"How about enrolling for training?" The man who sat in front of Derek asked. "What do you think Sitar?"
Sitar smiled and nodded, he turned towards Derek. "You say Derek, what do you like to do with the offer?"
"The agency is abroad you will have to move eventually, can you do that?"
"Abroad?" Derek's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to grab. A once in life time chance. He took a deeo breath.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
Sitar and his friend William are prominent figures in the music industry which Derek had less knowledge about. When Sitar sent the demo of cover sing Derek sand to George his did not think twice but flew back to West Village to meet the boy himself. The voice was unique, heartfelt, emotional enough to reach the heart of the anyone. Forget the fandom he would have behind him. Derek looked like a promising star in George's eyes. Handsome, cute, stylish, perfect voice and kind. Sitar had already given the complete details of Derek and his life.
"About your mother?" George asked.
"She would never let me take the chance unless she feels this is safe and promising," he said.
"We are not saying that you will enroll has a trainee and wait for the opportunity and then get expelled. "Am offering you to be part of a band, where other four members are already chosen and going to train while we need one more," he said. Derek was shocked. "You will be one of the two main vocalists,"
Derek had no idea what to tell him. He knew one thing, he decided to accept and face the consequence later.
"But for the time being you cannot tell anyone about this, and you should stay away from all possible troubles from future, reputation is important you know it," Sitar instructed him.
"I know," Derek nodded.
"The debut may take longer than a year, and since you haven't graduated 10th grade yet, we will think about that inform you, but you cannot stop practicing everyday, I will send you a routine," George said.
"Yes sir," Derek agreed to it. "Please give me a week of time to contact you back with my decision," he said and got up.
"Yes no problem," George agreed to his request and smiled. Derek turned away and left the room.. "The boy is smart, he will survive idol life," Derek heard George making a comment about him. Derek was so excited. He took his back and ran outside to the bus stop. He took his phone out and texted his father. John called him back immediately.
"Pa, it's important. Do you have time?"
"Tell me, am on a break," he said. But he was lying. He was on his way to do partime in the restaurant.
"Do you know George, one who runs an entertainment company abroad?"
"I have heard about him, yes," John recalled.
"He came to meet me at the library today, he is Sitar's friends,"
"That's great,"
"Guess what happened?"
"What?"
"He offered me work, he asked be to become a vocalist in his upcoming band abroad, the members are almost settled, he asked me, I wi be the fifth member, he said he it will take an year or more but I will have to trian until then, I have to tell him about my decision before next week," Derek said in a single breath.
"What?" John was shocked.
"I know, I still can't believe this too, Sitar must have sent my cover to George that he came here to meet me personally,"
"Give me Sitar's number then, let me talk to him, I should know before I say anything,"
"Ofcourse yes, I will forward you," Derek said.
"Are you sure about this son? Is this what you really want for final? You cannot mess up or leave after you get in. Is this really your dream?" John asked Derek for confirmation.
"Yes pa, this is what I want. I know what I want, and not everyone will get this opportunity, this is huge I know, but I want this," Derek assured his father.
"I will look into it, I will search about it, we will decide only after that, nothing comes first before you safety," John told him. "I will call you later okay?" he said and hung up.
Derek walked above feeling extremely happy. But what awaited home was something he did not expect.
"Mom, am back," he said and opened the door, but inside the living room sat familiar faces.
"Derek," Min Ah rushed towards him. Her father was sitting on the sofa talking with his mother.
"Min Ah," he stood surprised. He smiled and greeted Tim.
Amy had served the tea and snack. "Papa let's go out for dinner," Min Ah suggested.
"Let's all go together then," Tim said.
"Am fine, you can take Derek with you," Amy rejected the offer.
Tim considered it and smiled looking at her. Min Ah was on cloud mine. "Go get ready," she said to Derek and sat next to his mother.
"Okay," he agreed and walked to his room. He took a quick shower. What he saw in Min Ah's place flashed before his eyes. Hearing her begging him to stop. He could not understand why a bold girl like her is scared of a man like that douche bag. He felt angry and frustrated. He felt awfully bad her. He decided to go easy on her and be her friend. He put on his clothes. He took his wallet and stepped out. He made up his mind to hide the news from everyone except Taaliyah. All the evening plans were spoiled but he decided to not care about it.
"I saw Taaliyah with her father on my way here on the road," Min Ah told him.
"Oh I see," he did not say anything further. He turned away and smiled thinking about their time together.
"What?" Min Ah asked him.
"Nothing," he ignored her.
"Pa let's watch a movie," she told her father who was driving and he agreed to it. Derek looked at Min Ah for a moment.
"What?" she asked again.
Derek shook his head. Min Ah smiled shyly. She felt a beginning of something between them.