SATURDAY 9/14

I woke up before JC & decided to make him breakfast. After washing up, I quietly made my way downstairs to the kitchen to see what he had to work with. I pulled out ingredients for pancakes & accompanied it with eggs and bacon. I pulled out my phone & began playing some music on the lowest volume to avoid waking JC up. I danced around as I began cooking - shaking my ass to baby got back. A few minutes later, as I brought the bacon out of the oven, a favorite came on - Tearin up my Heart. I placed the tray of bacon on the counter & couldn't help but dance & sing along. I half assed the routine but did the head movements. As I began jumping at the end of the bridge, also the same part the guys jump on during the Disney concert, I spun around to find JC watching me from the stairs. He was definitely amused. I immediately feel myself turn redder than a tomato. 

JC: (holding back laughter) please don't stop on my behalf

Gianne : uhm… just squeezing in a morning workout.... breakfast is almost done! 

I immediately turn towards the cabinets to grab some plates & then place them on the island. JC walked up next to me, wrapping his arms around my waist & kissing my shoulder. 

JC : good morning

Gianne : good morning

JC : thanks for making breakfast 

Gianne : of course

JC : and for the mini concert

Gianne : ha ha. Go on. Get it out of your system. 

JC laughs as he helps set the table with silverware & juice from the fridge. 

JC : I'm actually looking forward to the first date of the residency. You will probably be 100 times worse. 

Gianne : oh, for sure! That's why I'm trying to get it out of my system so when that day comes, I can focus on my job instead of fangirling. 

We laugh & begin taking bites of our food. 

Gianne : by the way, I got the email this morning with my contract from Caesars and WEG. Tentative start date of January 2020? 

I give JC a curious look since he hadn't mentioned any hints of a start date for Vegas. He clears his throat, swallowing the last of his food. 

JC: we figured, why not start 2020 off the right way? 

Gianne: how come you didn't tell me? 

JC : didn't want to say anything until it was pretty much set. (taking a bite of food) and honestly, totally overlooked the fact that you would be getting that email 

I couldn't eat anymore. I was too excited with the news. In 3 to 4 months, NSYNC will be performing almost nightly in Las Vegas. I zoned out thinking about how the next few months and year was going to be and I'm thankful JC didn't disturb my trance-like state. I snapped out of it a few minutes later. 

JC : (amused) welcome back 

Gianne: sorry…. my mind went into overdrive

JC : I see that. 

Gianne : So what's the plan then? When is this being announced to the public? When does promotion start? Rehearsals? 

JC : OH! You really did go into overdrive? 

I roll my eyes & make a face. 

JC : (smirking) we are announcing it in next month. As for which outlet & when… is still up in the air. we’re all providing our input as to what we want to go into the set, how much we interact with the audience, vip packages, and so on. Rehearsals will probably start in December. And although it gives you a tentative start date of january, you’re actually starting much sooner with WEG since you’ll be helping promote the months prior. 

Gianne: (processing all the information) OH! MY! GOSH!! …… how much sooner because you guys are announcing it next month?

JC: (popping a piece of bacon in his mouth) yep. so… um probably next month

Gianne: WHAT!? they weren’t gonna include that in the contract they sent over?

JC: they should’ve … did you look over it all already?

Gianne: not fully… i’ve just been sneaking peeks while cooking

JC: i’ll look over it with you later

Gianne: are you excited? 

JC: anxious? 

I look at him, concerned. 

JC: don’t get me wrong. i’m excited too. but more so anxious. 

I continue looking at him, hoping he would get out what he was feeling. I wanted him to know i was there to listen and help, if i could. 

JC: we haven’t done a full blown set in god knows how long. sure we did mtv and coachella, but that was a song or two. this is gonna be a freakin’ 1 to 2 hour show. multiple nights in a row. for however many months. 

Gianne: (placing my hand on his) i know its been forever, but you guys are pros. its like riding a bike. you guys will kill it. each and every night. It's just gonna be you having fun with your four brothers up on that stage. 

