* * *
“There area lot of good-looking faces here,” Vivienne Presley commented to Anubis.
“Let's hope their talent goes with their looks,” he replied.
Although she looked young, Vivienne was a world-class manager. Two of the stars she represented had been in at least three of Anubis's projects, and he’d had no problems with them. They showed up on time and kept their noses clean. Vivienne was second out of the top three managers that worked for Abandon Talent Agency. Anubis would have loved to have her as his manager; however, before he could make it happen, Azazel interfered and manipulated Paris Katasrakis into believing he was his manager from the start of Anubis's career.
Anubis couldn't really complain, since Paris was Khray Wade's protege and took his mentor's spot as number one in the business. These days, Khray was too busy being the CEO of Abandon and doubling as his lover Blue Lennox's manager to take on anyone else. Not only that, Abandon had the best representatives and public relations team.
“Why are you here?” Anubis asked Vivienne.
“I'm looking for new clients.”
Anubis's brows creased together upon hearing that. “Doesn't the company already assign enough people to you?”
“They do, but sometimes the next diamond in the rough is in the crowd, and I don't want to miss them.”
Her witchy brown eyes sparkled as she scanned the room.
“Goddess, you look positively excited about this.” Anubis chuckled.
“You act as if this doesn't get you hot and bothered. That you can find someone to mold into the perfect actor.” She quirked a brow and leaned in close to whisper, “Or maybe not as hot as a new submissive.”
Anubis huffed. “How did you find out about that?”
“My guy, you've never hidden that you're into kink.” She leaned back, smiling. “I like that you've never hidden that, or Paris never told you to do that.”
How did my life become such an open book?Anubis narrowed his eyes as the question played in his head, and the only reason he could think of was Azazel, who did some tricks of his own.That fucker!
“Is that so?” Anubis drawled.
“Yup.” She giggled. “Anyway, what are you doing here?”
“Same as you. I'm looking for that actor who will wow me enough to put them in my next production.”
Vivienne smiled. “I knew you and I had something in common. My question is, why are we just now having a conversation?”
“I guess our paths were meant to cross here and no other time.”
“Maybe,” Vivienne said thoughtfully. “It's strange, but you've been the busiest man I know in Valleywood over the past week. Talk shows, guest appearances; it’s like one day I went to sleep and you were known as just a director, and now, you’re all over the place.”
Anubis smiled but didn’t say anything. His suggestion magic had worked so well that he was always on the go. The way things worked now, it was like he had been splitting his time between acting and directing. But in the past few days, his new manager had been more focused on him than his other clients. Anubis was actually happy for the break the audition gave him, where all he needed to do was watch others try to impress him.
“Do you think you’ll find who you’re looking for here?” Vivienne asked.
Anubis smiled, not answering her question. Instead, he panned the large room, and his eyes fell on the unforgettable red-orange hair that had been plaguing his dreams for the past week.
Well, this is interesting; I remember that beauty from the restaurant. So, he's an actor or wants to be one.
The beauty, as Anubis called him in his head. It was strange, Anubis had only gotten one look at the man, but his image was burned into his mind, and he often thought about him when he was idle for a minute or two. Now, looking at the handsome man, Anubis wanted their eyes to connect for some odd reason. However, the handsome man wasn’t looking at him, but that was okay. He’d get to see a little more of him in a few minutes.
Anubis got the attention of his assistant, Tyrek Adams.
“Anubis, sir, what can I do for you?” Tyrek said, coming to stand next to him.
“The redhead over there.” He pointed toward the beauty. “Get me his information.”
Tyrek looked to where Anubis pointed, nodded, and ran off to do what was asked.
