Read Fame, Glamor, and Control [Short Story]|Anchor Towns Tales #0.5 :: Ch 7: Good Deal ( MARK)

CONTENT WARNING: Strong language

The car trip to Roxanna’s apartment was going to be a long one. I grabbed a bottle of wine, then popped it out to pour it in a glass. While sipping my fine wine, my mind drifted off to feel nostalgic about the past. I looked out the window to let my mind wander while watching the scenery from outside change……

“Remember, Mark, don’t fall for any of his tricks… Okay?” A brunette haired man, wearing an orange plaid shirt and ripped jeans, grabbed me by the shoulders.

I laughed at my “friend,” Jasper, “Seriously, you really think that I would be that dumb to fall for any of this dude? Tricks…”

“Come on, Mark. Be serious. You can’t trust Mr. Travolo.” Another “friend”, Millie said, standing alongside me while another young brunette man was leaning up against the wall. Gazing up and down, that drug-addicted raven haired bitch didn’t get wasted for once. I rolled my eyes at my three bandmates, then saw the door swing open. Waving back at the group, it was time for me to take a step into the office of Mr. Nico Travolo….

“Hello”, Nico Travolo offered a handshake to me, greeting me when entering the room. “So, you must be Mark Cross? Why don’t you take a seat?" The business executive giving the biggest smirk on his face.

“Mark Kestrel.” I corrected him, making my way to a brown leather armchair near a black desk.

“Oh, Oh, of course. My mistake, Mr. Kestrel” Nico hurried over to his desk to take his seat.

My eyes focused on the man as the conversation went silent between us. I took a brief look over at the large sky view windows to see the tall city skyscrapers. I couldn’t believe how high this building was! It just takes my breath away to see a view like this. If only my shit hometown, Clare Point View, was outstanding like this! Snapping out of my daydream, I focused back on Nico, who was still waiting for me to say something.

“So then, is there something that you wanted to see me, Mr. Travolo?” I asked the business executive.

Watching Nico rubbing his chin, he leaned over back in his poised position, then answered, “Yes, I want to know what your secret is to your success, Mr. Kestrel.”

That question caught me off guard! My eyes blinked fast for a minute while grabbing a cup of water from his desk. I told him, “I don’t know what you mean, sir,”

“You know what I mean, boy! I KNOW that you have done something dirty to yourself to be successful as you are today,” Nico pressed on my nerves, wanting me to tell more.

Remaining cool headed, I put my cup back down and stared into the man’s cold eyes. Feeling a weak aura coming from the man, it was strange that Nico doesn’t even show signs of having any magic or Supernatural abilities. If he isn’t a Supernatural, then what is that son of a bitch is, anyway?

“Now, Now, Mark. Everyone in the industry has its secrets. But it’s important to have allies.... You should 'keep your enemies closer', my dear boy,” Nico slid himself further into his chair, then pointed to one picture of a young girl at his desk. “ See this picture? This girl comes from a poor background and has Supernatural abilities. I think telepathy. She is like you come from a town full of powerless people ”

Rolling my eyes, I thought to myself, “This man is no ordinary Outsider. I forgot what those powerless and useless Supernaturals are called again…. Nah. Nevermind. It’s not like it matters. Best to keep things under wraps, then.”

"The point is Mark. She saw getting into this industry as a way out and now she is a recognized singer and songwriter all thanks to me.. What I am trying to say, I am on your side. I have a good ear and I know you hiding something from me,”

I did not know what to think of this man. Shifting my weight to the seat, Nico didn’t seem to want to give up, trying to get to know me. So I decided maybe to do the reversal and attempt to get more information out of this buffoon. This was my task anyway since this conversation was getting boring by the minute! Attempting to take a sip of my water, I paused for a moment to observe the color of the water changing into a sparking purple cloud. Using my quick judgment, I just threw the cup down on the floor in fury.

“You fucking bastard! Were you trying to drug me?!” I yelled at Nico, slamming my fist on his desk.

Nico said calmly, “I don’t know what you are talking about. This is just a simple cup of water.”

“I know this is not ‘water'’’. You spiked it? Did you? Also, where the hell did you get this illegal type of potion!?" I told him.

“Dang, so you’re a Mage. Well, then I haven’t seen one as smart as you in a while ....” Nico’s mouth changed from a confident smirk to a worried frown.

“I am a proficient mage! Of course, even some loser not-proficient mage would know about that shitty potion! You are powerless Supernaturals are stupid when handling magic.”

Crossing my arms before giving a smirk to the idiot business executive, I kept my eyes sternly on the frightened man. This man was so used to being the one that has the power, now he is shitting in his boots at the minute. He messed with the wrong mage now…. I opened my mouth again to ask the asshole again, “You didn’t answer my question… Where did you get the potion?”

