Chapter 3 Win-Win Situation

MIKE'S POV

I needed a drink.

It was the only way I could stop myself from overthinking. The investors were pissed and had unanimously decided to give me an ultimatum. They were all angry with my decision to launch an IPO for my fairly new entertainment brand- Hylix Agency.

It was bad enough that a tech billionaire with one of the fastest growing companies in New York started an entertainment label- but going public was a whole new ball game.

I arrived at Barnes Club in my signature black hoodie and face cap, as I tried my best to blend into the crowd like any regular guy. I usually come to the club as a weekend ritual, but mostly to drink and clear my mind. It was also another way to stay in anonymity in public for a few hours. The Barnes had a very secure VIP area with an access card.

As soon as I got to the club, I made my way to the VIP area and flashed my elite black card at the bouncer at the door; he was already familiar with me, so he nodded and let me in without a word.

I'm Michael H. Lane, CEO of TechGeek.inc, a tech company that majors mostly on building AI systems. I was used to being posted about on blogs, socials and in elite circles. Some even saw me as a celebrity, because I had model-like features. In the past year, I had built a new startup under the TechGeek brand- Hylix agency- which was a far cry from what I was used to. It is an entertainment label for artists, dancers, etc to get signed and fulfill their dreams. I always had that passion, but my decision was met with serious backlash. I still remember a headline that said, "From Code to Choreography: What Does a 'Tech Geek' Know About Entertainment?" and other versions of it like "When a 'Tech Geek' Try to Drop Beats: Michael H. Lane Trades AI for A&R."

I found the headlines amusing, even though it still felt like a punch in the gut. I had anticipated the bad reception, but I didn't expect it to affect the company.

I settled into my usual corner booth in the VIP lounge, far away from the other groups I saw in the VIP area. I appeared to be the only one who wasn't with the company, and it was fine by me. I needed to be in my own thoughts after all. I needed a plan. The bartender didn't wait for me to order, as he pushed a glass of gin and lemon.

As the music played in the background, my mind wasn't in the club. I was scrolling through the disheartening messages on my phone.

The legal team may have work on their hands, because the shareholders are threatening to pull out their investments if I decided to pull through with the IPO.

Investors were concerned about their investments, and media houses were making it worse with their predictions of my downfall.

I read a comment under one of the articles which said, "Maybe he should've just built another app."

The idea was to model the agency like the K-pop industry-training raw talent into global stars. Despite zero experience in the field, I believed in my vision. I still do. But after one year the label hadn't made enough public noise. Belief alone wasn't buying the investors confidence.

The media thought that I had probably lost it. Investors wanted out. I could face possible lawsuits if they withdraw and I couldn't afford to repay share agreements.

As I took a sip from my drink, I began to hear voices in the VIP section. It sounded like a heated exchange and then laughter.

I instinctively turned to look. It was quite unusual, because club security didn't usually let drama unfold upstairs. It was a table close to the entrance. I had passed them when coming in, but I didn't pay them much mind.

That's when I saw her- a smallish woman standing, while the rest of them sat, making jest of her. Her face was partially hidden by hair, but her voice...

Something seemed familiar about it.

She looked at the table with wide eyes of desperation. I leaned forward as I pondered on why this lady seemed familiar.

I seemed to recognize some other faces on the table, and then it clicked.

"Susan Carter?"

Her name rolled off my tongue in disbelief. I hadn't seen her in person before, but I knew I would recognize that voice anywhere. I used to watch her every day during the noon broadcast. There was just something endearing about how she did her work that made you want to listen to her speak, even if she was talking about the weather.

She was brilliant, composed, classy and bold. Well... until that day.

I remembered the infamous broadcast- her slurred speech, stripping, the vomit. It went viral for weeks. I remember feeling disappointed... but I didn't mock her like the rest. I have had my own fair share of public disgrace- even though it wasn't as bad as hers. I just felt... sad. She had something.

But now, seeing her like this- broken, desperate, and asking her former colleagues for help- it did something to me.

I turned back to my drink and back to my woes.

Another disruption caught my attention again. This time, the colleagues left her behind as some guys cornered her and advanced her like animals hunting for their prey.

The men taunting her weren't just drunk idiots. They seemed dangerous.

The bouncer approached them, and one of the other goons tried to stop him.

I started fighting my inner demons.

I had no reason to intervene. I certainly would not fight a random stranger in a club.

I sighed as my phone beeped with a message from Bruno, my assistant.

"What do you plan to do now? We need to gain the press. We don't have the much needed attention an IPO launch is supposed to have. Else, these investors might pull out." The text said.

Followed by an exaggerated meme of Susan turning green, just before she puked.

The meme that had trended after her scandalous broadcast.

Hold on...

I turned back to the smallish lady... and heard the men demanding their money from her.

She's media trained.

She knows how to handle press.

She can draw attention to my IPO, due to her past.

My brain began to run a mile per second.

The IPO could use a face. We could call it a bold, unapologetic comeback story.

Even though it's not the right image, she has the kind of popularity that I need.

But it made no sense really.

It was crazy, and reckless.

I could get in even bigger shit.

I was known for my ridiculous ideas, but I felt I may be criticized even more if I hired her as my Media Publicist.

Could she really become the mouthpiece of my label?

But maybe... just maybe this was the move I needed.

I hated the thought of "using" her, especially when she's at her lowest.

But this could be a win-win. She needed a job, a chance to start over. I needed a miracle.

I turned to her again, and just then the leader of the guys grabbed her by the arm.

Something tightened in my chest.

No way in hell!

I didn't need to think anymore. I got up, crossed the room with purposeful strides.

"Let her go!" I said in a low threatening voice.

I pulled his hand from her arm and freed her. I stood between her and the person. He appeared to be the leader.

I could feel Susan trembling behind me.

The leader scoffed at me, but I refused to be intimidated. I was told I looked intimidating many at times and I sure hoped it worked right now.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her. I'll pay whatever it is she owes."

I turned to her for the first time and noticed her rubbing her wrist where the asshole had grabbed her.

"You okay?" I asked softly.

She blinked rapidly, her long lashes nearly meeting her cheeks.

"Huh?" She said, looking confused.

Her stunned eyes, shiny with tears, met mine then and I felt my heart flutter. I had always known she was beautiful on TV, but seeing her up close, I couldn't help but admire her features better. Her hazel eyes reminded me of a kitten I had once seen that melted my heart, and her long brown hair reminded me of Sofia Vergara- the actress.

"Are you okay?" I repeated.

Then she nodded slowly.

I turned back to the guys.

I was not sure what I was doing yet. But I had a strong feeling that this night just changed everything.