Capítulo 159: Chapter 159: The Singer
In the afternoon, after finishing their training, Link drove to the Rooftop Music Bar on Third Avenue in Manhattan. He had met with director Darren Aronofsky here before and had been back a few times since, finding the environment and location convenient. However, today, Ivanka had also chosen this place for their meeting, which surprised him. He couldn't help but wonder if she was keeping tabs on him.
When he reached the second floor, it wasn't crowded. Only five of the sixteen booths were occupied. Link glanced around and spotted Ivanka. She was sitting in the corner by the magazine rack, wearing a moon-white one-piece dress that revealed her fair and slender arms. Her golden-brown hair was pulled up in a bun. She wore minimal jewelry, only a delicately designed diamond-encrusted watch and a thin platinum necklace around her swan-like neck. Her corner was usually dimly lit, but it seemed to brighten as if with a white glow when she sat there.
As Link approached, Ivanka was flipping through a magazine. A young man in designer clothes stood beside her. Link didn't catch what Ivanka said, but the man left looking dejected.
"Ivanka, what did you just say to him?" Link asked with a smile as he sat down opposite her.
Ivanka looked at him, straightened her elegant posture, crossed her legs at the knees, and said calmly, "I told him my boyfriend is here."
"So I'm playing the role of your shield again?"
"You're not willing?"
"Of course not, it's my honor."
Link chuckled and called the waiter, ordering a cup of flower tea.
"This is a bar, why not order alcohol?" Ivanka asked, swirling her wine glass gracefully.
"I'm only 20, not legally old enough to drink," Link shrugged. In the United States, the legal drinking age was 21, and he was still underaged. Of course, if he wanted to drink, no one would stop him. This was just an excuse to avoid alcohol.
Ivanka's lips twitched slightly, but she quickly composed herself and said, flipping through a magazine, "The news said you sang a new song at the Country Music Festival, a high-profile declaration of love for Taylor Swift. You're quite romantic."
"Really? I learned it from the movies," Link replied with a smug smile.
"Humph, I told you last time not to perform songs from the album publicly before it's released, but you didn't listen." Ivanka frowned, staring at him with a sharp look in her eyes.
Link forced a laugh. He had indeed sung "All of Me" at the music festival, and the media had taken the opportunity to hype up his relationship with Taylor, calling them the most compatible couple in the entertainment industry.
The song's exposure increased, gaining widespread popularity and being hailed as one of the most classic love songs in recent years. Many fans left messages on his Twitter, urging him to release the studio version quickly.
However, this song was intended for the third album, which wasn't due for release yet.
"Ivanka, it was my fault. I promise it won't happen again," Link said, holding his teacup.
Ivanka shook her head and glanced at her watch. "Graeme and I have discussed it. Since this song is out, we should bring the third album forward. We'll release the second album in June and the third in January next year. Do you have any objections?"
"No problem, I'll follow your arrangements for work-related matters," Link nodded and smiled.
---
Downstairs at the Rooftop Music Bar, a tall girl with heavy makeup and a guitar on her back walked in.
Lily, the bartender, immediately went over and said, "Lana, Link is here, in the corner upstairs."
The girl with heavy makeup glanced upstairs and immediately perked up, but then she shrugged and said, "Forget it. I've sung several times, and he hasn't noticed me. He must not be interested."
"Lana, don't give up. You sing so well. Why don't you try one more time?" Lily encouraged her.
She was friends with Lana and knew that Lana aspired to be a professional singer.
Once, by chance, she saw Link at the bar and suggested that Lana sing for him and try to impress him. Link was not only a singer but also owned a music company. If she could impress him, she might have a chance to become a signed artist.
"Alright, one more try," Lana said hesitantly, nodding as she went upstairs with her guitar. She immediately spotted Link in the corner.
He wore a stand-up collar baseball jacket, with short black hair and blue eyes. His chiseled profile looked like a sculptor's masterpiece, delicate and three-dimensional.
His face was free of acne scars or blemishes, not even a freckle. It was as clean and clear as the Hawaiian sky. His thick, dark eyebrows hinted at a determined and masculine personality, while the slightly upturned corners of his lips suggested gentleness and sensitivity.
The first time Lana saw him, she was captivated by his face. She thought that someone like him didn't need any talent; his looks alone could charm countless girls.
Yet, he was also an Olympic champion, a world boxing champion, a popular singer, and a youth idol.
Lana had confided in Lily that someone like Link was simply born to make others envious.
To catch his attention, whenever she heard Link was coming to the bar, she would carefully apply makeup and dress up before coming to sing.
But she had sung here three or four times, and Link hadn't even glanced at her. This discouraged her, making her feel like her efforts were futile. She even resented Link for having "bad ears" and not appreciating her music.
She also noticed the girl sitting opposite Link, blonde, busty, with an elegant demeanor and a swan-like neck. It seemed to be Ivanka.
Ivanka was a socialite, often appearing in magazines and on TV, so Lana recognized her. Ivanka was also the co-founder of Link Music.
Were they on a date or discussing business?
Lana glanced at them with a mischievous smile, then sat down in front of the microphone with her guitar, strumming and singing "You Belong with Me" from Taylor's second album.
You're on the phone with your girlfriend
She's upset, she's going off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
"What do you think of her singing?"
Ivanka stopped talking and pointed towards the stage.
Hearing someone singing Taylor's song, Link turned his head to look. It was the girl with the heavy makeup.
He had heard her sing a few times in the bar.
Her singing was good, with a husky and laid-back voice, reminiscent of the psychedelic music and decadent Trip-Hop style of the 1960s in the United States. She seemed like a professionally trained singer.
However, in the bars and nightclubs of Los Angeles and New York, there were many singers like her, many of whom were no less skilled than professional singers.
But the music industry had limited resources and fierce competition. Without exceptional singing ability, songwriting ability, or outstanding looks, it was difficult to establish oneself in the music scene.
For example, Taylor's singing ability and appearance were above A-level, and her songwriting ability was S-level.
Link himself had S-level appearance, A-level singing ability, and S-level songwriting ability for the next twenty years, plus the influence and capital that came with being a celebrity.
These were their assets for establishing themselves in the music industry.
The girl on stage had average looks, unknown songwriting ability, and A-level singing ability. She was only a singer with potential, who might or might not be worth signing.
"Not bad, but her voice is a bit melancholic, not suitable for Taylor's upbeat songs."
Link suddenly remembered that Ivanka had mentioned two promising singers she wanted him to check out.
"Is she one of the two singers you had in mind?"
"Yes, I've seen her videos on YouTube and think she has some potential to be nurtured."
"Then let's talk to her. I trust your judgment."
Link nodded. He had initially considered signing her, and now that Ivanka shared the same thought, they could give it a try.
He called the waiter and handed a business card to the girl who was singing.
Lana finished the song and was about to leave the stage with her guitar when a waiter approached and handed her the card, pointing towards Link's table.
Lana glanced at the two of them, her heart pounding.
She had encountered a few scouts before and signed a record contract in 2005, but it didn't work out, and the record company dropped her.
Last year, she self-released her first EP, "Kill Kill," but it didn't make a splash.
She didn't want to give up, so she posted singing videos on YouTube, hoping to attract the attention of record companies and get signed. However, after several setbacks, she wasn't very confident about getting signed.
Now, both Link and Ivanka were here, and they had sent her a business card.
Did they like her and want to sign her?
Lana walked towards them with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
(End of Chapter)
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