Hollywood King

by Cui Shi yi

1-128

6. 161 - 192

Hollywood King #Chapter 161: Chapter 156 Felt so good! - Read Hollywood King Chapter 161: Chapter 156 Felt so good! Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

Getting inside the car, he felt an unusual rush getting inside his body.

The engine came to life, with an angry roar, that worked to soothe the frustration that Ian had built.

He stepped on the accelerator twice and sped up on his way to get out of the city of angels.

'All I've fucking trying to do was to have a little bit of fun with this life! And you had to fuck it up!' Ian blamed the previous owner and sped up by 10 more than the speed he was going.

'First, they accused me of racism, now they're going to paint me as abusive?!'

His mindless driving suited every thought that he was having and was going through.

'I feel like everything in the world is against me reaching wherever I want to go!'

He drifted to the left and sped up again.

'No fucking matter how hard I try, there's something in the middle! That Jeff-!'

Ian thought and pulled his car to the highway.

'Fucking son of a bi- Saying a nice thing to my face and doing one hundred back stabbing'

As he was speeding up with all the thoughts chanting their preaches in his mind, he finally got off the highway and shifted to the normal road.

"Urgh!" He yelled as he saw how there were cars in mild traffic.

'THIS. GOT. TO. END!'

Ian said and escaped his way through the cars going left and right, ignoring the cars and other vehicles who were going at snail speed compared to Ian's.

'Finally, a road of peace!' he thought and got into the road where there were no vehicles to be seen in any distance.

The sky was plain blue, and after all the speeding up, he felt a deep feeling down his heart, and he felt heavy all of a sudden.

While driving, he kept looking at the plain sky. His big black eyes swiftly looked at the big moon which was visible through his way.

With a loud screech, his car stopped as he pulled the break as harder as possible.

"What the fuck?" He asked loudly, as he saw the roadblocks.

"Isn't this supposed to be some sort of a-"

knock knock knock~*

His window was knocked by a strange man who had tattoos on his neck that was visible to the streetlights that reflected.

"Huh?" Ian asked as he rolled down the shutter and looked at the bald man.

"Are you here to race? What are you going to bet?" The man asked with a deep American accent, and his rough voice sounded as if he has been doing the same thing for hours.

-

BEEEEEP!*

The sign went off, and Ian hit the acceleration at a speed that he never had.

Adrenaline rushed towards his veins, and his neck veins, forehead, and arms including every possible inch of the body were excited and thrilled by the sudden experience.

Ian's Pagani Huayra sped among the few other little cars who accelerated equally if not more.

Ian couldn't feel his limbs anymore, but he kept speeding more and more with every passing second.

His eyes were not able to keep up with the speed, but he felt a good rush taking over his body.

Within one minute and two seconds, he slowed down after the end line and hit the break.

"FUCKKKKKK!"

"YESS! THIS IS W-" *coughs!* "WHAT I WANTED!"

Ian screamed in his coarse voice as he looked side to side.

"He got out of the car and waved his hand towards the shouting crowd. There were men and women equally excited and thrilled.

"Man, you were dope. One more? I'd bet that this time you'd be first," A man with shades walked down to him.

"Why not?!" Ian said and smirked.

He handed Ian a bottle of water and walked back to where he was.

[...] "3... 2... 1... GO!" The black and white flag waved through with a bleep sound, making Ian press the accelerator harder than ever.

His eyebrows were frowned upon the road, as his heartbeat stopped for a few brief seconds.

There was anger, frustration, and clear annoyance written on his face with every turn he took.

His emotions were changing quickly, but it gave him more pump to push forward.

As he was closer to the end signal, he felt as if he had been holding up so many emotions and thoughts while he was busy with work.

And as he slowed down the car, with how his heart kept thumping loudly in his ears, Ian felt a sudden feeling of release gushing over him.

He stopped the car after slowing down, and walking out of it, people were cheering and looking at Ian.

"My man! You did it! So fucking great!" The same guy from the first round walked toward him.

Ian breathed out heavily and then gulped water.

"Fuck, I was the second and was 7 seconds behind before, how'd you even know dude? Are you a psychic?" Ian said and chuckled along with the man while walking off the road.

"Your emotions dude, you looked angry by how you rode through the cars. And fuck, this is your first time isn't it?" The man said and stopped in his tracks.

"Yeah, man. Felt so good, and so-"

"Powerful, as if you own the goddamn world?" The man laughed along with Ian and shared the bottle of beer he was holding.

"Exactly, and who knew this is this much fun! I think I'll participate in the next one too,"

"Go for it, take your price from that stop," the guy pointed towards a bunch of men who were wearing suits.

"Alright, give me your helmet," Ian borrowed the helmet that was being held by the guy and walked towards the fat men who were seated while looking at the road.

"Max Payton, the red car, won first place,"

"Ah yes, here's your money." Another bold man said while writing him off a check and dismissing him.

"Thanks," Ian muttered and walked down where he started to go on his third race.

[...] After two complete rounds of pure adrenaline playing the field, this round of race was comparatively less competitive.

Ian exited as the fourth from the front, and he was feeling pretty content.

Slowing down the car, he finally pulled the brakes.

"That was a good man!" The guy came down running again.

In a split second, there were loud siren noises that were heard from far away in the distance.

Both the men widened their eyes, and Ian visibly panicked.

"RUN RUN RUN RUN! CAR CAR! GET YOUR CAR, MAN! GET IN!" the guy got in with Ian, and both of them sped to the road.

"OH FUCK, ARE THEY STILL BEHIND?" Ian yelled through the sound of the car's engine.

"YES, A CAR! THE SOUND IS FROM IT! TAKE THE LEFT ROUTE!"

"VEGAS?!" Ian shouted and took the left turn without thinking too much.

His hands were numb from the last car race yet he had to keep going unless he wanted to end up in jail.

"THEY ARE SOMEWHAT FAR AWAY!" the guy yelled at top of his lungs.

"I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE ROADS, TURN THE GPS ON, SOON."

"Copied!"

They both crossed Vegas within the next thirty minutes, and the sound of sirens was still able to hear far in the distance.

"What's your name?" Ian asked.

"Felix, what about you?"

"Max Payton," Ian lied through his white teeth. "How long have you been associated with illegal street racing?"

"Eh, not long," Felix said and looked outside the window. It was almost midnight. "My girlfriend died last month, and this is one way to cope with it," he muttered.

"I'm sorry man."

"It's alright. Nice car you got here, is this yours?" Felix asked.

"Yeah it-"

"OH FUCK! THE CAR!" Felix yelled seeing the car coming towards them at high speed and that too from his side of the vehicle.

Ian who saw this later than Felix hit the break and turned to the left at the same time.

It all happened swiftly, yet Ian felt as if things were happening too slowly for him to figure out.

The car crashed into the tree that was on the side of the street, and the next thing to be heard was the siren noises getting closer to them.

"We are doomed! Fuck, I don't even have money!" Felix gritted, and Ian saw his busted lip from how fast the car stopped.

"You're bleeding-"

"So are you, are you okay?"

Ian wasn't able to reply to Felix as five cops took both of them out.

-

[Las Vegas, Police Department]

The clock at the police station struck 1.10 am, and for the right of the main office, Ian and Felix were sitting on the little bench, behind the bars.

"We deserve to talk to one person, officer!" Ian said and stood up, trying his luck.

"Come out! Get him out!" The officer who sat shouted as another officer opened the bars for Ian to get out.

"I'll take you with me," Ian mumbled and got out of the room, still cuffed.

The officer harshly uncuffed him and handed him the phone.

His first choice was Mason.

Treeeen* *Treeeeen* *Treeeen*

The rings kept going, and no reply was heard from the other end.

After thinking a lot, he called one person who he thought would be able to help him.

Christopher Grey.

A/N; After all the comments yesterday... all I can ask/say is, enjoy the book as it is.. or at least try to. next chapter, there'd be the first trial. there's going to be movie-making, character realisation, his personal life realisations at the same time. so don't focus on just one drama, or well, you do you. happy reading!!

-

"Hey, Christopher, can I get a favor?" Ian asked through the line.

Christopher's voice came through in rather a sleepy tone, "yeah, Ian. Are you okay? It's too early."

Within minutes, Ian explained everything that happened and asked for help to bail out him and his new friend.

"I'll send my secretary, don't worry, just stay there," Christopher said and hung up.

Ian had to go back behind the bars, and he knew it might take quite a while for Christopher's secretary to show up.

"Max, what do you do for a living?" Felix asked.

"Er, I'll tell you someday, what about you?"

"I'd say the same, but I sell drugs."

Ian's mouth formed an O. Seeing how Ian's expressions changed, Felix burst out laughing.

"I'm joking, I'm joking. I'm a motor mechanic. Working with cars and all that, eh you know it. My eye still hurt though, I guess the tree wasn't feeling itself today," Felix mumbled.

"Don't worry, my friend will come, and we'll straightaway go to the hospital."

"Nah, it'd be alright if I just put some ice on it. Also, where'd you get that watch? Must be expensive?"

Ian chuckled and removed it. "Keep it as a souvenir, I had a wonderful night. More like, the best night I had in a very long time. Although-" he said and turned to look at him.

"Yeah?" Felix asked and tilted his head, figuring out what was Ian talking about.

"Although, I guess I have a hunch that'd say we'd meet again."

"Maxy, why do I have a *hunch* that you're not Max Payton?" Felix asked and Ian said nothing but smirked.

[...] Within half an hour, Christopher's secretary, who was dressed in a suit walked inside the police station.

He talked to the police and signed some papers before another officer walked toward Ian and opened the jail box.

"You're good to go. But don't you bastards dare get caught again doing illegal racing." the short officer warned and Ian nodded.

"Finally, freedom!" Felix shouted with a smile. "I guess I'll dip from here, take care, pal!"

"Wait, can you give me your phone number so I can contact you again?" Ian asked.

"Sure, give me your- fuck you're all about expensive stuff, aren't ya?" Felix said while placing a hand over his heart and being dramatic.

"Eh," Ian scoffed.

"Here you go, hope to see you again!" Felix said and walked into the darkness.

In front of Ian, there was Christopher's secretary.

"Thank you so much for coming out here at this time," Ian said and extended his hand to shake.

The secretary took it and nodded, "It's a part of my job more or less. You're welcome, go home safely, without any trouble," he said and smiled.

At the same time, Christopher called Ian.

"Hey, was about to call you."

-Yeah, nice to know you're out. But I think I'll get to know more about the appeal by tomorrow, so don't worry about it. I'll take care of it, so in the next court hearing, there'd be something in your defense

"Ah, thanks a lot, good night," Ian said and waited for Christopher to hang up.

-

[At the shooting set of Marriage Story]

"...I don't think that this is a good shot! Can we take the last one again?" Ian asked looking at Scarlett and everyone who was on the set.

"Sure!"

"Alright!"

Scarlett and Mark said while nodding.

"...Action!"

"We were going to bring him to dinner-" As soon as Scarlett got into the character, Ian stopped her.

"Cut! Scarlett, it's just not it! Do we need a break or something?" He asked while some people nodded.

"Take five, and then we'll be back!" Director said and everyone went back to rest.

Ian frustratingly sat in the director's chair and bent down to take the bottle of water. Opening the lid, he saw a figure standing in front of him.

"Hmm, Rae?" He asked.

"You take some rest, a lot is going on in your life. We can understand. It's the last day of filming, and I know just about what's necessary, I will take care of it. It's stationary shots anyway," she muttered as Ian raised his eyebrow in surprise.

"Not a bad idea, I just can't seem to focus, and whenever I can, it's just-"

"I get you, get some rest," Raelynn said as Ian nodded and stood up.

"Thanks," he mumbled and walked towards the director's office that had been on the set the whole time.

-

"...But there's still a lot for it with the movie, and I'd discuss it individually," Raelynn said from the speaker as everyone nodded.

"Thank you! Let's start!" Scarlett shouted, earning a nod from Raelynn.

Raelynn was a fun bubble to hang around with, but during work, she was as serious as anyone could ever be.

During the filming, they had grown closer to each other. But the more they started to talk, the more they got to know that the entire thing between them was better off as friends for now.

"Okay, as I explained the scene this is what would happen…." Raelynn started and explained the scene once again.

Every time she explained a scene, what she emphasized was the emotions she wanted to be seen from the characters.

"Are we ready?" Raelynn asked while everyone nodded.

"Okay… QUIET ON SET PLEASE!"

[...] Scarlett was having the calmest thoughts while she stood in front of the cameras and the crew.

'I'm ready and I got this!' she wished herself luck.

"...ACTION!" Raelynn's voice was heard and then she got into the character 100%.

"We were going to bring him to dinner, but he's wiped out. Do you want to take him?" She asked Charlie, looking into his eyes.

"It's your night…" Charlie said while taken aback.

"I know"

"Yeah"

Scarlett was dressed in colored costumes. On the side of the road, Scarlett with her short hair looked at Mark with a smile.

Then they both walked towards the little guy who sat in the street.

The actor they had chosen was a C-graded actor, who was 10 years old to do the role. Not to mention, throughout the scenes, Ian had to put so much extra effort into him to create the perfect scenes.

"You're going to go with your Dad, OK?" Scarlett who acted like Nicole said to the kid while bending over.

The entire set was ill-prepared for the final scene, and it went out more smoothly than expected.

[...] Ian's eyes wandered over how the actors were acting on point. He was looking from afar, his back leaning towards the wooden wall that separated the set and his office.

"Wait!" Nicole called out.

Charlie hesitated as Nicole hurried after him.

She knelt in the middle of the street.

The cameras became closer to Charlier; Charlie's laces spilled out on the pavement. She tugged on one which he was stepping on.

She tapped his calf.

"Can you–" Nicole asked.

He lifted his foot so she could retrieve the lace. She tied his sneaker. Charlie watched.

Then the camera focused on Charlie's smile which explained a lot more things that words could have never.

[...] "CUT! That was a perfect shot!" Raelynn said excitedly and everyone clapped.

"Thank you, guys!" She shouted again.

Although she was fun and bubbly to be around, her work made her much more serious and stern. But by the end of the shooting, she was back to her old self.

Talk about diverse personalities.

Scarlett walked towards her with a huge grin, "You'd be an amazing director one day!" she said while shaking hands with Rae.

"Thanks, you are a wonderful actress."

"Where's Ian?" Scarlett asked.

Raelynn froze a little but gained her composure back again, "Inside the office," she said and started packing things up.

-

"Hey, Ian. How are you holding up?" Scarlett asked as she walked inside the office, closing the door behind her.

"I'm doing comparatively good. Not too bad, nor too good. Just fine, I guess."

Ian's eyes sparkled seeing Scarlett walk toward him.

She sat in front of him, and Ian leaned forward to give her his attention.

"You were really good back there, it can truly be seen from far away itself."

"Thank you, director. But I'd like to know how you are truly doing," Scarlett asked with her eyebrows knitting together.

"The comments and the feedback from the people… They are not the best, I know. But for now, I'm doing better than someone in my shoes would. This is tough to hold up, but I don't have many options, so it's all fine," Ian was truthful to her.

After letting his frustrations away from all the car racing, he felt lighter than before.

But to admit the truth, the shooting did stress him a bit more.

"It's alright, not everything has to go back to where they were in a day," Scarlett stood up and walked to Ian.

She sat on the edge of the table without a hm and smiled seductively.

"Is this fine?" She asked innocently, while her hand placed on Ian's shoulder.

"I think so," he muttered out and stood up to take her in a bridal way to the nearest couch.

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"Are you sure about this, Scarlett?" Ian chuckled as he carried on kissing the actress.

"I've been through with you enough to know that I'm very sure of my decisions. Not to mention, why do we always end up in office rooms?" She chuckled.

"It'll be fine, Ian. Everyone is busy." She backed up, tugging him by his tie as she pulled him to the couch. "No one has any reason to come in here any time soon."

"If you're sure." He grinned against her cheek, allowing himself to be walked into the place.

He watched her drop back, lounging rather provocatively with one foot on the cushion, knee in the air. In pants, it would have been overly casual perhaps, but Scarlett was in a skirt.

She was in a pair of trousers, but after the shooting, she had to change before coming here to spend some time with her 'director'.

"I am sure." She curled a finger, beckoning him down.

Ian couldn't argue anymore with her, especially in matters of sex. His stress was too much, and the lady in front of him was someone to who he felt like he couldn't say no.

Crawling over her, he covered her body, letting his right hand find its way up her skirt until he was stroking her through her panties. "Is this what you wanted?"

He watched her eyes flutter shut as her chin lifted.

"Oh, Ian."

She shifted under his hand and then tugged the sides of her skirt up, allowing her legs to shift just a little further apart.

It wasn't much, but it was enough and he leaned flush along her body, kissing her soundly while his fingers worked their magic.

He lost himself in her response to him; the way she gasped and that breathy little moan when she was getting close.

She tossed her head back and so he showered her throat with kisses, working her higher with his thumb. "God, you're so wet."

"Faster." The single word slipped out as she bit down on her lip, he loved that look on her face.

It was innocent and needy and he never could resist obliging when she did it.

Twirling his thumb again, he added a small measure more pressure as well. He could feel the muscles in her body began to tense. He caught her lips in another kiss to swallow down the sound as she started to come-

"Holy shit!"

Ian froze. He didn't dare move a single muscle. He was, thankfully, fully clothed and, blessedly, entirely covering Scarlett's body but still… He was knuckles deep in her, his hand under her skirt, touching her most intimate areas and her muscles still fluttered uncontrollably around him.

And a member of his staff was standing in the room.

Breathing hard, he watched as Scarlett pulled her face back only a fraction of an inch as her mind raced to catch up to the sudden change. And perhaps place the voice. He stared as she stared back at him, straight in his eyes, as she spoke.

"Raelynn. Please leave and shut the door again. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't mutter a word about this to anyone outside."

Scarlett was impressed with how even and calm his voice sounded.

There was a pause and then sputtering as it sounded like the employee's brain seemed to come online again.

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course! S-sorry, s-sir! S-sorr!" The door slammed shut.

Her body began to shake under him and it took a moment to realize she was laughing. He started to pull away, but she stopped him.

"Oh, no. We're finishing this." She canted her hips up against the hand still in her.

"Finish me off, Director"

She bit her lower lip again and Ian knew he was toast.

Later that evening, they both decided to take the rest of the business to the mansion.

As they weren't that far away from the mansion, Scarlett agreed and was excited to finish what they started.

Ian sat on the bed waiting. When Scarlett wandered into his bedroom, he grinned.

"So, how was work exactly?"

She blushed but grinned. "You mean, aside from what happened in the evening?" She shrugged one shoulder, ducking her chin to it and teasing her lower lip between her teeth again. "It was okay."

"We owe her an apology."

"I'm pretty certain she never wants it brought up again. And anyway, she didn't see anything."

When she finally crossed the room, he tugged her down and rolled them over.

"Except now she knows what you sound like when you're about to come." He pressed a kiss to her lips. "And now I know that you have a kink for risky office sex. You were wet for it before someone walked in on us, but when he took us by surprise? Don't think I didn't feel how you responded to that." He kissed her again.

When he pulled back, her lip was back between her teeth. "Think it'll work again?"

"I'm not sure, how about we try again?" Scarlett mumbled turning Ian over.

-

The next morning, Ian went to the office a lot better than he'd ever been.

Pulling his car over to the parking lot, there were already so many people waiting afar to click his pictures.

Ian pretended to not see them, instead walking inside the office with his shades on and not caring about any of the things that were going on in the streets—which also included the part of the standing photographers.

...…..

"Fuck! What in the fucking world?! I can't even come to the office?" Ian shouted as he walked inside his office.

"That you saw was just the start, Ian. I'm pretty sure there'd be more to this. As in, you won't even be able to be in the office itself at peace," Mason muttered and took Ian by surprise.

"Almost didn't see you there, uncle," Ian said.

"How would you, and let's talk…"

The conversation started by talking about everything related to the case, then the movie, and finally it reached where the others including Raelynn, Niko, Harley, and Mason started to talk about the public comments.

"...These trends are pretty awful not gonna lie, hashtag unbelievable? Man, that is so lame," Niko mumbled.

"Let's not even go there," Raelynn retorted.

"There's this video trending. Oh, it's Sarah talking, wanna watch?"

Niko said and played the video that was trending.

"Sarah, what is the truth behind all of this?" the host from the show questioned Sarah, as she looked at the crowd with sadness covered in her face.

"I don't know where to start, and I think we should start with how Ian and I met…." Her little sob story had gained more than a million views and there were 80k comments on it.

@Whyismylifelike.this

I can't believe how a man could be like this. Unexpected, Can't wait till the truth finally being out of this! I hope that the court shows that not just money, but also justice!

@truthful.lawyer

This is not just about child custody, child support, OR any of it! I believe that it is more than that! It is about equality before the law. If y'all agree with me, check my video on my opinions of this entire conduct.

@babywho

Ian Renner… Man, I loved his movies. I loved his directing and I loved everything about him, even his image in society. But things like these make me think about what could he possibly be. Urgh!

"Ian, this is serious," Mason suddenly burst out and the attention shifted from the comments to the producer in the room.

"I know, uncle. I'm not taking this in any light way. To begin with-"

"What would happen if the appeal didn't proceed?" Mason asked back.

Now the old man's face was concerned. It was clear on his face that he wasn't feeling any better about the situation.

To make it worse, the court hearing was just a few days closer, and not to mention to make things much harder, they also had to focus on the editing of Marriage Story.

"Alright, listen up!" Ian said and stood up. "The appeal had been processed, and I trust the person I handed the entire thing off too. Therefore, I'm pretty sure that by the day of the court hearing, we'd have things going our way.

"Also, I might as well need to talk to everyone about Marriage Story. I saw the final clips, and they're fine, we need to discuss the marketing, and then proceed to release the movie within three weeks, no matter what."

"Three weeks? That's too close?" Raelynn budged in.

"That's the challenge. This trial could go either way, but I can't put any more stress on it. What I'm saying is that we must release the movie, and then at the same time, focus on Home Alone 2. How about we hold a meeting in 20 minutes, in the conference room?" Ian asked.

His entire vibes changed within a minutes, and he was back to the businessman that he is.

Everyone nodded, and in sync, they turned their striding chairs and got back to work.

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Several long and short days passed after ending the filming of the marriage story.

After the end of it, while the editing department under Niko was immersed in the process of it, Ian and the others focused on the pre-production of Home Alone 2.

[September 13th, 2019]

"We have got a lot to do, and I'm pretty sure within the next few days it will be possible. If anything, the props should be the problem," Raelynn said as soon as they walked out of the office.

Up until now, Raelynn and Ian hadn't had any sort of one-on-one talk after the 'situation'. But in a way, it was good considering that Ian too had a lot on his plate.

"It wouldn't be that much of a problem," Sha Lin replied.

Yes, it was the same guy that Ian had offered the job in the coffee shop that had a little fight with the manager. He was now working as a helping hand with the prop master.

"I know, but eh, this nervousness is for the good. Let's go over the items once again, so that when we finally get to visit the locations, we'd have a clear idea," Raelynn muttered.

"Alright," Sha Lin said and they got into work.

Thus, the pre-production was in the hands of the experts, and what we've got to worry about is the trial, and how it would turn out.

On the other side of the office, Ian was talking to Mason.

"...Three more days, and we'll finally get closer to see if the baby is mine," Ian said and chuckled.

"We would have known before, but the entire process was in red tape, and I'm glad that shit is over. Is it just me who thinks that there's someone behind it?" Mason asked back.

"I can't say much without evidence, but it's alright. After the DNA test, everything will solve. That's the least we can hope for. After all, even people are asking for justice."

Mason noticed the frown and the sadness in Ian's eyes. He realized how strong Ian is for such a young age to handle all the pressure of media.

"The justice will be ours, son. Let's not stress it, all you've got to do is, focus on the premiere of Marriage Story, and then sit back and enjoy its success of it. The lawyers are there, PR team is there. Don't worry."

"I appreciate it, uncle. Thanks," Ian said while his hand met Mason's shoulder.

With two taps, Ian walked away.

-

The day of the trial arrived sooner than Ian had expected. He was thinking that maybe it should post-pone it a bit more considering how nervous he was, but again, every time that thought would come up, his other side of the brain yelled,

'Don't you wanna get rid of this soon?!'

Moving on to the real story, Ian got out of his SUV, with bodyguards covering him to pave the way inside the court.

The reporters and the media were going crazy even before Ian had arrived, and the craziness tripled when Ian got out of the car.

"...And as we can see, Ian Renner just got out of the car, and walked towards the court. He looks pretty guilty, but today we'd get to at least know the truth behind this whole scene.

"The opposite party, Sarah came out with Mr. Grit and Mr. Fay, who are known to be very powerful, and this is going to be interesting, so we suggest that you stay with us until we share the latest of the trial of Ian Renner!"

That was a lady who was far away from the crowd who had gathered around the entrance of the court.

Many questions were being asked from Ian, who gave nothing—not even a nod toward the ladies and gentlemen.

"Ian, is this fair to you? How do you feel about being accused of abandoning a woman while she is pregnant with your child-"

"Ian Renner, this is the second time you have been accused, and we want to know what your thoughts are about-"

"Mr. Ian Renner, what does it mean that you've been ignoring all the social-"

Every step Ian took, gave him more reasons to run inside and see who the father of the kid was straight away.

...

Ian, the lawyers, and everyone else stood as the judge was about to sit.

"Sit," the judge said and everyone sat.

[...] Within minutes the trial started and many opinions and thoughts were going in and out of the jury hearing.

"... Yes, thank you, Mr. Grit. To proceed to the respectful court, Mr. Ian Renner had requested to get a DNA test of the baby, Lilian. The court approves it. For that, we approve the hospital of MedCare, which is already aware of the decision.

Within three days, you are requested to get a DNA test of the baby, am I clear?" The judge asked Sarah.

Sarah gulped and looked at the lawyers.

"Is there any problem?" the judge asked further, noticing no reply from her.

She was at the box of witnesses, as everyone kept looking at her.

"Yes, sure your honor." She muttered out finally.

In a way, she knew that she was completely done with every act she pulled, but for the sake of the audience, and the judgmental judge, she had to keep a straight face.

A little while after that, there were several more questions focused on Sarah.

"Ms. Sarah George, you had talked to the media explaining that you felt used by Mr. Ian Renner. Why had you mentioned that?" Ian's lawyer asked.

"I- He always gave me promises. He told me things like, he'd take care of me, or even marry me. And to be honest, I couldn't help but trust his words. I was blinded b-by love," Sarah said as she looked down after her words.

"Why would you think it's love? Is there any visible proof that you can present to the court of your affair that you claim you had with Mr. Ian Renner?"

"Uh, not really," Sarah said and looked at the people who were staring at her.

"That's it, your honor. You can go back to your seat, and if I'm being honest here, if you trust someone else so much to think and claim that you're in love, there's got to be some tangible proof right? A photo together? A video? Or at least a social media proof? Gifts? Any such sorts."

"Hmm... Okay," the judge said and started writing things. "The shreds of evidence are loud and clear from what we heard today. The court hearing shall be postponed to the 14th of October, 2019, morning 11. as the DNA tests would take at least 4 weeks for the results to come. And then, we could proceed with the hearing from there, the court is dismissed." She said and she stood up, which was followed by everyone in the audience.

-

9 pm, online.

The journalists who had permission to hear about the court case, due to how the entire thing interested the public, had written different sorts of articles that earned the interest of so many people.

The titles of the articles were no less than the comments. There were people 98% angry and talking as if Ian committed the biggest crime on Earth.

Debates were going on in the comments.

CIV/Lawandjustice: According to everything that was presented in the court, and from the article by Martin Jack read, it is pretty clear, that Ian needs to own up to his doings in the past.

CIV/Unexpected: The articles…. Gosh! I feel bad for Ian, but at the same time, if he is the father and just used her for her body, to make it worse, not keeping his promises… sucks! sucks!

CIV/funny: Unexpected: Dude, I don't want to start a fricking argument here. But what if Sarah… or whatever her name is, is in the wrong here? She looked pretty guilty enough.

CIV/mildlyinteresting: funny: i get wut u meant. But, Ian didn't look even once at her. Isn't he the guilty one? Im pretty sure I'm not the only one who read the other article by M.J.Kewl about eye contact and body composure?!

CIV/movies: funny: i agree with you. She brought up so many random sh!t like, what they did together and not. But no proof of nothing whatsoever? I wanna meet her one day and smack some of her stupidness. Like dude, who tf-

CIV/Lawandjustice: movies: funny: the topic is getting out of hand, can everyone link the articles?

Also, from what I gathered… no one:

No one:

Litro no fucking one:

Sarah: we used to watch movies together. *sobs*

CIV/movies: lawandjustice: yeah man, I read that as well. Such a freak. If this was proved to be false, she is SO DONE.

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[Vote with powerstones! Read all the written advance chapters in /TC_L]

-

The first trial gave a lot of fuel to the trolls on the internet. It had been three weeks already after the court hearing, and yet there were people still grunting, sharing memes, and even shit-talking about Ian or Sarah back-to-back.

