The Cam Shot

Shot 03

It was a busy day in the Jimenez Group of Companies. Every employee was very focused on preparing everything in the JGC building. An old man named Shaun got out of his prominent office wearing his black suit and tie. His appearance is in the late 50s. His hair is a bit bald and with white streaks of silver days. Bodyguards, about five wearing formal corporate black suites, were following him as he walked towards the aisle. He was going to another hall located on the 10th floor of the building. As he walked, the endless ringing of the telephones was echoing in the hall.

The television was turned on in the hallway where they walked on. The TV news anchor announced the arrival of the conglomerate company founder Mr. Shaun Jimenez. His prominence and aura had gained dominance over the people who waited in his arrival in front of the JGC building. Flickering camera lights followed and media personnel tried to ask him questions about his biggest decision he will make of this day.

His company is very prestigious and well-known for different scopes of businesses and most of them are internationally competitive and trusted by all the social classes in the country. For 30 years, the conglomerate business empire gained multiple awards and helped the government achieve the country's economic growth for two decades straight.

Finally, the founder will decide to transfer all the rights to his son. The final decision will be announced this day in accordance with the company's tradition. It will also be in line with the company visit of the new CEO of JGC.

The video happened earlier when he arrived at the main building of JGC. All the media personnel were so eager to ask questions. Still, no one had a chance to talk or corner the conglomerate founder of the company. His security team is too thick and impossible to break as his bodyguards tried to push out the media personnel away from his location.

All the employees waiting outside of the meeting hall automatically bowed their heads as the old man came in front of the hall's door. Two female employees dressed in a neat navy blue uniform were positioned at each side of the door and opened them for the man.

The directors and members of the board came to stand up as they saw the old man go into the room. The long table is now full of papers and bottled water prepared by the employees. Shaun roamed his eyes in the room and grimaced a bit as he didn't see a person he was expecting to come to this meeting this very day. The members all bowed as the man confidently walked towards his seat at the center of the long table near the wide white screen.

As soon as he sat there, he cleared his throat and the members returned to their seats. "I suppose everyone's here. Are we in complete attendance with this important meeting?" Shaun asked them. He saw that they were looking at each other and murmured.

"Mr. President, your son is still not here. Is he like this all the time?" asked the man on the left, in second to the last seat at the table. His name is Hector. He is one of the board members and also one of the investors of the JGC.

"Yes, I have heard that this was not the first time that he was tardy in his work. In his own run company, many investors hated him for being late in every meeting!" the other man on the board seconded.

"In this light, how would we know that he wouldn't do this to JGC, too? This is a very crucial day for JGC. We should think of this decision thoroughly before we all agree to make him the new CEO of JGC. This is a big company and we should make sure we stay on top," Hector added.

Shaun sighed and was about to say something when suddenly, the door of the meeting hall opened up. It let out a tall man that looked a bit like Shaun. It was his son, Shawn Jimenez.

Shawn wore his blue suit and tie, hair waxed neatly, and confidently walked towards the center of the room. He smiled coolly as he reached his father. "Good morning! I guess the issue today is me being late?" he asked. "Now, don't get me wrong. I have never been late in my work since I made my own company. The reason why I came late today is because I came across an accident in the lobby earlier. There was a female employee who collapsed, and—" Shawn paused as soon as he heard his loud ringing tone. He picked up his phone from his pocket and awkwardly looked at the board members' irritated faces. He smirked and answered the call. He clicked on the loudspeaker button to make them hear the conversation. "Hello, this is Shawn Jimenez..."

"Umm... Hello, sir? This is Ellen, the one you helped earlier. I just wanted to inform you that the doctors you asked to assist me said that I had a miscarriage." The woman sobbed. "I didn't know I was pregnant, Sir."

Shawn sighed. "It's given. No one anticipated this to happen. You should get some rest and report to work if you're already well. I have a meeting so I will just send other assistance for you. Bye." He ended the call and faced the board members and his father. "I apologize for that one. I really don't like employees getting sick so I do everything I can to give them financial assistance. That's how I was taught by this very successful man, my father..." he said as he pointed his father at his right side. He heaved a sigh. "So, shall we start?"

Shaun smirked at his son and shook his head. His son never fails to surprise him.

****

SJ Entertainment is one of the companies handled by the Jimenez Group of Companies. It is the largest entertainment and talent agency in the country. Many boy bands, girl groups, solo artists, actors, and actresses on TV were some of the products of this agency. It is the talent agency that Axel Monte De Ramos wanted to enter for a very long time since he became an aspirant. When the talent agency began to post an audition via online, he instantly signed up for it.

He was always thinking positive that someday he will be noticed by talent agencies. And when the manager came to contact him, he knew that he was destined to be an idol. For four months, the company has cultivated five talented aspirants for a big role they have prepared them for, and Axel was one of the lucky ones.

They, the talent agency, were preparing an idol group composed of five members to record songs and dance the pop genre music for mainstream media entertainment. For four years, they were preparing the release of the group called T^2. They are namely Axel, Hunter, Lex, EJ, and Vincent.

