It had been a fortnight since that game of impressing the girls.
The band had released a new song yesterday and it was already a huge hit around the country. The 5 Emperors once again were on top of many major music charts. Of course, it was all thanks to their fans. After the release of the track, all left to do now were the promotions. Going on talk shows, performing live and arranging a fan meet.
Timo heard the same news again in the radio of his sedan. He was trying very hard to tune out the incessant chattering of the woman sitting beside him. She was going on talking about her upcoming TV appearance oblivious to the storm brewing beside on top of Timo's head.
On the other hand, Timo had no idea what had possessed him to ask her out on a date five days ago. In huge contrast to her make-up she was very shallow. She only talked about fashion and gossip. He suppressed the urge to hit her for the thirtieth time. It would suffice to say, he was extremely annoyed at himself.
Now as he thought about it, this was all the doing of Ray and Kai. Those two were worse than Mui and Vic when it came to playing pranks. They rarely did so but when it happened their target was sure to suffer hell.
This time Ray and Kai had both forced him into a bet which led to taking up this Barbie doll as his current girlfriend. Everything happened so quickly and before Timo could realise it he had fallen into their trap.
He could clearly imagine them rolling around the floor of the studio and laughing at his misfortune.
"Timo stop!!" The screeching sound brought Timo out of his small pity party. He quickly hit the breaks to bring the car to stop and glared at the woman sitting beside him. Sadly for him, she didn't notice it. She was busy gathering her things.
Not happy with the lack of response from her, his glare deepened. His sunglasses concealed the dark look in his eyes. "What happened Rumi?" He didn't mean it but his tone was a lot harsher than he intended it to be. But once again she didn't seem to notice it.
Instead, she smiled up at him happily. "I am getting down here baby. Did you forget?" She gave him one of her infamous cute little smiles.
Timo nodded glad to be rid of her. He couldn't take another round of which celebrity hooked up with whom. He had enough on his plate already.
But Rumi wasn't done yet. With one leg hanging out from the car she turned around to face him, "Will I see you tonight?" She asked him suggestively.
Even though she was shallow she was good to look at, with or without clothes. And he was definitely a man. Now it was clear how he was so easily tricked into Ray and Kai's plot. They really did know him well.
Timo cleared his throat once and averted his eyes from her face. "I will let you know." It was the code word for 'In your dreams.'
Rumi didn't seem to get his meaning and happily got down from the vehicle after throwing behind a cheerful, "Sure." Although her voice was cute her smile was nothing but suggestive.
Resisting the strong urge to hit his head on the steering wheel after she was out of sight, Timo started the engine and reached the studio without another apocalypse hitting him.
***
As soon as he entered the building, Timo was greeted by their manager Pete, who informed him about the change of plans. They together reached the producing area where whole team was waiting.
"What is the change, Pete?" Timo curiously asked on behalf of their group.
"Well, guys it's that instead of going on a variety shows to promote the new single, you guys are required to go to a school, meet some kids and sing some songs," Pete replied as normally as he could. The idea sounded somewhat ridiculous to him but he could not object to it. It was their young president's order.
"Are you serious Pete? How will that help with the promotions?" Ray blurted out the question which was plaguing all of their minds. Wouldn't some of their songs be age-inappropriate for the kids?
Pete knew this was going to come. He had tried telling his boss the same but he couldn't convince the big man. "Well, this would be good for your image guys. Only media personnel's approved by the company will be allowed to shoot it and kids will be very happy to have you there." He tried giving them a lame reason to pacify them.
Timo was definitely not convinced by his logic. "Are you sure Pete that our C.E.O. hasn't lost it yet?"
Pete shuddered. He knew Timo's character and didn't mind his query but it didn't mind the big boss would like it. "You know that I will not answer that question, Timo."
The group burst into laughter at his comment. They knew how hard he was trying to please both the sides. It wouldn't bode him good to offend either of them. Pete was really travelling in two boats at the same time.
"So we are going to school again?" Mui asked again to confirm the plans.
"Back to good old days." Vic rubbed his palms excited.
"Which school are we going to Pete?" Kai spoke after being silent all this while.
"Oakleaf Academy."
"When do we have to be there?"
"In 2 days." Pete fidgeted answering this particular question. How were the guys supposed to hold a mock show at a school in two days? It was as Timo said it earlier, their president had lost it.
"What?! Do we have to prepare a concert for kids in two days? We are not superheroes or magicians Pete!" Vic was the first one to burst out. Pete jumped a little but he was only carrying out the orders from the higher-ups.
"Yes Pete, I agree with Vic on this." Mui chimed in albeit more calmly.
"I know guys but Mr C.E.O finalized the dates." Pete tried to pacify the members- a somewhat futile attempt.
Kai sighed, "Guys this is not our first time so we can do it. Thank you, Pete, for informing us."
"Welcome, Kai. I will leave you guys to it then." And just like that he practically ran away from the war zone. He sure did feel immense gratitude towards Kai. He had secretly peaked at Ray's and Timo's faces and the situation didn't look so great.
He felt bad for leaving Kai to fend for himself but he was their leader and he could handle them right?
***
After Pete left the room, Ray turned on their leader. His face was filled with disbelief.
"We have only 2 damn days! Are you out of your mind?" Ray didn't sare his leader channelling his words with a sharp reprimanding tone.
It was nearly impossible to carry out this task and Kai went ahead to promise that they'll do it! He had become a loon after marriage.
"Last I checked it was all fine Ray," Kai replied patting his head in a flat tone. Panicking or arguing over the issue was not going to change things. "Now let's get on with the preparations, shall we?" He once again looked at all of them in the eye. The clock was ticking and their deadline was not going to become any longer.
Timo shrugged, they had managed just fine in many terrible situations. They could do this, "Aye! Aye! Captain." He gave a two-finger salute to Kai as a form of his assistance.
The rest of the team followed with groans and complaints to get their music ready for kids.
The plus point of the whole thing was that it was a high school and most students were teenagers thus their songs wouldn't be that inappropriate. But they still had to do some adjustments to their music.