On May 1st, Leon broke his routine and woke up very early.
He walked into the bathroom at 7 AM for a shower.
After putting on his bathrobe and walking into the living room, Bonnie was already cooking breakfast in an apron.
Perhaps because she didn't expect Leon to wake up so early today, her attire was a bit messy.
The back of the apron was empty, without any cover.
This made Leon unable to concentrate while browsing the morning news on his laptop.
All MV recording for Bang Bang would be completed today.
Besides the release of this single, the top priority in May was the Billboard Music Awards on the 24th.
This award ceremony was hosted by America's most authoritative music magazine, Billboard.
Because the parent company, Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, was deeply in financial crisis under the impact of the financial crisis from 2007 to 2010, it had been suspended.
That is to say, this Billboard Music Award was held for the first time in four years.
Therefore, it received extra attention from the industry.
Leon had already learned in advance that he was nominated for two important awards: Top Radio Artist and Top Rock Artist.
This was within his expectations.
He owned a media company himself, and his two radio stations played his songs day and night.
Plus the good relationship with the top radio station Z100, it would be weird if he couldn't even get nominated.
However, whether he could win the award in the end was a question mark. The opponents he faced were Rihanna and Lady Gaga, the two radio queens.
The popularity of their works left him far behind.
Compared to the Grammy Awards and American Music Awards, Leon had a better impression of the Billboard Music Awards.
The former was full of various money and sex transactions, and the subjective aesthetics of music critics and music association members played a decisive role.
The Billboard Music Awards list was generated by Nielsen Company providing nationwide sales, download, and broadcast data.
The final winner was determined based on the year-end chart performance.
Awards were given to the winners in each music genre.
Record sales were a hard indicator, data that was difficult to fake.
Given the current situation, Leon might not be unable to compete with Rihanna.
Taking advantage of the continuous heat provided by the recent East Coast vs. West Coast Beef, the sales of the Demons album, which had been weak, shot up like it took Viagra.
Nationwide sales broke through 1.5 million copies.
According to this trend, breaking through 2 million copies within the year to achieve double platinum was not impossible.
In this era of declining rock music, this was a staggering achievement.
Justin Bieber's album My World 2.0 last year only sold 2.32 million copies, ranking fourth on the national album sales chart.
Ten minutes later, Bonnie served breakfast on the table.
Waffles with fried eggs, a typical white person's meal.
"You did a great job." Leon praised while eating. "This fried egg is as elastic as your chest."
This wasn't flattery.
Bonnie had been taking care of his diet and daily life for almost a year, and her cooking skills had improved significantly compared to when she was in the slums of Brownsville.
Not to mention white meals like sandwiches, salads, and waffles, even some simple dishes were a piece of cake for her.
While Leon was eating, Bonnie kept her chin in her hands on the table, staring at him.
Her eyes were warm but somewhat complicated.
"Fxxk, stop staring at me like that." Leon spat lightly.
"Alright~ There's something I want to tell you, Boss." Bonnie straightened up and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Just say it if you want to, you look weird acting coy."
Bonnie was silent for a few seconds first, then said, "I plan to move out."
"What?" Leon put down the knife and fork in his hand, and even his chewing motion froze.
At first, when he moved to the Henry Street apartment, he didn't want to bring Bonnie along, but had to do so under her pestering.
Now he didn't want her to leave instead.
Someone prepared breakfast and coffee every morning, someone always tidied up the clothes scattered on the floor.
And he could even vent "positive energy" at any time.
Bonnie was simply too versatile.
"Can I ask why?" Leon asked.
"Do you even need to ask?" Bonnie rolled her eyes at him. "You only pay me an assistant's salary. Have you ever seen a company assistant who also has to take care of the boss's daily life and physiological needs?"
Even Leon couldn't handle these words, blushing.
He did exploit Bonnie a bit too hard.
But he knew in his heart that this was just an excuse from her; it wasn't about money at all.
Bonnie could be said to be the one who least lacked money among the company employees.
Selling second-hand underwear every month could bring her an income of at least 20,000 dollars.
Those basic Wicked Angel crotchless T-back panties, even if they only stayed on her for a minute, could multiply in price several times.
There was always a special group willing to pay.
Plus the advertising order income from her personal social platform, and the Vibe official channel income promised by Leon...
Besides salary, her monthly income was at least 40,000 dollars.
This income level could even crush ordinary employees of Wall Street investment banks.
"Money isn't a problem, I'll give you a raise."
