12 Chapter 12

Just who was Nathaniel Zhao? Kei Yun really wanted to see what type of man he was. After all he was now a model fully contracted under his company. Having a talk with your boss was a must.

What better way to do so then to visit the company himself. That afternoon Kei Yun stepped through the doors of Zhao Labels with his manager Li Jing in toe. Countless people threw curious glances their way. Deeply wondering why an unknown youth was by the side of their presidents assistant, as if he belonged there.

"Who is he?"

"Is he one of those kids from a renowned family?"

They had a lot of young models who would enter through the back door do to their family's having power and money. Those type of youngsters was almost always at the bottom of the barrel when it came to talent. And would only succeed because to their mommy and daddy had influence and connections.

"He seems familiar...."

"I might be wrong, but I think I saw him at the President's recent audition. There was a lot of ruckus some days back because of it."

"Oh yeah! I remember, the photographer didn't shut up about it."

"...So he's not one of those kids?"

"How would I know. Though it's obvious he's a new model. He's either in the mist of being signed or in the process of getting a contract."

"That's 'if', he hasn't been signed already."

One after another voices were whispered throughout the company. Some loud some low, but Kei Yun could practically hear them all. They talked about him as if he was invisible. A total disregard for his feelings. Not that he cared, but they didn't know that.

The classic syndrome of an animal in a zoo. He could handle it of course but it was one of many things he disliked about showbiz.

There was those who loved the attention and there was those who didn't. It was one of the many reasons he quit being infront of the camera early in his life. But Ming Yuan loved it, so he supported him from the side lines as a manager. Who would have thought it would be the cause of his death.

Life was truly unpredictable.

"Don't be so nervous." Li Jing advised.

"Nervous? What gave you that impression."

"Newbies are always nervous when surrounded by attention wanted and unwanted."

"I suppose. But I'm not your average newbie. There's nothing to be nervous about, they don't know me and I don't know them. If I stress over the small things how will I face the real problems."

"Very well said." Li Jing congratulated him as they walked off the elevator toward her office. She really just needed to give him his schedule. Kei wouldn't be meeting President Zhao again until tomorrow. Before then it was best to get Kei Yun situated and ready. She was now his manager after all.

"As my manager we should be familiar with one another. Call me Haru and I'll address you as Jie."

Li Jing was a bit cut off guard by the name, having never been called that by anyone before.

"You 'are' older then me right?" Kei asked jokingly.

"I am."

"Jei it is then." Kei Yun smiled as he was handed his schedule. [A/N: Jei means older sister.]

"You dare give another a nickname and not give me?" A pair of arms playfully wrapped themselves around Kei's waist. Without having to turn around Kei Yun knew exactly who it was just by their voice.

"Why are you here Liam?"

"The same reason why your here. Business." He gently rested his chin on top of Kei's shoulder, taking in the light scent of lemon shampoo. "I quickly stopped by to drop something off and just as I was leaving I happened to see you."

The youth in his arms began to struggle causing him to abruptly let go.

Kei Yun turned around and looked at Liam in question. "I thought you were busy."

"I was then I wasn't. " Liam shrugged in a playful manner that said 'what can I do?' As if he had no control over how his day went. "I was only busy for this morning. It's the afternoon now. Did you miss me?"

Kei shook his head no. In fact he secretly wished Liam was gone way longer.

"Ah, heartless as ever." Liam's smile became bigger as if the mere thought of Haru disliking him brought him happiness.

From the sidelines the snickers had seemed to have stopped. As they watched Kei and Liam interact with each other it felt as if they were eating dog food. No wonder why the younger could get close to Ms. Jing. He was related to the President's famous, overseas business partner, Liam Bryson.

Liam Bryson. Almost everyone there or who had heard of the him knew just what type of man he was, and what he dappled in.

He was a great business man collaborating and owning up to nearly 20 major companies at the young age of only 27 years old. Accomplishing twice as much than the average rich old man. Born with exceptional good looks and a silver spoon in his mouth since birth, he had been the people's heartthrob since he was young. Ranking 3rd every year on the world wide bachelors set. He had a reputation for his energetic and wild nature. There was no one who didn't want a taste of him.

Not when Liam was known to take both women and men to bed on a constant bases. Having new lovers on his arm every other week. He was notorious for being a genius entrepreneur, but he was also even known for being a playboy.

Seeing Kei Yun next to him only ment one thing to everyone. The people didn't say it out loud, they couldn't. But deep down inside they all knew what was going on. Liam wouldn't be the first.

There was tons of celebrities supported by high ranking officials who were nothing but there personal pets. Even Ming Yuan, the countries current popular star was supported in the beginning of his career by Boa Liu Zhang, another man with power. How else would he have had a jump start to the level he's at now. Ming had worked hard for the spot he's at now, but the man who ran the company he was under had a lot to do with it.

There was a lot of 'pets' and play things going around in the entertainment circle. But in the end, in this industry it was all about power.

They could gossip about an unknown artist that had no one remotely, backing them. But no one could dare gossip and point fingers at Ming Yuan. And it seemed that they couldn't do it with Kei Yun either.

Kei Yun could feel gazes around him suddenly shift and by the looks of it he could tell they weren't thinking anything good.

'Just great....'

Liam had up until now, completely ignored Li Jing's presence. Deciding to only acknowledge her now. "Your excused Li Jing, he'll be with me for the rest of the day." he said dismissively.

Li Jing only nodded, sparing Kei Yun a last glance before leaving the two to themselves.

"Wait-" Did Liam just dismiss his manager? Kei Yun threw the man a glare. "Why'd you do that? She might have needed me for something else."

"I need you for something else." Liam teasingly pointed out. "Right after I left here I was planning to come pick you up."

"For what?"

"Some very rich, influential people. Are throwing a well planned banquet this evening. And I'm expected to be there tonight."

Liam was continuously sticking to his word. He was truly giving Kei Yun all the opportunities he needed to move up the ladder.

"And you want me come with you."

Liam smiled dashingly the ends of his eyes curving up at the end. "This is why I like you. As always your quick to catch on."