Behind The Spotlight Chapter 169
"I researched this Collin East guy, and I'm impressed with his work history. He was a retired model who started working at ANT in 1993. His first three years in the company were bleak and average, filled with small projects, but things changed in 1995 when his client, Wyatt Bray, produced The Accidental Wedding Crashers. Since then, his career has risen, showing consistent growth and professionalism."
"He's really good at his job." Lila kept her composure.
"He's not only good at his job, he's also good with investments," Elijah teased. "He's also a co-owner of Moonrise Music, just like you."
"..." Lila didn't answer.
Only a few people knew that Collin owned shares of Moonrise Music. She further realized that her father was a piece of shit.
"Not only that, I also learned that back in Middle School you—"
"Dad, can I leave now? I have a business appointment today that I cannot postpone." Lila put down her utensils and wiped her lips with a napkin.
"Is that so? But I thought you didn't have any schedule today?"
"It seems you don't know much at all. I have a business meeting to attend, and I don't want to be late."
"Alright, go on." Elijah waved his hand.
As Lila stood up, Elijah's cold gaze was directly at her.
"Lila, are you still not going to change your surname even after everything?"
"It's the name Mom gave me. I don't want to change it."
"Have a safe trip. Make sure not to stay up late and take care of yourself."
"I will."
Their whole interaction was too much for the younger children to handle, causing the youngest to cry from the heavy tension in the room.
...
...
...
At the airport.
"Grandma!" Aida excitedly approached her grandmother as she rushed through the crowd. The old woman, her white hair neatly combed, sat in a wheelchair wrapped in a comfortable blanket. She smiled at her lovely granddaughter and spread her arms for a hug.
Aida kneeled and hugged her.
"I miss you, Grandma."
"Hm, I miss you too," Grandma Gloria replied.
"Hi, Grandma," Collin greeted with a smile.
"You're not going to hug me?"
"I will." Collin shrugged and hugged her.
Collin stood up and greeted their uncle. "Uncle Manny, welcome to Los Angeles."
"This is not my first time in Los Angeles," Manny chuckled and hugged Collin as well, happy to see him doing well.
Aida and Collin greeted their cousins, who were carrying several luggage bags. Uncle Manny was divorced. He had three children, all adults and all in college. He wasn't rich, just middle class.
Because Collin invited them for Thanksgiving in his new house in Beverly Hills, Manny's children decided to spend the holidays in Los Angeles, eager to relax.
Collin greeted his cousins. They laughed and made fun of each other as usual.
"Mom." Even though Evelyn had met her mother a few months ago, she was still emotional and overwhelmed.
"I didn't raise a crybaby. Why are you crying in front of the kids?"
"I just miss you, Mom."
"Come here."
Grandma Gloria and Evelyn hugged each other.
"Mom, why don't you live with us instead so we can take care of you?"
"And what, burden you? Nah, I'm good. The retirement home is not that bad. I have a lot of friends and things to do there."
"Still..." Manny tried to speak, wanting to insist.
"That's it, you don't have to nag me. We are here to have a get-together, not for you guys to lecture me about my life choices. You and your children have been pestering me since earlier in the flight. Why don't you shut up and enjoy the day?" Gloria glared at Manny and her grandchildren.
Gloria and Manny had provided money to Collin and his family back when they were struggling financially.
"We just want you to live with us because we worry."
"Just like I said, I will decide what I want. I will stay in the retirement home and that's final." Gloria scoffed.
Both Evelyn and Manny sighed. They had been trying to convince their mother to live with one of them, but Gloria refused. She didn't want to burden her two children. She was just that stubborn.
Aida looked at them and realized something. She turned to Collin.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I realized that you're just like Grandma."
"Huh?"
Collin was a selfless guy who wanted to give instead of receiving.
In fact, Collin had paid the retirement home to improve his grandmother's situation without ever mentioning it. He also called her every week to check on her.
Evelyn and Manny had been single for years, and Gloria knew how hard it was to take care of people, especially as they aged. She decided it would be better for her children if she stayed in the retirement home so they wouldn't worry too much.
Everyone in the family had been trying to convince her, but she was tough to crack.
The whole family left the airport and went to Beverly Hills. They would stay in Los Angeles for three or four days, depending on their schedule and availability.
The house had complete furniture, as Collin made sure everything was ready for Thanksgiving. He rarely had the chance to host an event, and he wanted it to be memorable, especially for his family. Money was not a problem for him.
An hour later, Collin's relatives from his father's side also arrived, bringing homemade dishes. His relatives lived in California, so they used cars.
The house became livelier.
His relatives were impressed by the house Collin bought. It seemed that Collin was doing well, which was a good thing because he deserved it after everything he went through.
"Man, your ex probably regrets—"
Aida glared at one of her cousins from her father's side. Most of Collin's relatives in California knew about what happened between Collin and his ex. That ex was even friends with some of his cousins, although they stopped interacting with her after what she did to Collin.
"Anyway, let's have a toast to celebrate the day."
"Yay!"
Thanksgiving went on.
There was a moment when Collin found a baby in his room... He wondered which of his cousins had another child because he genuinely didn't know.
His relationship with his family was good and harmonious. Some might show jealousy regarding his career, but they were also happy about Collin's status and how far he had come.
Some of them joked and asked Collin to invite his clients to his house. Of course, he didn't play along. His clients had their own lives, and they were probably busy this holiday with their families.
The house had enough rooms to accommodate everyone, which impressed them.
"I remember back when Grandpa was alive. He talked about his ancestors having superpowers."
Aida recalled her grandfather who died a few years ago... It was sad because she still missed him deeply.
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