Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 234


They had never heard about Collin's past at all. He kept it a secret and rarely shared his past with anyone. He preferred to keep personal matters locked away.

Being the oldest client after Madison Morgan and Lander Lopez, Jennifer knew about Collin's heartbreak. Back then, Collin was just a rookie agent and had no idea how the industry works.

"Let's just say he suffered from a heartbreak," Jennifer said softly. "I feel like it's not my position to talk about it. I respect Collin, and I don't want to talk behind his back." As for Lawrence and the others, Jennifer didn't respect them that much so she had no guilt talking about them.

"... Jennifer, you've changed," Isabella said, and Princess Chantal nodded her head in agreement.

"Is that so?" Jennifer raised a brow, slightly amused by their observation.

"You don't curse anymore, and your demeanor has matured. I feel like you're a big sister." Isabella smiled gently.

"I am your big sister."

The three giggled.

But indeed, everyone had changed. Time had a way of reshaping people. Life forced growth whether they wanted it or not.

Wyatt changed. He lost weight, and now he was in a loving relationship. He was also one of the best comedy film directors in the industry. His career was steadily rising with every successful project.

Axel changed. Back then, he always had this depressive air around him. But when he reunited with his son, Axel started smiling more often. On top of that, he was now a famous actor.

Lawrence also changed, though his growth was messier. He was once a humble actor, but now... Anyway, Lawrence was a famous actor too.

Princess Chantal and Isabella changed as well. Their youthful innocence evolved into elegance. They matured and understood the world better as they traveled and experienced new things.

Last was Jennifer. She had obviously changed. She was not harsh with her words anymore, and her career was getting better.

Either they changed for the better or for the worse, life never guaranteed the direction. People simply adapted to whatever came their way.

Just like them, Collin also changed. He was no longer the vulnerable young guy he used to be. Collin had become a successful talent agent, and his influence in the industry was respected. Many executives in ANT acknowledged his capabilities.

The three had a tea party... Or should I say a drinking party? Princess Chantal and Isabella were now legally allowed to drink alcohol. They also checked out a newly opened bar near Jennifer's place and had some fun.

.........
......
...

May 28, 2000.

Whiflash had its premiere.

Whiflash was a psychological drama film directed by a director who had a yellow talent. It focused on an aspiring jazz drummer who was pushed to his limit by his abusive instructor (Axel).

To be clear, Whiflash already had its premiere at the Canned Film Festival last week, and it received a standing ovation from the audience. Whiflash was not a box office type of movie. It was an art film that tackled serious themes, focusing more on storytelling than spectacle.

And since it was an art film, it didn't have a huge budget. The movie cost only $13 million. Even Axel's salary was only $700,000.

However, Collin chose this script because he knew that the director was talented. Furthermore, Axel's acting capabilities would improve by portraying serious roles.

Collin was not looking for a box office hit. What he wanted was recognition. He hoped that Axel's talent would be recognized by the audience and film critics.

He also knew the director's intention for this movie, it was meant for the Academy Awards. And for the movie to have a chance at the Academy Awards, it needed to premiere at a film festival.

Anyway, the movie was produced by a small production studio. It was then sold to Touchpebbles Pictures... It was kind of ironic that Touchpebbles had previously announced that they would never work with Axel Gunner again, yet they bought a movie in which Axel starred. They completely ignored their past statement after Face:Swap.

Touchpebbles Pictures was a production studio under Wash Dismay. It was a studio that filmed or bought live-action movies that Wash Dismay couldn't distribute under its banner because Wash Dismay was always family-themed.

Touchpebbles Pictures handled serious movies and distributed them, such as Face:Swap and now Whiflash, films that targeted a more serious audience.

The premiere had a red carpet, but Touchpebbles Pictures didn't invest much in the movie, keeping promotional costs controlled. They knew the purpose of Whiflash. Its profitability didn't come from ticket sales but from videotape sales instead. Touchpebbles Pictures bought the movie for $20 million, and they didn't want to spend more unless it was worth it.

Axel waved his hands to the fans, posed for pictures, and answered some questions from reporters. After that, he went inside the theater to watch Whiplash. For this role, he could say that it was the most impactful role he had played so far. It was heavy.

The first weekend of Whiflash earned $12 million. To be precise, its first three days of screening grossed $12 million... which was actually not bad considering its genre. Many drama films earned far less.

Psychological drama was not something most moviegoers were interested in. They preferred action and adventure movies, followed by horror, comedy, and romance genres. Drama films were the least favored by their standards.

