! I can't wait to meet them! So you'll do it? My assistant, Trina has to stay with me here until we head up so I went to the next two people I fully trust."
"We'll be glad to go up early for you, sir."
"I knew I could count on your girls. Thanks!" He shut the door and Cat let go of the breath she was holding in.
"Jade! Why'd you tell him I was bringing someone?!"
"You told Tara, what's the difference with Ferguson?"
"Because I don't have someone to bring! Oh God, what am I going to do?" Cat began to hyperventilate. "Should I just come clean?"
After a few minutes to think, Tori spoke up.
"You should find a guy," she suggested.
"Whoa, Tori Vega, are you actually suggesting Cat go through with this?" Andre was impressed by his girlfriend, the usual goody two shoes.
"No Tori's right. The only to fix this is to make your lie a truth. And we are all tired of Tara thinking she's the chizz. Haley and Tara don't deserve that front cover of Rolling Stones. One of us does. And that's you and Tori, Cat."
"Yeah, You and Tori had the highest selling records this past year. Really proud of you girls," Andre squeezed his girlfriend's hand.
"We're not going to let Tara win this easily. Am I right, you guys?" Jade exclaimed.
"RIGHT!" Andre and Tori cheered.
"Come on, Cat." Jade grabbed her arm.
"What are we doing? Where are we going?" Cat was confused.
"To find you a boyfriend!"
A/N: Miss me? lol It's still Wednesday where I am so happy Wednesday everyone! I was meaning to publish this earlier in the day, actually I was meaning to publish Cabbie over the summer, but I have a good reason for all of this...
Time wise- I had a meeting in the City of Angels. Great place to visit, maybe live, but not a great place for work because TRAFFIC IS HORRIBLE. That's why I got home only 20 minutes ago.
Also, I was going to wait until the summer time, but my meeting today was very important, signing with new peeps, and I might lose time again. So I'll publish a fic or two now, and start my Victorious one-shots over the summer for sure.
Story wise- I know I said my first fic coming back would be an A&A one. But as I finally titled all my stories, I wanted to publish this one first because of the title I chose. Obviously Taylor Swift's meaning for this song will tie in to the story, but personally, I spent the last two months really figuring things out. I may not have found my true calling or living my dreams just yet, but I did figure out what I'm doing, where I'm going, and who I hope to become. I feel content, to say the least. Of course I've got a million things to juggle, but when I was sitting in a coffee shop with a friend one day and we were talking about anything and everything, I couldn't help but to think that despite all this chaos going on, I know that things will work out and I just need to work on it one day at a time. Anyways, this is like me beginning again with my career, with you guys, and with life.
Wow that was cheesy. Anyways, I'm still publishing my Austin and Ally fic, probably the same time I do this. So don't be confused with my updates if you aren't planning to read both. Well I'm going to watch tv and eat dinner. Goodnight!