The staff member guided Llana through the building toward JYP's office. Since the office was on the fifth floor, they took the elevator together, riding up in silence. Llana didn't mind it. She wasn't the type to force conversation, and silence felt more comfortable than awkward small talk.
It didn't take long before they arrived.
JYP's office was lined with glass panels, the inside hidden behind closed blinds. The door itself was semi-transparent glass, with PARK JIN-YOUNG neatly engraved on it.
The staff member knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Inside, JYP sat behind his desk, focused on a stack of documents spread out in front of him.
"Excuse me. Annyeonghaseyo, President-nim. Llana-ssi is here," the staff said, bowing politely
"Thank you. You may leave us now,"JYP lifted his gaze from the papers and nodded.
"Ne."
The staff bowed again and turned to leave, but Llana spoke up before they could step out.
"Wait," she said, her voice calm but firm.
"PD-nim, may unnie stay? I'm not comfortable being alone with a man. I apologize if this sounds rude." Llana bowed deeply.
She genuinely didn't want to be alone in a room with a man. It was not about distrust. She was simply cautious. She was a girl, and if something were to happen, she wouldn't be able to protect herself and being alone with him isn't good for her reputation. She knew how easily misunderstandings could happen and how quickly rumors could spread. Her family had always reminded her to be careful, especially in situations like this.
The staff paused and waited.
JYP raised his brow amused, not offended at all. Instead, he set his pen down, a small smile forming on his face.
"That's a good principle," he said gently. "I appreciate you being clear about your boundaries. Not everyone your age knows how to speak up like that."
He turned to the staff. "Please sit on the couch for now. This won't take long."
The staff nodded and took a seat on the couch across the room, quietly observing the two of them.
JYP then turned back to Llana and gestured toward the chair across from his desk, his expression warm yet professional.
"Go ahead. Have a seat."
Llana nodded and took her seat, folding her hands neatly on her lap as she waited for JYP to speak.
"You probably have an idea what we're going to talk about," JYP said, looking at her over his desk.
Llana nodded. "Is it about my songs?"
JYP let out a small sigh and nodded. "Netizens have been demanding that your songs be released. So we're going to give them what they want. Is one week enough for you to record?"
"This week?" Llana raised an eyebrow, a little confused. She wasn't sure if he meant starting immediately or if she would be given a week later on.
"Yes, this week," JYP clarified. "That means you won't be able to participate in the special stage with the other majors on my show. Which is a bit of a shame."
"…Oh."
JYP chuckled when he noticed her reaction. "Why do you sound so disappointed? You're getting your song released."
"I was really looking forward to performing on your special stage, but at the same time, I'm happy because I can finally share my songs with everyone." Llana scratch her cheek with her index finger feeling conflicted.
She can't perform for now, but her song will be released, which means she'll start earning her own money.
For a moment, her eyes practically turned into dollar signs.
Llana once had a dream she couldn't achieve in her past life. Now, she can earn a hundred times more than she did back then, she finally has the means to make that dream come true.
Although she is already wealthy in this life, she wants to achieve that dream with money she earned herself, not wealth handed down by her family.
"I'll do my best to finish the songs within a week," Llana said, determination clear in her voice. "Thank you, PD-nim, for the opportunity."
"You're welcome. We'll be signing contracts for your songs and for you," PD-nim replied. "You're still a trainee and not yet an official part of JYP Entertainment, so tomorrow, please come with your guardian so we can discuss the terms of your contract. Since you're still a minor, you're not allowed to make these decisions on your own yet. You're also permitted to bring a lawyer if you wish."
"Ne."
Llana and the staff left the office. Once outside, she immediately turned to the staff, thanking her for staying and apologizing for any inconvenience she may have caused her.
______
(The next day)
Llana sat on the middle right side of the long, polished table that stretched through the center of the room, Sebastian beside her, while across from them sat three executive directors, a company lawyer, along with JYP and VP Byun.
They were in a conference room, the room looked simple, yet carried an undeniable air of formality. Warm wood lined the walls, and soft lights cast a gentle glow over the table, giving the room a calm but heavy atmosphere. A 70-inch smart TV was mounted on the wall at the front of the room, perfect for presentations. Soft overhead lighting created a warm, inviting atmosphere, while large windows along one side let in plenty of natural light. A curved bench by the windows added a relaxed touch, and shelves lined with books on the walls gave the space a stylish yet practical feel.
Yesterday, Llana had asked Sebastian to accompany her as her guardian, much to Adrian's disappointment, as he had spent the whole day pestering her to change her mind.
Sebastian read through the contract with full seriousness, his brows slowly knitting together as he moved from clause to clause, his expression tightening into a frown.
"I have concerns," Sebastian said calmly, lifting his gaze from the contract to the executives across the table.
"The clauses are too aggressive. We want it to be rewritten."
"In what part, Mr. Kim?" the company lawyer asked, leaning forward slightly.
Sebastian flipped the folder open again and pointed to a section. "First, ownership. You are claiming full copyright ownership of her creations. That's too much. She can't even use her own songs? Those are hers. I want this changed."
One of the executive directors spoke. "She is an artist of the company. She's under the company. That alone—"
"Doesn't give you authorship," Sebastian interrupted, lifting his gaze. His eyes were sharp now. "She didn't use your studios. She didn't use your producers. She didn't use company equipment or company writers. These songs were written independently and produced by her alone."
The lawyer interjected, "But the company will be funding—"
"Marketing," Sebastian cut in smoothly. "Promotion. Distribution. Exposure. Those are expenses, not authorship."
Sebastian continued, "The compositions will be co-copyrighted. Llana retains seventy percent ownership. The company holds thirty percent."
Before anyone could interrupt, Sebastian added, "The company will act as the exclusive publisher and administrator. You handle licensing, registrations, and collections. That's your role."
"What about the royalties?" JYP asked while taking notes. "We wanted an 8:2 split—eight for the company. We'll be carrying all the expenses, so we must have higher leverage."
"Llana's stake must be higher than the company's," Sebastian replied. "That's non-negotiable. The exact split can be adjusted depending on expenses."
"Make it fifty–fifty, and we'll agree," the vice-president finally spoke. They wouldn't overrule Sebastian, and securing the deal now was better than risking more losses.
Sebastian thought for a moment before nodding.
"Then it's settled. The compositions shall be co-copyrighted, with Llana retaining seventy percent (70%) ownership and the company holding thirty percent (30%). The company shall act as the exclusive publisher and administrator of the works, with all publishing revenues distributed on a fifty-fifty (50/50) split."
_____
I don't really know anything about contracts, and writing this chapter honestly gave me a headache 😬.
I feel like I used up the last of my brain cells 💀.
To anyone who actually understands how this works...please just read it with one eye closed 🤣.
I sincerely apologize to all of you for not being able to upload two chapters today. 💔
At the same time, I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the love and support you've shown my fanfic. I never expected the power stone votes to reach 90+ this week that's four times more than what I usually receive in a week. 😭😊
It's truly heart-touching.
I hope you won't get tired of supporting me and this story.
LOVE 💙