Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 15: Kaelan (2)
[I have a solution for the cameraman Brother Reynald needs]
Reynald raised his eyebrows. "What?" That one sentence made Blank's legs feel weak for some reason. With a clenched hand, the teenager answered, "I've been using a camera for over 2 years. I have examples."
Blank showed the pre-wedding photos and other remaining photos in his camera to Reynald. The young man pressed his own chin while thinking.
"Well, that's decent, but this is too sudden. Can you adapt?" he said. Blank nodded his head. "I'll do my best." Then Reynald took something from his pocket, a folded paper, and gave it to Blank.
"This is the rundown. Your task is just to capture highlights during the 10th-anniversary celebration here. There's another team, but you're alone for the photography part. So, can you?" Blank accepted the paper and read it.
[Rundown Hybrida Restaurant 10th Anniversary]
[18.30: Start]
[18.40: Speech from Founder]
[18.50: Speech from Investor (Reynald)]
[19.00: Speech from Media Partner (Viera)]
[19.15-20.00: Dining and Networking Session]
Blank finished reading. His heart beat fast, and he looked back at Reynald. "I can do it." With that, the young man before him sighed. "Thank goodness. Then follow me; we have 10 minutes before it starts."
Blank watched Reynald walk quickly past him. "Ah, yes." He followed him, and Blank thought, (Reynald and Viera are important people here, and they seem to be in a hurry. I'll introduce myself later.)
Blank followed Reynald to the second floor, the VIP room. The largest ballroom was seen rented under the restaurant's own name. Many greeting cards and dazzling decorations with a bit of gold glitter added to its luxury.
(A bit awkward, huh.)
Then one of the bodyguards opened the large door, allowing Blank and Reynald to enter the large room. His eyes sparkled seeing the golden chandelier and the many round tables. When Reynald entered, many eyes looked at him, including Blank, who came with him.
Some guests looked at him and smiled. "Ah, that's Reynald, the young investor." And some others were also impressed. "Very rare to see a young person with such ambition." But some were also puzzled. "Who is the teenager wearing a shirt beside him?"
Blank's hands trembled, and his legs felt weak as he bit the flesh inside his mouth. (Oh dear, what kind of place is this?)
Then Reynald faced Blank. "Hey, you, no need to feel awkward. Later, for each main rundown, just find a good angle, even if you have to go to the front." With a forced smile, Blank only nodded his head without a word.
"Good. If you need to use the restroom, do it later during Viera's session because they bring their own cameraman." Blank nodded his head repeatedly. At that moment, Reynald then went to the front and left him.
Blank held his temples. (Oh dear, why am I trembling?) With heavy breath and steps, he then began moving to the front to get a suitable angle. (Even though I'm used to meeting many people.) Then, as he looked at the guests wearing suits with glamorous perfumes like Victoria's Secret and others, he thought, (It's just that the people here are different.)
On the other side, a man entered through the first-floor door, just like Blank and Reynald earlier. The man wore a black hoodie that almost covered his face due to the attached mask.
The man grinned. (Haha, so that kid came here too.) Then a guard approached him and asked, "Sorry, sir, currently there's an event requiring formal attire. Could you—"
The man then showed a business card. The guard bowed his head slightly and apologized. "Sorry, sir, I thought you were someone else. I didn't expect the majority shareholder. Please enter."
"Yes." The man walked with slow but sure steps. But where he would go now was unknown because it wasn't the door leading to the current event.
Behind him, several teenagers were seen leaving a room holding their cameras. One of them was Rohan, scratching his head as he read a message from Blank.
[From Kaelan]
[Sorry, Rohan. Suddenly I have an urgent matter, so I can't join the competition meeting right now. But I hope you pass! Good luck!]
Rohan held his neck. "Huh... Is that so? Alright then."
Back in the room, Blank was now preparing for the second part of the rundown: the founder's speech. A plump man in a cream-colored suit stepped forward and walked to the center.
(Ah, that's the founder. I'll take pictures.)
"Thank you to all guests who have attended. Let me introduce myself; I am the founder of..."
Blank started photographing him well. He even moved to the front. "Excuse me," and began taking pictures.
Click.
Finally, the second part finished, and the founder stepped down from the stage. But Blank's eyes saw something else. (Huh?) He seemed to see someone in a black hoodie watching him from a dark room behind a slightly open door behind the stage.
But his attention was diverted again when Reynald began stepping forward and started speaking as he reached the center point.
"This restaurant is like a legacy."
Blank was startled. (What does that mean?)
"A legacy isn't just material. Anything left from the past until now is also a legacy."
Blank listened clearly while starting to photograph Reynald, who was still continuing his speech on the stage.
"This restaurant is the dream of the mother. Even though she couldn't make it, her child fulfilled it." Reynald pointed to the previous founder until the man's eyes welled up.
Clap Clap Clap.
All the guests applauded until the founder stood up and waved his hand. "Thank you, everyone." He smiled until his eyes closed.
Then Reynald's speech continued. "Whatever happened in the past, whether burdens or hopes, that is also a legacy left behind." Blank listened attentively, but his heart felt torn. "But if that legacy truly falls upon us, then..."
Loudly, Reynald said, "Believe that only you can handle it!"
Reynald's words echoed throughout the room. Blank's feelings, initially cracked, began to mend, and he fell silent. Those were words that touched his heart. (Brother Reynald...)
