The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

UNLIKE the other day when Astrid went here, there were more people present in the building.  Probably because it's close to lunch time.  As always, he still received many people's attention.  But he quickly noticed that it was a bit more than usual.  He suspected that it was because of Ellis.  A number of the people they passed by definitely recognized her.  Especially those other agents.

The conversations he heard along the way were all the same. 

"Is that really Ellis Payne?  The former agent of Olivia Crane?  Didn't she disappear suddenly five years ago?  What is she doing here?"

"Haven't you heard?  She's going to work here as a new agent."

"Really?  Then, that teenager with her should be her artist?"

"Most likely.  With that appearance, there's no way he's not a newcomer."

"You're right.  This is my first time seeing someone with both black hair and black eyes.  With such an appearance alone, he would definitely be a big hit.  But why give him to an agent who hadn't worked for five years.  Wouldn't that be such a shame?"

"I heard this Ellis Payne has a connection with someone with the upper management."

"No wonder."

Astrid shook his head and just ignored the conversations he was hearing.  He glanced at his agent and saw that she looked unbothered.  She probably also heard what those people were saying.  She just didn't care.

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Even if Ellis was absent from the entertainment industry for five years, her ability as an agent wouldn't just suddenly vanish because of that.  It was no fluke that Olivia Crane managed to get to the top five of Star List.  One of the reasons for that was because Ellis managed her career in a way that would put her at the top.

It's the reason he did not hesitate to agree when she asked if she could be his agent.  Because he knew that he would be in good hands.

They walked to the elevator and Ellis pressed the ninth-floor button.  Once they reached the ninth floor, she led him to an office.  It was mid-size but because of the floor to ceiling window, it looked much bigger.  There was a desk, a small round table in front with two chairs, and there was even a small coffee station on the side.

"Is this Sister Ellis' office?" he asked.

"Yeah," Ellis answered while walking to the desk.  "Sit or you can drink coffee if you like."

Astrid walked towards the coffee station and started making two cups of coffee.  "Sister Ellis, what type of coffee do you drink?"

"Black, no sugar," Ellis answered naturally. 

Then, she stopped what she was doing and looked at the teenager.  The other was standing beside the coffee station and making coffee for two.  His back was straight and his beautiful side profile was showing a gentle smile.  She couldn't help but open her Terminal and take a picture.  This would be a good material to post on [Cyberspace] once Astrid started doing official activities.

She looked at the picture and was relieved to see that despite her amateur photographing skill, the other still looked amazing.  It was good that the kid was photogenic.  There were those who looked amazing in real life but when it came to photos and films, it's the total opposite.  Well, not really opposite, their visuals were simply downplayed a lot.  As if they were enemies of the lens.

But it seemed like she didn't have to worry about that with Astrid.  Since the other was simply the darling of the lens. 

Ellis saved the picture and saw that Astrid had already put the cups of coffee on the glass table.  She walked over and sat opposite the other.  She picked up the cup of coffee in front of her and drank a sip. 

The moment she did, her eyes widened a bit because of how good it tasted.  It's almost comparable to the coffee being sold to high-class café. 

"You brew one hell of a coffee," she commented.

Astrid only smiled at that.

Ellis put down the coffee and opened her Terminal once again.  "Your contract has already been signed by Grant.  You only need to sign and the contract will be completed."  She then sent the contract with Grant's signature to Astrid's Terminal.  "Read it, check if there's nothing wrong then sign it.  After that, send the contract back to me."

She then pushed an electronic pen towards Astrid.

Astrid opened his Terminal and clicked on the contract.  After checking that nothing was wrong, he picked up the electronic pen and signed his name on every line that needed his signature.  After that, just like Ellis said, he sent it back to her.

"With this, you and I are now officially part of Polaris," Ellis said after she received the contract.  "Shall we talk about future plans?"

Astrid nodded.  "I'd like that as well."

"Then, first, can you tell me what your goal is?"

The question was broad.  Because a person could have a lot of goals in life.  Especially in such a life where one could live up to 300 years.  The reason Ellis asked that was because she wanted to know just how much determination the other had. 

"I want to be the number one star of this Empire," Astrid answered without any hesitation.

Ellis stopped.  Astrid's voice was very calm but it felt like that sentence rang loudly, not only in her ears but also in her heart.  Every syllable was full of conviction.  Not to mention, the determination filling in those black eyes that were looking straight at her.  He truly believed that he could do it.  It was not a delusion but a firm belief.

She couldn't help but laugh.  It was like a laugh of a child full of happiness.  The dream that she had when she decided to become an agent also slowly resurfaced in her mind.  That dream that she almost gave up because of what Olivia did.  – To become the agent of the number one star.

Maybe with this kid, she could really do it.

"Then, let's set a temporary goal first," she said.  "After all, every goal starts with a single point."

"Sounds good to me," Astrid agreed.  "Then, how about being part of Star List's top 100?"

Ellis was once again rendered speechless before laughing.  "Well, I was thinking of top 300, but top 100 will also do."

Astrid understood why the other thought that top 300 would be enough for a starting point.  After all, there were literally thousands of artists in this industry.  Being in the top 500 was already considered a big achievement.  But he didn't want just that.

"If we have to start somewhere, then, we should start big.  That way, we could leave a much deeper impression."

"Are you sure you can do it?  The updated Star List would be released next month.  The next one after that would be four months from now."

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Astrid understood the implication but he didn't falter.  "Yes.  Besides, Sister Ellis will help me, right?"

Ellis grinned.  "Of course."  Then she raised her cup of coffee.  "Should we have a toast for this future?"

Astrid raised one of his brows in amusement.  "Over a cup of coffee?"

Ellis shrugged.  "Why not?"

Astrid only shook his head with a smile then also raised his cup and clinked it to Ellis' cup.  "To the future."