Calvin's Industry

Chapter 8: The Seed of War.

"You are just like all the other vultures," he said with obvious bitterness.

"You see someone like me and think you've found easy money. I spent 18 months in jail because of people like you. I suffered there because I trusted the wrong suit with the wrong contract. I was lured in by someone like you and lost everything because of it, yet somehow that isn't enough for all of you?"

Even though her heart was pounding, Abigail stayed perfectly still.

"Freya Music Group wants to give you complete creative control. We will only step in when you ask us to. We don't interfere with your work or make demands on how to make your music."

Jason laughed again, this time hollow and broken.

"Of course, and after I sign your stupid contract, your crafty lawyers will find some tiny clause in the documents that signs away my soul. You are beautiful, I'll give you that, but you're a terrible liar."

She stood and placed her business card on the table next to the nearest overflowing ashtray. Jason's hands were shaking now. Whether from anger or withdrawal, Abigail wasn't sure.

"Take your card and get out of my house."

But she left the card on the table and headed towards the door. As Abigail was leaving, Jason called out.

This time, his voice was quieter, but still sharp with pain.

"Next time you want to con someone, try a different approach. Use that pretty face of yours to make the person believe you truly care. Make the person think dreams will come true because you genuinely support him."

Jason took another drag from his cigarette.

"You still look young, and that's really all you've got going for you anyway."

His cruel words hit Abigail like a physical blow. She stopped walking and turned back to look at him.

The hurt must have shown on her face, because Jason was suddenly shocked by his own cruelty.

"My number is on the card," she said calmly despite the pain.

"Call me if you change your mind."

Abigail looked at the large cross on the wall behind him.

"Bless you, Jason."

He called out again as she reached the door.

"Abigail, wait!"

But she was now walking towards her car, and Jason only watched from his window as the young woman he hurt drove away without saying anything. As the car got out of sight, he looked down at the card and read the name.

"Freya Music Group - Where The Artist Comes First." It looked like it had just been printed, and hurriedly so.

With the card still in his hand, Jason looked at the trash bin nearby and decided to make use of it.

* * *

Out in the parking lot of an all-night diner, Abigail sat in her car with tears in her eyes.

She called Calvin, almost afraid to tell him that the mission was a failure. He answered before the first ring finished.

"How did it go?" Calvin asked.

His voice made her break.

"He is broken, Calvin," Abigail said.

"He is so angry and cruel. I did everything you said, but he rejected us completely. The things he said, they really hurt."

About ten seconds of silence passed before he asked the next question.

"Did you leave the card?"

Now Abigail felt more hurt and angry. She had just told him what happened to her, yet Calvin seemed to be more worried about business.

"Yes, I left it."

Now she could almost hear the smile in his voice.

"Perfect," Calvin said.

"You did well, Abigail."

She rolled her eyes.

"I just told you he rejected us."

"Yes, I heard you," he said.

"But the seed has been planted. That is all that mattered tonight. You made your move perfectly, now I'll make mine."

It was this kind of almost blind assurance that Abigail both loved and hated about Calvin.

"How can you be so sure this will work?"

"Well, my love, maybe it's because I know something about Jason that he has forgotten about himself," he replied.

"Trust me, Abigail, you were perfect tonight. Now come home to me. Tomorrow, everything changes."

The line went dead. She looked at her phone for a while before resting her head on the steering wheel.

"You could have just asked how I was doing."