Chapter 2: Enter the Ice King

I had to put myself out there. If he said yes, great. If not, at least I’d know what I was missing.

"I’ve never had a manager."

He looked me over, cool eyes unreadable.

A rejection.

I’d braced myself, so I just nodded.

But as I was about to ask what he wanted in a manager, he changed his tone. "But if it’s you... I’ll consider it."

Wait, what? Did he just say that?

I froze for half a second. Years of experience kicked in. If he’d consider it, there was hope.

"Look, I’m a top agent. More connections than most."

Since he’d given me a chance, I laid out my strengths. "I tailor roles and projects for my clients, shaping their careers from every angle."

Then I shook my head and smiled. "But you? You’re already a star. Maybe you don’t need all that. Maybe you’re better off solo."

A little self-deprecation never hurts.

Most importantly, "You can tell me what you want in a manager. Maybe I’m the only one who can give you that. That’s how you win someone like Julian West."

"You’ve got a way with words."

Julian nodded with a small smile. "A manager who’s just for me—that sounds... appealing."

I’ll take that as a yes.

"So you agree?"

"Of course."

He was direct. "Looking forward to seeing what makes you unique."

Okay, that was a little weird. But whatever. I didn’t dwell on it, smiling as I held out my hand. "Then, here’s to a good partnership."

"To a good partnership."

His handshake was strong—maybe a little sweaty. Nerves?

Now that I’d landed the job, I handed him a napkin.

Managers and clients: we win together, we lose together.

Julian shot another scene. By the time he finished, it was already dark.

"Maddie, I’m starving."

He sounded tired, almost playful. His eyes were soft as he looked at me.

My heart skipped a beat. Julian’s looks made Carter look like an amateur—it was almost criminal. Honestly, it should be illegal to look that good.

"What do you want to eat?"

I tried to keep it professional as he said he wanted something homey, so I booked a table at a cozy diner. I ordered mostly light dishes.

He looked surprised. "How’d you know I can’t handle spicy food?"

"Saw it on your Instagram—everyone else had plates drowning in sauce, yours was bone dry."

I’d figured it out from that. Of course, the system later confirmed it.

"You notice everything, huh?"

Julian said sincerely, and I smiled. "That’s what a good manager does."

I should know what my client can and can’t do.

"Don’t forget, your mission is to win him over."

The system piped up. "Otherwise you’ll just make him a star and I’ll still have no numbers."

Yeah, yeah, I get it. Numbers. All for the KPI, right?

I told the system to relax. Let the system sweat the numbers. Things were going well so far.

After dinner, Julian asked me to drive him home. We’d signed the contract, so I didn’t hesitate. Plus, nobody in the industry knew where he lived—now I did.

He lived in Maple Heights, a gated community out in the suburbs, with winding roads like a maze. City lights flickered by as I tried to keep my nerves in check.

Figures. I got lost, just like I knew I would. He opened his eyes and suggested we switch seats, with a smirk in his voice. "Let me show you the way."

For some reason, my ears burned. Watching him navigate the winding streets, I couldn’t help but ask:

"Julian, we’ve never really talked before, and you just trust me with your address?" Wasn’t he worried I’d, I don’t know, rob the place or something?

"Would you hurt me?"

Seriously? Is he for real?

I shook my head.

He glanced at me, then looked forward, chuckling. "If you wouldn’t hurt me, why should I worry?"

I was speechless.

At his door, I was about to leave, but Julian stopped me. "Whoops. Almost forgot. Aren’t you going to add my number?"

We exchanged numbers and Instagram handles.

Back home, I was planning his schedule when his message popped up: "Home safe?"

Carter wouldn’t have noticed if I fell off the face of the earth. This one cared if I got home okay—the other wouldn’t even check if I made it back after a late-night party.

Speaking of which, Carter must’ve gotten the termination by now. I wondered if, when he’s with Brooke, he ever thinks about my ten years of loyalty?

"This system really knows how to twist the knife."

I rolled my eyes. "You really are the Backstab System."

"Truth hurts, huh?" The system’s voice cackled. "Soon you’ll be managing Julian, leaving Carter in the dust. Living your best life."

I thanked it.

I replied to Julian, and he texted right back. "Get some rest. See you tomorrow." Just a few words—enough to shut down any more work talk.

I checked his Instagram—barely anything there. His latest post was three months old. I scrolled a bit, found nothing useful, and was about to close the app when he suddenly posted. Just three words: "Full of joy." No context, no photo, nothing. I had no idea what it meant. Honestly, this guy could be a CIA operative. No one would ever know. Did something good happen today? Who knows.

The next morning, I went to pick up Julian. Daylight made all the difference. Didn’t get lost this time. But when Julian opened the door, he was wrapped in a towel, hair still wet. The morning sun hit his sharp features—he looked so good it almost hurt.

