Chapter 984: Melanie

"Uhm... excuse me?" James rushed outside, following the mysterious beauty. He wore a nervous smile as the woman stopped in her tracks and looked back at him. "My name is James. I’m Slater’s manager. I’m sorry for what Slater said just now."

The woman smiled and nodded. "Don’t worry. It’s fine since it’s true."

"No, it’s not!" James exclaimed, shaking his head profusely. "You’re beautiful, Miss. Slater is just... he’s just a little blunt, but I’m sure he didn’t mean it!"

"He didn’t mean it?" the woman chuckled. "Whatever you say, Manager James. Thank you for apologizing, but it’s fine. I didn’t take it to heart. Still, I appreciate it."

James smiled at her and took out his business card. "If you ever want to enter the industry, you can always call me. Our company would love to welcome someone as beautiful as you."

The woman arched her brows as her eyes fell on the card in his hand. Her red lips curled up into an amused smile as she took it from him.

"I never thought of it, but I’ll consider it. Perhaps when I have more time," she remarked. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome!" James grinned, watching the woman turn her back on him. "Uhm, wait!"

"Yes?"

"I’m sorry, but I haven’t gotten your name."

The woman smiled again. "Mint," she said. "Like peppermint. See you around."

"Oh..." James’s mouth formed an ’O’ shape. This time, he didn’t stop the woman from leaving. "Peppermint...? What a strange name... Mint... but it’s actually very catchy."

His mouth stretched from ear to ear, his eyes squinting. "I hope she signs with us. I’ll make her a star!" But above all, James could finally have another money tree, who hopefully wouldn’t slave him around like Slater was doing.

He wouldn’t mind managing that woman as well. After managing Slater’s career for years, James had already gotten used to it, along with his work as the CEO of the company. Besides, it would be good for his portfolio.

******

Minutes later...

"Uh... Slater...?" James moved toward where Slater was. "There’s one more, and then you’re done for the day."

Slater was stretching his neck when James whispered to him. He snapped his eyes open and nodded.

"I just want to finish this," he said. James quickly signaled for someone to let the last woman join Slater. Once the woman was seated, James walked away to give Slater and the woman "some" privacy.

"Name?" Slater asked, lazily dragging the album in front of him, not bothering to look at the woman’s face since they all looked the same to him. Moreover, he was a little tired of smiling and entertaining all these girls, even though today’s numbers were nothing compared to his official autograph signings.

’I guess I’m getting older,’ he thought. ’I’m tired after just a few girls? Well, I haven’t worked for almost a month now.’

After a minute, Slater still hadn’t heard the woman speak. He raised his head and repeated,

"Excuse me, your name...?" Slater trailed off as his eyes slowly dilated, holding his breath.

There, seated in front of him, wasn’t a young woman like all the others. Instead, a more mature woman stood before him, appearing younger than her real age. She looked like she was in her late thirties, but Slater knew she was older than that.

He gazed at the familiar pair of dark eyes, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. The woman, on the other hand, flashed him a shallow smile.

"Parker," she answered, tilting her head to the side since Slater hadn’t jotted down her name. "Did you hear me?"

"Uh... of course." Slater cleared his throat, forcing a smile before shaking his head to focus. "You said... it’s Parker...?"

"Yes." The woman nodded, watching his hand try to write her name on the album. "You seem tired."

"Huh?"

"Your hand’s trembling," she pointed out, smiling brightly as her eyes locked with his. "Or are you scared?"

"..." The slight smile on Slater’s face faded, replaced by a thin layer of frost. "No."

"Of course, you shouldn’t," she said. "Why would you be scared? I’m just a woman who, somehow, got the chance to be arranged for this date."

A moment of silence fell between them, with the woman still smiling at him. Slater let out a shallow breath before an airy chuckle escaped him.

"Hmm?" The woman hummed, her brows rising. "Did I say something funny?"

"No, no." He shook his head, finishing his signature before closing the album and sliding it toward her. "It’s just that... I guess the matchmaker thinks I’m into older women twice my age."

His attempt at humor didn’t make her laugh. "Even so, I appreciate that my craft is being appreciated by people of all genders and ages. It’s meant for that, anyway."

"However, I’m not into older women," he added with a friendly smile. "Though I know quite a few men in the industry who don’t mind having a sponsor."

"Aren’t you charming and humorous?" She remarked, taking the album and standing up. "It’s nice to meet you in person, Slater Bennet."

Slater didn’t answer, maintaining his smile. He deliberately waited for the woman to turn her back before he spoke again.

"It’s also nice to meet you... Parker." He slowly rose to his feet, watching the woman glance over her shoulder. "Though, I hope, if you want to see me next time, an invitation would be nice. I might or might not go. However, you’re too old to be crashing into someone’s date."

The woman smiled and nodded. She didn’t say another word as she resumed her steps, leaving Slater without looking back. Once she was out of the cafe, she slowed down and gazed down at the album he had signed. She slipped her thumb between the pages, parting the cover, only to see Slater’s short note and signature.

[Dearest Melanie,

Thank you for your constant support.

Sincerely,

Slater.]

She smirked and looked back at the cafe. "Is Melanie the name I gave him? I forgot." She laughed, shaking her head as she resumed her steps, tossing the album in the trash bin on her way out.