Just Business?

"Lyla! That is enough!" (Y/N) shouted.

"You have grown lazy," Lyla scolded, "You have done more without complaining."

"That was then, and this is now!" (Y/N) huffed. "Why can't I have a normal life?!"

"Normal life flew out of the window when you attended the X Factor! So, this was your fault!" Lyla brilliantly shot back.

"If it weren't for them..." (Y/N) bitterly said, referring to her siblings, but then sighed and become resigned. "What next?"

"This time, you are in luck. It's just a business meeting with August Pierto, who you know very well."

"Hmm... for what reason?" (Y/N) asked, her curiosity wide open.

"You know, the Pierto business has their fingers all around and this time, they decided to grab onto the entertainment industry. He was also suitably impressed on your performance at the competiton and decided to help us expand on your horizons. Isn't that great?" Lyla said, slightly happy.

Isn't it great that (Y/N) was going to get a business deal that had the possibility of her being monopolized and worked as a slave 24/7? She didn't think so!

But August was her friend, and slightly eccentric that he was, he was a good soul nonetheless. So maybe he won't be so bad.

And that's how (Y/N) went to the Pierto business company.

As expected of any successful business in the entrepreneurship world, the building was tall as a skyscraper and once inside, pristine and full of workers busy and happy to be slaves.

Well... that's how (Y/N) has perceives the business world.

Although it was completely rude.

"Do you have a meeting?" An attendant asked us once we reached the counter for visitors.

"Yes, a meeting with Mr. Pierto at 4," Lyla gave a simple reply back.

"Of course, he is waiting for you at the 50th floor, 3rd door on the right," The attendant said.

"Thank you," Lyla said, and dragged (Y/N) off.

They reached the room in no time, opening the door to a Spartan like office with a cheap scent of cologne but the feeling of It am the boss' inside that single room.

And then, there (Y/N) saw August, who nearly resembled a mummy with all the bandages around that Lyla screamed, "Dear God, what happened to you?!"

"It's nothing," August said with an ambient tone. "Please sit down and we can talk business," August said, in that same calm tone. He was a true businessman, fit to succeed his father.

But his appearance would say otherwise. In fact, Lyla's look of horror never left her face as she sat down, and (Y/N) next to her.

(Y/N) can't help but wonder about August herself, but decided the best thing was not to push.

"I would like to help (Y/N) as Fanstar in the process of managing her shows and the like. It's good for business and good for you as well when it comes down to it," August started.

"Oh yeah..." Lyla said in a skeptical fashion of an agent and the debate started.

As a true business man, August really takes from his father being suave and able to hammer his point with Lyla as a fair exchange deal. In the end, Lyla agreed.

"Wow, I can't believe Lyla agreed. She's always been quite a stubborn one," (Y/N) said.

It was then that Lyla punched her cheekily in the arm.

"Ouch," the girl moaned.

August couldn't help having mix feelings in this situation. He was annoyed that someone hurt (Y/N) but bemused to know how that felt for her. It would be a good feeling.

"Either way," August decided to continue, "For the entertainment industry, we were planning to work out the big guns for the annual carnival fair of Phantam Town along with others. It would take place in Phantam Square as an open event and I hope that you would live up to expectations of your new fans to deliver a smashing hit and further your name, no?"

"Of course," Lyla spoke for (Y/N), and then it just went down to the details of the event and the like. But (Y/N) couldn't help to feel slightly melancholy as she could feel the exhaustion in her veins just thinking about it...

***

It was finally the day.

It's simply incredible what a hit the fair has been. (Y/N) was simply enjoying the sweet cotton candy as every entertainer was walking around and giving side performances for a good tip. On stage was a dance troupe that was more acrobatic with death defying stunts which made people gasp so much.

(Y/N) was really enjoying herself so much, enjoying cotton candy as many events occurred from time to time. She had yet to perform so she could spend the bit of free time to do whatever she pleased. So far, her own voice had been mimicked by a ventriloquist (not as good as Sky) and she enjoyed a magic trick. She has also tasted all the good stall food, cotton candy and waffles her ultimate favorite.

But what has irked her ever so slightly was...

"Hey (Y/N), what do you want to do next?" August asked the girl.

'Why do I have to spend my time with a masochist?' (Y/N) couldn't help but thought.

She didn't feel like speaking bad about August but so far he had nearly been hit 'accidentally' by a barbell of a strong man, a part of a circus that attended the fair, nearly burned by a fire juggler and almost stabbed to death when he tried to copy a trick of the sword gobbler.

