Chapter 2

“Ladies and gentlemen, including the viewers at home, the winner of the prestigious award this evening owes it all to you, the good citizens of Chestan. Our island country may be tiny in comparison to the other European nations, but you’ve turned up in large numbers to watch the movie this actor is starring in, making it the most popular movie last year,” Marco continued, dragging the moment needlessly, as he glanced back and forth between the slip of paper and the audience. Jonas had to stop himself from rolling his eyes in frustration and irritation. “In fact, the movie breaks the all-time record for the highest sales figure in its opening weekend, and it’s now the highest-grossing movie of all time. Now, I’m sure you’re all curious to know who the winner is.”

“Oh, for goodness sake, Marco,” Amber half yelled from next to Marco. “Tell us who the winner is.”

Marco snickered. “All right then. This actor already has a Best Supporting Actor award, along with a few other awards for his ability to dazzle you on the small screen and on stage, and he’s only thirty-nine years old.”

Jonas’s heart pounded even more erratically after that, and he gaped at Marco for a second or two as he gripped on to the handles of his seat. He was certain he was the only nominee who was thirty-nine years old. The other four actors were older than him. However, he didn’t dare to move from his seat until his assumption was confirmed.

“Please. Please. Please,” Jonas mumbled softly.

Marco grinned even wider now. “It is none other than the suave, charming, and handsome Mr. Jonas Knight. Congratulations! Please join me in—”

In an instant, it sounded as if everyone in the studio was screaming at the top of their lungs. The rest of Marco’s words was drowned out amid the whooping and yelling inside the studio. Jonas couldn’t stop himself from beaming as he stood and made his way toward the stage, only pausing briefly to accept the hearty handshakes and the gentle pats on his back from a few of his fellow actors and actresses, some directors, producers, and many other people in the industry. He knew he won, but there was also a part of him that had a tough time believing that it was real. Maybe the reality would sink in much later. In the meantime, he allowed himself to be swept up in the euphoria that seemed to permeate every single inch of the studio. He thanked everyone over and over again before gradually moving toward the stage.

When he eventually held the Purple Unicorn in his hand, he had to blink back his tears. It had been such a long journey for him before he could reach this point in his acting career. He admired the award for a few seconds longer before waving at the members of the audience. Then he pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of his suit jacket. It contained the list of names of the people he wanted to thank. He had prepared it earlier that morning in case he was fortunate enough to win the award. He read out the names as quickly as he could because there were so many of them, and he was aware he only had four minutes to get through them all before he would be cut off. By the time he was escorted off the stage, he still felt as if he was floating on cloud nine. He shook the hands of a few more people when he finally returned to his seat.

After that, he leaned against the back of his seat for as he attempted to calm himself down while simultaneously savoring the joyful moment. His triumph was certainly unexpected. Granted, he had been hoping for it, but to win the award for real was still a very surreal feeling. There was one more award to be given out, which was the one for the best movie of the year, but he found it hard to focus on it. He was ecstatic about his own award, but there was a part of him that wished he had someone special he could celebrate his victory with. Sadly, he was still a single man. He didn’t even have a supportive and loving family anymore, and that had everything to do with one of his deep, dark secrets. So far, he managed to keep it concealed from his supporters. Besides, the secret had nothing to do with his ability to perform on his job, but it might have negatively affected his image and the roles he might acquire in the future. Fortunately, his secret remained intact. For the time being. Now, he just had to make sure it stayed hidden for as long as possible. Besides, there was no point in thinking that far ahead. One step at a time. 1

July 2021

Carson Brooks quietly signaled to all five of his team members as the six of them advanced toward the seemingly deserted warehouse. He had done ghost operations many times before, but it didn’t mean he was any less nervous every single time he had to perform his job. Being a part of the ghost team was more than just an honor. After all, only the best of the best would be recruited into the team. The ghost team itself was a part of the military branches within the government. However, only one person from each of the branches was actually aware of its existence. No one else knew about the ghost team, and that included the president or any members of the congress and judicial branches. They might be informed on a need-to-know basis. Otherwise, the members of the ghost team were supposed to be “invisible.”

“How many people?” Carson whispered to Georgina, his second-in-command, as they made their way closer to the warehouse.