Strong and deep connections

Alice had already shot her part when Amy came back in. To her surprise, Alice was happily conversing with the other famous artists present there.

'Good for her if she makes contacts and networks', Amy thought.

Alice waved at her from among the crowd and Amy smiled back in response. Then, she walked up to her with a broad grin, "I did great!"

"Good", Amy's voice sounded dry.

Alice nodded with a broad smile and headed towards the dresser.

"You must be Alice's manager. Amy Keats, right?" Amy turned to where the voice came from. She saw that one of the famous artists had come up to her. He had distinct facial features, broad shoulders, chiseled muscles, and a great height. What more, it was Billy Stewart. Alice's idol.

"Yeah", Amy shook his hand.

"Well", he ran his hand through his brown hair, "I mean that she has a good voice. I know a director. This is my card", he held out a shiny blue card to Amy, "She can call if she wants. Maybe we can exchange numbers."

"Sure", Amy took the card from his hand, "No problem."

"Thank you", he quickly disappeared from the room. Amy concluded that this Billy guy was quite shy because he refused to maintain eye contact while speaking and was always glancing down. Did that behavior suite an artist who performs professionally?

Whatever. That was not her point of concern in any way.

...

20 minutes later

Alice walked out of her closet in her usual tee, ripped jeans and a pair of sneakers. She came and stood beside Amy, "Let's go."

"Yeah, sure", she led Alice out of the studio. Once they entered their minivan, Amy held out the blue card to Alice. Alice gave it a curious glance as she took it from her hand, "What is it?"

"Have a look", Amy grinned as the van started moving.

Alice squinted at her before she scrutinized the card. The name on it caught her attention.

She looked up at Amy, "Billy Stewart?"

Amy nodded with a knowing smile, "Yeah."

Alice was very happy as her eyes beamed like a million stars in the night sky. She called out in an excited voice, "Who gave you this?"

"Billy himself", Amy adjusted her position, "He said that he wanted to recommend you to a director. He even asked for your number. I gave it."

Alice tilted her head, "You gave it?", her head tilted more, "Just like that?"

"Yeah", Amy shrugged, "What's wrong with that? You know, in this industry, we need strong and deep connections."

"Hmm", Alice nodded somewhat absent-mindedly, "Okay."

The van took off towards the direction of the agency.

...

Z Entertainment

Inside a bright office. A man and a woman were conversing in low murmuring voices. The office was decorated with all kinds of office stuff.

"Are you sure? Do you want to be in the middle of scandals?" the woman wearing black tee, ripped jeans and black boots, sitting crossed legs on a chair, spoke.

"Yeah, why?" Billy Stewart spoke as he arranged the flowers on the side table.

"Being your manager, I guess, I should warn you", the lady spoke.

"I understand, Barbara", he turned to her, "After all, you are my manager."

"Being your manager doesn't mean that I will be able to rescue you or protect you from all kinds of scandals."

"Barb", Billy tilted his head, "Come on. Before any kind of scandal happens, I will announce the world."

"Announce what? That the Buds girl is..."

"Is my wife. That's it", Billy shrugged, "Problem solved. No scandals."

"I don't understand the way your brain works", Barb spoke as she stormed out of the room.

"Don't tell me that you have fallen for me!" Billy yelled back.