Chapter 303 - The Chronos Squad's Endorsement Of Shoe Brand (3)

"What now?! You say it's expensive?! It's expensive? Well, let me tell you... this building is not like those simple entertainment firms.  This is the place where the brightest stars are born! Not any person could afford to come in and out here! Don't waste my time, young lady! If you don't have money... leave! Or else, I will call the police and tell them that you are purposely causing trouble for me!" the guard scolded them. His eyes sharply gazed at Sofia, as if giving her a warning that something bad would really happen if she won't leave.

'The reputation of Jones Studio is actually that remarkable?' Sofia pondered after hearing the guards claim that the place is where the stars are born. She never paid too much attention to the entertainment world during her past life and present life. But, she somehow understood the basics of how certain agencies train talents to enter the stardom of the entertainment industry.

Sofia formed her lips into a thin line and remained silent for a while. She just stared at the guard with an undisturbed expression on her face. After a few seconds, she turned around and signaled her companions to move a few steps backward.

After walking on the side, she slowly halted their movements, just a few steps away from the guard, and continued to observe.

Another newcomer approached the guard and paid him money before entering the building. Then, a male group approached the guard too and the same procedure happened.

"Sof, it seems that entrance fee is really necessary before we can enter," Claire mumbled and helplessly sighed while her hands were crossed on her chest.

"I can pay the entrance fee, Sof. I don't really mind," Clark stated discreetly. For some reason, he also felt that the guard wanted to humiliate them for not being able to pay the entrance fee. And he did not want his friend to experience such disgrace. "It's kind of embarrassing if we stand here, Sof. Just let me pay for today," he added.

"We are just standing here. There is no reason for us to feel ashamed, Clark. I'll contact Cathy, one of the staff in the management of the shoe company. I'll coordinate with her first. Let's just wait for her reply," Sofia said while typing a message on her phone.

"O-okay, Sof," Clark whispered and purposely lowered his gaze.

After sending a text message, Sofia looked up and saw Clark's unusual expression. Then, she suddenly recalled the strange expression she had noticed on the first person that approached them in the van.

"Don't feel down, Clark. Standing here is not embarrassing. But, I'm really confused. How could a guard of a recognized studio with a good reputation in the entertainment business in this district act so hostile to us? I thought he was tricking us to pay the entrance fee. But, now, he seemed confident of what he was doing," Sofia expressed and looked in the direction of the guard once more. 

The man had a bulky physique which helped him look really imposing. His physique could be the reason why the others never argued with him. And despite calling his action and mentioning extortion, the man's attitude did not change even a bit. Thus, Sofia could tell that it may not be the case of trickery...

But what was really the case? It was puzzling, but her intuition seemed to give her a hint. However, she seemed to have not reached another conclusion. Her mind was cloudy and she tried to think clearly of the other possibilities.

Another minute passed and Sofia's phone vibrated. She saw the notification message that the shoe company staff had replied to her message. 

She quickly opened the message. But after reading it, she could not help but from.

The message told her to pay the entrance fee!

"Hah! The staff of the shoe company actually wants us to pay 100$?! How unprofessional! They never mentioned this fee to me during our contract discussion!" Sofia notified her companions. She was about to press the call button on her screen to talk directly to the management. "It's better to clear and sort things out in a direct conversation than in text message!" But, before she could press the call button, suddenly, an idea occurred to her.

"Could it be that the owner of this shoe company and the owner of this building... Jones Studio... is the same?" Sofia mumbled.

"Huh?" her companions asked in confusion.

"I think it is! A careful strategy to gain income from the chain of businesses..." Sofia trailed and look at the other building around them. 

As she eyed her members, confusion was visible on their faces. 

"For example, I have two different kinds of businesses."

Sofia raised her two hands as if it were the imaginary business. All her palms were wide open and remained suspended in the air. "My first business is a studio set," she moved her left hand.

"...And the other is the videography/photography business," she moved her right hand.

Her companions looked at her attentively as she continued to demonstrate...

"As a photographer, I can initiate an arrangement in my studio with all my clients. Of course, for the convenience of those clients, they would mostly agree. But, the clients do not know that I also own the studio set. So, if I put an entrance payment when entering the studio, I can earn income from both businesses," Sofia finished and clenched both her palms as if both hands were holding the imaginary income.

"Sof... you mean---?" Joey paused and felt conflicted about how Sofia explained her thoughts.

"Is that legal?" Claire also expressed while staring at Sofia's clenched palms.

Sofia sighed and finally put down her hands on her side. "It is legal... as long as both businesses are registered. That's one of the many strategies to double their source of income."

"Then, we have no choice but to pay the entrance fee, Sof?" Clark questioned.

"Ahhh... our group has no cash at the moment. There is no way we would pay... Hahaha," Sofia laughed loudly. Despite Clark's willingness to pay, Sofia seemed to ignore the idea of him using personal his money.

"If our business is stable, I don't mind supporting this type of strategy. However, we just started our operation. We need to keep our money and focus on budgeting," Sofia added after her laughter subsided.

At the distance, the guard was still standing and looked at Sofia's group with a deep frown on his face. He started watching them when Sofia raised her hand until he saw Sofia laughing.

"This foolish group... tsk!" he mumbled in anger. In his mind, he thought that Sofia was probably rehearsing while moving her hands. "Hey! You can't stay in there! Here is not the right place for that performance! Since you have no money, just go home! Go!"

Sofia looked at the guard and simply listened to him. She finally fixed her expression and walked closer to him. "Ahh... uncle, we really have an appointment. We cannot go home!"

"I already told you that you need to pay. You can't enter in this building without payment," the guard gritted his teeth in annoyance. He had silently prayed that the teens would just simply walk out and leave.

"Uncle, you are right and you are also wrong," Sofia smiled. "You are right when you said that we have no money. We can't pay this entrance fee. And we will not pay it too. You are wrong... because we will enter this building."

The guard's eyes widened. He opened his mouth and was about to scold Sofia when three figures emerged from the inside of the building. 

These figures belonged to Cathy, Chel, and Manager Lan. They were the people with whom Sofia had a discussion during the endorsement proposal.

"Uncle, look behind you!" Sofia gestured for the man to look at his back. 

When he turned around and saw Manager Lan, his domineering expression quickly changed. He offered a customary bow to the lady and maintained his gaze lowered. The man kept his mouth shut. However, there were countless questions formed in his thoughts.

Manager Lan waved her hand to them. Then, she looked at Sofia in the eyes with a serious expression on her face. "You must be Sofia? You are younger than what I have expected."

"Manager Lan, it's our pleasure to meet you in person.  I thought that only the two sisters will handle the endorsement shooting? I did not expect to see you here too." Sofia expressed and slightly bowed her head. Her friends quickly followed her gesture.

"That can't be right. Didn't you send me a message and summoned me here?" Manager Lan stated.

"Sorry to disturb your time... We have no choice, Manager Lan. We are just students. How could we afford to pay the entrance fee?" Sofia casually said.

"Hmmn, you've made your point in your text message. Since you are already here, do you mind if we have a formal conversation in my office?" Manager Lan inquired and gazed at the other four members of the Chronos squad.

"We are honored to be invited to your office, Manager Lan!" Sofia smiled.

"Good! There would be a twenty minutes conference there with the advertisement department. Since you gave us the idea of Breaking the Comfort Zone... It's also great if you would be there," Manager Lan said and gestured for them to follow her.

With just one hand signal from the manager, Sofia and the rest of the Chronos squad members entered the building.. The guard rubbed his hands and released a sigh of relief. 'Fortunately, Manager Lan did not speak anything at me!'