Making a Decision

"So, you're saying that you want to be an actor?"

Christopher asked while taking off his neck tie and blazer.

He scanned Antonio's face who was looking at him with an expectant look.

They were currently in the dining room and partaking in their lunch.

It has been almost two months since their meeting with Lawrence and Mikhall.

After that day, Antonio just spent his days fully recovering his body while keeping in touch with Mikhall and Yuji through phone from time to time.

To ease his boredom as well, he watched famous movies and series every day while admiring how the actors portray their characters so well.

Of course, he also found a lot of low-quality films that spoiled his mood.

He also sometimes watched his late mother's movies and can't help but feel awe on her acting skills.

As days become weeks and weeks become months, his admiration for acting becomes more intense.

He realized that acting isn't just about standing in your character's shoes, rather it is about breathing life to your character.

He knew that not everyone who wants to act can actually give justice to their jobs.

As a previous author, he knows how much distressing it is for the author to see that the adaptation of their story is a flop because of some bad acting skills.

When the author of a story gives their permission for adaptation, it is mostly because the readers want the story and characters to come to life.

If the actors are so bad at acting and don't give it their all to represent their characters, it will leave a bad taste in the audience's mouth and shatter their mental imagery of the characters.

In his last life, he also saw few of his works that were adapted to a drama but eventually became a flop because of the bad portrayal of the casts.

Only he knew about how much he cursed those bad actors to death and resented himself for not being the one to play the roles of the characters he created, when he was in fact more than qualified to do that.

He really felt sorry for the original authors of the stories that were adapted to unsuccessful shows.

After watching more flopped films, he decided to take on the job of giving justice to every character of the stories in the near future.

He wants the authors to stop suffering anymore from the bad adaptations and he wants the audience to enjoy good shows as well.

And now, here he is in front of his father, saying that he wants to act.

"Yes, Dad."

Antonio replied with firmness in his voice.

Christopher nodded his head but didn't say anything for the time being.

He is honestly very surprised to hear his son saying that he wants to do acting.

After all, in the entertainment industry right now, most people try their luck on becoming an idol or modeling, but only a few individuals want to risk taking part in acting.

Due to the sudden increase of bad-quality films since eight years ago, people started to watch only the projects of famous actors and neglected the projects of the newbies.

This led to the increased population of musicians, dancers, idols, and models but declined the number of actors.

One positive impact it has for the actors though is that they were treated as VIP celebrities among other entertainers.

"Are you sure that you want to be an actor, Yoyo? Not an idol or a singer?"

Christopher asked his son, he was actually worried about something.

If Antonio were to enter the acting department and his talents were proven, projects after projects will come to him which will make Antonio's schedule very busy and it might affect his health.

But above all else, his main reason for being worried is the fact that there's a possibility that what happened to his wife will also happen to his son.

Jealousy among the entertainers is not a rare thing after all.

"Yes, Dad … after watching Mom's projects and other films, I felt like acting is a very wonderful job."

Antonio stated with clear eyes.

Christopher sighed in defeat, he knew that there's nothing he could do anymore if Antonio had that look on his face.

"Alright! Then, do you want to enter a theatre school?"

Antonio immediately nodded his head upon hearing his father's question.

Even though he knew how to identify good from bad acting, nobody has ever seen him act before so he isn't sure if his acting is fine or not.

If he really wanted to give justice to the characters that he's going to play, he needs to learn the basics of acting first, and where can he better learn those things aside from a theatre school?

He smiled widely at his father and then answered while excitedly nodding his head.

"Yes Dad."

Christopher smiled as well after seeing his son's bright smile.

He then asked again.

"Do you have a school in mind?"

Antonio paused for a moment before nodding his head.

"I actually have two options in mind but it is quite difficult to pick between them."

He seriously muttered but Christopher still heard him.

"You mean the Grand Performing Arts Academy and the Theatre and Entertainment Institute, right?"

Christopher asked pryingly at Antonio, who instantly nodded his head.

The Grand Performing Arts Academy is a globally known school for all kinds of entertainers, located in the city of Ondoa, center of Grand Ashia.

