Chapter 7: A Quiet Gravity

Morning came, and Davis, the CEO of Plumbon Entertainment, arrived to fulfill his promise of attending the police interview as a witness. He was escorted to the interrogation room.

Plumbon Entertainment was the agency managing Kao’s career. But to Davis, Kao wasn’t just a talent under contract. He was family—his nephew. And far more than that, Davis had always seen Kao as someone with the potential to become a star, if only the world would give him the right chance.

The investigative team split into roles. Max stepped into the role of interrogator. Teguh and Jason were in the control room behind the one-way mirror, monitoring everything as usual. Meanwhile, Yeri and Wantar were going through CCTV footage and a flash drive collected from Ming’s apartment.

Davis took a deep breath. He already knew what he needed to say in the interrogation room. He had come to the police station voluntarily—an example to those shameless cowards who repeatedly ignored legal summons. That day, Davis had tasked his secretary and staff with managing investor and sponsor matters related to Kao.

“It all started with the overseas project,” Davis began.

The investigation commenced.

Max listened carefully while typing Davis’s statements into his laptop. A tape recorder was also running as a backup. He gave Davis as much space as he needed to speak freely.

They locked eyes. Davis’s gaze held a magnetic pull that seemed to drag Max into the past. The way Davis spoke made Max feel like a witness to the journey—the story of Kao and Ming. Unlike his interview with Ming, where the room had felt cold, now the space was enveloped in warm lighting and a comforting atmosphere.

Davis briefly glanced straight at the camera before returning his eyes to Max.

“Overseas projects refer to films or series produced abroad or international collaborations. They could be co-productions, or foreign production houses casting our actors. For newcomers, it’s like a launching rocket.”

“A launching rocket?” Max repeated, curious.

“Yes. Because they’re not just appearing on local screens—they’re instantly exposed to the international market. The reach is much wider. Imagine—an actor who was only known on national TV suddenly being watched in Berlin, Tokyo, Los Angeles, even worldwide. Their name can skyrocket in no time. That’s what I hoped for,” Davis explained. His tone was steady, yet sorrow was beginning to seep into his voice.

He continued, “But it’s not just about fame. From a professional standpoint, they learn a lot—international production discipline, different work cultures, and of course, language. All of it enriches their character, both on and off screen.”

Max nodded slowly. “And the pay must be better too,” he added with a hint of sarcasm.

Davis gave a bitter smile. He felt like he was being viewed as a murder suspect driven by financial motives—as though Max suspected he had framed his own nephew for money. Still, Davis stayed composed. He didn’t want his own suspicion toward the police to cause more problems.

“Of course the pay is higher. Many foreign projects offer much better compensation. But what matters most is the reputation investment. Actors who’ve been part of international projects are taken more seriously by the industry,” Davis explained.

His voice lowered.

“That’s why I recommended Kao to pursue an overseas project. To succeed, he had to deepen his foreign language skills. I asked a friend to introduce one of their best teachers. Everything bad—even tragic—started from there,” Davis said.

Max could see the grief that Davis couldn’t quite hide.

Davis smiled—to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Then he said, “We had many serious discussions about Kao’s career path as an artist. We often talked at my office.”

“I watched Kao struggle in his early days. He practiced scenes in front of mirrors until midnight. He'd come to my office exhausted but hungry to learn. So when the opportunity to prepare for international work came up, I wanted him to be ready. That meant language. Culture. Courage,” Davis continued.

Max looked up. “And you found someone to help?”

“Yes,” Davis nodded. “I reached out to a trusted friend to recommend a language teacher. That one decision changed everything.”

He paused, then said quietly, “That’s when Ming entered the picture.”

***

Plumbon’s office had a Scandinavian architectural style—Davis’s favorite.

One day, Kao was lounging on the sofa in Davis’s office.

Kao had an athletic build, about 183 cm tall. With a proportional, well-maintained physique, his appearance was both masculine and elegant. He had a slim face with sharp, defined jawlines. His features were angular, with a strong chin and jaw that enhanced his screen charisma.

His skin was bright and smooth, typical of East Asian beauty. He has almond-shaped eyes. The colour is dark brown. Those eyes could convey a wide range of emotions. That was why Davis found immense potential in Kao. Being his nephew made Davis even more eager to see the young man succeed.

One of Kao’s charms as a newcomer was his warm, captivating smile—it easily won him many fans.

“You need someone to help improve your English—and ideally, other foreign languages too. That’s why I’m offering you this idea,” Davis said, trying to coax his nephew into stepping out of his shell.

Kao’s only real weakness was his lack of social skills.

“You can be my sparring partner. That’s what we’ve always done,” Kao replied.

“I’m speaking as your boss now,” Davis said firmly. “Yes, I’ve been your practice buddy, but I’ll be very busy. I also want you to be able to socialize with other people,” he added gently.

Kao understood what his uncle wanted.

“Talking to strangers…” Kao muttered.

Davis sighed. He knew Kao’s personality well. But that was also why he pushed him to socialize more.

“You’re just afraid of something that might not even happen. This is important if you really want to land roles abroad. Communication is the key!”