So for Whiplash to gross over $12 million in three days was already a good sign.

When June 6th arrived, Whiplash had grossed over $30 million after 10 days of screening. Honestly, not bad.

Touchpebbles Pictures was hesitant about whether they should release the movie internationally or not. In their opinion, the movie had nothing to offer to foreign audiences.

After some business meetings, they decided that Whiplash didn't need an international release. Instead, their main target was the Academy Awards. They had to get at least one nomination, because that recognition alone could boost sales.

The director agreed to sell the movie to Touchpebbles Pictures on the condition that they would help the movie secure a nomination at the Academy Awards. They signed an agreement. Of course, for Whiplash to be profitable, it needed a nomination, so Touchpebbles Pictures had no reason to sabotage the deal.

[Author's Note: Let's hope the war in the Middle East stops. My father is currently working in Saudi Arabia and his job site is affected by the situation.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 235


"Congratulations, Axel, your movie is successful."

An actress congratulated Axel and smiled at him, tilting her head slightly to appear adorable. Axel returned her smile and humbly replied, "Thank you."

After 30 days of screening, Whiplash had grossed over $54 million. It was not bad, especially for a psychological drama with a modest budget.

'Heh, so much for a famous actor.'

The actress who congratulated Axel, Shaina, sneered inwardly. She actually didn't believe that the movie was successful. She only congratulated the actor because she had to make a good impression. Networking was essential if she wanted to survive in Hollywood.

Shaina was a small-time actress. She had been in Hollywood for five years, and her role in Week on an Island was her biggest break so far. Hence, she wanted to use this opportunity to make connections with useful people. For her, Axel Gunner was on top of the list, a stepping stone she could use.

She smiled seductively, giving Axel flirty gazes, but it seemed that Axel was too dense to notice it. She clicked her tongue behind her smile, slightly irritated that her charm was ineffective.

Then another actor approached Axel and genuinely grinned.

"Axel, I watched Whiplash. Your performance is amazing. I'm happy for you. I wouldn't be surprised if you get a nomination at the Academy Awards." Cross Pinger laughed and hugged Axel, slapping his back like an old friend.

The two actors had known each other for about a decade now. They starred in Wyatt's debut movie, The Accidental Wedding Crashers, and they had been friends since then.

Unlike Shaina, who was just praising Axel, Cross had a genuine reaction. Shaina smiled at the two and nodded, agreeing with what Cross said, trying to blend into the moment. Just like Axel, Cross was also one of her targets to latch onto. However, Cross saw through her intentions, so it didn't work in the first place. He avoided her most of the time.

Her role in the movie was just one of the side characters who had six lines. Her agent worked hard to make sure she would get the role, and Shaina wanted to prove that she could reach stardom even if she had to play dirty.

"Don't listen to what others say. Whiplash is not a blockbuster anyway. For the movie to gross over $54 million is already a victory."

Indeed, Whiplash was already profitable for Touchpebbles Pictures. They only bought the movie for $20 million. Now that the box office was 2.5 times bigger than the budget, Touchpebbles Pictures could profit from it.

And again, the profitability of Whiplash would come from the videotape and DVD markets. These markets appreciated drama films better than theaters. Many audiences preferred watching such films quietly at home.

However, some people who didn't understand the film industry believed that Axel had fallen off because his latest movie failed at the box office. Compared to The Born Identity, which grossed over $700 million at the box office, Whiplash was a clear failure, at least in the eyes of people who only cared about numbers.

Shaina had the same opinion. She believed that Whiplash was a failure.

While they were having conversations and laughing, Brody Paige exited his trailer and saw Axel and the others talking.

Brody greeted Axel but disregarded the others, barely glancing at them. He didn't even notice Shaina's lustful gaze. Brody was also one of her targets, but his ego made him blind to her. He rarely paid attention to people he considered insignificant.

"Axel, your movie is amazing. Congratulations."

"Thank you." Axel smiled steadily and politely.

Brody left after that, not sparing them a second look.

Cross had a dark expression. It was obvious that Brody didn't respect him at all.

Cross was one of the main characters in the movie, but Brody never interacted with him unless they were in front of the cameras. Their conversations were strictly limited to professional matters.

Well, Cross was still a nobody. He starred in some movies, but never as the protagonist. Cross Pinger didn't have the charisma to be a protagonist. He could be a side character at best. It was already amazing that he got the role of Miku Beam in the Week on a Cruise Ship franchise, a steady job, but not enough to earn respect.

In Brody's mind, Cross Pinger would not reach a high status in the industry.