The academy is well-known for producing high-quality entertainers across the world.

They are also known for having a very high tuition fee that can make a normal person cry in frustration, but fortunately, they offer scholarships to fifty students with potential each year.

Yet, if they don't see any improvements in their scholarship student within a certain period of time, that student will be asked to drop out of school.

On the other hand, the Theatre and Entertainment Institute, which is located in Yenmar, city of Grand Ashia, is known for providing basic education about entertainment to all of its students.

It is known for accepting anyone who is willing to take the path of entertainment and their tuition fee is very affordable to most people.

Christopher nodded his head after figuring out why Antonio is unsure on which to choose between these two schools.

"Just choose the one you really want to go to."

He said as he patted Antonio's fluffy hair.

"But if I go to Grand Performing Arts Academy, I can't come home very often since it's very far from the capital, Dad, meanwhile, if I go to Theatre and Entertainment Institute, it will be very easy for me to come home often since Yenmar City is just right next to our city."

Antonio voiced out his worries.

"I know but you know, Yoyo, sometimes, you need to let go of something to achieve your dreams."

Christopher said meaningfully, he knew that his son would understand what he wanted to convey without any deep explanation.

Antonio went silent for a while.

He knows what his dad is trying to tell him.

He then smiled at his father, finally done deciding.

"Okay, thanks Dad! Then, I'll choose the Grand Performing Arts Academy in Ondoa City."

Antonio said with a determined gaze.

Ever since he decided to become an actor, he already has his heart fixed on the academy because it is the best school for entertainers, but since it is far from their home, he decided to take an alternative in case that his father doesn't allow it.

Thankfully, his father seemed to value his dreams and wanted the best for him.

"But before that, you should take an acceleration exam."

Christopher announced, which made Antonio confused.

Antonio was about to ask for an explanation but he stopped.

Acceleration exam or test is a test to skip a grade level so that you can proceed to a higher level.

Antonio has already finished taking his Grade 11 final exam before he was involved in the accident so he obviously passed that grade level.

However, before a person can enter college, they still need to finish Grade 12.

But because of the accident, Antonio wasn't able to take Grade 12, hence, he needs to take and pass an acceleration test so that he can immediately jump to college.

He needs a high school diploma since the Grand Performing Arts Academy requires their students to be a high school graduate at least.

'Ah right, because of an accident, this body hasn't finished his studies in high school yet.'

Antonio reflected and looked at his father as he asked.

"When will I take it?"

"Around May, before you enroll in the academy … so focus on studying or else you may not be able to act."

Christopher said as he gazed at his son's eyes, he then added.

"You will be allowed to eat hard foods next week, right?"

Antonio beamed upon hearing that.

A few days ago, during their dinner, he secretly ate a beef steak but he was caught by Dr. Lordan, who panicked and announced to their entire house about what he did.

Fortunately, after a thorough check up for two days, they found out that his digestive system seems fine with digesting hard food.

After that, Dr. Lordan declared that he'll be fine eating hard foods, so they agreed that starting next week, he can eat whatever he wants.

"I'm home, Dad and Yoyo."

Antonio and Christopher looked at the newly arrived individual.

"Hello, Brother Al."

Antonio greeted his brother who just came home from work.

Alden walked toward where Antonio was and hugged him tightly.

Alden hugged Antonio for a long time before finally letting go once he felt satisfied.

"Hey, Dad! I heard you will be on a business trip tomorrow."

Alden said as he slightly patted his father's shoulder.

Christopher nodded his head as he replied.

"Yeah, I need to meet some people there."

Antonio continued to eat his food as he listened to his brother and father's conversation.

"Oh, I'm also going out of town tomorrow since I need to monitor the construction project of one of our businesses."

Alden said as he twisted the pasta with his fork.

He then looked at his younger brother.

"By the way Yoyo, I heard from Dr. Lordan that you'll be going out of the house tomorrow?"

 Antonio raised his head and smiled at Alden.

"Yes, Brother Al, Aunt Brigitte said she'll pick me up tomorrow."