Kao paused for a moment. “I’ll think about it.”

Davis smiled.

“I’ll ask my friend. I’m sure she has the perfect teacher for you.”

“I haven’t agreed yet!” Kao yelled, half-rising from the sofa.

“Whatever. I know you want it! No harm in asking, right?”

Kao stayed silent.

Eventually, Kao agreed. He decided to give himself a chance to grow. His heart urged him to leave his comfort zone—he wanted to be a professional, renowned actor!

His ambition said, “I have to be at the top!”

Davis felt relieved by Kao’s decision.

A few days later, Davis brought Kao to meet Teno, the director and founder of the Foreign Language Academy. They met at Teno’s office. At their first meeting, Teno praised Kao’s good looks. He said Kao looked handsome from every angle.

“I watched your debut drama. You were great!” Teno complimented.

“Thank you,” Kao replied.

Kao had only played a minor role in his debut. A small voice inside told him Teno’s praise wasn’t entirely sincere. Still, during that debut, Kao realized one thing: he genuinely enjoyed acting in front of the camera. He loved the process of understanding a character and bringing it to life.

“Seeing you in person… wow,” Teno added. “Now I know you’re truly ready for an international debut.”

Then Teno turned to Davis. “I have contacts in foreign talent agencies. Let me know if you need help.”

Davis nodded.

“Right now, I need your help teaching Kao English fluently,” Davis said. “His journey still has a long way to go. What’s the point if he lacks the skills? Let’s start by sharpening his language abilities.”

Kao admitted his uncle was right. He didn’t want to be known in the entertainment industry for his looks alone. He wanted his acting to be appreciated, too. Many believed his good looks were the main reason he passed auditions. It wasn’t entirely wrong—his appearance certainly helped him get noticed. But if he became a burden on set, he could be replaced at any moment.

“You’re right. So many young people fail because they underestimate things. They think the world works the way they want. It doesn’t! The world doesn’t give us what we want, only what we fight for. I support you. You have to be a skilled actor—with character! Without skill, your good looks will just be a joke!” Teno said.

Kao was glad to hear Teno’s words. He agreed completely. To him, good looks were a privilege—one that should be used wisely to gain opportunity. He planned to enhance that privilege with skill. While maintaining his looks, he aimed to elevate his talent.

Kao had his own personal mission—to silence those jealous of his looks.

If you lack beauty but have skill, you can open doors.

The world rewards persistence.

If you have both beauty and skill, luck multiplies.

Kao wanted to prove to his critics that he could become a true actor.

“Class should be over by now,” Teno murmured.

She picked up her phone and called someone she had in mind. Moments later, Ming entered the room. As she walked in, Davis noticed Kao’s eyes fixed on her.

Ming had an elegant and graceful presence. Her face was oval with smooth, symmetrical features. She had a proportional forehead, sharp nose, and a pointed yet soft chin. Her eyes were large and expressive, with light eyelids. Her gaze was intense yet warm, creating an air of mystery and softness. Her skin was bright and smooth. She has long black hair and is healthy and shiny. She was tall, about 168 cm. She has a proportionate frame that enhances her elegance. Her fashion sense is classic and sophisticated.

Ming smiled at Davis and Kao as they shook hands. She carried a bag with a tablet inside. Her nails look beautiful. Neatly trimmed and polish-free.

The four of them sat down in a relaxed atmosphere. Teno introduced Ming as Kao’s prospective teacher.

“Ming, what’s your decision?” Teno asked, confirming her choice in front of Davis and Kao. Her tone carried patient sincerity and high hopes.

“Of course, I accept,” Ming replied elegantly.

Davis had already received information about Ming from Teno. Teno had emailed him Ming’s CV and work portfolio.

From those documents, Davis learned that Ming graduated from one of the top ten universities in the country with a degree in English Literature. She had worked for an international media outlet for two years before resigning due to health issues. She now focused on teaching at Academy. Her resume didn’t disclose further personal details.

At first, Davis was hesitant about her background as a former journalist. He feared Ming might leak information to her old journalist friends—especially entertainment reporters. Worse still, what if she worked double as a paparazzi? But Teno assured him Ming wasn’t like that.

“So, Kao, what do you think? Do you feel comfortable with her?” Teno asked, testing Kao’s interest.

Kao had already read Ming’s resume and portfolio. He said he had no objections.

Hearing that, Davis hoped Kao wasn’t choosing her just because he had fallen for her. But judging by how he looked at Ming, Davis knew Kao had already fallen. He hadn’t expected Ming to possess a charm that could so easily capture Kao’s heart. At that moment, Davis hoped their relationship wouldn’t develop into romance.

Ming was a 28-year-old single woman. Kao was much younger—eight years apart. Davis could already imagine the judgment if the public found out.

The introduction went smoothly. They moved on to discuss Kao’s class schedule. Ming was open to private lessons anywhere, knowing Kao might not be able to travel far during shoots. If locations were too distant from the academy, she would go to him. Davis would arrange the place. Ming agreed to the terms.