Booking Glory-Chapter 116: Let Me Be The Villain... 2

"Andy, you need to think through this slowly. Don’t be in a rush. I don’t know if what Rob analyzed is true. But, you need to be careful," Dacey said earnestly.

Mr. Gibson sat smoking his cigar with a heavy frown on his face. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Dacey. But, her words were very unpleasant to hear.

After a long time, Mr. Gibson spoke.

"Are you sure he said that there was no chance for renewing the deal with Breeze TV?"

"Andy, I know how much that deal means to you. But, you have look at the facts. Steven introduced that deal to you. His relationship with Breeze is far deeper than yours. And if I were Breeze, I would choose a top tier promotion as well," Dacey said softly.

"Damn it! Just when things were looking up," Mr. Gibson muttered angrily. "What about that kid? Are you sure he is staying with LWC?"

"I’m 100% positive on that. Trust me when I say he isn’t going anywhere," Dacey said confidently.

"Come on doll, you know this business better than that. With that loophole in his contract, that kid can leave whenever he wants and take up Steven’s offer. I know Steven has his eye on that kid. There is no way Steven would forget about making that kid an offer," Mr. Gibson grumbled.

"Look, I’m very sure he isn’t going to take up Steven’s offer. Steven doesn’t want to give what Rob wants. So, you can out that out of your mind," Dacey assured Mr. Gibson.

"So, Steven had already reached to that kid, huh? What was the offer?" Mr. Gibson almost bit his cigar into two in his agitation.

"This..." Dacey hesitated.

"Sigh! Look Dacey, I don’t want to do this. I know this will be a breach of trust between you two. But, I need to know the answer to this. All my decisions will hinge on this. So, please..."

"You are putting me in a difficult position Andy. Damn it! I already broke his heart once. I don’t want to do this," Dacey sighed.

Mr. Gibson didn’t speak. He remained silent.

"Alright," Dacey took a deep breath and spoke after a while. "This doesn’t go beyond you and me. I will have your word on this."

"I promise." Mr. Gibson said solemnly.

"What Steven gave was an offer to be on commentary. Rob doesn’t want that. Rob is only interested in booking. And you know better than anyone the chances of such an offer coming is very, very small. As long as he remains a booker, he will remain in LWC. That I can guarantee you," Dacey lowered her voice and spoke slowly.

Mr. Gibson’s eyes flickered and an understanding dawned on his face. Then, his face bloomed into a big smile. Following that, he laughed loudly.

"Ha ha ha... my gamble paid off! My gamble paid off!"

Just then, Dacey’s phone vibrated with a ping. Dacey looked down and face flushed in guilt.

"Rob?" Mr. Gibson asked understandingly.

"Yeah," Dacey mumbled with guilt still on her face.

"Go on, read it." Mr. Gibson gestured and leaned back in his chair.

"Oh!" Dacey’s face wore a look of shock.

"What happened? Do I need to beat up that kid?" Mr. Gibson asked gruffly.

"I think you better read this yourself," Dacey mumbled and pushed her phone to him.

Mr. Gibson took over the phone with a curious look and read the message Rob had sent. The message was only two lines, but it sent Mr. Gibson into spiralling anger.

[I think Robin is Steven’s mole in LWC. Ask Mr. Gibson how Robin entered LWC and let me know.]

Mr. Gibson’s face became thunderous at this moment.

"Steven Rush, you son of a bitch! Damn you to seven hells!" Mr. Gibson roared and chuckes his ashtray in anger.

"Andy? Is this true? How did Robin come into LWC?"

"That kid is like a hound dog. He smelled it right. Indeed, it was Steven who recommended Robin when I started to put on shows. I was busy with management stuff. Desmond had his hands full with trainees."

"We needed someone with booking experience to book shows. Steven recommended that bastard Robin. Even I have forgotten about it. If not for this kid asking, I wouldn’t have remembered it at all," Mr. Gibson fumed.

"Andy, if he had analyzed this right, then maybe..." Dacey hesitated.

