Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 243: Designer]

♫ I said remember this momentIn the back of my mindThe time we stood with our shaking handsThe crowds in stands went wildWe were the kings and the queensAnd they read off our namesThe night you danced like you knew our livesWould never be the sameYou held your head like a heroOn a history book pageIt was the end of a decadeBut the start of an age

Long live the walls we crashed throughHow the kingdom lights shined just for me and youI was screaming, "Long live all the magic we made"And bring on all the pretendersOne day we will be remembered ♫

Ryan looked down at the lyrics she had jotted down on paper, hardly able to believe that these words had come from a girl who had once written tender love songs like Love Story and Superman.

Compared to the previous youthful sentimentality of Teardrops on My Guitar, this new song stood boldly, exuding an epic quality that was uniquely powerful yet carried a touch of feminine softness -- truly one of a kind.

"But the last song, Mean, didn't perform as well as we hoped. Liz advised me to stick to my original creative direction," Taylor shook her head, chuckling softly.

"That's because the competition is fiercer than ever," Ryan reassured her.

"Who cares? There's nothing wrong with being different. Those old-fashioned folks at the Country Music Academy are bound to be left behind when the tides of time change," Taylor asserted, referring to the traditionalists in the industry. It was clear she had resolved to make this "declaration piece" her next single.

"Decisive as ever," Ryan nodded.

"Alright, it's time for bed. I'll think about the rest tomorrow during the day," Taylor said, closing her notebook for the night.

"Do you need to sleep with your 'inspiration notebook'?" he teased.

"You're my real inspiration notebook. I need to hold you close to sleep," Taylor giggled, climbing back onto the bed, and they embraced, falling asleep peacefully through the night.

...

The next day, when Ryan came downstairs to the living room, he saw Taylor pacing back and forth on the phone, clearly busy with what happened last night. Abigail was sitting on the couch, watching Taylor move around.

"Great! Then it's settled," Taylor hung up the phone, excitement lighting up her face.

Seeing Ryan enter, she turned around and picked up a notepad listing several country artists' names, most of whom Ryan didn't recognize, along with a few contact details.

"I've been in touch with quite a few people from the academy, and they're eager to collaborate," Taylor smiled.

Ryan nodded, knowing he just had to hand this list over to Teresa, and she would handle the rest.

"Oh, by the way, I have to go to Nashville this afternoon," Taylor informed Ryan.

"Heading out this soon?" Abigail chimed in.

"Plans can change quickly," Taylor replied with a sigh, not mentioning again that she had wanted Abigail to come along. After lunch, she hurriedly prepared to leave.

"You can stay a few more days if you'd like," Taylor looked at her friend.

...

Once Taylor left, Abigail turned to Ryan and couldn't help but laugh. "She really rushed out this time."

Ryan looked at her. "I can have someone drive you back."

"Oh, I didn't mean to be a bother," Abigail said softly, "I could actually stay a few more days."

"You've got classes to get back to," Ryan shrugged, stepping out after Taylor.

A moment later, a security guard came into the house, ready to take Abigail to the airport.

...

"Yo, Ryan! How's it going?" When Ryan returned to the office, he received an unexpected call. The voice on the other end was unmistakably that of Kanye West.

"Pretty good. How did you get my number?" Ryan asked, slightly surprised.

"I got it from Usher. Ryan, why didn't you reach out for the Music Carnival? We have no beef, right?" he replied.

"Of course! If you can make it, I'd be thrilled," Ryan laughed.

Kanye, known for his unpredictable style, spoke quickly, but his words often caused trouble.

"Just so you know, my budget might be a bit tight right now," Ryan warned.

"No problem at all," Kanye chuckled on the other end.

"That being said, for such a prominent event, don't you think it would lack flavor without me? I am a pioneer of electronic music," Kanye leaned into his self-proclaimed status with pride.

"Absolutely! No one would argue that," Ryan agreed. Strictly speaking, he was indeed a pioneer. His collaboration with Daft Punk made many people aware of electronic music.

"And don't forget about Virgil; he's been doing great with the New Orleans location, and he's also an excellent designer. Just for your information, my collaborative album with Jay-Z has him designing the cover art," Kanye continued.

Kanye working with Jay-Z? That was a powerhouse combination in the hip-hop industry.

Thinking back, Ryan recalled meeting Virgil in Paris, where he had gathered quite a reputation for his passion. Virgil had been in New Orleans working as a DJ, but Ryan hadn't been closely following the details of the performances.

"No problem. He can fit into the lunch slot," Ryan decided casually.

