Monday mornings had always been a dreadful start for Jax, especially since he had to reach work before 8:00 a.m., which meant enduring the long early-morning traffic in the bustling city of Spectra, a metropolis renowned for its entertainment industry and A-list celebrities.
The congested streets and the growling of Jax's stomach only added to his hatred for Mondays.
He hadn't eaten the night before, having spent the entire night preparing for his promotion interview and working on his presentation for the board.
After four years of working tirelessly as a personal assistant, he was determined to secure the managerial position this time, especially since it would mean overseeing one of the country's top celebrities.
For Jax, becoming a manager wasn't simply another step in his career. It was the opportunity to finally earn the salary he deserved, receive recognition for the years of dedication he had given to the company, and travel the world as part of a career he had worked so hard to build.
He had moved to Spectra City at sixteen after graduating from high school and earning a scholarship to study at the city's top university.
Shortly after graduating, he had been scouted by an entertainment company and hired as a personal assistant to a manager who handled some of the country's most popular celebrities.
For the past two years, Jax had applied for a managerial position, only to have his applications rejected with excuses about his lack of experience or the fact that he was still too new to the industry.
Each rejection forced him to wait another year, and after four years of working toward the same goal, he wasn't sure he could endure another rejection.
He had already made up his mind that if things didn't work out this time, he would leave Spectra City and return to his hometown. He didn't want to spend another year working as a personal assistant while his dream remained unattainable, especially when people who had joined the company after him were already moving ahead in their careers.
He wanted something more, and he was willing to work for it.
"Get off the road!"
Jax's thoughts were shattered by the angry shout of a driver beside him when a car suddenly swerved into his lane, cutting him off.
The blaring horns and yelling drivers were another reminder of the chaos that defined Monday mornings in Spectra City, where the roads seemed to become a battlefield during rush hour and everyone was desperate to get wherever they were going.
"Oh, goodness," Jax muttered, glancing at his wristwatch. It read 7:10 a.m., which gave him enough time to make it to the office, although the traffic was already beginning to test his patience.
He drummed his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel of his old 1987 Toyota Corolla DX, which looked painfully out of place amidst the highway's parade of exotic vehicles. He had long since stopped pretending that he didn't notice the difference, but what could he do when his salary barely covered his apartment expenses and the debts he had accumulated over the years?
This was just another reason why Jax needed that promotion.
With the raise and the benefits that came with becoming a manager, he could finally afford a better car, one that wouldn't embarrass him every time he drove through Spectra's wealthier districts, and perhaps even move into a better apartment.
He had spent years putting his career ahead of everything else, and he was tired of watching the sacrifices produce nothing.
Lost in his thoughts, Jax's attention was abruptly drawn to a sleek black sports car speeding around the corner, pursued by a swarm of paparazzi.
Its tires screeched as it swerved sharply into Jax's lane, while the paparazzi remained hot on its trail, their cameras flashing and their microphones raised as they tried to capture whoever was inside.
"Must be a celebrity," Jax thought, looking away from the scene.
It wasn't the first time he'd witnessed such a spectacle. In Spectra City, celebrities being chased by paparazzi was hardly unusual, especially when a scandal was involved.
He refocused on the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green, when a sudden knock on his car window startled him.
Turning toward the sound, he saw a disheveled man wearing a nose mask and banging desperately on the glass.
The man's frantic gestures, combined with the paparazzi rapidly closing in behind him, told Jax everything he needed to know. This was the celebrity being chased in that sports car.
Jax hesitated for a moment, but when another camera flash went off behind the man, he unlocked the door without a second thought.
The stranger immediately opened it, jumped inside, and slammed the door shut behind him.
Jax stared at his unexpected passenger, taking in his appearance.
The nose mask obscured most of his face, but his beautiful obsidian eyes were impossible to ignore.
Their eyes locked for a moment in a silent exchange, until the paparazzi swarmed around Jax's car, their cameras clicking furiously as they tried to get a clear shot of the stranger.
