Mimi was not given the chance to go against RE Label. Her ties to RE Label is deeper that she realized. Previously in the story, Alice Smith had gone through trouble to get Mimi through the back doors of RE Label. Now, Alice Smith's acquaintances from RE Label are bending over backward, begging the old woman to help them convince Mimi to work for the company. Richard Earl had went as far as telling his people that whoever gets Mimi Ahn to work for his company will be promoted with a nice bonus package. The reward caused many people from RE Label to hound Mimi. Mimi hadn't cared until Alice Smith was involved. The kind old woman had helped Mimi Ahn during her toughest years - therefore, the soul within Mimi could not deny the woman's request. As underhanded as Richard Earl was to get her to work for his company, Mimi could not ignore Alice Smith's request.

"Mimi, won't you reconsider?" Alice Smith spoke her concern. "RE Label is a good place for you to fulfill your dreams"

The current Mimi did not have the heart to tell the old woman that her dream was no longer the same. Instead, Mimi told her agent that she would agree to work for RE Label for one for collaborative work. As long as she did not have to work with Jayden Kay, Mimi was fine with working with any other artist. The decision had not only surprised the story's male lead but the second male lead as well. Jayden Kay didn't think the DJ would outright refuse to work with him, while Richard Earl was amused by the woman's outright rejection to work with the record label's hottest singer. But abide to her decision, RE Label arranged for a new and upcoming female artist to work with Mimi.

Two weeks later, the collaborative work between Mimi and new female artist sky rocketed. The new female artist became an overnight sensation with her song - written and produced by Mimi, become her trademark song. There wasn't anyone in the world who didn't know the female artist's name. And there wasn't any artists in the industry who didn't know Mimi's name. The popularity of the song was like fire, spreading uncontrollably. Mimi unknowingly became the target to many famous and popular artists - all hoping to work with her.

But Mimi's goal had never been fame. Yes, she thought to make a name for herself, but that was only to get close to the target of the game. Now that she did not care for target and wanted to find a replacement, it's crucial that she was not well-known to the world. By being famous in the entertainment world, it'll be difficult to find someone truly sincere to her. So to controlled the fame before it explode, Mimi kept hidden in the small apartment above Alice Smith's instrument store. While her agent was confused as to why Mimi suddenly decided to withdraw from her growing popularity, there was nothing she could do but wait until the young woman decide to step out again.

Unfortunately for Mimi, the more she withdraw herself to the public eye, the more the media pushes her name forward. When she want to pull away from RE Label, the more the company clung onto her. Used to women who would do anything for fame and fortune, Richard Earl was fascinated when he learned Mimi refusal to work for his company. Despite her booming status, the young woman refused to step out into the limelight. When he had his people try to establish a permanent working relationship with the talented DJ, the woman rejected without hesitation. No matter how much his people offered her or what was offered to her, Mimi had her agent decline it all. It got to the point where Richard Earl, himself, decided to deal with the stubborn woman himself.

Sitting by the window sill of her bedroom, Mimi was gazing out in the night sky when the limousine pulled up to the front of the instrument store. After weeks of rejecting RE Label's offer, Mimi was not surprised when the Owner himself showed up in front of her doors. Amused and impressed that the man himself was wanting to meet up with her, Mimi watched as Richard Earl stepped out of the car - ignoring all the eyes on him. In the middle of the 3rd ward neighborhood, the handsome man was dressed like he was going to a business meeting. After the limousine drove away, Mimi watched as Richard Earl stepped inside the store.

Mimi waited in her room for a few minutes before she heard a soft knock against her door. Alice Smith's gentle voice let her know that she has a guest waiting to speak to her. Smirking, Mimi continued to lean against the window while her eyes were still on the darken street. It was already late in the day and the second male lead choose that time to meet with her.

"Mimi? Dear, are you okay in there?"

After a while, Mimi sighed softly and got up. Once she opened the door, she gave the old woman a warm smile while ignoring the tall man standing behind her.

"Alice, you really shouldn't let stranger into our home" Mimi scolded lightly.

The old woman blushed softly - letting Mimi know she felt bad for allowing Richard Earl entrance.

