Big Dreams

This chapter was edited by ShadowLover52

Chapter 1: The Precious Dream

2018: Everything starts with a dream. The world’s biggest coliseum is filled with excitement as the biggest star of the night would be breaking out the performance that will make everyone’s jaw drop.

Six years ago, nobody thought that this superstar would be born in the Waiting Arts School. Decades ago, Gaerim Arts School was known to be the most prestigious arts school in Asia producing thousands of quality actors, singers, filmmakers and artists until the arts school suffered from debts. Mr. Achilles Foster, the founder of Gaerim, sold a very large part of his share to the Kenny Richford, a family friend, to save it from bankruptcy.

Today, 2012, Gaerim Arts School is suffering again because of the scandals involving its alumni. The school has been predicted to close in two years because of degrading quality and extreme competition against other art schools and talent searches held on TV.

“In two years, this arts school would be demolished and a high rise condominium would be built here,” Mr. Max Richford, the son of Kenny Richford, daydreams.

“Sir, let me just remind you that you will have a meeting with the board persons later at 5:00 PM,” said his secretary upon hearing the bell which rings every 4:30 at the afternoon.

“I guess it’s time to deliver the wonderful news. Don’t worry because you will don’t lose your job,” the 50 year old principal smirked to his young secretary.

As the director of the school walks through the corridors to the conference room, he sings a song of victory and celebrates for this day. The director sat on his chair and greeted everyone in the room smiling.

After attendance was called, Ms. Alex Foster immediately opened the conversation with no hesitation, “Let us go directly to the point. We need to plan to hold the entrance exam auditions.”

“No, no, no…” Max Richford cut her words.

“What do you mean ‘no’? We have already skipped last year’s auditions to concentrate on the graduating batch so don’t tell me we would be skipping it again,” Alex, the granddaughter of Gaerim’s founder replied.

Max replied bluntly, “There will be no skipping of auditions this year.  Instead, let me announce to you that in two years, this junk school will be closed.”

Everyone was shocked as they have confirmed that the rumor spreading is true especially Ms. Alex Foster.

“For sure, every one of you knows that since my father brought this company, there is no sufficient growth that is happening. The debts are not decreasing and since my father has already been dead for a year, I have decided to demolish this company and build a high rise condominium,” the director confidently explained, “I understand your feelings Ms. Alexandria Foster but we cannot do anything more to save this old trashy school,” Mr. Richford added.

The board members had an affirmative response after the director explained that they would still be a part of the upcoming project except for two of the members, Alex Foster and Lawrence Maxwell.

After the meeting, the two remained in the room with disappointment. Alex confronted the director. Alex begged for another chance but the director has already decided.

“As what I have told already, there is no future for this school. We have already tried many methods but we did not succeed. The alumni of this school have tried to help but they did not succeed either,” Max started to get pissed off.

“What if I found a way?” Alex replied.

“You will not find a way,” Max responded seriously.

“I am betting my 15% share for this school and for your garbage idea of having a condominium,” Alex replied without a blinking her eyes.

Max silenced and think for a while. He then replied, “Still small and I pity you.  You will end up nothing; you better save that for your marriage.”

“I am serious,” Alex replied while glaring on Max’s eyes.

“I am also betting my 3%,” Lawrence raised his voice.

Alex was surprised as well as Max. The director then called his assistant to do a short temporary contract and asked it to be signed by the two.

“Tomorrow, let us talk again for the terms and conditions of the contract. Then, we can make a more formal contract,” Max said and left the room. Alex and Lawrence were left in the room.

“Why did you risk that 3% share of yours?” Alex asked confused.

“I believe in these children and I believe in this school,” Lawrence replied.

“I think we need to brainstorm and talk about it tomorrow morning,” Alex responded.

When Lawrence got home, he immediately talked to his daughter Suzy. He asked Suzy to help on his problem.

“Don’t tell me that you will enter me to that trashy school. And besides, why would I take an art course? Celebrities are brainless and I don’t want to waste my intelligence on that rubbish field,” Suzy denied the request even before his father asked her.

“Right! What if we put medical and engineering courses on the school?” Lawrence raised an idea.

“That will never work. Your dirty school cannot afford it,” Suzy replied, “The best way is to close the school as soon as possible then convert it to a store. That’s more practical but if you have real estate contacts, you can build a condominium there. Let me just remind you once again that my long brown hair and my fair skin are not for sale,” Suzy left those words and went to her room.

Suzy sat on her bed and looked at their family picture. Her father had nice eyes but has been covered by his eyeglasses. She looked at her mother in the picture.

“Ma, I’m sure that father is helping Ms. Foster again. I know its okay but I think that Alex is making things hard for father,” Suzy told to herself while looking at the picture.

The next day, Lawrence raised a suggestion to Alex, “You are tall and has a flawless brown skin. You also have a good nose. Why don’t you try acting or modeling then endorse our school?”

“Lawrence, I have thought of that idea but if those veteran stars did not work, then I am sure that even if I make it, the time is not enough,” Alex responded.

“So what do you plan next?” Lawrence asked.

“We will create the next big stars. In less than two years, we will apply the ultimate strategy that will change the game. We will hold an audition and train ten fresh faces. No matter what happens, we need to save the school,” Alex revealed.