Chapter 88 - 88: Columbia Recording Company
Serena woke up with a start. Then she looked at her side where she saw Charlton still hugging her in deep sleep. She wondered what time it was as the sun was already out. She looked at the wall clock and saw that it was already 10 in the morning.
After their session in the bathtub, Charlton was still energetic enough to continue everything in the bedroom. She was so tired that she let herself lose consciousness right after, not even having the energy to stand up, wash herself and brush her teeth. She cringed, remembering how he spilled himself on her stomach.
Looking at her clean stomach, she released a breath of relief. Thankfully, he wiped his semen off of her. She had no idea what time he slept, but they must start moving. They still have to meet Mr. Easton after lunch, and they will have to travel for an hour to get there.
Serena shook Charlton awake, not wanting to kiss or talk to him just yet, afraid for him to smell her stale breath.
Charlton was still in deep slumber when he felt the shaking. Remembering where he was, he opened his eyes and saw Serena's smiling face.
He too smiled back at her. He was about to speak when Serena covered his mouth. Then she pointed at the clock. Charlton's eyes widened like saucers. He did not expect to sleep that long. Last night, when Serena fell unconscious, it was only a little pass midnight, he followed not long after cleaning the both of them.
Charlton removed Serena's hand from his mouth and quickly pecked her lips. Then he went down the bed, and quickly wore his clothes.
Serena giggled seeing him move in a frenzy.
"I don't know if I should be delighted or aggravated that you find me rushing about amusing." Charlton said as he smiled at her.
"It's a good thing. Anyway, you go back to your room. We need to get ready. I remember the Ducal couple inviting us for brunch. I think we can still join them and leave for Mr. Easton's company by noon."
"Alright. Then, I'll go now." Charlton said as he moved closer to her to peck her lips again.
Serena nodded her head and smiled. "See you in a while."
Charlton stared at her one more time, appreciating and imprinting her image after she just woke up. Her hair was a little disheveled, but it glowed around her like a halo. The rays of sunlight coming in from the window illuminated her naked body. She was looking at him and smiling and he thought that he has never seen anything or anyone more beautiful. He didn't know it was possible, but he fell more deeply in love with her at that moment. This was not their first time and he hoped that every morning will be like this for the rest of their lives, minus the rushing part of course.
"okay, see you." He said as he moved to the door, peeking first, and when he saw no one around, he dashed to his room.
--
When Charlton knocked on her door to fetch her, it was 11am. She was done preparing and packing her belongings when she opened the door.
"Sir Felix has already joined the Maestro's family downstairs. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I already have everything packed and the Sheet music are also in my bag."
Charlton nodded and went inside her room her carry her luggage along with his.
"Then let's go?"
Serena nodded her head then she kissed his lips.
While descending the stairs, the servants saw Charlton carrying the bags and moved quickly to help him. He handed them over and instructed them to take it to his coachman, Jack.
Then, one of the servants led them to the dining hall.
--
"Ah! The golden pair, I'm so glad that you both can join us!" the Maestro stood up from his seat and approached the two of them.
The duke's family, consisting of himself and his wife, his 5 children and their partners, some of their older grandchildren, and Sir Felix were seated on the long table good for 24 people. They haven't started their meal as it seemed like they were waiting for them.
Charlton was first to react, "Thank you Maestro. Apologies for the tardiness."
"No, it's alright. I understand that last night's festivities must have tired you both. Come and sit." The Maestro said as he guided the both of them to seat at the 2nd and 3rd seat on the left from the head chair. The first seat was where Sir Felix was seated while in front of him was the duchess.
After, the duchess led a small prayer as grace for the meal. Then they started their early lunch.
After everyone has eaten their fill, the Maestro started introducing everyone to Charlton and Serena. They praised them both about the music last night, telling them that it was very beautiful and very touching, and they can't thank them enough for the service they have done for the older ducal couple.
The discussion would have been longer, but Serena and Charlton had to leave for Edward Easton's recording studio. Thus, their conversation can only be cut short.
The Maestro's whole family went out of their palace to send them back to their carriages. The duchess kissed both side of Serena's and Charlton's cheek before saying her goodbyes.
Felix smiled while looking back as he rode his carriage, he felt proud of his students. He would also be escorting them to the studio and to look over the contract before letting them sign it.
--
After reading and Mr. Felix gave his approval, Serena and Charlton signed a recording contract with Columbia recording company which stipulates that they can not give the music to any other recording studio in the future. Anyway, other than that, the contract was pretty lax as they were not even sure how everything will go. Serena can play it anytime and anywhere she liked. Also, instead of just royalties, she will be getting profit sharing.
Edward on his end preferred profit sharing because he knew that that would be better on both ends as he knew that initially, he will need to heavily rely on Serena and Charlton's noble status to market his product.
After signing, Edward introduced the two to Mr. Emil Berliner. He said that he was his partner and that it was his invention that will make the mass production of their music possible.
Then, he took them around his company which had about 20 employees. After, he proudly led them to the studio room so that they can start recording.
Serena expected the studio room to be something like what she had seen in the movies, equipped with microphones and mic stands where the instrumentalists and vocalists perform, and a separate control room where sound engineers will operate with audio mixing consoles. However, she could only be disappointed. Inside, she only saw recording horns and a piano. There was only one assistant to be seen and so there were only 6 of them there.
Edward started explaining about the room and how everything would work. He said that the room was laid out with the purpose of recording the singer's voice with piano accompaniment. The two horns he pointed were prepared to be placed in front of the singer's mouth, and the reason why the upright piano that was set above and behind where the singers were to stand was to ensure that maximum amount of piano sounds will enter the horn.
"When singing, you have to move towards the horn for quieter passages and away for louder notes to avoid distortion. Emil and I will guide the two of you back and forth in this regard." Edward told Serena and Charlton.
It was a good thing that Felix was there because Serena and Charlton won't be able to play the piano in this set up.
Felix volunteered himself to play the piano and Serena gratefully handed him the sheet music.
Before they start the actual process of recording, Edward explained that the recording process would only take under four minutes as that is the maximum capacity of their 12 inch disc for production. They also have to be careful with the process and ensure that they will get it right in one take as the recording tool doesn't allow editing. If they commit any mistake, they will have to dispose the disc used entirely and that was very costly. Thus, he requested them to rehearse the music first and try things out.
Serena and Charlton took their position while Emil and Edward stood beside each of them. Then Felix started playing on the piano.
They started with can't help falling in love, so it was Charlton who sang first. Then when they reached the chorus where their voices hit a higher note, Emil and Edward holding their arms guided them to move a little backward, then forward again when their voices returned to normal. This process continued until they finished the song.
"So, you guys get it?" Edward asked as he smiled. He really liked how things progressed easily.
Serena nodded her head, "yes, it was a little strange at first, but I guess we can start recording now."
Charlton also nodded his head.
Thus, like that, they started to record their songs.
--
TBC