"I apologize" Richard Earl eyes have not left Mimi since she opened the door. "I insisted Mrs. Smith to let me in"

Ignoring the man still, Mimi bent to whisper to Alice - asking her to leave her alone with the man. Alice hesitated but nodded before she went back down to tend the instrument store on the floor below. Once Mimi was alone with Richard Earl, she walked passed him to the kitchen.

"Would you like tea or coffee?" Mimi asked in a civilized manner.

"Coffee"

The apartment was small and modest so the kitchen and dining area was connected. Richard Earl took a seat in one of the four chair and watched as Mimi prepared two cups of coffee. After she set a cup in front of him, Mimi stood at the kitchen counter with her own cup in hand. Seeing that the woman was purposely keeping distance from him, Richard Earl quietly watched as she sip on her cup of coffee. Meanwhile, Mimi hid a smirk as familiar dark eyes gazed at her from head to toe. Bare footed, Mimi was wearing cotton green shorts and a black spaghetti strap shirt. If not for her calm, indifferent expression, Richard Earl would have believed the woman was seducing him.

"I assume the Owner of RE Label did not come here for coffee" Half way through her cup of coffee, Mimi finally spoke. "How can I help you Mr. Earl?"

From her cold tone, Richard Earl could not help but feel troubled. Mimi did not hid her displeasure toward him and seeing her behavior, he was confused. Was it not the first time they interacted? Why does it appear as if she was angry at him?

"It seems I offended you without knowing the reason" Richard Earl felt confused and amused all at once.

"Oh? Why would I be offended? This is our first meeting Mr. Earl" Mimi smile was as cold as her tone.

"No... We've meet previously" Richard Earl voice was somewhat gentle. "I recalled you entered RE Label songwriting competition three years ago"

While Mimi was surprised the man remembered, she did not show it on her face. The meek and gentle Mimi Ahn was different from the current cold, tattooed Mimi. Even the male lead had not recognized her, so why does the second male lead did?

"You walked out before the competition results are out" Richard Earl continued to study Mimi.

"Results are clear wasn't it? I sung the same song as another competitor"

"But it was your song" Richard Earl's voice was deep but soft.

Despite her best effort, Mimi could not help but smile. True to the story, second male lead always sided with the female lead Mimi Ahn.

"If you would have stayed to see through the competition, you would have won"

The competition ended with no winner. The couple who stole the song from Mimi was confronted by Richard Earl himself after Mimi left the building. Richard Earl had an oppressive aura so when being questioned by him, the couple immediately broke down and confessed to stealing Mimi's song. But before RE Label could tell Mimi that she made it to the final rounds, the woman already left the state. Seeing so, Richard Earl ended the competition - announcing zero tolerance for stealing.

"You've thought of me too highly Mr. Earl" Mimi twirled the cup in her hands, watching the black liquid spin inside the cup.

Richard Earl watched Mimi in silence, trying to see through her unreadable expression.

"Would you come work for RE Label?"

The question Mimi knew he wanted to ask was finally spoken. Lifting her eyes from her cup, Mimi looked at the handsome man sitting in the small apartment. The tall man looked completely out of place in the humble apartment and yet there was no discomfort in his face.

"I'm sorry Mr. Earl, but I thought I made it clear that I do not want to work for RE Label" Mimi set her cup down, giving Richard Earl her full attention.

"Your reason?"

Mimi smiles held no warmth as she look at the apathetic man.

"No reason" Mimi replied. "I just don't want to work for RE Label"

"If you don't work for RE Label, you won't be able to work for anyone else"

Richard Earl's sudden threat amused Mimi. The powerful man was not use to rejection - that much was clear to her.

"You're going through a lot of trouble for a little DJ" Mimi laughed softly - unconcerned by the man's darkening eyes.

Then Mimi glanced down at her wrist watch, dismissing the man's presence completely as she told him it's already late. Not caring if she had offended the man, she bid him goodbye before walking back to her bedroom. Going back to the window sill, she watched the dark streets until the limousine drove back up to the front of the store. Moments later, Richard Earl left the store and into the limousine. Smiling softly, Mimi did not miss the angry expression on the man's face.