Chapter 395: How Much?

Afraid she would be sued for damaging the drums she had just dropped, Mina laid on the ground pretending to be hurt, but the person who came into the room did not even check to see if she was all right. The man sauntered over to her and he nudged her with his shoe, trying to elicit a reaction. When she did not respond he nudged her again, this time with more force and Mina winced.

"What were you doing in here?" the man asked. Mina tried to appear pitiful, but the person looking down at her did not seem to care. "I wonder what my son sees in you." Mina jumped up from where she was and brushed her clothing off. She gave a nervous bow and chuckled as she tried to rearrange the pieces of the drums she had knocked over.

"I will pay for any damages," she offered, feeling as though she had embarrassed herself beyond recovery. Mina studied the man's face and saw nothing that resembled Cylus, but then again, she did not favor any of her parents. "Are you Mr. Cylus' father?" She asked, wanting to make sure that she was assuming correctly.

"Enough small talk. Get this cleaned up while I ready the microphones." If the man was indeed Cylus' father, Mina found herself wondering where Cylus had received his laid-back nature, because so far, neither parent seemed approachable. Not even Madam Rue, who Mina was sure respected her a little.

"Sir, I have little experience in a sound studio. I have only played piano in a recording booth for graduation requirements." The man looked Mina up and down, thinking she was trying to win him over with her words. He had not attended the charity event where Mina played the piano, but he had heard about it from his wife.

"We are here to record your vocals for another artist to follow. If I need a pianist, I will consider you, but for now; do as I ask." Mina raised both eyebrows. The man before her had just told her off, but he had done it in a way that was so eloquent that she could not even be offended. Still, She did not like to be looked down upon.

"My apologies sir," she replied, readying herself to fire back the next time he tried her.

Mina took her time picking up the mess she made, unaware that she was being watched. She carefully inspected the parts that had fallen and while she could not see any visible damage, she was aware that small scratches and cracks could change a percussion instrument's sound dramatically.

"Are you done?" The man spoke through a loudspeaker in the room.

"I do believe I am," Mina replied through gritted teeth. She composed herself and stood behind the microphone. She was no recording expert, but she could clearly tell which pieces of equipment she needed to use. She put on the headset and waited for her cue.

"Do you have the lyrics with you?" The man asked. He had seen the lyrics sheet outside of the booth and knew she did not, but Mina was unfazed by his subtle rebuke.

"As I am sure you can see, the lyrics are with you." Mina did not need the word, she had read them and memorized them, all she needed was the melody to put them in.

Music began to play in Mina's ears, and she found herself glaring at the unnamed man. The volume was too loud and was breaking her concentration, and somehow, she knew he was doing it on purpose. Mina nudged the headset, shifting it off her ears just enough to reduce the intensity of the sound, and the man outside of the booth smiled.

Mina listened to the melody of the music and found it to be all wrong. It was too fast, and she looked over to the man working the controls, wondering if he were testing her or bullying her. Not wanting to admit defeat, Mina cleared her throat to show the man that she was ready to start. The fast pace music began to play from the beginning, and Mina somehow managed to make the lyrics work.

"Who are you?" The man asked, not believing that Mina was some random woman his wife had pulled in by chance.

"Sir, I am here to record my vocals for another artist to follow. If I feel the need for introductions, I will consider it, but for now…" The man behind the controls smiled and nodded at Mina. He had been told by his wife's assistant that the woman Cylus had been spending time with had a hidden agenda, but so far, she did not behave like a woman who was desperate to please.

"What do you want from my son?" the man asked, and Mina removed the headset. She had no intention to argue with a friend's parent nor did she have to.

"I think there has been a misunderstanding. I should probably leave."

"How much do you want to stay away from him?" Mina had been offered money in the same way in the past. It hurt then, and it hurt now. First it was Paul's mother, and now it was Cylus' father.

"No need," Mina replied emotionlessly. "I will cut ties with your son, but we have a prior agreement that I cannot get out of. After this weekend, I will ask to have my contract with Rouge Entertainment cancelled. I trust you will make the arrangements in waiving the fee." Mina did not wait for a reply before she attempted to leave, but Cylus' father called her back.

"It's not very professional of you to walk out on a job." Mina gritted her teeth. As much as she hated to admit it, the man was correct. She was a paid employee under Rouge Entertainment.

"It's also rude to accuse someone without facts, and because you are my friend's father, I do not want to get into a petty argument with you. Your wife also thought I was chasing after Cylus, but I can assure you that I am not. I like your son as a person, but he and I are incompatible."

"Vincent Rue," The man finally said, his hand extended.

"Is that a peace offering or an admission of guilt?" Mina asked, making the man smile.

"You will have to forgive me. My son has had lots of female attention over the years, and none of it has been genuine." Mina got the feeling that the man was specifically referring to Miss Lisa, but she could not be sure and did not want to ask.

"Your son is a good man; very kind and very friendly," Mina said, once again earning a smile.

"Does it bother you?" he asked, trying to pick up a hint of jealousy that would give the woman away.

"I just wish he could find someone who appreciates him the way he deserves to be appreciated, but that person is not me." Mina knew the man was still suspecting her, and she could not blame him. Cylus was rich and handsome; for most women he was a catch, but to Mina, he was a replica of her father.

"Okay, enough bickering. Let's get back to work." Mina scrunched up her face before replying.

"Did you speed up the music on purpose?" She asked.