Chapter 56

56 Love Song

Finally, we arrived back at the agency and made our way up to EROS’s designated floor. Being the top star of the agency, EROS had his own floor and rarely uses any facility with the other celebrities in the agency. He had his own dressing room, dance studio, recording studio, meeting rooms, living quarters, fitness and the list goes on and on.

Mark quickly led us to one of the meeting rooms on EROS’s floor where the producer was already waiting for us. EROS hasn’t said a word since we entered the building and his charismatic aura had been completely switched off.

“Are you sure it’s ok to promise the fan about a new single when you haven’t even started working on it?” Mark asked with concern as we walked along.

“It’s fine. I don’t like to disappoint my fans plus we’re supposed to launch a single soon anyways...” EROS replied passively.

We entered the meeting room and a very thin man in baggy clothing was there waiting for us. He greeted everyone with a warm smile. So, this man is the producer?

“EROS! It’s good to see you. How have you been?” the man asked.

He seemed to know EROS quite well. I guess that was how it’s supposed to be since this man produced many of EROS’s songs and albums before.

“Yo. What do you want today?” EROS said as he sat down opposite the man at the meeting table.

Mark and I took our seat next to EROS. The producer turned to open his bag before pulling out some paper and placed it on the table for EROS to see.

.....

EROS picked up the paper for a closer look. Maybe it was just my imagination but I was certain that EROS’s face darkened grimly as he narrowed his eyes at the contents of the paper. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was seeing.

“What do you think?” the producer asked.

“Impossible...” EROS said as he placed the papers down on the table.

“What do you mean?” the producer asked in shock.

“I reject this proposal. I don’t want to release a love song,” EROS said resolutely.

“EROS, we’ve been talking about this for a long time already. It’s time for you to tap into a more mass market. The largest market for songs is the love song category,” Mark quickly jumped in.

“No way. Of all the love songs you’re asking for, you’re asking for a lovey-dovey love song?” EROS said with a disgusted look on his face.

“Umm...Calvin, what about darker love songs? Unrequited love or like break up songs?” Mark suggested as he tried to find some middle ground between the two.

“I’m looking for a slow and romantic love song that can showoff EROS’s voice without the blaring music in the background. I also want the song to be adaptable into an acoustic version as well,” the producer stated without willing to back down.

“It doesn’t fit with my image...at all...” EROS stated firmly.

“That’s the thing, EROS is super popular now but we’re struggling to grow your fanbase,” the producer said.

“Well, isn’t that because everyone knows about EROS already? He’s very popular,” Mark counter.

“Knowing a celebrity and being his hardcore fan, isn’t the same thing. Surely you know that, Mark. We want EROS to have more hardcore fans because they are willing to pay more. They buy everything that we launch, and they never miss a concert. We need more of those people and the easiest way is to launch EROS into the romance genre of everything. Love songs, Love movies, Love dramas and everything else,” Calvin proposed passionately.

Mark was deep in thought and so was EROS. I had to say that what Calvin said was very convincing. It was obvious that the mainstream part of the industry was dominated by romantic content.

“Maybe that’s the case but I’m not sure if EROS...” Mark began saying before he glanced nervously at EROS.

Ultimately, it was up to EROS to decide. I doubt Mark or anyone could force him to do anything that he didn’t want.

“If I release a love song for my new single, will more people listen to it? Will more people get to know me?” EROS asked.

For the first time, EROS seemed interested in something, and it surprised me. I didn’t think that EROS would care so much about his popularity.

“Absolutely. We can market the song a lot more given its genre as well,” the producer confirmed with certainty.

“Ok. Let’s do it,” EROS said with renewed determination.

“Oh, yes! Best news ever. You will not regret this, trust me. Your fans will love it! Everyone will love it!”

Mark breathed a sigh of visible relief as the atmosphere in the room lighted slightly at EROS’s affirmative decision.

“What are the next steps?” Mark asked.

“Well, I assume EROS would want to work on the lyrics and composition himself as he always does but of course, my team and I are happy to help out if he wishes,” Calvin replied.

“I’ll contact you when I have something...” EROS said.

...

The next day, despite having a new song to write, EROS was swamped with work from early morning till evening. By the time we got back to the office, it was already dark, and the building was close to deserted. It was 8PM and most office workers have already left for the day apart from some that were doing overtime.

When we arrived at EROS’s floor, I felt bone tired, and I prayed that this wasn’t a sign of me getting old. Mark looked visibly tired as well but when I thought that the day was over, I was proved to be very wrong.

“I’m sorry to ask you for this but...can you keep an eye on EROS while he thinks up some lyrics for his new single? I have a meeting to go to now with the management and someone needs to make sure that he starts writing those lyrics” Mark said sounding extremely apologetic.

He must be referring to the love song that EROS is supposed to compose but does he expect EROS to work on it right now?

–To be continued...