With that, they kicked her out of the room, not before slamming that thick document back into her hands to "look into the details further."
Good God. She didn't need to look into any of those dizzying numbers. She needed to look into how the hell was she supposed to make S$200,000 in just one year! She didn't even feel like taking a taxi home anymore after stepping out of the building. She pulled out her phone and checked the map.
One hour and thirty minutes estimated time on foot? No problem. If that'd save her S$30, she'd walk!
All the way home, she reached out to all of her old contacts for singing gigs, but they all gave her vague answers. Most had already booked new singers after she quit. The desperation just piled up higher with each call. By the time Kaija was about to reach home, completely spent and sweating like a pig, her phone rang.
Some stranger's number again.
She answered, her voice dragging with exhaustion, "Who's this?"
No answer came from the other end. Just faint rustling and the sound of someone breathing softly.
She raised her voice. "Listen, I don't have time for—"
"It's me," came a familiar steely voice. "Charles Kosonen."
Her lips together tightly. No wonder the number looked familiar. What does he want now? she wondered, scowling. The other day, he'd mentioned he'd be on the same flight she was supposed to be working on that morning. But the situation had completely changed.
She let out a weary exhale. "Mr. Kosonen, sorry, but I must inform you that I'm no longer with Starlight Airlines."
"I know," Charles said flatly. "I asked around. I heard what happened, Kaija."
Her brows drew together. "Then why are you calling? There's nothing else I can help you with, Mr. Kosonen."
"Like I said," he replied, calm as ever, "I'd hoped you'd change your mind about my offer."
Her finger hovered in the air before she could press the elevator button to her apartment. She smack her forehead hard. Right! How could she forget this guy had offered her a job over that weird dinner night?
"Besides," he added, his tone nonchalant, "S$200,000 is barely what I paid for my ugliest sports car."
Needless to say, Kaija was speechless. Did this random rich guy just offer to settle that godforsaken debt for her?! She knew damn well something was really off with him. Still, the thought of having to face all those ultra-famous people if she worked for him just drained the life out of her already. She had no place in that glamorous world.
"Mr. Kosonen," she said coolly, "my singing is nowhere near the level of the artists at KE."
For a while, Charles didn't respond. When he did, his tone softened.
"Then maybe you've never listened to yourself properly."
Kaija fell silent. Heat crept up her neck, and her cheeks started tingling uncontrollably.
As if sensing her flustered state, Charles went on, "How about we discuss this in detail when I'm back in Z City? I'm already in V City now."
"When will that be?"
"In three days," he said. "I'll call you."
"Oh." She didn't know what else to say.
"One more thing though, Kaija," he added, his tone dry. "Do me a favor — save my number."
Then he hung up. Just like that.
She stared at the phone, still stunned. The guy definitely had a thing for calling out of nowhere and hanging up just as abruptly. But was it just her, or did he sound a bit annoyed before he hung up?
Hmm. Maybe he had a point. He did say he'd call again. She'd better not answer with "Who's this?" next time.
She swiped open her contacts and started typing in his name.
Hmm, what should I put?
Mr. Kosonen? Too weird.
Charles Kosonen? Too long. Besides, who even does that these days?
Oh, I know.
Mister Lion King.
She hit save.
Three days later, Charles actually called her back. He'd also arranged a limousine to take her to KE's headquarters.
The headquarters wasn't just a single building. It was a massive campus that screamed luxury from the outside in. She felt like an outsider walking in with her comfy sweater and jeans. Everybody there was either wearing tailored suits or quirky, fabulous outfits that looked pulled straight off some high-end runway.
"Your name, please," the receptionist said, eyeing her up and down with a judging look.
"Kaija Sepala. I'm here to see Charles Kosonen."
The receptionist shot Kaija a skeptical look, before lowering her gaze again to the computer, checking the schedule. A few seconds later, she shot up from her seat.
"Ms. Sepala." She bowed deeply. "I apologize for not recognizing you sooner. This way, please!"
Kaija blinked at the sudden change in the receptionist's tone, but she followed her to the elevator anyway. When they reached the top floor, the receptionist led her into a luxurious waiting room.
The room wasn't empty. Someone was already there. He sat at the long black leather couch, dressed in a white suit with some cutouts along the sleeves that seemed questionable to Kaija's eyes.
Kaija recognized him instantly. Stylish ash-blond hair. Mesmerizing turquoise eyes. With that pale skin and those elegantly defined features, he looked like an angel sent to Earth by God himself.
Karl Hanski.
KE's ultimate moneymaker — and S Country's most beloved superstar. He was only 28, and yet very album he dropped made it to the top charts within a day. Every tour sold out, even at sky high prices.
Even Kaija must admit, she'd been his fan once, back when he first debuted. She used to listen to his albums nonstop, when she was still in high school and he still did hip-hop. Later on, he switched to pop, and his music just... lost her. Still, part of her still regarded him as one of the most talented artists of her time.
The receptionist bowed deeply toward him, her tone shaky. "Karl, I'm very sorry, but Mr. Kosonen is expecting a... special guest this morning. I'm afraid you'll have to wait another hour before seeing him."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Karl shot back indifferently.
His voice was the deepest, raspiest timbre Kaija had ever heard from a man — a total contrast to his baby face. It matched the singing voice she knew. That gritty quality was what made his music one of a kind to her.
The receptionist stammered, "Mr. Kosonen made it clear that... Ms. Sepala is to see him immediately when she arrives, I'm afraid."
His head tilted toward the receptionist. "Sepala who?"
Then his turquoise eyes shifted past her and landed directly on Kaija, the corner his lips lifted into a devilish smirk. "You?"