Chapter 15 - Troubles With the Background

Ronald, a man in his late 40s with blonde hair, sat behind his spacious desk in the sleek and modern office. He interlaced his fingers and focused intently on the screen before him. Emma, his assistant, with short black hair, stood beside him, her eyes also fixed on the same image.

"That's Talon," Ronald said inquisitively, looking towards Emma. "What do you think? Does he have the look for it?"

Ronald had received a recommendation from one of his employees about Talon and was curious to know if Emma thought he had the aptitude for the show they were soon to be working on.

Emma leaned in. "He's got a unique charm, Ronald," she said thoughtfully. "Not your typical polished celebrity, but there's something about him. He's relatable, and I think the audience will love that."

Ronald nodded thoughtfully. "He does have a certain appeal. Rustic, but it works. And his guitar skills are quite impressive, aren't they?"

"Yes, his guitar playing is strong," Emma agreed. "His singing, on the other hand, it's passable but not exceptional. However, with a bit of coaching, I think he could really shine."

Ronald drummed his fingers on the desk. "Right, his singing could use some work. But it's not a deal-breaker. We're looking for raw talent, after all. Someone who can grow and capture the audience's heart."

"There's just one thing…" Emma hesitated before continuing, "His background as a busker. It's a bit problematic for the image we're trying to project. We could, perhaps, rebrand him as a bar singer?"

Ronald's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he exclaimed, "That's a splendid idea, Emma! A bar singer has a much more appealing and romantic feel to it; it's much more suitable for the show's theme. We can work on his backstory and give it a bit of polish. However, I think we need to keep his background for the right moment. If he receives good reactions from the audience, this background can really help to endear him to them even more."

Emma smiled, pleased with his response. "Shall I reach out to him then?"

"Yes, let's do that," Ronald decided.

"Consider it done," Emma said, already reaching for her phone. "I'll draft a proposal and set up a meeting. We'll need to discuss his contract and the show's requirements."

"Given his background as a busker," Ronald mused with a satisfied smile, "there may be some initial resistance to his background, but if communicated at the right moment, it can only add to his value."

As Emma left the room, Ronald leaned back in his chair, his mind buzzing with possibilities. If they played their cards right, Talon could become the show's breakout star. His journey from the streets to the stage would be an inspiring tale that could capture the hearts of millions.

***

Talon pushed open the door to the upscale restaurant, the clink of fine china and the soft hum of conversation greeting him. He was immediately met by a young woman with short, blonde hair, her bright eyes sizing him up with an air of professionalism.

"Mr. Talon Starborn?" she asked, extending her hand. "I'm Emma from Starlight Productions. Thank you for meeting me."

Talon shook her hand, a mixture of curiosity and surprise evident in his voice.

"Pleasure to meet you, Emma."

Emma gestured for him to follow her to a reserved table near the window. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the elegantly set table. As they sat down, Emma's demeanor was a blend of excitement and businesslike efficiency.

"I'll get straight to the point," she began, her eyes locked on Talon's. "We saw your performance at the wedding party. It was truly captivating, and we believe you have a lot of potential."

Talon raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Thank you, that's quite flattering."

Emma leaned forward, her expression earnest. "We're producing a reality show that focuses on undiscovered talents. It's a platform for people like you to showcase your abilities and gain global exposure. We think you'd be a perfect fit for it."

Talon hesitated, absorbing her words. "I'm flattered. But the reality show is a whole different world."

"That's precisely why we want you," Emma replied quickly. "You're genuine, talented, and you have a story that people can relate to. Our audience loves authenticity, and you have it in spades."

Talon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the idea slowly taking root in his mind. "It's an intriguing proposition. But you seem to know a lot about me already."

Emma smiled, her confidence unwavering. "We do our research at Starlight Productions. We want to invest in people who have the potential to grow and inspire. Your journey from street performances to where you are now is exactly the kind of story we want to share."

As Emma detailed the show, Talon listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities.

Talon watched intently as Emma played the video on her phone, showcasing the glitz and glamour of "Passionate Beats," a reality show that seemed worlds apart from his current life. The screen was filled with vibrant images of an exotic island, its pristine beaches serving as a picturesque backdrop for the contestants.

"Have you ever seen this show?" Emma asked, her eyes flickering with curiosity.

"No, I haven't," Talon admitted, his gaze still fixed on the screen.

The video showcased both male and female contestants, each radiating confidence and charm.

Emma leaned in closer, her face beaming with excitement as she described the show's format.

"It's a truly unique concept," she said. "Five men and five women, each with their own special talents, are taken to an island for two weeks to compete in various challenges, mostly related to singing. The overall goal is to form a perfect couple - the winner - who will be rewarded with a music video production, prize money, and an amazing holiday package."

As Talon watched the video, he couldn't help but notice the contestants' striking appearances and impressive backgrounds. Each seemed to exude a certain charisma and poise, qualities that made them ideal for a show of this nature.

"Emma," he finally said, breaking the silence, "this is a big step. It's not just about the music, but being part of something... bigger."

Emma nodded understandingly. "It's a leap, for sure. But think about the exposure, the connections, and the experience you'll gain. It's not just about winning; it's about showing the world who Talon is."

Talon took a deep breath, contemplating the situation.

"You have three days to make up your mind," she said, her voice soft but firm. "We will be filming in a week, and the show will be airing shortly afterward. It will definitely give you a lot of exposure."

He could clearly see the benefit this could bring, as it would help him fulfill the quest he was given by the system. The timing couldn't be better. Talon nodded his head in agreement.

"I need some time to think about it," he finally said.

"Of course," Emma replied, smiling reassuringly. "Take all the time you need. Just remember, opportunities like this don't come around often."

Talon nodded, his mind abuzz with possibilities.

"The contract and everything else ready for you in this folder," Emma said with an enthusiastic smile, handing the folder to Talon. "I'll be in touch within three days, but if you need to reach out to me sooner, feel free to do so."

"Thank you, Emma," Talon replied.

***

As he made his way up to Alice's floor, he quickened his steps, eager to discuss the opportunity. When he arrived at her door, however, he noticed that it was slightly ajar. Pausing for a moment, he could hear raised voices coming from inside - it was Alice, engaged in a heated argument with someone on the phone.

Talon paused, his hand hovering in the air, undecided whether to knock or retreat. But then he heard Alice's words clearly, laced with frustration and emotion.

"I don't want an arranged marriage!" Alice's voice was firm and resolute. 

It felt invasive to eavesdrop, yet the raw emotion in Alice's voice held him rooted to the spot. He couldn't help but feel a surge of empathy for her situation.

Her father's voice, stern and uncompromising, echoed through the gap in the door. "You need to think about your future. We're only looking out for your best interests."

"My interests are not in being matched with someone I barely know!" Alice retorted, her voice cracking with emotion.

Talon realized this wasn't the right time to intrude with his news. He silently stepped back, intending to leave and give Alice some privacy. But just as he turned to walk away, Alice's door swung open.

"Talon?" Her voice was softer now, tinged with surprise.

Talon turned around, his expression a mixture of concern and awkwardness.

"I, uh, I was just passing by. I didn't mean to overhear..."