When Ian woke up in the morning, his head hit the bed rest and he gasped uncontrollably at how exhausting the nightmare was.

'Fuck fuck fuck!' he cussed and rubbed his heart to calm down.

Taking the phone from the nightstand, the notifications kept pushing in. There were many tags on almost every social media he used.

The first thing he remembered after seeing all the tags and comments was what the day was.

Reminder: Marriage Story movie premiere!

Putting that phone away, he took his personal cell phone and call Mason.

-Hello, Ian?

"Good morning, uncle. How is it coming along?"

-Good morning, and it's nothing to worry about. Come by whenever you're free.

"Okay, bye," He hung up.

-

[Renner Studios, California]

"Ian, we were waiting for you!" Mason walked out of his office, after seeing Ian coming inside the huge office.

The office was like an entire lobby area, but the private offices were separate from glass doors and shields—some were blurred, some were not.

Mason saw Ian's light brown suit. He looked like a model who got out a runaway.

"I'm excited for today, uncle," Ian said as he slid the phone he had inside his pocket.

"...And who is your date? You looked to be in a really good mood today, aren't you?" Mason gave a dirty look.

"Haha… That!" Ian chuckled. "I did invite someone to be my date, and she must be here anytime sooner-"

"You did not pick her up, what sort of a gentleman are you?" Mason looked at Ian disapprovingly.

"It was her idea, uncle, and you know I'm really a gentleman, don't you," Ian shrugged.

Mason shook his head with a slight smile lingering on his face as he walked outside.

It was 4 pm, and the premiere was supposed to start at 4.30.

Ian had called his date to be in the office considering she insisted on meeting somewhere outside rather than Ian going to hers.

Also, she had an important business to attend to in the office.

She walked in, wearing a glowing classy red gown. She had her purse dangling down her hips, it was truly a view to admire.

That could be known as the first time Ian found himself gawking at a woman.

"Hey!" She waved at him.

"You look stunning," he said right away after he gained consciousness.

"Thanks, let me upload these to the drive, and I'll be with you shortly."

"Oh, all right, I'll stay here," Ian said as he saw her walking away to her office.

The environment was not calm at all. Ian was feeling a bit awkward since they hadn't talked about what happened between Scarlett, yet he invited her to be his date.

Why? Because Niko couldn't make it, they were arguing about it in the office, where Ian showed up and found himself asking to be with her at the movie premiere.

[Back in the day, in the office]

"...This is going to be the first premiere I'm attending alone. It's alright though, I'm just excited to watch Marriage Story with everyone watching it!" Rae said and looked at Niko.

Ian cleared his throat, grabbing the attention of the duo.

"I don't have a date either…." Ian said and contacted Raelynn. "Raelynn, if you want, we can go to the movie premiere together, as friends, I don't mind," he muttered.

Raelynn's eyebrows went up in surprise.

"Me?" she asked again.

"Yeah," Ian chuckled.

"Yes, let's go!"

"SEE! It doesn't matter to you, I wouldn't be there, and you'd replace me easily," Niko said and sobbed dramatically.

"I'd still miss you. Too bad you won't be able to watch the wonderful unravel of the Marriage Story."

"It's alright, Rae. I watched it plenty of times while editing, and," Niko turned in his striding chair, "Have fun for the night!" he said.

[back to the present moment]

Raelynn and Ian walked out of the building. Ian, being the gentleman he is, opened the door for her, and walked around to get in.

In less than two minutes, they were on their way.

"Raelynn, did I say that you're absolutely beautiful today?" he asked.

Raelynn blushed but composed herself before she could get carried away with what she was feeling.

After all, she had been working on herself for three weeks.

"Thank you, Ian."

"We need to talk about what you- what you saw the other day," Ian said.

Raelynn chuckled awkwardly. She was looking outside the window.

"It's alright, my bad for just barging in, eh."

Ian didn't say anything more but continued to drive ahead. Raelynn sighed at the silence.

-

The ceremony started in no time, and not to mention the red carpet questions that were thrown at Ian made him walk away ignoring every question or statement.

"They are just trying to piss you off, Ian. Don't mind them," Raelynn said with a smile, yet walking through the crowd.

Her smile was symbolic of not showing that the comments and the questions were bothering Ian or Raelynn.

"I know, I just hate the word that I'm abusive," Ian muttered. From his face, he smiled at the audience, but on the inside, he wanted to talk everyone out.

"We have one more week to see the results, and it wouldn't take too much time for them to turn back on what they throw at you."

Raelynn said and put her hand in his.

They walked inside with smiles still formed on their lips.

Thirty minutes passed, and the movie started.

During the entire movie, different expressions were going on the faces of all the actors.

[...] "Fuck. LOOK AT THAT!" With the closing credits, the behind the scene shoots were played.

Everyone burst into a fit of laughter.

"Is that Mark Hamill? Oh my god, dude! You are sleeping like a baby!" The guy next to Mark shouted and laughed loudly.

Mark who laughed looking at them, shook his head. "Never knew that was there!"

The scene changed to the one where Ian and Mark were repeating dialogues like an old couple.

Ian's expressions were on the spot which made things even more fun. Mark was repeating the lines with Ian and the crowd laughed along with everyone else uncontrollably.

"Gosh! Ian, this is so cute," Raelynn said while grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, I guess we are done here," Ian said and stood up to go to the stage.

Within seconds, the screen closed, and the entire focus was shifted to Ian's. He grabbed the mic and waved at everyone.

"Hello, everyone!" He said and the reply he got back was immaculate.

After the movie, everyone was equally excited, if not more.

The reality of the movie premiere was, that the celebrities who got called here does not react to how good or bad the movie did, but they act along according to the energy.

But the critics, on the other hand, give out their honest opinions considering…. Well, it's technically their job.

"Good evening, everyone. I welcomed everyone here, and now the movie is over, I've got to say several things to make sure that this message would deliver to the public.

"In a way, I'm pretty sure that how things would be once the movie hit the theatres. According to the little 'situation' going on with me, people's perspective on me must have taken a huge turn, one way or another."

Ian took a breath before continuing.

"That is actually bad news to me. When I first started writing the movie and thinking about the execution of this, all I ever considered was how this would be an art movie.

"Yep, that's right," The cheers came from the crowd hyped Ian up.

"But yes, with tomorrow's release of the movie to the public, what I can ask is to have an open mind. Thank you," Ian said and earned a round of applause from the audience.

Everyone was somewhat shocked, yet sympathized with him and his words. Ian's words meant a lot of things, which at a level explained how true his words were.

The entire movie premiere ended with Ian delivering what he wanted to the public; to have an open mind.

[...] "The movie was differently produced from any of your previous movies, I could say that much at least," John who walked to shake hands with Ian muttered.

"Not sure how this would turn out," Ian said in a 'meh' tone.

"Weird to see you unsure of your movie, man."

"I know right, this is a first, but gotta deal with it. Another movie is on its way, so I have no choice but to just let things be the way they are," Ian said and smiled at the cameras that were focused on them.

The entire theatre was busy as one by one left the premises.

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The next morning, Ian had hope bubbling inside him as he walked down to the set, watching everyone moving here and there with smiles plastered on their faces.

"Good morning, sir!"

"Good morning, Ian!"

"Guys, Ian is here!"

Ian waved at the people who were excited about his entrance and kept going until he saw Mason and Raelynn talking.

"Ian!" Mason said and nodded just to acknowledge his presence.

Ian nodded back.

"Today is going to be so fucking interesting," Ian muttered as he took his notebook and pen out.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was an interesting movie as it follows Home Alone 1 but in an entirely different setting.

With a budget of 28 million dollars, the movie production was prepped as however, Ian demanded it to be.

There were several things from the original movie, in Ian's previous world that he frowned upon.

In the original movie, from the budget, almost a sixth of that went straight to Macaulay Culkin who was paid $4.5 million to reprise the role of Kevin McCallister.

No jokes on it, because that remained the biggest salary ever paid to a child actor for a single film, and a huge increase in salary for the 12-year-old who earned $110,000 for the original.

Trust the narrator, with that kind of money in the bank, he ain't a traveling coach…

"I've got some stuff to discuss the angles, shall we?" Raelynn walked toward Ian, and he nodded and followed her immediately.

They reached the table and started to discuss the scenes that they had planned for the day.

Back to the story of the original Home Alone 2 movie, much of Home Alone 2: Lost In New York was shot on location at the Plaza Hotel in a Central Park suite.

The owner of the hotel at the time made several demands upon the production to sign off on using it. One was to write him into the film.

The owner was Trump, and Ian choked in his saliva when he first got to know it from the memory library—he then composed himself thinking that he was transmigrated, so why can't a powerful man can't demand to be in a movie?

Concerning the locations, Ian was smart. He took a break of two days during the three weeks before and went on searching for perfect spots to decide the set.

With the shooting process moving on, we'll get to know more about tactics that Ian might use in the original movie, but the endpoint is that Home Alone 2: Lost In New York earned over $173 million in revenue in the United States and $359 million worldwide, against that aforementioned budget of $28 million.

Ian's goal was to surpass that milestone.

"...No, that's when he enters first, so I want to highlight him, but at the same time don't make it too obvious, you get what I meant?" Ian asked Raelynn.

"Right. How about the lightning?"

"Let's decide it on the set, not too dim, Niko will help you out on that," Ian said and stood up.

"Thank you,"

"No problem,"

Ian walked away from her, and then looked around at where he was.

After taking everything in, he was ready; so was everyone.

Taking the announcing horn to his hand, he shouted,

"Who is ready for Kevin to be up past his bedtime in the city that never sleeps?!"

"Let's start!"

"Yay!!"

"Coming!"

The set's cheers and spirit lifted the director's mood as well.-

"Where's Adam?" Ian asked seeing everyone prepare.

It was the first day of the shooting, and the set was inside the house; the McCallister house.

The house was decorated with Christmas decorations. The outside of the house had bulbs in various places, and on the inside, Ian commanded to follow the same thing, green and red.

"He went out to get his favorite drink, said will be in five minutes."

"Okay, let's start in a few, is everything alright, uncle?" Ian asked looking at Mason.

"Oh yeah, just it hits nostalgia, with everyone back at the house. This just feels like back at the day, when you first got into directing," Mason said with a warm smile.

"Haha… the feeling is mutual, when Adam gets here back, I'd just feel the same, but the movie should have a vast difference from my perspective. Two years, I've made movies left and right, so the improvement should be visible," Ian said.

Ian's memory library provided everything for him in the last two years. The director notes, things that had happened in the originals, the script as a fresh package, and even the soundtracks.

"Hmm… Let's see how this would turn out," Mason said and walked to his chair.

Ian nodded and sat in the chair which was labeled as 'director'.

For a while, Adam and his mother walked hand-in-hand for the set. Adam was looking just like Kevin from the first movie.

Although he had gotten a bit taller, Ian knew the adjustments were nothing that a camera and the editing couldn't do.

[...]

"Is everyone ready? I want to see the hype in here, the walking patterns, the urge, the feeling of 'run run run... I want to see it all! And I just want you all to imagine as if you guys are naturally in a house of a chaotic mess. Where people don't know where their belongings are, are we on the same page? Yes?"

The kids and the other actors nodded.

"Let's take a shot and see those skills. Quiet on the set!" Ian said and everyone went silent.

"Camera!"

"Set!"

"Sound!"

"Set!"

"Camera rolling!:

"Action!" Right after Ian's command, everyone started walking and running around.

"Nobody can order my pizza!" an old man who was acting as a family member walked towards the camera with a disappointed look on his face.

"Where are my golf balls?!"

"You know why? Cause I'm the only guy…"

"CUT!" Ian shouted and widened his eyes.

"Woah Woah Woah guys! Calm down, everyone! I heard just not more than four dialogues, and the entire thing looked… Scripted, which it is…" Ian said and Buzz shrugged down.

Ian thought about it for a little while. A moment of silence passed between all of them.

"So, let's do something, everyone sits down wherever you are, please give them chairs."

A help hand man walked in with chairs immediately and gave them chairs.

The entire set sat in the hallway of the house, and some took the steps.

"The opening of the movie is, really, really important. It shows what Home Alone is really about.

The family, the siblings, how messy it all is. And how noisy it can get when a family is filled with a lot of people. And I'm aware how every one of you knows about it, but right now we'll take thirty minutes to go through the dialogues.

Read what's in there, and then add your dialogues. Let it all get messy," Ian said and jumped off from the chair he stood in.

Everyone nodded and got their scripts to read.

Ian understood from their first attempt that this movie would become as natural as possible at least in the sense of acting—not action.

-

9.08 pm

Mansion of Ian.

Ian walked inside his bedroom with lots of thoughts in his mind.

Walking to his bed, he sighed and propped down in it.

He took the laptop that was on his bed and opened it to read the critics of Marriage Story because the movie was already in theatres.

[IAM - IT'S A MOVIE]

MARRIAGE STORY.

DIRECTED BY IAN RENNER.

PRODUCED BY THE RENNER STUDIO.

/5 RATINGS

@Movie.Lunatic

The performances are great, but the screenplay doesn't hold together very well for me. Liam's character is almost completely lovable -- really, his only shortcoming seems to be that he's just too naive about what divorce entails. By the 10th time he gets blind-sided by something obvious, like the spouse "interviewing" all the most qualified lawyers in town to reduce his pool of potential representation, I could almost see why his apparent lack of basic insight might make him an impossible mate. It's totally unclear how he could possess the intellect needed to run a theater company and win a genius grant.

@Solo.Fan.forlife

I wished this film, enhanced or contributed uniquely to the film industry, I believe that it didn't add value to the industry and is another waste of money and time. There was nothing remarkable about it. Furthermore, I expected more from the plot. It was cliché, to say the least.

As the minutes passed by, nearing the end of this over 2-hour film, I kept expecting something that wouldn't make me feel as though I somehow wasted my time watching it, and I never got that. I wasted my time watching this film and felt as though the movie was unnecessarily drawn out and didn't need to last that long.

@Home.Alone

I'm a huge fan of Ian Renner, and any movie he directs. To be honest, Renner Studio had done a lot in the past.

@Broken.Story

I haven't even watched the movie, and I'm not planning to. Gave a star just because Ian hadn't been my favorite person on the internet right now.

@Movie.Creator0

Ian became a woman abuser in my eyes. He dumped a woman with a kid, and I see no use in watching a movie about Marriage. So, no thanks.

But recently, I don't think it's going too well. With much excitement for the movie, I went ahead and bought tickets for the first show, but eh, I'm kinda disappointed.

Ian Renner should get his life together IMO. Sad, but I don't recommend this movie. Three stars for effort.

-

As soon as Ian saw the comments, he turned the laptop off.

He knew what all of the reviews were about, and he wasn't pleased.

They were all due to how bad his reputation is currently.

His only prayer before going to bed was the next court hearing, where everyone would be able to know the truth—which he thought that the kid shouldn't be his.

-

If you're enjoying Hollywood King so far, you can,

- Joining the discord server - https/-discord.gg/DGPX5QzRqv

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Happy reading!! :))

A/N; The wait is over, sadly. I didn't mean to drag it so much, but there were so many other arcs going on. Anyway, let's move on. Happy reading!

-

[Trial - 2]

Ian was seated in the front row, beside him was his lawyer, H.M. Jass was seated.

The courtroom was silent considering how the judge was yet to come in.

It was finally the day; the day where the truth would be out for the entire world to see.

Considering how much trouble Ian was in while driving to the court, he had a lot of time to rethink what had happened during the past couple of weeks.

After the first trial, he had gotten so many negative comments, which even affected the art movie he released a few days ago.

In the first place, Marriage Story was Ian's idea of checking how many fans were truly admiring Ian's works. And it proved positively in Ian's mind considering there also were so many comments and texts which supported Ian in so many ways.

But on the other hand, some other people were ready to accuse Ian of something that hadn't even proved correct.

'Do not care about others' opinions,' whoever said this, must not have known about Hollywood and how it works.

While taking a turn to the left in a street in California, he suddenly remembered Jeff, who promised to take care of the matters with the red tape.

'I'll take care of it, my foot,' Ian had thought.

The people in the court stood up distracting Ian Renner from his thoughts. He looked at the judge who walked in with an emotionless face, and when the judge sat, everyone followed along.

Ian, as well as his lawyer, sat on the respective benches.

"A pleasant morning to everyone. As of today, we are on the second day of the trial between Ian Renner and Sarah Tuesday," the person who sat next to the judge said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"First, I'd like to ask you, Mr. Ian Renner, can you come to the podium?" The judge questioned.

Ian nodded and walked around to the podium.

"Mr. Ian Renner, what if the kid was yours? What are the measures you'd take?" the judge asked as it was the day when the DNA results were supposed to be out.

"Your honor, if Lilian somehow proved to be my child, I'd look after her and provide support for her financially, and as a father. There's no doubt about it. The child deserves a father in his life, and if it's somehow my mistake, I'm ready to take the blame." Ian answered truthfully.

"Okay, Mr. Renner, you can go back."

The judge said another worker in the court brought an envelope to the judge, which she took with a thank you.

"The DNA tests that were conducted by the State have come through," The judge said.

The entire court's atmosphere went up by several degrees.

Ian kept looking at the judge.

Sarah's eyes widened in the possibility of knowing what was yet to come.

Everyone was silent, yet the surroundings were tense.

"It has been revealed that-"

Sarah felt as if the entire world was slowing down. The words from the Judge felt extremely slow, and she didn't want to hear whatever the judge was going to say.

She knew the day she walked into the hospital that it was going to be the end of her life.

Her life would completely be destroyed as she wouldn't have any way to raise her 11-month—almost a year-old daughter.

'Fuck fuck fuck, this can't be happening' she kept chanting to herself while the judge repeated the results that were on her hand.

"It has been revealed that Ms. Sarah Tuesday's testimony against Ian Renner is proved false. These results were prepared by DNA diagnostics, and they read as follows.

In the case of Ian Vs Sarah, when it comes to almost one year old, Lilian Tuesday, it has been determined by this court, Mr. Renner, you are not the father,"

The latter words were enough for Ian to sigh in contentment. Ian's fist tightened in happiness.

"This court hearing was special. Ian Renner, who is also a director, had to face a lot of challenges with the accusation he faced with. The lawyers must step up on the defense's side, and pave justice for his career.

Ms. Tuesday, would you please come up to the podium?" The judge asked.

Sarah, who was already sobbing through the judge's words, stood up and walked to the square-shaped wooden place, and looked the judge in the eyes.

"Ms. Sarah Tuesday, are you aware of your actions here?"

The judge asked but Sarah remained silent. Tears were streaming down her face, and she still stood straight without even shaking a bit even though she was crying hard.

"Ms. Sarah Tuesday. The court you presented your file against Mr. Ian Renner, is unbiased upon every piece of evidence we got, and truthful for the decision we arrived at. Somehow, the DNA test proved that your testimonial against Ian was false. Which also I believe considering that the case you had filed was asking for child support, you've no security financially, am I right?" the judge questioned again.

"Y-yes, your honor."

The judge sighed and continued, "The person you blamed for your entire situation is a director and someone who is attempting to reach a goal in their career. Not just you lied to the court, but also your choices followed by bad consequences. This court would like to warn you about your misinformation, due to that, the court charges $500, for the reasons mentioned before." the judge asked and everyone nodded, even the people in the audience.

"Thus, the court is dismissed."

The judge stood up and walked away from her seat.

So did the other people who followed her.

"FINALLY!" Niko said and hugged Raelynn who was equally excited after the truth was uncovered.

Jass walked along with Ian to meet Mason, Niko, and Raelynn who waited outside to meet Ian.

"Ian, I think we should listen to the judge. This was just Sarah today, and tomorrow there could be other girls who come and ask for child support, so I guess it's better to file a complaint against defamation and move to Child Protective Services because Sarah is incompatible with raising a child," Jass muttered while walking outside.

"Yes, I think we should do it. Can we arrange to file another complaint?" Ian asked back.

"I'll work on it within two days," the lawyer said and shook hands with Ian.

She walked away bidding goodbye to Mason.

Outside, there were several reporters already waiting to hear the results.

"Ian Renner, can we please have a word?"

"Director Renner, can you talk to us?"

"Ian, is it true that the child is not yours?"

The questions were asked over and over. Ian, who put his shades on, walked through the crowd as if it was another normal day.

Inside his mind, he wanted to shout at the reporters saying he was not the father of the child they all assumed to be, but he kept his calm.

Getting in his SUV, he removed the shades, and to accompany him, Niko and Scarlett got in.

"Gosh, that was one nerve-wracking trial!" Niko said and shook his head while combing his hand through his hair.

"Well, who is to blame except the public and the media?" Raelynn said and chuckled.

"Yeah, from tomorrow, back to work. Although there might be another trial," Ian said as he took his cell phone out.

"Another trial, what for?" Niko asked.

"Mrs. Jass said that it's better to file a case against Sarah. She weaponized a toddler just to get the money to survive, and as we all know, it affected my last movie release very badly. I can't let this go, even if it's a woman who's in need," Ian said and focused on his phone.

"I kind of feel awful for her. She is pretty, she should have just begged for a chance to act," Niko said and shook his head.

"Wish she did that instead of all of this," Ian said and sighed.

He was extremely devastated about how the people were throwing different sorts of comments at him for weeks.

Even if it's someone who had been in the industry, and knows ins and outs, it would still feel awful when people say mean things toward you, left and right.

Ian even had people frowning upon him, when he walked in and outside the office building.

"It's alright, Ian. If anything you proved that you're not what they all assumed. I'm pretty sure Home Alone 2 would do great, and there'd be people singing your talents by the end of this week," Raelynn said with a smile.

"I don't want people to sing my talents, Rae," he said.

But he thought in his mind that, 'maybe it's time for me to mature up.'

"It will be alright. I'm sure. Hollywood has one or many topics to talk about every single day, these would just go away in a day or two. Let's focus on Home Alone, and oh, I wanted to talk about tomorrow's filming," Raelynn said while grabbing Ian's attention.

-

If you're enjoying Hollywood King so far, you can,

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- Supporting me through - by reading 6,13 or 20!!! chapters in advance! - https//TC_L

Happy reading!! :))

[RGH News]

"Ian Renner won the court case against Sarah Tuesday.

After the trial that was conducted in the court of Law and Justice, California today morning, it had been proved by the DNA test that Lilian, Sarah Tuesday's daughter is not Ian Renner's daughter.

Ian Renner is not a father, nor he has a kid. The internet had been going over the board with their comments for the past month, but now, the entire world had been proven false.

The woman's name is Sarah Tuesday, and this is her story…"

"Zooming out…" The producer commanded her through the earpiece, and she continued to talk about Sarah's story.

"This is going to become the number one story, for at least a week more. I'm pretty sure," the sound director said while sitting across the little studio they shared.

"Gosh, is it just me or that Ian Renner literally gave stories ever since he was in Hollywood," another man who was among them talked about Ian.

"Hollywood is a dark place. You need lots of luck and backup to reach where Ian is right now. And I'm pretty sure, if he started solo without any help, especially from the producer, he'd be nowhere."

"True,"

"Yeah,"

"How were the comments today? Anything interesting?"

"Well, everything is interesting," the person who had his laptop on his lap, the public relation manager, said. "Everyone who talked negatively about Ian Renner seems to still be in disbelief. And these comments are hilarious."

"I want to see, give me the iPad," the sound manager strode in toward the PR manager and took the device into his hand while scrolling through the internet.

"Wow… These people! I never thought Hollywood fans could be this much trolling on the internet."

The sound director and the PR manager walked outside the studio considering there were already airing a program inside.

"Have you heard that Ian Renner hadn't said a single word to any of the reporters who reached him?" the latter man asked the former.

"Yeah, he hadn't given out any sort of reply to anyone who asked questions, not even on social media. I mean, many celebrities post things on social media when there's something that harms their reputation. And this is weird," the sound director said while walking towards the lunch room, as the lunch break was near.

"There'd be news about his movies in the meantime too, ah,t his week is going to be interesting."

-

[Nwitter: It's what's happening]

There were so many hashtags trending related to the court hearing of Ian and Sarah.

@YellowSnowman

IAN IS NOT THE BABY DADDY? Holy cow! I was so ready to get gifts from Ian's baby! This is disappointing! Also kinda feeling awesome to think that Ian ONCE AGAIN surpassed all the remarks thrown in his way! So hurray! #notababydaddy #ianwon #ianandsarahtrial #courtcase #hollywoodrocks

@OP_Rah

I kind of feel bad for the baby. I Hope Sarah would figure something out! Ian as a father would be cute asf :) adopt me @Ian Renner #ianwon #shootnoice #ianian

@Doorletterman.Joe

MEN LIKE IAN should know that even if the DNA confirms the baby is not yours, it doesn't change the fact that you must take responsibility for the baby! Women go through a lot in marriages and women deserve better. #ianisalooser #boohbummer #babytrouble

@Sarah.official quotes @Doorletterman.Joe

Pardon ma'am. Hope you're doing alright in your life. But if Ian is not the reason behind the child, why must he take responsibility? Call child support, or just give up raising your kid. What you said is absurd, and as a woman, I do not approve that kind of shiz. #stopspreadingfalseinformation.

@Lia.Leaf quotes @Sarah.official

Well said, gurl! #agreed Ian is not a father. Praying him to be my future kid's father #kiddingnotkidding

-

As always if there is 70% important information spreading on social media like Nwitter, the rest of it is just people fighting to get the spotlight, or people who simply get into drama out of boredom.

"These hashtags deserve Nobel prizes. How do people even come up with these?" Ian thought to himself as he scrolled down his home page, where there were so many nweets and comments about him.

"I think it's better if I keep checking them, you should focus on work," Maxin, who was Ian's PR manager, said while clicking his tongue.

"Yeah, you better. How are the ratings of Marriage Story? It isn't doing too well in the box office, isn't it?" Ian asked Mason.

The looks Mason gave to Ian explained a lot more than what Mason said.

"Yeah, but we'd get things back with Home Alone, hopefully. From tomorrow we'd be on the set for the next month, yeah?" Mason asked while Ian nodded.

From what Ian knew, Marriage Story had outdone when compared to the original movie's success, but also at the same time, if his reputation had been better, things would not have been this South.

"Excuse me, sir, Ms. Jass is here," Murphy interrupted and Ian brought his cup of coffee which he was sipping down to the table.

"Yeah, of course. Please tell her to come in," he said and stood up in respect.

"Mr. Ian Renner, how are you doing?" Jass walked in and shook hands with Ian.

"Please, I've been fine thanks to you, how are you?"

"All good, Ian. All good. So, I came to talk about something," Jass said and dragged the chair that was in front of Ian.

"Please," Ian gestured to the chair and they both sat in.

In Ian's office, Maxin, Mason, Ian's lawyer Jass and Ian were now seated.

"I filed another case against Sarah for her actions, because I think that would be the best as of now."

"Yeah, ma'am. I agree with it, but I'm pretty sure that the court wouldn't take a child off of mom's lookout." Mason budged in.

"That's true, but we have another worry, Mr. Striver. The loss that happened to Mr. Renner is immeasurable, so I guess the suit we filed against defamation is good. Not her, but not anyone who thinks they have the chance wouldn't take chances like this. I explained this to Ian the other day," Jass said.

She was being both professional and friendly with the matter. At the same time, Ian had more other questions to ask her regarding the rest of the procedure.

-

The very next day, Sarah got the subpoena for the court hearing of the case that had been filed against her, which was supposed to happen within three weeks.

As soon as she woke up to the little letter, her entire world was shaking.

After the trial hearing on the last day, she felt overwhelmed by all the questions that were focused on her while she walked out of the court.

Goof grief she was not an active member of the rather bomb-blasting social media community.

If she was—-well, let's not go there.

"What the hell should I do?" Sarah asked loudly from her friend who was equally shocked as her.

"Fuck, show me that once again…" she took the paper from Sarah's hand and read it carefully, over and over again.

"Defamation… Child protective services… Incapable of raising a child… These are big words, Sarah. Call your lawyers, the same people who tried to help you," Her friend said while looking at Sarah sincerely.

"Uh- I probably should."

[...] The next thing Sarah knows is that she was seated in front of the same lawyers, who once gave promises that they'd help with anything in their power to help Sarah.

But the looks on their faces this time, explain a whole different concept.

"...Miss Sarah," Grit said and sighed. "This is going to be very tough for you, we understand. But we can't help you much around this."

Sarah gasped at Grit's words. "What… What do you mean? What do you mean you can't? Y-You both agreed to help me the other day with this case! What are you saying?" Sarah asked.

"We can help you, but the pro-bono is not valid for this case. The prices would be the same if either one of us are going to fight for you, and as we all know, we are fighting against a defense with proof. It's going to be not easy," Grit explained.

She had to pay. That ranged bells in her head. She already owes the court five hundred dollars, and now this. Her entire world fell apart in front of her eyes.

