20 Survival Mission (1/2)
Now that Logan had gotten permission from his parents, he was more enthusiastic. His father would help him with the contract. The music equipment company who had given the offer was called 'Melody Music Equipments'. Initially the contract was for 1 dollar, cost per view for every video with more than 200,000 views. That meant Logan would get around 100 dollars per video because YouTube took 50% of the advertisements revenue. The company only had to pay 200 dollars for this ad. Additionally he had to atleast make 10 videos with more than 200,000 views. Being a small company it was perfect for them.
The contract was for 3 years. But Logan disagreed. He changed the duration for 1 year and asked his father to negotiate accordingly. Arthur and Logan went to a nearby restaurant where the marketing representative of the company was going to meet them to finalise the deal. When mentioned about the duration of the contract, the representative told them that they would agree if Logan gave them priority when they wanted to sign next year. Logan readily agreed to this. Even though the money did not amount for much this was the first money he had earned through singing.
After the negotiations ended, he asked the representative why had they chosen his channel for the ad when he had just posted only one video. The representative had said ,they loved his new original song and felt that he was worth the investment. Also it was just 200 dollars. So no harm done. Arthur and Logan picked up Bella and were returning home. Logan saw Mia's favourite ice cream ad board on the way and asked his dad to stop the car. Since he had gotten his first endorsement, he would treat everyone with ice creams at home. Bella and Logan made their way towards the department store with the board while Arthur sat in the car. They entered the store. The store was quite small with racks partitioning it in two. As soon as Logan entered the store, he was greeted with silence. The owner behind counter looked anxious. Logan found this odd. He swept his gaze across the store to find 4 people. Two adult males in typical hoodies and a female adult with her daughter aged around the same as Bella.
The Owner, though anxious asked trying to be polite ”How can I help you?”
Logan gave his order of chocolate ice-creams and again swept his eyes across the store to find the two adult gazing lewdly at Bella. The owner was busy getting him the ice creams. Logan moved and blocked the vision of Bella for the 2 males.The other 2 people, the adult female and the bit obesegirl were oblivious to the happenings in the store. They too had entered the store moments ago. As soon as the 2 males couldn't see Bella anymore, one of them gave a sinister smile.
By then the shop owner had already packed the ice creams for Logan. Logan asked him,”How muchis it?”
”Wait a moment sir”
He calculated on the calculator and placed it infront of Logan. Logan frowned to see 911 written on it. He met the owner's pleading gaze. He was about to pay him a 100 dollar bill and walk away, when a evil laughter pierced the silence. One of the male, the one with the sinister smile quickly removed a revolver from his jacket and put it on the owner's forehead.
”Now, now. Do you take me for a fool, you asshole? Hahahahaha.”
Fear struck Bella and she subconsciously moved behind Logan to hold his sleeve. The other lady and daughter started shivering. The lady pulled her daughter into the an embrace. The other hooded male place them at a gunpoint.
”No. No. Please don't shoot. Don't shoot. I am really sorry. You can take whatever you want. Just don't shoot.”, said the owner grovelling on his knees. The lady and her daughter started crying.
[Ding]
[Threat imminent]