Kei Yun studied Liam and the abrupt shift in his attitude, a quiet laugh bubbling inside as the corners of his mouth twitched upward. Now, it was Kei Yun who was entertained. How quickly the other man's demeanor had changed. Though he'd never heard of anyone named Liam Bransin before, it was clear this man held some power.
"Alright, here's what I'm going to do for you, doll," Liam said, his voice low and velvety. "You clearly know what you're getting into, so let's raise the stakes, yeah?"
Kei Yun's raised an eyebrow. "Raise the stakes?"
Liam nodded. "That's right. Now you owe me. Double, to be exact," he said matter-of-factly, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Don't tell me, after getting me all worked up, you're thinking of backing out."
Kei Yun shook his head. "Nothing's changed on my end."
"Good." Liam reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. "If I remember correctly, there's a high-profile fashion event happening today. I can pull some strings with the casting director and get you in."
"Today?" Kei Yun was surprised. What type of power did Liam have to excess a high level shooting last minute without getting any backlash.
"Yes today. There's no time like the present." His fingers moved swiftly across his screen. "Instead of auditioning for a brand, your audition will be for a well known artist."
"Whose the artist?"
"Nathaniel Zhao."
Nathaniel Zhao?
The name rang a distant bell, but Kei Yun couldn't place it. He was sure he had heard of this name before but he couldn't recall from where exactly. The name was familiar to him yet unfamiliar at the same time.
"You may have heard of him." He snorted at the idea of the man, his next words a bit lower and taunting. "Who hasn't, the mans popular these days. He holds the Zhao name after all."
Once again, Kei Yun had a vague feeling he knew the guy but he had no recollection. Not amongst Min Jun's memories and not amongst his either. "I've never heard of him."
"You don't have to play coy, it's okay if you're a fan."
"A fan." Kei Yun's tone held an edge of disgust. "I'm not a fan of him. I've never heard of him and neither do I know what he does for a living. What type of artist is he?"
Liam paused his scrolling and looked at Kei Yun with a raised brow. "Are you serious?"
Kei Yun nodded as if it was clear. "I don't know who he is."
"You're interested in this industry yet you've never heard of him." There's no way that's true. Anyone who was someone knew who Nathaniel Zhao was, and if you weren't familiar with his work you at least were familiar with his name. He was a known prodigy since the age of 9. Yet, by the expression on Kei Yun's face in the slight disgust in his voice, Liam was sure he was telling the truth. There was actually someone in China who didn't know him.
"Pfft-..haha- bahaha.." Liam couldn't contain himself any longer—he burst out laughing. It was the funniest thing he'd heard all year, and the more he thought about it, the harder it was to stop. He threw his head back, clutching his stomach as another wave of laughter escaped him. The sound was deep yet light, brimming with genuine amusement and delight.
Serves him right.
Nathaniel Zhao clearly wasn't as famous as he'd imagined. If someone as remarkable as him could be overlooked, the possibilities were endless.
Zhao, a household name was unknown to the average civilian.
Liam found this both hilarious and wholesomely refreshing. Kei Yun hadn't stopped entertaining him all day; the young man was full of surprises.
What's so funny?
Kei Yun wondered which part of what he had said could provoke such a natural reaction.
"Is what I said truly that funny?"
"Yes." Liam finally caught his breath, wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye. "Yes it is."
Kei Yun's eyebrows knitted together. "Are you laughing at me then?"
"I'm laughing at the irony of the situation, not you Kitten." He playfully rolled his eyes and gave a half-hearted shrug. "I'm reveling in the idea that a great whale shark isn't so great after all."
A vast ocean was still vast in the end.
"The things I do for pretty faces." Liam smiled softly, tossing a wink in Kei Yun's direction as he pressed a saved number on his phone. The call was answered after just one ring, making his smile widen.
"Liam…" The voice on the other end was cold, yet light. Kei Yun couldn't tell if the person on the phone had welcomed Liam's call, but he was certain it was a woman's voice.
"Your boss owes me a favor. I would like to cash it in today. Also tell him it'll be more of a gift than a curse." The volume on the call had lowered so Kei Yun couldn't hear what was being said but by the looks of it, everything was moving swiftly. "Min Jun, he'll be there within the hour.... Is Zixuan there?Have him pull his pro-folio before he arrives. The pictures won't mean much, you'll have to see him in person. He's perfect for Nate's latest project.- I'm bringing him personally, that should mean something."