But Axel was different. Axel had the capability to be a superstar, no, he was already a superstar, so Brody treated him as an equal.

In the production team of Week on an Island, there were only three superstars.

First was Director Wyatt Bray, a director who created many box office hits.

Second was Brody Paige, a handsome leading actor adored by many fans.

Third was Axel Gunner, an actor who became famous starring in Face:Swap and Born Identity.

Except for them, no one else was worthy of respect, at least from Brody's perspective.

Cross had a bitter smile as he understood his status.

The only way for Brody to change his views about Cross Pinger was for Cross to become a superstar, but that would be difficult.

After the break, Wyatt announced the continuation of filming. He called Shaina to speak about her role.

The woman smiled cutely at Wyatt, her lips curving into exaggerated sweetness, but the director didn't budge.

"Here's what you're going to do. Just smile and act gorgeous in front of the camera, nothing else."

"Fufufu, director, I can do that all the time. I can even do that in bed... You know... Fufu."

Wyatt explained what she had to do in the scene, and the woman nodded while replying flirtatiously. Her eyes glanced at his face from time to time rather than at the script.

"A-Alright, just do your job."

Out of all her targets, Wyatt was the most responsive. Whenever she tried to seduce him, something under his belt would react. She thought she would eventually get her opportunity with Wyatt. However, no matter how many times she tried to seduce him, the director remained firm.

She even invited him to her hotel room, but Wyatt just shrugged despite having a reaction.

'Wyatt is such a handsome guy. I don't mind sleeping with him. I heard he was fat before, so perhaps his dick is not that big. But it doesn't matter, he has a nice face.' Shaina's thoughts were shallow.

Indeed, Wyatt was now an attractive man, and many women in the production team were actually interested in him.

However, Wyatt remained strong.

Why?

Because Wyatt was engaged, and he loved his fiancée, Elise Montemayor. The ring on his finger was not for decoration, it symbolized his commitment. His girlfriend was a lovely woman, and Wyatt would never hurt her. They loved each other. His girlfriend took care of him, she was attentive, and she brought peace to his life. No, his girlfriend was his peace, the anchor that kept his heart at ease.

He didn't want to cheat on her.

[Thank you guys for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 236


Even though many women tried to seduce him, Wyatt never entertained them. His heart would always return to Elise. He was serious about his girlfriend, and he wanted to marry her. Once Week on an Island was done, he promised his girlfriend that they would marry.

He had been hurt by many women, and Elise was the only one who truly loved him, even when he was still fat, when most people mocked or ignored him. Her hands never hesitated to touch his chubby cheeks back then, a small but meaningful gesture of affection. Elise was there for him. She was the reason why he lost weight. Her support was the catalyst for his transformation.

"Now, let's start the filming!" Wyatt announced and walked away from Shaina.

Shaina was disappointed. None of her targets took her seriously, something that hurt her pride. Was she ugly? No, she was gorgeous, as many people had praised her beauty. However, her tricks were overused. An old method like that wouldn't work on veterans like Axel and the others.

.........
......
...

"So this piece is meant to be at the back. I thought I was missing a piece," Collin said to himself, holding a tiny plastic part between his fingers.

Today was Sunday, and he was resting in his apartment. He was assembling the gunpla that Arnold bought for him. The coffee table was filled with parts, tiny plastic pieces scattered everywhere. It was Gundam 00.

He was in the living room, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of his home.

Collin looked at the pictures and instructions before attaching the piece to the Gundam. For him, this hobby was his way of relaxing. He didn't have to think about his clients. He just had to focus on assembling the gunpla. The clicking sounds of the assembled parts were calming.

In fact, another room in his apartment had become a small museum of gunpla, a personal collection that slowly grew over time. There were almost a hundred gunpla displayed in that room, and another one would soon be added.

Collin was smiling while listening to music. Princess Chantal's newest album was that good.

Suddenly, while he was assembling the right arm of the gunpla, his phone rang.

It was Elise Montemayor, Wyatt's fiancée. Elise was Asian, but her surname was Spanish for some reason.

Collin grabbed the remote and turned down the music volume.

"Hello, this is Collin." He used his business tone.

"Collin, I'm planning to surprise Wyatt next week. I want to invite you to the party," the woman said, her voice cheerful.

"What's the occasion?" Collin recalled that Wyatt's birthday had already passed.

"It's nothing big. He just said that the filming of his movie will end next week, and I want to surprise him and celebrate that small achievement. He's been busy and tired lately, so I want him to relax."

