Sign The Project

"W-What do you mean by that?" Mr. Xie asked with doubts mixed in his voice. There was no way in hell that it was true.

He wanted to make the best film of his life that could encompass the beauty of movie and acting, art and literature in one frame. For that he went over thousands of candidates for choosing the male lead who would bring out the essence of the movie.

That person was none other than the current movie emperor, who sat in the highest place in the entertainments industry.

'Ryan Nicholas' was the only actor he deemed worthy of the movie he was going to make.

"I meant what I said by that. There is no other hidden meaning behind this." Ryan leaned back in his seat. With an apathetic face, as if he was not fazed by anything he added further. "I do not have time to play games of riddles with you senior."

Mr. Xie hurriedly picked up the file on the table that contained the information of Ryan, about his acting career.

With trembling fingers due to his old age combined with the bad feeling inside his heart he turned the pages to where the required data was written.

"It says your first ever movie was 'Hidden' and it's a blockbuster." He pointed at a dark poster where a man stood staring with his dark black eyes. It was a suspense psychological genre movie which was definitely not directed by him.

"So, you look at this and think that's the truth huh?" Ryan scoffed at the end. "You know and I know how fake the media is compared to the reality."

"This.." He took the poster from the file and stared at it for a little while before continuing. "This is what the public thinks is my debut movie."

"Jack." He extended his hand and Jack placed another film poster on his hand.

"This is my real debut movie. I think senior can recognize it." He handed the poster to Mr. Xie who calmly took the poster but the shaking hands clearly indicated his anxiety.

"T-This..."

Mr. Xie looked at the poster, his eyes widened in surprise. "You mean you were a part of the film crew then?" He could not believe what he saw.

In big golden words the title of the movie was written on a black background. A group of people in rags looking like victim of some sort of disaster or apocalypse were standing. Among the group of people in the far corner, a teenage boys stood.

That boy was none other than Ryan himself.

"I am still unable to believe this." Mr.Xie continued looking at the poster, his eyes showing excited, surprised and shocked emotions.

"Even if you don't, the truth is right in front of you." Ryan slowly spoke. "You once almost ruined my career and I have yet to forgive you."

"That was a grave sin on my part." Mr. Xie bowed down his head, unable to meet his eyes. He was always remorseful for deserting the movie but after meeting one of the victim of his stubbornness, he dived even deeper in the sea of guilt.

"How can I be sure that the same thing will not happen once again?"

"I—" The old man knitted his brows together.

"I can't guarantee that this will be the best movie of your life but I will make up for the past experience you had with me." Mr. Xie thought carefully as he spoke. "I will let you see the true beauty of a movie making."

"That's my only guarantee." Mr. Xie sighed inwardly. He tried his best but if he did not want to be part of it then the movie was as good as dead.

Preparing to leave, he got up from the seat gesturing the three people he brought with him to leave.

"I will accept this." Ryan finally spoke.

"I expected. But still thank you for agreeing to meet with us." Mr. Xie gave a sad look and was about to turn away when he felt as if he had missed something.

He looked at the three people he had brought, the manager who stood beside Ryan and Ryan himself who were looking at him weirdly.

"Ehhhh??" He looked at all of their face simultaneous.

"Pfftt.." A girl he had brought with him gave out a small laughter.

Taking the file from the table Ryan calmly opened the page where the contract was present.

"I said I would do it, Director." He signed the page even without looking at the terms and conditions. He did not even negotiate about the salary and payment.

"I like the movie and I have always respected and admired Senior's works." Ryan placed the contract on the table. " I am willing to see what kind of miracle you are going to show me."

Mr. Xie stood frozen on the spot. He did not believe after all that drama Ryan was willing to put his trust on him.

"Master.." A young boy whispered at him waking him awake from his thoughts.

"I will certainly make you satisfied with this movie." He took the contract and signed his name. "This time is going to be different."

"Who are these people?" Jack was the one to question the identity and existence of the three people in the room who were sitting obediently like a dummy in a showcase.

"These are the part of my filming crew, the selected best one." Mr. Xie spoke proudly.

"This is Lina, Saber and Han." He pointed simultaneously at the petite looking girl, a tall and bulky boy and a glass wearing boy who gave 'I am Nerd Vibe.'

"She is a makeup artist, the best I have ever seen." He introduced the girl. "Saber is the quickest man around who can do anything on a set…He is more reliable than he looks."

Pulling the silent boy in glasses he introduced him with a beaming face. "This boy here is the one who would carry on my legacy in future."

"He is the assistant director, a real talented fellow." Mr. Xie concluded with a smile on his face.

"This youngsters will definitely not disappoint you." He proudly spoke puffing his chest.

"I hope." Ryan did not speak much. "Jack, show them out the door."

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.

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After leaving them to the parking lot Jack returned back to the office to find Ryan resting on the couch, his eyes closed and hands rubbing his temple.

"Sir, you okay about joining this project? Err…." Jack wanted to say something but decided it was best not to considering the situation his boss was in.

He stood there looking at his boss.

"How long are you going to stare? What is it?" Ryan spoke without looking at him. All this time he had his eyes closed.

"Sir..uhmmm….Remember the agent I told you about…" Jack spoke slowly observing the expression on his face.

"Hmmm….continue.."

"That man has still not left. Should I send him back?" Jack looked at his exhausted boss feeling a little sorry.

"The one who said he had spotted an unbelievable potential?" Ryan opened his eyes and questioned Jack raising his eyebrow.

"Yes Sir." Jack replied swiftly.

"A rare talent huh??" Ryan felt like he had to go and see who was this rare talent. "Who is the agent? Is it Sherry??" Sherry was the top agent and first class manager of ST Entertainment.

"No s-Sir…It's an agent called Ash." Jack nervously answered.

"Ash?" Ryan raised his eye brow in a high arc. He even did not know they had an agent called Ash.

"He is a new agent and well….." Jack felt a little bad saying this but he had to anyway. "But the only artist under him transferred away him just yesterday."

"Oh…we have an interesting fellow." Ryan got up from his seat and walked towards a door that led to his office.

"Sir are you going to meet him?"

"Yes, might as well see what he has to offer." Ryan gave a low laugh and entered the room with Jack following behind him.

"Sir he is the----" Jack gestured towards the man who was sitting on the sofa but stopped abruptly halfway. The man lied sprawled on the sofa as if it was his comfy bed in home snoring as he smiled once in a while in his sleep.

"He must be dreaming something beautiful." Ryan looked at the man from top to bottom, his eyes landing on his feet. "Oh ho, interesting.." He watched the man rub his shoes on the cover of the sofa leaving stains and mud prints.

The man who was mysophobic as hell looked at the sleeping man with eyes burning with unprecedented anger.

"Heh…I wonder if he has someone just like himself on his mind?" Ryan smiled but his eyes had a dangerous glint.

The person in the question was happily enjoying the service given to her by Liam who was frowning as if he was the one in pain while he slowly wiped the scalded skin with a wet tissue.

"THIS IS TROUBLEEE….." Jack screamed looking at his boss.

The man called Ash was now good as dead. Not him but his career to be precisely.