22 Hold Him Tight - Can't Let Him Go

Both Shad and Jackie agreed to join in.

This was quite fortunate. Firstly, Anoi felt regretful that Jack died before realizing her talent for designing clothes. She also felt that she didn't treasure this girl enough.

Anoi'll never make up for her past life stupidity, but she can be smarted now. And secondly, Anoi knew that with Shadd as one of the co-founders, the company is bound to be successful.

"But," said Jackie, "why do you all of a sudden want to open a clothing company. Didn't you plan on studying quietly and finding a part-time job in some clothes store? I mean, wouldn't it be more safe to join an already existing company, instead of starting your own?"

"Not if you want to be the best." Anoi answered confidently.

Perhaps there was some advantage to working under THAT woman. Anoi gathered quite a bit of knowledge in all those years of working under her. And now was the perfect time to use that knowledge.

Anoi didn't fear that her sudden change will cause suspicions from her family and friends. Her friends were few, and she had no family. There's no need to pretend to be unambitious. No one would ever assume that she was reborn, so she will not waste any time to scheme. On the contrary, she will seize the moment when she is young.

So she said,

"I want to start now, when I am still young."

"But," wondered her friend, "wouldn't it be better of you gather more experience first?"

"Experience isn't gathered, it is made." Perhaps her logic was flawed, but such was her philosophy.

Shadd was more practical. Although he was still doubtful about the whole idea, he was fascinated by the outburst of goals and plans from the person in front of him.

"You piqued my interest. However," he added, "I will not invest much until I know how exactly you will make the company popular amongst the idols and others working in and entertainment industry."

Anoi expected this much from him, so she gladly explained.

"Shadd, if you were very poor and desperate for money, what would you do if a stranger suddenly handed you a large set of money?"

"I would praise them and think of them as my savior."

"Then, if later that person asked you of a favor, wouldn't you do your best to help that person?"

"As long as it doesn't interfere with my own ambitions, of course, I would help."

Anoi was satisfied.

"Following this logic, if we are able to find the future idols, who are assumingly struggling with paying debts for the, let's say, dance school, and if we give them money to pay off those debts, wouldn't they feel extremely grateful and also do their best to pay us back?"

Shadd flashed his eyes. Even a fool could understand this much. But where will they find those future idols.

"Do you have someone in mind?" he asked.

"I wouldn't propose the deal otherwise."

Though Shadd tiried to inquire who the future superstars were, and how in the world Anoi found out about them, he could clearly tell that those things won't be shared by Anoi.

When the man finally asked how Anoi can be so sure that her potential idols indeed succeed in the future and become real idols, she smiled.

"You have a lot of questions."

"It is because I will invest my share of money in the project. Of course I want to be sure that the project is successful," he said.

"Who said about investing?" Anoi asked cannily, "I merely want you to join."

She didn't want or need any money from Shadd. It would be enough if he just signed the paper and represented the company in public. His fashion talent will soon be discovered on an international scale, so even if he only joins the company on paper, this will be enough to promote it.

Her face stretched in a pleasant smile. How can she let go a money bag like him?