"Wyatt is lucky to have a woman like you. I'm in. Just tell me what I should do." Collin was happy that Wyatt had someone like Elise in his life. He couldn't help but admit that he was a little jealous.

He hoped that Wyatt and Elise would have a happy ending, something he once wished for himself.

"Thank you, Collin. Take care."

"You too."

He put the phone down and stared at the half-built Gundam. He looked at the picture and finally found the piece he had been looking for among the scattered parts.

He picked up the remote and increased the volume. He wanted to enjoy his Sunday.

However, a few minutes later, someone rang the doorbell. Collin looked at the door, slightly confused. He hadn't ordered anything. He also wasn't expecting any guests.

Their apartment building didn't have pranksters who rang doorbells for fun. Everyone who could afford to live there was rich and had no time to play such childish pranks.

'I wonder who it is.' Collin stood up.

The maid was supposed to come tomorrow to clean the place. As for the chef, Collin had given him a day off because he could cook for himself.

He opened the door and was greeted by someone he didn't recognize at first.

"Hi, Collin." A blonde woman smiled at him. She was holding a baby, and next to her was a boy who seemed to be about ten years old, standing close to her side.

"Uh, who are you?" Collin asked, confused.

"You don't remember me?" The woman was speechless.

"You don't remember the woman you promised to love forever?" Tears slowly gathered in her eyes.

Collin then realized. He looked at the woman and recalled someone.

"Belle."

Collin muttered. The woman in front of him was the one who broke his heart. The reason he didn't recognize her at first was because her hair was originally brunette. Furthermore, Belle had gained a bit of weight.

"It's me." Belle wiped her tears and tried to enter the apartment, but Collin didn't budge. He was too confused about why she was here in the first place.

Belle looked surprised, not expecting resistance.

"What are you doing?"

"I should be the one asking you that." Collin's expression turned dark, and his green-brown eyes had a penetrating gaze. Belle instinctively flinched and stepped back, intimidated by his sudden hostility.

"Why are you here?"

"B-Because I want to see you."

"Why are you here?" he repeated.

"I miss you."

"Fuck off."

Collin was about to close the door, but Belle stopped him.

"W-Wait, let's talk."

"I have no reason to."

"Don't you want to know why? You asked me last time, and I didn't answer you... I can answer your question now." Her voice was desperate.

"..."

There was a question that Collin had long wanted an answer to. It was a question that had haunted him for many years, a lingering wound. Even though he no longer had feelings for Belle, he still wanted closure.

Why?

That was the question Collin had asked her the last time they saw each other. He asked her, "Why?"

Collin looked at Belle and the two children. The baby was sleeping, while the boy was glaring at him with hatred. The boy... This was the boy whom he once thought was his son. But now that he looked at him, there was no resemblance at all. The boy looked like his real father, they were both ugly.

"First, why did you call me on my birthday? Why did you greet me with 'happy birthday'?"

"Because I wanted to, Collin. You have to listen first and hear my story... I'm sorry, I made a mistake." Belle swallowed hard and forced a smile, trying to appear sincere.

"It's alright. I don't need your apologies." Collin was done with her.

"Um, this is my son. His name is Martin Trayal, and this is my baby boy. His name is Jose Trayal." Belle tried to extend the conversation, hoping to soften his mood.

"Wait a minute, their surname is Trayal?"

"That's right."

"That means your name now is Belle Trayal?"

"Yes."

Collin burst out laughing. He couldn't believe it. What a fucking joke.

"So that drug dealer's surname is Trayal. You really chose a man who had a stupid surname, didn't you?"

"..."


[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 237


"Belle, I have no reason to waste time with you... Back then, I gave you everything. I provided everything, I worked hard day and night without complaint, and made sure you stepped into college. Yet you barely graduated, you got impregnated by a drug dealer, and you chose to lie and say that the baby was mine, trying to trap me." Collin glanced at the boy.

He didn't mind the boy's glare. He found him ugly, both in appearance and in the attitude he was showing.

"Kid, don't look at me like that. I don't like your mother at all. She's a bitch."

Collin grinned and then looked at Belle.

"Why? Why did you do that? I even promised to marry you, and the engagement was done. Everything was already prepared for our future together. Why?" His voice was steady, but he was clenching his fists.

Actually, Collin was thankful for Mr. Drug Dealer Ronnie, the man who unintentionally saved him from a lifetime of misery. That guy showed up and told the truth about Belle's betrayal. It shattered Collin, but it also broke the illusion and made him wake up.

