Chapter 3 MR. PERFECTIONIST PART 3
Finally, Bianca opened the door to the main studio where Alexander was waiting patiently. Too patiently in fact for a busy man like himself.
"Mr. Hunt, this is..." Bianca started just as Vivienne came in behind her .
Alexander stepped up and held out his hand. "Thanks for coming down."
Vivienne looked at the hand. She thought about it for a second, but then she took it. "I heard you wanted to see me." She said.
He had a strong grip, which made her heart raced. She quickly pulled away.
"I did." He was looking at her face now. "You were watching the tryouts."
"I was." She crossed her arms, needing the space. "But I'm not one of the people trying out for a role today."
"I know. You were judging them. You get the work."
"That doesn't make me a model."
"Why not?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why not? If you know how to cast well, why waste that knowledge behind the scenes?"
Her jaw got tighter. He didn't know what he was asking. He didn't know who he was talking to. "That's not what I do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
She turned to leave and pointed at Bianca. "Bianca will show you..."
"No, wait." He stepped in front of her. "Please listen to me."
She stopped and looked at him. She hated how desperate he sounded. "Five minutes," she told him.
He pointed to the chairs. "Please, take a seat."
"I'll stand."
He almost smiled.
"As you already know," he started, "I'm working on a multimedia franchise called Tyranny. We need a face for the main character. It's going to be released all over the world in six months, and our investors are counting on it."
Of course he did. Three days ago, she had seen this project on her schedule for today. But she never thought he was Mr. Hunt. The person who owns the project. She tried to listen, but her mind kept going in circles. She listened with a lot of pain as memories tried to break into her mind.
Alexander went on, "In Tyranny, the main character is a woman who fights her way from struggle to power. She's complicated, strong, and hurt. I've seen hundreds of faces this month, but none of them have what you do. To put it simply, we need you for this project."
"Mr. Hunt, you don't know what you're asking."
"No, I don't. But I know what I see."
She laughed. "What you see is someone saying no to you. I appreciate the offer, but I am not a model."
"Why not be a model? You look good."
"Because I said no," she said firmly. "Bianca can show you our full roster. We have wonderful women who would be perfect for your project. I'll pick five for you to meet myself."
"I don't want five people; I want you."
The words hit her like a punch. He had said that before. Different context, but the same words.
"Then you're wasting your time," she said as she walked past him toward the door.
"At least think about it," he shouted after her.
She stopped at the door and turned her back to him. "I've thought about it. The answer is still no."
She left before he could say anything else.
The studio was quiet. Bianca stood still, clearly not knowing what to do next.
Alexander looked at the door after her. This was the first time a woman had ever said no to him. This was the first time anyone had ever said no to him. He thought about his mother and what she would say right now.
Get over it and find someone else to do it.
But he didn't get to where he was by taking no for an answer the first time.
"What's her name?" Alexander asked Bianca.
Bianca bit her lip. "That's what I was trying to tell you, Mr. Hunt. That's Vivienne Cross, the co-owner of CrossLight Entertainment."
Alexander raised his eyebrows. That means she is the CEO. A real businesswoman.
"This makes it more fun."
Jane coughed. "Sir, I'm sorry. This is clearly not what we were hoping for. I think we should look for other agencies. There's nothing for us here."
Alexander took out his phone. "Send Ms. Cross a request to meet tomorrow at 10 AM in my office."
"Mr. Hunt, she already said no..."
"She said no to being in the project, but she didn't say no to a business meeting."
While Alexander buttoned his jacket, he looked around. "Let's see if the owner of CrossLight Entertainment turns down the biggest offer of her life." He noticed the small room, the old furniture, and the old equipment. "She could use it, from what I can see."
He headed toward the door, his ego at its peak. Feeling challenged by this woman. A woman challenging Alexander Hunt was strange. But it didn't matter.
He was going to get what he wanted, no matter what.
As always.