"Please, just drive," the stranger pleaded, his low, rough voice tinged with desperation. "Get me out of here."
Jax hit the accelerator without a word, maneuvering through the traffic as the light turned red.
Luckily, they managed to get through the intersection and escape the heaviest part of the traffic before the paparazzi could follow them.
Once they were free of the paparazzi, Jax's curiosity finally got the better of him. He glanced at the man beside him before asking the question that had been on his mind since the moment the stranger entered his car.
"I know you're a celebrity, but who are you?"
The man's eyes darted around the car, clearly uneasy. Instead of answering, he said, "Please, drive me to the nearest bus stop. I have a car waiting for me there."
Jax frowned.
"I don't have time for this. I have a promotion interview, and I'm already running late."
The stranger clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, and Jax noticed the luxury wristwatch he wore, a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime that was absurdly expensive even by the standards of Spectra's wealthy celebrities.
"Please," the man implored again. "My identity must remain hidden."
Jax snorted.
"You're one problematic celebrity, aren't you?"
The stranger didn't respond, but instead locked his gaze on Jax.
"I'll remember your kindness. Forever."
Jax almost laughed at the idea.
A celebrity with millions of fans, expensive cars, and paparazzi following his every move probably had more important things to remember than an ordinary personal assistant driving an old Corolla.
Still, something about the stranger's desperation tugged at Jax's conscience, and after a moment of hesitation, he nodded in response to his request.
"Fine," he agreed, mentally calculating how long it would take to drop him off and still make it to the office in time for his promotion interview.
The stranger's tense face relaxed, and he released a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. This means a lot to me."
They reached the bus stop quickly, and the man gestured toward a sleek black van parked nearby.
"That's my car," he said.
Jax watched as the stranger opened the door to leave, but the man suddenly hesitated and turned back toward him.
"What's your name?" he asked.
Jax raised an eyebrow, skeptical of the question, but answered anyway.
"Jax Cristobal Torres."
The stranger nodded as though committing the name to memory before turning around and walking toward the waiting van.
As he drove away, Jax couldn't help but glance at the black van through his rearview mirror. He watched as the stranger slipped inside before the vehicle pulled away from the bus stop.
Jax wondered who the man really was and why he had been running from the paparazzi with such desperation.
He tried to recall the names of celebrities who had recently been embroiled in scandals, but there were far too many possibilities to consider, and he eventually gave up.
There were too many celebrities in trouble these days, and Jax resigned himself to the thought that he'd probably never meet the stranger again.
Ten minutes before 8:00 a.m., Jax arrived at Sapphire Entertainment, one of the city's leading entertainment agencies and his place of work.
He parked his car in the garage and stepped out, immediately spotting the sleek red Ferrari 488 GTB belonging to his boss, Regina Santos, the top manager of the country's most popular actress.
"She's already here," Jax muttered, walking past her car toward the sleek, modern building.
He waved and greeted the familiar face of Mark, the security guard.
"Good morning, Mark."
"Good morning, Jax. Good luck with your promotion, buddy."
Jax thanked him with a nod before stepping into the elevator. As he ascended, he exchanged polite greetings with colleagues from various departments, then pressed the button for his floor and rubbed his hands together nervously.
"I heard the promotion rules have changed," someone murmured behind him.
"I don't know how they expect us to meet the new targets," another person added.
Jax frowned but tuned out the chatter, choosing instead to focus on the promotion interview waiting for him upstairs. He had worked tirelessly for this opportunity, and Regina had assured him that he had a good chance of getting the position.
When the elevator doors slid open, Jax stepped out and took a deep breath before walking toward his department. Passing several desks, he exchanged brief smiles with his busy coworkers until he reached Ariana's desk.
"Good morning," he greeted her warmly.
Ariana looked up from her computer and smiled.
"Good morning."
She gestured toward Regina's office.
"She's been asking for you," Ariana whispered with a smile. "Maybe this promotion will happen sooner than expected."
