Behind The Spotlight Chapter 265
After networking and talking to important people, Collin decided to go out to the balcony and look at Los Angeles from a high vantage point. The city lights stretched endlessly beneath him like a sea of stars.
"I'm really fortunate to have met a guy like you. Collin, thank you for saving my life."
Collin immediately recognized the voice.
"Come on, Axel, this is the third time you've said that to me. You're getting emotional," he teased.
The actor laughed and looked out at Los Angeles just as Collin was doing, letting the moment fully sink in.
"You did it, congratulations." Collin praised him. He was completely sincere, but Axel shook his head firmly.
"We made it. All of my achievements are because of you." His grip tightened around his glass.
"You helped me achieve them. If not for you, I wouldn't be here."
Collin had saved his life twice, and it meant the world to Axel, a debt that words alone could never truly repay. The two men drank their drinks and talked about their past.
"I still can't believe that I've reached this point in my life. It feels so unreal."
"Believe me, this is just the start," Collin said confidently.
'With an evolved talent, you will do even better.' He was incredibly excited to see more of Axel's success.
"Thanks. Oh, by the way, I need to leave the party around 10 p.m. I promised my son that we would play Marvel vs. Capcom and Halo tonight. Please help me talk to Paul Kim."
"Alright." Collin chuckled.
Axel was the one who had funded the party, but it didn't mean he had to stay up all night. He could leave whenever he wanted to. But Axel was the type of person who deeply respected others. Axel knew how hard Paul Kim had worked just to promote him to the Academy members, and Axel felt he owed them a lot.
"I'll take care of it. You don't have to worry." It wasn't even a problem, Paul Kim would completely understand Axel.
"Thanks." Axel looked at the stunning view once more before saying, "I hope good things will keep happening to us."
"I hope so too." Collin nodded.
Just like Axel, Collin also left the party early. He spoke to Paul Kim about him and Axel leaving the venue, and Paul just shrugged and said that he would handle the remaining guests.
Collin went to the ANT building despite the regular working hours being long over. He was not here to continue working or to put in overtime, he simply wanted to see his workaholic girlfriend.
Collin greeted the receptionist briefly before heading straight to the elevator. He pushed the button for the 10th floor, the highest floor in the building.
The entire floor was quiet, and even Lila's secretary was gone. Collin knocked softly on the door.
"It's me, Collin."
"You can come in." Lila's voice held a hint of slight surprise, though Collin didn't notice it.
When he opened the door, he found Lila sitting at her office desk with various documents in her hands.
"It's already late. You're still working?"
"I have to read this business proposal. It's important," she said, slightly adjusting her glasses. She looked incredibly serious in Collin's eyes.
"Have you eaten?"
"No."
"What would you like to eat?"
"There's salmon in the refrigerator along with some ingredients. You can cook whatever you want, and I'll eat it."
Collin had promised that he would stay with her tonight. Lila's office had an attached room where she could live. It was technically an apartment, because it had everything a standard apartment had.
This was not the first time Collin was spending the night in her office. He realized that Lila's life was mostly consumed by work, and she rarely had time for other activities. Collin actually wanted her to take some time off and relax, but Lila couldn't help but keep working. She was just that kind of person.
As Collin prepared their late dinner, he started talking about what had happened at the Academy Awards.
"Axel won the Best Supporting Actor Award."
"Hm, you texted me earlier about that. I'll meet your client later and congratulate him."
Even though they were in a romantic relationship, most of their casual conversations still revolved around their jobs.
Lila took a break from reading the documents and went to the other room to watch Collin prepare the meal. Collin already knew his way around the kitchen, as he had cooked in this place many times before.
Lila slightly bit her lip as she watched Collin. Her heartbeat was getting faster, and she felt butterflies in her stomach... it meant she was horny.
As their relationship progressed, she realized that she was falling harder in love with Collin.
"Dinner's done," Collin announced.
"Hm, let's eat."
The couple ate late at night, and Collin stared warmly at Lila.
"Lila."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
"!!!"
Lila almost had a heart attack. She quickly drank a glass of water to hide her blush. This was not the first time Collin had said those words, he said it every single day, but she still couldn't get used to it.
"I love you too... How about we take a break in my bed? It's getting hot in here, take off your clothes."
That night, they did the horizontal monster smash.
The couple hoped that good things would keep happening. They deeply hoped that they would be together forever.
...
...
...
But reality was often disappointing.
Two weeks after the Academy Awards, a massive piece of information spread throughout Hollywood and heavily affected the industry.
Apex Talent Network was being sold!
Many people were utterly shocked. Even the agents who worked within ANT were completely stunned. It was happening too fast, and no one even knew what had really transpired behind the scenes. The executives also didn't expect it, especially since this year was supposed to bring a change in management because of the upcoming company election.
If there was someone who was the most surprised by this development, it was none other than Lila Seraphina... Her entire high-ranking position relied on the fact that her father owned the company.