Chapter 2

Christopher's POV

I sat behind my mahogany desk, drumming my fingers on its polished surface. The rhythmic tapping echoed in the silence of my spacious office.

The view from my corner office stretched before me—a sea of skyscrapers and the bustling city below, a constant reminder of the empire I'd built. Being the CEO of Wallace Investments had its perks, and this luxurious space was definitely one of them.

At 32 years old, I'd climbed to the top faster than anyone expected, leaving a trail of impressed investors and envious competitors in my wake. The weight of my Rolex on my wrist was a tangible reminder of my success, each tick marking another second of my reign over the financial world.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called out, straightening my tie.

The door swung open, and in walked Ruby, my secretary. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor as she approached my desk.

"Mr. Wallace, Harrison is here to see you," she announced in a professional, crisp voice.

"Send him in, please."

Ruby nodded and slipped out of the office, her perfume lingering. I leaned back in my leather chair, mentally preparing for the meeting. Harrison was one of our most promising filmmakers, but he had a knack for testing my patience.

The door swung open again, and in strode Harrison, all confidence and swagger. His designer jeans and blazer combo screamed 'artsy type trying too hard.'

"Chris, my man!" he exclaimed, arms wide open like he was about to hug me. I remained seated.

"Harrison," I replied, gesturing to the chair across from me. "Have a seat."

He plopped down, immediately propping his feet up on my desk. I raised an eyebrow, and he quickly lowered them, clearing his throat.

"So, big guy, I've got some exciting news about the cast for our film."

"Let's see what you've got."

Harrison whipped out his tablet with a flourish, nearly dropping it. I stifled a chuckle as he fumbled to catch it.

"Right, so," he began, tapping the screen furiously. "For our lead, I've got this up-and-coming heartthrob. The ladies are gonna love him."

I squinted at the headshot. "Isn't that the guy from that cereal commercial? The one where he dances with a spoon?"

Harrison's face fell. "Well, yeah, but he's got range, I'm telling you!"

"Who else?"

He swiped through a few more photos, rattling off names I barely recognized. I nodded along, feigning interest until he got to the female lead.

"And for our leading lady, we've got this absolute gem," Harrison announced, turning the tablet towards me with a flourish.

I leaned in, studying the image. The girl was pretty enough, but something about her seemed... off.

"What's her experience?" I asked, trying to place where I might have seen her before.

"She's relatively new to the scene but has raw talent, Chris. You should see her emote!"

"Emote? Is that what they're calling it these days?"

He laughed nervously. "Look, I know she's not a household name yet, but trust me. She's got that special something."

I drummed my fingers on the desk, mulling it over. "Harrison, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but we're investing millions in this project. We need someone with a bit more... star power."

His face fell. "But Chris, she's perfect for the role! She's got the look, the talent-"

I held up a hand to stop him. "I'm not saying no outright. Keep her as an option, but I want you to find another actress. Someone with a bit more experience under her belt."

Harrison slumped in his chair, looking like a kid who'd just been told Christmas was canceled. "But-"

"No buts," I said firmly. "This is business, Harrison. We need to think about the bottom line."

"Fine, fine. I'll keep looking. But mark my words, Chris, you're passing up on the next big thing!"

"If she's really the next big thing, she'll still be around for our next project. Now, tell me about the supporting cast. Please tell me you didn't cast that guy who always plays the wacky neighbor."

Harrison's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

I groaned, rubbing my temples. This was going to be a long meeting.