“Hello, sir?”
This was the first time in a long while since Jason had received a call from the director, and he couldn't help but wonder what the young man wanted to discuss. Hoping that it had nothing to do with his wife, Jason asked, “Yes Harry, is there a problem?” “Oh not at all sir,” The director replied, his tone carrying a hint of excitement rather than his usual compliance about a certain production cost. “I didn't get a chance to meet you in person to talk to you about it, but I wish to invite you to the industry's gala night to celebrate the success of our last movie. At the same time, we would love you to select the new actress for the next movie.” Jason was indifferent, at the moment, he hated anything that was related to the movie industry considering that Melissa worked in it. He had the power to take her out but that was the least of his problems. “I'm not interested,” He replied briskly, without giving any reasons for his refusal. “Also, you are yet to get back to me on the budget for the new production, I need that information as soon as possible.” “No problem sir, the team will send it to you soon.” “Good.” The call ended, and Jason sighed in frustration. He had been through a lot in one day and all he needed was a break, some moments to close his eyes and take a nap, but he couldn't help but notice the lady's expression after she ended her phone call. Out of concern, he ask if she was doing alright, whilst trying not to make her feel uncomfortable. “Yes I am good,” She lied, and it was evident in her facial expression, and Jason being a man who was not keen on sharing his problems understood her reasons for not sharing any details. “You know,” He uttered, an attempt to take a different approach, “It's not every time you see a lady this beautiful on her own in this place unless something has gone wrong, even I came here because something went wrong.” “I hate to bother people with my problems… “I might be able to help you know?” Jason assured her with a smile, with her accessories, he could tell that this lady was well to do, she wasn't a street beggar or someone faking to be rich, she also looked very familiar like someone he had seen somewhere but he couldn't recall. With a sigh, she mumbled, “I'm not in a good state today, everything just seems to be against me.” They began to take a stroll towards the exit, with both of them neglecting the reason they came here in the first place. “I was a little bit ashamed when you came here, I'm not sure you recognise me… you don't so uhm… I lost my job today, actually, I was meant to take a lead role for an upcoming movie this September but I lost that role and it didn't just end there.” Her brief narration gave Jason a hint as to who she might be, she worked in the entertainment industry and was an actress. “Jennifer Thomson,” He mumbled and the lady lifted her head and looked at him. “You know me?” She asked him, burying her face in her palm in shame. For a second, Jason felt like a wolf in sheep's clothing, or rather it was fate trying to remind him of the people who he made their lives worse just to make Melissa happy, a lady who did not deserve it. Even without context, Jason already knew what the young lady was going through. Everything she once had belonged to the company and as soon as she lost that role, everything was taken from her, because Jason had not only instructed her to lose that role but also be permanently suspended from the company. Quite ironic that Jennifer was standing next to the man who made her life crumble. Taking her face off her palm, she continued, “Everything the company gave me was taken away, I just got a call that my home has been taken as well, I don't even know where to begin, what people will think of me. They'll hear the name Jennifer Thomson and think that I am probably on vacation at the luxurious suite, meanwhile, I don't even have a home to stay in.” With every word she said, Jason felt bitter on the inside, he constantly stole a glance at her face even though she didn't seem to notice or care about it. “I own some properties,” He uttered, feeling the need to make up for his wrongdoings without revealing them to her. “Since you've got nowhere to go you can stay in one of them… it's a collection of homes, you can stay there rent-free.” Jennifer paused, they were out of the cemetery gate and close to Jason's car. It felt to her as though Jason was the angel sent to rescue her from whatever curse was placed upon her. “I know you are about to thank me,” Jason said just as he noticed her behavior, “Just don't say it, get into the car let's go. As you said, no one must see Jennifer Thomson like this.” Jason opened the door for her to go in, and then he took the wheel and drove off the premises. Jennifer did not know how to express her gratitude, she felt like saying thank you wasn't enough, she wanted to do something big, but what? She constantly stole a glance at Jason while he was driving, and after a few minutes of deliberation, she thanked him from the depths of her heart even though he said not to. Within ten minutes they were at the building, it was a luxurious home, usually rented out for millions and at first sight, Jennifer wondered what kind of man Jason was. As they got into the building, she couldn't help but marvel at the interior designs, it was like she never left the celebrity world. She waited for Jason to speak with the clerk and once they were done, he walked back to her and handed over the keys to her room, and also offered to show her where it was. As an executive, he led her to the executive's elevator, used by the elite, no random worker would ever be seen there, but unfortunately as soon as the elevator door opened up, Melissa and Alex were staring right at their faces.Melissa stood shocked for a moment as she walked out of the elevator, neither Jason nor Jennifer said a word to them. Jennifer on the other hand did not expect to meet her competitors in the industry here, and she knew quite well that Melissa was a married woman, so seeing her holding hands with Alex sparked a lot of questions in her mind. “Well take a look at the man who accused me of cheating,” she scoffed, sizing Jason up with her eyes. “And you weren't just shameless enough you went one to take this… this lady? My rivals.” “Get out of the way, I don't have time for this,” Jason uttered, looking for a way to avoid this conversation, because knowing his ex-wife, her tendency to escalate the dialogue and draw attention to themselves was very high and it would happen in no time if he failed to leave. “I don't have anything to say to you,” She scoffed, and averted her gaze, staring intently at the woman whose role was taken away just so she could shine Like the star she thought sh