"No please, you know I'm not stable financially, and that includes the fact that I can't pay, not for your rates, obviously. Help me, please," she almost begged.

"I'm sorry Ms. Tuesday. This is not what we had expected, we have to ask you to leave here," The other lawyer said while standing up.

It hadn't even been closer to thirty minutes since she got in here and already they were expecting Sarah to leave the law firm.

The two lawyers walked out of the office room, and Sarah was once again, alone.

The next possibility of getting out of the court without getting into jail was the last thing she thought she'd be able to do—Meeting Ian.

-

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Ian woke up after an exhausting day on the set.

The day before he had spent trying to get perfect shoots between the Home Alone crew. And most of the time, things hadn't gone his way, which he believed because of his mental exhaustion after going through the court.

Valerine knocked on Ian's bedroom door.

Ian walked towards the door and opened it with one swift movement.

"Good morning, Valerine."

"Master, Good morning. But there's a girl who awaits your presence downstairs," Valerine said with a smile.

Of course, Valerine knew who the girl is. She had been worrying over Ian for the past couple of days about how crazy the media went.

Even before sleeping, she watched the news daily to get a grasp of what happening outside the world.

At the end, when the people in the media had claimed that Ian was not a father to Sarah.

Not to mention, Sarah's face was all over the media.

"A girl?" Ian looked confused. "What girl?" he asked again.

Valerine cleared her throat before answering, "Sarah… Sarah Tuesday. The girl on the television," answered.

Ian's confusion grew more. He looked visibly worried about what came out of Valerine's mouth.

If he had gone down without knowing Sarah—the same girl who blamed Ian for her daughter, she'd baffle by Ian's naked upper body.

Ian hurried away to get dressed to meet the lady who was waiting.

-

"Good morning, Sarah," Ian walked down the stairs and greeted the lady who was waiting.

Sarah looked up the stairs with her huge eyes and smiled as she saw Ian walking downstairs.

"I- I'm Sarah," Sarah said quickly and jumped in to shake hands.

Ian shook hands in return as a gesture of politeness.

"I know," he muttered as he withdrew his hand.

"Uh, I need your help, sir."

Sarah's words made Ian's eyebrows raise in concern.

Yesterday, Ian was casually trying to get over his day while continuing to get perfect shots on set, today, the lady who assumed he was a father and humiliated in front of the entire world is asking for help.

What are the odds of waking up to aliens ruling the world tomorrow?

"Please, have a seat," Ian said and sat on the couch in front of her.

She looked bewildered for some reason. In Ian's head, she was quite a strong woman, at least pretending to be strong in front of the court with all her lies, but in front of Ian, she looked vulnerable.

"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry for e-everything you had to go through, I-I need help," She said.

Her gaze was plastered on the ground, and her face showed how sad and disappointed she was.

Her stutters made Ian wonder what was she on about.

"What do you mean? Why should I help you, Sarah? You tried to destroy my reputation, and trust me when I say you almost did. I'm not a person who tries to hide the truth, so if you go visit any websites where Marriage Story, my latest movie is promoted, you'll see how many hate comments are there.

"Trust me when I say, they are quite frustrating when I'm not the one at fault here." Ian said and shrugged off the question of 'why' she needed help.

Sarah nodded as she was feeling helpless to Ian's words.

Of course, she hadn't expected Ian to give full permission in one go, but she realized how much of a depth and consequences her actions had—which reminded her of the words of her initial lawyer.

"I-Ian, I mean, Mr. Renner, I understand your situation and how it must be feeling for you. But with all due respect, I'm really sorry. I apologize for everything I've ever done."

Ian sighed and shrugged. Ian was still confused as to why the lady who turned his world upside down wanted help.

"Again, Sarah. Give me a good reason as to why I should help you?" Ian asked.

"I was just trying to do whatever that I could do for my daughter. I couldn't help it and you were the person who came to my mind that we could-"

"Why haven't you contacted the actual father? If anything, the DNA proved that I have no relation with you or your daughter, so why not Lilian's actual father?" Ian asked as he got comfortable on his sofa.

He put his leg above the other, and his hand was tucked under his chin.

"He left," Sarah said and took a deep breath. "I don't know where to find him, and as soon as I told him that he has a kid—-I have got a kid of him, he just left. He never looked back, and neither I tried to.

I wanted to raise Lilian of my own, but it's too hard," Sarah said, while her gaze raised to meet Ian's.

"Sarah, in all honesty, now I feel like you're just trying to manipulate me using Lilian. And if you are, trust me it's working. She is a cute little kid and doesn't deserve to go through any of these," Ian said and sighed.

"I- That's true, but I didn't try to manipulate you, not now, not ever," Sarah said and continued further. "At first I had this lawyer, but then two top lawyers… Very powerful lawyers, to be honest, offered me a pro bono for the previous trial. Uh-" Sarah said and Ian frowned at her words.

"What is it?" He asked back.

"Uh, but after I received the subpoena, now they're asking for a lot of money. Money that I wouldn't be able to collect even if I spend my entire year working," she said and smiled apologetically.

Now they had gotten comfortable, and her tone was rather familiar and friendly than how she came in—scared.

"I'll help you."

Ian said and in his mind, the story of the lawyers stayed solid. He wanted to dig further, but he knew now is not the time.

"What? You would?" Sarah asked, her eyes lighting up in disbelief.

"Yes, for Lilian's sake. As I said, she deserves more. You're not an idiot, so I hope you know that what you did was not something that I could forgive easily. I'll take drop the defamation charges explicitly.

"So, I'll let Valerine take care of the job for you. But on one condition," Ian said and leaned forward in his chair.

"What is it?" She asked back.

"I don't want to see you again," Ian said and she immediately nodded.

"I promise that you wouldn't see my face ever again," Sarah said and stood up to walk out of the room.

Ian who nodded at her stood up as well.

Taking his phone in hand, he thought no more as he walked to his bedroom so that he could start to get ready.

Another day and another round of filming for Ian.

Although the morning was somewhat a bit weird than he had expected, he thought that at least from today there'd be no more drama and that he could go on to create movies that he could enjoy and so did the fans.

-

Sarah was feeling relieved and scared at the same time.

A new life gave her new hope. But with her face everywhere in the media, she couldn't face anyone even on road considering how even the streets were filled with people who adored Hollywood.

Walking outside Ian's mansion, Sarah couldn't help but let out a relieved breath.

"Sarah, right?" Valerine asked popping out of nowhere.

Valerine was normally the type to be respectful to any guests who'd come in and out of the mansion, but now, her opinion changed entirely on Sarah. She was advised by Ian to get Sarah to settle with a job—A job that would relate to something like what Valerine, herself does, housekeeping.

"Yes, Mrs…?"

"Call me Valerine, I'll let you know when to meet and where to meet. Hope you don't mind working in a house right?" Valerine asked.

Valerine gave a calculating look at Sarah, and she almost flinched at her gaze.

"Yeah, as long as it pays."

"Uh-huh, young lady, Ian is only helping you because of your child. And don't mistake it for anything else.

"You should know that there are people who actually suffer from abuse, and who couldn't get help of any sort. And what you did there—is totally unacceptable." Valerine slapped her verbally.

Sarah felt it—harsh and rough.

She sighed knowing that there was truth behind her words, and everything that had happened was her own fault.

"I know-"

"Sarah, I'm not a fan of the media. Because I've seen it ruin lives just from the time period I've been in this mansion. But I've to tell you, this time, the media is right.

"There are actual victims out there, women who have faced worse. And yet you were here, trying to use their trauma as a weapon. Young lady, media wouldn't save your life always, So, it's better if you become true to yourself first." Valerine said and smiled sympathetically.

As much as she despised people like Sarah, she couldn't see a young girl, so helpless.

"I know, Valerine. Thank you for your words. I appreciate it," Sarah said and retrieved the smile.

"Can you give me your phone number, so that I could just call you tomorrow?" Valerine asked and Sarah gave her her phone number.

-

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Ian walked down the stairs, and to where the actors were getting their make-up on.

He saw Adam, who was the actor who was doing Kevin sitting in front of the mirror, which had LED bulbs all around it—and gave Adam a clear view of himself through the mirror.

"Hey," Ian said and waved from the mirror.

Adam looked back at him and waved. The makeup artist walked away, leaving Ian and Adam to talk.

"We didn't even get time to talk properly, how have you been little star?" Ian asked and sat in the closest makeup chair.

"I've been great, what about you?"

Adam turned around in the makeup chair itself to meet Ian's face.

"I'm fine," Ian said and sighed. "This time, everything is different. There are already fifty-something people waiting for you to come out and give them some attention," he laughed.

Ian remembered something related to this. The airport scenes were exponentially more difficult to shoot than in the first movie. The airport had to stay operational during filming, and Macaulay Culkin's newfound celebrity status required extra security due to fans and paparazzi. The scenes at O'Hare International Airport were filmed in February 1992 and kept their Christmas decorations up for the occasion.

"Yeah, they love me," Adam laughed along.

"I'm sure they'll love the movie too," Ian said and patted Adam's head.

-

"Okay, so, when Kevin's solo is coming up. Buzz…" Ian looked at the actor who was playing Buzz. "Theo?"

"Ah yes, gotcha!"

Theodore was the actor who played the role of Buzz ever since the first movie. When he first joined in to play the role, he was graded D as an actor.

But now, after Home Alone, he got plenty of requests to act in different movies, and by exactly after two years, he had played in three movies, one came out as a blockbuster. Which meant that his grade went up to a B-list actor.

"Can I use the restroom? I still feel anxious!" Theo said and shrugged earning approval from Ian.

"Let's take five then!" Ian said and walked back to his director seat.

The breaks even before the filming started had become a tradition of Home Alone 2 shooting.

Ian didn't complain knowing the actors were nervous considering how much weight the sequel of the first movie had on them. Because on the very first day Ian had said that this movie must be better in every aspect, from cinematography to the performance of actors.

Currently, they were in a theatre, where in the movie during Kevin's solo singing, Buzz makes fun of his little brother, in front of the audience.

The audience cracks up heavily, and then the entire show of the orchestra ends with the kids who were singing the song falling into one another, leaving Kevin who was among the kids, standing straight up among everyone else who was on the ground.

...…..

The shooting started, and the orchestra was trained by a local school in California, which made things much more convenient for Ian.

"... And, Action!"

My Christmas tree

Lit up like a star

When I see

My Christmas tree

Can loved ones be far

Christmas tree, I'm certain

Wherever I roam

The lyrics that were needed to train the kids were given by Ian, which made a lot of things easier for the trainer.

"CUT!" Ian said and walked down to the guy who was supposed to act like the musician.

"Micheal, I want you to sing along with the lyrics. Like, uh, can we get Mr. Yoshuba here?" Ian asked the crew.

In a while, the musician who was also the teacher in the orchestra walk toward the actor and showed what he was supposed to do.

"Like this… Christmas tree I'm certain! Wherever I roaaam!" the musician basically acted as if he was in front of the orchestra. "Or… you could go like this… My Christmas tree… Can loved one be far!"

His right hand raised into the air, and his upper body bent towards the same side. The keyboardist played a few notes, and the man kept doing his thing with his body and singing along.

"...You get me?" The music and the act came down to an end while Micheal nodded in understanding.

"Perfect, let's get it one more time! Theo, can you look at Adam with a smirk. An evil smirk, while singing, and Raelynn catch it in camera 2, are we good?" Ian asked as everyone was ready to start the hilarious scene.

"This one is my personal favorite," Ian said to Mason while he sat on his chair.

"We'll get a straight shot till Kevin! You both should push the christmas trees at the right time. Oh, and please, don't break your backbone!" Ian said looking at the old female keyboardist.

Ian had requested from her that they could use a supporting actor so that there'd be no harm to the real actress. But she had insisted that she'd do the role on her own.

"Let's do it!" Ian said and got ready with everyone else.

"...ACTION!"

-

"Kevin's solo's coming up. Tell Leslie," Kate, who was Kevin's mom and seated in the audience, whispered to her husband.

"Kevin's solo's coming up. Tell Frank," Leslie nodded and leaned to her left to tell the man that Kevin's solo was coming up.

"Okay," and when she turned Frank was dead asleep. Snoring. " Frank… FRANK!" she shrugged him so that he would wake up.

It was the time of Kevin's solo.

On the stage, Kevin was right below Buzz, and the entire singing team went silent.

"Christmastime means laughter, Toboggans in the snow, Caroling together, With faces aglow, Stockings on the mantel, A wreath on the door, And my merriest Christmas Needs just one thing more"

Kevin started singing. Adam; who was also Kevin couldn't sing well. But somehow he ended up singing the lyrics as much as he was capable.

In behind, Buzz was nailing her performance.

"Christmas tree, My Christmas tree!"

Another girl started to sing.

Realizing that Buzz pranked him, Kevin punches him and everyone falls into a heap

"CUT! Gosh! WOW!" Ian said and stood up. "Guys, are y'all okay?" he asked seeing the kids who were on top of one another.

"The right side falling downs are not that great, to be honest, but the left side shot was… just perfect! Shall we do a retake?" Ian asked as everyone cheered to it.

To keep the set alive and active, the cheers and the performances from one another encouraged everyone a lot.

Thus.

Take 2. Scene 6.

-

The entire set was in front of a reception where the scene of Kevin talking to the receptionist was about to take.

The camera slid to meet with the hotel concierge.

"Yes, two at eight, Henri. Mr. Yamamoto. Hold on a second. I'll call you back."

"CUT! No, I want to see the suspicious look in your eyes. And you need to like, you know… this kid… right. This kid… give me that look," Ian said.

"... ACTION!" the shooting restarted.

"Roll the second camera…. To the right… Yes, perfect!"

"Hi. Can I help you?" the receptionist turned to look at Kevin suspiciously.

"Reservation for McCallister." Kevin said while looking up from the desk.

"A reservation for yourself?" the receptionist asked.

The actress that Ian took as the receptionist was quite special. She was an A-grade actress who agreed to play the role because it was short and quite eventful. It wasn't even Ian who requested her performance, it was herself who contacted Ian for the role.

Adam who looked up to the receptionist, changed his emotions.

"Keep going," Ian commanded through the mic.

"My feet are hardly touching the ground. I can barely see over the counter. How can I make a reservation for a room? Think about it: A kid going into a hotel making a reservation? I don't think so."

When Adam finished his sentence, the lady in the reception looked confused.

"Cut! One more time please, your emotions, can you take a breath before saying, I'm confused. And roll your eyes too, is it possible?... Okay, cool. One more… Quiet on set!"

"...And, Action!"

The lady this time acted just like how Ian had asked.

"Perfect!" Ian whispered to himself.

"I'm confused."

"I'm traveling with my dad. He's on business. He's at a meeting. I hate meetings. I'm not allowed to go in, only to sit in the lobby. That's boring. So my dad dropped me off. Gave me his credit card and said to have check-in... ...let me in the room so I won't get into mischief. Ma'am, sometimes I do get into mischief. We all do. Merry Christmas."

The scene was perfectly taken, and Ian felt proud for once after the shooting had started.

"CUT! Guys, it came out so natural. Perfect. Let's take a lunch break! We've sandwiches for everyone from Valerine! Please enjoy!" Ian said through the mic while everyone else cheered.

"YASS!"

"THANK GOD, FOOD!"

"Food is life!" Adam said at last.

-

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Ever since the shootings started, Ian hadn't had anything too easy. It was mainly because of how perfectly he wanted the shots.

Some were better than the original, some were worse. When Ian looked through, he couldn't find any shots that were similar to the original movie. The scene that Ian was recording was that of where Kevin goes inside a toy store.

"Thirty minutes and the camera should be rolling!" Mason said as everyone started to get prepared for the scene.

The original scene reminded Ian of something. All of the children who appeared in the toy store scene were allowed to take their favorite toy home as part of their salary. Even though it didn't work, and was created specifically for the movie as a prop, Macaulay Culkin was allowed to keep the Talkboy.

Here, Ian had paid all the managers of the kids, and the sponsor who provided the toys had mentioned how it was possible to share the toys among the kids.

"If this scene can be taken within two-three shots, I swear, you guys can take any toy in here with you!" Ian said and all the kids jumped in excitement.

They were just any kids. Some were rookies in the industry, but the majority had experience with acting.

In not more than forty minutes, the shooting started.

It started from the outside of the toy store. The cameras took shots of the name of the store, which Ian had to customize twice or thrice to get the perfect setting with the story theme.

"...ACTION!" Ian yelled.

Everyone was already in their roles. The street was already crowded with people, so Ian had to put almost no effort into filling the street with Christmas spirit—although there was plenty of time left for Christmas.

The limousine halted in front of the store and the driver hurriedly got out of it.

"Here we are, sir. Duncan's Toy Chest." The driver said as Kevin looked up at the toy store in disbelief.

His mouth formed an 'O' while he excitedly looked at the outside of the store.

There's more yet to come.

"Merry Christmas, Kevin," Adam mouthed out.

"CUT! Perfect shot in the first go! Your expressions were on spot, and that was something we can hold onto," Ian said and saw Adam smiling back while raising his hands to show the thumbs up.

"Alright, let's go inside then, everything is ready, right? Send the actors in, and Adam, I'll explain how your expressions must be, and I'm pretty sure you already have the role of Kevin inside you,"

-

They all went inside, and it took longer than Ian thought to get everything in order.

The toys and the placings of the props weren't to his exact expectations, so he had to talk here and there to get them in order.

"Take the shot from the train, and moving up, the front of the store should be revealed. Kevin would take a turn in here, and that's where camera 2 moves to the left. From above the lights, I want to zoom in on Kevin's face… Yeah, that's it. Let's see how this would go," Ian said and got back to stand in front of the monitor screen.

The entire store was filled with Christmas decorations left to right.

"...ACTION!" Ian commanded as everyone was already in their roles.

Kids were touching, looking, and enjoying the view in front of them. There were also actors and actresses showing things to their kids inside the toy store.

It was one hell of a scene.

"CUT! No, the entire right side area is being covered. You cannot just stand there and look at the toys. Imagine you brought your kid to a toy store, and what would you do? Make them see toys, show how they work, and entertain using your own words… right? I want it to be shown. And James, when she comes to you, you should show as if you're selling something out of the store. Show the variations of the toy, and explain them.

In the background, there'd be music, but the actions should be realistic until the focus turns to Kevin, shall we try again?" Ian asked.

"YES!"

"Sure!"

"We are ready!"

"One more time!!"

-

Several days passed after the scene in the toy store.

Now the part Ian focused on was where Marv and Harry get tortured by the kid.

It was the fun part. Ian initially wanted to go ahead and create the tricky parts including where Marv and Harry get beaten up first, but then he decided to go with the script and take things slowly one by one.

"Within two more weeks, I'm pretty sure we'll be done with the shooting," Ian said to Raelynn.

"Yeah, maybe even before that I'm pretty sure," she replied and both of them got back to work.

In the set, the main focus was on Will Murray and Hyde Wilkins. If someone doesn't remember, Will Murray acted as Marv and Hyde acted as Harry in Home Alone 1.

"Okay, so I guess everyone knows what they should do right? When the alarm is ringing loudly, Harry and Marv must hurry up. And then Harry, you jump on this, then Marv should come running closer, and then must jump. Then, cut.

"After that scene, Hugh here would help with the stunt, again, Cut. Then, Harry should look done with his life, head facing towards the sky. The car is supposed to be crashed due to your weight, so no worries, it'll look like that.

"Focus on the camera placement here, Rae. When Hugh is replacing Harry, it shouldn't look obvious. You know how to do your job, why should I even explain," Ian said and chuckled along with Raelynn.

-

"...ACTION!"

"I'm up here and I'm really scared," Kevin shouted.

The next scene was the ending scene of the tortures. It had been quite a journey of streaks with risky stunts.

This time, Ian made sure to share the thrill of the stunts with the actors. Just like in the first movie that he made Will walk through the glass toys, this time majority of the scenes made the actors go through hardships.

Just like the current one that Ian was watching through the little monitor screen.

"What's that sound?" Harry asked as he kept his ear to the door. Behind the door, it was absolutely nothing, but in the movie, there's going to be a huge tool chest being pushed by Kevin.

In the end, the door from the other side was pushed along with the tool chest towards Marv and Harry.

"CUT!" Ian shouted as everyone dropped their act.

"My back hit hard on the wall," Will said and bent backward. The cracks were audible which made everyone laugh.

"We need to warm up before these shoots, from the next shot upon, we're going to do five laps around the set," Hyde said and laughed along.

"I guess I might as well consider joining the workout team. Handling the lighting isn't any sort of easy job. It's supposed to be dark here, which in fact makes things more difficult," the cameraman joined the discussion and laughed along as well.

-

Currently, Marv and Harry were hanging themselves on a rope—yes, a rope.

Some cables secured their life, which if not was hanging by a rope. Pun intended.

Somehow, the shooting had begun and the actors were repeating their dialogues with enough expressions and body language.

Hyde Wilkins had a different mindset while hanging on the rope.

"I don't think I can complete the scene without throwing up on the set," he had said to Ian while the director was explaining the scene.

'Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down.' he had told himself over and over again.

"Harry? You wearing aftershave?" Marv said.

The camera that basically focused on their faces made the facial expressions highlighted.

-

Ian smiled at Marv's expressions. He looked genuinely confused while hanging on the rope.

It was understandable, as they were battling for their lives after a lot of torture from a kid, the smell of aftershave could be quite confusing.

"That's not aftershave, that's kerosene. The rope is soaked in it," Harry was the smart one among them, and it was proved here.

"Why would anyone soak a rope in kerosene?"

"CUT!" Ian shouted. "Perfect, next part of the scene is basically for the stuntmen. Only your facial expressions would be needed, and that could be done easily. Let's take ten minutes, I've to go through this again," he said and Marv and Harry were safely brought down to land.

Hyde Wilkins sighed the longest sigh he had ever sighed and slept on the floor itself.

Raelynn kept shooting what was happening while holding back her laughter.

"SHIT! We could have done it on the floor itself!" He said and kept looking at the sky.

"I wanted realistic facial expressions," Ian said and chuckled seeing how scared Hyde looked.

-

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An entire month's worth of work almost came to an end. The day that all the actors dreaded—the final shot was finally being taken.

Just like in the first movie, Ian had kept the reunion of the end to shoot at last. Because even movie-wise and production-wise, it would feel like a proper end to him and all the actors.

"So, we are yet again in the ending of Home Alone, what do you feel Adam?"

It was a break for the cast and the set. They had shot a single scene since morning, and after the lunch break, everyone including Adam, Fiona, Ian, and others were seated in a circle on the set.

"I feel like, there were more stress and pressure compared to the first movie. But at the same time, it was fun. I'm waiting to watch the final product," he said.

Ian clapped and everyone else followed.

"As much as I want to see and know the thoughts of everyone here, I guess we should start shooting the final scene. Is everyone ready?" Ian asked and smiled.

"Raelynn is not here, she went out," Niko said and Ian frowned.

"Huh?" Ian questioned as everyone looked at one another.

"She went out, she should be here at any moment," Niko said again noticing the uncomfortable silence.

After a few minutes, the environment of the set became rather less intimidating due to the question of where the cinematographer went.

Everyone started doing one thing or another, except start the shooting.

Ian got busy with going through the final shooting script scene. He was talking to Mason about his plans for the release of the movie.

"Last time it was Christmas when we released. It went well considering the demand for Christmas movies always increased during the season," Mason said.

"Yeah, and the best part is how there hadn't been a movie that could be compared to Home Alone ever since it got released," Ian said as he scrolled through his phone while talking.

"How do you know?" Mason asked back.

"Well, there's this movie, from Leon Studio, once again a Christmas movie. The thing is how they started to promote the movie now. And there was a trend about Home Alone, right when the topic of Christmas movies came up. It was really something, no joking."

"Ahaha… Yeah," Mason said.

As soon as he said it, the entire set turned dark. Ian gasped and looked around, he couldn't see anything.

The entire setting looked surprising just for Ian but for everyone. They were silent for obvious reasons, and the next thing that could be seen is a glimpse of light, walking from Ian's left side.

"Happy Birthday to you…"

"Happy Birthday to you…"

"What the fuck?" Ian cursed to himself, as he saw the light getting closer. It was Raelynn, with a candle—and a cake.

"Happy birthday… Happy birthday…"

"Happy birthday to you!" Adam shouted finally and the lights came in.

Ian was truly surprised.

"What- How did you all even know?" Ian asked and everyone had giant smiles plastered on their faces.

"We missed two birthdays of yours, but not this! I don't know how but Raelynn found it last week, and we thought of surprising you a bit. Coincidentally, it was the last day of shooting as well," Niko said and the cake was brought in front of Ian.

Raelynn had a smile plastered on her face as well.

"Happy birthday, Ian!" She said.

-

Ian was stunned after their little celebration. Ian's birthday was on 22nd October. So was the owner of the body that he carried around. What more could possibly sync together?

The scene inside the house was taken after the celebrations. The final scene that remained to take was of Kevin talking to the camera while in front of a huge Christmas tree.

"So, this is the final scene… Let's not mess it up!"

"Quiet, everyone!" Ian commanded while everyone went silent in a second.

"Sound!"

"SET!" The sound manager, Robert replied.

"Camera?"

"Set!" Raelynn, the cinematographer replied.

"Roll sound…!"

"Roll camera…!"

"ACTION!"

The clapper board came in front of the camera and everyone got into their roles.

The setting was perfectly set. In front of a huge Christmas tree, Adam stood. The Christmas tree was celebrated with blue and red lights perfectly, and the golden lights added more glamour and happiness to the environment.

Behind Kevin aka Adam, the props and the builds were built according to Ian, just like how they were in the original movie.

"Start…."

The camera rolled and was recording every movement of Kevin.

"I know I don't deserve a Christmas even if I did do a good deed. I don't want any presents. Instead, I want to take back every mean thing I ever said to my family...even if they don't do the same. I don't care. I love all of them. Including Buzz. If I can't see all of them, could I just see my mother? I'll never want another thing, ever. I just want my mother. I know it won't be tonight...but promise me I can see her again. Sometime. Anytime. Even if it's just once and only for a few minutes. I need to tell her I'm sorry." Adam repeated the dialogues, and even Ian felt sincere for how he kept on going.

By the end of it, Fiona yelled, "Kevin?"

"Camera 3…. Roll!" Raelynn commanded.

"Mom?" Adam asked back.

"That was fast.." he went on talking to the Christmas tree.

"Fiona… Run!" Ian commanded, and Fiona, who acted as Kate aka Kevin's mother, ran in between the structure like made up that was behind Kevin, and finally stood a few feet away from Adam.

"Oh, Kevin," she said with glassy eyes.

"Camera 2, focus on Adam's face…" Raelynn commanded again.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Adam said.

"I'm sorry too," Fiona said and a tear rolled down her face.

Adam looked neutral, and within seconds his facial expression changed.

"Give me that smirk Adam… Perfect!" Ian said and he got the perfect shot he needed.

"CUT! I'd need one more of that guys, as sentimental as it was, Fiona, I want you to smile along with him, change the neutral face and show emotions when I say, change. Are we ready? Let's do this guys, we got this!" Ian cheered up and everyone went back to their positions.

The last time, Ian was scolding how the last shot wasn't to his standards, but this time, for all the experiences he had gained, he realized that a few explanations and patience would give him the perfect shots he need.

-

Ian was finally feeling content with the final shot. As the end, everyone again sat around Ian to talk about their experiences throughout the journey.

"This feels more like a remake of the first movie, to be honest," an actress among the set said.

Not everyone was needed with the shooting, but more than half of the whole cast came because it was the final day, and also they wanted to celebrate Ian's birthday, which was also why everyone had their portion of the entire cake in their hands.

"Hmm… That's true, but tell me, almost every good review had asked how they want to see Marv and Harry getting tortured by a kid. And, tell me, what's the fun of christmas with no good christmas movie?" Ian asked and everyone laughed.

"I second it!"

"True!"

"Ahahah… Best scenes ever!"

"I bet they're going to love this movie than the first one!"

"Who knows!"

The people started talking about the movies and Ian thought about something else.

Ian knew that the Director Chris Columbus admits on the audio commentary for Home Alone (1990), this movie was, "to some extent", a remake of the first movie. Also, in the original movie, a deleted scene featured Kevin having a similar aftershave scene in the Plaza like in the first movie. Director Chris Columbus cut the scene for two reasons. This movie was already two hours long, and he was afraid that people would accuse this movie of being a remake, rather than a sequel to Home Alone.

Which also made a lot of sense.

There were such coincidences even when Ian was remaking the movie in this world.

Among the sponsors for the second movie, 'BlueTula' was a soft drink brand that sponsored Home Alone 2. Which also made him remember somethng about the original movie—that Coca-Cola products make several appearances in the film, including in scenes when Kevin rides a limousine and when Kevin's cousin Fuller wakes up at the Plaza Hotel. Pepsi products were used in Home Alone (1990)

What happened with the plaza hotel was that Ian rented another hotel, which unfortunately had no coincidence with the original movie. But things went great as the shots were taken with no disaster.