After that no other words were exchanged, Liam hung up and turned back to Kei Yun. "I don't need to explain to you that getting the spot is purely up to you do I?"
"Why?" Kei Yun snorted. "Does your power only go so far."
Liam's tongue rolled slowly against his cheek at Kei Yun remark. Kei Yun's words were meant to jab at him, it was interesting how someone was questioning his range and impact of power. Getting the gig wasn't just enough, the other needed a secured position.
Quite Demanding.
He liked it. The old Min Jun would have rolled over and took it, the second deal basically being a repeat of the first.
The thing is Liam was treating this deal differently. It was just that Nathaniel was a man of authenticity. That's why he called in a favor and not a demand. Nathaniel respects his line of work, not just anyone can get in and if they did they earned it. Calling in a favor, Liam knew he'd humor him a bit. If it was a demand, Nathaniel wouldn't have even entertained him nor the idea.
"Are you unhappy with your set up"
"It's no different from the first deal. If it goes this way we'll be back at square one."
"And what's so bad about that?" Liam teased as he tilted his head in fake confusion. "Where did all that determination go, huh?"
"Don't test me Liam. I will not fall victim to a one sided deal."
"Don't get confused Kitten, nothing about this is one sided." Liam quickly dropped the charade as he didn't want any misunderstandings. The terms had to be fully explained. "Nathaniel Zhao is a man of principle and talent. The fact that I could bypass orientation for you is a milestone in itself when dealing with that man." His lips pulled into a thin line as he brushed his fingers through his golden locks. "He's no fun really."
Kei Yun nodded in understanding, though curiosity now tugged at him. Nathaniel had captured a bit of his attention, he wanted to see this man in person. Nathaniel's reputation preceded him, and Kei Yun wondered if he truly lived up to the hype. Was it all just talk, or was the talk not enough to capture the reality?
What kind of man could earn Liam's respect so unexpectedly?
Nathaniel must truly be capable, if he was able to shut off Liam's bravado even for a split second.
Kei Yun looked away briefly as he pondered on today's sudden events and what led up to it. His expression was relaxed unlike before, he looked just like his age.
Liam's gaze lingered, quietly drawn in. The sun spilled across Kei Yun's profile, softening the lines that had been sharp with tension earlier. For the first time that day, Kei Yun's features looked untouched by annoyance and coldness, his eyes distant, lips parted ever so slightly, his silver hair catching flecks of sunlight seeming almost pale gold like at the ends.
It was a rare vulnerability: an unguarded, youthful softness that made Liam pause. He watched how the sun warmed Kei Yun's skin, how his face lost its icy chill, replaced by a subtle glow, contemplative and alive.
Liam found himself almost forgetting the conversation, content to simply observe. In this moment, Kei Yun was neither an adversary nor a business partner, just a young man, lost in thought, beautiful in a way that didn't demand attention but quietly captured it nonetheless.
Liam sighed. Pretty faces would really be the death of him. This face in front of him to be precise. He wondered what the younger looked like when he was, excited, happy, livid, or... pleasured. A small smirk crept onto his lips. He wanted to stick around a bit to see.
He had to stick around a bit more.
Kei Yun's thoughts slowed as he realized that, despite its tragedies, this life held promises too. Just as he shifted his gaze back, he was startled by the sudden warmth of a hand grabbing his own. His fingers became entwined with another's, one that was; tanner, much larger, and warmer than his. His gaze followed the hand and landed on a broad back.
"Come on. Let's not waste anymore time."
Liam's grip was firm as he walked briskly, guiding Kei Yun toward the school's parking lot where a sleek, expensive sports car awaited them. He pulled out his key and pressed a button, unlocking the car with a soft click. Moving to the passenger side, Liam tapped the handle and the door sprang open, lifting high like the wing of a bird. Turning to Kei Yun, he signaled for him to get in. "Watch your step," he said gently, placing a steady hand beneath the door to ensure Kei Yun wouldn't bump his head.
Kei Yun chuckled as he ducked his head and slid into the car. "I guess chivalry isn't dead after all."
Liam smiled, waiting until Kei Yun was settled comfortably before closing the door. "Not when I'm around."