Core strength

1. Interview

JJ is waiting with another two guys in the lobby of the entertainment company. He has plenty of time to observe the different workers at their desks, some chatty, some quiet, concentrated in their own screens. The office has a modern bright decoration in different shades of grey, with many windows and natural light creating patterns on the office floor and walls.

He observes the posters decorating the space, there are several photos of male couples about to kiss or in a suggestive pose. Then his eyes stop to watch a poster of a very beautiful long haired man, wearing a lace t-shirt under a bomber jacket, holding a microphone. "Jeff Satur" he reads and recognises the name of the person who might become his boss if he hires him.

The other two guys sitting nearby are there for the same reason, he can tell. One is boasting a sports trainer look, wearing tight sport clothes as if he was stepping in the gym instead of an office. The last one looks like a university student, JJ wonders if this is his first job interview. JJ is wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and jeans, very simple and unassuming, but at the same time showcasing his muscled arms and thighs.

The receptionist presses a button and the big glass door on their left side opens. The same Jeff Satur of the poster, this time in casual clothes (a hoodie) but with his face still wearing makeup from the gig he just finished.

A pretty girl with glasses is talking to him and pointing discretely at the three applicants sitting on the corner.

Jeff Satur looks in JJ's direction and nods, says a few words to his assistant, then turns around, waves goodbye to everyone with a wide smile and leaves.

***

Jeff is only thinking of crashing on his own bed, he had a magazine photoshoot in the morning and a commercial event in the afternoon that turned into a mini concert.

When his assistant Lawan asked him what he thought about the personal trainer he didn't think too much. He liked the looks and the attitude of the one wearing jeans. After all it's just a trainer for the next four to six months maximum.

He's been selected to play the role of a sportsman who will be part of the main couple in a new BL series. The project is still on its earlier stages but the description of the character is someone "shredded", so Jeff is going to need some extra training to play the character.

That's why his assistant has organised the hiring process. Today she asked the three shortlisted candidates to come along. He feels a bit guilty because he should have conducted a proper interview but he's too exhausted.

***

Two hours after seeing Jeff Satur in person for the first time, JJ receives a text to confirm that he's passed the interview and they want him to start working the day after tomorrow.

He breaths in relief... He's been a bit worried, thinking he might need to go back to find a job at a restaurant again, since the part time job at his local gym doesn't seem to be enough to cover the rent.

He lives alone in a small apartment, in a nice middle class neighborhood. He has a very small garden/ patio where he grows plants, including some cooking herbs. Just the thought of moving to a smaller, darker place without space for his plants makes him gloomy. But the new job is great news, he will be earning two to three times more than in the gym for the next six months, that will secure his rent for almost a year.

With this thought in mind he opens a bottle of beer and cheers to himself. Then he has another dram to Jeff Satur.