Chapter 25
"CANCEL THEIR CONTRACTS FATHER! THEY MADE FOOL OUT OF ME!"
Freaky Fred has become a laughing stock. The man that has never been sick, never cringed to anything before him… was caught being physically ill on stage at an award show. Then… embarrassed by the led singer of the Death Paintings. The award that his father made for him to ensure he wins every year, was now taken away.
His father sighed aloud. "Fredrick, we have been through this time and time again. I think it's about time you grow up and act your age. Enough of this Freaky Fred stuff, you're 30 years old!"
He froze. "How come this is different? Any other time you would drop a band without hesitation for me and now…" he asked in disbelief.
Everything has been changing for Fred and too fast for his liking. Ever since his father signed Ryomen Sukuna and the Death paintings, he has opted more on their happiness than his own son's. "Fredrick, let me explain something to you. Our sales had dropped, dramatically for the past few years. It is thanks to these two bands that we have managed to recover and regain our value as a record producer. As such, I don't want you to upset these two bands, as well, take into consideration, how they have done so much for us without being asked. That no name boy band would have RUINED us, had they not stepped in and took over the concert." He explained. "Their reputation has spoken for itself, and I for one, do not wish to make them uncomfortable in any way. THIS matter is over, and from this moment on, no more of this Freaky Fred nonsense, it's about time you got a job and started acting like the adult you are!"
He couldn't believe it.
Why of all times for his father to do such a thing like this?
Fred stormed out of the room shortly after, he screamed aloud in the halls. But it didn't appear to bother anyone, it wouldn't be the first or last time he has done such a thing. "Stupid Death Paintings, stupid Ryomen Sukuna…" he muttered as he paced down the halls. "I want them to pay for this! They HAVE to pay for this!"
"Oh, don't I know it."
Fred paused. He peered from the corner of his eyes but smirked. "I know you. Leo Adonis, right? Famous model!" he said with great excitement.
Leo bowed politely. "Indeed, pleasure to meet a fellow fan. You know, I over heard you speak of Ryomen Sukuna. I know him as Suiryu myself, a thorn in my side as well."
"Yeah, well, what are we going to do about it?" Fred demanded.
"May I suggest a peace offering?"
Fred paused. "What? I want this guy to pay, and you want me to make a peace offering!" he demanded.
"Just trust me on this, see here…" he gave him a very elegant bottle. "This has sake in it. Suiryu has a weakness for this stuff, but there's something… special in it for him. Just as long as Suiryu drinks the first cup of Sake, I know he's working right now too, so I suggest you got to the studio and put on an act as to how sorry you were, offer him a drink and share one with him, just take the second cup for yourself." Adonis explained.
Fred smirked. "Ooo, I don't know what's so important about him drinking first, but I am very intrigued."
He gladly took the sake from him, Fred was even more curious as to what it contains…
#
"And that's a wrap!"
Suiryu was sweating. Today happened to be for sporting goods and they wanted to be authentic. He had been running around and working out to get that glistening look D'angelo wanted, now he wanted a stiff drink.
He was about to head for the showers when a receptionist came in. "Is Suiryu still here? Someone named Fred wants to see him."
"Fred?" he thought aloud. "Freaky looking guy with orange hair?" he asked.
"Sort of? He's cleaned up!" she explained.
He peered pass her and saw 'Freaky Fred' lingering behind her. And yet, he was dressed rather presentably. "Sure, bring him in."
Fred came in and smiled warmly to him. Instantly his defenses went up. "Is it just me, or are you more freaky than before when I first met you?" Suiryu asked aloud.
Fred laughed off the comment. "Yeah, sorry I was a jerk. I came by to say no hard feelings and was wondering… if you wanted to join me for a drink?" He held on an elegant bottle. Taking the top off he got two glasses and poured. He offered Suiryu the first glass, he smelt it to be certain. It was a rich sake, with a sweet undertone to it.
"Hmm, smells good, high brand, good proof…" he downed it in one shot, but instantly, Suiryu tasted bitterness and even a hint of decay. "BLEH!" he said aloud. "I think that was made with an old shoe!"
Fred took his and had the same reaction. "Ugh, I agree, high ended shit my ass! Sorry, this was a peace offering, I didn't mean…"
"It's okay… you suffered as much as I did, thanks anyways for the peace offering. And yeah, no hard feelings." Fred lowered his head and was on his way, still, that taste lingered over his pallet.
Suiryu turned and saw that D'angelo and the others froze. "Whoa… everything okay?" he asked.
"I was about to ask you that, are YOU okay?" D'angelo questioned.
"I think so… Why do you ask?" Suiryu was starting to get more and more suspicious about D'angelo. There has to be more to him than meets the eye.
The photographer forced a smile. "It's nothing… I just don't trust Fred… also… that bottle he carried, I swore Adonis had something similar a few days before…"
Now, he was starting to worry.