Why did they have to be involved with the circus?!

It was simply exhausting when all (Y/N) wanted was a relaxing day, yet she couldn't bring herself to ditch August who deep down was a good soul. She just wished she understood him more. Masochists are damn weird for her to understand!

"Anything that doesn't involve you killing yourself?" (Y/N) offered.

"What?! I haven't been killing myself, what are you talking about?!" August asked in surprise.

"Says the person who was almost knocked, burned and stabbed to death," (Y/N) said.

"That... that was nothing. I never intended to die, I was just playing around," he waved off.

"I'm sure you have heard it from a lot of people, but you need a psychiatrist," (Y/N) said.

"Nah, you are the first one. Everyone just lets me do as they please," August said.

Seriously? What damn childhood did you have?!

"It's hard to say what childhood I had..." August spoke quietly.

'Wait! Did I really spoke my thoughts out loud?!' (Y/N) thought.

"Wait, those were your thoughts?" August asked with a tilt of his head.

(Y/N) face palmed herself, wanting to berate herself for her insensitivity, but decided to fix it.

"Look... you don't have to tell me anything, you know? If you are not comfortable about it, I don't want to pry," (Y/N) said.

August felt a pang in his heart when he heard the sad voice inside (Y/N). It made him think if he did anything wrong to her. What did he do wrong?

"Umm... August, I had 'fun' hanging out, but it's my time to be on stage now. If you don't mind..." (Y/N) said.

"Sure," August said with a slight smile, "Knock their socks off."

(Y/N) gave a dazzling smile, running to the stage and slightly glad to stop hanging out with August when things turned a bit awkward to her, but for August, he was sorry to see her back turned from him. He really wanted to know why (Y/N) thought like that. Did she really care about him? She was really different than the others who don't give much a damn, letting him be. It was a good feeling to be with her.

He wanted her to be close with him...

***

It was... a complete nightmare afterwards when the fans were hoarding around (Y/N) after a marvellous performance. She was applauded and marvelled at, the screams of 'Fanstar' deafening her ears.

Ugh... someone help!

No sooner than (Y/N) thought it, someone grabbed her arm and dragged her away. Seeing that it was August, she felt a sense of relief that it wasn't one of her crazy fans. Yet...

"Wait Fanstar!" Some screamed.

"Heh," August muttered under his breath before he just picked up the pace. (Y/N) followed suit, but fans are SO relentless. It was going to be an epic barrage that she was going to get hurt.

But that was right up to August's alley, that every time it got nasty he just protected (Y/N) with a smile of pleasure on his face. This just made (Y/N) slightly guilty. Then, (Y/N) found a door, and quickly opened it with August along. She found a chair next to the door and barred it. Then, they ran who knows where until she thought they were perfectly safe.

"Hopefully they will calm down," (Y/N) said to August.

"Do you have to deal with this everytime?" August asked.

"Life of a pop star, man," (Y/N) said.

"Tough luck, it makes my life look easier," August mused.

(Y/N) looked at him up and down and said, "I don't think your life is easy... at all."

August shrugged and said, "Why do you say that?"

"You want the truth?" (Y/N) asked.

August nodded.

"Look, it's just that you make your life harder hurting yourself. Physically it will slow you down. Mentally, it will make you insane. Maybe you like pain, but I think it should be a pet peeve rather than your life, OK?" (Y/N) said, trying to put it delicately and decreased a masochist from the population.

August was silent instead.

(Y/N) panicked. Did she say something wrong?

But actually August was put into a whole new perceptive. He knew that people would think that. He wasn't much into pain at first anyway, it was circumstances but the girl actually cared?

It was the best feeling, definitely better than pain. He moved closer to (Y/N).

"Au-August?" (Y/N) stuttered. Was he going to do something to her?

But before anything happened, a whirring sound could be heard and out popped a masked man with a chainsaw.

"AHHHH!" (Y/N) screamed, jumping into August's arms. It hurt but it also gave a warm feeling unrelated to it. He was really enjoying himself.

"Oh, we must have reached a haunted house," August said.

"WHAT?!" (Y/N) screamed, "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"

"Aren't you overreacting?" August asked (Y/N) strangely.

"I had a damn experience, and I hate haunted houses ever since. End of story," (Y/N) said, "Now, run! RUN!"

"My God," August said. 'Where have you been all my life?'

And he felt... felt that partnering with (Y/N) had been the best business decision he made. He can't wait to do more with her.