The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

ASTRID recognized the name 'Ellis Payne'.  Just like what he had mentioned before, he made sure to be familiar with the relevant names in the entertainment industry.  As he did, he also searched for the names of what people in his last life would call a 'gold agent'. 

There were many names that came up.  But the one that he remembered most was Ellis Payne.  Mostly because of her short stint in the entertainment industry together with the then actress Olivia Crane.  With just a span of a few years, Ellis Payne managed to push her from an unknown newcomer to the top 5 of the Star List. 

But before the two could soak in their victory, Olivia suddenly announced her marriage to a noble lord.  After that, Ellis Payne completely disappeared from the industry and was soon forgotten.

Astrid didn't expect to meet that infamous agent here.  But he was more than glad that he did.  He smiled inwardly.  He had a feeling that this unexpected meeting would be fruitful.

The bad mood he had because of that young master was now completely gone.  At least that bet he made to teach the other a lesson seemed like it would have a good end result.  It was something that he never expected.  Which was definitely way better.  Who wouldn't like a surprise?

"Lauren, who was that guy earlier?" he thought of asking Lauren while they when they entered the elevator.  "Your assistant called him young master."

"He's the younger brother of the president."

Aster was a bit surprised by that answer.  Well, no wonder he was so arrogant.  Because he could definitely back it up. 

"Don't worry, I assure you that your conflict with him won't affect the president's opinion of you," Lauren quickly said.  "So, if you sign in Polaris, I can guarantee that your career wouldn't be affected at all."

"That's true," Chris followed.  "If the president is the type of person who unconditionally takes the side of his younger brother no matter if the other is right or wrong, then many artists of this company would have suffered long ago.  Like this one here," he added pointing at his artist.

Lauren laughed awkwardly.  "Yeah.  I'm the person Blair dislikes the most, you see."

Astrid raised one of his brows.  Now he kind of understood why that guy was so pissed at him for no reason.  If he took into account Lauren's rich 'scandal experience', that guy probably got the wrong idea and thought that he was another one of Lauren's 'fling'.  That's why he targeted him like that.  Probably thinking that he had no right to be there being just another one of Lauren's 'fling' and all.

At that thought, he glanced at his brother.  Really, why did that guy immediately assume that he was the 'fling'?  Couldn't he see that his handsome brother here matched Lauren more than him? 

Reas, who felt Astrid's gaze, looked down and raised one of his brows when he saw the other's expression.  Because it felt like he was teasing him but he couldn't follow on why.  Weren't they just talking about that guy earlier?  How did that ended up with Astrid looking at him with that look?

Before he could think of the reason why, the elevator opened and they had to walk out.  His brother was also no longer looking at him.  So, he could only attribute that gaffe to Astrid suddenly remembering something funny that had to do with him.  That's why he gave him that look.  He wasn't the type to obsess over such small things.  So, he just shrugged and let it go.

Chris led them to the reception room where two female AI secretaries were stationed.  Usually, they were efficient in filtering the people that tried to visit the president's office.  But earlier, they allowed him and Lauren to enter despite the president already having an appointment with someone.  Making a mistake like that, it's quite obvious that their system probably needed some debugging.

But fixing them was not his job.  Besides, knowing how thorough their president was, he probably had already noticed they had problems based on the earlier mishap. 

"Good day.  How may I help you?" one of the secretaries asked.

"Is it alright if we go to the president's office?" he responded.

"I'm sorry but the president said that he would not meet with anyone until his meeting with Miss Ellis Payne finished."  After the secretary said that, she turned to Ellis.  "Miss Payne, you can go on ahead and continue your meeting with the president."

Ellis didn't immediately walk ahead but instead turned to Astrid.  "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're here to make a decision if you wanted to sign with Polaris as an artist, right?"

Astrid wasn't flustered being suddenly asked like that.  He didn't even show a slight surprised expression because the other quickly deduced his objective for being here.  Instead, he answered honestly, "That's correct."

"My purpose here is kind of the same.  If that's the case, want to go together?  Who knows, maybe our goals would align somehow."

This time, what he heard indeed surprised Astrid a bit.  But not too much since this turn of events was still within his expectations.  "If Miss Payne is inviting me, how dare I refuse?"

"Good.  Let's go then."

After Ellis said that, he walked straight ahead.

Astrid glanced at his brother, nodding at him to silently let him know that he was going with Ellis on his own volition.  And that he was, in no way, forced to go.  He received a nod as well as a respond.

Then, he turned to Lauren and smiled at the other - who was clearly showing a confused expression - just to make him not worry that something might happen. 

After that, he followed Ellis Payne, matching her pace.   

"What's your full name, by the way?" Ellis asked, as if just thinking about that.

"It's Astrid Townsend," Astrid answered.  "It's nice to meet you, Miss Payne."

"Just call me Ellis or Sister Ellis if you want," she said.  "It's better if we start getting along now.  After all, if all goes well, then the two of us might actually end up working together."

Astrid didn't ask what she meant by that.  Instead, he just smiled and called her very naturally, "Sister Ellis."

Ellis turned to him and then grinned.  "Yes, I think the of us will get along just fine."