Any trace of sleepiness? Gone. My eyes widened, instantly awake. I tried not to stare at his towel, his toned chest, the hint of abs, and further down…

"Maddie?"

Julian called out. Trying not to stare, I handed him breakfast. "I brought you breakfast. Eat up before we head to set."

"You don’t have to do all this. My assistant can handle it."

He sounded like he was smiling, but I pretended not to notice.

When he came out dressed, I said, "This movie’s almost done. What’s your plan next?"

"Honestly? I want to just veg out for a while."

"And then?" Resting’s fine, but you can’t Netflix your life away. He let me handle it.

I showed him some scripts. "These are projects starting in a month. Anything catch your eye?"

"College heartthrob? Bad boy biker? Stoic CEO?" He flipped through a few. Hollywood really had a type. Finally, he looked at me funny. "Do you really see me in these roles?" I shook my head.

He smiled, then kept flipping. "So what kind of role do you think I fit?"

"The untouchable, mysterious type. Aloof, but magnetic."

I blurted it out. I mean, who wouldn’t fall for that? Especially when he walks out of the shadows, hands in his pockets, all my Hollywood fantasies come to life.

"So you like me like that."

He looked up, eyes gleaming, teasing. Oh, God. Did I say that out loud? I blushed, about to explain, when a call came in inviting Carter to a reality show.

"Sorry, I’m no longer his agent."

Carter wasn’t my problem anymore. The caller didn’t miss a beat, laughing, "Who’s your new client? As long as you bring them, we want them!"

"Julian West."

There was a pause.

After a second, they laughed, "Maddie, you’re not kidding? Julian never has a manager."

"Don’t believe me?"

I handed the phone to Julian. "Here, tell them. Prove you’re mine now."

Julian gave me a meaningful look. "You heard her—she’s my manager now. We’ll be announcing it soon."

The other end went silent. Julian’s voice was unmistakable—everyone knew he never did reality shows or commercials. Did I just say that? Out loud?

Julian ate slowly, elegantly. I was the opposite. After two bites, I couldn’t help but ask, "Julian, why won’t you do variety shows?"

"They’re boring. End of story."

He was always to the point.

I blinked, but accepted it. For someone like him, reality shows must be torture.

"So should we really post a joint statement?"

"Yes."

He slid his phone to me. "My team drafted a statement. Check if you want to add anything. If not, we’ll post it together."

It was all very formal—Julian was nothing if not business. I had no objections and posted it on Twitter.

As soon as it was up, directors and producers started messaging me, asking if it was true. I answered each one. Julian’s fans all asked him, and he just posted one word: Real. Guess less really is more. They spread the news—finally, their idol had a manager.

I thought Carter would call to question me, but he didn’t say a word. Probably too busy with his new love. Classic Carter.

Until two weeks later. Driving Julian home, Carter finally called. "Maddie, you’d better explain yourself!"

Wow, so aggressive. I put him on speaker and answered calmly, "Explain what?"

"You quit, fine, but why are you sabotaging me? I’m getting rejected everywhere!"

"Huh? What’s that got to do with me?"

"It’s you! You must be blacklisting me!"

Carter was yelling, but I just stared at the dashboard. Seriously, is he for real? He only got those gigs because of my contacts—now that I’m gone, of course nobody cares. Does he really think his acting is all that?

Please.

"Don’t think you can get me back by doing this."

I said nothing, and he got angrier.

"Maddie, I’m truly in love with Brooke. Don’t think your games will make me come back!"

Even my dog could’ve won an Oscar with that much help. And he still has the nerve to brag?

He kept cursing, so I hung up. How was I ever so blind, passing up a blue-chip for that loser?

"Even if the timing was off, I still appreciate your faith in me."

Julian said softly. "Can you tell me why you left Carter and chose me?"

Because the universe told me to. Or something like that. But I just said, "I was blind before."

The system’s mission was a mystery, but my ten years of work were real. Carter and Brooke really did get together. Ten years tending a peach tree. Someone else picked the fruit. The anger simmered. He wasted my time! He better hope I never get a chance for payback!

"I promise, I won’t let you down."

Julian’s voice was gentle and sure, cutting through the night. My hand on the wheel trembled. Did he mean what I thought?

Carter didn’t bother me again. Julian finished filming, and I picked a mysterious, brooding role for him—he was perfect. He barely needed lines—just standing in front of the camera, all cool detachment, he became the character.

I joined the crew with him. I was old friends with the director, who congratulated me on getting out of the Carter mess.

"People bet it would take you another ten years to see Carter’s true colors, but you woke up and became Julian’s manager."

"Really?" I hadn’t even known about the bet. The director grinned, "You want to know why people believe in you?"