Chapter Three: Converging Paths

"Hello, Sir Cedric?" Sophia, his editor, called.

Cedric instinctively straightened his posture and responded, "Hello?"

If it is about his new book, he's not ready to give any positive news yet. Cedric felt a weak sense of crisis.

"I apologize for suddenly calling at this time. Are you busy?" Sophia sounded really, really careful at this moment.

It seems like he's not the one having a crisis right now, but his dear editor.

"I'm into something now, but what is going on?"

Sophia's gasp was audible from the other end.

"The thing is, Sir Cedric…" And so, she explained their current predicament.

As it turns out, SDC, the well-known television network, is discussing the sale of adaptation rights of one of their most popular dramas from last year with a public TV network in Japan. The talk was almost sealed with both parties' signatures and dragged to the ditch due to the recent controversy of the drama's leading actor.

"The main actor was caught in a bullying scandal, but this is not just a typical bullying issue that happened in the school and mainly verbal accusations."

It is a workplace bullying that happened just recently.

"A video of an assault that happened in the set of the said drama is circulating online, and the leading man's face was clearly recorded as the perpetrator. The production hid the incident for fear that their drama would be ruined once it got out. That's why the entire cast and staff of the drama are under fire right now. The local and international fans are rallying on social media to remove the series from all video streaming sites."

Cedric feels terrible for the victim of the assault, but he can't stop himself from asking. "I believe your purpose in calling me is not just to inform me about this latest news, right?"

He may be inactive on social media but watches the news daily. An issue of that caliber will surely make it to late-night news.

This time, Sophia's tone shifted. It sounded a little excited and restrained at the same time.

"Since their first choice was impossible due to the issue, the producer from Japan decided to turn to their second choice, which is the, "Love me so it won't hurt."

Cedric almost dropped his phone. That is his third book, which became a drama series and aired two years ago! Unlike the drama that is currently getting bashed in social media, it didn't set a craze among the public, but it had a good, stable rating and a considerable buzz, thanks to the fans of the original book. 

"Wait, are they sure they wanted to do an adaptation of that story?" Cedric is slightly in disbelief.

"Yes!" Sophia could no longer control her emotions. Her intonation rises to the ceiling!

"Which brings me, Sir. Cedric. Can you go to the publishing office immediately? Let's discuss the possibility of re-adaptation of your novel with the executives. The producer said they love your story and wanted to stick with the original materials. However, for a few tweaks to fit their local audience, they wanted to discuss it with you."

Cedric becomes even more satisfied with the words he's hearing.

Turns out that even though he's struggling with writing his new book and his love life sucks, his career is still booming!

Cedric's smile stretches from ear to ear.

"Of course, I will immediately head there," he said, standing up.

Sophia politely said goodbye while expressing her excitement about their new endeavor.

Cedric checked for time. It is already one-thirty.

Just in time, Mr. Kang entered the office and faced him with an apologetic smile.

"I apologize for the long wait, Mr. Lim. They are on their way now."

Cedric lightheartedly dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

"It's fine. I also need to apologize as something suddenly came up, so I will leave most of the matters to you. Is it okay if I sign the contract now? I need to attend another meeting now."

Mr. Kang quickly went to the table and took out the contract he prepared. "Of course! Of course! Here you go."

Cedric took the papers with a smile and signed them after making sure that the essential details were correct.

"It seems like something good happened. Mr. Lim has the aura of wealth around him," The broker joked.

Cedric laughed. "Money is just secondary, but indeed, something good happened. Oh!" He took out his wallet and pulled one of his calling cards. "Please give this to the new tenant. This is my updated calling card. If they need something or spot problems when moving in, tell them they can contact me using that number."

He worries that his future tenant will think he's a scammer now that he did not personally sign the papers before them. A little reassurance that he's legit, he gave his professional calling card.

Mr. Kang gladly took the signed papers and calling card and promised to take care of it.

Cedric bid his bye and left the agency with clouds circling his feet.

He is oblivious to the admiring looks shooting his back.