Just outside a luxurious mansion, cars lined up in rows at the entrance, and security guards were seen almost every six feet away from each other, each one holding a gun and preparing to do their job. People walked into the mansion, each one looking elegant and well dressed as if attending a met gala, their unique outfits stood out and the same could be said for their rides. There were a few banners at the entrance to the mansion indicating that it was the director's party aimed at celebrating the success of a previous movie. The majority of the guests were the cast from the movies, some were recognizable members of the crew while others were fellow celebrity guests. A certain car pulled up at the parking lot, nothing exotic but not bad looking either, seeing a driver in front and a passenger behind, the security guards immediately assumed that it was a taxi, and so far from what they had seen, none of the guests at this events arrived with a taxi, so they were alerted, ready to
“That's him,” Melissa pointed at Jason with a disdainful expression, she couldn't help but believe that Jason had sneaked into the executives party because there was no way the guard would have let him into the party in their right senses. The security men walked up to the Jaosn, and the young man pushed the tray of food to the side of the table and looked up to them. He sighed in frustration as he thought of the embarrassment that was yet to come. “Who let you in, sir?” The security guards asked, and Jason raised a brow. How was he supposed to answer the question? “Is there a problem?” “Yes, you are not supposed to be in here unless you were invited by the director, I'm afraid you have to leave now. Don't let us force you.” Jason sighed, “What if I was invited?” He asked, but his impatient ex-wife who couldn't wait to see him leave stepped in and ordered the security men in a harsh voice. “Why are you taking so long to kick him out?”, This drew the attention of a few guests,
“Important guest? This … thing?“Watch your words, Mrs Melissa,” Harry cut her off in a loud voice, “Just hear what I've said and let it end here. Please, everyone, you can go back to your places, so sorry for the disturbance.” He apologized and the crowd dispersed, murmuring as they did.While Melissa stood there staring at Harry in anger, wondering what gave the young man the audacity to speak to her in that manner. She believed that she was an important figure in the industry, and not even the director dared to test her patient.But Melissa chose to let it slide, “I'm going to deal with him later,” she thought,“Right after I claim the lead role, I will make him pay.”As the guests returned to the center of the party, grabbing a drink and chatting away with their colleagues, Harry turned to look for Jennifer just so that he could apologize one more time, but his eyes met someone that he couldn't believe he missed.Jason Blackwood, the Boss, the man who no one saw, was at his part
The party continued, full of chatter and entertainment, a few activities and few prizes, the director truly went all out to make this a night to remember.But just like any event, it came to an end, and at night too. It was past 9pm when almost everyone had left the party, the dj kept the sound of the music very low, giving the guest room to discuss among themselves while hearing each other.Jason was soon ready to leave, and as soon as he stood to his feet, Jennifer noticed and excused herself from the conversation with a fellow colleague and walked up to him.“You are leaving already?” She asked him, picking up her purse as though she wanted to go along with him.“Yes.” Jason nodded,“I think it's about time I go to bed,” He added, trying to keep conversation neutral and not as cold as the others. He did not not have a good sense of humor but at least he could try.Jennifer giggled,“Sure, uhm, I didn't see your car anywhere, can I drop you off at your place? It's the least I could
Grace inhaled and exhaled before greeting Jason, she knew that he would question her reasons for coming and at the moment, and she wasn't confident enough to give him any response yet. “Hope you are good?” Jason asked her, ignoring the fact that she was in his car at nine pm without a cause.“Yes sir,” Grace nodded, and the car was once again silent as the driver pulled out of the parking lot. But the silence made Grace uncomfortable, “What is he thinking? Why hasn't he asked?”“How was the event, sir?” She asked, hoping to keep the conversation alive, but Jason seemed uninterested. He noticed her dress, different from the usual suit that she wore whenever she was around him.He could barely wrap his head around the change in fashion style, could she have been on a date and had just returned? Was she stranded and had pleaded with my driver to pick her up? “Grace,” He called her name rather than respond to her greetings.Grace gulped down her saliva, her heart skipped a beat as she w
Melissa sat up at night unable to fall asleep, her thoughts were plagued by the experiences from the party. Nothing like this has ever happened to her. She was a very well-respected figure amongst many and was used to getting whatever she wanted without even saying a word.“The audacity,” she thought, “The embarrassment, that lady?” She could barely wrap her head around it. How could someone like herself, such a big name, an award-winning actress be treated in that manner, truly it was infuriating.“Still awake?” Alex asked as he walked into the room.“Don't tell me that it's still about what happened earlier?” He asked her, taking his seat at the edge of the bed next to where she rested her back on the pillow.“Isn't it just strange to you Alex?” She asked him,“And what did you do? Nothing?”“Oh, you are blaming it on me?” Alex was shocked, there was nothing he could have done against the director himself. Compared to Jennifer Thomson, he was a nobody in the industry. “That's not
“Bring him out,” Jason ordered the security men who stood at the far end of the hall, and they did as he had said, pulling him out of the cylindrical component and bringing him to stand in front of Jason, still bound by chains and handcuffed like a prisoner.Jason looked into the man's eyes, he couldn't help but wonder what gave the young man the guts to walk into his organization, and snoop around, whilst hoping that he would not get caught. “Will you speak up, or do you want me to ask you?” Jason uttered, and the man looked straight into his eyes without giving a response. “Silence huh?” He scoffed and nodded his head. A sanctimonious smirk crept upon his face as he looked at his employees.“Can I have my knuckle rings?” He requested, and while he was still speaking, one of the men in a white lab coat brought a small black briefcase to him.When he opened it, Jason took out five knuckle rings, each with a diamond centerpiece. He wore one on each finger and turned back to the man o