"So guys, who are ready to share hear some fun facts about the movie?" Ian asked and everyone nodded and agreed to his request.

"I'm not sure if anyone noticed-" Ian started as every pair of eye were focused on to him. "Not once during this movie or Home Alone (1990) do Harry or Marv call Kevin by name. They have no opportunity because they only know the names of his parents from the details of the first movie. All Harry said to refer to Kevin at the beginning of the first film was "a whiny kid, who was pitching a fit." The bag that Kevin holds in front of Duncan's Toy Chest has the last name and initial on it. Harry looks at Kevin's plane ticket before tearing it up and could possibly have seen his name on it. And near the end of this movie, the Pigeon Lady yells, "Kevin, run!" in front of Marv and Harry."

"WOAH WHAT?"

"IS IT TRUE?"

"DAMN, FOR REAL?"

"THAT IS TOO WEIRD TO BE TRUE…!"

The comments of everyone made Ian laugh.

"I'm going to go on with some more…. The child that Marv and Harry catch in the park is wearing a nearly identical hat that Kevin wore in Home Alone!"

"What in the world!!!"

Once again, everyone realised that was true. And some were too stunned to speak. The expressions were priceless, and Ian chuckled.

"Alright alright, last but not least… In the first movie, the McCallisters are headed to France when they forget Kevin. In this movie, when Kevin boards the plane to New York City, he's seated next to a man who only speaks French."

"WHAT?"

"NO… I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!"

"TO FUCKING THINK THAT there are connections… Wow!"

"One more!" Ian announced as everyone shouted. Fiona had hands covering her ears.

"I can't do this anymore!"

"Both the movies end up with Kevin getting scolded!"

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Without even wasting a day, the very next day Ian got into editing. For him, working even after an exhausting day with the shooting had become a normal thing to do ever since the first movie.

"I can't believe we ended filming the movie. An entire movie, in a month… That's crazy!" Raelynn said as she propped on the couch that was in the editing room.

In the room, there were only two more people other than her. Niko and Steffen Hudson, who was the editor in Renner Studio.

As he was the one who edited the first movie, Ian knew that they could handle the first few scene editing alone—without his help.

"That's the thing with movies that Ian creates. They are unbelievably quick. A part of me knows the reason but-"

"What is it?" Raelynn asked back from Niko.

"What is what?" Niko asked back confusedly.

"The reason, dude. If I think about it, even Avatar and Marriage Story were quick to come up with the idea, and execute it. I don't think a normal person could do it. Is Ian, special, maybe?" Raelynn asked with her big eyes looking at Niko.

Niko burst out laughing knowing her curiosity was valid and fair.

"No, well, the thing is. When Ian is set on an idea, he just goes on with it. Surprisingly, they work out. Although there was a little bit of here and there with the ideas, they somehow manage to exceed our expectations. And, to be honest, he is a director who genuinely knows what he wants, and what he thinks is the best for every idea he comes up with," Niko explained and Raelynn nodded.

Steffen laughed knowing the moment of truth for Raelynn was relatively later than it was for him. Even he had the same doubt and worries. Even while editing, he was stunned by how Ian knows the right thing to do, and the right move to take.

Everyone turned silent as Ian walked inside the office room.

"We didn't expect to see you here, Ian! Good morning!" Niko said and stood showing politeness.

"Yeah, I was about to leave y'all to it. But I felt like coming in to see how things were going on in here. But I have got a feeling that I'm not needed here," Ian said and the little group laughed.

"Can't deny," Raelynn joked.

The editing started as they all started to watch the clips from the beginning. There were so many scenes that were just not 'it'.

-

Three hours went by straight away with them just working. Even the four walls that they were surrounded by gave nothing but full-on working vibes.

"Oww, my back! We should get some rest!" Raelynn was the first one to complain.

"No kidding Rae, I sometimes think I'm hanging out with a grandma. Which sounds so much cooler than hanging out with you," Niko said and Raelynn snorted.

"Only if Ian wasn't here, I'd have known what to say," she mimicked and stood up to prop herself back on the comfortable couch.

"I'll bring some coffee, I know Ian can't go without coffee," Niko said and Ian mouthed, 'thanks'.

The next second, the focus was broken by Steffen's angry phone.

"It's my wife, be right back guys," he said and walked out of the room leaving Raelynn and Ian to themselves.

The environment became bothersome for Raelynn within a matter of a second. It wasn't due to how chilly the air conditioner was on, but because she was with the one and only Ian Renner.

"Raelynn," he addressed her as she almost jumped from her seat.

"Yeah?" her voice was calm, although her heart was beating faster than anything that she ever came across.

"Thank you. I appreciate what you did for my birthday," Ian said and chuckled. Raelynn raised her eyebrows.

"You're welcome. To be honest, I had this crazy idea of throwing a huge party, but I just couldn't find a good place, nor I had time to arrange any of that sort," she said and smiled.

"The cake was tasty. I hadn't celebrated my birthday in years, so I appreciate it,"

"No problemo, it's all good. Let's hit the bar tonight. Are you in?" Raelynn asked back.

"Count me in," Ian said.

"Ah, she wants me to bring take out when I'm getting home. These ladies," Steffen invited himself in and walked back to his seat.

-

[Mason's office - Renner Studio]

The seventh hour of the day was no easy than the first. Ian was exhausted to the core, after watching clips over and over.

"Editing must be the most tiresome part," Ian mumbled as he put his head in his hands, and shook his head to get rid of the raging ache.

"Is it because you've to deal with a screen instead of people? Or is it because you're simply born to direct but not work in the editing process?" Mason said and continued to do whatever he was busy doing on his laptop.

Seconds passed to minutes, and Ian finally gained some clarity in his head. The pain was subsidized due to how he was away from the screen.

"What in the world, Ian? You didn't even tell me about this?" Mason said while Ian raised his eyebrows in question.

"Huh? What are you talking about, uncle?" Ian asked wanting to know what he was on about before Ian himself gets to conclusions.

IAN RENNER—THE STREET RACER; COVER BLOWN?

The well-known Oscar-winning director, Ian Renner was found street racing weeks ago, away from Los Angeles, where his mansion is situated.

[Pictures of Ian with a small trophy and an envelope. His hair ruffled for how tiring the night was. His eyes looked Deadshot. But his smile explained an entirely different version]

Ian Renner was first introduced to the industry as a director of a children's Christmas movie, Home Alone. But then, he continued to climb up his way in the industry, taking so many people by surprise for how exemplary his movies were.

Although career-wise, the young director showed a lot of skills and talents towards everyone, his personal life is known as a 'mess'. Starting from how two years ago, at first, he was accused of racism, then he was proved false. Then, there were several disgraces of him sleeping with actresses who work in his movies.

Without proving true or false the latter accusations, the director went on in his journey and released several movies that hit big numbers at the box office.

After a few silent weeks, Ian Renner was accused of having a kid—which was quite not a surprise for anyone considering how many women he had known to have slept with. The photographs that were taken in the Red Cord street racing club show how Ian Renner blow the steam off.

Who could condemn him?

It was also reported that the young director was caught by the cops of LA not soon after 1 in the morning. The allegations prove how he was bailed out of jail, and all of it had to do something with a politician.

What is the truth behind the politician and the director? We are yet to find it.

Written and edited by,

M.J.S.K.Imraan.

-

"You were caught?"

"Uncle, why do you think I'd call you at 1 in the morning? And yes, this is all true."

Ian's face showed no hesitation. He leaned back in his chair after turning the laptop screen towards the old man who sat with a confused look.

"I have no problem with this, but the ending is a little bit conflicting. Ian, your image affects your career a lot, and I hope you know it by now," Mason said in a warning tone–which was rather serious for Ian to straighten up in his chair.

"I know it by now uncle, it's nothing to not know after going through hell and heaven in the industry. I'm pretty sure there are yet more people behind the spread of dirt. But I'd not address it for now," Ian said and took a brief pause and continued. "I guess it's the time to step up on the game."

"What are you on about?"

"Nothing much, there's just a lot more to do. What have you thought about the OTT platform?" Ian asked back completely avoiding his question.

"I'm still researching. Don't worry, I'll reply with the best solution for you."

In Ian's mind, he was thinking that he needed more things to back him up in situations like this. More power.

If Christopher could get him out of the jail, he wanted more to avoid the word spreading. And what 'more' he needed was the power of media. If he could own a channel chain of his own, it would also mean that it could benefit him in multiple ways.

"What are you thinking Ian?" Mason asked noticing the silence that spread between them.

"Hmm… Nothing much, but I just realized I have a lot to think about."

Ian said and walked out of the office room with a nod which Mason approved.

'Whatever the young man thinks of doing, is for his own good, he thought and smiled to himself.

-

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[At Renner Studios]

After the conversation with Mason, Ian was in his own office room, accompanied by Murphy.

"Sir, tomorrow 2 pm to 6 pm your schedule is free, is there anything you're planning?" Murphy asked.

This was the first time that he noticed a blank four hours in his schedule. Because as far as he was concerned, Ian was busy with one thing or another.

"Oh, yes. I do have something in mind," Ian said and smiled.

Murphy gave a weird eye at his smile because that was another first. He had quite a journey being Ian's assistant, but he also knew that the director was an open book when it comes to his schedule.

"Okay, I'll just leave it as it is then. Oh, and the interview for Home Alone 2, on Saturday Night Live, is the day after tomorrow, the producer Mr. Danny Leos called in today."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure it's just to remind us right?" Ian asked back curiously.

"Yeah… Yes, it is, it's already time for lunch, may I go down, sir?" Murphy asked as he stood up and straightened his blue shirt.

"Yeah, sure. Oh, also don't forget to email the producer about the theme and the pictures. I remember Mr. Leos saying something like that," Ian said while Murphy nodded.

"It's already on my list. I'll do it the first thing after lunch, is there anything else?" Murphy asked.

"No, it's okay, thank you."

Ian watched as Murphy left the office room.

As soon as his assistant walked out, he took the tablet and logged into his Nwitter to check what was happening.

He logged in, and saw thousands of notifications. Immediately, he was aware that the entire chaos are about the article that was spreading through the internet, and some were still on and on about the trial and the child.

'Here goes nothing!' he thought to himself and lowered the temperature of the air conditioner.

Scrolling down, there were two trends that caught his attention. One was #babydaddy and the other was #Illegalcar_racer. There were also semi-trends like, #Iangotcaught and #Ianinjail going around, but they weren't as aggressive as the initial two trends.

@Howismylife

Ian Renner must be the hottest director out there. Like literally I'm so speechless by this man's abilities. One, he directs. He wrote songs for a movie. He is absolutely a hotty. And now, he is a street racer; that too, illegal? Like, how hot a man can be:

Ian; YES. #babydaddy #illegalcar_racer

@Hollywood.owned

I never thought that my life would come across something like this. Fuck! Check this meme out, and say we both aren't in the same position!

[In the meme, there was a cartoon character of their world burning a paper which had, 'Ian only directs' burning down to ashes]

@Beloved.RyanGosling

He looked pretty hammered. But let the man enjoy his life. What's wrong with illegal racing? Just it's illegal. LOL #illegalcar_racer

@Mariah.Marrys.Joshua

Heard there's something new coming from the director. Let's hope it's not a fucking car sale or a racing car field. Because we expect movies, but boy imagine Ian with a child, and racing cars in the middle of the night.

Must be my next fanfiction. Aahaha #babydaddy #ianrenner #attentionseeker #racingcars #illegalasf

Ian kept scrolling down and down until he finally found some more memes that were created originally for him.

/.\

A man was looking at the screen with a smile: *IAN RENNER'S name popped up!*

His expressions changed entirely after seeing: *IAN has a baby!*

/.\

When everyone found out that Ian was already a father: *sad noises!*

When everyone found out that Ian does illegal streetracing: *Cheers!*

/.\

Ian couldn't hold it in anymore longer.

'Some of this shit doesn't even make sense…' He huffed under his breath and took the tablet along himself to meet Mason knowing that if this sort of things continued, there'd be no in way that he'd get peace.

-

"Uncle, may I come in?" Ian asked loud enough for Mason to hear.

"Yeah! Ian!"

Mason's loud voice was enough for Ian to gain the approval he wanted.

"Ian, have a seat," Mason said and Ian sat.

"Uncle, I think it's time."

Ian's eyes were serious, and it showed from the way he spoke. Mason who was eating his submarine kept it away and leaned in closer to the table.

"It's time for lunch?" Mason said and gave an odd look.

"Oh shit. I'm sorry I disturbed you-"

"No, it's all right. Tell me, what is it?" Mason asked without joking this time.

"Well, it's the media and public perception of my image. If I really think about it uncle, if I ever got any sort of a challenge while I was in the industry, we've always faced severe criticism from the media, unnaturally so. It could be due to how aggressive the audience and the media are. But, that seems unlikely, I can clearly say that there are a lot of people behind it,"

'People's names who shouldn't be said' Ian thought to himself.

"You're right. And, what are we going to do about it?" Mason asked back.

"I was thinking, maybe we can buy shares of huge media companies. At least to have enough power to change or build stories up. As sly as it sounds, I want it to happen, and it would be easy to make deals with MSNBC, ABC news, SkyNews, Sun TV or HK," Ian said firmly.

"I'll make the arrangements within two days," Mason said and nodding knowing that he was right.

"Honestly, enough is enough with all the rumors. I need to buy 20% shares from Nwitter as well," Ian said making Mason raise his eyes up in surprise.

"Wherever this spirit came from, I like it," he said and smiled. "I'll arrange, and let Murphy know the details about everything. You can join me for meetings as well, it won't be much of a hassle, to be honest," Mason said and took another sip from his drink.

"Yeah, okay," Ian said and walked outside the office.

-

[At SunFM - 6pm]

"Welcome back, New Yorkers! It's 6.02 in the evening, and you are now listening to Sun FM, your favorite radio show, with your favorite host, Jenna, and Sam! How is it going, Sam? This is the third time in the week that you're wearing the same t-shirt! Are you sure, your wife didn't kick you out of your house?"

"Ahahah…. Funny thing, not yet. If I did, well, I know your place is open, always. So, New Yorkers, today we have a weird deal breaker of the day, but I'm pretty sure Jenna and I are late to the party-

Jenna: As always!

Sam: As always!

"Sam, I guess we just shouldn't mention it. It's always a pleasure to bring the news, at the latest possible time. But, after the entire news of Ian having a baby is around, the next thing you know is an article by Mr. Imraan is around the internet! With, of course, proof of Ian holding a helmet and winning a little trophy in street racing… Outside of Los Angeles!"

Sam: Jenna, are you sure that, this is what we're supposed to be doing right now? Talking about illegal street racing?

Jenna: Not really, I have more exciting news! But the entire scenario was pretty popular in the internet. Memes were almost everywhere, and even the director, Ian Renner had reacted to some of them and he had talked about how it was just a one night thing.

Sam: I guess we shouldn't jump to conclusions, but it is rather interesting in my opinion. Somehow, we have the biggest news of the week! 'RED BALLOON' movie is finally out! This is a production by Manetala Studios and was directed by Mr. Galon Ameer. What's new in the movie according to Jade who starred…

….

"Ian Renner? Is that true though?" a lady who was listening to the radio while eating her dinner in a small restaurant asked looking at her friend.

"Who knows, the young man is weird anyway. I don't think the rumors are false about the kid being his," the lady gulped down the last drop of beer that was on her glass and shrugged.

"I heard it was proven that the kid is not his. And, Ian himself in my eyes is a kid, so what are the odds that he really isn't a father?"

"Events are in favor. He sleeps with every woman I heard."

"Hmm… Who are to blame? Kids this age…" The other lady tsked.

"Ah, but Home Alone was too good, and it was the only movie I watched that was directed by him."

"TOO BAD TO YOU, MARY! Every movie directed by Ian is good. If you're more interested in such movies, I guess we'll have to wait till the sequel is out! But… it's funny how ever since he came to the industry people are talking only about the bad side!" the restaurant owner jumped into the conversation as they were his loyal customers.

Thus, that was how people had different images of the resident director, Ian Renner, which also was the hot topic of the night for the two ladies.

-

[We hit 100 PS, so the reward is here! Also, read all the written chapters in my - page. /TC_L]

Ian knocked on the door that he had been wanting to knock on for some days.

He was tapping his foot on the ground as he nervously anticipated what was on the other end of the door. It was an apartment. It was not even a rich building but it was something that could be afforded for a person who'd have a little below an average income.

The outside walls were painted white.

Suddenly, Ian's loud thoughts came to an end when the door opened, and a lady who looked to be in her 40s appeared in front of him.

"Mr. Ian Renner?" She asked right away as she realized the young man in front of her.

"Oh, yes. Can I come in?" Ian asked back and the lady nodded immediately letting the young man walk in.

"I hadn't expected the interior to be this good when I first heard from Valerine. But, I think this is comfortable and pretty safe to stay right?" He asked the maid as he took a seat on the comfortable couch that was placed in the living room.

The house which he had visited was introduced to Sarah by Valerine. After Ian let Valerine take care of Sarah, on the condition of never letting Sarah come in contact with Ian.

But after seeing Lilian and coming in contact with the little kid, Ian himself felt like he wanted to associate with Lilian while she grows up.

"That's so true. Sarah is not a bad mother. I witnessed how hard she tries for Lilian within these two days. And this place is something that they could not be able to find if it wasn't for your help, she wouldn't have been able to find this place," the maid who smiled with her wrinkly face admitted.

"Don't mention it-"

"You have a big heart, Ian. You're doing something that any other human could never do, not even think to do. After everything you went through, this is… pure gold," the lady said while her eyes glistened in respect she kept for Ian.

"Eh, how can you even just walk away after getting into something like this? How is Lilian? Can I see her?" Ian asked as he got comfortable where he sat.

"Oh yeah, let me bring her. I'm sorry I just started talking without doing what I was supposed to," she said and hurried her way to bring Lilian.

After Sarah had gotten the job, without waiting further under Valerine's instructions she had taken a maid to take care of little Lilian.

"Here…" She said while bringing the little Lilian in her hands as Lilian giggled while being in her arms.

"Come… Here…." Ian said as he took the kid from her hands.

Lilian was—a piece of work. This was the first time that Ian had gotten a closer look at Lilian, and as soon as he saw her closer, he noticed how cute the little being was, and it warmed his heart.

"Am I even holding her correctly?" Ian asked as he tried his best not to crush the baby.

Ian wasn't a slender man. By his strength, it was a given that he possibly could crush the little girl, which he tried his best not to.

"Yeah, I still need to do the dishes before Sarah gets here, so, do you think you would be able to manage?" the lady asked and Ian nodded.

Ian's lips were tight closed as he took the little girl and rocked back and forth. Surprisingly, even Lilian wasn't scared of Ian anymore.

"Who is the good girl?"

"Who is the cutest?"

"Who is the cutest baby?"

Ian made funny faces which made the little girl laugh even harder. He tickled her softly and kept her on the ground.

Lilian stood weakly from her wobbly feet, but her tiny hands were clasped to Ian's as they both were laughing at how she was trying her best to walk.

Ian was laughing at how cute the entire scene was, and Lilian was simply loving the interaction she was having with the stranger.

After almost half an hour, the lady who cleaned the entire apartment floor walked back in, while drying her hands with a white towel.

"I was expecting Lilian to cry after a while, but the sound never came. Glad to know she is comfortable around you," the lady said and walked closer to take Lilian away.

"Yeah, I'm surprised too," Ian said as she got closer.

The lady then tried to take Lilian away, but this time Lilian cried louder than ever not wanting to get away from Ian's warm hands.

"Shhhh…. Shhhh… It's okay… It's okay, Lilian," Ian took the little girl back and started rocking back and forth while still she was in his arms.

"Wow… this is going to be harder than I thought now," the lady said while her eyebrows raised to reach her hairline almost. "Can I ask something out of curiosity?" the lady asked after a while, seeing how they blended so well.

"Yeah, ask please," Ian replied and looked at her.

"Why did you want to meet Lilian? Even after all of this?" she asked the question that bugged her ever since Sarah claimed that Ian would be coming around quite often to see and play with Lilian.

Ian smiled at the question.

-

After the interaction with Lilian in the entire morning, Ian headed back to his office knowing he still has a shit ton of work to do.

"You met Lilian?" Mason asked as soon as Ian walked inside the office.

The old man was standing in the lobby area of the office floor, and it took Ian by surprise as Mason normally is not the type to hang out in the lobby area.

"Yeah, I did actually."

"So, how is she doing?" Mason asked and followed Ian.

They both walked inside Ian's office, and Mason sat right in front of Ian.

"She's doing a lot better. I think what we did is for the best. Sarah would have a happy life, and so would Lilian. It's nice to know that the kid's life wouldn't be in vain or something. So, how is everything going?" Ian asked while texting Murphy.

[Send me my usual coffee, please. Thanks]

M: Ok sir.

"I'm in the arranging process of buying shares from three media channels. I have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with the top board of Nwitter. It wouldn't take long, but in no time, we'd be settled with it. And I wanted to say that, that was a really good step."

"Yeah, I know. I bet things would happen all in good time, so we've got nothing to worry about. I also have another movie idea in mind, I'd like to run it by you," Ian said and was interrupted by the knock at the glass door.

"Come in Murphy!" Ian shouted enough for Murphy to hear.

"Murphy brought coffee. Can you read his mind or what?" Mason asked back which made Murphy smile.

"I asked for it, I texted him as soon as I got here. Whew, going without coffee can be a tough task and a challenge. Maybe I'll challenge myself someday to go a day without coffee," Ian said and he took a sip from the burning coffee.

"So, what is the idea about?" Mason asked while ignoring the childish side of Ian.

Murphy walked away silently and closed the door behind him.

"Well, it is another romantic comedy."

"Oh," Mason said looking rather disappointed.

"What's with the reaction uncle?" Ian asked while giving a funny look.

"I was expecting something from a different genre. Like, maybe horror, thriller, or something opposite of what we did?" Mason asked back.

"All in good time, hopefully. But listen to this… This movie is going to be about… anti-authority. I know what you might be thinking, but that's not it. This is going to be about a certain character who has an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it," Ian said and took another sip from his coffee.

"That sounds pretty interesting. High school boy?"

"Yeah, yes. Exactly. So, he somehow ends up ditching school once again, and would take a pretty notorious journey across Chicago, which would end up him having pretty cool experiences with his girlfriend and best friend, outwitting the principal," Ian said and smiled with a shrug.

"Something easy and natural, I think I like the idea. You're going to start writing the script right away?" Mason asked.

"I've to do some research, but after that, I think I will."

-

The night approached as Ian was still scrolling through the internet.

Although every time he started going through social media he reminds himself that he shouldn't visit social media again, he ends up doing it and enjoying what people keep talking about Ian and his works.

It was a fun pastime for him to be honest.

Keeping the phone away, he grabbed the laptop which lay miserable on the edge of the bed, opened his usual tab which he always used to write scripts, and started typing.

'If you feel like you can't work, just start and see how it goes', Ian told to himself as he wrote the title of the movie.

MOVIE TITLE: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF.

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Twists and turns, days and nights passed.

What's more important for Ian was the release of the movie that he had longed for, for two years. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

"A twelve-year-old boy… Home Alone!! I have no idea what the parents must have been thinking! How dare a mom and a dad leave a kid alone when… He has enemies roaming around the city!"

(A round of applause)

"What? Does it ring a bell now?"

"Yes!!!"

"Home Aloneee!!"

"Home Alone!"

"Everyone, welcome Ian Renner… and the set of Home Alone to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!"

(drum rolls… with rounds of applauses)

"Adam… How are you?!"

"I'm doing good, Kevin. How are you?" Adam asked back.

The premise was set where Adam, Ian, Fiona, Mason, and a few more actors from Home Alone sat on a sofa. And to their left, there was the show host, Kevin Gene.

To their right, the musical band was ready to go along with anything that was thrown at them. In fact, the musical band had the toughest job in the show. The songs, little drum rolls, and dramatic effects were added and shown through music and sounds, which was their entire responsibility.

Somehow, in front of Ian and the others, there was an audience who looked more than ready and happy to be here with everyone else.

The set was small, yet catchy. The couch and the entire theme were going along with black and blue–mainly because it was a night show and that too, a popular one.

"It's funny how Adam is here, and so is Kevin. Like-" Ian said and shrugged, pointing out the oblivious.

"And it's even funnier how even Ian is here! The creator of…. Well, me," Kevin gave a weird look. "Never mind that… Moving ahead, the trailer was dropped out on the internet-"

"-And...

"-and...

He was cut out by the loud cheers of the audience. Some even stood up. And two women were caught on camera twerking for the drum roll that was presented.

The crowd soon decreased their cheers, and the host nodded with a smile.

"And, it already hit 7 million views on U-tube, like what the heck?! Seven million in such a short time! I bet there are so many out there who have been waiting for Home Alone's sequel for so long that they watched the trailer as soon as it dropped, or they kept gawking at the U-tube channel to see when it would be dropped…"

The host shrugged in a funny manner, which made Ian laugh as well.

"What is it with your director, Ian Renner? How is this… Happening?!"

The joking tone of the host was visible and audible. His eyes looked as if they were about to bulge out, and he leaned in closer to Ian to listen to whatever he was about to say.

"I mean… Who can blame me?"

"Ahaha!"

"Well said!"

"Ahahaha!"

"Well, truthfully. I'm grateful for everyone who embraced Home Alone as I did. The results of Home Alone were basically due to how people loved it, and the actors. Yes, it wasn't easy to create something when I was so very new in the industry. But, the reactions make me nervous," Ian said and chuckled.

"Why so?"

"It can be overwhelming sometimes. But I'm sure, we did a great job."

"Yes!" (applauses) "So, we have a quick game today. And, it is going to be about… Home Alone, of course. Before that, can we have all of you on the left please?" Kevin asked as he stood up himself.

"So, this is how it is going. I'll be explaining a part of the story, Related or not related to Home Alone, but you have to be in the character and play the part. Like, imagine, I'm Kevin-" (laughter in the background) "I am Kevin, but imagine… *Kevin* Kevin. So-"

-

The very next day, it was the screening of the movie to the test audience.

Multiple people, young, adults, old people, and kids walked through the door of the theatre. Ian couldn't help but smile at the people who walked in.

It felt as if he was in the movie premiere, where he got to see so many reactions, and cheers from people who walked out that day.

"This is going to be interesting. We'd know what they really think about the movie," the director, Harvey said while standing next to where Ian was sitting.

"Not really. I don't think so." Ian said and looked to the front, where people started sitting and getting comfortable in the theatre.

"What do you mean, director?" the director asked back.

"Just call me Ian. And, these people are not going to be honest, no matter what. So, don't take it as that's the exact reaction. They are here to simply enjoy what is being delivered. If possible, there are going to be only positive comments from almost everyone. But, it's alright, let's see how much they'd enjoy it."

"Yeah," the director went silent from what Ian said and walked back to get his seat.

-

By the end of the movie, almost everyone looked more than happy to have witnessed the movie that they waited for so long. Some were laughing, some were discussing, and some others were getting ready to walk out of the theatre.

"I can't believe we got to watch it with Ian Renner himself… Oh my god, he is looking at us!" The lady said and waved at Ian who waved back.

"This was good and in my opinion, was so much better than the first movie! WE LOVED IT!" some other girl yelled at Ian and he smiled but didn't say anything more.

"That was really awesome! I loved it!"

"I was fucking crying by the end of it! So good, so good!"

The chatters and the whispers knew no end, as people started walking out of the theatre.

Many people stopped before going and took selfies and pictures with the actors who were present. Regardless of how good or bad they enjoyed the movie, at the end of the day, Ian felt satisfied with what he created.

"Uncle, I just can't wait for the premiere and see how the critics are going to react. I just have this gut feeling that there's something missing in the movie, and I have no idea what that is," Ian said and shook his head.

"Let's wait and see. The movie premiere is the day after tomorrow, and I can't wait to see how it is going to be-"

"Yeah, well, let's see. Oh, there's a fan waiting for you," Mason said and showed Ian behind where he saw not just one but so many fans waiting for Ian to approach the audience.

"How is everyone doing? Enjoyed the movie?" Ian asked as he got closer to the bar that separated Ian and the people.

"Yess!! We loved it!"

"Thank you so much~"

"It was really funny!"

"My favorite Christmas movie this year as well!"

The comments made Ian smile.

"Thank you, ladies. It's already pretty late-"

The little conversation expanded for around thirty minutes as Mason watched how everyone was excited to talk to Ian.

He had a smile lingering on his lips, which disappeared as soon as the man of the night approached him.

"Mr. Striver, how have you been?" Jeff Sanson asked and shook hands with Mason.

"Never been better. Have a seat, Ian is quite busy with the fans. And not like the people get to talk to Ian every day," Mason said and showed the seat next to him.

Jeff took his word in and started discussing things as usual.