"That is Mr. Lim, who owns several properties around the city, right? Daebak! Is he a former idol trainee? He looks so good!"

"Smells good, too! I wonder what his perfume is?"

"Boss!" One broker called Mr. Kang. "Is Mr. Lim married?"

"No? I think he's more focused on his work." The fifty-year-old owner said.

The young single brokers around looked even more attentive now.

"Oh? What work?"

"Writer, I think." Mr. Kang said, slightly uncertain. "Okay, enough. It is not right to be nosy about our client's background. Mr. Lim is a good man and one of our best clients. Therefore, I expect everyone to treat him well whenever you see him drop by our agency."

"Yes!" The brokers understood what he meant. Aside from being one of their wealthy clients, Cedric Lim is totally unlike other standoffish landlords. He's a precious, kind, wealthy boss.

"I think I'm in love!" One lady broker whispered with a giggle.

Mr. Kang hadn't left to return to his office when suddenly, the front door of their agency swung open, welcoming two new visitors.

"Oh! You're back!" Mr. Kang's eyes shone bright at the sight of the newcomers.

Actually, not only the old broker's eyes are shining, but also the eyes of everyone inside.

One after another, handsome men are entering their business!

"I'm so sorry for the delay," Victor Im apologized to Mr. Kang, not bothered by the looks they were receiving. "We got stuck looking for his ID. My nephew misplaced it. Is it okay if we provide an old high school ID as proof of his identity? He looked a bit different from before."

"Absolutely! Old ID is okay," Mr. Kang immediately said, taking the old vinyl ID from the other young man.

He took a look at it and couldn't help but be surprised. "What do you mean you look different? Your complexion only got whiter, but everything looks the same. What a handsome young man! What is your name again?"

The young man accompanying Victor smiled coyly, revealing his boyish charm. "Dylan Kim."

As if enchanted, Mr. Kim and the other stood staring, gaping shamelessly in front of the two handsome men.

Victor realized the undercurrent of what was going on, so he nudged Dylan, who was beside him.

"Exercise control. We've been working on this for years. Don't tell me you're failing now?" Victor whispered so silently no one could hear it but Dylan.

"I just slipped, sorry," Dylan said before withdrawing his gaze. Only then did the others get out of their trance.

"I—" Mr. Kang started off after regaining himself. He's a bit flustered since he's clueless about what occurred to him when he was staring at his clients.

Granted. The two men are handsome. However, he's not attracted to fellow males! He's happily married with kids and grandkids!

"Let's continue the conversation inside your office, Mr. Kang?" Victor helped the tongue-tied broker.

"Of course! Let us—" Mr. Kang is flustered as he guides the men inside his office.

He remembered something important only when he noticed someone missing from the room.

"Oh, the apartment owner had to leave before you because something urgent came up on his end. But don't worry, the papers have been signed. If you don't have any problems or concerns, you can sign the contract right now and move to the apartment based on your chosen schedule."

"Hmmm. Can we negotiate for the price of the rent?" Dylan playfully asked.

"Huh?" Mr. Kang was, again, tongue-tied. Even if he wants to, he can't! His commission will suffer, and worse, the lump sum is not enough to cover the entire duration of the lease!

"No, there's no need to do that." Since Victor would pay for the downpayment and the "guardian," his name is the one written on the lease. He immediately took the contract, signed it, and wired the money to the account.

Just like that, Dylan's playful request was trashed. His mischief was over.

Mr. Kang breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you so much for doing business with us," the broker smiled genuinely this time. Then, he remembered something and took the calling card out of his pocket.

"By the way, this is your landlord's contact information. You are free to contact them if you have any concerns or questions. Mr. Lim is a good man and very easy to talk to."

An imperceptible emotion flashed in Dylan's eyes upon hearing the landlord's last name. Under Victor's pressing gaze, he politely took the card with both hands.

His eyes, pushed by curiosity, stared at the calling card hard.

And he was shocked. His hands holding it shook a little.

The playfulness in his air was gone, replaced by a nervous smile.

"Say, is it possible to move in earlier?" Dylan asked.