''Fuck me! What the hell is this, Ana?''
''A cheque for your hard work. Someone bought my time for that today. I guess I'm still of a little value''
''Can you not leave the subject and object of what you are saying and explain things to me clearly?''
''Shiao came here and asked me to close the cafe so that we could talk. He gave me this cheque as compensation for the sales I would lose''
''Okay'' Jessy pulled a chair and sat across the counter and listened to Ana carefully.
''He asked me to not work with his brother but I refused so he told me he would give me the same benefits for free if I reject his mom's offer. I refused again and he left, quite angry. Then Lin Shen came so that we can sign the contract I made. But I will still have to go and meet with Mrs. Yu so that we can sign the working contract. The last thing is, I have to go and meet with Lin Shen at the club tonight so that I can write a few things down about his music and singing style and the catch is, Shiao might be there''
''Whoa! Ana, I left you for just half a day and you already experienced so many things? This cheque, is it real?''
''Yes, it is real. You wanted money for the café's renovation, right? You can use this''
''This is too much, Ana. I just need about $5000 for renovation, not $10000 dollars''
''Keep the rest for rainy days''
''Let's split 50/50''
''I don't want it. I have enough money on my own. Since you rejected my offer to help in renovating, you can use all of that. I don't need any money from Yu Shiao. Don't even think about sending anything to my account. If you do that I will really leave and you won't find me''
''Alright, you win. Thank you, best friend''
''That's the right attitude''
''But you are going to me the Yu bastard. What will you do?''
''I didn't breakdown like the last time when I saw him today. I think that's an improvement. I can definitely manage seeing his face. I just have to think more about the benefits and I will be good to go''
''That's true. Let's close and go home. I will make you enough broth to last for the entire time you will be there''
''Okay''
….
O2 Clubhouse.
Ana locked her car and looked at the club in front of her. This was becoming a regular place for her now.
Today, she wore a dark brown skims top with blue high waist jeans. She tugged the skims top in and wore a blue overcoat to cover the sleeveless skims top.
Ana tied her hair up in a simple bun and opted for her ground level flats shoes. She looked smart and beautiful in her outfit and she knew it.
Ana didn't dress to be noticed. Rather, she dressed so that she could fit in with the people there. She didn't want anyone looking at her in an odd way.
Walking towards the bouncer, Ana joined the queue and when it was her turn, the bouncer gave a polite smile and told her to go in. Ana was a little surprised but she thought that maybe, Lin Shen had told the bouncer about her so she didn't bother thinking too much about it.
Ana walked to the counter and sat down. Lin Shen had already taken the stage but he wasn't singing yet. He was adjusting the strings on his guitar. When he looked up and saw Ana, he waved his hand at her and Ana bowed.
Hwajie walked to Ana and placed a glass of plain water with lime across Ana and spoke, 'preordered for you by Lin Shen. Lime water''
''Thank you'' Ana said and smiled. Hwajie looked at her and commented.
''You are beautiful but if you let that hair down, you will look even more prettier''
''I like to keep my hair this way. Less stressful and easy to carry'' Ana explained with a polite smile.
''Hi, I am Hwajie. Boss Lin and I are the owners of this bar''
''Lin Shen owns this place?'' Ana asked with a look of surprise on her face. She turned to glance at Lin Shen before turning back to Hwajie.
''Yes. I am his senior back at high school''
''But I thought Lin Shen went to school outside?''
''Yes, we met there and found out we are from Xing City. We decided to become business partners''
''I see. Nice to meet you, I am Ana''
''Miss Ana, Boss Lin's new Manager. I know''
''Right, he must have told you about me''
''He did but don't worry, they were all good things. Since you are Boss Lin's Manager, I am also your friend''
''Okay'' Ana smiled, shaking Hwajie's hand.
''I hope you brought a book?''
''A book? For what?''
''You need to record the lyrics, the tempo, the singing style and everything. Boss Lin will ask you a lot of questions once this is over. You should be ready''
''Is all of that really necessary?''
''Of course, it is necessary. Boss Lin places emphases on his music. Until he believes he is perfect and ready, he won't release any music. You need to love music the way he does if you don't want to get into trouble with him''
''I… I thought it was enough to listen''
''I have a pen and paper here for you if you need it''
''No, I think I can memorize whatever he is going to say. I have a good memory, you know''
''Good for you. It took Shiao a month to get used to Boss Lin''
''Talking about me?'' Shiao walked over and asked. He took a seat right beside Ana at the counter, across Hwajie.
''Hwajie, are you gossiping about me?''
''Not at all. I was just explaining to Ana what she needed to do since she is now Boss Lin's manager''
''I see. Miss Ana, hi'' Shiao said after Hwajie excused them and went away.
''Hi, Mr. Yu'' Ana said and turned at once when she heard the melody coming from the guitar that Lin Shen had started playing.