Justin’s eyes became as clear as pools of water when he heard her sing. His
mouth gaped open. Gabrielle had one of the most angelic voices that his ears
had ever heard. He was fully immersed in the song.
Once Gabrielle was through, she looked up at Justin, and saw his jaw
gaping mouth. “Timberland, you’re catching flies. Might wanna close that
mouth.”
Stuttering, Justin began, “You... You are terrific. That is the most
beautiful voice that I think I’ve ever heard in my life. Do you realize that you’re
going to be a star and soon?”
Gabby shook her head, “Don’t count my eggs before they hatch Justin.
It’s unlikely to happen. It’s been so long since I concocted this dream it seems.
When your lonely, the days drag on longer- so long that the minutes seem like
hours.”
The corners of Justin’s mouth twisted into a pout and he said softly,
“You’re a really great person, Gabrielle. If you’d just let yourself open up to
people, then you wouldn’t be lonely. Ever. If it’s that you’re scared of getting
hurt, don’t be. Once you get hurt, you become a stronger person. If this whole
hurricane hadn’t happened, then I would have just left Valu Mart and forgotten
about you. I would have gone on with my life. Now, I know you, though. I know
that there’s somebody out there that just needs to be allowed to break the mold
and be herself. People will always walk by you and never turn back unless you
shout out who you are. Like me, if I wasn’t Justin Timberlake the ”boy band guy”
as you call me, do you think that 75 percent of the girls that claim to love me
would look twice? I’d just be that guy with the big hair,” she smirked at his joke,
“So, when this storm is finally over, how about you come to see Johnny with
me?” Justin held his breath in anticipation of her answer.
Ever so slowly, the corners of her mouth turned into a smile, and she
nodded, “Yea.... Yea, I will, Justin.”
“Johnny Wright, please meet Gabrielle Reynolds. Gabby, this is Johnny.”
Justin announced as he made the introductions.
“Very nice to meet you, Mr. Wright. It’s an honor.” Gabby felt like she
hadn’t in years. It was as though Justin had given her her self confidence back.
And it felt good.
“Nice to meet you Gabrielle. But, please, call me Johnny. So, Justin, to
what do I owe the honor of this visit?” he asked Justin.
Grinning, Justin stated, “You, Johnny, my good man, have the honor...a
great honor it is!.. of being the one that gets to sign Gabby here to a
management deal.”
Johnny raised his eyebrows, “Is that so Justin?”
“It is. She’s like...a total diva, in training, J-Dawg.” he replied.
“Justin,“ Gabby moaned, “Quit it boy.”
Of course, Gabby had to sing for Johnny. Justin suggested that she sing
“Breathe” again, and she did, but this time, she sang it with a heavier pop
influence. As he listened, Johnny rested his head on his hands as he listened to
her powerful voice fill the room. His tired eyes became bright and a small smile
crossed his face. Johnny’s eyes went from Gabby to Justin. He found it quite
interesting how Justin’s eyes were fixated on her, as though no one else in the
world existed. The smile in Justin’s eyes was evident, as was the boy’s
attraction to Gabby. For a first, Johnny Wright was completely intrigued.
She was what someone would call plain if they did not take a second
glance at her. A second glance always was unlikely due to the fact that she
masked her beauty. Her gorgeous blonde hair was pulled straight back and
gathered low at the nape of her neck. She wore only Chapstick, no makeup.
She claimed to have gave up her interest in makeup along with her past. It just
no longer seemed worth the hassle. And, of course, she donned baggy clothes
that hid her figure. The only aspect of her that was not shielded were her deep
blue eyes, which showed her every emotion in a glance.
Her impromptu performance was followed by Johnny calling in his
secretary. “Marsha, could you please bring me in the four year contract?”
The secretary, a short woman with graying hair answered in a nasally
tone, “Of course, Mr. Wright.”
Johnny turned back to Gabby, “Gabrielle, you have a vocalistic ability that
I haven’t seen in years, if not ever. The curly one there had quite a find when he
found you.”
Pointing a finger, Justin added, “At Valu Mart!”
Laughing, Johnny stated, “Now that’s a story that I’ll have to hear some
day.”
Smirking, Gabrielle asked jokingly, “Yea. Does Justin usually find stray
people and bring them home?”
“Never before! I swear!” Justin insisted.
Once the secretary brought the papers in, Johnny said, “Right here, I’m
about to do something that I’ve never done before in all my years of managing,
Gabby. I’m about to try and sign someone on after five minutes. I’d like to bring
you into the Wright Camp family.”
“I’d be honored Mr. Wright,” Gabrielle sincerely replied.