"I am getting a bit excited about the event now," Kanye chuckled.

Just as Ryan hung up with Kanye, another call came through.

...

"Ryan, what's your plan for design? Are you still looking for an outside agency?" Ivanka's voice came through, sounding somewhat anxious.

While everything else concerning the Spirit Club was going smoothly, the design aspect still lacked a solution. Ryan had turned down a previous design company due to their exorbitant quote.

"I'm working on it... Actually, I might have a designer in mind who could help," Ryan said as an idea struck him; it was the Virgil Kanye had just mentioned.

Ryan had no idea about Virgil's skills in design, but he trusted Kanye's judgment. If Kanye had faith in him, he must be talented.

"Who? Has he worked in related designs before?" Ivanka pressed.

"He should have," Ryan mused.

"So you're unsure?" Ivanka clarified immediately.

"Maybe. I think it's worth giving him a shot. I'll have him over as soon as possible," Ryan answered.

"Let's do it. But we need to move quickly. This is your company; you should..." Ivanka started before realizing she was sounding more anxious than Ryan.

"It's my company, but don't forget you're responsible for it too."

"That's true. Thank you for trusting me with this. If it were my father taking charge, he might say I'm not qualified enough." Ivanka sighed.

"You're not as clueless as your father thinks. Look at how you're pulling the company together now," Ryan reassured her.

"I must admit, I did drift off course earlier, but thankfully you helped pull me back," Ivanka responded calmly, feeling a sense of warmth from Ryan's encouragement.

"By the way, my dad sent some staff over, mainly to coordinate with different properties," she added.

Ryan didn't concern himself with such minor details. They agreed that once the designer arrived, Ryan would come to the office.

...

"At this hour, you're still looking for a designer? Isn't that a waste of time? The only feasible plan is to use our in-house design department," Jared Kushner, sitting on the sofa nearby, mumbled, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit with short hair, a stark contrast next to Ivanka.

Now connected with Ivanka's father, most of the staff Ivanka mentioned were employees of the Kushner Company.

In fact, much of the property at the Spirit Club was deeply intertwined with Jared's group, leveraging their influence to back the endeavor as they rapidly searched nationwide for locations.

Upon hearing that Ryan and Ivanka had teamed up to start a company, Jared was quick to seize on their collaboration, leveraging the Kushner Company's resources to ensure Ryan's project didn't overshadow his.

"This is Ryan's company; he has final say in the arrangements," Ivanka stood her ground, preparing to clock out.

"I reserved a table at a high-end Miami restaurant. It's all your favorites: low-fat, high-protein," Jared said, rising beside her, practically glued to her side since his arrival.

"I'm tired," Ivanka shook her head.

"I can drive you home; the car is ready," Jared quickly suggested.

Ivanka felt helpless and decided to reveal her thoughts. "Jared, I'm incredibly focused on my career right now. I have no plans for my personal life. And besides, I have a driver."

The goodwill gesture was swiftly extended.

"I understand. I just don't want you to wear yourself out. It's okay to relax occasionally. You aren't a machine. Besides, I didn't have the chance before, but this time I can help you. I swear," Jared pressed, his hand on his chest.

Jared was relentless, pursuing Ivanka to the point where she often found herself at a loss for how to respond.

"You just have to keep it professional; you're here not because of me," Ivanka countered.

"Of course, it will be strictly business," Jared nodded.

As they said their goodbyes downstairs, Jared personally closed the car door for Ivanka, watching as her car pulled away, a frown replacing his previous smile.

If it weren't for Ryan's interruption, I might've had her by now.

What a nuisance.

...

"Welcome, Virgil." Ryan rose as the sharp-dressed man entered the office -- it was Virgil.

"I've heard from Diplo about your talent for DJing," Ryan said, having already gotten the word from Diplo.

"It's my honor! How many days will I stay in Orlando this time?" Virgil asked eagerly. He had just been informed that Ryan wanted him to perform in Orlando, knowing it was the primary location that led to bigger opportunities.

"Not sure yet. You might be staying here longer," Ryan replied, shifting gears.

"You mean you want me to be a mainstay in Orlando?" Virgil's face lit up, revealing a bright smile.

"Not exactly," Ryan shook his head. "I heard you have some design skills too?"

"That's my main gig. I'm currently a fashion designer," Virgil explained.

"Have any works to show?"

Virgil guided Ryan to a few web pages displaying his products. He would purchase a white T-shirt from a major brand, adding layered print designs, effectively increasing the price significantly -- the sort of hustle that brought in considerable monthly income.

