One new text message

Niko’s phone beamed up while he was in the conference room with the other parties such as Ian, Raelynn, Martin, and almost every important member.

He swiped across the phone and checked the text, it was from Keith.

Dinner at 7. Be ready ;)

Niko smiled reading the text. As he flipped his phone so that he would stop grinning like an idiot in front of everyone, he focused back on what Ian was explaining.

“....And by April, the shooting for John Wick will be done. So, we can talk about the rest of the plans that are in my mind. I’ve two scripts pending, and let’s see. With that, Actus kept pushing me to write something… So, the upcoming months are going to be really interesting.”

“Sir, what happened to the Feazel Gaming? It’s under you right?”

One of the staff members asked.

Niko couldn’t help but be curious about the question. It was true, Ian wasn’t someone who invested in things that he just wanted to come true. Or things he wanted to ‘achieve’. He was someone who went after profits, and things that would sell or change the industry.

“There’s a project going on. I have been keeping it a secret ever since the release, but yeah, it will take time. The ideas are under supervision and observation, so don’t worry about them. I also have plans to acquire an OTT platform, but it’s just… I tried twice, but it didn't work as I planned. Let’s see!” he said and smiled sadly.

“Alright. How are the profits?” Niko asked as quickly as possible.

“Around 2 billion. Which covers a massive amount that we needed.”

“Yes, which is also why I decided Martin and Raelynn will take over another project as soon as they are ready. Let’s focus back on our next four weeks. The training would undergo Wednesdays, and….”

The meeting continued as the board discussed things along.

By the end of the discussion, in the room, it was just Ian, Raelynn, and Niko.

“How is it going, Ian? Are you okay? You haven’t been taking proper sleep for almost two days with all the director boards, and planning for John Wick.”

“I feel like he’s less human sometimes. My eyes would have given up, and my brain might start eating itself if I continued to work like that!”

The two best friends nagged Ian about his work ethic for the past couple of days.

After the release of the movie, he had gotten busy with dealing everything related to John Wick with the idea of wanting to end the shooting.

But, one thing in the back of his mind through and through was that Keanu Reeves's appearance could and would shake things up in the industry. Because of that, he couldn’t let himself take any sort of quick decisions or easy ways in relation to the movie—just because he thought he owed the industry an amazing actor at his full potential.

“Give it a break. One day, everyone in the industry is going to worship me!” he said jokingly, but both Niko and Raelynn had their eyes widened.

Yes, Ian was joking, but it can be true. Would it be true? Would it?

-

[On the Set]

Keanu had a pile of papers in his hand. It was nothing other than the script of John Wick, the scene that he was about to do.

“Time sure has a way of stirring shit up,” Keanu told himself as he continued to read.

If it was years ago, the script that he’d be having on his hand would be his; own idea, his own writing, and his script. But right now, there was something life-changing happening to him.

“Alright, back here! So, in this scene, the message is loud and clear! Your calmness should show things that your anger can’t. And now you know John Wick very well, so let’s go with it! Try once and see!”

With Ian’s voice, there were the other crew mates who also tried to get prepared for the shot.

“Dim the lighting a bit!”

“No! Not that one! The other one! The colour should be a bit darker!”

“Can you move? There’s space there!”

On the other end of the set, there were actors—side actors who were trying to take photos of themselves and the set.

“Urgh, my head looks big in this one! No… Up! Yes, take…!” One of the ladies among the others smiled showing her entire platter of teeth.

“Now it’s my turn! Can you try to take Ian in the background? Should I walk there?!”

“Oh yes, now he’s in the background… And… take!”

“Alright!” Ian’s voice brought back the attention of everyone.

-

“Do you know where Iosef is?” John asked terribly calmly.

“Go ahead!” Ian’s voice came, although he continued to watch what was happening from the little screen that he had.

“No, sir,” David replied.

“Do you know where Viggo is?”

“N-no, sir.”

The actor who was doing John’s part had a smile on his face even though he was supposed to be deadly serious.

In less than seconds, they both burst out laughing.

“Ahahaha! I can’t! He fucking spit on me!” Keanu said while holding his stomach while laughing loudly.

“I’m s-s-s-soo sorry!” The other actor laughed loudly as well.

Ian found it amusing. These sorts of bloopers were fan favourites. But also staying in the moment with the actors, on adrenaline watching them make fun—it was something else.

“I need a shield here!”

“Yeah, protect yourself from the greatest saliva!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahh! I remember I had a science teacher back in high school! Thank God I wore glasses!”

Everyone in the crew started laughing.

“Let’s take it again, shall we?” Ian’s voice came loudly as ever right after five minutes of laughing and joking.

“Yeah! We’re ready! Let’s go!”

“From the last line! ….ACTION!”

Leandra, who acted as a set crew, walked in front of the camera with the clapperboard.

Ian’s eyes went back to the screen, taking mental notes of every movement.

-

“N-no… S-sir!”

“Do you know anything' worth knowing'?” John Wick said after a sigh.

Tears rolled down David's cheeks as he wanked his brain, thinking.

“Wait, wait!” The man named David yelled so that John’s attention would focus back on David. He swallowed hard looking at him, and at the moment that was all he could do so that he could say what was on his mind. “Little Russia. There's a small bank near Cannon Court…”

“What about it?”

“Viggo owns it. It's where he keeps his money. Every dollar of business he does clears through that building.

There was a small beat after hearing his words.

“....AND ACTION!” Ian yelled again encouraging Keanu to continue his next part. Which basically was hitting David so he’d knock him unconscious.

“That'll do,” Keanu said to David and immediately, Ian’s voice was heard again.

“Cut! Cut cut cut cut! Listen, the last ‘that’ll do’ it’s as important as every dialogue of his. John Wick is a silent man! Can we take it again?! I think you can do better. Cameras! Take the left side too... Different face sides affect emotions and portrayals in front of the screen! Let’s go again!” Ian said everything standing up.

He sat and took a deep breath in. “...And… Action!!”

“That’ll do,” John said with a much better expression and swung the shotgun, knocking David out with the butt.

-

[Inside an SUV]

“...And that’s how people have been treating me. For all I can say, it has been wonderful ever since I got into the position. The people are thrilled, and I look forward to doing much good for society,” Christopher said looking at Ian who sat next to him.

In this life, Ian hadn’t made many friends, but he knew it was all for the greater good. The thing was that he had fewer than a hundred opportunities to make new friends and create new friendships, relationships that basically helped his career on so many levels, just like with Jeff Sanson for example.

But with such friendships, there were a lot of things that could and would be at stake. Jeff’s friendship would cost Ian’s entire career, as he knew that the man wanted nothing but to control his creativity and what he does with it.

For Ian, everything he gave to this world was the purpose of his life. He didn’t want to stay under someone and follow orders around while giving away his gift for nothing. This is also why he had to choose friends carefully as he did with Christopher.

“That’s great. I can’t wait till you do something for me,” Ian joked.

“Hahaha… Anything for you. Hey, how are things with Lincoln Studio? I heard they’ve been posting shit-posts on social media for no reason?” Christopher asked with a concerned face.

“You know the owner of Lincoln studio, Will? He’s on the verge of getting kicked out for his stunts. The board is strict. So, I’m trying to get his OTT platform, but for that, I’ve to let him tarnish my name as much as he can. Not like it’s going to matter anyway.

“But yeah, playing the wise and slow game can hurt a little until the end,” Ian said with a smile.

The slow game was what he planned to carry until the end where he’d hold the high throne of Hollywood.

“Hmm..” Christopher said with a smile.