NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

Mark at Studio X, in Mall T, was happy.

Ever since the photos of Kyle was placed at his display window last year, he has had more customers frequenting his little studio.

He had placed the picture of Kyle in casual wear in outside while the sexy one was placed further in. You could see a little bit of it from outside, but you would need to come in, in order to see it properly.

Mark had deliberately blown up the picture as well.

It really was a very good picture.

Black and white, a handsome boy teasing and showing just a little bit of the well-toned abdominal muscle and that gaze! It could suck you in as it invited you into his world. Every single time Mark looked at it, he couldn't believe that the person, Kyle, was just a 13-year-old student rather than a professional model that had been in the industry for years.

In the end, a lot of the customers were 'persuaded' to take pictures at the studio. Once they had entered, they would be too ashamed to admit that they weren't there to take pictures so they ended up getting a set done.

Mark felt that the event that year was one of the most beneficial photo shoot he had ever done. However, never did he imagine just how big an impact it would be.

?? ?? ??

Kyle was busy staring at the computer, absent-mindedly chewing at the end of his pencil. Not a good habit, but something he unconsciously did whenever he was thinking too hard about something.

Kay came over and took the pencil out of Kyle's hand and put a chocolate nut in it. Ever since Valentine's Day, she would make a batch and keep it in reserve for Kyle. He couldn't have too many sweets but at times like this, when he was obviously too engrossed in work, that Kay felt he needed the extra 'boost', so to speak.

"What's up to get your face all scrunched up like that?" Kay asked, putting her fingers on Kyle's eyebrows, smoothing it over.

Kyle pointed at his computer screen, saying, "It doesn't add up."

Kay took the filter glasses and turned to look at the screen. She saw a bunch of numbers, names, and addresses.

[What's this?] she asked Kyle.

[This guy] Kyle said, pointing at one name in the middle [is who Big Bro wants to go poof. The ones at the top are his bodyguards and the ones at the below him are his family]

Kay studied the list again [They are all in different places. Which one is the real one?]

"I believe it's this one," Kyle said, pointing to one name on the list.

Kay looked at it and then asked [So you want me to double check by checking out the background of the others?]

[Yes, please] Kyle confirmed [This is the most likely one as its the least used location]

[Wouldn't one that is most used be the most likely? Isn't the least used the most suspicious?] Kay asked.

[I thought that at first, but when I checked the security detail for this place, it's even more suspicious. It's not that high but not that low to justify being placed on an unused - or hardly used - place. There must be something more to it]

Just then, Kyle got a phone call.

Seeing the number on it, he frowned.

"Who is it?" Kay asked curiously.

"Mark," Kyle answered, pressing the button to answer the call.

Kay's eyebrows went up. There were several people by the name of 'Mark' that they knew but none of them truly had a reason to call. Actually, did any of the 'Mark's' have Kyle's number? Then, Kay remembered that she had left Kyle's contact details at Studio X when they did the photo shoot last year. Could it be him?

"Yes, Mark. Kyle speaking," Kyle answered the phone.

Mark, on the other end of the line, was a bit surprised. He had never given Kyle his number, so how did Kyle know it was him? He looked at the office phone that he was using and wondered idly whether Kyle actually took down the number without him realising. Not many people would actually do so, really.

Though surprised, he recovered quickly and said, "Kyle, yes. This is Mark from Studio X. Which you already know, I suppose. Anyway, are you free after school today?"

"What's up?" Kyle asked curiously.

"Well, you see ... I think it's better we talk face-to-face for this," Mark replied.

"No, not really," Kyle countered, "Why should I go all the way to Mall T for something I do not know?"

Mark was flabbergasted and then thought, yes. That is true. So, he had no choice but to give a few details, even though the person had told him not to reveal anything. That person wanted to be the one who pitched the idea.

"Well, let's just say that there was someone quite prominent who saw your picture that we have displayed here, and he has a very interesting and profitable proposition for you," Mark began, being extremely vague but hoped it was enough to entice Kyle.

"Nope, not interested," Kyle said quickly, "Thanks for calling, though. B-"

"Wait wait wait!!" Mark shouted desperately, "This is really a golden opportunity! The guy is a well known producer! Movie producer! Your name has the potential to be famous at an international level!"

Kyle sighed, sat seriously on the chair and said solemnly to Mark, "Look, Mark. I don't know if you are aware of who I am. I am Kyle Smith, future CEO of Smith Industries. My current nett worth is more than whatever this movie producer can even hope to offer me. International status? Why would I need that when I'm already becoming famous in my own right - and for my acute business sense rather than in the entertainment industry? So tell me, Mr. Mark, why would I be interested?"

Kyle wasn't being arrogant but he was honest. There really was nothing that could entice him to enter into the entertainment field. In fact, he had already received numerous offers to model, be in commercials, agents calling to represent him to 'propel him to fame' - all due to his Insta account with more than a million followers.

Did he need it? No.

Kyle wasn't belittling the entertainment industry and he thoroughly respected those in the field. It took immense skills, dedication and effort to be able to act, create and produce a film that would allow its audience to be so immersed in the world that it felt real.

However, he didn't need all that. As Kylie, he would admit that 'she' would have jumped at such an opportunity. Fame and fortune? Who wouldn't want it? Thing is, as Kyle, he already had both.

Mark was shocked senseless and he mentally slapped himself. Why did he never check out Kyle's background? He just took him to be a normal teenager. Smith Industries? That threw a wrench into the works.

When he thought of the director, however, Mark steeled his resolve.

"I understand, I understand," Mark said, his forehead in a sweat, "But ... can you at least come and talk to him? Listen to his pitch? It might be of interest to you that you'd never realise."

Kyle sighed, putting his hand on his forehead. He liked Mark, from the little that he knew so he was being as gentle as he could in his rejection.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Mark but ..."

"It's going to be a huge film! It's even going to be filmed here, of all places! At Mansion BMX, too. Never before!" Mark gushed, speaking out quickly before Kyle could finish his sentence.

Kyle sat up straight. He gripped the phone hard and looked at the computer in disbelief. He didn't have his filter glasses on, but he remembered what was on it.

No way. There was no such thing as fortuitous moments like this, is there?

"What time?" Kyle asked.

"Huh?" Mark was shocked, his mind unable to catch up with Kyle's sudden change.

"What time does the director want to meet?" Kyle asked, this time clearer.

"5 pm! I'll send someone to pick you up from school," Mark said, gushing, "Thank you, Kyle. You won't regret this."

"Ok. See you then," Kyle said, hanging up.

Kay looked at him curiously.

"Looks like your brother is going to start acting," Kyle said, then turned towards Sam's table, shouting, "Sam! Come here, please."

[Might as well explain with both of you present] Kyle explained to Kay as he tapped his computer screen [Mansion BMX]

[What about it?] Kay asked, [I haven't had time to check up on it yet, remember]

Kyle looked at her, and said slowly [That's where the movie is going to be filmed]

Kay's eyes went wide like saucers. Her thoughts were exactly like his [Such a coincidence? There was no such thing as fortuitous moments like this, is there?]

[Looks like it. I can't pass this up. I need to learn how to act, too]

What were the odds that the place they wanted to investigate and enter, actually opened up their doors to them?