"Have you ever tried indoor design?"

"I studied interior design in undergrad and completed my master's in architecture," Virgil replied, surprising Ryan with his formal training.

"So you'd be interested in refreshing Bad Room's decor?" Virgil seemed to catch on.

"Not just that, actually. I have a special project that currently lacks design talent," Ryan said, inviting Virgil to sit down and discuss the vision for the Spirit Club.

"I don't think that's something I can handle. I've never led an entire project's design, and this is a national franchise -- so the standards are incredibly high," Virgil said, visibly nervous about taking on the responsibility.

For a franchise, first impressions were closely tied to visual representation, often deciding their fate.

"Hold on. Don't refuse just yet. You won't know until you try," Ryan said with confidence.

...

The next morning, Ryan brought Virgil to Fort Lauderdale, to the Spirit Club office.

It was Ryan's first time there, and he was met with an enthusiastic welcome from the staff, considering him the "big boss" behind the scenes.

Today, Ivanka donned a cream-colored skirt suit paired with a pearl necklace. She was as tall as Taylor and had a charming figure. With a polished ponytail, she stood out beautifully, elevating the office's ambiance -- a hallmark of large companies being adorned by lovely receptionists.

To Ryan's surprise, standing beside her was Jared, the relentless pursuer from before.

Ryan quickly observed the employees, noticing a few clearly more enthusiastic towards Jared -- most likely his subordinates.

Connecting the dots with Ivanka's previous conversation, Ryan realized that Jared's presence was orchestrated by Ivanka's father, who was wary of Ryan overshadowing his interests and sent Jared to keep an eye on the project.

Cursing the cunning old man in his head, Ryan managed a friendly handshake with Jared.

"I owe you thanks for keeping the Spirit Club on track," Ryan said cheerfully.

"Of course, Ivanka asked me to come. I wouldn't say no; I'll take care of her," Jared bragged.

"Well, I have to congratulate you both," Ryan turned to Ivanka.

"Can you stop joking about it? This isn't a collaboration out of my request; he came to me," Ivanka said, slightly exasperated.

"To be fair, it's your father who sought my help," Jared answered, finding a way to reframe their connection.

Jared then spotted Virgil, now wearing a cap and carrying a backpack, appearing completely ordinary.

Jared squinted across the room to where Ryan stood, looking back at him with mock realization. "Ryan, didn't you say you were bringing in a designer? Where is he?"

He glanced back at Virgil, feigning surprise. "Sorry, I thought he was your security. A Black designer? You can't be serious. Is the Spirit Club going for a street art vibe? Planning to fill it with graffiti?"

"What's wrong with being Black? I mean, really -- a Black guy can't compete with the noble Jews? You mean German? Were your ancestors involved in WWII?" Ryan remarked, glancing at Ivanka.

Ivanka, being of German descent, had connections dating back to the founding families of Kraft Foods.

"This..." Ivanka hesitated, gauging Jared's reaction.

Ironically, Jared's family lineage traced back to WWII refugees.

Even Jared, a man familiar with high-stake situations, showed a flicker of discomfort, turning a mix of shades. "I'll remember what you just said and pass it on to others. You're such a racist."

"No, no, no, I'm just prejudiced against you. Why are you still like a child, always thinking about telling tales?" Ryan retorted, playfully likening Jared to a fussing kid.

On the other end, the staff who had been standing to greet Ryan could barely contain their laughter at the unexpected exchange.

Jared wouldn't pursue the issue further. "It's your company; you can use whoever's design you want. Just don't be afraid of going bust."

Setting aside past grievances, Ivanka felt uncertain about the young man Ryan had brought along.

"Can he manage? If it doesn't work, Jared recommended his own firm's design team," Ivanka pondered aloud.

"How could Ryan, who is so 'magnanimous', hire my men? Ivanka, save yourself the trouble." Jared scoffed, clearly mocking.

"I don't care about that. As for whether Virgil can handle it, we'll find out through a try," Ryan responded nonchalantly. Jared made a surprise attack, and if Virgil didn't do enough, he would be embarrassed.

"It just so happens that my design supervisor has a concrete vision for the Spirit Club. Ivanka, should we head to the meeting room with Ryan to see what we come up with?" Jared's confidence in his team shone through.

"Let's go," Ivanka nodded. She was really afraid that the two of them would fight outside the office if they had a disagreement. She was not worried about Ryan, but Jared had skinny arms and legs, and it would be difficult to explain if anything happened to him.

*****

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