Jax smiled back at her.
"Thank you."
He turned toward Regina's office door, and as he approached the sturdy dark wood door with its polished brass handle and the nameplate reading Regina Santos, CEO in elegant silver letters, his heart began racing with nerves and anticipation.
He had imagined this moment countless times, and he was certain that today would finally be the day he got what he had always wanted.
"This is it," Jax muttered, rubbing his sweaty palms together. "Go get it."
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in," Regina's smooth, melodious voice called from inside.
Jax turned the handle and stepped inside with a confident smile.
"Good morning, Regina."
Regina, a poised woman in her late forties with a sharp jawline and piercing green eyes, returned his greeting with a warm smile.
"Morning, Jax. Please, have a seat."
Jax raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled by the sudden seriousness in her voice.
"Is this part of the interview?"
Regina's expression turned serious.
"This is why I called you here, Jax. Please, sit down."
He nodded and lowered himself into a plush black leather chair before her mahogany desk, which was adorned with artwork and a computer.
Once he was seated, Regina's tone grew serious.
"Jax, I'm afraid the promotion to manager isn't going to happen."
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Please tell me you're joking."
Regina shook her head.
"I'm afraid not, Jax. The higher-ups have already made their decision, and they've selected the new managers."
Jax lowered his head, struggling to process the disappointment that settled heavily in his chest. He had spent the entire night preparing for this moment because he genuinely believed this would finally be his big breakthrough.
When he looked up again, he sighed heavily.
"But why? I've worked so hard for this promotion. I've consistently delivered results and taken on extra responsibilities to prove myself to this company."
Regina leaned back in her chair and folded her arms as she stared at him.
"Look, Jax, everyone knows how hard you've worked. Your dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. But management promotions aren't just about hard work. The higher-ups felt you lacked the necessary charisma to be a manager."
She paused, her eyes drifting toward his outfit, a plain navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt and a red tie.
Noticing her gaze, Jax looked down at himself. He had thought he looked professional, but now he wondered if his lack of flair had somehow counted against him.
"Don't worry, Jax," Regina continued. "You'll get another chance next year. Keep working hard and developing your skills. I'm sure—"
Jax suddenly slammed his hands on the desk, cutting her off. His face contorted in anger.
"Years, Regina! You've been saying the same thing for years! Just keep working hard, Jax, and you'll get the chance! I've done everything you've asked, but it never comes! People who don't have my qualifications have already been promoted. Those who started after me are senior managers, and I'm still stuck at the bottom!"
"Listen, Jax," Regina tried to interject, but he interrupted again.
"I'm tired, Regina. I'm tired of trying and getting nowhere. I'm tired of being lied to!"
Jax ran a hand through his messy curls, pulled out his ID card, and slammed it onto the desk.
"I quit!"
Regina's eyes widened in shock.
"Jax, are you sure this is the right decision? Don't act rashly. Think about it—"
"I've thought about it, Regina, and I'm done!" he snapped, turning on his heel and storming out of her office.
Ignoring Regina's calls to stop him, Jax approached his desk. Ariana tried to speak to him, but he brushed past her and headed straight to the elevator.
He clenched his fists tightly as two colleagues joined the elevator and began discussing the promotion.
"Alex got promoted, and he's only been here six months," one said.
"He's lucky," the other replied.
Jax's jaw tightened at the mention of Alex, a newcomer who had already surpassed him.
Anger boiled within him, and he sighed loudly, causing the two colleagues to exchange nervous glances.
They apparently recognized Jax and immediately stopped talking.
When the elevator stopped, Jax rushed out, ignoring the security guard who called his name at the entrance.
He walked toward his car parked in the garage, and as he slid into the driver's seat, the frustration he had been holding inside finally broke through. He let out a scream and hit the steering wheel with his fists repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.
He had spent four years working toward this moment, and in less than five minutes, everything he had hoped for had fallen apart.