Dominate Showbiz: Media Tycoon Discovered My Talent-Chapter 62: Emojis

[Warning: This Chapter contains Mention of Drug Abuse]

"Are you crazy, Karl Hanski?" She pressed a hand against his face, blocking those clear, yearning turquoise eyes.

"What’s the problem with that?" he frowned, pulling her hand off. "Didn’t I sleep at yours last night? You can stay at mine." There were plenty of bedrooms in his flat, and if she didn’t mind, he’d gladly have her in his arms just the way they’d woken up that morning.

Her face only darkened further. He wanted her to stay here and become his human pillow — and god knows what else? No way. She wiggled herself free and pushed him away at once. "Last night was you dozing off at my place. I didn’t invite you to stay. Plus, I prefer the comfort of my own bed. I’m going."

His frown deepened. A displeased sigh slipped out of him as he let her go completely, still pouting. "You’re so cold, birdie. You have my song and now you’re running away without taking responsibility."

"Why are you making it sound so weird now?" she snapped. "And stop with that pouting face. You’re not any better than me! You know damn well that pouty face of yours does things to people!" She quickly crawled off the couch, sprinted toward the door, and slammed it shut behind her before he could say another world.

Karl was stunned, still sitting dumbstruck on the couch at how fast she’d run away. The cold, final slam of the door felt like it could shatter his heart into pieces.

He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. A theatrical sigh escaped him. If God had at last created a little bird capable of capturing his heart, then why did she have to be so cruel and heartless? She didn’t even said good night or at least good bye. The thoughts only made him sulk harder.

He’d known she was trouble the moment he laid eyes on her in that meeting room. The way she’d dressed so unassumingly, the way she’d talked to him so carelessly. Never could he have predicted he’d one day end up this emotionally, sexually frustrated because of her.

He glanced down at the prominent bulge between his legs. His little guy was still refusing to calm down. Annoyed, he walked into the bathroom and took out a small white bottle carefully hidden behind the mirror.

Ever since the police had launched an investigation into Simo Isota and his drug activities in S Country, getting new stuff had become way harder than usual. Most of his contacts had disappeared or refused to deliver to a highly secured place like KE campus, so he’d inevitably had to reduce his usage.

Luckily, some fellow artists had referred him to a guy called "J", who could deliver orders right onto KE grounds. How that J guy managed to do that, Karl had no idea.

Whenever he called, that punk would drop the order in the old mailbox no one used anymore in the building where newbies now took modeling and acting lessons. Karl just had to come pick it up.

Eyeing the bottle wearily, Karl opened the cap and took out a pill. It was round and smaller than the button on his shirt. He’d never wanted it in the first place, but it helped with all the pent-up rage and frustration over the years. Now that that crazy little birdie was in his life, would it be possible for him to stop relying on this disgusting thing anytime soon?

Walking back to the living room, he swallowed the pill in one go and threw himself onto the black couch.

The effect would kick in within ten minutes, and once it did, maybe this uncomfortable feeling called loneliness would finally go away, and her hauntingly nostalgic voice would return to his mind, singing sweetly to him the melodies he could recall without effort.

Over Room 1 on the 20th floor, Kaija slammed the door shut behind her with relief, still panting from the sprint. She’d taken the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, just in case Karl decided to chase after her.

She’d imagined all sorts of scenarios before going to Karl’s room, but never once had she expected the evening to turn out like that. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the couch and pulled out her phone.

Now that she had Karl’s song, it was time to record it with Antony and plan the performance with Dani as quickly and efficiently as possible. She needed to let Antony know first.

Kaikai: "Instructor! Karl showed me the song. When can we start recording?"

Cranky Antony: "ASAP. To be safe, let’s record at late hours this time. Come to the Production building at 11 PM tomorrow." *smiling face with sunglasses*

Kaikai: "Sounds good. Hope I can still sing well around those hours."

Cranky Antony: "Get used to it. You’ll have to perform late at night after you debut anyway." *neutral face*

Kaikai: "Alright alright. 11 it is. I’ll be discreet this time. See you tomorrow morning."

Cranky Antony: "Wait."

Cranky Antony: "Are you still at Karl’s place?" *face with raised eyebrow*

She frowned. Why would Antony even ask that?

Kaikai: "Nope. I’m at my place."

Cranky Antony: "Did that punk follow you to your place?" *face with raised eyebrow*

Kaikai: "Nope. I’m all alone."

Cranky Antony: "Good." *thumbs-up*

Cranky Antony: "Now sleep." *sleeping face*

Antony’s status dot went grey.

"If only Antony in person was as expressive as when he texted, then my life would be so much easier," she muttered, tossing her phone aside. Maybe she really should communicate with him solely via text from now on, purely because of his excessive use of emojis.

The next evening, she showed up at Antony’s office at 11 PM in her full black stalker outfit.

She hadn’t worn it since that time she spied on Niklas and Marja, but given how discreet tonight’s mission was, she had to pull it on again. Even her light honey blonde hair was tied up and tucked neatly inside a black wool beanie. No one better pick up on her presence tonight.

Upon seeing her, Antony’s face twitched slightly. "You don’t really have to do that, you know? We’re only recording in the booth, and the soundproofing is solid."

"Sorry, Instructor, but I have trust issues now," she said, hands spread in a helpless gesture. "Better be safe than sorry. This is my last shot."

"If you say so, dummy," he shrugged. "Now let’s go, we have no time left to waste. Besides..." His mouth curved into a faint smirk as he led her out of his office. "I’m honestly curious what kind of song that punk picked for you."