Axel will act as the group lead and the main face of the group. With his thin reddish lips and chinky dark brown eyes that looked like a Korean superstar. His hair is now dyed blonde and is a bit long compared to his old looks before. Make-up artists in SJ Entertainment really helped him convey his identity as a future idol of the country. He really liked the new look and it really suits him, though he's feeling a little indifferent whenever his group members tease him of his new look. He wouldn't mind. Being different will never separate him from his dream and to his real self.

Today is the group's rehearsal for their music video for their single inside their upcoming debut album. The dance instructor is proud and talented. He's very efficient and creative when it comes to dancing steps and formations. He is also keen on synchronization and timing. Axel would often give his ideas and they would be accepted most of the time.

This day was a little different. The instructor has told them to perfect the dance steps because he was told that the CEO of JGC will pay a visit to the company, especially in the facilities of SJ Entertainment.

Axel bit his lower lip to suppress his smile but he could stop thinking of a naughty idea.

While practicing his part, he felt he was on that stage. He could feel the hyped ambiance surrounding him. The beat of the song indulges him in singing his part, doing his vocals and his steps. He wouldn't mind about his sweat already streaking on his temples and hairlines. His graceful steps and hand movements were perfectly synchronized with the beat of the song.

Axel owned it. He held a wireless microphone and looked up at the whole stadium full of people screaming and shouting his and his group's name. They would lift up their hands and show their tarpaulin printed with his face and the words "We Love You, Axel!"

Axel's spirit has been feeling a little light at that sight. He would see his group sing and dance with him as if they were all enjoying the stardom and limelights above the stage platform.

And when it's his turn to sing the bridge part and the highest note, his fans would scream loudly and shout his name again. He danced again to the beat.

Suddenly, in his peripheral view, the figure of the man he helped to get home popped up somewhere in the sea of people. He momentarily froze at that moment especially when their eyes met.

Suddenly, the music drowned in his senses. The feeling of that sensible night dominated his mind. He meekly shook his head and tried to dance again but his steps wouldn't fit the music anymore.

That trance halted when Axel heard the yelling of his instructor. He looked around and saw that he was inside the studio. He could see his reflection on the wall mirror of the whole room, and on the entrance, the figure of the man was still there, leaning his shoulder on the pathway. He was wearing his blue suit and tie. His eyes were a bit tired but were still showing amusement as he was looking at him.

"Are you nuts?! Aren't you listening to your part, huh, Ax? Are you even here?" The instructor even flicked his finger in front of Axel.

Axel blinked and looked at his instructor. He bowed his head and smiled while scratching his head. "Sorry. I think I need a little break. My legs are cramping already. Can I, please?" He pouted.

The instructor exasperatedly sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine! Start doing your exercise and get your ass out. The new CEO is waiting outside!" he shouted.

Axel laughed and turned to the door again. As he laid his eyes there, the figure of the man from before just disappeared. It somehow disappointed him when he disappeared. Where did he go? He's sure that it's not just his hallucinations. He's not drunk to even feel like that.

He just does the exercise to ease his muscles. Afterwards, he drank the water inside his black tumbler.

Hunter came. He was offering a white towel to him.

Axel smirked and accepted the towel. When he was wiping his sweat, Axel saw how Hunter removed his shirt. He raised his eyebrow and laughed. "What are you doing? You're not in the dresser room," he commented.

Hunter giggled. "Why? Are you tempted?"

Axel shook his head. "Dream on! I'm too in love with my dreams!"

Hunter scoffed. "Fine. What's with you earlier? Are you drunk?" he asked.

"Nope. Just feeling weird. My legs feel cramps already. I needed the break."

"Well... it's my first time seeing you blackout during rehearsals. That head of yours sure has a naughty idea again." Hunter pointed at Axel's head while mimicking a gun.

"You know me. My day wouldn't be complete without anything naughty in mind," he agreed. After prepping, he walked towards the door and exited the rehearsal studio.

They were all called by their instructor to the meeting room of the building. As soon as he entered, three of his co-members, plus their manager and the instructor, were already there.

Axel's mouth hung open when he saw the other guy in front of his band members.

"Everyone!" The manager called them. Hunter followed behind Axel and was also listening. "I would like you to meet the new CEO of Jimenez Group of Companies, Mr. Shawn Jimenez, the son's conglomerate founder of JGC. He will be the one to also manage SJ Entertainment," their manager said.

The man firmly smiled at them specially. "It's nice to meet you all. I'm glad that all of our talents are cooperative and creative. I hope we all do our jobs well for the betterment of the company," Shawn introduced himself.

Axel couldn't stop staring at him. He didn't even know that he was already advancing to the man. He held his hand and pointed at Shawn. "Y-you? You're the new CEO?"

Shawn's eyes showed distress. He was a bit alarmed. What if this guy in front of him blurts out about their little one-night secret when it should not happen between them?

"You're that man whom I spen--" Axel's words were halted when Shawn immediately moved closer to him, covering his mouth while his eyes widened in shock.