Clap Clap Clap.
Everyone applauded him, and some stood up to show appreciation. "Bravo!" Many older men and women admired him. "That's the young man!" Blank looked around and smiled in that situation.
Then Reynald stepped down, and now Viera began to stand up. With slow, graceful steps, she walked. Many eyes watched her, and some guests talked about her.
A man asked his partner, "Hey, Viera is 17, right? She's already working at a famous gaming company now?"
The woman nodded. "Yes, that's what I heard. She graduated school so quickly and started working immediately."
Even though this was also an important moment, Blank now wanted to go to the bathroom first, and he remembered Reynald's earlier words.
(If you need to use the restroom, do it later during Viera's session because they bring their own cameraman.)
"Ah, right. This is fine; I'll be back in 2 minutes." He then put down his camera and went to the bathroom briefly. After leaving the room, he told a guard, "I'm going to the bathroom for a moment, sir." The guard nodded.
He looked around and finally found a restroom. "Restroom, turn right. Okay." He then went to the bathroom briefly, but a man not far behind him approached.
Blank finished urinating. He then looked at the large mirror and gazed at his face. "Hmm... There's a small pimple here." But he was startled when he heard footsteps too soft for someone entering a restroom. He then stood facing the mirror. "Are you the person who was behind the stage?"
The man chuckled softly. "Haha, your eyes are very sharp, kid." The teenager finally saw a man wearing a black hoodie but with a mask, so his face wasn't clearly visible. "What do you want?"
No answer. Steps approached until Blank turned his body and furrowed his brow. The man raised his hands. "Hey, I just want to use the restroom. Don't hit me."
Blank sharpened his eyes. "Is that so? In that case, I also want to leave. I still have work now." Casually, the man answered, "Yes, yes, yes, go ahead. It's not my business anyway."
Blank walked away, passing the man. Even though his heart beat fast and he was worried about himself, he quickly left the restroom door.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the man removed his mask and hood. He smiled with his white hair and beard. "Oh dear, Leonardo, your child really resembles you."
Blank re-entered the room, but...
Clap clap clap.
(Damn, I'm late.) He returned to his original position and picked up his camera. Now was the dining session and later networking. (That's good; you can chat a bit with Brother Reynald later.)
Blank began photographing with his camera. From the waiters bringing dishes to the guests toasting. All were handled by the skills taught by his brother.
Everything went on until finally the networking session began. Blank, now at the back, wanted to approach Reynald, but on the way, a guest called him. "Hey, kid."
He then directed his gaze toward him. The teenager approached a man who looked still young. The man revealed, "You seem very busy since earlier, the busiest. Let me see your photos."
But the woman beside him said, "Isn't he too young? I think not very professional." However, the man chuckled softly. "Let it be. I'm curious."
Blank approached and showed his photo results. "Wow, this is good. Hey, kid, are you available in a few weeks?"
Blank nodded his head. "I don't have a schedule at the moment." The man smiled and then gave his business card. "Great. I have an event; I want to hire your services." Blank accepted the card.
[Name: Mr. Arga]
[Event: 2nd Wedding Anniversary at Restaurant X]
Blank smiled and then gave a warm greeting to the man. "With pleasure, Mr. Arga." The man returned his smile.
Finally, Blank finished his business, but when he looked toward the front...
(Huh...)
Reynald and Viera left with the founder to a room, so that meant he couldn't approach them now. He rubbed his forehead. (Well, what can I do.)
Blank continued his photography session, taking pictures of many people. He didn't forget to introduce himself while showing his photo results to several guests like Mr. Arga earlier. Many liked him and finally saved Blank's contact so they could call him anytime for future photography matters.
He smiled looking at the camera in his hand. (This camera... These lessons... Everything. Brother Kaeri's legacy.)
Time kept passing until 8 PM. Everyone began preparing to leave the event, but Reynald and the others weren't seen yet. Blank leaned against the wall. (Oh dear... Why isn't Brother Reynald...)
Tap Tap Tap.
He then looked through the photos from today on his camera. The event was over, and some guests had left, but he remained there until another cameraman carrying a larger camera bumped his shoulder. "Hey, buddy, let's go home."
Blank was startled and smiled. "Yes, I'll be right there." The man's thumb and index finger formed a circle, and the others pointed up. "Okay then, take care." Blank waved his hand.
"Phew..." Blank was still looking at the photos one by one on his camera screen.
Step. Step.
"Hey, sorry, I'm a bit late." Blank looked to the right, which made his heart relieved again. "Ah, yes, it's okay. Brother Reynald must be busy."
Reynald came and reached into his pocket. "Yes, there was a short meeting earlier. Oh, and this is compensation for you." Reynald extended his hand containing a small, thick white envelope.
Blank bowed his head slightly and accepted the envelope. "Thank you." Reynald smiled, but quickly he turned his body and was about to take a step, however...
"Thank you also for the book 'Shattering the Status Quo', Brother."
Reynald's steps halted, and his eyes widened. The bespectacled young man in the suit looked back at Blank.
Blank was seen only smiling until his teeth showed and squinting his eyes. Reynald wanted to confirm again; he asked, "What's your name?"
Blank, with a smile and a slight chuckle, gave his name. Reynald's suspicion was correct, and he fell silent instantly upon hearing the name.
[My name is Kaelan]