“What about me?” Lio’s voice was hard, but his demeanour was pained and impatient.

  Chris felt a wave of insecurity wash over her, almost like she was afraid something would happen to her under his gaze.

  “Well, your current position is lead singer. I’m still bothered that you lied about your past, but I believe that this decision would have reached the same conclusion had you told the truth. Your singing was… just unbelievable.”

  “Right. As lead, does that mean I’ll get paid more?” He questioned, leaning forward in his seat.

  Chris was silent for a moment as she wondered if she’d get a pay increase as their popularity increased. Knowing Carter, the prospect was unlikely. As she broke from her reverie, Chris replied.

  “Everyone gets paid the same amount.”

  “You’re telling me that Sasha gets a background, insignificant role, and he gets to turn up late, yet he gets paid more?”

  “The same amount.” Yue calmly corrected, hoping to prevent another argument.

  “He doesn’t deserve the same amount.”

  “You need me more than you think you do.” Sasha hissed across the table.

  “I doubt that.” Lio’s words held no emotion.

  “What was unusual about Sasha’s audition? Maybe shedding some light on it will help Lio accept him.” Mark contributed.

  The woman turned her head to the left and looked into Sasha’s blue eyes. Without a word from him, she addressed the group.

  “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” She put on a cheerful smile. Chris concluded that Lio wouldn’t accept Sasha if she explained what happened. It was likely to anger him more.

  Unsatisfied with her answer, Lio tried a second approach.

  “Then, why was he picked? It looked to me like there were a lot of suitable applicants, but you picked him? Can he really guarantee the success of this group?” Lio pushed. He wouldn’t accept any weak links.

  Chris began to feel backed into a corner, even though no-one had moved.

  “Well,” she began, gathering her thoughts, hoping to answer in a way that would have the least hostile result. “Sasha was determined. He showed perseverance, and he had a willingness to put himself out there and try.”

  “So, he got lucky.” Stated Lio. “Nothing you just said was talent. Or, was I mistaken about the other applicants? Were they incredibly awful?”

  Feeling overwhelmed by all the questions she couldn’t answer, for fear of making the situation worse, she grabbed Sasha’s water bottle and took a few gulps to calm herself. The pressure was getting to her.

  Realising what she’d done, Chris spoke to Sasha. “Oh, sorry.”

  He held up a hand in dismissal. “Keep it.”

  The woman considered bringing the meeting to a close for the day. She needed a time-out, but she knew that the success of the group was needed more. Chris pressed on the best she could.

  “If everyone could think of a nickna-”

  “Red.” Sasha immediately announced, almost not allowing Chris to finish speaking.

  “-me for yourselves. You can tell me them the next time we meet.” She took a deep breath. “Red?”

  “You’ll understand later.” The man simply replied.

  Lio silently put a cigarette in his mouth. As he lit it, he murmured. “Rogue.”

  “Lio! You can’t light it in here!” Chris panicked.

  “You should stop stressing about useless things before you get grey hairs.” Lio told her, ignoring her words and blowing into the room.

  “Grey hair wouldn’t dare touch such a beautiful blonde head of hair.” Mark dramatically announced.

  “Is that actually your personality, or are you doing it to annoy me?”

  “You’re back to having a go at me? What about Yue? He’s missing out.”

  Having reached her limit, Chris raised her voice. “Enough! We should’ve got a lot further than this today, but you won’t stop acting like children. If we can’t make progress quickly, then all of you might need to be replaced. I don’t have time for this! I don’t have the energy for this. And, more importantly, I don’t need to take this! Go home! All of you!” She stood up from her seat with heavy breath. Moving away from the table a little, she added. “Cool down and come back tomorrow at two.”

  “Tomorrow’s Saturday.” Mark complained. “I have a date to prepare for.”

  Yue sighed, understanding that they’d get nowhere like this. He stood up as well.

  “She said out. Come on. We can return tomorrow, but let’s just take a break for now.” He waved his arms, ushering the men out of their seats, and then out of the room. The men hurried to grab their things before they could get left behind.

  When the woman was finally alone, Yue spared her a glance and caught sight of her shaking figure.