"Did you say Memphis Entertainment?"
"Yes, You must be shocked. I would like you to join my company. I understand that your contract with GK Entertainment is expiring in a month. I would like you to join our newly formed girl group, Vixen. Can you come in today for an audition?"
Hwang Nari was speechless, she quickly remembered her conversation with her cousin last night. Although it still seemed a little odd for a CEO to personally call a trainee just to recruit her especially since the final lineup of the group was already made public. She minimised the call and clicked on her phone's browser, she immediately searched for "the new CEO of Memphis entertainment" in one tab and on another tab she typed in the words, "Memphis Entertainment's new group Vixen".
just below the Vixen K-pop profile page at the top of the search results was a news article from Entertainment Daily titled "Korean's little sister Kang Danbi and Oh Mun-Hee leave Memphis entertainment and VIXEN for INSPIRE Entertainment".
She clicked on the article, which opened a second later on the official website of the Entertainment newspaper. The title was written boldly with the picture of the two trainees under the title, she quickly read through the article, paying close attention to the date the news of uploaded. The article was uploaded early this morning, she bit her lips eyes fixed on the flower bed ahead of her but her mind was far away.
'This is a good opportunity but this could be a scammer, it might not be the CEO of Memphis Entertainment but a con artist. I could get tricked..... on second thought, maybe I should just humour whoever this is. There is no harm undoing that', she nodded at that thought. A girl walking down the street gave her a strange look as she walked toward her, stepping aside as she got closer to Hwang Nari. She was so deep in thoughts that she didn't notice the girl's little action and instead returned the phone to her ears.
As expected, Kim Ae-ri called out to her a few times but she failed to respond.
"Miss Hwang! Nari! Hello, Miss Hwang. You are yet to give me an answer miss Hwang. Will, you be able to make it to Hongdae for a private audition"
"Yes!" she answered quickly before she changed her mind. "whe-when do you need me to come..... I mean, by what time do I come over?" she borough her hand to her lips, biting gently on the nail on her index finger.
"Are you close by? if not can you come over in an hour?"
"Yes! er I mean, yes I can!" she answered quickly.
"Please come to the company, I will text you the address. I am looking forward to meeting you"
"Yes, ma'am", she held the phone to her chest, smiling sheepishly for some seconds. Her previous fear of getting coned was far from her mind. She unlocked her phone immediately and tapped on the Kaokao app as her phone vibrated. CEO Kim already sent the company address, and Nari immediately sent a message into the team group chat informing the trainees waiting at the cafe that she had an emergency and won't be joining them. They asked her if it was something serious but she said that it wasn't, she just had to go take care of her cousin who caught a cold.
Chae-rin did catch a cold a few days back but is now recovering from the cold so it wasn't completely a lie. She took permission from their manager, who was also in the group chat. Her contract had nearly expired and since the company had no intention of extending her contract. There was no need to pay attention to her, he okayed her request.
Hwang Nari rushed back into the company, packed up her bags and left. She took a taxi instead of a bus back home, washed up and changed into a pair of blue fitted joggers, a matching blue crop top and white trainers. Her hair was packed up in a tight single braid, she put on a light make-up before leaving for Memphis Entertainment. Her speedy actions surprised Chae-rin who had come out to greet her as she walked into the house. She had opened her mouth to ask Hwang Nari why she was back early but shut her mouth as Hwang Nari gave her a half-hearted greeting right before closing her room door.
in the end, Chae-rin could only seat on the black leather couch and watch Hwang Nari scramble around for some minutes before leaving the apartment.
******
Memphis Entertainment
Hwang Nari paid the driver and got out of the taxi as the car stopped at the entrance of Memphis entertainment. Although not one of the top K-pop companies, Memphis Entertainment was doing very well. She remembered reading an online article that reported that the company had moved from their old building into a new building at Hongdae.
The new building was located at a great spot, it was approximately estimated to be worth 4.5 million dollars. Hwang Nari stood in front of the building and looked up to take in the sight before her. She took in a deep breath and let it out before stepping forward and walking through the glass doors of the company. She walked into a spacious lobby which was a blend of Champagne yellow and black, with smooth glossy champagne gold tiles and glossy black walls.
The ceiling was made of glossy champagne yellow glass ceiling planes, on both sides of the wall was a wide LED screen that displayed the company's active groups and artists. She walked to the receptionist's desk located at one end of the lobby. two beautiful ladies dressed in Champagne long-sleeved ruffled high necked blouse and a straight cut high rise black skirt. Their hair was packed in a tight bun at the back of their head, one of the receptionists looked up as she got closer.
"Hello, welcome to Memphis Entertainment. I am Hye-soo, how may I help you", the receptionist said with a polite smile.
"Hello, I am Hwang Nari. I have an appointment with Miss Kim Ae-RI", She said leaning slightly on the front desk.
"Hold on, please", The receptionist nodded and looked down at the computer in front of her.
'I hope I am not being scammed. it would be so embarrassing if I am sent back', Hwang Nari thought eyes locked on the landscape painting on the wall behind the receptionist's desk. She held a loose part of her trousers tightly, the receptionist next words calmed her speeding heart.
"Sorry for taking up your time, The CEO will meet you in conference room 3 on the 4th floor. Here is your visitor's Identity card", the receptionist pulled out a white identity cart with 'visitor' written boldly and handed it to her. "please wait a few minutes, Miss Shin will be here soon to take you up".