JC runs his hand through his hair, letting out a huff/sigh. I then caress his head and ear to turn to look at me.

Gianne: and if you feel uneasy or anxious at any point, look for me out in the crowd because i will definitely be in awe and smiling back at you. 

He smiles at me, grabbing my hand to bring to his lips. 

JC: thank you. 

I smile back at him, and then we continue to finish our breakfast. 

After cleaning up the plates and putting away leftovers, i sat in the living room and pulled up the contract on my phone. JC sat next to me and pulled me closer to him, putting his arm around my shoulder. Since i had looked at the Caesar’s contract initially with the tentative start date of 1/2020, I went straight to the WEG contract. If it was going to be next month, I needed to situate scheduling, or consider resignation with my current employer. Upon opening, after stating the involved parties, there was the start date in big bold print. 

This Agreement is made and entered into on  [October 14, 2019] until [TBD], unless stated by any subsequent written indication. 

JC: Did you find it? 

Gianne: (in a bit of shock) uh yea… i start october 14th. 

JC: (playing with my hair) is that good or bad?

Gianne: i mean its fine… i just need to get scheduling situated. and soon. 

I continue looking over the contract some more to see what my workload or schedule wound entail. I thought i would only need to travel to vegas when the residency started, but upon reading further, I would have to attend all promo shoots and interviews to help promote that as well as on the nsync accounts. This was definitely going to be way busier than the pop2000 tour. 

JC: remember, i’m here if you need me to help with anything. 

Gianne : as if you don't have enough to worry about

I put my phone away for the time being and focus on spending time with JC. If things were about to get busy in the next month, I knew our alone time was something I should take advantage of now. 

----

Over the next few days, I was busy with work & debating about resigning or just going on a leave of absence. But who was I kidding, there was no way I would want to go back to work after doing promotion & social media for the guys. I finally settled on resigning and dealing with job hunting when the time comes, after the residency was over. I wrote out my resignation letter and gave them a two week notice. My last day would be October 4th. I was overwhelmed with emotions - anxious that i’d be starting a new job, but also excited. I’d be entering a completely different industry and knew it would definitely be intimidating the first few weeks... maybe even months. 

FRIDAY - 9/20

Friday rolled around and it was the final two dates that Lance would host the pop2000 tour. I flew out of Ontario and would meet Lance & Melinda in Kentucky. 

Upon arriving, I received a text from Melinda as soon as I powered on my phone. 

There will be a car waiting to take you to the venue when you land. 

With my carry on bag in tow, I grabbed something quick to eat before making my way down to the transportation area. At least I could eat on the way to the venue. I hated that most flights only gave snacks nowadays. What happened to actual meals on 4 to 5 hour flights? 

As I got to the transportation dock, I pulled out the info Melinda had texted over to verify who or what kind of car I should be looking for. I spotted the towncar and made my way over. The driver made his way to the Carson center in 20 minutes & I thanked & tipped him as he opened the door for me. I made my way towards the building and saw the pop2000tour posters showcased in their displays. I took some photos before heading in. After getting checked at the door, I could hear soundcheck already taking place. I entered through the orchestra seating & saw Ryan doing his run through. As I walked towards the stage to head to the back, we both wave hello - Ryan didn't miss a beat. I found my way to the concession area backstage & found Lance digging into some pasta. 

Gianne : (sneaking up behind him) anything good? 

Lance: (startled) oh my goodness!.... Aww yay! You're finally here! 

We cheek kiss hello. 

Lance : well, we're about to see with this pasta. 

Pointing towards one of the hallways… 

Lance: my room is over there. Go put your stuff away

Gianne : k, be right back 

I find Lance's dressing room & situate my bags in the corner before heading back out to join him. 

Lance: you're not gonna eat? 

Gianne: I grabbed a burger at the airport & scarfed it down on the drive here. I was starving! … (eyeing some dessert on the table) …. however, i will pick at these brownies.

I grab some sweets and sit next to Lance at the table. 

Gianne: where’s mel? 

