Burning Passion

CHAPTER 76: THE SEARCH IS ON!

* * *

SHANG MANSION, Mainland City

"Where are you going?"

"I'm working Theo's project," Rubin replied.

Erika raises a brow, peering at her younger brother runs fingers into his black hair in front of an antique walled mirror in the living room.

"The way your get-up, you look like going to date rather than working a project," she commented.

Rubin laughs. "Of course, it was part of the job. How can I make the girls believe that our company is decent at the same time charming?" he smirked.

"Charming you say, huh?" Erika blab out. 'And what would be her younger brother is aiming? She'd noticed a change of him lately.'

Rubin picked up his phone and car keys. He salutes at Jeremy who was watching at them from the second floor of this mansion.

"Okay! See you later, sister."

"Hey, are you coming home for dinner?"

"I may not if I could hit on someone later. I will ask her for a dinner out and—" Rubin replied, winking at Erika.

"Rubin!"

He just laughed, headed to the main door. Erika left annoyed. She yells at him, "You idiot brother!"

She frowned and wished she could hit her brother. Erika calms herself then looks up and meets Jeremy's gaze.

"What do you like for dinner?" she asked her master.

Jeremy shrugged a shoulder, "Anything is fine."

'And what anything is that!?'

Looking after these two adult men is such a pain in the ass when one is moody and one is childish. Thank God, Theo wasn't here. He will be the cold one and if he was here? There is Min Xi, the spoiled brat princess clinging around Theo.

She'll die young and a virgin dealing with these kids!

* * *

Crescent Moon Café, Parking Lot

Rubin has been sitting in his car, waiting for someone. Later on, he could see her walking toward her car.

"Miss Nikki! Can I have a moment with you?"

Someone is calling her name, Nikki turned around. She saw Rubin Lim stepping out of his car, parked across from her vehicle, and the guy now striding toward her, wearing a warm smile.

"Mr. Lim?"

"Just call me Rubin," he told Nikki.

Nikki has been seeing him often stopping by at the shop, so she heard a little about him from her female crew.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Rubin?"

He laughs. He just told her to call him by his name, but she still put a formal address along with it.

"Okay, you are too polite. I guess, to people you don't consider as your friends?"

"Ah—" she blushed and tore a shy smile, then reasoned, "It seems, I was just influenced by my work."

"That's understandable," he chuckles, amused, staring at Nikki blush. "Let's get straight to my business! You might wonder why I approached you," he began.

"My master's company is looking for a suitable model to become an image of our promotion soon," Rubin explained.

"Okay, and? What can I do to help you?"

"Well, we are having a hard time choosing a girl for this project."

"Do you want me to recommend you, someone, I know?" she guesses.

"Yes, I noticed your work has high qualifications regarding your waitresses' appearance. So, maybe you can recommend me the best you know."

"Hmm, I will ask someone around. Anyway, why not the models or actresses? I'm sure you can afford to pay their talent fees, and they were experts in this field."

"You are right. But my master is picky. He already searches the entire world, but no one passes his taste. We are ready to pay these celebrities, but no one he finds suits for it yet."

Nikki did not hide her amazement. How is that possible? There are millions of beautiful women in the world, so easy to choose from. Pondering the fact, she doubted her recommendation could help Rubin.

"You mentioned, how if he also rejected my recommendations?"

"Well, it's his decision yes. But why not take a try?"

"You're right. I will talk to a few I know. They were still in college, but those girls are tall and have a perfect figure. They can be models."

"Great! This is just an audition, who knows? My master could pick someone this time."

"Yeah. So what further details about it? So I can explain to them."

"Ah, just to be our new face for the promotion, and then shoot a short commercial. The talent fees! Yes, very important."

Rubin opens his mouth, and Nikki froze after hearing the amount.

"That big!?"

Rubin giggled seeing her reaction. Actually, he raises the price by 20% to the actual amount they will pay the model.

"Yup! They are generous. Are you interested?" playfully, Rubin smiles. He already had a choice, but he doesn't know how to convince her.

She imagined. How the amount can help her? That was a month's hospital bill and her mother's expensive medicine and other expenses throughout the month. Lately, she stopped checking her billing assessment, if only those several zeros she sees.

"Can I really try it out?"

"Sure!"

"Erm, that was a joke. I have zero chance to select as, well..." She laughs, then added, "I don't have experience in modeling and such things my entire life."

"You don't need to! I guess that's what my master prefers instead. No need for a supermodel experience, but someone will look perfect for what he is looking for."

"Okay. But still, I will invite a few models to audition."

"Sure! This is an audition after all! Besides, you are my best bet," charming, he smiled.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" she's confused from Rubin's statement.

Ah, that was a mistake. He should not say that. Rubin thought. "Oh, well. My master wants Asian beauty. Mixed foreign is exempt, don't worry."

Rubin widened his smile. He could see that Nikki is interested. She is his only choice. But he can't lay an excuse to her if all of a sudden he will offer this project.

"So? Oh, wait! Here is my calling card. Contact me if you have thought of it already."

"Okay, and after I invite a few more ladies, I will notify you right away."

"Great! I will wait for your call, 24/7 I am awake!"

"Eh? You are not some kind of vampire, right?"

Rubin let out loud laughs. "I'll consider it a suggestion to aim. It's not bad to be young forever."

Nikki just smiled at Rubin's jest.

"Ah, that sounds a corny joke."

"A bit!" Nikki and Rubin both laugh.

"Well then, Mr. Lim, I have to go. I need to replace my neighbor who watched my mother at the hospital."

"Oh, okay. Like what I said, I will wait for your call!"

She nodded. "Goodbye, Mr. Lim."

"Bye, Miss Nikki!"

Rubin watched Nikki leaving the parking lot.. He's hopeful she will be interested in his invitation.