Mason didn't hate Jeff. But he was aware of how much of a scary businessman Jeff could be. Although he wanted Ian to go his own way in the industry, he had seen and heard things that no normal person should.

It wasn't specifically about Jeff, but they were things that are pretty normal for the dark side of Hollywood.

And as far as how Jeff's and Ian's relationship continued to go, Mason knew that either Jeff could be a really good partner for Ian in the future, or maybe it could turn out to be the complete opposite.

"Yes, yes. It's his night after all. Even I have a Christmas movie coming out next week, no competition at all, but this movie already attracted eyes considering people loved the theme of burglars getting beaten up by a kid," Jeff said.

"Ian can be quite creative with ideas sometimes-"

"Mr. Jeff Sanson," Ian walked right in between the conversation and extended his hand.

On one hand, he had his jacket folded, and on the other, Jeff was shaking his hand. What is stopping him from slapping the jacked across his face? Courtesy.

"Ian, it's good that I finally got to talk to you, you know," Jeff said and stood up. "I'm going to hold a party. The last movie released by the Goofy Studio is quite the blockbuster. So, you might as well come and celebrate it with me, Oh, and congratulations on winning the trial," Jeff said with a broad, fake smile.

What is with this man and his fake smile?

"Huh, why are you congratulating me?" Ian asked back, making Mason and Jeff both frown. "Weren't your lawyers affiliated with Sarah to fight against me?" he asked straightforwardly.

Although Mason was seated, he was keeping a good eye on the conversation.

"Uh-huh, Ian. I can't tell who the firm should work for and not. It's not in my hands. You know it. There are a lot of lawyers working for Goofy from time to time. We hire their firm from time to time, and we have a good professional relationship, but that's the end of that. I can't go to them and say don't hire X client, when I am their client as well. Come on, you know how that works." Jeff explained and Ian almost rolled his eyes.

"Hmm," Ian hummed and nodded. "I'll be there," he said as Jeff smiled again.

"That's my boy, see you both then!" Jeff said and walked away—taking his big body out of sight of Ian.

"That man is no good news," Mason whispered loud enough for Ian to hear.

"I know," Ian said as the wheels in his mind started to twist and turn.

-

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"You look stunning," Ian told Scarlett who twirled with her long red dress.

"Thanks," she blushed while replying, but she was able to manage a firm grasp on his hand.

In front of them, there were so many photographers, and reporters asking different sorts of questions. Ian nodded to some questions and politely ignored some other questions.

On the front line, there was a man with a long beard who always triggered different questions.

"...Are you both dating?" he asked once, which Ian politely ignored.

Other questions like,

"What are your experiences on Home Alone 2?"

"Why is it called Lost in New York?"

"Was the crew easier to work with or not?"

"What is your drive behind making movies?"

Ian nodded and got closer to a camera. It was a media unit that had made deals with Renner Studios. And as soon as he spotted the media company sign, he walked closer to it and smiled at the camera.

"Mr. Ian Renner, what a wonderful night?!" a beautiful lady who wore a silver short-cut dress asked as Ian nodded with a smile answering her.

"Yes, indeed. The camera lights almost blinded me, but if I think about it now, is it a sign of success?"

"Ahaha… We have lovely Scarlett Johnson here as your date for the evening. So, does this mean that you both are official?"

"Not really. But, she's a wonderful actress who deserves the best in everything. There's hope for the future."

"Ian, this movie… made you come on a long journey in the industry, do you think you paved a fair share to the first movie?"

The lady asked and Ian's eyes got distracted seeing Jeff Sanson get out of his SUV. in his hand, his wife was grinning from ear to ear

"Oh… Well, yes," Ian cleared his throat. "Home Alone, the first movie was on my mind ever since I started to write the script itself. So, I hope that I did a good job," he answered shortly and smiled while walking away, with Scarlett in his hand.

He met Adam and some of the actors on the way facing for pictures.

"You go, I'll be fine here," Scarlett said and let go of his hand.

Ian walked towards the actors and gave a flashy smile which made the photographers shout all over again.

"We have Ian here!!"

"Ian! Look at this side!"

Ian had to show his photogenic smile to the cameras although he couldn't see almost anything with all the flashlights going off. He was only able to see cameras, and then his eyes would go blank for how flashy the lights were.

"I'm sorry to steal the spotlight, Adam," he said looking down and noticing Adam who smiled from ear to ear.

"It's all good. Not a fan of the media anyway," Adam said and posed with Ian for a final picture before he walked off to the side, giving the entire focus to Ian.

"Thank you, thank you."

After a while, even Ian walked away knowing that it was enough pictures.

"Can we get pictures with you and Scarlett?! Please!"

"Yes. Ian!"

"Scarlett and Ian, we need some moments!"

The photographers shouted and Ian waved to them. He walked closer to Scarlett without saying a word but she understood what he was about to say.

"Let's give them some pictures," she said and both of them walked up to the cameras together, once again.

-

The movie ended more quickly than Ian had expected and at the end of the movie, there was the director's cut attached to the credit scene considering the last time, people loved the director's cut of Marriage Story.

More than that, Home Alone was remarkably iconic and the director's cut would add the necessary spice to the hype Home Alone exceeded.

"Ahaha! My gosh! Is that Will? What the hell!"

"Look at his eyes! How did Ian even get this scene without laughing his eyeballs out!"

"Oh shit!! Was that real? ….Fuckkk! He looks terrified! Man, how much Ian paid for these actors?!"

"I'd not do… That, even if I was paid."

On the screen of which there were little videos of actors messing up shots, or Ian extremely pissed about shots shown back to back. There were a lot of scenes where Harry and Marv messed up their shots—which made everyone excluding no one laugh their literal hats off.

The screen turned black, and some were still laughing.

"May I grab your attention please?" Ian asked as he saw some were still struggling to get themselves together.

"Yes! After that movie—Yes yes yes!"

A lady among the crowd shouted—who was most possibly a celebrity.

Ian had sweaty palms considering there were also critics who participated in the movie premiere. And those critics can be… Brutally honest sometimes.

There's this process where the critics release their honest opinions on the movie, and more than half of the people who watch them base their 'move' to watch the movie or not based on the opinions.

Ian chuckled and ran a hand through his hair.

He was looking exceptionally extravagant to the point where even his shoes shined brighter than the flashlights that made Ian squint his eyes.

"Yes, thank you. I felt like I proposed to someone there—" the crowd erupted into laughter. Ian took a breath in and continued, "I wanted to thank the producer and every single one who helped this movie be out today. Special mentions to Mason, Raelynn, Niko, Steffen, Roger, Liyana, Tara, and Adam in the cast.

Don't get me wrong, all the actors were totally wonderful, but Adam ran the show, indeed. So, for the special announcement of the evening, as you all know, Renner Studios and Goofy have quite the history for some time. And, Jeff Sanson has been nothing but generous to our company," Ian lied through white teeth.

"So, he had arranged an after-party combining a few more things to celebrate for. And, when I walked through the door for the movie, the first thing he said is, to invite everyone here, because the more the merrier right? And, yes… Hope to see everyone, thank you," he said and walked down the stage while everyone clapped.

-

"What do you feel about the movie?" a reporter interrupted the way of J. Ufazz who was known to be one of the best critics when it comes to honesty.

"It was a good movie, not a great one." He started right away. Ufazz was a tall, dark, and handsome man, but he had this undeniable neutral face, that a kid would start screaming if he talked for more than two words.

"What do you exactly mean?"

"I have a lot to tell about the movie. First of all, Mr. Ian, you have done a great job with the movie plot and all. But there's more. I'm hoping to share everything in my newspaper article, so keep an eye on it. Thank you. Also, I'd love to see every word in the media from me. Is it possible to get this to the media without cutting even a single word?" Ufazz asked right away.

"Yes, sir. Of course. We'll arrange it, thank you for giving us a word," the reporter was somewhat taken aback by his words, but she had to maintain her posture to continue with the interviews.

"And for the night, we have Mr. Zac, who is the director of the well-known, award-nominated thriller movie, Darkness Engulfed. Hi there!"

"Hello, a wonderful evening, how are you doing?"

The lady chuckled and answered, "I'm fine, thank you for asking. How did you enjoy the movie? Was it worth the wait?"

"Absolutely. Absolutely. I loved the movie, the theme of the burglars and everything. It was definitely a fun movie and going to be the first suggestion on my Christmas movie list, no joking."

"Thank you, that's it we wanted to know. It sure sounds good enough," the lady said and the director walked away with the same smile he came in.

-

7.15 pm at Golden Journey Hotel

Outside the hotel, once again there were so many people carrying cameras and microphones with them.

The afterparty was supposed to happen for several reasons. The first one was, how the last movie that was released by Goofy, had reached beyond and above the critics and reviews of the public.

It was truly a blockbuster, and Jeff was someone who loved showing his success and oversharing things as such in front of the media.

The second reasoning according to Jeff was that they were celebrating Ian's victory over the 'trial' of the baby. Who was he kidding? Totally not Ian.

Last but not least, although this decision was taken at the last moment, Jeff wanted to invite everyone as an after-party to the movie premiere of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Ian walked inside the hotel with Scarlett by his side, and almost all the pairs of eyes glanced at least once when they both walked in.

"I'm used to the stares now, although they make my neck hair rise in alert," Ian whispered to Scarlett, making her tighten her lips in laughter.

"Well well well, guess who is not alone in that?" Scarlett asked as they both walked into a wonderful night— a wonderful night that might turn tables for Ian, or not.

-

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The party started and many people started filling in. Soon enough Ian and Scarlett went their separate ways and started talking to one person or another.

Ian reached a circle of CEOs from different companies and studios, and they started talking about business as soon as he joined.

"Wasn't it a pleasure to be in Hollywood and as well have a running studio that attracts eyes without hesitation?"

"Well, frankly, things could always take different routes, you know. Just like how Ian just came in here… He was literally a nobody two years back, and I've got to say, I'm impressed,"

Meanwhile, there were people who took a turn in the conversation regarding how Ian had come a long way since he was the novice one in the circle of conversation, some were interested in building any sort of business relationship that the man could offer.

"I mean, it's nothing new. So, what are your plans, Ian? I heard that the Renner Studios were on quite the hunt for some media outlets, Is it true?" one of them asked. "Oh, you may not know me, I'm Mac Edison. The CEO of RedHub."

"Well," Ian said as he took a slight sip from the champagne, and handed the man Mason's business card. "It is true. If you're interested, contact Renner Studios CEO, Mr. Mason Striver. He is handling all that, but the overall idea is that Renner studios are trying to expand into other avenues of business."

He said and shrugged.

Although he could get dead drunk tonight, he was not very confident in carrying out business on his own, so he was redirecting any attempts to Mason while trying to be as cordial as possible.

"Oh, that helps. You see, RedHub has recently brought in new management, and we are changing our vision. We'd be delighted to have a studio like Renner Studio's backing us up." The man continued after pocketing the card. "I will be sure to have my secretary give Mr. Striver a call. Have a pleasant evening Mr. Renner."

Ian nodded happily, as he continued mingling with people around him.

"Hi, I'm Reynold Wolf," a man with golden framed glasses, and who wore an orange-golden tie walked in front of Ian and shook hands with him.

Ian was polite to him in return, as he took his hand and shook hands. The first thing Ian noticed was how golden his belongings were—and that too, to a weird level.

"Nice to meet you. You're the CEO of the Gold Agency, am I right?" Ian asked back and he nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Renner, you are. And, I'd like to offer you something tonight, and that something could be beneficial for you and me."

"And, what is it that you're willing to offer?" Ian asked curiously, noticing how the man was dead serious.

Surprisingly, the entire circle went silent as they started talking. The man whom Ian knew for a long time was someone who had a huge acting agency. The agency had brought up stars that were unbelievably fit for so many movies in Hollywood.

Funnily, even the standards of the agency were so high that a normal actor or actress couldn't easily pass what the agency asks for.

-

After letting go of Ian, Scarlett noticed so many people that she had got to know in her short time in Hollywood.

In fact, there were a lot of them which also meant that she needed alcohol in her system to even think of dealing with the people that had so many things to offer her for the night.

Nothing weird, but during these sorts of parties, actors and actresses get quite a generous amount of requests and gigs.

As she walked down to the corner of the bar, she saw a very familiar figure chugging down alcohol as if it were the end of the world.

"And, guess who is trying to drown by the end of the night?" Scarlett said as she walked towards the B-graded actress, who successfully shook Hollywood with her acting in the blockbuster movie, Lovers are Losers.

"Not me, this is just my second shot. The first one wasn't just… you know," the lady with the pretty blue eyes explained.

"Mind if I sat here for a bit?" Scarlett asked as she got closer to her.

The actress nodded and shrugged. "For an introvert like me, the parties never sat well. But Jeff literally invited me personally, and eh, tell me who with a right mind would want to just dip on that invitation?"

"Not me, for sure. Working with Goofy can change your life. And to think we both walked into the industry at almost the same time."

"Director Ian changed your life as well, Scarlett. Look at you now. The girl who called me after crying on the side of the street is no longer to be found. And isn't that a great thing? Come on now, be grateful for what you have," the actress said and took another sip of the drink.

"That man is literally gawking at you, and it's giving me creeps. I have no idea what to do-"

"That's another mister who wants me to be in his thriller movie. But well, it's up to my agency. But, I better go say my hello before he spreads the news… Alexandra Daddario is rude! Oh my God! What a bitch!" she chuckled at her own words and rolled her eyes.

"All right, meet you right back here. I need some alcohol in as well," Scarlett said and she kept looking at Ian who was continuously talking to the people wearing suits.

-

"And, what is it that you're willing to offer?" Ian asked right back, looking at the guy, straight-eyed.

"As you know, I have one of the best agencies that any director could ever ask for. Basically, it is in the top three, and the actors and actresses who are signed with us get the best deals for the best movies. And, Ian, I could offer you a deal in the promise that you'd come to the RedHub, the first thing when you need actors or actresses," the man said, and surprisingly Ian's eyes raised in acceptance.

He had been thinking about a talent agency lately considering how much effort he had to put in every time there was a need to cast new talent.

He knew that with an acting agency, there was a higher possibility that he would get what he wants in a short period of time without having to put in extra effort.

"You know what, I actually like the idea. Nice to meet you, Mr. Wolf, though I'd advise you to get in touch with my CEO, Mason Striver. I tend to not conduct business when I'm drunk." He said and handed the man Mason's business card as well.

"That's a smart policy, Mr. Renner. I can see why you're so successful as you are. Hope to see you around," he said and walked away with a smug smile knowing that he probably achieved what he wanted.

Ian raised his glass as everyone did, and took a sip from it.

The lights of the main hall where everyone was started getting dim and as it was already halfway through the party, there were already people drunk and letting their secrets up in the air.

"Mr. Renner, I'm pretty sure you know about the MM Studio," another man with a blue suit appeared out of nowhere.

"I'm sorry, but I don't. I'll see everyone around," Ian said and walked away while the others who were around the guy almost burst out laughing.

Note to self: Never use the same tactic the person before you did. It's not going to work. It never did, and it never will.

-

9.45 pm.

The clock started ticking loud and clear as the party was also getting loud.

Ian couldn't keep up with the conversation that he was having with the brunette, considering that she kept going on and on about how she had a massive breakdown during her very first audition.

"There was no way… No way I survived that! Gosh! Goshhh!" she said and wiped her fake sweat.

"Haha, I have seen those types of scenarios plenty enough to know what it makes you feel."

"I know right? Oh my God, you really understand what I went through.. I can't believe it, but I literally keep saying this to everyone!"

"Oh, I'm very sure of it," Ian mumbled to himself sarcastically and gulped down the last bits of champagne. "Be right back."

He walked away and down to the bar because he wanted to get away from everyone who looked as if they wanted something out of him, one way or another.

Five feet away from the bar, he saw Scarlett, and what he saw with Scarlett—specifically, whom he saw with Scarlett was someone who made him stop in his tracks.

His legs were feeling a bit too solid for his own good, and he looked left and right while his hand met with his little stubble that had grown for the past few days.

"What the actual fuck?" he asked himself as he saw the lady in front of him. "This should be… a fucking joke. Someone tell me, it's a joke."

'Oww!' As soon as the words left his mouth, a guy who stood to his left pinched Ian hard in his arm.

"Thanks," he mumbled and took steps to get closer to the two ladies who sat in the bar, laughing at a joke they had made.

Ian still couldn't believe his eyes as he found himself looking at her without a blink.

"You wanna say hi to her, Ian?" Scarlett asked as she noticed Ian looking at her as if he had seen a ghost.

"I'd love to," Ian said back and walked closer to her. "Nice to meet you…"

"Alexandra Daddario,"

'Fuck, I know!' he said to himself and nodded, being polite, and offered his right hand.

"I'm Ian Renner, how was your night, ladies?" he said as he looked left to right, and tried to take all of it in.

-

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"How was the night, ladies?" Ian asked the two ladies as they smiled at each other.

"Stressful."

"Amazing."

The replies were polar opposite, but at a weird level, Ian was able to understand.

"Alexandra, I'm not a person who goes in rounds and rounds. But, what do you think if I can get the details of your agent?" Ian asked and her eyes visibly lightened up. She waited for him to continue what he was about to say. "I want you to take in as the lead for my next movie."

"You…. What?" Alexandra asked right back with her facial features exclaiming in surprise.

She was being reluctant toward some directors that she met during the meetings considering how they were not exactly helpful in her situation. One wrong movie could take her down her career lane, which wouldn't do her any good.

But the person in front of her… She knew exactly who he was.

Scarlett on the other hand had her hands covering her mouth for how surprising it was—most importantly, it was exciting.

One thing the actors and actresses knew was how getting into a movie that could have a hand with Ian Renner could lead you to get to the top in the industry one way or another.

That was mainly due to how he had proven that multiple times without even trying much, but Alexandra knew that this could be a great opportunity for her.

-

Seeing the same facial features, body, and smile of the Alexandra Daddario that Ian knew from his previous world, it was no joke that Ian for sure felt something that couldn't quite put a finger on.

In Ian's previous world, Alexandro Anna Daddario was an American actress. She had her breakthrough portraying Annabeth Chase in the Percy Jackson film series. And then, later on, she started getting through Hollywood as one of the most impactful actresses to ever be.

Ian had quite loved how the actress had continued to work hard in the raging competition of Hollywood in his previous world. As it had quite a chaotic and messy history, Ian was sure that an actress like Alexandra had so many rights to go higher in her career.

When it comes to this life, the lady in front of her wasn't someone he knew exactly as she was a B-graded actress.

But at the same time, it made him remember the script that he had been working on, which could open an opportunity for the little old friend to associate with Ian. Which also could be a big break for her in her career.

"Don't act too surprised. To be honest, I have not seen a single movie that you've acted in, but as I know Scarlett, I can say that you're talented."

"How does that even make sense, Ian?" Scarlett asked right away which made the three of them laugh.

"Well, it is what it is," Ian said and walked near the bar to order his drinks.

On his right side, Scarlett was seated, and next to Scarlett, there was Alexandro Daddario.

"It is getting super late and super cold," Scarlett said as she ran her hands through her chilly elbows and shuddered.

"Oh shit, true. I wish I was a man so that I could offer you my blazer," Alexandra said jokingly and laughed because they were both chilling as it was getting late and late.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to be a man, you know. How else would you even be sexy as you are now," Scarlett said and Alexandra blushed immensely under her gaze.

Ian raised his eyebrows and looked at Scarlett who winked at Ian.

"That was a little too forward, ladies. I think I might as well just have a quick round at the bar again," he said and walked away from them, not being able to hide the raging urge to take both of them, then and there.

"He is kinda cute, no kidding," Alexandra whispered to Scarlett as soon as he left the premise.

Scarlett nodded with her eyebrows up, "Everything about him is cute indeed," she replied.

"What- Did y'all…" Alexandra had her mouth forming to an 'O'.

"I thought the entire world knew by now, seems like, just not you," the other lady said as she drank the entire glass of alcohol she was so busy with. "I don't think… He'd reject anything a little bit more, you know. Only if you want it," She said and winked—again.

Scarlett's wink seemed very flirtatious.

Maybe it was the alcohol in their system, but the night took a surprisingly raunchy, yet pleasant turn.

-

Ian rested his hands on her hips when the handsome hero moved in. She slowly returned the attention he gave her, very lightly running her hands up and down his body. The two shared a very passionate kiss, with Scarlett's mouth moving against his lips.

Scarlett decided to plant several kisses down his body and slowly unleash his cock into her agreeing eyes.

"Mmm, this is promising," Scarlett gasped when dropping to her knees.

"It sure is," Ian commented. "Let's enjoy the moment."

Scarlett dropped down to both knees and put her lips down on his cock.

A long, powerful slurp filled the room, with Scarlett's mouth edging all the way down onto Ian's throbbing hard cock. She leaned in all of the way and moaned when inhaling every inch of Ian into her mouth.

The door opened, and the gorgeous actress, Alexandra appeared, dressed in a nice, form-fitting white dress. Ian beckoned Alexandra over, and she decided to kiss him like mad. Ian hiked her dress up to reveal Alexandra had not been wearing panties underneath. Naughty, very naughty, Ian thought.

How and who would have thought that they'd end up here… like this? Not Alexandra for sure, not exactly after meeting a director for the first time. Being able to unleash her sudden fantasy about the director—Hell no! But… "it is what it is"

Ian slammed his fingers deep into Alexandra's pussy and sent her hips just bucking forward, making her moan when Ian slammed deep inside of her.

One hand guided his cock into Scarlett's mouth, while the other hand worked into Alexandra. Alexandra closed her eyes, the actress letting out a few more cries as Ian fingered her hard. Ian knew how to hit all of the right spots which drove her completely wild and reduced her to a dripping, gushing mess. Oh, Alexandra found herself gasping for even more.

"Why don't you join Scarlett?"

These two gorgeous women on their knees worshipping Ian made this even better.

Alexandra took Ian's balls into her mouth. She looked like such an eloquent slut, sucking his balls extremely hard while Scarlett bobbed up and down onto his cock.

The two exchanged loud sucks and tingles came through Ian's body with both Scarlett and Alexandra working their magic all over him. Ian groaned as their mouths worked in harmony all over him.

"Closer."

Scarlett made a loud, vigorous racket and took Ian into her mouth.

The loud slurps echoed throughout the room the deeper Scarlett came down onto him. Ian grabbed ahold of Scarlett's lovely hair and sunk his cock into her mouth. Ian let out another groan. Alexandra milked his balls to allow Ian to bust a huge nut deep into Scarlett's willing mouth.

Ian erupted inside Scarlett's mouth and she gulped up his cum. Desire burned through her eyes as Scarlett bobbed up and down onto him until she drank every bit.

Ian buried his cock into her mouth and kept riding it, until she was sucking him extremely hard. Ian edged down her throat and finished spilling his seed.

Alexandra waited for Ian to leave Scarlett's mouth. She leaned in and licked him, to make his cock twitch. Then, Scarlett turned around and met Alexandra. The two latched lips with each other, with a very hungry kiss shared between the two of them. Scarlett and Alexandra shared Ian's seed.

"You two minxes."

Scarlett's dress came down, to reveal her large breasts. More slid down to reveal her gorgeous body for Ian.

Scarlett leaned in, with Alexandra stripping down as well. Their naked bodies were exposed. And then, they turned, to pounce Ian and cover his body with kisses, which made his cock throb.

"Mmm, I get to ride this," Alexandra breathed.

"Well, it's just as well because I get his mouth."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Ian groaned.

"I figured you'd like it," Alexandra said while casually pumping his cock.

Ian's manhood stretched to the ceiling. Alexandra rose onto Ian and then lowered herself down onto his cock.

The heat of Alexandra's pussy submerged down onto Ian. She rocked up and down, slamming herself down onto the web slinger's pole. Alexandra let out another cry when rocking up and down.

The beautiful sweet pussy of Scarlett lowered down onto Ian's mouth. Ian groaned while starting to lick Scarlett out. Scarlett's hungry slit rubbed rapidly over Ian's open mouth. Scarlett and Alexandra both leaned forward and enjoyed each other, with a very passionate make-out session, between the two of them.

Pleasure just exploded when Alexandra and Scarlett met tongue to tongue with each other. Their mouths sealed against each other, with Ian groaning as Alexandra dropped down and sealed his cock inside of her pussy. Scarlett ground herself up against Ian's face, with Ian eating her up.

Alexandra rocked herself up and down, having the time of her life as Ian filled up her body.

The deeper he went into her, the more Alexandra let out a cry of pleasure. Alexandra squeezed his cock and released it, pumping those juices all over his length. Ian drilled Alexandra and slammed down inside of her. Her tight body just closed around him and kept rocking him.

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Right where things ended previously, Ian, Scarlett, and Alexandra were having one of the best nights in their entire lives.

For Scarlett, Ian and his body were not something new or something that was desperately willing to explore.

For her, it was casual sex that could take her mind off of things and could put everything at ease, even if it was for a little while.

While Ian was moving inside them, eventually, Alexandra was going to run out of steam. Her stamina allowed her to hold on a little bit longer than normal.

Each bounce brought more of Ian inside of her. Alexandra closed her walls down onto Ian's length and she gobbled him up, before milking his big fat cock, with glorious moans filling the room. Alexandra edged herself hard and came vigorously all over his cock, climaxing for him.

The second Alexandra finished her ride, she collapsed down on the bed. Ian ate Scarlett to another orgasm, and Scarlett scrambled, to get a taste of Alexandra.

"Well, this is an invitation I'm not going to pass up."

Ian tasted Scarlett one final time, licking her insides. Scarlett's warmth just drew Ian in and made him groan as he entered her from behind. Scarlett tightened her walls around Ian and he edged inside of her, feeling the warmth just surrounding his cock as he edged inside of her. Scarlett leaned back and allowed Ian to push a bit deeper inside of her.

Ian slammed down into her and took Scarlett to the brink with a good long ride.

Scarlett slurped Alexandra harder. Ian's balls slapped down onto her and made her gush extremely hard. Ian's adhesive hands moved in to fondle her tits. Scarlett let out another passionate cry, as Ian thrust deeper inside of her.

Ian held onto her and groped Scarlett's ass and with another fierce push, he drove himself into her. Scarlett's tight pussy gobbled him up and released his cock with several more fluid pumps.

"Closer," Ian groaned.

Scarlett tightened around Ian and squeezed him.. The weight of his balls slapping down onto Scarlett's thighs was intense. He just had to go a bit further, a bit deeper, until Ian was balls deep inside of her.

Scarlett tightened and released his cock, moaning when Ian went all the way inside of her. Then, he released Scarlett and made her cum all over the place for him.

One more time for the rode and Ian bottomed out into Scarlett. He released a huge creampie inside of her. The sheer force of the cum which was pumped into Scarlett had been intense, to say the least. Both let it go.

Alexandra also came from Scarlett's naughty little tongue. The trio enjoyed their mutual orgasm. Ian edged deeper into Scarlett and finished painting her walls with his seed, injecting so much hot cum inside of her body in the process.

Ian extracted himself from Scarlett, just in time for Alexandra to launch herself onto his lap. She hit him with a series of lustful kisses. Ian pulled the gorgeous heiress onto his lap and she ground up against him.

"Hope you have enough left for this," Alexandra breathed in his ear.

"Maybe," Ian remarked. "What do you think?"

Alexandra just smiled and ground against Ian. His hard throbbing cock made Alexandra drip. One last glorious plunge followed, with Alexandra submerging Ian inside of her wet pussy. The tight woman bounced onto Ian and fucked herself silly on his big cock.

Scarlett would recover momentarily.

The night at the hotel room was spent ridiculously amazing, but there were yet more to come after the movie premiere that had happened a few hours ago, which now was probably off of Ian's mind.

Yet, the reality was about to slap him harder and rough—than Scarlett or Alexandra would have ever gone.

-

Waking up to someone's phone vibrating at 7 in the morning was not something Ian had expected after a wonderful night with two people of his dreams.

"Mmm…" he groaned at the contact, and he felt the bed dipping at the sudden change of posture.

He couldn't open his eyes due to the raging headache that made him flinch on the spot. But he let it go considering the bed was bumping left to right.

"I'm pretty sure there are still people waiting for you," Alexandra's voice came which made Ian almost jump out of the bed.

"Gosh. And I thought it would take some more time to sober completely. Even my headache seemed to forget that the hungover is still there," Ian said and sat while his back was pressed to the headboard.

Scarlett was sleeping beside him, with her eyes shut tightly, but Alexandra was wide awake, as she got the message from the security downstairs.

"Mmm.. What the fuck are we going to do," Scarlett's eyes opened slightly, yet squinted to adjust to the light. She mumbled with a raspy voice and Ian couldn't help but grin at how adorable it is.

"Man, I could totally see you both together," Alexandra said with a smirk.

"Nah-"

"Why? Do y'all even see the tension between you both?!" Alexandra gasped in horror for how straightaway Scarlett said no.

