[Can you come in?]

Weeks after weeks passed by. Ian and John continuously kept shooting the movie back and forth. Sometimes, even the actors didn’t get many breaks, but as the main cast is quite limited for the movie, it was as if the directors were able to run the shooting without requesting the entire movie cast.

Ian and John hadn’t had the best relationship while directing or agreeing on a scene. Throughout the weeks that have passed, they have had more than fifty conversations about different scenes.

At times, while listening to John explain his point of view on the shot, Ian had no choice but to be completely unbiased even though he knew that the original way he had in mind could’ve done miracles.

Nevertheless, after so many comparisons, while giving so many thoughts to several odd scenes, they compromised on certain things.

“...And that is also why I think working with him has given me quite the insight of my script.”

Niko looked at Ian with a questioning expression. The question in his mind had been there not just for a day, but for quite some time as he wondered how the partnership had been going considering how Ian wasn’t a person to get into that sort of a relationship with work.

Ian had generated his own ideas, and with just a little help he had built his own empire, and currently, he’s doing two movies, which altogether exceed a three billion budget. That also meant that two years of his work was not for nothing.

“Ian, I never saw you as someone who’s willing to expand your position to create-”

“I’m a creator, Ian. I direct things, I create things and I basically give things to the world that could actually bring a new perspective to people. My main goal is to bring amazing projects that would blow people’s minds. So, with that being said, I’m everything but selfish.

“Yeah, I want to create a huge thing for Renner Studios, and I’m doing it eventually, but at the same time, I don’t think strictly keeping it with myself and the studio would do it. I’m finally ready to expand to every field and widen my horizons with creativity, so do not give me that weird eye.”

Ian kept continuously talking, and by the end of his huge explanation, Niko had his hands in the air.

“I knew dating Raelynn was a good idea, but not if you start fighting back like her. Damn, these couples,” he shook his head and started picking up the files that he brought to Ian.

“Where did that come from?” Ian asked after a chuckle that left his lips.

“Ah, you caught me. It’s just Raelynn isn’t stopping talking about you. Literally. I’m pretty sure soon you’d see me with a broken-”

“Mr. Leonard is here to meet you, sir. Should I send him in? He’s saying that it’s an emergency.”

Murphy chirped in without even knocking which made Ian frown in the process but nod along. Niko nodded while gesturing that he understood it, and walked away.

-

Leonard Keystone was a man in his thirties. The interesting factor that made Ian, the man inside the office, instantly let Leonard in was that he was the CEO of Feazel Gaming.

“How is it going?” The man who sat in front of him with an expensive-looking suit that matched his watch asked, looking at his face.

Ian. Ian Renner. The same man who made so many people feel so many different levels of emotions including fear and suspense considering how much fame and success he had achieved in a very small period of time.

The gaming company was under Jeff Sanson’s name for quite some time now, and the man in front of him had acquired the company just to build games based on his movies.

“Yes, actually I’m here to explain something. I can't believe I’m saying this, but there are some things that are actually related to Jeff’s ownership.”

His eyes went from warm to a confused expression real quickly that Leonard had to take a step back.

“Please, have a seat,” Ian’s voice made the guy instantly agree with what he said.

Leonard dragged the seat without wasting any more time and sat in front of the man, pulling up paperwork to get settled for the conversation.

“What are you saying, Leonard?” Ian asked straightforwardly.

Leonard visibly gulped down and put his professional face on as he showed the highlighted phrases of the file.

“These are very concerning clauses in the agreement. And, these are especially threatening for his ownership of the majority shares in the company. But the thing is, all the problems have been overlooked by his lawyers. And even the company lawyers had said absolutely nothing in return.

“I’m the CEO of the company, but also I’ve worked in the legal department for more than seven years and knowing that I started from this, I can’t ignore matters like this,” Disappointment was visible in Leonard's eyes.

“Hmm, what are you suggesting?” Ian asked without saying anything more.

From how Leonard was reacting, it was clear that Jeff and Leonard had quite the connections in the past. The thought was mainly up in the air considering not even a single member from the top board of Feazel Gaming had tried to contact Ian regarding the position that Ian had taken away from Jeff.

And knowing that Leonard was one of the well-trusted, well-known, and a person who is also behind the reason the gaming company climbed that many steps in the ladder of career, he couldn’t help but frown at the entire discussion that was ongoing.

Ian felt a sting in his gut, but he ignored it as he knew that the man in front of him could do little to nothing.

“I don’t know, Ian. You tell me. In reality, it’s not even as if the major ownership of the shares even matters, but also at the same time, I’m worried you owned them in no legal process.”

“That’s the thing. I never thought of the matter in this view, but even then, I don’t see a reason why this concerns you.”

“... How can you talk to me like that?” Leonard asked while his voice raised gradually.

“What do you mean by how can I talk to you like that?” Ian asked back.

“If you don’t-”

“Well, Leonard, is it?” Ian stretched forward in his chair so they were closer than they were. “I’m not a man who threatens people, or a man who’d really go around making my coworkers uncomfortable. But hey, if you are, the door is right there, you can walk out.

“I don’t like making enemies as I’m new to the career, which you’re very well aware of. But I don’t mind playing the opposite team for a change. So,” Ian shrugged as he stopped talking altogether.

“Hmm. The arrogance must be very common around here, but what do you think would happen if I actually go to Jeff with this new piece of information, huh?”

The question made Ian laugh internally. He kept a straight face considering he didn’t want the CEO of the very gaming company he owned to be angry with him of any sort.

“What do you think will happen?” Ian asked back.

“Ian, this is not good. Acquiring by legal means is something, but bribing people to climb the ladder is something else-”

Ian’s eyes widened as he expressed his horror at his words.

“Woah, Woah. What exactly do you mean by a bribe? Who bribed who? And are you talking about yourself? The little money grabbing and the fame collecting you did while Jeff was around? Oh wait, you just said that… That it doesn’t even matter who holds ownership over whom.. I’ll let it be,” Ian said the latter slowly as the bitter expression covered the man’s face.

“I think we still have things to talk about,” Leonard said and stood up immediately, adjusting his tie.

It wasn’t how he had expected things would go. Although Leonard wanted Ian to admit to his faults, his tongue slipped more quickly than his mind could.

The sharp and collected Ian spent no more time before placing the question right where it belonged.

“I’m sure we do, when can we meet again? I’ve some ideas for the next big video game Feazel can create.”

Leonard extended his hand and Ian took it.

Although it was silent, the handshake held a lot of compromises for the benefit of the future, just because Ian would be handling the company how he wants, and Leonard would have no choice.

From the way that Ian talked, and how his expressions gave all his thoughts away, Leonard knew immediately that messing with Ian could be anything but sweeter than he could expect.

After Leonard walked away and closed his door behind him, Ian immediately called Murphy.

“Can you come in?”