“Let’s just move on.” Yue commanded, hoping to take some of Chris’ worry. “He’ll be back.”

  Chris looked at the remaining men. She took a deep breath.

  “And if he doesn’t return, then we don’t need him. So, I’ll introduce myself now. I’m Mark. I have graced this world and its ladies with my presence for twenty-two years.” Mark grinned. Lio grimaced. Yue listened intently.

  “My specialty is dancing, though my singing is great enough that I was chosen, along with the rest of you.”

  Just hearing Mark talk, Lio wondered if he’d made the right decision. He’d be forcing himself to put up with someone as irritating as Mark. Granted, that man taking all the women would stop them hounding him, to some degree, but could he actually enjoy it with a permanent annoyance? Or, did that not even matter? He’s already doing something he’s not terribly happy with, just for the money. This would be the same situation. Albeit, a better life choice, and not something that would get him in trouble.

  “Lio?”

  The man blinked and stopped daydreaming. The look on Chris’ face made him conclude that it wasn’t the first time she’d said his name.

  “My go? Alright. My name is Lio. I’m twenty-six. I’m new to this, but I won’t fail.”

  “New to this?” Chris interrupted, quickly flicking through the sheets in front of her. “I thought you’d said at the audition that you’ve being singing and performing since you were a child?”

  “I did.” He admitted.

  “You lied?” Mark questioned, upset by this revelation.

  “I did.” Lio nonchalantly responded.

  Yue frowned. “I understand how you feel, Mark, but he still beat a lot of men to be here, so he must have some ability.” He tried to reason.

  “He does.” Chris confirmed. “You’ll see. Though, I am disappointed that what you said was a lie. ...This group’s a mess already.”

  With one man walking out, another one lying about his past, the third man constantly talking about women, and the fourth protecting himself from betrayal and media speculations, Chris couldn’t figure out how they could get along. If they’d ever get along. They may have strong personalities, but it was more likely that they would push each other apart, not draw them together. They all wanted to be the best and be ahead of the others in their own ways.

  Whatever reason they all had for auditioning, it was something they wouldn’t back down from.

  Wanting to take herself away from her thoughts, Chris continued.

  “Finally, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Chris, and I’m twenty-five. I’ll be the manager of this group exclusively, so I won’t be distracted by anyone else. This is important, and it’s my first major chance.”

  She sighed, still a little worried about the departed.

  “Well, that’s it for the introductions. We should probably move on. Either he doesn’t return, and we’ll have wasted time by waiting, or…”

  Lio interrupted. “He’ll say that we should’ve started without him, and we’ll have wasted time again. We need to get a move on.” He urged. He wanted money from this as quick as.

  “Right.” Chris agreed. “So, next we can exhibit your talents and...”

  Her speech was cut off by a cheerful tune. So focused on what she was saying, it took her a couple of seconds to realise that her phone was ringing.

  Reaching into her pocket, she answered it without checking the caller.

  “Hello?”

  On the other end of the phone, chatter could be heard, then a clearer voice spoke out urgently.

  “What do you want?”