"I've to build up my career before we do anything. No kidding, I'm shit scared of the media. I already have enough rumors about every co-star… And Ian," Scarlett rolled to her side of the bed—opposite Ian and took her phone from the floor.

"Too bad, and I wonder how you even remember where the phone was. Also… Ian, how are we going to back down there without being questioned by the paparazzi?" Alexandra asked as she leaned in the window.

Flashbacks of Hazel and Alexa came to Ian's mind, and how Hazel and Ian put a little show in front of the media made him smile a little.

"I'll figure something out."

Ian said and stretched in the bed itself, knowing he was the only one who's got to do something now.

-

Soon enough, the door was knocked and as Ian had requested, a driver with bodyguards was sent to take Alexandra and Scarlett to drop wherever they want.

The paparazzi weren't waiting for the two ladies, but for the man. They did not know that the two ladies spent their time with Ian, the whole night, therefore it was easier for Ian to send the girls home safe.

'Guess it's my time to go now,' Ian thought and opened the door while walking towards the elevator.

Just while he was in front of the elevator, he got a call from Mason.

-Ian?

"Uncle, I was just going to go down"

-Yeah, I know. I have to warn you that there's going to be so many reporters waiting at least for a word from you. The estimation is about twenty. Be careful.

"Yeah, I'll. Thanks."

The call ended, and Ian walked headed down.

-

"Ian Renner, how was the late party, what were you doing till morning?"

"That's Ian Renner! Please, can we have a small word? How did people enjoy home alone 2? Did you read the reviews by the critics?"

"Ian Renner! Do you expect awards with the newest movie that was released yesterday!?"

"Can we please have a word with you…!??"

"Someone had a rough night it seems. Whom did you bang last night? Can we get the names?"

"We need to know what are your plans next?!"

"Ian! Did you meet with Lilian after the case? Or was that it?"

The questions continued to echo through the hall, as the bodyguards provided necessary safety while Ian walked through the crowd.

The questions were directed toward him, and there were even microphones objecting his way when all he wanted was to just get through them and get to his car.

As soon as he hit the grounds under the sky, and got rid of the paparazzi inside, one of the bodyguards talked in a deep voice.

"Mr. Renner, there's our van, one of us can drive the car later?" he asked and in the hurry that he is, his words were quick but Ian was able to figure out what he was saying.

"No, it's all right."

He said and with a smirk, he walked around to get to his Pagani, which was fresh back from the repair. He came to the afterparty in the same car, which attracted a lot of eyes when he got out.

Buckling himself in the seat, he soon ignited the car and with a roar, the engine started.

With a quick reverse, he pulled to the main road and started speeding up.

Another call came, and that was from Murphy. He answered it right away.

"I'm outside."

-Sir, I heard the bodyguards aren't with you. Mr. Striver asked to say to be careful because paparazzi might even follow you wherever you go-

Ian's eyes shifted to the rear mirror and he immediately knew what Murphy was talking about.

"Fucking right. I'll be in the studio in a few." Ian hung up and checked the three vans that were following him again.

'You asked for it,' he mumbled as he sped through the cars, left to right trying to avoid any accidents but the curled lips explained how exactly he was feeling.

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A/N; I've been going through some stuff in the last couple of days. And hopefully, I get back with the normal updates now that I feel a lot better. Happy reading and don't forget to vote with powerstones! Join the discord server! Also, read all the written chapters in /TC_L.

-

Weaving through the wide roads of the city of Los Angeles, Ian worked his way through the traffic in a bid to lose the annoying paparazzi that seemed desperate to give him chase.

Though Ian had to admit, the thrill of the chase, sitting behind the wheel of his Pagani Huayra, gave him this almost indescribable sensation. All that power lay at his feet, beckoning him to use, almost whispering to him like a seductive mistress. It sent a thrill down his spine.

Ever since he'd participated in that street race, it had become something akin to an addiction to him. Cars, the roaring engines, and the adrenaline rush that came with each burst of acceleration were like a drug to his system.

Yet, he maintained a close eye on his speed on the road, he was not in a mood to be chased down by cops, or have to pay a fine.

The various twists and turns that Ian made through the heavy traffic, and the narrow misses were enough to confuse his stalkers and gave him enough time to make an exit toward Renner Studios head office.

But, in the end, it was for naught. Even here, there was a huge crowd of TV vans, news reporters, etc who were waiting for him to arrive. Luckily the security crew had them cordoned off to a side, and they weren't spilling out into the roads and streets.

Spotting the entrance to the building garage, Ian drove his car into it, as cameras flashed around him in an attempt to take more pictures. The windows were luckily able to prevent Ian from having to listen to any of their god-awful questions this time.

Within a minute he'd parked his car and made his way to his office. On the way, he met Mason, and the rest of his friends, including Raelynn, Nico, and his assistant Murphy, who were waiting for him with sympathetic expressions on their faces.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. The security wasn't able to make them leave, and we've already called LAPD, but they're saying they can't do much in this situation." Mason said as he greeted Ian, "Raelynn here had to honk several times and waited fifteen minutes before they cleared off the garage entrance, and that too because the building security made them."

Ian could see the stress marks on Rae's face, and his frustration due to the paparazzi just doubled.

"I'm sorry that happened, Rae. They're here for me, and I really don't know what to do to make them go away. Heck, they were waiting outside the hotel for the after party of yesterday's premiere." Ian apologized.

Raelynn smiled and replied, "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault."

Ian nodded, and then turned to Murphy and said, "I'll give you the keys to my Pagani, you and a few of the boys from security send a few decoy cars out of this building. Make sure you leave first and take it to my mansion. Tell the others to take a few other cars down in the lot, and drive them around the city for a while. Once you've lost them, come right back. Leave my Pagani at the mansion. I need to finish the script of my next movie, I will be in the office."

Saying that Ian walked into his office, to continue working on the script for his next movie.

Ferris Bueller's Day off is one of the more innocent movies from Ian's past life. It was a sweet, warm-hearted comedy about a teenager who skips school so he can help his best friend win some self-respect. The therapy he has in mind includes a day's visit to Chicago, and after we've seen the Sears Tower, the Art Institute, the Board of Trade, a parade down Dearborn Street, architectural landmarks, a Gold Coast lunch, and a game at Wrigley Field, we have to concede that the city and state film offices have done their jobs: If "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" fails on every other level, at least it works as a travelogue.

It does, however, work on at least a few other levels. The movie's main lead Ferris a bright high school senior from the North Shore who fakes an illness so he can spend a day in town with his girlfriend, Sloane, and his best friend, Cameron.

At first, it seems as if skipping school is all he has in mind - especially after he talks Cameron into borrowing his dad's restored red Ferrari, a car the father loves more than Cameron himself.

The body of the movie is a lighthearted excursion through the Loop, including a German-American Day parade in which Ferris leaps aboard a float, grabs a microphone, and starts singing "Twist and Shout" while the marching band backs him up. The teens fake their way into a fancy restaurant for lunch, spend some time gawking at the masterpieces in the Art Institute, and then go out to Wrigley Field, where, of course, they are late and have to take box seats far back in the left-field corner. (The movie gets that detail right; it would be too much to hope that they could arrive in the third inning and find seats in the bleachers.) There is one great, dizzying moment when the teens visit the top of the Sears Tower and lean forward and press their foreheads against the glass, and look straight down at the tiny cars and little specks of life far below, and begin to talk about their lives. And that introduces, subtly, the buried theme of the movie, which is that Ferris wants to help Cameron gain self-respect in the face of his father's materialism.

Ferris is, in fact, a bit of a preacher. "Life goes by so fast," he says, "that if you don't stop and look around, you might miss it." He's sensitive to the hurt inside his friend's heart, as Cameron explains how his dad has cherished and restored the red Ferrari and given it a place of honor in his life - a place denied to Cameron.

Ian believed it would be a great movie to divert attention from himself, caused by the scandal, and the courtroom drama.

He had just made the last finishing touches to the script, and thought of the various actors that he'd need to cast for the movie. His mind immediately recalled the casting agency from the previous night, and he used the intercom to call his uncle Mason to his office.

Within a minute the man had answered his call, and was seated comfortably in the chair opposite him,

"So, tell me, is that the script for your next project?" Mason asked as he glanced at the file that had just finished printing and was placed neatly on the table.

Ian nodded and said "Yeah, another rom-com. A very light-hearted and fun tone, not like Marriage Story, how are the final numbers for that by the way."

Mason pondered the question and replied, "Well, as you had expected, it didn't do very well at the box office-"

"It wasn't meant to"

"-yes, well. Apart from that, it received hate online from your detractors over the scandal, but now that the curtains on that have closed, the critical response is very good. There are rumors that the academy is considering it for an award. I don't know to what end."

Ian nodded, as he absorbed that nugget of information, and said "Well, this should more than makeup for the box office, and the budget is small too. Not more than ten million dollars, that too is a stretch. What I want to know is whether you received any calls from RedHub Talent Agency or any such companies for a contract over actors. I don't really want to spend much time over casting choices for this movie. Well, apart from the female lead, I have a name for that, Alexandra Daddario. Please get in touch with her agent, I want her in the film."

Mason nodded, as he remembered a few emails that his secretary had fielded that very morning from Talent Agencies. He said as he stood up to leave "I'll look into it, and I will proofread the script as well."

"Thank you, uncle," Ian said, as he too got ready to leave home. "Has murphy come back yet?"

"He should be outside, I believe," Mason replied.

Murphy was seated at his table outside Ian's office, and he had a frustrated expression on his face, the very same could be seen sported on almost all other employees on the floor.

"What's wrong?" Ian asked the man.

"It's just those paps, they haven't left. They were back within an hour after we returned. And their numbers just increased. We called the cops again, and they did leave for a time, but they returned again."

Ian sighed, as he looked out the window blinds, and saw the massive lineup of Camera crew and TV vans outside the office, parked along the public parking.

"This is getting out of hand," Ian commented.

"Their interest in you will die down eventually." Mason commented, as he glanced out the window as well.

Ian rubbed his forehead out of frustration, and said "I-I think, I will let it die down, and I will go on a vacation. It's high time that I take one anyway."

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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York—Lost the touch of cinematography?!

Movie director Ian Renner's latest movie, Home Alone 2 got released to the theatres a while ago. As everyone saw, I was the person who talked about how I did quite think that the movie was good, but not great.

The movie Avatar, which was a production affiliated with Goofy raised the standards of quality, the enjoyable movie when compared to Ian Renner's sole productions and director skills. After Avatar's initial release, it showed two things that had been confirmed by almost every person who got the chance to watch the movie.

One, Ian Renner's movie concepts are pretty interesting. And number two is the undeniable truth of how the Goofy VFX team made the movie so much better than how it would have been if it was fully produced by the Renner Studio.

This also brings me to the next topic, Home Alone 2, which was supposed to be a sequel to the first movie, in my opinion, has little to no difference. I saw the concept of the movie, just as how it was in the first movie, and ever since it was similar and it could have been way better in terms of cinematography.

[...]

In the article that J. Ufazz was mentioning that the night of the movie premiere was finally out, right the next day.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was out right after the movie premiere. The movie trailer, which had been capable of attracting millions of eyes, resulted in the people pre-booking the tickets even before they were out in the local theatres.

Although there were people who adored the movie, the internet and the media told a whole different story. There was an entire group of people among the crowd who had said the exact things and agreed with the criticism of Ufazz.

At 7.15 pm - Online

IAM

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York_

@HomeAlonegang

Home Alone 2 was funny ASF! No comments but appreciation only to the director! Thanks, Ian! Although mud and dirt are everywhere… We appreciate you for what you give out to the industry!!! 10/10

@WhineyMiney

Excuse me? The movie director… I don't know but I loved the first movie a lot. Just... No, what sort of a thing are you presenting to us director? Any progress in your skills pardon? Ugh! 3/10

@MovieFanXOXO

Why don't we start by thinking about how good Avatar was and how much of that beauty Home Alone lacks? I watched it with my girlfriend and now I feel like I could've easily taken her to dinner instead of… Home Alone 2. Sorry, but disappointed. 3/10

@It'sAMovie.unofficial

This movie should have been titled Home Alone 2: Free Roaming on the wrong flight. The #1 problem I have with this stupid movie, is that Kevin is not home alone, he is just lost in New York City. This movie makes zero sense. The setup is understandable in the first movie, "A storm comes in and a tree falls over and knocks out all the power." The first was better than this one. 4/10

@Home.Alone.Who?

Well, I want my money back right now... I spent 9 bucks on this movie and it is the dumbest Christmas movie of all time! the bad guys' Harry and Marv would have been so dead from the bricks especially, marv being electrocuted by the giant metal pole that landed right on top of them and the list just goes on, The last thing that I will say is that it is and a lot of people don't notice this but they used a lot of the same lines only used differently and more in the movie. 2/10

-

The day after which he had a long conversation with Mason, he had made up his mind about everything that he should be doing in the next month or simply terms, his vacation.

The first thing that he wanted to do in the morning was to meet Raelynn for what he had in mind.

"I hadn't expected to see you here," she said and stood up in politeness to respect the director.

Ian just gestured to her to take a seat and sat down in front of her.

"Normally, I wouldn't have shown up this early either," Ian started.

"I'd like you to work as the director of the next movie, Ferris Bueller's day off," Ian said and Raelynn's eyes raised in surprise.

"What?" she asked again, just to confirm what she just heard.

"Ferris Bueller's day off, the movie script I have been working on, my next movie… You're the one who'd be directing it. I trust your skills, especially after seeing your work on those few scenes of Marriage Story. I will explain the whole concept of the movie. And then, you can decide if you're stepping up to the opportunity or not, okay?" Ian asked and Raelynn nodded to his words.

The rest of the morning went by with Ian explaining to Raelynn how and what the movie is about. And how he had been planning to present it to the audience, which also included his planned strategies with the movie.

At the end of the explanation he added, "...If I think about it, you're an excellent cinematographer which would also make things much better with the movie. After All, I saw the comments for the latest movie, and they weren't that great. But a change could lift back the image of the Renner Studios."

Ian said with a hint of guilt and sadness in his voice, but on the outside, he was offering Raelynn a chance and allowing himself to get away from the movie-making for a while.

"I guess I'd do it," she said right away without looking at Ian. Within seconds, her eyes met his and she repeated herself, "Yeah, I might as well take the opportunity. Lost opportunity is a missed opportunity anyway. Oh, and about the comments… I guess we both know what it is about," she said with anger lacing in her action as she shrugged.

Ian knew what exactly she meant and he too felt it while he was reading the comments.

"Yeah," the single word held a lot of meanings and he walked away from the office on the notice of letting her talk to him at any time she wanted.

-

The next visit was back again at Mason.

"I can't believe that I'm saying this uncle, but I guess it's time to get my name off of things. It is becoming too much, and you could say that-" Ian paused, noticing the frown that was on Mason's face. "Well, I know your question. Where is this even coming from? To be honest, I jumped into everything half-cocked. And now I believe that I'm being truthful to myself if I say that I was not ready for the pressure and everything that the media throws at me."

In all honesty, Ian in his previous life was a low-level actor and a small-time director, who enjoyed researching and doing things at his own pace. Right because of the transition, he saw the opportunity, a chance to make it big in Hollywood. He had the resources, and the promise of a glamorous life, with a lot of celebrities around him, blinded him to the reality of the industry, the constant demand to maintain one's image, and the public expectations, it overwhelmed him and blindsided him rather quickly.

At first, it was going great considering how much of an impact he had on things and how he had no competition. He saw the success of his movies back to back, which only made him move forward with his movie-making without taking a single step back.

But it also paved the path to many problems such as his issues, frustrations, stress and the pressure that he was barged into. After two years of back-to-back strength that he had been pulling back and forth with himself, the street-racing incident was the only one that made him blow up steam.

"I thought you were aware of this, Ian. The media, and the public, they're like a pack of wild dogs. They're ready to pounce on any morsel of drama around your life. They blow things out of proportion, to such extremes that they end up muddying the lines of truth, and false drama." Mason said and leaned forward in his chair.

"So did I, uncle. But if we think about it, there's a limit to everything. I, myself, am human after all. I do have so many things to offer to the industry, but everything made me think about the time that I hadn't had myself to improve, personally and career-wise. Uh, although it would be a hard journey to find myself, I don't think it's impossible, I think, I really need a vacation. To find myself again." he said and shrugged.

There was no hint of a smile on his face which explained that he was serious but anything.

Mason took a few seconds to process it, and it was visible by how Mason's eyes wandered over the desk from left to right.

Finally, he relents. "If you think it's a vacation that you need, I won't stop you. And by the time you return, I'll have used the power of attorney over your finances and brought up the necessary media houses completely. So, that… Well, you know what it is about,"

"Thanks, uncle."

For celebrities and famous personalities to have media houses where they had friendly relationships were not an uncommon factor. No one in the industry is forever a saint. There are no saints in Sin city. Ian was no different. And the public image is so very important, especially in the age of cancelled culture, that it can make or break entire careers in an instant.

For example, in Ian's previous world, Disney was one of the big six Media houses in the USA, and they later went on to acquire Fox, Paramount, and had sufficient control over Sony as well. They effectively controlled the tone of the media in the entire country. They were a monopolistic oligopoly in the news and media industry.

When you talk about the higher ranked celebrities, Cardi B, who undoubtedly was very talented and had fantastic songs in her repertoire, but she too needed connections with the media, and the help of her own almost cult-like following to hide a lot of the shady mistakes she made in her career. For example, she publicly admitted to hiring men to assault another woman in a club, yet even after she pleaded guilty in court for assault, she received not more than 2 weeks of community service as punishment. All because of a cult following, and connections in politics via Hollywood.

Ian faced exactly that. On one side, he had Goofy, that hounded him to contract with their company, while secretly manipulating the systems to make things more difficult for him, on the other hand, him being an author and film director, who was fairly new to the industry, lacked the cult following, or the connections into politics to protect himself from behemoths like Goofy. He bit off more than he could chew, far too quickly"

"Have you booked the tickets if you're ready to go?" Mason asked with a slight smile.

"Yeah, I've. Niko is already planning a quick farewell party although I did mention that I'm not going forever," Ian said and chuckled which made the old man laugh along as well.

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The relief that Ian felt as his chartered jet departed from Los Angeles International Airport was indescribable. The paparazzi had become so brazen in their efforts to get a scoop on his life, that it had become difficult to even step out of his office. Everything he did, had started to get publicized. Even the jet that he had chartered to head over to Paris had somehow leaked to the media. He worried that he would have to face more of the same on the other side as well.

When he had started his journey into Hollywood, he had expected fame, prestige, and an elite and privileged social circle with him to mingle in. He had seen all the glitz and glamour, he had expected women, money, and fame, and while he did get that, he failed to realize the reality of that life. He couldn't see it for what it was. He didn't realize the heavy maintenance that was necessary to sustain that life, as even the smallest gossip and rumor gave his life a trajectory that he didn't anticipate.

A simple civil dispute, that should have ended without any flair, became a dramatized media frenzy, fueled by people that intended to exploit him, subjugate him, and make a profit off him.

As the city flew by beneath him, Ian stared out into the horizon. He hoped that this month-long vacation would give him the time to reevaluate himself and be enough for the media's interest in him to die down significantly. He had no intention of ever being caught off guard again, just like he had no intention of working with Goofy again.

Raelynn would take over the filming of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. It was an easy film to produce, and he trusted her implicitly. After having explained the script, and theme of the movie, he knew her to be more than capable of handling the entire production process of the movie. He had recommended Alexandra Daddario for the lead role, and he knew she would handle it well.

As the city faded into the background of the window he was looking out of, Ian reclined his seat and dozed off to sleep. His worries, and frustrations are forgotten for the moment.

Raelynn was a mess if nothing else. She had a lot of unresolved issues that she wanted to work with. She had been ready to ask Ian for time off, but life threw her a curveball, and Ian instead decided to take a vacation for himself, and go to Paris.

While she understood his problem, she had experienced the hounding paparazzi, and the social media invasion of his privacy firsthand, and she wished that she had the courage to join him on that vacation that he had gone on.

It was her hesitation as she recounted his ongoing relationship with Scarlett Johnson, and that time she walked in on them in bed, that didn't allow her to voice out her thoughts. Though, she had to admit, walking in on them had turned her on immensely, which was another facet of herself that she didn't know existed. She may just have a voyeuristic kink, that was buried deep inside of her.

'Niko would probably consider that….. one way to discover myself' She chuckled humorlessly, as she stared at the list of Actors, and actresses that she had been supplied with, one was from RedHub TV, and the other was the open applications that they had received for the various roles.

As she sat in Ian's office, she made herself comfortable in his chair and used the telecom to ring up Ian's assistant outside.

"Murphy, could you send Niko to the office please." She requested.

"I'll head there right now. Do you need anything else?" Murphy asked over the line.

"No, that will be all."

In a few moments, the man was seated opposite Rae in Ian's office.

"The office suits you, in a very weird kind of way. Though, do you know what would suit you more? A damn vacation." Nico snarked, as looked at his best friend.

Raelynn sighed and rubbed her forehead, "Uggggh, don't remind me. What was I supposed to do? The way he looked at me, I couldn't say no and ask for a vacation dammit."

"Rae, you're a dumbass." Nico said bluntly "No matter how much you like the guy, you needed that vacation, you'd been after one since bloody marriage story, and you still haven't taken one."

"That was the whole point, Niko. Even Ian needs one, and he was the person who does most of the work here. How can I even be selfish?" Raelynn shook her head as she noticed the glare Niko piercing her soul from afar.

Niko noticed what she was trying to say. He had noticed since day 1, considering how it had been for her after she realized some things when it came to Ian. As Raelynn didn't have many other friends, it was Niko who was with her since day one.

And Niko, being himself, noticed and was skeptical about the whole vacation thing.

Raelynn noticed the wheels turning in Niko's head and quickly stopped Niko from saying something that would make her open up more.

"Hey, it's okay. I might just need some more help but I'd be alright, or so I believe so. I mean, what could go worse?"

"Apart from an entire movie-going… I think from there, anything is possible to go wrong? And, Rae, how are you feeling?" Niko asked as soon as he noticed how she was holding herself up.

The way she had been fidgeting with the pen made Niko notice how nervous she was about something.

"It's just too much to think about at once. How about you help me sort everything out?" Raelynn asked as she raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Isn't that what I've been doing all this time?" he scoffed while she shrugged.

"I'm sure you can do your job better, at… being a good friend-" Raelynn joked as she wanted to lift the mood and go back to how they always joke with each other.

"Yeah, that's what you say. But trust me, if there's an award for a good friend, I bet no one would dare to stand against me or my powers of being a good friend. Anyway, what do we have to do?" Niko asked and got closer to see the documents that were on her desk.

"First things first, I guess I might as well help Mason with the casting process. Because, after Ian had explained everything about the movie, now I have a picture of it in my mind already. I picture the actors and actresses as well, so, I requested him to send over the files of the actors who are in progress."

Niko stood up and Raelynn followed him with the papers in her hand to the couch that was in the corner of the office room.

It was simply easier to talk over while looking at the same documents and sitting close by instead of opposite each other.

"And then, we'd send the invitations based on what we see, if we like it or not?" Niko asked back.

"Exactly. And for the female lead, we already have Alexandra Daddario. This actress was suggested by Ian, and I believe that there's something that he saw in her," Raelynn said as she flipped over her resume.

"Something, or many things. Ian has quite the eyes for actors and actresses out there," Niko said and Raelynn held back what she wanted to say. "Well then, I suppose that you've sent the invitation already to the agency?"

"Yeah, I did. Uh, then we have… Ferris Bueller-"

She said as she flipped a page of the character of Ferris Bueller in the movie which was empty without any real actor's name, which was supposed to be there when the casting director figured them out.

But also, on the page, there were the appearances and character traits listed, and for Raelynn's convenience, she had it all figured in paper and mind both.

"Cameron Frye, Sloane Peterson, Jeanie Bueller, Ed Rooney, Garth Volbeck, Katie Bueller, Tom Bueller, Grace, the economic teacher, Garage Attendant, Simone Adamley, Chez Quiz Maitre D',..."

She continued to say as many characters as possible, for which Niko stayed silent.

"-Well, I get it. There's a lot." He cut her off shortly and gave an awkward smile which she reciprocated. "Why don't we first go with the actors Mason saved for us?" Niko asked and Rae nodded while taking the file.

In the first page, there was a man who made Raelynn's eyebrows raise for the second time of the day.

"His features are exactly what I had in mind," she said and Niko was suddenly interested in what was in her hand.

Finding an actor with features that exactly to be in someone's mind is not an easy task. And to think that she mouthed it out, he wanted to see what it was about.

"Keanu Reeves? He is not a famous actor though," Niko said as he saw his rank and the resume which consisted of only two movies.

"Popularity or rank doesn't matter. I guess I'll tick this one off to consider later."

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The decision to make a solo trip to France was one of the best decisions he had ever made in his life. The fact that he did not have to worry about how other people would feel was a huge relief for him. It also helped ease his mind and made it easier to travel. Being a millionaire, he didn't have to worry about money either. This allowed him to fully enjoy himself on his journey. In order to avoid any danger from the paparazzi, he had sufficiently disguised himself. Even though they were infrequent and relatively uninterested in him here, than they were back home, he felt free while he had the disguise on. He could walk freely down the street without having to constantly be cautious of anyone trying to take pictures of him. There was nothing more relaxing than walking down an empty street with no paparazzi around at all. If only he had this luxury back home...he thought as he walked along.

While he traveled abroad, he was always careful to check the news on TV or read the newspaper every day so he wouldn't miss out on anything big happening back in Los Angeles, and Hollywood. But when he checked the morning newspapers yesterday, he realized there hadn't been anything big that happened since last week. Even the media presence outside his studio headquarters in LA, there was nothing of importance in the papers. He decided to enjoy himself to the fullest.

He wanted to use this vacation, as a way to reinvent himself. He wanted to leave behind his old image. He wanted to show off a new self to the world. He knew that the press would be after him for stories once again, but he couldn't care less about them anymore. He just wanted to live like he used to before the paparazzi came chasing him everywhere he went. That was what he really needed right now. He felt he still had much more to explore within himself. And he figured it was about time he started to do so. He'd had enough of people wanting to manipulate him, and make a profit out of him. Now was his chance to start anew. He had to find his own voice once again, and speak his own truth without being influenced by others.

After making sure everything was perfect at the hotel and checking into his room, he left his luggage in his hotel room, and took a walk around Paris. While walking through the streets, he noticed something was different about the city itself. It was quiet and peaceful. No one was bothering each other, no yelling or fighting. Everything just felt...calm and pleasant. It was as if everyone was enjoying themselves and having a good time here. He felt a calm and peace settle over him too. It seemed like he was in the most comfortable place ever, even though he had never been to Paris before in his life.

It was then that he realized that maybe this was exactly what he needed right now.

This feeling of comfort and serenity...

"Ahh..." he sighed happily. "I've finally found my haven!"

That was when he suddenly remembered the reason why he came here in the first place: to escape from the madness of Hollywood. He had come here in hopes of starting a new beginning...or perhaps re-inventing himself. But now he wondered; is it even possible for me to do that here?

He looked up at the sky and smiled to himself. "Well whatever happens I'm going to enjoy myself anyway," he said, as he put his hand to his cheek and rubbed it slowly as he kept walking.

"Let's see where this path will lead me today."

The auditions for the lead role of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' were underway. And Raelynn already had a massive headache having to sit in the casting director's chair and evaluate each performance separately. While RedHub TV had sent some phenomenal actors to audition for the role, they had apparently sent men who were more inclined towards a more rugged, action-packed movie, rather than a fun-filled rom-com.

"Ugggh, apart from Jason Wills, there hasn't been a single audition that has really stood out. All of the rest suit an action drama more than a rom-com." Raelynn complained to her friend, Nico who was happily sipping on a caramel Frappuccino and enjoying his friend's plight. He had only showed up to support his friend. He had no idea what was necessary for the casting of the film. But, he was enjoying the slow torment of Rae, as she tried to politely reject at least fifty actors from RedHub.

Jason Wills was an up-and-coming actor that had debuted a couple of years ago in a television series about high school drama. The show had aired on TV and was later moved over to Goofy's Streaming service. He was the right age and had experience in portraying a teenager, considering he was rather young in the industry.

"Well, on the bright side. That was the end of the list from RedHub. How many free agents have you called for the audition?" Nico asked as he peered over her shoulder and into her list.

"Just the one, Keanu Reeves." She replied, "And seeing his file, he seems too old for the role. But, his facial structure and range of emotions, from the few clips he sent us at least showed that he is talented."

"Well, I'll have Murphy send him in," Nico said and he went out to do just that.

Within a minute, the aforementioned man was standing in the middle of the seat, looking at home and comfortable. Though, Raelynn could identify a glimmer of nervousness that was very well masked in his comfortable façade.

"Well, Mr. Reeves, you have read the script. Tell me what you think about the character that you're auditioning for, and why do you think that you will fit the role?" Raelynn asked as she too adopted a professional tone to carry on the final audition.

