Chapter 136: Are You A Model? - 2

Mina was sitting in a waiting area of the Lee building. It was likely designed to accommodate people who walked in without an appointment, although she couldn't imagine anyone being so bold. Seeing that no one was asking her to leave after she had been there for a few minutes, Mina began to pick at the salad she purchased. She wasn't particularly hungry, but she promised Zane and Luna that she would try to keep a regular diet. They told her that eating healthy could possibly help treat her growing anxiety. Mina had always skipped meals out of necessity, but now that she was able to eat whenever she wanted, food didn't seem that appealing to her.

Unhappily poking at the salad, Mina became aware of someone approaching. She didn't bother to look at the person. She was not in the mood to entertain a stranger.

"Are you a model?" The voice asked.

"Does that line work for you?" Mina quipped.

"Most of the time," the man said. Mina chuckled and shook her head in disbelief, but she still had not looked at the man speaking to her.

"You seem like a straightforward person," he said. "I'll get to the point. I am producing a contact lens commercial. I often do my casting in places like this and I think you'd suit the small role."

"I'll pass," Mina said. "I don't like people looking at me." The man smirked.

"Well, if you're going to do something you don't like. You might as well get paid for it." The statement made Mina smile. She looked up and saw that the man was extending a card to her.

"My name is Eric Hue," he said. When he saw that Mina did not move to take his information, he pressed it down on the table beside her. "I will be honest with you," he said. "This job won't pay well, but I can guarantee it will be easy money." Mina scoffed.

"The last person to say something like that to me is not in a good place right now," she said flatly.

Eric saw that the woman before him was unmoved. He had been watching her for a while, and he knew that if he could fold her under his wing, she would make both of them a lot of money. He was not into managing artists, but every now and then, he would meet a person with potential. So far, he had not been wrong. The only problem was that his resources were limited and eventually, he would have to let the artist move on to greener pastures. He had somewhat developed a name in the industry and was known as the 'gem finder'. It was meant as an insult, but it was a name he was proud to hold.

"What is it that's stopping you?" He asked the girl. "It'll be the quickest $2,000 you've ever made." Mina chuckled again.

"Easy money is bad money," She said. Eric came to the realization that the girl didn't think his offer was genuine. He had a quick remedy for that.

"I'll tell you what," he said, "you can bring twenty people to the studio with you. If it's not legit, I will stand still and let all twenty beat me unconscious." Mina smiled.

"I already told you I'm not interested."

The producer was really at a loss. He knew that because he had laid eyes on Mina, no other person would be good enough, but he could not get through to her.

"You must be rich," he finally said. That made Mina laugh.

"Nope," she said.

"Well I'll leave you to your meal then." Eric was beginning to walk away when a familiar voice called out.

"Uncle Eric! Sorry I'm late," the woman said.

"It's fine, I didn't wait long, I was doing a little casting." The man pointed back at Mina and Rachel recognized the sullen figure sitting in the corner.

----

Mina waved awkwardly at the woman. She had just treated Secretary Kim's uncle as a pervert and she now felt totally embarrassed about it.

"Mina, I thought you left. Why are you eating alone?" Rachel looked at the untouched salad and saw her uncle's card next to it. "Oh, are you going to be in one of uncle's productions? He is the best when it comes to television advertisements." Mina let out a nervous laugh.

"Actually, I didn't accept it," Mina said.

"What?! Why not?" Rachel turned back to look at her uncle. "What kind of ad is it?" she asked the man.

"It's for contact lenses," he said nonchalantly. "I think your friend thought I was a scammer. I even told her she could bring her friends along," he said in a hurt tone. "I think your uncle's face has become creepy with age," he continued. Mina rolled her eyes at the performance as Rachel turned and patted her uncle's back sympathetically.

"Mina, we haven't known each other long, but can you just do this as a favor for me?" She asked. "I will come with you if you want." Mina was reminded of Adley in that moment and she was about to decline again when Rachel spoke. "I know what it is!" she said excitedly. "Uncle, she probably can't take off work. She is President Lee's personal assistant." Mina nodded vigorously.

"Yes, that is it. I don't have days off." Mr. Eric sighed.

"That is too bad then. Once I set eyes on a person for a role, it's hard for me to see someone else in it. I guess it can't be helped," he said. Mina was relieved that the man had given up, but Rachel spoke again.

"I know! Uncle Eric, President Lee owes me a tiny favor. When is the shooting? I can ask him to allow Mina and I a few days off around that time." Her uncle looked hopeful.

"The shoot is scheduled to begin in two weeks," he said. Mina suddenly felt like a third wheel in the conversation. Somehow, her decision was being negated by Rachel's.