Chapter 95
After chatting with Wallis, we decided to split up and tackle different fronts. She took on the task of negotiating with Candy, since she had been busting her chops over designing the protagonist’s look. To have her work totally nixed might just be too much for her to swallow on the fly.
As for me, I was on the hunt to connect with the agent of the legendary concept artist. If I could just score a face–to–face with this man, we’d be halfway to victory.
But as a small–time gaming company, were we even a blip on FreeMan’s radar? I was all
nerves.
A day later, thanks to some insider friends, I snagged the contact details for FreeMan’s agent and set up a meeting for the afternoon.
The guy was Morgan, a smooth–talking middle–aged fella in his thirties; the meeting place was at an art studio he ran himself.
He was pretty decent when we met, and didn’t give me the cold shoulder or anything. Just handed me a form and said, “If Ms. March doesn’t mind, please fill out this intention to collaborate form.”
Well, that was a first for me. But hey, FreeMan was a big shot, so a bit of flair was to be expected.
One part of the form was particularly interesting – the original reason for wanting to collaborate.
Morgan explained, “Everyone knows FreeMan’s got a bit of a temper; just jot down whatever, Ms. March.”
But I knew better than to just jot down any old thing. Given FreeMan’s status, this form was clearly a test, a hurdle to see if I was worthy. I bet as soon as I left, Morgan would hand it straight to FreeMan.
It was like a written exam. After mulling it over, I put down my honest–to–goodness reason – it was a matter of life and death.
Morgan did a double–take at that and chuckled, “Ms. March has much more the sense of humor than expected.”
“Mr. Hogan, I’m not joking.” I said earnestly, gripping my wristband, “Our project needs FreeMan, no two ways about it.”
I owed Hogan that much.
After the meeting, I left with a head full of worries, and then my phone rang. It was Zora.
“Xaviera, you better come back quick.” Zora’s panicked voice came through, “Candy heard through the grapevine that Director Irwin is looking to replace her with a new concept artist,
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and she’s gonna settle the scores.”
My heart started pounding, and I asked, “Where are they now?”
“Director Irwin went out for afternoon tea, and Candy’s gone after her.” Zora spilled the beans, “But I didn’t tell her where. Xaviera, President Lott is out; you’re the only one who can calm Candy down.”
My head was spinning. I hung up and tried calling Candy, but her line was busy. I floored it to Cecilia’s favorite coffee shop. And, bingo, both Cecilia and Candy were there, clearly at each other’s throats.
Just as I was about to step in and play peacemaker, Candy unceremoniously chucked her mug of coffee right at Cecilia.
“I call you ‘Director Irwin‘ out of respect, but who are you trying to flaunt here?”
Candy was red in the face, obviously livid. I rushed over, signaling for the waiter to bring over some napkins while I urged, “Candy, apologize to Director Irwin, now.”
Candy, not expecting me to show, curled her fingers and stood her ground, “She started it; I did nothing wrong.”
I looked at Cecilia, surprised, only to see her looking downcast and aggrieved, with a splash of coffee staining her chest, hardly the instigator.
“Candy, I’m just thinking about the project.” Cecilia piped up softly, sounding utterly defeated, “Xaviera agreed too, right?”
I was at a loss for words. But Candy wasn’t having any of it. She glared at Cecilia and accused, “You hypocrite, don’t think I don’t know it’s you, Cecilia, stirring the pot!”
Right then, tears started streaming down Cecilia’s face as she sobbed, “Xaviera, you heard all that, right?”
Before I could respond, a stern voice cut in, “What on earth is going on here?”
I spun around, alarmed, to find Hogan and Zachary standing at the door. But why on earth. would he show up at a time like this?