Nico said nothing at first, suddenly crackled in amusement. “Why should I tell you? If I tell you, what are you going to do? Turn me in? Call the cops? Please.... Many people tried that and every single one of them failed. Again, Mr. Kestrel, remind me again why should I answer you?” The man adjusted his jacket to his white business suit.

His words hit me when he said that. This man must have been doing this for a long time and it’s no wonder why this label has been succeeding like they always had. I always knew that this label had hidden skeletons in the closet. Maybe the rumors of some secret magical drug trafficking were true after all. I need to dig more information out of him, so it’s best to play along.

“Let me get this straight? You’re drugging me so you can control me to be like a little monkey. So that’s why none of your artists ever complain or say anything bad about your label. All you had to do was use that illegal magical drug to shut them up? I gotta say, that’s pretty clever. But you fucked up trying to drug a mage which already knows about a lot about dangerous magic drugs,” I smirked at Nico, keeping myself calm while speaking to the business executive.

Nico continued, “Oh, you’re getting smart, boy. You seem like you got me figured out. So, what’s your choice? You’re going to rat me out now? Fine. But I will warn you, if you tell the authorities. Your silly little band would just go back to square one. I know your secret to your success is your magic skills. You clearly never got those singing skills on your own. There must be a reason you had to drink your “medicine” before you sang every performance.”

“What the hell? He knew about that?!” I bit my lip for a moment, but still stayed to maintain my posture.

Slumping into my chair, Nico opened up his laptop then started typing on it. He then turned his laptop to me to show a video of a young man who sang in a rough and brash sounding voice.

That voice that I haven’t heard in years. He knew about the voice. The voice who I stole long ago… Biting my lip, I felt trapped watching this video, barely noticing the sinister smile on Nico’s face. I bet that bastard laughing under his breath now. How this man knew some information about me was a mystery to me.

“I may be a dominant Supernatural but I know a lot about potions that you Magic Users use. Let me see, you use a modifying voice potion at every show that your band has been on. Frankly, someone that hasn’t been around Supernaturals often probably wouldn’t even know the difference of a modified stolen voice.” Nico explained, getting up from this seat, then walks over to me. The business executive had his disgusting hands over my shoulder.

Slapping his hand away and getting up from my seat again, I called out, “So you think you know me, huh?! You don’t know shit, man! Know your place, useless, powerless loser!”

“ Calm down, my boy! I won't sell you out unless… We can work out a deal.” The older man rubbed his hands together in anticipation. I could hear this man smacking his annoying lips too while continuing to stare at him.

Nico continued to drone on about this offer, “You know, it wouldn’t do me good just to throw you to the authorities right now. I don't care about your crimes, but hear me out. Let me offer you to help you out.”

I wanted to gag at this speech coming from this business executive. What kind of offer that this asshole possibly give me? Still, I kept my mouth shut and just let Nico just talk air out of his ass. Whatever offer it is, it’s probably a crappy deal for me.

“I can give you an exclusive contract for a solo career, breaking away from that silly little band. You’ll have access to one of the best resources. I heard you used to be an Idealist member in your younger days, right? I’m connected to them and I could protect you from other Outsiders that can learn your secret. All you have to do is help me. The Ideal—I mean, Rise of Light needs me to help them take down Outsiders. You can join me to help. All I offer is to give you protection and your partnership. What do you say, Mr. Kestrel? Do we have a deal?” Nico extended his hand out to me after finishing his speech.

Glancing at his hand, I became lost in my thoughts about this offer. This offer could give me back the life that I deserved. The one that my mother, my aunt, and my mother’s useless lover stole from me when I was young and had to play along living in this disgusting Outsider society. If I could take this offer, I could be free once more and come back to the life I was supposed to have! My true destiny of becoming one of the best Magic Users of the family! Just like my father! Forget Midnight Force! I didn't need them anymore when I got this great deal right in front of me.

“Mr. Travolo, you got yourself a deal.” Shaking Nico’s hand in agreement to the offer, grabbingthe black point pen and signed the contract in my name.

After the meeting finished, I walked out of the office to meet up with my bandmates. Millie and Jasper came over to me while Marco was still leaning against the wall. The two of them lean over to my ears, ready for me to inform them about what happened at the meeting. Jasper whispered, “Did you learn anything?”

Once again, a smile appeared on my face when I put my hands over my "friend’s" shoulder. I answered, “Oh, he's a totally sleazy man. He even offered me a solo contact, and I told him no, I would never abandon my dear friends.”

Millie breathed a sigh of relief at my “dedication” to the band while Jasper did the same. Marco only responded with a small smile. I gave my signature smirk and a thumbs up to the group. These three idiots are so gullible.... As all four of us headed down the hallway, I took one look at Nico Travolo’s office door, then continued to walk away.

“Mr. Kestrel! You have arrived at Ms. Bach’s place.” The driver called.

I snapped out of my daydream to look up at a tall glass skyscraper building. Not wanting to keep my ex waiting, the driver opened the door for me. I exited the car to head to my next meeting, shaking away the thoughts of the past.