Mark, Dylan, and Ben had agreed, the three of them were gonna be traveling to South Africa for one purpose, for Mark to attain the fame he deserves as an artiste, which has always been the main aim. But a lot of stuff has to be done before the travel, yeah, the three of them have different stuff to put in place before the trip.
Mark would have to talk to Gary and Jeffrey about it, and also, he would have to inform his sister, Rita about it. He wasn't in the mood to face his mum right now, he and his mum hadn't spoken since their last disagreement, so it's best he relays the message to Rita then Rita would relay it to their mum. Though he and Rita had a little disagreement regarding his music career some time ago, he wasn't angry at her anymore, not at all. He wasn't the type that would keep grudges over something like that for too long. And for the fact that she apologized through text message made it easier for him to forgive her and forget about it. Though they haven't seen and spoken to each other after that incident, he was still gonna relay the message to her.
But things would have to be done one after the other, he would have to talk to Gary and Jeffrey about it first. He had spoken to both of them on phone, and they scheduled a time to meet at the 'Cool Boiz' headquarter for the discussion. You know, Gary was really busy now due to the massive attention Darcy's rap single 'Dawn' was receiving across USA and other countries. He had been jumping from one interview to another, and the interviews were mostly based on how he discovered Darcy before signing her to his record label.
Darcy too had been really busy, she had been interviewed twice not even up to two weeks since the release of her first single under the 'Cool Boiz' label. She had been booked for performance already at the show that was gonna take place in San Francisco. Her single, 'Dawn' was making massive waves in many countries, it might soon make it to the music billboard chart. Collaborations with other big artistes are around the corner, men, Darcy isn't joking at all.
Gary was really busy due to all these, but he was surely gonna make out time to meet with Mark and hear whatever he has to say.
*********
At the scheduled time, Mark, Gary, and Jeffrey all sat on couches in the mini parlor situated at the 'Cool Boiz' headquarter. Gary made out time to be there, Jeffrey wasn't that busy, so being present there wasn't that arduous for him.
"So what is it that you want to talk to us about?". Gary queried Mark after some seconds of silence.
"Yeah, what is it? tell us". Jeffrey added.
Mark didn't want to beat around the bush too much, so he went straight to the point,
"I am gonna be touring South Africa soon, I just wanted to get full permission from Gary, and Jeffrey, I just wanted to let you know as my music manager".
"You are gonna be touring South Africa? For what exactly, is it to promote your last album? or for performances? explain more, I don't really understand". Gary inquired with a confused expression on his face.
"As you guys know, things aren't going well for me as an artiste, I've been an upcoming artiste for four years since my record deal with 'Cool Boiz' label. Now, I wanna travel to South Africa to promote myself as an artiste, I wanna perform in their shows and concerts, record and drop songs there, mix with their artistes, and if possible, collaborate with them.....who knows, something could spark off from there". Mark explained, he didn't want to talk about the discouraging words Gary has used on him as a result of he still being an upcoming artiste, not only that, Jeffrey had also used some unpleasant words on him 'cause of the same reason. Mentioning that now will surely lead to one stuff or the other.
"You've never toured another country before as an artiste, doing it now might be hard, especially that it's an African country. And you know, most artistes that tour other countries are the popular ones, artistes with large fan base, things are easier for them. So are you sure you wanna tour South Africa?". Jeffrey inquired of Mark, at this moment, he was asking out of concern as his music manager.
"Yeah, I'm hundred percent sure, I've made up my mind about it, I'm gonna be touring South Africa. And things wouldn't be that hard for me 'cause Ben and Dylan are coming with me. You guys surely know Ben, my favorite music producer, he is gonna be traveling along with me. And as for Dylan, you guys might not know him that much, but Jeffrey might know him 'cause he was present for the video shoot for my latest song. Those expensive chains I wore on my neck for the video shoot, it was Dylan that purchased them for me. He is also a talented music producer and he has produced some hit songs,
The beat Ben and I used for the production of my song, 'That feeling', Dylan produced it and sent it to me. He has been of great help to me since when I met him, he has my best interest at heart. He is gonna be traveling with me to South Africa also. The main purpose for all these is for me to attain my greatest heart desire, what I crave for....that's fame. I need to move from being an upcoming artiste to a big artiste, so boss, what I need now is your consent".
Gary rubbed his jaw with his fingers, sighed a little before saying, "You have my full consent, you can travel to South Africa. But while you are there, don't forget that you're still signed to my record label. Any earnings from there would still be shared among you and the 'Cool Boiz' label no matter how small. Earnings from the song you record and drop there, music videos, and so on. Jeffrey is supposed to travel there with you as your music manager, but we were not informed in time and it wasn't planned by the label. But it's still Jeffrey's choice though, Jeffrey, are you willing to travel with Mark to South Africa?".
"Hmm, am not sure, I'm not that ready and prepared for it, so I won't be traveling with you to South Africa. But I wish you the best of luck over there, hope you achieve your greatest heart desire, hope things work out for you over there. Remember, I'm still your music manager". Jeffrey said.
"Yeah, I'll keep that to heart". Mark uttered.
"Well, you have my full consent, you, Ben and the other guy can start making preparations for the travel. Remember, you're still signed to the 'Cool Boiz' label, the contract isn't over yet. Wish you the best of luck on the tour". Gary stated.
A smile plastered onto Mark's face immediately before he said, "Thanks for the approval. Surely, when I get to South Africa, I'll have to change my sim card and my mobile number will change also, so you guys wouldn't be able to contact me. But since I have you guy's mobile number on my phone, I can text my South African number to you guys".
Gary and Jeffrey didn't say anything in reply to what Mark said, but their facial expressions indicated that they clearly understood what he said. Now Mark was done with one stuff, he had gotten approval from Gary to travel to South Africa. The discussion went smoothly, but there was one thing Mark didn't like about it. The fact that Gary was still talking about sharing the earnings he would make from South Africa, like, was that supposed to be the main concern at that moment.
Gary was still Gary no matter what, his main concern is on the money artistes signed under his label does generate for him.....no matter how small. Mark wasn't even sure if Gary was truly concerned about his trip to South Africa. Does he even care if Mark achieves his greatest heart desire in South Africa? or was his concern on money?
At least, he has given his consent, so the travel was gonna take place. The discussion was over, so the three of them departed from the headquarter. Now it was about time to inform his sister, Rita about it, he was done with Gary and Jeffrey.