Behind The Spotlight Chapter 140
"Before I forget, Chantal, you should practice your English more. Once in a while, your accent is showing."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Mr. Kim."
"See you later." Paul waved his hand.
"We will."
Paul Kim left after that. He saw Isabella waiting outside and slightly bowed his head before walking away.
Collin talked to Chantal and Isabella and reminded them to call once they reached their apartment. His voice carried a tone of gentle authority. For a few months, Collin felt like he had become their parent.
When Collin left, Chantal and Isabella nodded at each other. They had no intention of going back to the apartment. A mischievous spark glimmered in their eyes.
Collin looked at his watch and realized that he had left work quite early today, which was great. He had been busy lately and often had to work late. His shoulders felt lighter at the idea of resting early.
It was fortunate that the apartment complex was close to the ANT headquarters. It only took him half an hour to reach the place despite the rush hour.
He yawned as he stepped into the elevator. Since he got home earlier, he might as well take this chance to sleep early. His mind was already imagining the comfort of his bed and the peace of an early night.
When he reached the apartment and opened the door, he was greeted by balloons and confetti. The sudden burst of color and sound surprised him, colorful ribbons, paper cuts, and cheerful faces filled his vision.
"Happy Birthday!"
The people cheered, voices overlapping with laughter and clapping hands.
"Huh?"
Collin was speechless as he saw people greeting him with "happy birthday." He found Aida and Evelyn wearing birthday hats, their smiles wide and bright.
"Happy birthday, Collin."
"...Now that I think about it, today is October 17. Today is my birthday."
Collin realized that it was his birthday today, hence the celebration. He lightly chuckled as he stepped into the apartment. He was still dazed but slowly smiling as the warmth of the moment sank in. Many of his friends and coworkers were present. He saw Jennifer, Axel, Wyatt, and Arnold. He also saw some strangers, perhaps Aida's college friends.
"Collin, wear your birthday hat." Aida grinned and passed him a goofy paper hat with the words "birthday celebrant" on it.
Collin shrugged and wore it, earning a round of applause and laughter from the guests. He found his seat in front of the birthday cake with his age on it. As of October 1998, Collin East was 28 years old. He blew out the candle, the small flame flickering out as everyone clapped.
"Who planned this party?"
"Me," Aida answered proudly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"I talked to Arnold and Jennifer. I said I wanted to surprise you. You never celebrate your birthday, so I felt like it should be different this year," she said.
"Your excuse is that celebrating a birthday is not for you," Arnold added with a teasing grin, holding his drink up as if to toast him.
Collin smiled slightly, feeling his heart swell with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you, guys. I appreciate it a lot."
Most of the guests were Collin's coworkers and clients. The party was not extravagant, just a simple one, but the air was filled with laughter, the aroma of food, and the warmth of friendship.
"Jolyne will show up later. She said she's on the way," Arnold said.
"You invited Jolyne?"
"Of course, dude. We saved her life."
"I guess so."
Aida was not surprised when she heard their conversation. She already knew that Jolyne Robs was Arnold's client. Of course, she also knew about the news that Collin had prevented the actress from being abducted. The headline had spread through entertainment tabloids for weeks. Aida and Evelyn were actually worried when they first heard the news.
As for Jennifer and Axel, Aida also knew about them. They were Collin's first clients. Axel was even invited to their Christmas Eve dinner. Aida also knew Wyatt as the comedy director who visited Collin at the hospital when he was confined.
"By the way, Lawrence Terrence will also show up. Zara Lauren will be with him. They were just stuck in traffic," Wyatt said while munching on a slice of pizza. He was getting chubbier lately.
Collin nodded.
"Huh?"
Unlike earlier when Aida was not surprised, she was dumbfounded when she heard that Lawrence Terrence would also show up.
Lawrence Terrence was one of the most famous actors over the past few years. Aida and her friends were his fans. Aida even had a poster of Lawrence Terrence in her room.
"Am I hearing it right? Lawrence Terrence?" Aida turned to Wyatt, her voice rising with disbelief.
"Lawrence is Collin's client. He will undoubtedly show up," Wyatt answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Aida stared at Collin, waiting for his excuse, her lips pursed in mock annoyance.
"What?" Collin asked.
"I just learned today that Lawrence Terrence is one of your clients. Why?"
"I mean, you didn't ask." He shrugged.
"What!? This is huge. Why didn't you tell me? If I knew, I would have asked for an autograph!" Aida pouted in disappointment, crossing her arms like a sulking child.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Aida moved fast to open it, her heart pounding with excitement, expecting a celebrity.
"Hello."
She smiled as she greeted them, expecting to see Jolyne Robs or Lawrence Terrence. However, instead of a superstar, the people at the door were an Asian man and two young women who were probably around her age, all dressed neatly and carrying small gift bags.
"Hi. We are here for Collin's birthday."
Isabella greeted her back with a polite smile.
"Y-Yeah." Aida's lips twitched, a bit embarrassed that she had expected someone else.
"No wonder you wanted me to go home early, you knew about this birthday party." Collin smiled at Chantal and the others.
"It's Arnold who told me," Paul Kim said, adjusting his glasses.
"As for you guys?" Collin asked Chantal and Isabella.
"Jennifer told us," they replied almost in unison.
After that interaction, Collin's birthday continued. The party music resumed, chatter filled the air, and plates clinked as food was served.
Jolyne Robs arrived later with her personal assistant, causing heads to turn.
Lawrence also showed up with his current girlfriend. Aida and her friends were so happy to see the actor that they squealed quietly and tried to act composed, though their eyes sparkled with excitement. Aside from Collin, only Lawrence was the handsome man at the party.
Anyway, Lawrence signed their autographs. In fact, all of Aida's friends received autographs from the celebrities present at the party. They realized that Aida's brother was not that simple. He was someone respected, with connections, and quietly influential. Based on their interaction, Collin had a high status.
The party went on. It was fortunate that their apartment was big enough to host a birthday party.
In the middle of the party, Collin received a call. He decided to excuse himself and answer it. He didn't recognize the number and thought it was a business call. His voice lowered as he stepped out to the quiet balcony, city lights flickering in the distance.
However, the voice on the phone was from a woman. Collin recognized it immediately. The familiar tone was...
"Collin, happy birthd—"
Collin immediately ended the call. His expression turned cold, he shoved the phone into his pocket.
"Who called you?" Evelyn curiously asked, noticing the sudden shift in his expression.
"It's nothing, Mom. It was a wrong call." Collin smiled again, forcing his usual calm demeanor, and decided to forget about what happened. He didn't want to worry his loved ones.
"Okay, have fun with your friends. The turkey I cook will be done at any moment. Happy birthday, son," Evelyn said, patting his arm affectionately.
"Thank you, Mom."
Collin hugged Evelyn. He was happy to have a family who loved him.