"That kid was not the first to question the possibility of renewing the Breeze TV deal," Mr. Gibson grumbled. "Desmond raised the same concern not two hours ago."

"He had a talk with someone from Breeze TV. Didn’t like the vibe. So, he asked me to check it out first and foremost. Now, this kid is also saying the same thing."

"So, what does this mean to LWC?" Dacey asked anxiously.

"If that kid’s gut feeling is right, then we will bleed. Bleed heavily. But, if I take precautions, I will be able to salvage things a bit," Mr. Gibson muttered irritably.

Dacey looked sullen hearing that.

"Don’t worry too much over these things. I will discuss with Desmond and make a plan. You go and have some fun with that kid," Mr. Gibson chuckled looking at Dacey’s sullen look.

"If I can help..."

"Dacey, dear, you have already helped a lot. Some things that were confusing me has become clear. Don’t worry, you go ahead and do your stuff. Leave this mess to me to deal with," Mr. Gibson smiled and shooed her away.

"And tell that kid to come see me in my office, the first thing tomorrow," Mr. Gibson added while still maintaining his smile, as Dacey rose from her seat.

Dacey smiled at him and vacated the room. Mr. Gibson’s smile evaporated the moment Dacey left the room. A stony look adorned his face as he took out his phone and dialled.

"Desmond, come to my office now. We have things to discuss."

****

When Dacey arrived for lunch, she had a guilty countenance.

Rob didn’t say anything. He knew Dacey was going to spill everything he analyzed aloud regarding the current situation to Mr. Gibson. However, Rob didn’t mind it as it helped him convey his message to Mr. Gibson.

Also, he was sure that Dacey might have shown that text he sent to Mr. Gibson. That was why he worded his message in a way that felt like seeking information, not as a statement.

By now, Mr. Gibson would have realized the gravity of things and would have started to act on it. That was enough. As long LWC had its framework intact, Rob can slowly develop it.

And also, the current situation was advantageous to Rob. With Robin gone, Mr. Gibson might trust him with more booking responsibilities. This way he would move up the ladder as well.

Smirking inwardly he laid out the lunch he had cooked on the dining table. He had a nice, quiet lunch with Dacey. It was both cozy and comfortable.

Dacey relaxed once lunch was served and was back to her old self. They discussed about small things and had their lunch sedately.

After lunch, Dacey prepared to return to her home. Rob walked her to the car and gave a slight peck on her cheek.

As Dacey moved to get in the car, she paused.

"Oh I almost forgot," Dacey slapped her head. "Andy asked me to tell you to come to his office first thing in the morning."

"Alright, I will go and meet him," Rob smiled and nodded.

Bidding farewell, he watched her car drive away for a while, before returning to his house.

Just as he prepared to relax, his phone rang. Checking the caller id, he found the call was from Brent.

"Brent, what’s the occasion?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Are you free this evening?"

"What’s the matter?"

"We finished the Excel software you outlined. Come and see if it meets your expectations. Also, Indi-Soft will be announcing the launch of our company’s Word program in two days. Do you want to attend the launch party?"

"I’m not sure about my schedule on Saturday. Let me update you tomorrow. I am free currently. I didn’t go to work today. I can come over and check things now."

"Oh what happened? You skipping work is a shocker! No one would believe you are a millionaire with that stupid pickup truck you are driving and your workaholic attitude."

"Are you living under a rock? Check today’s news paper, you will know why I didn’t go."

"Wrestling ones or others?"

"Wrestle Reports, Business Trek, and Daily Herald."

"Damn! Did something big happen? Sorry, we have been working nonstop to see if it was possible to finish Excel before the product launch. We wanted to at least have some samples," Brent said awkwardly.

"No worries. Just check them out later. Do you want me to bring anything over?"

"Bring a case of beer. Our stocks are running out."

"Will do. See you later."

Rob cut the call and immediately prepared to go over to Brent’s office.

*****

A/N: Hey folks!

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