“So, he’s your dog?” Bobby asked, looking at the small golden brown dog that bared his teeth at Zeno.
Zeno nodded. “She, actually.”
“Maxie, say hi to them,” he said, poking her cheek. However, Maxie bit him quickly, causing Bobby and Moby to gasp in shock.
Zeno clicked his tongue and wiped his finger.
“You’re bleeding,” Bobby said, feeling scared.
“Do we have to go to the hospital?” Moby worriedly asked.
“It’s fine,” Zeno said, waving them off. “She’s vaccinated.”
Then, he tried placing Maxie on the chair next to him, but she barked and went between Bobby and Moby instead. The two of them froze, wondering what to do.
“It’s alright,” Zeno said. “She doesn’t bite anyone but me.”
They were even more confused. “Are you sure she’s yours?”
“Hmm,” Zeno nonchalantly nodded. “She almost died a week ago, but she’s alright now. She bit me again.”
Bobby awkwardly chuckled. “I can tell you have a very loving relationship,” he said, although he didn’t believe his own words. In reality, he just wanted to get on Zeno’s good side!
“So,” Moby started off. “Why did you come with us?”
Bobby nudged his shoulder, so Moby quickly took back his words. “I mean—are you truly interested in signing with our company?”
Zeno placed his hands on the table. “Tell me more about your company first.”
Bobby and Moby turned to each other. The two had matching sweaty asses. If they stood at that moment, they knew it would leave an imprint on the leather material of their seats.
Still, Bobby courageously spoke. “We are Dreamy Entertainment, an acting company based in South Korea. We were established 20 years ago, so we know a lot about how this industry works,” he started off.
“I have been in theater arts since I was in high school and have starred in multiple indie films and dramas since then. However, I never really got to become a great artist because of my mediocre looks.”
“You are not mediocre, sir. You are the best!” Moby said by his side, his stance filled with sincerity.
Bobby looked at him with grateful eyes before continuing. “So, after a ten-year-long career, I made my own company when I was 25. We have been running since then. We prioritize our artists over anything else, making us a one-of-a-kind company.”
Zeno shook his head. “I’m not interested in that. Who are your most notable artists?”
“Darren Chen,” Moby quickly chimed.
“There’s also Medusa Lee.”
“Oh, and Lover Boy 69. He’s a rapper actor. He passed away at a young age, though. Rest in peace,” Moby said, placing his hand over his heart before pointing up at the heavens.
“I think you should point here,” Bobby said, gesturing to the ground.
“Never heard of them, too,” Zeno whispered.
“How about films?” he asked. “What films have your artists starred in?”
“‘Wiper Man.’ He’s a hero whose superpower is wiping,” Moby smiled.
“That’s a good one,” Bobby noted. “There’s also Cheese My Cake, a story of a baker who learns that her cake can also be cheesed,” he winked.
Zeno narrowed his eyes. Still, he didn’t ask any more questions. In fact, he wasn’t too curious about that movie’s plot.
“And how can we forget about ‘Small Foot.’ It’s a mythology story, a spin-off on Big Foot,” Moby added.
“Odd,” Zeno couldn’t help but comment.
With that one word, Bobby and Moby became a bundle of nerves. Bobby also began feeling guilty about selling their company too well. So, before he knew it, he started pouring his heart out.
“Actually,” he said. “This company was born out of my own passion. I’ve had plenty of side jobs, and I’m also still working as a Customer Service Agent three times a week in order to pay for our small office’s rent.”
Moby sighed, feeling tears well up in his eyes. His boss was the best!
“The artists we’ve hired, we really placed their needs over anything else,” Moby added. “Sir Bobby believes that the more comfortable and free an artist is, the better they will perform.”
“However, in the end, we have been taken advantage of. One took off with all of our money, while another made us into their debt co-signer. It hasn’t been easy for us.”
“Then, why are you continuing?” Zeno asked.
“Because this is what I love doing,” Bobby muttered. “Even if it’s tiring, seeing our artists reach their dreams while supporting them is really fulfilling. We have tried recruiting more promising artists, but of course, who would want to sign with a company on the verge of going bankrupt?”
Zeno’s ears perked up after he said those words.
“So, you’re going to close soon?” Zeno asked.
“Of course, that’s not what we want,” Bobby sighed. “However, our debt is piling up, and our landlady is not as forgiving as before. Aside from that, we have three artists whom we still have to pay. If this continues, then…”
Bobby shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
“You should have said so from the beginning,” Zeno said, running his fingers through his hair.
Bobby and Moby looked down at their laps, feeling stupid for even trying to recruit a rising star like Zeno Han.
“When do I sign the contract?”
The two of them lifted their heads so fast that it appeared like it was going to snap.
“Moby, pinch me,” Bobby said in a tone of disbelief. “I think I just heard him ask for the contract.”
“Me too,” Moby said. The two of them took turns pinching each other.
Zeno clicked his tongue. “You’re not dreaming. When and where can I sign the contract?”
Bobby and Moby snapped out of their daze. Then, the two of them leaned closer toward Zeno.
“Are you serious?”
“I am,” Zeno said. “I do not back down on my words.”
It was still unbelievable.
“B—but why?” Bobby stammered.
A small smirk appeared on Zeno’s lips, rendering the two of them speechless. What a nice smirk he has! However, it was Zeno’s next statement that left them even more shocked.
“Because your company is exactly what I’m looking for.”