Behind The Spotlight Chapter 9
Lila's expression turned professional, and she gestured to a chair.
"Please, sit. Let's focus on your proposal. I'm eager to hear what you've prepared."
Collin took a seat, gripping his documents with slightly sweaty palms.
"Yes, of course. Sorry again for the awkward start."
Lila smiled, her deep blue eyes sparkling under the soft office lighting.
"No need to apologize. I'm interested in your project. Arnold speaks highly of you, more than once, actually."
Collin's nerves eased slightly, though he knew Arnold had probably exaggerated to hype him up.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Please, call me Lila. We're not formal here unless it's a board meeting, and this clearly isn't one." She leaned forward, her wolf-cut hair moving with subtle grace.
"Tell me, what's this project that made Arnold barge into my schedule?"
Collin launched into his pitch, outlining Wyatt's film concept, target audience, and marketing strategy with the kind of energy only desperation and hope could fuel.
His nervousness vanished as if it had never existed. He'd practiced this pitch since his hospital stay, rewriting it in his mind again and again. He couldn't afford to let go of the opportunity now sitting across from him.
Lila listened intently, her expression unreadable. A corporate mask revealing nothing.
As he spoke, Collin couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Lila before, long before her rise to CEO. He stole glances now and then, but the memory stayed elusive.
When he finished, Lila leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the polished wood of her desk.
"Impressive. You've clearly put thought into this. What makes you believe this film can succeed in today's saturated market?"
By now, Collin's nerves had fully given way to clarity and focus. If he'd learned anything from Arnold, it was to never appear nervous in business meetings, especially not when seeking investment.
"I believe in the director's vision wholeheartedly. I've seen his creations and picked up on indicators suggesting the film will emotionally and cinematically resonate with audiences."
He wasn't technically lying, though he wasn't revealing the full truth either. It amazed him how smoothly the half-truth rolled off his tongue.
Lila's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a flicker of curiosity or suspicion.
"Indicators? What kind of indicators are we talking about?"
Collin's heart pounded in his chest. Should he tell her about the strange words he saw floating above people's heads?
"Just a gut feeling, Ma'am, I mean, Lila. A really strong one, if that helps."
He wanted to slap himself right then. He knew that reply cost him credibility. Gut feelings rarely convinced investors, especially ones who probably experienced a dozen business pitches each week.
Lila's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded, her expression still unreadable.
"I'll consider your proposal. Tell me more about your director, Wyatt. What's his background?"
"He's a recent graduate from UCLA's Department of Film and Television. He just finished his degree last year. I watched his first film, it was a horror movie, and I saw real potential in his technical skill and creative vision."
Collin was prepared for this question and handed over a sleek folder with Wyatt's credentials neatly compiled.
He wasn't just Wyatt's manager in this case, he was part mentor, part big brother, part damage control.
He knew the young director would probably panic if he had to talk to investors alone and unprepared.
"Let's see…" Lila murmured, scanning the pages with focused eyes.
Collin watched closely but still couldn't read her expression. She was like a poker champion. She was calm, controlled, and unreadable.
"It was nice meeting you, Collin. I'll be in touch. Someone will contact you once I've reviewed everything."
"Okay. Thank you for your time, Lila."
Deep inside, Collin was screaming with hope, fear, and a rush of adrenaline. Based on Lila's tone, the chances of getting investment were far better than he dared to dream when he walked into the building that morning.
He excused himself after thanking her again, closing the door softly behind him and resisting the urge to jump for joy.
Once Collin was gone, Lila looked at the folder again, a faint glint of amusement in her eyes.
"…I'll give you a chance, this once," she muttered to herself with a small, thoughtful smile. Then, she picked up her private line and made a call.
"Hello? You said you were looking for an investment, right? Do I look like I'd scam you just for fun? Yeah, yeah, just contact them yourself if you're interested. I'll fax you the script and their contact number within the hour. Don't share the script with anyone, or you know what'll happen. I don't make empty threats. Huh? I'm not scared at all. Your so-called connections mean nothing."
…...
…...
…
Collin exhaled inside the elevator. He'd signed clients to movies before, some of them not even that bad. He had also convinced Director Esteban to bring Wyatt on as an assistant director, which was a massive win that nearly didn't happen.
But none of that ever made him as nervous as the CEO did. It was not even close.
"Maybe it's because she's so beautiful that I'm afraid of doing something dumb that'll give her the ick and ruin my chances before they even start… Collin, I thought we were past the stage of simping for pretty girls."
Collin was handsome and fully aware of it, he didn't need a mirror to confirm. He wouldn't have made it in the modeling industry otherwise, where good looks were the bare minimum. He did things subconsciously that enhanced his charm such as a tilt of the head, a casual lean, and a half-smirk. All of it rehearsed and yet effortless.
He returned to his desk, still replaying the conversation in his head. The place was noisy as usual. Agents on phones, fast-paced negotiations echoing through the office.
As for him, he wasn't that busy. He had only a few clients and a handful of projects, which was both a blessing and a curse in this industry. Besides, he'd just recovered from an illness and didn't want to push himself too hard. He couldn't bear to worry his family again after the fainting that landed him in the hospital.
He was reviewing potential film roles for his clients, most were low-budget indie productions or student projects, when the phone on his desk rang. It immediately caught his attention.
He answered, surprised to hear Wyatt on the line. His tone equal parts excited and confused.
"Collin, someone just called me a few minutes ago. He said he wanted to talk about the script and that he got it directly from someone at ANT."
"Huh? That fast?!" Collin's jaw nearly dropped.
He was stunned. He had just finished speaking with the CEO half an hour ago and now someone was already interested in their project? It felt like things were finally beginning to align.
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[Second and last chapter of the day.]