"Well, my understanding of the character, Ferris Bueller, is of a teen hero who is smug, charming, and charismatic, and also the master of the art of truancy. Ferris is also very appealing because he is disobedient and a rule breaker but never really a problem. He is extremely innovative, as witnessed by his contraption designed to prevent being discovered as a truant should anyone come to his home. He is the poster child for every one of us who has wanted to cut school and get out into the world and do something wilder than sit in school counting down the hours until graduation and the very last bell rings. I admit that am on the older side of the actors that auditioned today, but I am confident that I will be able to portray him perfectly." Keanu Reeves said, after a moment of thought.

Raelynn nodded, that was a pretty accurate analysis of the character.

'At least he has the character down correctly' She thought, and she could see that he dressed up to that effect as well. He had short hair, and the beard that made him look older was clean-shaven. He was wearing a plaid jacket and jeans. And he had casual sneakers as shoes. He looked a lot younger than his actual age was.

"All right, Mr. Reeves. You have a good understanding of the character. I'd like you to act out the marked scene in the script. You have five minutes." She said, and nodded at Nico to keep an eye on the clock.

Keanu took a minute to parse through the script again, all the hopeful actors had been provided a single scene from the script, and a heavily redacted version.

He turned to the extras on set and took his seat between them.

They're sitting in a booth in the garish, nearly deserted strip joint. Cameron's mouth is open in amazement. Sloane is embarrassed and revolted.

"How does she do that? One goes one way, one goes the other." The extra portraying Cameron says.

"She's probably schizophrenic," Keanu replies, as he acts as if he's watching something amazing.

"Ferris, this is nauseating me. Really. I'm losing respect for you by the bucket."

Keanu turns to her in surprise and questions "You don't think it's amazing that we got in?"

The extra contorts her face in disgust and replies "Who wants to get in?"

"Cameron looks like a toddler, for Christ's sake. I'm talking about a major achievement in false identification." He explains to her.

"I'm not interested in watching someone jiggle their mammary glands." The extra replies sarcastically.

"Point well taken. But consider why she does it. Why she does it and you don't." Keanu replies.

"I'm not a tramp." She replies in disgust.

"Maybe her life fell apart. Maybe she lost somebody. A lover. A boyfriend. A parent. A child..." He explains to her, as he gets up from the seat.

"Stop." Raelynn's voice cuts through.

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A/N; How old were you when you found out my end note lacks sense of grammar? Me: today years old. Tysm for bearing with that even, happy reading!

-

After the morning slices of bread with Jam, Ian had wanted to go see the city for himself and by himself as he had been doing for the time that he had been here.

It had become a wonderful experience and a common ritual for him to eat those bread and jam every day because— 'Why not?'

He had planned something that in his opinion could him the thrill and the little enthusiasm he had been wanting ever since he got here.

With seeing men, women, kids, and elderly people walk past him, the need to do what he wanted increasing more and if he was alone, Ian would've screamed due to how he felt. The fresh feeling of a judgmental-less zone, the way people kept walking without even looking back twice for who he was, and especially the fact that the little voice in his head yelled that he could do anything he wants.

Walking inside the mini theatre, he was met with the receptionist who looked at him the same way he did.

-

Ian was in the third row from behind, and everyone filled in. The laughs, talks, giggles, and excitement filled the theatre. Ian himself felt getting warmed up for 'Blue Water', the movie considering the actors were all A-graded and experienced.

The production was by one of the upcoming-best companies situated in France. Just like every other production company, they too have been trying to get up as a good production company in the industry.

The screen lightened up to signal what was yet to start and the crowd cheered for all the excitement.

Ian felt the hairs on his hand standing up wanting to watch and get to know how good or bad it is. Thus, the movie started.

'Is it a man… Who just appeared from the cemetery?'

Once the movie started, the initial gut feeling of a great movie turned out to be something different.

-

By the end of the movie, the little girl who was trapped in a haunted house got to get out but not without any struggle. Everyone saw how she had to go through hell and heaven throughout the little one and half hours.

'Ah, fuck it,' Ian thought as he stood up from his chair and walked out of the theatre.

He was taking step by step outside the theatre, and while walking and listening to all the conversations, whispers of what the people were talking… He couldn't help but think what scenes could have been better or what more scenes could have been added to make the movie better.

In his mind, he was planning scenes that could have been done better and he smiled at himself for analyzing the movie which he had planned to just enjoy the movie for what it is.

"The screaming in the middle was damn, I felt like my gut was leaving me for fuck's sake!"

"It could have done a lot better," Ian muttered to himself and walked exactly the opposite way the girls did.

Along to the next destination, he kept thinking about the scenes and the actors who had portrayed the characters that were in them. His mind automatically made lists of how well could have they done it.

...

[Los Angeles, California]

"...I think apart from these scenes, I think I can change a bit and fit Keanu in," Raelynn said to Niko who looked like he hasn't slept in days.

"Rae, the specialty of you is how you look at these scenes and characters. I have worked with Ian a lot, and not that I'm saying any bad about him. And heck, I shouldn't even be comparing, but you are trying to make the character live in the role. And with Ian, he knew what more and less should be added,"

"What is your point? You sound like, you are sleepy?" Raelynn mocked him although she knew what he meant.

"Exactly," Niko said and got off the desk he was sitting on.

Niko walked out of the office room without looking back leaving the young director alone. Raelynn went through the script more and then she observed the scenarios with the actors she had in mind.

'There's no way Keanu could fit the main role, but with this scene…. He'd be good as the-'

...

[Eiffel Tower, Paris, France]

Among the crowd, there was a writer who had her pen and notebook in her hand. While the people looked at the sky and the view, she was looking at people and their expressions.

It was easy for anyone to recognize her as a writer for how she looked like a writer. The notebook, the vintage coat she was wearing, the glasses that were on the bridge of her nose. The way her eyes wandered from person to person.

It finally focused on a tall man, with an equal coat as hers, but he had defined features that made him stand out from the regular crowd. It was Ian—but she didn't know that.

The wind hit Ian's face harshly and he was left breathlessly looking down on the city. The view was prepossessing. He took a look once again at the blue sky, and his eyes locked with people who are enjoying it as it is. For a moment, he felt as if everything froze and he was looking at himself from afar.

From a few steps away, this girl noticed the change in his emotions.

'Rebellious, open, happy, adventurous,...' she wrote in her little notebook.

In the end, she added, '*an interesting character'

...

[Los Angeles, California]

"...Going against the rules, enjoying the day for how it comes, living in the moment, feel-good type, confident. This is what exactly I'm looking for," Raelynn was talking to Niko even after he headed out of the office to "sleep"

Niko couldn't help himself but walk back inside the office with a goofy smile and he yelled, 'let's end this today itself!'

Which was how the two friends ended up talking back again from the beginning—about the traits of the characters. Raelynn was personally expecting from a person who she'd want to be with someday—which was also why she adored the movie itself as a whole. The thrill in the movie, the hidden beauty of living in the moment, and how confidence is the key, she loved the concept.

"So, the character should be open, rebellious, happy, adventurous… I guess we could bring that in. As we were talking, James K. is good for the lead, and Keanu Roles could be taken for the character of the school principal if that makes sense."

As Niko said it Raelynn's mouth turned to an 'O'

"That actually makes sense. Thanks, Niko. I think it's settled then."

"Yeah, it is. But I hope that you don't take the roles too seriously, especially with everything that you explained… He

"I'll try my best not to, best friend, who-knows-everything-he-shouldn't," she rolled her eyes.

"Adorable," Niko said and started finalizing what they had just discussed.

A few minutes passed by in pure silence as they both kept doing things on their own.

"I was thinking that maybe we could start these three scenes and then decide what could be done in the meanwhile. And since we have just a month to wrap up the shooting, I'm not sure if it would be possible. I mean, we both know I'm not Ian," Raelynn said and pushed the file forward for Niko to read.

"Oh, Kitchen scene, in the school, oh and the restaurant one…" Niko said while his hand was pointed to his chin. "That should work."

"I have no idea how he does this!" Raelynn sighed loudly.

"Hey, hey-" Niko stood up and walked closer to her as he saw how miserable she looked. "Trust me, Rae… Look at me,"

"I'm pretty sure you'd nail this movie even if I was not here today. And no, don't think about how Ian would do it or how talented he is, or how he starts… Just stop thinking and comparing, okay? Comparing yourself to someone who worked in the industry as a director for more than two years, is the worst possible thing you could ever do to yourself."

Raelynn looked up and kept looking at Niko in his eyes while he explained what she had to know.

"You are the director here. I thought- I honestly thought that we already established this one. I know what you think and I know how you think. But hey, you're the best cinematographer I've ever come across. So you got this!"

The smile that stretched across her face which beamed her eyes made Niko's heart swell in pride. In his opinion, Raelynn and Ian were so similar yet different in so many ways. They both had so many alike thoughts at the same time and were different on so many levels.

He kept all those thoughts to himself for the sake of his career and job morals. But if it hadn't had to be this way, he'd have swooned all over them.

"I got this," she said confidently, and Niko nodded along with her.

"You got this."

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Even if you've never been to Paris, it's obvious that the city has a special allure that no other city in the world has, and a multitude of books get written about Paris by past and present residents. Visitors and tourists look for answers to how French women miraculously stay so slender or offer guidance for mastering the eternally sun-drenched foods of Provence (which don't hold back on the lavender, although I've never seen anyone eating lavender anything in Provence) or promise to unlock the secrets of how Parisians have so much flair and maintain their certain je ne sais quoi.

Paris is full of wonderful things – the Louvre, Hermès, sprawling boulevards, chocolate shops, and pristine parks. Yet, at the same time, Ian made an observation that captures the somber morosité that pervades the city: the beige sameness of the buildings whose balconies are trimmed by dark ironwork, the gray skies that overwhelm Paris on a daily basis, and the street sweepers with their heads down, washing away soiled remnants and cast-offs of households, cafés, cigarette smokers, dogs, and other sorts of detritus left behind. Paris is constantly cleaning itself, and as history has shown, is a city that has had to brush the past aside (not always comfortably) to clear room for the present.

But, it was not roaming the streets of Paris, in a mindless attempt at introspection or spiritual enlightenment, that Ian had come to seek. No, he found it atop the highest gallery of the Eiffel Tower, as he gazed at the magnificent city that lay before him. The single word that adequately described his feeling was 'triumphant'. The tower itself symbolized victory, from Ian's perspective, as it towered above the other structures around it.

The view from the tower reminded him of Raelynn. He could see her standing there, looking out over the city, just like he did now, and smiling at what she saw. She would stand there for hours, talking about everything that interested her, and then suddenly say something profound that caught him off guard. She had been the first person who showed him that life wasn't dull and boring; rather, it was filled with wonder and excitement. He thought about how much fun they'd had together. Her little anecdotes, and her constant support through his career meant a lot to him. Thinking of her, made his heart beat faster. It was strange, but when he thought of her, he felt alive again.

He did not know why thinking of her, affected him differently. He did not have that feeling when he thought of anyone else. But, he knew that he wanted to think of her more often.

He was afraid of acting on that feeling. Because he realized that Raelynn was special, she was different from anyone else he had been with. He was afraid, for the first time in his new life, that if he acted on this feeling, he could lose a dear friend forever. Yet, his heart beat faster whenever he envisioned her face smiling brightly at him. Her viridian eyes sparkled with joy and mischief. Her full rosy lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

And for the first time, Ian felt dread. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Ian cursed whoever came up with that quote with every fiber of his being, for they were right. And he had no idea what he would do.

"Fuck" Ian cursed, as he turned around and made his way down the wretched tower. "Now you've gone and done it, Ian. You have fallen in love."

"Fuck" Raelynn cursed for the hundredth time. She had successfully gotten the casting right, but now she was stuck with the set design, and the contracts she needed for filming in the school.

She had given Keanu Reeves the role of the high school principal. And Jason Wills had securely landed the role of lead. He and Alexandra were able to create an innocent, yet slightly romantic chemistry on set, something she was very happy about. But, now that the contracts for filming in a Chicago state school district were not coming through, she did not what to do. She didn't have the contacts that Ian had so meticulously cultivated to help her out, and she was afraid of calling him to help out.

"What's the matter with you? It's just one call you wuss, he isn't going to eat your head if you call him. He isn't a monster." Niko commented snidely as he munched on some cheese balls. "Hurry up! We need to finish up with this. I have a date tonight, and I don't want to keep Keith waiting.!"

Raelynn sighed, as she banged her head on the table in front of her. "Uggghh, do you take joy in my torment or something?!" She bemoaned.

Niko happily nodded, as he gulped down another cheese ball.

"I hate you. I seriously hate you." She huffed, as she turned and stared at her phone.

"Oh c'mon. You're useless, give that here." Niko said, as he suddenly snatched the phone out of her hands.

"Hey! Get your hands off my phone! You'll get it sticky with your cheesy paws!" Raelynn said as she tried to snatch it back with no success, his taller frame working against her. "What are you doing?!"

"Calling Ian, you coward," Niko said, as he put the call on speaker.

"NOOO!!" Raelynn screamed as she pulled his chair towards her and climbed it to snatch the phone out of his hand, but Niko deftly moved away causing her to tumble onto the soft carpet floor.

She could still hear it ringing and shouted as she got up to lunge at him again, but this time Niko used his other elbow as a shield to keep her away, even though she tried to reach for the phone "Get back here, NO! DON'T CALL HI-"

And then the thing she dreaded happened.

"Hello"

And Raelynn went silent as a mouse. Her face was red, as she wondered whether Ian heard her shouting like a hag.

"Hi, Ian! How are you, I hope I didn't call at an inopportune moment." Niko said as he looked smugly at Raelynn whose face had turned flush, akin to a tomato.

"Oh, no! I was just wandering about in Paris on my lonesome, nothing significant. Wait, isn't this Rae's cellphone? Is she there?" He heard Ian, and Niko found it odd that Ian's voice had gone an octave higher at the end there.

"Yeah, see Raelynn wanted to ask you something, it's about the filming. Here, talk to her"

Saying that Niko extended the phone back towards its rightful owner, and he enjoyed the pained and betrayed expression on Raelynn's face.

Raelynn threw her soon-to-be-dead friend a glare, and snatched the phone away from him, she quickly turned off the speaker and brought the device to her ear.

"H-hello, Ian."

"H-hi! Rae! It's … it's so nice to hear from you. You sound great. I was wondering, we haven't spoken in a while, so I was just curious about how you were doing. Is everything alright?"

Raelynn took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. She could feel the heat radiating off her face, and her cheeks were burning. She couldn't believe she was saying these things, but she had to.

"Yes, everything is fine, thank you for asking. I was actually calling because I needed a little help acquiring the contract for filming in a school district in Chicago, and I thought you might be able to help me out"

Ian chuckled, and Raelynn bit her lower lip.

"Well, I have a friend who might be able to get the paperwork expedited. Send me the location, and I will have everything you need in a few hours." She heard him say, and she felt relieved. She had been worried about nothing. She pushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, as she smiled and looked out the window, and said "Thank you so much, Ian. That would help a lot. How is Paris?"

"Oh, the city is beautiful, it's calm and serene. I feel like all my worries are behind me, and the anonymity feels very refreshing." He said, and Rae felt very happy for him. The last few days he had spent in LA were not good for his health, the press had hounded him in a multitude of different ways, and she knew that it had gotten to him. "It actually reminds me of you."

And that made Rae's cheeks burn, she thought she had heard wrong and eloquently voiced her thoughts.

"What?"

"Oh, uh I mean, it reminds me of home. Yeah, home"

And Rae figured she must've heard him wrong, but her imagination had once again set her heart on fire, her heart rate skyrocketed, and for a moment, she wished that she hadn't heard him incorrectly.

"Well, you enjoy your vacation, Ian. Thank you so much for your help."

"Anytime, Rae. Talk to you later." And the line went dead, and Raelynn collapsed in her chair.

-

Vote :)

Mason Striver, the producer who had been working on the Renner Studios for so long, was sitting in his good ol' chair, one place which gave him peace, at home.

He had a hot cup of cappuccino in his hand, and in front of him, the slow beam of the fireplace gave him thoughts that intrigued his inner peace of mind and left him thinking more and more about what bothered him.

It was about Ian. The son of his very best friend, whom he thinks now is his own. At times like this for how much he cared, his inner thoughts slap him for doubting him in the first place. But talking or thinking about the future would do nothing. Plus, he had a lot more serious problems in his hand to think about considering it might even affect the future of Ian Renner.

Which was, Jeff Sanson. The name of the man itself made Mason's gut feel heavier than it usually does.

As he took a sip from his cup, his thoughts went back to reasons over reasons and incidents over incidents.

The main reason there had been going a cold war brewing beneath the murky waters of Hollywood between Ian and Jeff was because of how powerful Jeff really was, and his companies clutches in every corner of the industry.

In Ian's terms (previous world's) he technically is the CEO of Disney, and one of the board members, which naturally gave him a lot of power to control the inside-out of a #1 company in the world. Goofy in this world owns a staggering 43% of Hollywood, 10% of the US Major Media houses and have quite a lobbying power in the US government.

Goofy had its fingers in every aspect of the film industry. No newcomer in the industry, be they an actor, a screenwriter, or a mere sound engineer, could avoid dealing with the media giant. Their paths were bound to cross one way or the other, even if it was for the most menial of things.

Even copywriting of scripts, and the various unions were quietly controlled by the company, fueled and spurned by their constant support to the members of the government. Their lobbying activities motivated politicians to turn a blind eye to the growing monopoly of Goofy over the industry.

The company's more continuous and aggressive acquisition of most new studios in the industry, whichever proved to be profitable, allowed them to dominate the market.

Their quiet ownership of Major National news channels like RedBo TV, Fox, MSNBC etc, allowed them to manipulate the public in their favor, distracting them from the more unsavory practices and methods they resort to, in order to acquire that control.

Mason, who was aware of each one and every powerful reason that backed up Jeff came to think of what could possibly happen in the future.

"I'm worried for the kid," Mason finally mouthed his thoughts out, and his wife frowned at his words.

"Ian? Honey, why? Is he in trouble?" she asked back curiously interested in what the old man had to say.

He straightened up in his seat and got closer to explain where his mind is at.

"I think I know what Ian is up to," he said and paused which made his wife nod and allowed him to continue what he was about to say.

"Well, Ian bought off a few small media houses and he has gained a significant share in a few major ones like ABC news and Sky news. And, with all that, he's making acquisitions of businesses. He has even made a break into politics using Christopher Grey, and through him, into a lot of the members of the state senate."

The average reaction for something like that big was shown through his wife's face and Mason again sat back and sighed loudly.

"He is encroaching on Goofy's territory. But, I don't think he realizes the scope of their control over the industry."

"That's… huge," she said while her expressions explained a whole lot more.

"Yeah, it is."

"Why are you worried?" she asked back.

Mason sighed again. "I'm afraid that Ian is gearing for a commercial war for Hollywood. And, uh…" he hesitated before completing. "I think Ian is stepping up in a game that he doesn't know the depth of. He might lose."

"Why? I mean, what do you mean?" She had a nervous feeling that spread across her heart. "Would you get involved?" she asked.

Mason stayed silent for a while, without answering nor denying.

In the end, after a couple of minutes, he gave in. "Ian doesn't have anyone else looking out for him. So, I have to help."

-

[Blueberry Restaurant - Gregory Way]

The surroundings looked elegant with the white theme that spread across the entire restaurant. The silent yet little whispers that were shared among the people, made Niko who sat across the restaurant comfortable under the gaze of Keith, his date for the night.

"...And you don't support the MMA's? Wow, the first person who live in Beverly Hills and doesn't support MMA's."

"Now, you're exaggerating it," Niko said and shook his head.

The smile they both shared explained a lot about how the date has been going so far.

"Eh, I doubt it. Imagine sitting with almost the right hand of Ian Renner and sharing the same diner table. I have no idea how you think my statement is an exaggeration."

Keith was a blonde, with bright green eyes which almost shook Niko when he first saw him. For a first date among the duo, it wasn't going that bad.

"The two sentences have no connection, Keith. So, let's talk about you now, shall we?" Niko said and put his spoon down as he smiled at the man who raised his eyebrow in challenge.

"Sure, what about me?" Keith asked.

"You're a social media influencer, how is it going for you?"

"Eh, free products, fame, nice people, mean people, making a living to put food in me, and it's something I truly enjoy. What about you?"

"Same. The position I've in the Renner Studio is something I've dreamt of. I'm glad we both are in places we truly enjoy,"

"Even right now,"

The two of them clinked the glasses together.

"And, I may have a question for you," Keith said with a smile creeping up his face.

"That is….?"

"This Friday, Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Lions. At Studio Decor. Five thirty, what do you say?"

Keith's eyes were literally shining as Niko reciprocated it.

"Is this how you normally ask on second dates? I mean, it kinda is working.."

-

[On Set]

Raelynn had a smile spread across her beautiful face and the beautiful reason for it was how happy she was for how good she had done so far with the filming.

"I can't believe how the shot came. I had expected it to go on for an hour more at least just like how the first three shots were. Oh Gosh!" Raelynn said as she opened the phone and quickly the phone unlocked it for her face recognition.

Niko was seated behind her, on the table and Raelynn was practically in between his legs. Now on her phone.

"Wait… Hold on, pretty please, is that Ian and You on the screensaver?" Niko asked loud enough for Raelynn to hear and before anyone could else hear, he coughed even more loudly.

"What… the… fuck?!" He tapped on his chest actingly as several pairs of eyes were on them.

Raelynn didn't answer but rolled her eyes, and gestured her hands so that everyone went back to what they were doing before.

"We've to start shooting, time is up!" she shouted and everyone went back to their positions quickly as possible.

The scene that they were trying to take was with Keanu Reeves as the principal and him being on a call and making himself look like a complete idiot, while on the other end of the call is Ferris Bueller with his friend.

Somehow, the scene was harder than it looked to take, especially considering how there was chaos to create.

"Mr. Reeves, in this shot, the dialogues of the opposite person who is supposed to be in the call with you would be read aloud, and, show the arrogance at first. You know, I got this in my hand, I know who you are. We'll take one and see how it goes, okay?"

"Yeah, okay. So, let's start in two, can you adjust the board over there?" Rae started to set the background perfectly for the cameras as Keanu went on and started to read the lines to himself—over and over, which is not a very fun activity for your information.

….

"...And action!"

The clapperboard 'clapped' and the shooting started shortly afterwards.

"Ed Rooney?" Keanu who acted as Rooney asked in a professional voice as his eyes were away from the camera.

"Huh! This is George Peterson!"

"How are you today, sir?" Rooney asked.

"Well, we've had a bit of a bad luck this morning as you've heard already."

Keanu raised both his eyebrows, rolled his eyes, and his lips formed into a thin line before continuing. "Yeah, I heard. And…" He sighed and rolled his eyes—again. "I'm all broken up, boy! What a blow?!"

"Yeah, it's been a tough morning, and uh, we've got a lot of family business to take care of…"

While the dialogues were ongoing as said, his eyes shifted from left to right as if he were listening closely to what was being said from the other end. Also, his face was a bit far from the ground which signaled that he wasn't exactly brought up by the lie.

"Yeah, sure… I'd be happy to. Yeah, you- you- uh… You just produce a corpse and I'll release Sloane. I wanna see this dead grandmother first hand-"

"CUT!" Keanu dropped the action and looked at Raelynn. "With the final dialogue, I want to see a little smirk on your face, like… 'Let me catch your lie' and the first few talking on the tele phone must look a bit more natural. Your eyes look as if they are being shifted forcedly. Can we take it again?" Raelynn said while Keanu listened to her closely.

He ticked off everything she said and took every word to his mind. He'd do a better job next time, he thought.

"Okay, sure."

-

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A sudden emotion that could lead you confused and make you almost confess can be pretty hard for anyone and everyone. This was also the matter with Ian, as he is the only human, who has to deal with his emotions.

After the little awkward call, he had with Raelynn, now his emotions were wiggling between fear and embarrassment.

It wasn't like he was a teenager again, it was just he is at the bar and drinking away his feelings—so very mature of him.

Nevertheless, there were a lot of things at stake with the sudden feeling he was flooded with. As Ian being Ian, even France not being able to show him actually how to deal with it, he somehow ended up chugging down glass after glass, which only made the ache in his heart fade away.

"Hey, is there any way I can help you? So that you would just stop drinking the entire bar?" a man who looked to be in his late thirties appeared out of the thin air that made his lungs shiver asked.

"Not really. Where are you from?" Ian asked back noticing a slight accent.

"From Ireland, just visiting the good ol' country for the sake of a nice vacation," the man said and smiled.

"What happened?"

The saddened features didn't go unnoticed by Ian as he gestured for the man to sit, and offered drinks from whatever he was having.

"Mmm… Strong and perfect," the old man took a sip and immediately loved the company he'd be having for the rest of the night.

"Yep, that is," Ian said and took his sip.

"Well, it wasn't just me who came here, but… It looks as if I'm the only one who'd be going home."

"What… What exactly do you mean?" Ian asked and raised his eyebrows in realization, they don't even know the names yet, and still, it was going great so far. Two men, in a bar, sharing their pains.

"My wife, it looked as if she isn't very loyal as she was supposed to seem. Eh, I just want to forget her once and for all. And trust me, the lady… I just wish she sees how good of a person I'm, as I see it," he said and chugged the entire glass down.

And then, Ian found out what was wrong with the man. Rule #1: Never try to prove how much of a good person you are, until they find it out themselves. If not, you'd just come out as a snarky, narcissistic bastard, which he felt the person in front of him was.

Also, Ian's mind wasn't doing that calculation but also to the point where he felt that the man in front of him could be a great interesting character. The characteristics could easily be put down to a comedy movie that could make people laugh, and Ian smiled to himself after analyzing it.

-

After around four hours of sharing and caring about the talks, Ian had enough of analyzing the man who wanted her wife back. His vision wasn't completely clear, and he wasn't feeling one hundred percent himself.

Therefore, he excused himself and walked to the nearest couch and propped himself on the elbow so just he could get away from the long talks.

"Well, if it isn't Ian Renner, completely wasted too," Ian heard a voice of a lady for which he opened his eyes and saw a blurry version of what he captured,

"Carrie-"

-

The next morning Ian opened his eyes once again for a throbbing headache. A headache that he had quite forgotten in the past couple of weeks considering how he hadn't gotten wasted ever since he was back in Los Angeles.

He opened his eyes to the feeling he could permanently shut his ears off because every little movement echoed more than twice in his ears.

"Mhm," he groaned and clutched his ears as he wanted to look at least where he was because the silky fabric he felt beneath him wasn't anywhere near the one he got used to where he stayed.

Finally, he opened his eyes and was met with the most normal-looking apartment room he ever met in a while.

"Where am I?" He asked a bit louder as he wanted to know.

He was sure about one thing, he wouldn't have gone to someone else's unknown apartment. And even if by accidentally he has, he wouldn't forgive himself, ever.

"Oh, hey, good morning! You woke up!" a voice came across the hall, and it was a woman's voice that gave him a feeling of Deja vu.

He remembered this was the same voice that spoke with him last night, while he was still drunk and on a couch in the bar.

"Who are-"

He was cut off mid-sentence by his own voice when he saw who exactly was standing in front of him. The facial features, the smile, and everything made the hair on his arm stand up in alert.

"I'm Carrie Rich. Nice to meet you, Ian. Well, Nice to meet you again," she said with a polite smile and Ian was still shaking what was happening.

'Am I living in a dream where Carrie Fisher is right in front of me, saying my name and oh'

"Is that coffee? I could use one right now," he said and smiled back for which she smiled brightly and walked towards him.

"Thanks, and please sit down. I- Uh, well, before I take a sip from this, can I know how- fuck my head, how did I end up here?" he asked and took a sip from the coffee which hit home considering how his lips curled up.

"You were wasted, -"

"You did say that before"

"I'm an actress. Uh- A very small one, like really small. I've acted in just two movies, that too, my character died in one, after a performance worth two minutes, and in the other… Well, don't ask about it."

"Oh, and it explains how you know me-"

Ian's phone rang loud making both people turned their heads. It was definitely his phone, as he reached down his pocket and took it out to see RAELYNN on the screen which made his heart again fall deep down in the gutter— 'for fuck's sake!'

"Hey, Ian. Thank you for picking up, how is everything going?" she asked as soon as Ian kept the phone in his ear.

"It's all going great, and hi to you too, Raelynn. Is there anything I can help you with?" Ian asked back noticing how she was basically waiting for him to continue.

"Oh yes. I need permission in filming inside the public museum, and Mason requested to ask from you," Raelynn said in the usual professional voice.

'Maybe it's time to move on and act as if nothing happened' Ian thought and nodded.

"I'll make the arrangements. Ask if you need anything more," he said and Raeytnn thanked him from the other corner of the call.

