Behind The Spotlight Chapter 278
"James, if you have something to say, you can say it to me... Unless you're selling drugs again!? How many times do I have to tell you to stop selling drugs! That's dangerous!" She raised her voice slightly and glared at James, convinced he had gotten into trouble once more.
"No, no, Ma. This is different, put down the spatula! Ma, believe me, I'm not doing anything illegal anymore."
"Then what is it this time?"
"... Here."
James handed her the business card and explained what had happened earlier.
"So you're saying a talent agent invited you to sign with his agency and promised he could get you into the NBA?"
"Yes, Ma." James nodded politely. Despite standing almost twice as tall as his mother, he was still afraid of her.
"..."
Mrs. Kobe put on her reading glasses and carefully inspected the business card. She frowned and looked up at her son. James was indeed a tall kid and athletically gifted, but she never expected a talent agent to approach him with promises of an NBA career.
"So why are you asking me? If you're interested, go check it out. You can visit the building."
'... I'm scared it's a trap to bust me,' James thought, unable to voice his fears to his mother.
"What? Do you want me to go with you? I can do that. I want to find out if this Mr. East is even real or just trying to scam you. Don't worry, I'll handle it."
"No. I'll go by myself."
After thinking it over, James decided to handle things on his own. He didn't want to drag his mother into potential trouble.
He needed to find out if the Golden Spotlight Group was legitimate.
...
...
...
Two days passed, and James confirmed that the Golden Spotlight Group actually existed. He located the building in Burbank where the company was headquartered, and it appeared entirely professional.
He even spoke to the receptionist on the ground floor to inquire about the agency. The woman explained that the Golden Spotlight Group was a talent agency occupying the 6th and 7th floors of the building.
"... Should I call them?"
James considered it seriously. If Collin wasn't lying, he really could help him reach the NBA.
He knew his reality all too well, selling drugs was a dangerous path. If given a choice, being an NBA player offered a vastly superior life to the one he currently lived.
He found a public payphone and dialed the number...
"Hello, uh, this is James Michael Kobe."
...
...
...
The next day, James returned to the building dressed much more formally... and feeling nervous as hell.
'... I shouldn't have mentioned anything to Mom,' James regretted telling her about his visit to the Golden Spotlight Group.
Mrs. Kobe had insisted he wear something respectable, so James was currently wearing a button-down shirt and a suit jacket, attire he was completely unaccustomed to. To top it off, both his mother and younger sister had braided his hair to make him look more presentable.
'I even had to beg Mom not to come with me...' James glanced around nervously, checking to see if she had followed him to the building.
"I'm James. I believe I have an appointment on the 7th floor today. Could you check the list?" James approached the receptionist.
The female receptionist remembered speaking with him the day before. She checked the schedule and confirmed his appointment.
"Please take the elevator, sir."
"Thank you."
Once James stepped out on the 7th floor, another receptionist greeted him and confirmed his scheduled meeting with the CEO.
"Right this way, sir." Lucia Sarah appeared and led James down the hall to Collin's office. James saw the engraved nameplate on the door.
-- CEO
-- Collin East
Anxiety gripped him. He realized the man he was about to meet was far from ordinary.
The door opened, and Collin nodded at him.
"James, I've been expecting you. Have a seat. Lucia, bring us some coffee and cookies."
"Yes, sir."
James took a seat. The chair was soft, but he felt no comfort whatsoever... he simply wasn't used to this kind of environment.
Collin had seen a great deal throughout his career, so meeting a rare prospect with a golden talent like James wasn't enough to rattle him.
"You called my secretary yesterday, so I assume you want to be an NBA player."
"... Can you really do it?" James stared intensely at Collin.
"I can. But let me turn the question back to you: do you truly have what it takes to make it in the NBA?"
"I can do it."
"That's the kind of confidence I want to see."
Lucia Sarah returned, placing coffee and cookies on the table.
"Lucia, please contact Lila. Let her know we have a new client."
"Yes, sir."
A few minutes later, Lila walked in, finding Collin and James deep in conversation about the league.
"James, this is Lila."
"Hello, ma'am."
"It's nice to meet you."
The two shook hands. Lila stole a quick glance at Collin.
'Is this the person you were talking about?'
'That's right.'
The couple communicated through a silent, unspoken understanding. Collin had already briefed her on his interest in signing a basketball prospect.
Having worked alongside Collin for years, Lila trusted his instincts when it came to spotting raw talent. She knew anyone he brought in was worth their time and attention.
"James, you've probably heard quite a bit from Collin. He likely promised he could get you into the NBA, and he isn't exaggerating."
"I'm determined to do whatever it takes to change my life."
"Is that so?" Lila adjusted her glasses. "I happen to have connections within the Lakers Los Angeles management. I can get you a tryout with their team."
'The Lakers Los Angeles!'
James was so stunned that he sat up straight in his chair. Los Angeles was home to two NBA teams: the Clippers and the Lakers. Growing up in the city, he followed both, but he held a special fondness for the Lakers.
Hearing that he could potentially become a part of the Lakers made his blood boil with excitement.
[Thank you for reading this novel.]