"Wow, can't believe these words came out of your mouth." Bonnie joked, "But forget it, I think I need to find a new place to live independently."
"Fxxk, you make it sound like you're resigning."
"Of course not~ I just think I can't live with you forever. Think about how awkward Miss Robbie's expression was last time."
"Robbie and I are over."
"That's not important." Bonnie spread her hands. "You will have a new girlfriend; you are never short of women around you."
Having said this, Leon knew it was meaningless to try to keep her.
The reason why the two huddled together for warmth in Brownsville, besides looks and bodies, was another important reason—experience.
Similarly miserable lives.
Bonnie was a country girl who grew up in Ohio.
Alcoholic dad, disappeared mom, and 7 siblings.
Standard American hellish start.
But fortunately, her grades were excellent, and she fought her way out of public school to get into NYU.
America's education system is weird.
Happy education before college, fiercely competitive in college.
Facing a group of elite second generations, Bonnie soon found herself becoming the most ordinary one in the crowd.
While having heavy schoolwork, she also had to work two part-time jobs, which seriously dragged down her studies.
During this period, she became addicted to alcohol and hopelessly started binge drinking.
Finally, less than a year after enrollment, she dropped out of NYU and drifted to the midnight club.
"Alright... I respect your decision." Leon was expressionless.
The mutual redemption had been completed.
After a short silence, Bonnie tried hard to squeeze out a bright smile. "See you at the company later, Boss~"
After speaking, she entered her room to organize personal items.
Leon suddenly thought of something, and the slight sadness just revealed disappeared immediately.
Opened the real estate agency website and looked at mansions.
This 800-square-foot apartment on Henry Street had no meaning to continue living in.
It didn't match his top-tier status, and safety couldn't be guaranteed.
Although the conflict between him and JAY-Z was on the verge of erupting, he still received the sales share of Demons for this month on time yesterday.
Affected by the shooting incident, the sales of Billy also skyrocketed again.
In less than two months, physical record sales were 1.9 million copies, and streaming copies broke through the 3 million mark.
A proper phenomenal work.
This "R-rated song" full of violence, death threats, gang elements, and sexual elements broke through the audience barrier in one fell swoop.
Counting the sales income of records under Apocalypse Music, and the profits of the media company and Wicked Angel brand...
His liquid capital stood on 10 million dollars again, even much more.
16 million dollars, this amount of money was more than enough to buy a big house in a place like Tribeca with full payment.
Currently, he already had a favorite target in mind.
A large flat close to SoHo and Manhattan Chinatown.
A few days ago, under the guidance of the agent, he had already visited this house on site.
An area of nearly 4,500 square feet, modern decoration style, full set of designer brand furniture.
The selling price was 12 million dollars, expensive but Leon could barely afford it.
Before the financial crisis, this price would hardly buy a house with this configuration.
Considering it was very close to Beyoncé and Taylor's homes, this price seemed quite valuable.
He could discuss musical collaboration with these two Divas at any time.
An hour later, Leon drove Bonnie to the office together.
The two buried their heads and started working as if nothing had happened.
Not long after sitting down, noisy sounds came from outside the door.
"You dirty Mexican criminals actually dare to search me!"
"Get lost quickly, or I'll put you bastards in jail to eat prison food!"
Although the voice wasn't very familiar, judging by this domineering attitude, Leon immediately recognized it as Henry's voice.
Senator Charlie's extremely dandy youngest son.
After the shooting incident, Leon deliberately strengthened security.
Unless it was a familiar face or had an appointment in advance, entering the company required a body search.
"Damn it..." Leon slapped his head.
Such a brainless rich kid was more annoying than a mosquito, but thinking of the other party's powerful dad, he had to bite the bullet and receive him.
He shouted downstairs: "Jorge, let Henry in."
"Get lost!" Henry pushed Jorge's underling away, walking in with big strides, hands in pockets.
"Leon~"
"Henry~ Long time no see, Bro~"
The two were affectionate like brothers, hugging tightly as soon as they met.
"I want to congratulate you bastard!" Henry shouted loudly.
"Congratulate me for what?"
"Congratulate you for almost killing P. Diddy~ This is simply too exciting!" Henry shook Leon's shoulder. "I never thought the music industry could have such exciting things!"
"Calm down... I didn't do that, someone has already publicly clarified rumors." Leon explained simply.
In fact, he was too lazy to explain.
Henry behaved like a mentally deranged mad dog; saying more to such a person was superfluous.
