"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!" JJ said when Iris returned to their table. He continued clapping his hands for her.
"Thank you, Mr. JJ." Iris smiled at him.
JJ felt like he had to act like a gentleman after such a beautiful performance. This was a rare sight because his reputation in the music industry was far from gentlemanly. He was known more as an ogre, but he didn’t give a damn because he was the best at what he did.
He had a big smile on his face and felt extremely proud. Wasn’t it thanks to him that the whole restaurant transformed into a cheering concert hall? After all, he was the one who told the girl to play the piano and sing.
Wasn’t he amazing? He was just too awesome. Hah! As expected of a famous and award-winning music producer like him.
The applause finally settled down. JJ and Iris once again sat opposite each other.
"That wasn’t one of the songs you sent me. What’s the title?" JJ asked Iris.
"I call it ’The Phantom of Your Love’," she replied.
"Beautiful! I’m now convinced by your musical talent."
"I’m glad to hear that, Mr. JJ."
"I’ve made my decision. Miss Iris Long, would you accept my offer to sign you up as an artist under my record label?"
"Yes. Of course." She chuckled. "I accept your offer, Mr. JJ. Thank you."
"Excellent!" He thumped a hand on the table in excitement. "My people will contact you within a week to discuss and negotiate your contract."
"Sounds good, Mr. JJ."
The two chatted for a few more minutes before JJ called their waiter to pay the bill. Iris offered to pay, but JJ dismissed the idea.
After settling the bill, the two began to leave. The widow from earlier approached them, her eyes still puffy red from crying. Her three friends stood behind her.
"Excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you. My name is Feng Wan," the widow introduced herself. Then she turned to Iris, finding the young woman who just made her cry more and more pleasing to her eyes. "I just want to say thank you for sharing such a beautiful song with us today."
Iris smiled. "I’m glad that you liked it, Madam."
"Uhm, I hope you don’t mind...but may I know your name?"
"My surname is Long."
"Miss Long, I love your song very much! I cried so hard! But it also made me happy inside. It reminded me of some bittersweet memories. You have such great talent, Miss Long. I’m now your fan. I hope that I can listen to you again."
JJ interjected at this moment. "Madam, rest assured. You’re gonna hear this song again as soon as we release it. In fact, you’re gonna hear more songs by Miss Long in the near future."
"And you are?"
He gave his best smile. "I’m JJ."
One of Feng Wan’s friends gasped. "I knew it! I thought you look familiar! You’re JJ? The music producer?"
"That’s me." He always felt pleased to be recognized.
The group of middle aged women shrieked like school girls meeting their idol.
"Please give me an autograph!"
"Me too! Oh no. Girls, hold me up. I’m going to faint."
"Here here! Sign my dress!"
Extremely pleased with himself, JJ signed autographs for the ladies. He even gave one to Feng Wan, even though she didn’t ask for it. She didn’t recognize him, but was too embarrassed to admit it.
One of the ladies turned to Iris. "Miss Long, you’re very lucky. You have THE Mr. JJ backing you. You’re going to be famous."
Iris just smiled, while JJ laughed. "Please look forward and buy her album when we release it, okay? Can I depend on you to do that?"
A chorus of "Yes" and "Of course" answered him, pleasing him even more.
"Miss Long," Feng Wan grabbed Iris’ hands. "Thank you for today. I’ll pray for your success. I can’t wait to hear your music again. I’ll definitely support you."
Touched, Iris pulled her hands gently and held Feng Wan’s hands instead. "Thank you, Madam. I appreciate it."
The group walked out of the restaurant to the hotel lobby together. They waved their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
JJ left in a hurry, saying that he had a meeting within the hour.
Iris called Dom on the phone, asking him to pick her up. She sat on one of the couches at the lobby while she waited, taking out a paperback novel from her purse by one of her favourite authors from her previous life. The novel was written in its original Russian language, not a translated version.
Absorbed in the world within the novel, she stopped being aware of her surroundings until a big, strong hand grabbed her shoulder from behind. She stiffened, and swung a hammerfist to the molester behind her.