"Who is that….?!" the lady in front of Ian smirked and walked toward him, as she observed his face, to sit on the bed with him. "You are totally in love! Oh. My. God!" she said and faked a fan from her fingers to her face which made Ian blush even more. She noticed his features right away, as Ian sucked at hiding his emotions—as she thought he probably is new to it.

"It's nothing, eh," Ian shrugged and took a sip from the coffee. "Did we- did we have sex?" Ian asked noticing how his upper body was bare. But his pants were on.

"Oh, I wish. But I can see your heart belongs to someone else, plus you were too drunk. I tried asking for your hotel address, but you only said some gibberish. So I brought you here, to my home. Who was that by the way? Is it someone famous? Let me guess, Scarlett Johnson?" she wiggled her eyebrows and grinned like a caught who caught the canary.

Ian sighed and shrugged. "It's Raelynn. My cinematographer."

"Oh, so not girlfriend then?" she asked teasing him a little.

"Oh no, She's just… Special. And what we have is special, like, as you have probably noticed, we are nowhere near that situation. We are very far away from it, and it might even probably stay that way because, this could ruin a lot of things, for her and for me," he said and drank his coffee.

"If it's special, I also think that that's what's truly worth fighting for. Don't think anything more about it, shoot your shot." Carrie said with a kind smile.

"Let's see." Ian replied and continued, "Did you say you were an actress?" Ian asked having something in mind.

-

[Los Angeles, California]

At the end of this side of the story, Raelynn was successfully (also) in the end of shooting Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The final scene included a scene with Jason Wills and Alexandra Daddario.

They were in the back of the fence, and they were looking eye to eye. The full focus was on the couple who looked as if they were in front of a bunch of people, ready to say the vows and marry each other—for how comfortable and nervous they looked.

"I had a great time today," Alexandra muttered while looking at her co-star.

"Yeah, it was pretty cool," he replied back as if it was no big deal.

"You think Cameron's gonna be all right?" she asked.

"Oh yeah, yeah sure. For the first time in his life…. He's going to be-"

"CUT! The camera is on you Jason! Show what you feel!" Raelynn shouted and stopped the act altogether for which Jason almost rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe I'm taking the last scene wrong for the third time. Let's do it one more time, Raelynn!" she shouted back and the director nodded.

-

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DIRECTOR IAN RENNER IS OUT OF THE STATES; FRANCE? WHY?

The title of the article was huge enough to widen the eyes of Marilyn Wonder. She was a reporter who also has been working for a mainstream magazine for five years.

Her friend, Rose and she worked back to back in the magazine for so long that they couldn't get a break for themselves. And after all of their efforts for years, they had finally come to Paris to enjoy a little vacation for themselves.

"Rose! Look! I told you! I told you it was Ian!"

"What…?" The lady stumbled upon something on the floor and almost made it alive to get closer to her friend.

"Look…"

"That guy? The same guy I was writing about to put into my story? No wonder why I thought the face was familiar… Wow, I met Ian Renner and I was planning to make a character out of him. I feel like my godmother would be proud of me,"

"It's not what I'm saying, Rosie…"

They both walked around the sofa and propped down. Although they were close to their thirties, they have been together and worked together for so long that talking about a person, place or situation makes it seem like two teenagers hanging out in their father's cabin—two teenagers, more precisely.

"That look on your face! That explains something!" Rose said while looking at her friend's fake.

She had an evil smirk on her face, and her eyes were glimmering with something her friend couldn't wrap her finger around.

"Now I know why people always say Marilyn is the smarter one among us, so, if Ian is here… In France, what are the possibilities that yell that we can't get an interview with him? You do know how much we've tried to get one!"

Rose sighed loudly. "100% impossible! You do know that man doesn't give words to the media unless it benefits him. And if this is how we are going to do it, heck no! We can't roam around and tell, a tall handsome guy, with a good smile and nice teeth?"

"That is so not Ian Renner. Look, you don't have to do anything, I'll make my senior talk to the editor. I think we'd get a pretty good shot at this. And if we somehow managed to convince the director to talk with us, it would probably give a push to the promotion…. Win-win?"

"Well then, what are you waiting for…. Go ahead!"

-

[Paris, France]

Ian couldn't help but smile at the smell of the cup of coffee in his hand. His thoughts were disturbed by the ring of his cell phone which made his eyebrows raise in surprise.

'Right when I was thinking…'

"Uncle Mason, how have you been?" Ian asked as soon as he slid across the screen.

"You tell me, Ian. Was I disturbing something?" the voice from the other end asked back, making Ian chuckle.

"You still think I'm having random girls every night, do you? Haha… That's not what's happening here,"

- Well then, if I'm not disturbing you, come on, give the old man some details of what's going on in there.

"Things are turning better. At least for me."

-Eye-opening?

"Yeah, eye-opening indeed. But I'm ready to move forward."

-What has changed, Ian? If you don't mind sharing…

The last few words were hesitant and even Ian felt it.

"I never minded sharing anything with you. And I realized a lot of things I've been doing when I was back there in LA. And I also realized how I'll be facing people who are dying to face me."

-Are you talking about Jeff?

"Including Jeff, but I'm working on a little something these days," Ian said and smiled.

In front of him, there was the first draft of a book he was writing for three days. After the first book Percy Jackson, the reviews he got were comparatively higher than the feedback he got for Resident Evil.

Nevertheless, the main reason for him to start writing another book is so that he could get back to LA with outrageous news that could give the media and the people something to talk about.

-What could that possibly be? A script?

"Oh no, uncle. The main reason I escaped LA was to get away from movies for a bit. So, don't expect a movie script anytime soon. But this would be a surprise to you."

-What has changed about you and movies, Ian?

Mason asked this question about not knowing why Ian even had to take a break from the movie-making marathon he created for himself. The old man had been wondering day and night what would Ian bring back when he came to the studio, and he had got nothing but more and more raging suspense.

On the other hand, Ian had to say a lot of things from his perspective. When he first got into the career, he was just an actor, and out of blessing from the memory library, he got involved in movies without a proper pace. After a lot of thinking, stumbling, wondering, watching, and learning, the passion to become a proper director grew within him—plus, one rule for himself.

Never copy movies as they are.

The legendary original directors who had gone through storms and winds learned and carried big movies after a lot of flops, and finally, Ian was ready to take every risk so that he could learn and create something great of his own.

"A lot of things, you'll see, uncle. How are things going with deals for the media companies?" Ian asked after a pause.

-Oh.. Oh well, yes. Running smoothly. They'll be set when you're here, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is under major editing, and the first cut of the movie will be sent over in a couple of days.

"That is great, I'll be looking forward to it. I wonder why Raelynn hasn't contacted me for a few days now," Ian asked and even at the mention of her name, he felt a deepening feeling in his gut.

-

After the call, the next thing Ian knows is that he had been signed up to give an interview in the closest café to him with two Americans who looked too excited to be there—the right-side blonde composed herself as quickly as possible.

"Nice to see both of you," Ian said as soon as he got closer to them.

"I'm Rose Sterlings."

"Marilyn Wonder. Nice to meet you, Mr. Renner."

As soon as Ian sat on the wooden chair that was in front of her, Marilyn couldn't help but be nervous and the sweat that formed in her hand didn't help her in any way.

"Yes, so I wonder what made you guys request an interview while I'm on a vacation?" Ian asked as he put one leg over the other.

He mentioned to Mason that there was no way that he could give an interview considering how he was aware that there were so many articles, trends, and different talks going on about him on social media and everywhere else.

Ian had got the fortune to witness that people were talking about how he fled to another country to destress from movies after two comparatively horrible movies. Much to Ian's mockery, they had compared the CGI and the quality of Avatar.

Avatar was made with the cooperation of Goofy, and that was also a movie that got a lot of help from people who had been working in the industry for a long time than he has, and also people who had sets of skills that could make any movie look better—which Ian lacked after Avatar.

This was also why he wanted to polish his skills so that he could give something better to the movie industry with the good movie ideas his memory library provides.

"Uh yes, Mr. Renner-"

"Call me Ian, please."

"Right, Ian. Is it fine if I recorded the interview from here?" Rose asked, looking at him with wide eyes.

Not to mention she was the most excited one among the two of them, and also the one who was silently fangirling over the man who sat right in front of them.

"Yes, sure."

"Hi again, and sir to answer your question, the rumors about you flying over to get mental peace despite the chaos of Home Alone not doing so great are all over. This is also why we thought it'd be great to start with, why are you here?"

"Good question. Yes, and no. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has not been as great as I had expected but overall, it is alright. I'm here not because of the chaos. I've been in California ever since I got into directing movies, and I thought it would be nice for a vacation once in a while."

The girl smiled along with Ian. "Yeah, but is it true that you're planning to get in collaboration with Jeff Sanson again?"

The second question hit right home for Ian and he frowned.

'Is there something I wasn't aware of?'

-

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"What do you mean?" Ian asked back from the reporter as Rose shrugged.

Marilyn continued what she meant by the question. The two ladies in front of Ian had two jobs. The job of asking questions was handled by Marilyn and Rose was in charge of holding the recorder and noting down several things that were considered important.

"It- Oh, what you're thinking is not true. There are no announcements whatsoever around-"

"That's what I was thinking about. I thought again there are things I'm not aware of and I should be. And somehow, no. Not yet. Jeff did offer me something a while ago but I had to reject it because I was busy with other things that I've planned. But yeah, looking forward to, in the future," Ian said politely, knowing how people would twist his words if he didn't appear as a person with gratitude.

"What are you doing in France? This is the raging question of the people… Your fans, and especially movie fans, are waiting eagerly for you to start a new movie. Trust me, I think it's for the best that you don't check social media."

"I'm working on a book actually. And yeah, I agree with your last statement. I'm not that much of a great public keep-up-with-the-trend guy."

The two ladies nodded and smiled equally which made Ian shrug in return. 'What more can they expect from a director who flew away to another country right?' Ian thought.

"What is it about? I mean, if you don't mind me asking," Marilyn asked while scratching the back of her neck.

"Oh yeah, well, it's yet another fantasy novel. Totally unrelated, but for my Percy Jackson fans, the sequel to the first book would be out in the Summer of next year, and yes, I'll be back to LA in no time when I'm done with the book."

"Thank you for sharing that information with us. Renner Studios climbed to the top 3 studios with flying colors as a result of movies you've directed and scripted within just two years, which is a really small amount of time. And as per the information, Raelynn Sawyer, who is known to be a cinematographer, is now directing the latest upcoming movie by Renner Studios-"

"That's right."

Ian replied and let her continue what she was about to say.

"She also has attended numerous functions as your date. Does that mean something? Are you both in a relationship?"

The question made Ian's eyebrows raise. "She is a very good friend of mine, and that's that. Some day very soon, I'll bring good news to everyone related to my love life, till then, I wish to answer no more questions,"

"Wow…" Rose whispered and Marilyn nodded.

-

The interview had ended hours ago and Ian was in his room, opposite the balcony plus city view, on his bed and his laptop lying on his lap.

He was waiting for something for half an hour now which also made him almost fall asleep after the long talk he had in the morning.

Raelynn: The server must load in 5 minutes.

Ian quickly took the laptop and the next thing he knew was that Ferris Bueller's Day Off started to play.

After going through a lot of editing and corrections, Raelynn and the team had been finally able to put the movie together, and not to mention, she was more than content with what they had been able to put off.

"What in the fucking world…? Is that Keanu-"

Ian suddenly paused the screen and took it closer to his eye level so that he could see if that was the man he was imagining to be.

If someone from the third point of view looked at Ian and his laptop, it would seem as if he was kissing the screen with unconditional love, looking into the depth of the screen—but nada! What actually happened was the man was interested in the actor.

After a lot of thought and going into the movie and searching his face, coming across his acting and knowing that actually is Keanu Reeves—The man, the myth, the legend—he suddenly felt stupid for not taking a look at the cast list.

'Fuck! I should have!' he thought to himself and started the movie all over again.

Maybe it's the time he wrapped up the book and headed back to LA.

-

The movie ended with him grinning ear to ear. He had expected Raelynn to do a good job, but this was fantastic and it almost looked like an original movie, which she did without any sort of help—but in reality, it was Ian who provided her with the script.

Nevertheless, the way the actors have been handled to the way the shots were taken were fresh to Ian's eyes.

Immediately, a facetime call came over the screen and Ian had to wipe off the smile that was left on his face.

"Mr. Renner!"

The office room of Mason was filled with so many people. The editing team, sound production team, Niko, Raelynn, and several other members he couldn't figure out.

"We gave you an extra twenty minutes before calling!" Mason said from the other end.

'Yes, the extra twenty minutes I kept watching Keanu Reeves over and over'

"How did you like it? Is there anything you'd want to change?" Raelynn asked as soon as the environment fell into silence.

"Before anything else, can I know the name of the principal who acted? Also, I need a full list of the cast. Can I?" as he was asking the people had their mouths open.

"What?" he asked, noticing their surprised faces.

"Nothing sir, it's just that-"

"Why are you interested in Keanu?" Mason asked back.

"Just he looked familiar. Keanu who?"

"Keanu Reeves. He was a scriptwriter before, and the man is quite talented. Even his scripts are original as they are his ideas. You should meet the guy. But again, your curiosity about this person is something to question."

The team who gathered around Mason nodded.

"Give me half a week, I'll be there. Also, the movie. I think two/three scenes could be better without them. But overall, it's great. Let's go through things that could've been better…"

The conference made the team realize what sort of a person Ian is. How good of a director he is, and how he knew what exactly to do with scenes and how they could have been better. A thing that many directors lack—including Raelynn is the perspective of a person who watches the movie.

"...As I said, Raelynn, the technical aspect is something even I couldn't have done as much as how you did. But if we improve these bits, it's going to become a blockbuster, I'm sure."

Ian said with a smile.

"Right, is there anything else to say?" He asked after noticing the people go silent.

"I'll call you in a few, we'll have to talk,." Mason said and Ian nodded.

-

Two weeks passed in a blur, and Ian couldn't help but start to work again so that he could go with something when he went back home.

For that, he prepared a script and a draft of the book he wanted to publish as soon as he got back from France.

"Sir, May I see your ticket?" The lady at the desk asked as Ian had zoned out for a moment.

"Sure," he said and handed the ticket while the lady nodded.

…..

He was facing off the little shutter as he saw a wing of the plane so close to the ground. Much to his unpleasantness, every time he wanted to close his eyes on the flight, he was reminded of how he died and how the memory library provided him with flashbacks of the first day he was reincarnated.

'Urgh…. Eleven fucking hours! I might as well read my draft again!' he thought to himself and opened the laptop to read the draft he had written.

Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters

IAN RENNER

-

Ian wanted to write the entire The Lord of The Rings series, and for that he had to start with The Hobbit series. In the first book, The Hobbit is set within Tolkien's fictional universe and follows the quest of home-loving Bilbo Baggins, the titular hobbit, to win a share of the treasure guarded by a dragon named Smaug. Bilbo's journey takes him from his light-hearted, rural surroundings into more sinister territory.

But after doing a lot of research, he found out that The Hobbit series already exists in this world. Thinking of ways, and finally settling on the fact that he'd make the series as movies—he went ahead with the next book of PJ.

Not to mention, while writing the book, which cost him sleepless nights and tiresome days, every moment his thoughts wandered to how he could make a good series from the book itself.

Along with that, he had so many ideas hovering in his mind to do when he got back. Fast and Furious, the script which he was taking back with him, The Dark Knight, and maybe getting onto the video-gaming franchise with Resident Evil—Ian sighed as the first page of the book reminded him of all of the things he had to do.

A smile drew on his face. 'Cheers to starting off from right where I left!' he opened and started to read the masterpiece in his hand.

-

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As soon as he landed and walked down the airport, he was greeted by Murphy who had a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"Good to see you back, sir," he said and handed over the flowers.

"Thank you, I bet paparazzi must be flooding?"

Ian said as both the people started walking faster towards the doors of the exit. Ian had his shades on, but the flashlights were going on and off including camera noises, and lots of voices from people.

"Ian! Ian! Please, I'm a huge fan! One selfie!!!!"

"Ian! Is it true that you were mentally ill so you wanted a vacation?!"

"Can we know how France was?"

"Ian, are you and Raelynn dating? What happened to Scarlett!"

'Wow, these people…' Ian thought as the bodyguards covered him as he walked briskly. If it was a normal day when people ask for selfies, he would have stopped for a few minutes and given them what they asked. But on the same day, he wanted to rest from a flight of 11 hours in which he couldn't sleep for even a second.

[...] He was finally in the SUV, as it sped to the road and got him off from all the chaos.

"How have you been, Murphy?" Ian asked as they haven't had any proper conversation in around two weeks—when Ian got busy with the books and the script.

The people were long past gone, Ian was in the backseat while Murphy had his hands on the steering wheel.

"Things have been going smoothly, and I'm fine sir. How have you been?" Murphy asked back.

"Never been better, what do you think about Ferris Bueller's Day Off?" Ian asked back.

Murphy looked from the little mirror and focused back on the road. "I think it's great. I enjoyed watching it."

"Hmm… How have things been in the financial department?"

"Decent enough sir. Nothing to worry about. Although the public image is quite popular these days due to the interview Mr. Renner faced in France."

Ian nodded and continued, "Uncle asked me to do it, as people started wondering where I'm. Although I didn't check social media and all, I'm pretty sure people were wondering and dying out of curiosity." he rolled his eyes at the last statement.

The first thing he did after landing was getting home so that he could rest easily. Little he knows there are a lot of people waiting for him to get back to work and start things as quickly as possible.

-

The next morning arrived sooner than he had expected. The sleep he got seemed to make him more tired, but somehow he woke up and went to meet Steven.

"Ian! So good to see you!" Steven stood up as soon as Ian walked to his office.

Around him, there were so many books and posters that were trending and from the publication, houses were hung everywhere. Ian felt proud as he saw Resident Evil and Percy Jackson banners being under his name in the corner of the room.

"Nice to see you too, Mr. Steven. How have you been?"

"Quite excited ever since you told me about the new book. Can I read it?" Steven asked enthusiastically.

"Of course… I've also been meaning to talk about something related to the book itself…"

The conversation from there was entirely about books, deadlines, and some more about books. As Steven was Ian's publisher and editor, he had the luck of knowing all the plans of Ian.

[...] The conversation ended with Ian promising to work on the sequel of Percy Jackson.

"I guess it's settled then. Isn't it?" Ian stood as he shrugged the wrinkles of his suit.

"Yes, and Ian, it's so good to see you back here again," Steven said and gave a secret smile, explaining how good it was to see him back.

Ian nodded and mumbled, "no problem" while walking away after a second glance at the book corner where his name was written.

-

The next stop of the day was his good ol' office. Since it had been over a month since he last visited the office, he felt an exciting rush in his body as he got out of the cover.

His feelings and sudden emotions were dropped by the reporters who awaited Ian in front of the office building.

Putting on his shades, he walked towards the entrance.

"Look! Ian Renner is here!"

"Good morning Mr. Renner! Nice to see you again!! Can you tell us a bit more about the winnings of marriage story?!"

"Mr. Renner! Too bad you weren't there at the awards!! How are you feeling now?"

"Mr. Renner!!! Can you tell us more about what would happen in the future of Renner studios!!"

The questions knew no boundaries as Ian said nothing but walked towards his usual spot—in his office.

As soon as he walked past the entrance and towards the lobby area, he realized how even the staff and people who worked in Renner studio were awaiting his entrance.

As he walked down the aisle between the people who were working, he was greeted by many and the majority had pleasant smiles plastered all over their faces.

Ian nodded to each and replied to some while walking towards the elevator so that he could finally meet Mason and talk about what was going on.

-

Walking inside the office, Mason was already waiting for Ian and not just Mason there was another person who Ian had been expecting a call or any sort of reach-out from. Scarlett—Scarlett Johnson.

"Oh hey!" Ian greeted Scarlett the first thing he entered and nodded in Mason's direction. "Hi, uncle!"

He said and went along to sit in the available space in front of Mason, and beside Scarlett.

"She was here to talk to you for thirty minutes now. And I was keeping her saying you'd be here at any moment. I'll be right back with my coffee, and since we have got a lot to discuss, I should bring you one too," Mason said and walked out of the office while Ian and Scarlett smiled at each other.

"How have you been?" Scarlett asked as soon as Ian left. Without letting him answer, she continued, "First and foremost, thank you so much, Ian!"

The words caught Ian by surprise and he raised his eyebrows in question. The expressions made Scarlett understand that he wasn't aware of what she was talking about.

She knew that Ian wouldn't have known but at the same time, she was thinking that maybe Ian had caught up with everything that had been going on in Hollywood (Like a normal director) but she decided against commenting on it.

"I didn't tell you about this because I knew you were stressed about a lot of things, Ian. So, finally, I get to say this to you in person…. Thank you so much. The Oscars were held last week, and to be honest, we were expecting you around that time but you weren't there. But, I won an award for acting in Marriage Story. Thank you!" Scarlett said enthusiastically her eyes were shining with hope, and happiness, and the fact that she achieved something through her skills was showing.

"Wow… That's so great, I'm happy for you and… Congratulations!" Ian said and stood up, extending his arms.

Scarlett hugged him back, and they both once again settled. The cheery environment was disturbed by Ian's voice.

"If I knew, I'd have come to congratulate in person, just that I wasn't keeping up with any of the Hollywood news, or what's going on in here-"

He was disturbed by Mason and his loud knocking, while Scarlett chuckled awkwardly.

"Come in! And, it's truly okay, Ian. I'm just so thankful for you because without you it wouldn't have been possible."

"You're an amazing actress, hope you know it,"

-

She left the small discussion between them shortly after Mason entered, then finally Mason and Ian were in the same office, after more than a month.

"...Besides all the numerical works, I wanted to talk about Jeff, Ian." The old man mouthed his biggest concern even while Ian was away.

He wasn't able to stop thinking about the light-cold war between them. How for the media they were happy, but in hearts, if possible they'd have torn each other apart.

"Uncle, I'm not going to stay silent this time. We have the media power, and political power and I think with the media houses, we can show where the Renner Studios lies in no time. When I'm done with my next two big plans, I'd be finally reaching out to him. Until then, we've to put out our best with what they do the best—movies."

Ian stopped his explanations when Mason nodded, noticing what he was about to do. "Alright. I trust you, let's talk about the media companies now. I did acquire enough shares for you to have a word in what's going out of them, so…."

-

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"A NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR THE MOVIES" —IAN RENNER TALKS!

The title of the article took almost half of America by surprise as it was from a magazine that had earned popularity for years. Also, the fact that Ian Renner's name was on the front page—the whispers and the chatters explained a lot.

The interview Marilyn and Rose had taken while Ian was still in France had taken quite the turn with his come back to Los Angeles.

With Ian's announcement of what he was doing in France taking over the news and the media, people were excited and concerned at the same time.

Something that almost everyone was so sure of was that something new could be expected from what he said.

"This article… Damn, Rae… Ian sure knows how to talk to the media," Niko said while still his eyes touching line by line of paper.

"He is good with his words indeed. I saw there were comments about how people already love the idea of something new even without knowing what it is. This vacation helped him in PR as well it seems," Raelynn said and took a sip from her morning coffee.

It was still the day when Ian came back from France. Ian still was inside Mason's office talking about something both Raelynn and Niko weren't aware of, and at the same time, the best friends were busy talking among themselves about Ian and how things have been doing.

"Yeah, people love him more it seems. It was almost as if the last two movies hadn't taken a bad turn."

"Hey, they weren't bad. Just as people said, not at the level we all expected. So, I have been wanting to ask, but with all the shooting and editing I couldn't find time to ask, how was your date with Keith?" Raelynn asked with a smirk.

Niko already had a grin when she mentioned his name, and it became better when he walked around to sit in a proper chair from where he was—on her desk.

"He is… Just… Wow!"

"In bed?"

"No, idiot. Not in just bed! As you know, Keith is an influencer, who also is trying hard to get into Hollywood someday. But as influencers have so many more benefits than we could ever have, he is planning to be in his industry for some more years. What's wow is how passionate he is when he was talking about his dreams. The way he listened to me, and yes, in bed-"

"Alright. I think I heard too much more than I should. So, you really like him, huh?" Raelynn asked back.

"Yes! I'm waiting for him to call again. I want you and Ian to meet him as well. Maybe when things get a bit more official, you know what I mean. I don't have many friends, so Ian and you're the best!-"

Niko immediately remembered something when he mentioned Ian twice. "Wait! Rae! How are the media campaigns going on?!"

"Now you remembered why you're here-" Raelynn chuckled while Niko rolled his eyes. "The movie is going to be released by the end of this week, so I want to make sure that everything is perfect for now. That is also why I needed help from you-"

-

[In the same office floor, Mason Striver's Office room]

"...The Fast and the Furious? Wow… I think this would turn so many heads in our direction. The name itself made hair raise in my hand. Can you tell a little bit more about the movie..?" Mason asked as he flipped pages from the script in his hand.

"Yeah, so… As I mentioned it's crime adventure, and thriller. I'd go for adventure. But yes, talking about the story…. The main character's name is Dominic, Dom for short. And in this journey, Dominic Toretto enjoys the adrenaline of street car racing and his fans treat him like a rock star. After a catchy encounter with the ruthless Johnny Tran, Dom decides to take Brian, a newcomer to street racing, under his wing. Dom's sister Mia sees something she likes in Brian, too. Trouble is, neither of them realizes he's an undercover cop, and Dominic and his rival Johnny Tran are both the prime suspects in a case involving dirty money and big-rig hijacking. In short, you'll know when you read the script."

"So, this is basically related to street racing, isn't it?" Mason asked with the corners of his lip curling up.

"Yes. And if you didn't realize, the news and stuff which went across are related. This movie would be something that'd shake Hollywood, trust me, uncle, I'm prepared to give my best for every movie I make from now. Maybe the best I never gave for previous movies."

The determination that was layered in his voice made Mason agree to him soon.

The knock on the glass door made both the men turn to question who is outside it.

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I have a surprise!" Mason said and stood up making Ian follow him right along.

"What is it?" the director asked while curiosity filled his lungs.

"Keanu is here…"

Mason said and walked around the desk to open the door. In the little time Ian had got to think, he was nervous, excited, and truly surprised.

By the way, how he reacted in the video conference the other day, Mason knew that something was up with him and he knew how the young man wanted to meet Keanu. This is also why he had asked Keanu to pay a visit right on the day Ian would be back.

Ian who turned to face the office door smiled when the door opened and revealed a forty-year-old Keanu Reeves having a pleasant smile plastered on his face as well.

"It's so good to see you again, Mr. Striver, thank you for having me. And, Mr. Renner! Finally!" Keanu said and walked front to extend his hand which Ian accepted politely.

"It's good to see you in person too. Please have a seat, Uncle, you too!"

Everyone settled quickly afterward while Ian's mind calculated the person with the person who he knew from his precious world.

There were no big differences. The face looked similar, but this Keanu had a comparatively oval face than the Keanu from the other world. Also, maybe for his position or maybe simply for the man he is, Keanu Reeves who sat in front of Ian sounded and looked much more humble than the person Ian had only seen on television in his previous world.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Renner. What you've created with the script is truly something to admire, isn't it? I mean, I've been writing scripts for so long that I had forgotten how to act. But then, I came across this agent, and he wanted me to participate in the audition," Keanu said with the breathtaking smile he had and Ian said nothing but nodded all the way through.

"Somehow, here I'm. With one of the best upcoming directors of the era."

"Mr. Reeves, what I must say is… Your acting skills! You are gifted if you hadn't heard it before. You have good talent with facial expressions and giving out what exactly the script needs. And as I can see, you love acting, don't you?" Ian asked back, while he pondered on his own words slowly and steadily.

On the inside, he was excited to meet Keanu, and now he didn't want to freak the actor out, so he had to calm himself down and act like the professional he is.

"Of course. It all comes back to loving the acting process. And not to mention, the director, Raelynn, is really good. She helped me a lot through the process, and I've to say she's one intelligent, smart woman."

Keanu smiled after his statement. That was when Ian remembered that he had to meet Raelynn and Niko as well.

The thought of meeting Raelynn brought another fresh sense of feelings for him. He didn't want to address them or deny them. But his thought process was disturbed by mason.

"Ian, can you tell me why you were so interested in Keanu? I've been wondering about it for a minute, and trust me, I'm so old that I can't wrap my finger around something you haven't mentioned."

Ian frowned at his choice of words. He cleared his throat and looked at Keanu, "Well, I've known a lot of actors and actresses who are at the top of the industry, and I've known the rest by name or face. By the skills Keanu portrayed in the movie, I hadn't expected a rookie to have such emotions or talent. It caught me off guard," he lied through white teeth.

"Thanks," Keanu said and shrugged. "I guess I should be going now, oh and here's the script, have a read,"

Ian then noticed the pile of papers he had brought with him. It was a script—he brought for Mason.

"Okay, I'll give it a read. Thank you for coming and stopping by," Mason said and dismissed Keanu.

-

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