"Haha, I understand, I understand what you mean." Henry let out a maniacal laugh. "Even if you really did it, it's nothing. My dad will settle everything for you~ Just a ngga, made some money and thinks he squeezed into high society?"
Leon sneered twice without responding.
Senator Charlie wasn't the only prominent figure who appeared at Diddy's party.
There even appeared members of the so-called "Deep State," brokers for military industrial enterprises.
Charlie forcefully instilled woke ideology into the public for votes; such dirty deeds would be punished sooner or later.
Judging from the current situation, this youngest son might be his divine punishment.
"Your dad will be proud of you." Leon patted the other party's shoulder.
"You really think so?"
This stupid question directly stunned Leon; a normal person wouldn't ask this at all.
This made him firmly believe the other party was either retarded or crazy.
"Of course, you are his most excellent child." Leon casually PUA'd him: "You will become a historical superstar in the future, crushing fossils like MJ, Elvis, and the Beatles."
"Leon... you are the only person in this world who understands me." Henry's eyes turned red, almost crying. "So, when will you release a record for me, let me achieve this greatness!"
"It will be soon, give me some time, I will give you a perfect answer..."
After dawdling for nearly half an hour, Leon finally sent away this annoying kid.
"Shxt." Leon lay in the swivel chair cursing constantly.
He thought about roughly making a record for Henry to send him away.
But the other party's vocal conditions were really hard to describe.
Singing like the scream of a cow during breeding.
Moreover, this kind of unreasonable request, once there is a first time, there will be a second time.
Going on forever...
He kept thinking in his mind how to push this annoying Henry far away while utilizing the senator's power.
Result: nothing came to mind.
Except for looking delicate like a woman, Henry was practically good for nothing.
Suddenly, Justin Bieber's tender face jumped out in Leon's mind.
Except for temperament and dressing style, Bieber and Henry looked very similar.
A moment later, he suddenly straightened up as if thinking of something.
Playing with the Knicks championship ring on his finger, the corners of his mouth rose.
At 6 PM, the shooting team gathered on the rooftop of the New York landmark Trump Tower.
The venue had been arranged in advance. A huge blonde girl pattern was painted on the rooftop floor with graffiti.
Composed of gold, pink, and blue, bewitching and flashy.
Ivanka, Vice President of the Trump Organization, gave Leon a lot of face; she agreed to David's graffiti request.
As long as it was cleaned up after shooting ended.
At 7 PM, Beyoncé, Taylor, and Cardi B walked out of the dressing room one after another to the rooftop.
Beyoncé still wore those special jeans, holding a horse-taming whip in her hand.
Taylor was still in the Catwoman outfit, stepping on high heels, standing out the most among the three.
Cardi B was dressed as a midnight club dancer; the biggest highlight was that her bra was replaced by a pair of devices resembling fire-spouting holes.
Madonna had used this set in concerts; David obviously borrowed from it here.
"Positioning... ladies, your positioning has some problems." David reminded. "Ladies, stand closer."
"Taylor, your movements are not stretched enough..."
Taylor and Beyoncé were fine shooting separately, but getting together seemed awkward.
Both of their movements seemed unnatural, failing to reach the best state required by David for a long time.
No matter how the staff adjusted, there was no change; awkward was still awkward.
"Damn it..." David patted his forehead, rarely spewing profanity.
Then he turned his gaze to Leon. "Can you help adjust the ladies' state?"
"Me?" Leon pointed at his nose.
"Correct, now it seems only you can do it." David spread his hands.
"Alright~" Leon was reluctant in his heart.
This should have been the job of David's team; he was the investor daddy paying the money.
But now, not to delay the shooting progress, he could only cameo as a movement coach.
He came to the middle of the three women, bending over to observe the angle.
Putting his hands on Beyoncé's waist to move her position, the movement extremely natural and smooth.
Unknown if intentional or unintentional, the amplitude of Beyoncé's hip movement was a bit larger.
Almost bumping into Leon's face.
After simple adjustment, the effect was immediate.
The S-curve of Beyoncé's opening pose was more prominent.
"Taylor, relax, you should get closer to Miss Beyoncé."
"Right, closer."
Seeing verbal communication ineffective, Leon could only use his hands again.
A blush immediately floated on Taylor's face, rolling her eyes.
Surrounded by the taillights of three ladies, Leon observed closely and corrected positions.
Ensuring every detail was perfect.
"Is it okay, David?"
"Perfect!" David responded with an OK gesture.
"Last scene, Action!"