Chapter 74: You Have A Deal!
"I can’t imagine a man as busy as you here for casual talk," Kyle said, trying to break the silence as the weight of the moment settled over him.
He needed to steer the conversation in a direction that would reveal more about Nakamura’s intentions, but a thought lingered in his mind: was it the way he was dressed that led them to believe he was merely a representative?
The crisp suit he wore, while stylish and well-tailored, felt like it could be interpreted as business casual by those unfamiliar with him.
The truth, however, was that it wasn’t his outfit but his age that had likely misled them. His youthful appearance, though polished, was the only thing people seemed to focus on.
It was difficult for them to fathom someone of his age—especially someone in his position—carrying the weight of such a significant decision.
But Kyle had made it this far on his own merits, and he wasn’t about to let anyone underestimate him because of his appearance or his age.
Nakamura looked at him with curiosity, shaking his head as he tried to make sense of Kyle’s offer.
He couldn’t understand why someone would invest such an amount of money just to have someone featured in the movie.
To him, the investment seemed excessive, but it wasn’t necessarily a problem. Nakamura was willing to overlook it, as this wasn’t meant to be a major blockbuster.
In fact, this project was more of an experiment, an attempt to break into a new market—something that truly excited Nakamura.
He saw potential here, and that was enough for him to consider it a worthwhile venture.
"Calista is a pretty girl," Nakamura said, continuing the conversation.
"She’s capable of handling the more morally depraved scenes in the film, although there are only a few such moments, and none of them are assigned to the lead role. So we’re safe there." Nakamura leaned back, folding his hands together.
Kyle listened intently, noticing how Nakamura’s tone shifted when discussing the casting.
He seemed both practical and business-savvy—traits that would serve him well in navigating this competitive market.
But Kyle wasn’t just here to do business; he was here to ensure that his agency, his talents, were respected and valued. He needed to navigate this carefully.
"You’re right, Mister Ky—" Nakamura began, but Kyle interrupted him, offering a friendly but firm smile.
"Please, call me Kyle. We’re friends here, are we not?" Kyle said, leaning forward slightly, his voice casual but authoritative.
Nakamura paused for a moment before offering a smile of his own.
"Yes, yes we are," Nakamura said with a nod.
"I do have a proposition, though. I want to enter into a partnership for future movie productions. But you won’t be the only one who gets first pick of our talents. We’d get the first pick for any exceptionally talented actress or actor from your agency." Nakamura offered.
Kyle was surprised by this proposal, though it did make sense strategically.
It would ensure that Nakamura and his company wouldn’t be left scrambling for talent.
But on the flip side, Kyle realized that such a deal could be detrimental to his agency.
If Nakamura had the first pick of his talents, it could potentially limit their opportunities and undercut their bargaining power.
The thought of limiting his talent pool felt like a step backward, but Kyle quickly recognized that this could also be a lucrative opportunity.
If Nakamura was serious about breaking into the new market, this partnership could position JPD Agency at the forefront of an emerging genre—a genre that could make waves in the industry.
Nakamura’s proposition was calculated, smart even.
By securing the first pick of JPD’s talents, he would effectively monopolize the top-tier talent in the industry, bypassing competition from other agencies.
It was a business move that made sense in terms of reducing overhead costs and strengthening their market position.
But Kyle wasn’t in the business of making deals that didn’t benefit both parties.
"That’s certainly an interesting proposal," Kyle began carefully,
"... but I’m afraid these terms are not favorable for my agency. Instead, I’m willing to allow you to get in contact with my talents first.
However, it would be up to you to convince them to join your project.
They won’t be forced to work with you; it will be up to your marketing team to make the case."
It was a subtle counteroffer, one that gave his talents more agency and control. Kyle wasn’t willing to hand over complete authority over his people, and he made sure that Nakamura understood this point.
Nakamura considered the proposal for only a brief moment, but his hand stretched forward, sealing the agreement.
