[ Brandon: It's a secret skill. But maybe I'll reveal it after ;) ;) ;)... Just sayin'. ლ(´ڡ`ლ) ]
[ Elise: You wish! :@ Anyways what've you been up to lately? ]
[ Brandon: Been busy prepping for NOA's Opening Gala. ]
[ Elise: Wait, are you performing? That's exciting! ]
[ Brandon: Yup! I'll be holed up in the studio for the next few days, laying down tracks. ]
[ Elise: Aww, poor baby! Speaking of the gala, would you like to be my date? ]
[ Brandon: Are non-students allowed? ]
[ Elise: Oh, you seriously don't know? I finished my first year at NOA while you were MIA. I'm officially your 2nd-year senior now y'know =P ]
[ Brandon: My bad! And it'll be my honor to walk the red carpet with my ice queen <3. ]
[ Elise: Hmph! Just make sure you look worthy, or you're on your own! ! ]
[ Brandon: Oh yea, while we're on the topic of looking good, I heard you were in the jewelry business, I could use some custom pieces for my performances. ]
[ Elise: Jewelry? You? You're not… um, how do I put this… fruity, are you? :O ]
[ Brandon: What?! No way! ಠ╭╮ಠ I just need a grill, maybe a cuban chain to spice things up.]
[ Elise: ??? ]
Brandon's eyes widened in sudden realization.
He quickly pulled up a goggle on his phone, his fingers flying across the screen as he typed in [ grills ] and [ cuban chains ].
To his shock, the results showed nothing remotely close to what he was looking for.
Frowning, he tried [ men's jewelry ] instead. The screen filled with images of simple rings and watches, nothing like the flashy pieces he had in mind.
'What the hell?' Brandon muttered under his breath.
His mind raced as he processed this new information.
'The trend of men rocking bling doesn't exist in this world?'
A slow grin spread across his face as excitement bubbled up inside him.
'I could be the first to set this trend. Holy shit, this is huge!'
This wasn't just about trend—this was an opportunity to set himself apart, to redefine style and culture on his own terms.
A slow, confident grin spread across his face as the magnitude of this revelation hit him.
His fingers flew across the phone's keyboard as he fired off another text to Elise.
[ Brandon: Hey, I've got some amazing ideas I wanna discuss with you. Can we meet up soon? ]
[ Elise: I don't know what's goin' on in that head of yours but I'll bite, come have lunch with me at my office tomorrow at noon, ]
[ Brandon: See ya there, love. ]
[ Elise: Don't just throw that word round! ]
Brandon set his phone down, his mind still buzzing with excitement over his newfound idea.
He turned to Gordon, who stood nearby with his usual air of composed efficiency.
"Gordon, do you know where Elise's jewelry company is located?"
Gordon's eyebrow arched slightly, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Lady Elise Oppenheimer?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
Brandon nodded.
"Yeah, that's the one. I've got a meeting with her tomorrow at noon. Could you set it up for me?"
Gordon's smile widened a fraction.
"Of course, Young Master. I'll make all the necessary arrangements. May I inquire about the nature of this meeting? It's rather unusual for you to take an interest in jewelry."
Brandon leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Let's just say I've got some ideas that might shake things up a bit. But I'd rather keep it under wraps for now."
"As you wish, sir," Gordon replied, his expression betraying nothing more than polite interest. "I'll ensure everything is prepared for your meeting tomorrow. Is there anything else you require?"
"That's all for now, Gordon. Thanks," Brandon said, dismissing him with a nod.
"Hey Gordon, I think I'm gonna be pretty busy the next few days. Aside from that meeting with Elise tomorrow, I'll probably be cooped up in the studio recording. Why don't you take a break?"
Gordon's eyebrows raised slightly.
"I appreciate the consideration, Young Master, but I'm afraid that won't be possible. Part of my assignment is to report and evaluate your performance."
Brandon's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean, evaluate?"
"Allow me to clarify," Gordon said, his tone smooth and reassuring.
"It's not that I'm monitoring you, per se. This is a Blackstone Vanguard duty - to fully understand those we serve, to better and more effectively be of assistance in the future. Also, I have to keep tabs on your recovery. As such, I will remain with you. Just consider me a fly on the wall, if you will."
Brandon's frown deepened. He'd initially suggested the break out of concern for Gordon's age, but this new information gave him pause.
"So... you're gonna be watching everything I do? Reporting back to someone?"
Brandon's voice held an edge of unease.
Gordon shook his head.
"Not in the way you might think, sir. My observations are solely to improve my ability to serve you. The reports are confidential and used only within the Vanguard to refine our methods."
Brandon considered this for a moment, then sighed.
"Alright, I guess that makes sense. I just thought you might want some rest, given... well..."
"My age?" Gordon finished, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I assure you, Young Master, I'm quite capable of keeping up. Your consideration is appreciated, but unnecessary."
Brandon nodded, conceding the point.
"Fair enough. Just don't overdo it, okay?"
"Of course, sir," Gordon replied with a slight bow.
Brandon spent the next few hours immersing himself in the studio's cutting-edge equipment.
His fingers danced across the sleek surfaces of mixing boards and synthesizers, muscle memory from his past life kicking in.
The familiarity of creating music washed over him, each beat and melody a bridge between the life he once knew and the one he was carving out here.
Memories of late-night sessions in cramped studios, the smell of coffee and the glow of neon lights, filled his mind as his fingers danced across the mixing board. This was where he felt most alive, most himself—no matter the world, no matter the circumstances.
As the tracks began to take shape, Brandon's excitement grew. He added layer after layer, tweaking and adjusting until the sound was just right.
Once satisfied with the instrumental, Brandon would step into the recording booth.
Brandon lost himself in performance, pouring every ounce of passion and skill into each note.
He'd then head straight for the mixing board, fine-tuned the track, balance the vocals with the instrumentals until everything sounded perfect.
The hours flew by, and before he knew it, the sun had long set outside the studio…
'Hope NOA and this world's ready for what I've got in store for them!'