Lance: I think she’s getting some stuff situated with the merch table. 

Lance dug into his pasta and by the look on his face, seemed satisfied with it. As he continued to eat, i brought up vegas. 

Gianne: So i cannot believe how fast the turnaround for vegas was

Lance: so you heard already?!

Gianne: yea, the contracts were emailed to me last weekend. Am i not supposed to know? You’re the second one to react that way?

Lance: (laughing) no no… its just that i’m expecting everyone to find out when we announce it. i forget sometimes that you’re included in the group of people that find out with us. 

I look at Lance, not completely believing his reasoning, but let it go. 

Lance: and what do you mean I was second? 

Gianne: JC nearly choked on his food when i brought it up

Lance: you mean, you didn’t even hear about it from him?

Gianne: exactly - which makes me think i’m missing something 

Lance: he probably just wanted to surprise you, and like me, forgot that you were getting informed as well

Gianne: uh huh… sure. 

Melinda turned the corner and greeted us as we came into view. I stood and gave her a hug hello. She grabbed some food from the concession table and joined us. 

Melinda: so did you already look over the contracts emailed to you? 

Gianne: i did. signed & emailed back earlier today. 

Melinda: it’s gonna be a busy few months ahead

Gianne: yea, i was surprised by how much more was being assigned to me. but i’m ready for it. 

Lance: enjoy the laidback-ness of this tour because the next few months are going to be crazy

Gianne: are you excited? 

Lance: oh definitely. It's been ages but it'll be good to be out there with all 5 of us again. 

Melinda: the world has been waiting for this. 

Lance sees the smile on my face. 

Lance: pfft… gianne’s been waiting for this!

I laugh as I place my face in my hands, trying to hide my embarrassment. 

After filling our stomachs and catching up, Lance got ready for the meet and greets for the night. There was about 10 fans and all of them purchased package #1. It was gonna be an easy breezy night. 

SATURDAY - 9/21

Today was gonna be a reunion of Lance’s friends from Mississippi. However, instead of flying to Southaven, Melinda rented a SUV for us to drive down. We left the hotel just before 7am to get a headstart. And being that it was a fair, we’d definitely have plenty of choice activities to kill time. 

When we got to the fairgrounds, we headed to Lance's dressing room/trailer and took turns taking naps after getting settled in. Lance especially since he would have a long night out with friends when the show was over. I, on the other hand, would be taking a flight out back to LA. After all the meet and greets were finished, Lance’s friends showed up and hung out in the dressing room. He introduced Melinda and I before I headed out to take some photos. 

Gianne: hey, did ya’ll want anything while I step out? 

Lance: surprise us

I nodded and headed out to get some photos of the show. After snapping a few photos, i walked around the food vendors to see what I could surprise Lance & his friends with. After walking past numerous fried foods & BBQ meats, I saw a vendor selling a large pizza sized donut that had every flavor they carried - chocolate, glazed, maple, sprinkles, and some other crazy concoctions. I don't know how heavy it was or if I'd be able to walk back to the dressing room with it but I bought it. As I got to the dressing room, luckily one of Lance's friends stepped out to take a call and held the door open for me. 

Melinda: oh my gosh! What is that!? 

Lance turned his attention to me and was excited to see what I brought back. 

Gianne: enjoy ya'll 

Lance & his friends opened the box & their jaws dropped. They all gathered together as I took a group photo of them with the donut before they dove in. 

After the show, I headed back to the airport to head back to LA. I had so much to get situated before October 14th. When I got to the airport, I texted JC that I was just waiting to board & that I should be in Ontario a little after midnight, pacific time. 

you're flying back tonight? And why Ontario? 

didn't get a chance to change it. And flying back tonight

since I have so much to situate before the 14th

please get some sleep on the plane since you’ll be driving home so late.

yes sir. *kiss emoji* 

i’ll be sure to let you know when i get home. 

love u . xoxo

love you too

The flight home wasn’t too bad and i managed to squeeze in a few minutes of sleep here and there. It was enough to make the drive home.