Chapter 46: The Power Of Connection.
It took a little over ten minutes for Kyle to reach his destination, and as he pulled up, he spotted James standing outside, waiting for him. James was still wearing the same suit he’d been wearing earlier that day, but somehow, it looked even worse now, like it had gone through an extra level of dishevelment in the interim.
Kyle sighed heavily, his patience already thinning. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible so he could head home and unwind with some mindless movies. Without bothering to step out of the car, he leaned over and popped the passenger door open, silently signaling for James to get in.
The moment James entered the car, Kyle regretted his decision. A pungent, almost unbearable stench hit him like a sledgehammer, and he instinctively turned his head toward the window, wishing he could roll it down all the way. How could someone reek this badly in a world where deodorants and soap existed? Kyle fought the urge to gag as he realized this smell would probably linger in his car long after James left.
Despite his disgust, Kyle knew he couldn’t back out now. "Let’s just get this over with," he muttered under his breath, trying not to breathe too deeply.
"I’m glad you got here so quickly," James said with a wide grin, oblivious to Kyle’s discomfort.
Kyle’s eyes immediately darted to the stack of documents James was holding in his hands. That was all he cared about at the moment—those papers were the key to finally getting his construction plans underway.
"Is that the permit? Let me see it," Kyle said, wasting no time on pleasantries. He wanted to get straight to the point so he could get James—and his stench—out of the car as soon as possible.
James handed over the documents eagerly, his smile widening as if he were proud of his accomplishment. "Here you go!" he said, his voice brimming with excitement.
Kyle flipped through the pages quickly, his sharp eyes scanning for the official seals and signatures that would confirm the document’s authenticity. To his surprise, everything appeared to be in order—it was a genuine, government-approved permit.
"Huh... This is legit," Kyle thought to himself, his initial skepticism giving way to mild astonishment.
"You see? All done and approved!" James exclaimed, his tone practically bursting with pride. For a moment, Kyle’s irritation with the man lessened; after all, he had delivered what he promised.
"You actually pulled it off, James. How’d you manage to fast-track it?" Kyle asked, genuinely curious about the supposed connections James had hinted at earlier.
James chuckled and leaned back in his seat. "A man never reveals his sources," he said with a playful wink, clearly enjoying the air of mystery he was trying to create.
Kyle wasn’t in the mood for games. "Now, about your payment..." James added, shifting the conversation toward money, clearly testing how far he could push his luck.
Kyle nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. Money was the least of his worries right now, and James’s fee, no matter how absurd, wouldn’t faze him. "How much are we talking?" Kyle asked, keeping his tone neutral.
James hesitated for a moment, as if calculating how much he could get away with asking. He’d seen Kyle’s expensive car and knew that anyone planning a major reconstruction project like this had to have deep pockets.
"Well, you know what?" James began, his voice filled with faux generosity. "How about I give you a discount?"
Kyle immediately saw through the tactic. Offering a discount was a common strategy to make clients feel like they were getting a good deal, even when the price was inflated to begin with. Kyle had no interest in playing along.
"Just give me your fee," Kyle said flatly, cutting through the charade.
James shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his confidence wavering. "M-My fee... I charge $600, but—"
Kyle didn’t let him finish. "Do you accept transfers?" he asked, his tone making it clear he wasn’t interested in negotiating.
James nodded enthusiastically, his excitement palpable. Without hesitation, Kyle pulled out his phone and transferred the money.
James stared at his phone in disbelief, his jaw practically dropping. He’d just hit the jackpot, landing a client who didn’t flinch at the price.
"You know," James began, trying to press his luck even further, "if you need help with your construction..."
"Let me guess," Kyle interrupted, his voice tinged with amusement. "You know someone."
"That’s right!" James replied eagerly. "He’s a great guy, and I think you’ll like working with him!"
Kyle appreciated the gesture. It showed that James was the kind of person who tried to bring others along with him, and Kyle respected that. Still, he made a mental note to hire a professional supervisor to oversee the construction. The last thing he needed was a structural collapse that could lead to lawsuits—or worse.
"You know what? I’ll bite. Give me his number," Kyle said, deciding to take a chance.
James quickly scribbled down the contact information, handing it over with a grateful smile. "Thanks for doing business with me," he said as he hopped out of the car.
As James walked away, the stench he left behind seemed to permeate every inch of the vehicle. Kyle grimaced but pushed the thought aside. This was a small price to pay for the progress he’d just made. The first step toward conquering Los Angeles was complete.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Calista sat curled up on her couch, sobbing until her throat felt raw. She hadn’t officially been informed that she’d lost the role, but she knew it was only a matter of time before the call came.
Lucas Rossini, the director in question, was infamous for his behind-the-scenes antics. Rumors about him propositioning women in exchange for career opportunities had circulated for years. While none of these allegations had ever been confirmed, the women linked to him always seemed to rise to new heights in their careers.
Calista, however, had refused his advances.
Her phone buzzed on the table, startling her out of her thoughts. She hesitated before picking it up, surprised to see Isabella’s name on the screen.
"Hello?" Calista said, her voice hoarse from crying.
[[Is something wrong, Miss Wave?]] Isabella asked, her tone full of concern.
"No, no. I’m fine. Just allergies," Calista lied, forcing herself to sound composed. She didn’t want to admit what had happened—not to Isabella, not to anyone.
[[I see. Well, I’m calling to formally congratulate you—you got the role!]] Isabella announced cheerfully.
Calista froze, her mind struggling to process the words. "I... got the role?" she asked, her voice trembling.
[[That’s right. I just got off the phone with the team, and the contract has already been sent over,]] Isabella confirmed.
Calista was stunned. Lucas hadn’t retracted the offer despite her turning him down. For the first time in hours, she felt a flicker of hope.
