Behind The Spotlight Chapter 123
Isabella was right. Chantal's dream had always been to become a famous singer, a dream she had held in her heart since childhood. That very dream was also one of the reasons her parents had cast her out.
When Chantal turned 18, her parents decided she could live on her own and kicked her out. They felt no guilt about it, convinced she had no future compared to her younger sister, who collected awards every year and embodied everything they valued. To them, Chantal's dream of becoming a singer was nothing but foolishness, a waste of time.
Since then, Chantal had lived with her friend's family in a small yet warm home. She was grateful to Isabella and her parents for taking her in without judgment, only kindness. Chantal worked as a waitress on weekdays to cover her expenses, singing only on weekends at the train station.
"If you want to meet this talent agent, then take me with you. I'll be ready to call the police if he tries anything shady."
Isabella could see Chantal's hesitation about whether to contact the talent agent, so she gave her friend a push.
"I want to prove to my parents that I'll become a famous singer."
"That's the spirit. And once you're famous, don't ever help them. They kicked you out last year, and they never truly supported you."
"T-That sounds kinda bad."
"What do you mean bad? Your parents are the worst. Tell me, have they ever celebrated your birthday?"
"..." Chantal fell silent. Her parents had never done anything special for her. They had provided food and shelter for 18 years, but never a heartfelt gift, never a sincere hug, never a word of encouragement. Most of the time, she had survived through part-time jobs.
"I'll call him."
"I'll be by your side."
Chantal found a phone booth and dialed the number on the business card. Her voice trembled slightly when someone answered.
...
...
...
The two women sat at a table in a café of their choice. It was one of the most popular cafés in the neighborhood, always bustling with customers.
Today, it was about 70% full, which reassured them. They were confident the talent agent wouldn't try anything reckless, especially since the café was located right next to a police station where patrol cars flashed red and blue.
Chantal kept glancing at the entrance, nervously stirring her cup of coffee.
"He's here," Chantal whispered to Isabella.
"Where?" Isabella asked.
"The tall, handsome guy at the door."
"Oh my God, Chantal, he's hot!" Isabella squealed. Chantal silently agreed, though she tried to keep her composure, unlike her overly excited friend.
That was precisely why Chantal had been skeptical of Collin. He was too handsome to be a talent agent. With his sharp jawline, neatly tailored suit, and confident demeanor, he looked like someone out of a magazine. With that face, he should have been an actor or a model.
Collin scanned the café and spotted Chantal sitting with another woman. He had even postponed his return flight today because Chantal called him yesterday, on what was supposed to be his last night in Paris. It cost him time, but he didn't regret the decision.
"Hello, I'm Collin East, a talent agent."
"I'm Chantal Beaumont."
"I'm Isabella Salome."
"It's nice to meet you, Chantal and Isabella."
Collin already knew Chantal's name, he had seen it through his golden vision when she performed at the train station, her voice unforgettable. That performance was the reason he wanted to sign her. Still, he acted as though it was the first time he had heard it.
"So, Collin, are you really a talent agent? Or are you a kidnapper? Just so you know, we're near a police station, so don't try anything."
Isabella tried to sound tough, but her cheeks flushed. The man in front of her was far too attractive. Every time he smiled, her heart skipped a beat, making it difficult to maintain suspicion.
"I'm not lying," Collin replied calmly, glancing at his watch.
"If you don't believe me, I'll introduce you to someone to prove it. My client should be here in a few minutes."
The two women exchanged confused looks, but their doubts evaporated when another tall man entered the café.
This time, they recognized him.
They didn't know his name, but they had seen him in a film, The Accidental Wedding Crashers. Lawrence Terrence had starred in that film too.
"Let me introduce my client, Axel Gunner. He's starred in The Accidental Wedding Crashers, Week on a Cruise Ship, and Face: Swap."
Out of the three movies, the women only knew the first one, they had even watched it at the cinema.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Axel Gunner. Erm… I'm here because Collin wanted to prove he's not a kidnapper." Axel looked a little puzzled but played along, his friendly chuckle easing the tension. Collin had just closed a Diore deal for him, so Axel had no problem helping his agent today.
"Wow, you really weren't lying... Chantal, this guy is real!" Isabella exclaimed.
Chantal was also stunned. It was impossible to fake an actor, especially one whose face they had seen on the big screen. On top of that, Axel radiated that unmistakable celebrity aura, a magnetic presence that made people turn their heads.
"Do… do you know Lawrence Terrence? I'm his fan." Chantal asked, her voice tinged with excitement. Isabella leaned in too, eager for the answer. Both were fans of Lawrence.
Axel chuckled at their enthusiasm and pointed toward Collin.
"If you're interested in meeting Lawrence, then you're in luck. Collin is his agent."
The two women turned to Collin. He cleared his throat and got straight to the point.
"Chantal, as I said before, I want to sign a partnership with you. I can make you a superstar."
"..."
Chantal was speechless, this time from pure shock. She hadn't expected a real talent agent to be interested in her. Her heart pounded in her chest. On top of that, this agent managed two famous actors. Clearly, he wasn't an ordinary agent.
If anyone could help her achieve stardom, it was him. After all, Collin had made Axel and Lawrence famous.
"I want to hear more about it."
"Alright."
Collin smiled and began explaining. With calm assurance, he introduced himself and his agency, describing how ANT operated, the resources they provided, and the opportunities available. Aside from actors and directors, ANT also managed music artists and sports players, with an impressive track record.
Collin was confident he could make Chantal famous within a year or two. All she had to do was trust him and sign a deal.
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