Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code II

Nine

"Nine, you've never handled an artist that is both a model and an actor, right?", the sudden question from my senior caught my interest.

"Yes, P'. Why? A newbie coming in? I thought the boss said that new recruitment is on hold until next year?", I was a bit confused.

"I guess this one must have caught his interest somehow...P'Na told me, that he's scouted at the airport, helped the boss when there's a language barrier to explain to the officers that checked the travel documents".

"You've seen him, P'?", I asked just out of curiosity.

"Sort of, not exactly talked with, but I saw him went out from the boss's room, right after the standard initial discussion about the contract terms, hmm, about two weeks ago, I guess".

"Oh...". Two weeks ago...the arrested moment that I tried hard to forget, once again played on my mind.

"Don't just 'oh', Nine. Congratulations, you're his manager".

"What? Isn't it, a multitalent is under Nong Cha?", I was dumbfounded.

"Ah, you're out of the office in these two weeks. Nong Cha have to leave the company, his father is sick, so he chose to take care of him fully. They decided then, that he would be placed under your care. Hey, if you're not the manager, why would I waste my time gossiping about him with you", the senior winked and tapped my back, "I'm just the messenger. Go and take his profile from the HR, your meeting would be on...in just an hour from now".

****

I drummed my fingers restlessly on the discussion room table. The profile that I'd read and reread caused me to be anxious, not just because of his outstanding background, but because his pictures that must have been taken by the photography team two weeks ago, made me felt confused and also alert. So, was that a test that he played around, some acting homework that I heard was common among new actors in this company?. I shook my head to clear my confusion. He would be here in a minute, and hopefully would give me the answer that I need.

The knocks on the door, and the familiar face entered the room. He looked polish and well dressed. Looking at his resume alone, he really didn't need this job to move ahead in life, so this must be just a phase of freedom, or a pastime. Gone was the seriousness, and instead this one gave a delightfully pleasant attitude.

"Are you kidding with me right now?", without preamble, I just blurted out things that actually supposed to be only said in my head. But, I didn't take too well to be fooled.

"Excuse me?", his hand that he reached out to shake mine, was left hanging. I crossed my arms on my chest, a simmering dark mood showed clearly on my face.

"So, which one is the real you? The serious, dark type; or this polished charmer in front of me now?", my voice was a bit cold.

"Well, I heard that people thought I am cold and serious, this brows are God's given, so there's nothing I could do about it. Since we only just met, now, and you said I exude a polished charm, then, excuse me if I am a bit befuddle as to what caused you to be irritated with me so easily...the staff that sent me here, talk highly of you as the "it" manager among the newbies...so, correct me if I'm wrong, but as of now, that fact put me in a wonder".

"Stop with your high class act. Just answer my question directly. So, I would know how to deal with you and also to develop your actor's persona, for marketing purposes".

"Wow, am I an object? I thought manager supposed to handle people, but, let just say, I feel so downgraded right now, maybe less than this damn table...", he raised his brows and smirked. That smirk, it did both; berating me and also hiding his budding anger too.

I took a deep breath. Not ten minutes into the first meeting, I'd be sent into the boss's office if this continues.

"Why did you ignore me when you were here two weeks ago, yet now I could see not only you have a voice, but also a loud opinion, too?", I asked after feeling a little bit calm.

"I'm sorry, but to be honest, I felt liked I'm dealing with a berserk manager that put my mind circling in confusion. I was called to see Mr. Ta, and if I was not mistaken, one of your senior manager was there too. After that, he brought me directly for a photoshoot at another floor. If you called for me, and I didn't hear them, then forgive me".

"Mr. Archen...", I said with gritted teeth. "Joong...", he interrupted, so, I started again, "Joong...we...I meant, I talked to you, face to face, liked right now. If that was not enough to be heard or seen, I must be talking to a statue, then!"

Joong laughed loudly. I could sense that it was not due to my statements; but more towards the situation that we were in.

"Sorry, I am this close to think you are a wee bit crazy... ", he said, suddenly cold.

"And, you think I don't think the same of you? Get out of your character, act, pretense or whatever; show me yourself, then I could be civil".

"My God! Nine, right? Could we just start at zero? If this, you said, I said, goes on, we would go out from this room with a full fledge fight!".

I looked at Joong with a little unsettled feeling. Joong looked at me, waiting for a decision. When I kept quiet, he took a deep breath.

"Though your attitude towards me is something that I still can't fathom, take my word that I'm willing to work with you for a reason that I also couldn't put a name to. Maybe, it's a gamble, maybe because I liked a challenge, but just so you know, I'm not taking any shit just because I relented this time", and he stood up to go out from the room.

"I'll ask for HR to pair you up with another manager, that could be arranged, maybe, it's the best solution for us", my words caused him to turn around, looking at me with a fiery eyes.

"Do that, and I'll quit, definitely. I have yet to sign the contract".

"What do you want, then? To work with this 'mad hatter'?"

"No, to work with that highly praised manager, Nine, whom I couldn't picture because of this anger that is eating me right now. Call me, when your feeling has settled, and state your decision too. Only then, I'll make mine".

With that final words, he left me alone, thinking to myself that indeed, I might have lose it, a bit. I buried my face on my arms on the table, grunted in exasperation because I was still not getting the answer that I searched for, about the truth of two weeks ago.