Chapter 23 - Earn a living

"So, what do you say?" Jeff asked, his voice light, a winning smile playing on his lips.

Kai opened his mouth—but nothing came out.

He wanted to say yes. No, he wanted to scream yes. This was a dream opportunity, a fast track into the industry that most people would kill for. But the words refused to form, stuck somewhere in his throat like a lump of iron.

His fingers curled into his palm as unease slithered through him. He had spent years watching people rise through connections alone, getting ahead while others—people like him—struggled just to be seen. He had lived through the worst of it, had been trampled by it. And now, standing on the other side of that gate, all he had to do was step through.

So why did it feel wrong?

The silence stretched, thick and awkward. Jeff's smile dimmed, just slightly, and a small furrow appeared between his brows. "What's wrong, kid? You okay?" His voice was gentle, but there was an edge of concern beneath it.

Kai's pulse pounded in his ears. This could hurt Jeff's feelings. The old man had come to him with an open hand, offering him something huge—something people dreamed about. And here he was, hesitating like a fool.

Am I being ungrateful?

The thought coiled around his mind, tightening like a noose. It felt like he was in a no-win situation. Accept the deal, and he'd feel like a fraud. Reject it, and he'd disappoint someone who had done nothing but believe in him.

He inhaled sharply. Stop. Don't overthink it. He forced the spiral to slow, gripping onto that one thought like a lifeline.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"I'm really flattered, Jeff. Really. The fact that you'd offer me this—it means the world. It shows me how much you believe in me, and I can't even begin to express how amazing that feels. Having your idol—your mentor—say something like that? It's surreal."

Kai exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, his chest tightening. "But… getting a deal this way feels wrong. You know, since I was fourteen, no one's ever handed me anything. I had to fight for everything—every meal, every dollar, every bit of progress I made. I cooked, cleaned, scraped together every penny just to keep going. I clawed my way through adolescence." His voice softened. "And now, being given something this huge… just like that? It doesn't sit right with me."

Jeff opened his mouth to interject, but Kai cut him off gently.

"I know," he said, his tone steady. "I know I don't have to think that way anymore. I have you, I have the others, and I know I'm not alone. But a record deal? That's different. It's too important. I want to earn every percent of it. I want to go out there, unnoticed, unrecognized—prove to myself that I can make it on my own merit."

He swallowed. "Right now, if I take this deal, I might be taking it from someone who's been grinding for years, desperate for that one shot. Someone who deserves it just as much—maybe more—than I do. I can't do that. I won't."

Kai finally met Jeff's gaze, sincerity shining in his deep amethyst eyes. "Maybe I'm making a mistake, but I think it's the right one. And if I just ruined your mood by saying this… I'm really sorry."

A silence occupied in the room. Both it's occupants lost in their own thoughts. Finally Jeff initiated the conversation once again.

"I appreciate your candor kid. And I appreciate your straight forward thinking too. It's admirable how you want to carve your own path and make a name by yourself. Trust me, I did it on my own and I know that out of 100 people, only one or two can make the choice that you chose."

He lightly caressed Kai hair as he continued "I'm proud of you kid." Not being used to hear this from his grandfather figure, Kai blushed and felt a deep sense of warmth. 

"But how are you going to do it, then?" his mentor continued, his voice low but insistent. "I know how brutal this industry is. Hell, back in my day, it was already cutthroat. But now? It's even worse."

His glasses seemed to bore into Kai. "Every person who sets foot in LA wants to be somebody. Singers, entertainers—they're a dime a dozen in this city, let alone the whole damn country. I've seen brilliant artists waste years—decades—just trying to carve out a space for themselves, only to fade into obscurity. I don't want that for you. I don't want you to spend the next five years barely scraping by, fighting for crumbs when you have a feast laid out in front of you."

He sighed, his expression softening. "You're more than just my protégé, Kai. You're my grandson. And tell me—is it wrong for a grandfather to want to make life easier for his grandson?"

His voice cracked slightly at the end, the weight of his emotions bleeding through.

Kai swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "Of course not, Jeff." His voice was gentle yet firm. "You're not just my mentor. You're my family too."

He ran a hand through his hair before continuing, his words measured but laced with conviction.

"But ten years from now… when I look back, I don't want to think that I only got where I am because of you. You built your legacy with your own hands, with your talent. I need to do the same."

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "I know it's going to be tough. And if I ever really hit a wall, I know you'll be there for me. But I need to try. I've been on the wrong end of nepotism before, Jeff. I know how soul-crushing it is to watch someone else get ahead just because of their connections. I won't be the reason someone else feels that way."

Jeff sat there in silence for a moment, his weathered face unreadable.

Finally, he let out a quiet chuckle. "Damn kid… you're making it real hard to argue with you."

Kai smiled, but Jeff's next words came stronger, more resolute.

"I won't fight you on this. As your mentor, I respect the hell out of your decision. You've got the right mindset, and I know you'll do whatever it takes." He sighed, shaking his head. "But the grandfather in me? He hates it. Hates the thought of watching you struggle when I could make things easier."

His voice dropped slightly, rough with emotion. "You've got talent, Kai. I don't want to see it go to waste."

Kai hesitated, his mind racing for the right words. But Jeff didn't wait for him to respond.

"Two weeks."

Kai blinked. "What?"

"I'm giving you two weeks to figure it out," Jeff said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Do your research, talk to people, do whatever it takes. But at the end of those two weeks, I want a concrete plan from you—a real strategy on how you're going to put yourself out there."

Kai's chest tightened.

Jeff continued, "I know it's tough to break in. It always has been. But the difference now? The avenues are endless. Social media, streaming platforms, independent releases—there's more than one way to reach an audience. I need to know you understand that. If your plan makes sense, I'll back off and let you do things your way."

Kai exhaled in relief—

"But if it doesn't?" Jeff's voice sharpened. "Then you're signing with CWR. And I'm not just getting you a deal—I'll have you mentored by the best in the business. I'm not saying this as your mentor, but as your family."

Silence.

Kai just stared. Two weeks?

How the hell was he supposed to figure this out in two weeks? Social media was the obvious choice, but he barely used it. He had no audience, no engagement, no strategy. Sure, he could learn—but would that be enough to convince Jeff?

His mind churned, trying to form a plan, but before he could say anything—

A familiar noise interrupted his thoughts.

*DING*

[A compulsory quest has been activated]

[Quest - A Mentor's Care - Your mentor has given you 2 weeks to come up with ways to gain popularity and begin your journey as a star!]

[Quest objective - Impress Jeff]

Rewards - B-rank mental elixir, +1 level in any music related skill, 500 points

[Failure - -4 levels in singing ability, -2 levels in all musical instrumental skills, the S.T.A.R will become dormant for 10 days]

[This is a compulsory quest. The user cannot reject this]

'WHAT THE F*CK IS THIS?'