"You have a deal," Nakamura said, his tone as firm as his handshake.
They both knew that this agreement wasn’t legally binding yet; they’d need to sign official papers to make it official. But the deal had been made in principle.
The details of the deal were clear: JPD Agency would receive a fixed 15% cut, and Nakamura would have the opportunity to secure top-tier talent from the agency for his experimental projects.
If the project did well, Kyle would be positioned at the forefront of an emerging genre, with Nakamura eager to eliminate competition from other agencies in the process.
The meeting concluded after less than forty-five minutes, and the background noise of the silent disco began to feel comical, as it had no real bearing on the seriousness of the business taking place.
Kyle observed Nakamura closely, noticing that he too was dressed casually, eschewing the formal business attire typically worn in such meetings. It was an interesting choice, and Kyle couldn’t help but feel that it was reflective of the relaxed yet cutting-edge nature of Nakamura’s business philosophy.
"My assistant will be in contact with you to finish up the legal aspects. Is that fine with you, Kyle?" Nakamura asked, his expression calm and satisfied.
"I wouldn’t have it any other way," Kyle replied, his voice carrying a subtle note of finality. And with that, the meeting came to a close.
-
Meanwhile, Ella had been discharged from the hospital and returned home, where Jane stayed by her side.
Cleopatra, despite the tensions with her parents, had come to break the news of their passing.
Though there had been a rift between them, there was no denying the complex relationship they had shared. Ella, as expected, was putting on a brave face, though Jane knew it was only a matter of time before the grief would fully catch up with her.
Jane, resolute in her desire to protect Ella, knew she couldn’t leave her side—not now.
If Ella relapsed, there would be no turning back. Jane refused to let her best friend slip into that abyss, especially not after everything they had both been through.
The night was drawing near, and Jane contemplated taking a few days off from work to care for Ella.
But before she could make any decisions, a sudden exclamation from Ella caught her attention.
"Jane, come see this!" Ella laughed excitedly, her voice filled with unrestrained joy. It was the kind of laughter Jane hadn’t heard in days, and it lifted her spirits.
Reluctantly, Jane moved over to see what had caught Ella’s attention. The source of Ella’s laughter was a video of a cat trying to get back into the house by repeatedly bumping into a transparent door.
The cat, oblivious to the obstacle, kept ramming into the door, unable to understand why it couldn’t pass through.
Ella’s laughter rang out with each viewing, growing louder and more carefree. Jane stood behind her, unsure of what to do, but feeling the warmth of the moment.
Ella’s reaction seemed genuine, like a spark of the person she once was, but Jane couldn’t shake the feeling that it might just be a fleeting moment of happiness.
She had seen it before in movies—the sudden bursts of joy that were quickly followed by deep despair when no one was looking.
But Jane wouldn’t let that happen to Ella. Not while she still had a breath left in her body.
-
Back at her own home, Calista was reflecting on her recent success. After meeting with Isabella, the legal aspects of her role had been finalized.
Her contract was now sealed in ink, and the terms were ironclad.
There was a high severance fee attached should the studio decide to replace her, making it much more cost-effective for them to keep her in the role.
She felt untouchable, as though everything was falling into place. It had all started when she met Kyle, and now she couldn’t help but wonder why that moment had been so pivotal.
Things were going too well, but she didn’t want to question it. She was determined to ride this wave for as long as she could—until it inevitably threw her off.
But for now, she couldn’t deny the way she felt about Kyle. What started as a professional relationship was growing into something more.
She had rejected Lucas Rossini, a man who would have been a perfect match for her, but Kyle was different.
Even though they didn’t have a label, Calista felt a strange loyalty to him. She couldn’t quite explain it, but it was undeniable. Kyle had captured her in a way no one else ever had.
She realized, with a mixture of wonder and apprehension, that she was no longer just the predator.
She was the prey, and she found herself willingly wanting to be caught. Only Kyle had the power to hunt her, and she had never felt more alive.