Belle bit her lip and sobbed. The baby in her arms frowned.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Collin couldn't tell if she was sincere or not, and frankly, he didn't care at all.

"Answer me." Collin didn't bother raising his voice. He just wanted to know. To finally end this lingering question.

Why?

"... Because you're too steady." She said it with a bitter smile, as if blaming him for being stable.

"Huh?" He blinked once, not expecting such an absurd answer.

"You're such a good guy that I don't feel excited with you. Your kindness bored me, and your consistency suffocated me. When I met Ronnie, he gave me excitement."

Basically, Collin was a boring MC...

"So you want a bad guy, is that it?"

Collin thought about it, and then he burst out laughing. A raw and unrestrained laugh that came from deep within him. It was loud enough that the baby in Belle's arms cried, startled by the sudden sound. Belle hushed the baby while Collin continued laughing, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.

It was so funny. So the reason she cheated on him was that he was a steady guy who was too good to her. The very traits that should have been valued were the ones she rejected.

Fucking absurd.

Suddenly, all the depression he had suffered because of Belle disappeared. At last, the question that had been eating at him had been answered. Even his chest felt lighter, his breathing easier, as he was finally free.

He found closure. All that time, he wondered why Belle cheated on him.

And now, he had his answer. He didn't have to keep asking himself anymore.

"Okay, bye." He coldly smirked at Belle and was about to close the door, but the woman stopped him again, her free hand slamming against the door desperately, refusing to let go of the last chance she had.

"W-Wait, listen to me first. Ronnie is in jail right now, and, and, and you promised me that you would love me forever. That you would make me happy. This is the time to prove that." Her voice cracked, clinging to a memory she had ruined herself.

"Pfft-haha! I obviously lied." He chuckled, leaning one shoulder against the door frame, completely unfazed by her desperation.

"Huh?" Her eyes widened.

"I lied. I don't love you, and I will not love you forever. Those promises died the moment you betrayed me."

"..."

When Collin made those promises, he had been sincere. His heart was pure back then. He wanted to make her happy and give her the best life. However, she was the one who broke that promise first.

"And don't think I didn't know all the rumors you spread about me." This time, Collin stared coldly at Belle, his posture straightening. Even the 10-year-old boy averted his gaze in fear. Collin looked terrifying now, like someone who could do something dangerous if pushed too far.

"You said that I'm a narcissist and an abuser, and that's the reason you cheated on me. Fucking bullshit. Say that to my face again if you dare."

Of course, Belle couldn't admit that. She had just said that Collin was a good person a few seconds ago. She couldn't take that back. She knew the truth.

Back then, the humiliation of being labeled a cheater had stigmatized her. She had no choice but to lie and spread bad rumors about Collin so that her cheating could be justified.

"Belle, or should I say, Mrs. Belle Trayal, let me make this clear. I don't have feelings for you. What happened back then is nothing but the past. I'm even happy that you left me because I have a better life now. Don't ever come see me again. I'll contact security and have you kicked out of this building. I don't even know how you got in."

Belle had snuck in and avoided security. As for how she got his address, she begged one of his cousins.

Collin closed the door completely, just like how he closed this chapter of his life.

Belle stood there, stunned and speechless in front of the door.

"Mom, I don't like him. Daddy is better."

"..." Belle glanced at her son and gave a bitter smile.

Actually, she was ashamed. She knew she had messed up beyond repair. But she was already too deep in her situation to escape.

It was nothing but a fling. She had found Ronnie exciting, a moment of weakness that changed everything. Then she got pregnant and decided to make Collin the father of the baby in her womb. She knew that Collin was husband material. He was perfect, everything a woman could ask for. He was hardworking, loving, and willing to sacrifice everything for his family.

The perfect man to marry.

But Ronnie couldn't accept that and decided to destroy her plan, exposing the truth without hesitation. Since then, Belle couldn't show her face to their friends and relatives. Things only improved when Collin left their town and pursued a career in Hollywood. She told everyone that Collin was abusive and narcissistic. Belle used that chance to convince herself that she hadn't made the wrong choice.

She tried to turn Ronnie into a better man, but she failed. Aside from being a drug dealer, Ronnie was also a drug addict. He couldn't escape it, even if he wanted to.

Belle's life spiraled downward, everything slowly falling apart. In front of her friends and relatives, she tried to show that her life was going well and that her choice had been the best decision she had ever made. She even had another baby... Only Belle knew that her life was far from a paradise. It was nothing like the happiness she had once imagined.

[Thank you guys for your support.]