The claps, whistles, and cheers of happy noises echoed through the stadium in which they had just ended the shooting of the part before the break Ian announced as Christmas was just a week away.

“Alright, thank you, everyone. Although we tried our best to finish off the scenes quickly, it all happens for the best. We just have around forty scenes more, after Christmas. And in the new year, everyone here, including me is going to start our careers with the Fast and the Furious, which is also amazing, isn’t it?” Ian asked loudly, as everyone cheered again.

“Happy holidays, Ian!”

“Happy holidays everyone!”

The little wishes spread through the set brought joy and happiness to Mason who stood a little close by to Ian.

“Is this going to be the last Christmas you’d be celebrating with us?” he asked the old man who smiled back at him.

“Ah, I think it is. I mean, who can blame an old man who wants a break from everything he’s been trying to keep up for the last… I can’t even think of the time I spent! But trust me, son, with the majority shares to your name, and with the power to do anything, you’ll do great with the studio.”

“Uncle-” Ian said as he took a seat in front of Mason. They both were now faced face-to-face. Ian had been ignoring this topic ever since he got back to France by focusing just on work–but he knew, the topic was about to be up on air at any time considering how Mason had been thinking about it ever since the beginning of the year.

He continued his conversation as he saw Mason was still calm and quiet ever since they were seated. “It’s not about the powers or the shares…. Uncle and you know it. Ah, I can’t even stop you! That’s the worst part of it all, but you should know that you’re welcome at any time to the office or the premises. I’m gonna miss you,” he said with an apologetic smile.

“It’s going to be just fine. And my retirement would give me nothing but the freedom and the peace I always wanted and craved when I first started working for Renner’s Studio,”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Ian immediately caught on to what Mason was trying to explain.

“If you think I started working just for the sake of becoming a director, you’re thoroughly mistaken, Ian. You know what, let me tell you the biggest secret of all time,” he said as a mischievous smile spread across his lips. “I started working for the Renner Studio for the sake of the friendship. And yes, at first it was all about this promise we both made… But then, your father passed away in a very unfortunate... Moment, but yes, this became my home. Somehow, you came along and grew it into something I couldn’t ever have imagined. So, I trust you with everything, and yes, I’ll miss working with you… A lot,” He said with a shrug.

Ian paused for a second before nodding along. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if you get up and try to come down to help me around.”

-

The last thing Ian had to do before the break was to organize the schedule for the shootings that would happen after the break. And for that, he knew that he wanted the “blue” file in his office, where the records have been monitored.

“Rae, where would you be on Christmas?” Ian asked the pretty lady who sat in the passenger seat with a warm yet exhausting face.

Her face was flushed for who-knows-what reason, yet she had that warm smile that she always plastered on her face.

“Ah, I don’t know. Maybe my sister’s place. She has the prettiest Christmas tree ever, and by the way, The Sky Line media network? How many shares do you own and how much power does it have?”

“Christmas tree, huh? I don’t know why you’re asking that?” Ian looked at her skeptically.

“You know you can trust me, somehow.”

“Well, yes. I’ve around five percent shares, and I’m planning to buy more with time, after the holidays. But yeah, enough power and deal to change whatever news that would be rotating about me. Why?”

“Nothing,” Rae said immediately and looked away from the window.

‘Not suspicious at all!’ Ian thought to himself and said, “I’ll be holding a dinner party, for Christmas and I’d like you to join. Would you be able to make it? It’s also kind of a farewell party to Mason. And everyone is going to be there.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. And I thought about the offer, Ian…”

“You took seventeen days for that? I’m not surprised but shocked”

“Ah, yes, I’d be more than terrific to direct Darknight. And, you’re right… I agree with you,” She said with a smile while Ian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened further.

“Tonight is the interview about my book. And it’s the new york time best seller, woo hoo!”

“Cheers to that! Why am I not invited to the party, Ian?” Niko asked from the seat behind.

“Ah, maybe it’s because the only plus one Rae would bring is you?”

“Hey!”

“Heyyy!”

Both the friends yelled while Ian chuckled.

“I can bring dates too, I just don’t want to show off how many men are there wanting to join as my plus one. Plus, the list just keeps getting longer and longer. Also, where’s Scarlett? Haven’t seen her in ages!” Raelynn said trying to lift the mood.

“Oh well, Niko, you must be there. And bring Keith. I might know a little more about him than I should, but he is a good guy. Scarlett is busy with her two new movies. So, that sums up the questions that you both have, yeah?”

-

They all entered the office.

“What time is it?” Niko asked loudly as he was passing the main door which leads to the lobby among the other doors.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Raelynn yelled at someone—someone who was old enough to know that the area was strictly for the important people in the Renner Studio.

Ian who swiftly turned around saw that it was the same guy who he had seen snooping around from time to time in the office walked towards him and grabbed him by the collar.

“I hate fighting with people who work under me, or with me. So, why don’t you just say, why do you really snoop in here?” Ian asked in a low voice which made the guy fear just by looking at how angry he is.

Ian wasn’t a person to lose his chill unless it was something like backstabbing—which probably might be the case.

“I-I I was just seeing if anyone is here, l-like, I-I should’ve asked before coming, I’m sorry.”

“Well, Hans Junior, why do you think I won’t notice that you’ve been checking if anyone is here for several days now? And you’ve been checking even when I’m right there in that office.”

The guy with the curly hair stuttered. The sweat that formed on his forehead explained a lot on what was going on in there than it should.

“I’m sorry, sir. I truly am, But I don’t know how more to explain when there’s nothing to explain! I didn’t know that I can’t be here.”

Raelynn scoffed from behind and Ian suddenly was aware of his position.

Several people had gathered around the main entrance, and Ian was literally about to choke the guy which wouldn’t look good in his reputation.

He cleared his throat and let the guy go.

“Close that door behind me,” he muttered and walked to his office which was a few steps away from where they were.

[...]

“You see those walls? Or glasses? Yes, I can see the opposite side but you couldn’t see me. And, here you wonder, how do I know you, am I right?” Ian asked while leaning towards the desk, and watching the guy’s eyes roam left and right on the floor.

“Not really,”

“You know what… I’m not an aggressive person, but fucking drop the act. I know VerFex Media is contacting you for three weeks now to keep tabs and get details on what the fuck is happening around here, or maybe on me… What is it? You know, I was busy but not stupid. I was busy to bring you in here, and slap the letter of your service in this studio for five years, but yeah, I’m not anymore.”

The guy who stood straight the whole time started crying loudly. “But sir, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that!”

“Loyalty before anything. Anything,” Ian said and dismissed the guy without any more explanations.

The next thing he did was to send the text so that he could find out who is behind this little third-degree spying work.