Chapter 10: WATCH OUT

AWAN COMPANY'S PRESIDENT BEING HELD IN INTERROGATION FOR MIXING UP CHEMICALS IN THEIR PRODUCTS

WOMEN ARE IN STRESS FOR USING CHEMICALS ON THEIR FACE

AWAN IS SELLING CHEMICALS IN THE NAME OF BEAUTY CREAM

After Austin Grant's "proof" shown in the exclusive interview today these headlines are all over the news channel. Austin showed a video clip which was of course recorded secretly. The clip shows an expert talking to someone about the chemical usage.

"Sir, these chemicals of course will increase their ability but it might also turn out to be dangerous"

"How?"

"For example, if women using these products eat some specific foods they might grow pimples and ruin their face"

"I want our products to last longer and make people's faces fairer. Pimples are common. No big deal. Use them"

"But..."

The man in the video stands still and the expert just looks down and nods.

It's only been two hours since the interview and there's already a chaos all over Bangkok. The police seized the company's building and forensic took samples and the results are yet to come out.

"Have you lost your fucking mind, Austin?!"

The manager yells at Austin for what he's done. Austin is just sitting on the sofa expressionless.

"Talk to me! AWAN company is on higher ground and they are really powerful. Do you know how it's gonna affect you? Effect me? I arranged that interview to get things right but you just ruined everything! I'm getting calls from all over. The tickets have already been sold for a series concert which hasn't started yet! What if your so-called "proof" is not proved on the court and AWAN throws you in jail, huh?

The manager is angrier than ever right now. He's yelling so loud that his face turns red every time he says a word.

"Fuck! You just signed a new series yesterday. Shooting started today and you had to act all heroic saving the women of Bangkok!"

Austin was just listening to this man screaming all this time but he's had enough. He's not the angry type. He's not unreasonable. He swallows his anger and ego and with a calm voice and he says,

"They asked me to shoot an ad and I went to their lab to see if those products are actually good or not. And then I heard them talking. The expert was talking to the owner"

The manager laughs loudly.

"Talking to who?! The video you displayed didn't show the face of the man! He might not be the owner! Fuck! What if he files a case against you, huh?"

The manager is stressed as hell. He walks around Austin's house and tries to calm down while Austin is just reading the headlines on TV. They got what they deserved.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! The manager sounds tensed.

"It's them. They're calling"

"Talk to them. I am not afraid of them" Austin says and focuses on the news headlines.

AWAN JUST LOST MORE THAN 40% SHARES AND ALSO LOST INVESTORS

Austin ruined their company in just two hours. Fans are constantly commenting on his social media account, praising his bravery. Other celebrities are also impressed with Austin's actions. No one had thought AWAN was doing illegal things. Austin was smiling when he read those comments on social media but his smile faded away when his manager took the phone from his hand and smashed it. Austin was surprised at his action. This man has never done anything like this. But today he did so of course the situation is serious. No time to play around.

"The board wants to have a meeting with you"

A second ago this man just smashed a phone and now he sounds so calm as though nothing just happened.

"I'm not going,"  says. He also maintains a calm voice.

"I am not asking"

***

Austin didn't want to go to the meeting but when he heard that no one from AWAN was arrested especially the expert from the video, curiosity grew in his heart. So he decided to go and of course also because his manager told him that if he didn't, he'd kill him himself. The manager later bought him a new phone since he needs to control Austin's every action from now on. He put his old sim card on his new phone.

AWAN has almost the tallest building in Bangkok. They started seven years ago but in this short period of time, they managed to surpass other companies. Almost every Thai celebrity has filmed an advertisement for their product. They are very well in their business strategies. In these seven years, they haven't incurred a loss. They didn't lose any deal. A few months ago they launched sportswear for men and women. Those sportswear sold millions in hours. That was a huge success. Well, sure Austin was the one who promoted the brand. People started doubting Austin saying Austin wanted a share of the product but AWAN refused and so he made it all up. Since Police hadn't made any statement yet.

The meeting was held this afternoon in the AWAN company's building. This building is very gorgeous and the employees here talk with the sweetest tone. Even the men here almost sound like women. This place also smells very nice because of the high priced beauty products put on display.

The conference room is as big as a football field. Bright has been in this conference room before but the first time felt very good but this time it feels awful.

When Austin entered the building with his manager, the employees welcomed him very nicely as though he didn't just ruin their workplace. These people might be an employee here anymore.

"Austin Grant" the presidential sounds casual "I have no idea why would you do something like this to us in front of million people"

Austin scoffs at this. Is he kidding? Doesn't he already know why?

"Don't pretend. There's no press here. And what I did was necessary" Austin says with a confident voice.

"Well, we didn't do anything wrong. But still, we called you here to tell you that we still want you to film an advertisement for our newest product"

"Are you kidding me? You all are going to jail soon. And you still have the guts to ask me to shoot for your ad?"

"We're not. We didn't do anything. The police will make the statement in just a few hours. And we'll get everything back that we lost. And this time we'll be higher than ever, thanks to you. But you should worry about yourself. When we are proved innocent, you'll be the one who's going to be in trouble.

We, however, won't file any case against you. Because when you worked with us the last time, our products were sold in just hours"

The manager frowns at Austin. If he had just listened to me and said that he was wrong then this mess wouldn't turn out like this. Austin is speechless. He showed everyone their truth and how is that they're still so confident?

"I am not filming any ad for your brand. This meeting is over"

Austin says as he walks away from the conference room. His manager looks at him with red eyes and holds his hand and at that moment the president says,

"The offer will be at the table. Ask your manager to contact us if you change your mind"

Austin shakes his hand away from the manager and gets out. He signals the driver to start the engine. He gets in the car and leaves. The manager stands outside the AWAN building. He came here in Austin's car. And now that Austin has left he has no ride. A beautiful employee comes out from the building and says to the manager,

"Don't worry. You can take our car. Our driver will drop you off"

Austin is still mad at the president and also at the police. Why aren't they saying anything? His phone chimes and he checks the message. It's from an unknown number.

"WATCH OUT"

Austin is confused when he reads the text. And just then his driver hits the brakes hard and Austin's body moves forward but since he's wearing his seatbelt nothing bad happened to him. But also if the driver hadn't hit the brakes in time a huge truck would have hit them instead. Austin realizes what the message meant.