AMOS VOSS, RETURN OF THE TITAN

"Heck," Amos Voss rasped, taking one step away from the desk of the director in shock. "I'm withdrawing. I'm not interested in the job."

Yesterday, he'd received a message. Video shoot. Good pay. Stellar entertainment.

His heart raced with joy, replying to the message immediately to begin the job the next day. Maybe things were finally starting to get better for him.

Stellar entertainment is no small entertainment industry in Silvergate city. They're enormous, their operation cutting across different nations.

Amos had one day wished he had the chance to walk into the building one day to show his flair in shooting camera machines. And here was the golden opportunity which would change his life— in a way he never expected.

"Ten thousand dollars," Director jack had earlier said before his outburst. "Just three minutes shoot and it's over. Whatcha say?"

Amos's heart leaped in joy. Whatcha say? He needed not to second guess. Its a choice. Not option. 3 minutes. $10,000 grands. It was ten times the money he earns in two months.

"I'm in," He said, his heart brimming. "What's the bait? Ted talk? Pitch? Seminar speech?"

Director Jack leaned back with a sly smirk, a diamond timepiece flashing arrogance on his wrist. He leaned forward with hand entwined on the desk. "Just so you know," He said. "It's not tough. Adult contents. Live shoot," He paused, accessing Amos's reaction with a lifted brow. "You're in?"

Amos's smile faltered into shock. His joy withered instantly. His jaw loosened, nearly hitting the marble. Stellar had presented a good reputation to the world, but they're really deep into shit like this...and the reality put Amos in shock. But that wasn't his concern. or maybe so he thought.

He took one step back, his disinterest naked. " I'm not interested. " He clipped He had dignity. His-self worth and decency. The price was tempting, but he wasn't going to soil his hand in a dirty job for gold.

Cassandra, his wife's voice looped in his head, further firming his resolve. "We might be poor, but our dignity and decency must never be traded for gold."

"If you have another job, I'll do it. But not this. Never." His resolve strengthened as he took another step back, then turned to leave only to be blocked by two imposing guards in suit.

His eyes narrowed in confusion as he look back to Director Jack who was already on his feet. A smug grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "You think you can walk out on me like that," He chuckled darkly, stepping out of his desk. "You thought I was asking? " He shook his head in taunt, as though Amos was more foolish than he assumed.

Amos' at once knew there was trouble. But why would his disinterest stir one. "What are you talking about?" His brows scrunched in confusion.

Jack laughed— short, sharp. "Don't act dumb, champ," He leaned against the desk, arms crossed on his chest. "You're smarter than this, Amos... Voss." He grinned with a knowing eye glint

Amos' expression faltered completely, his eyes widening in horror. "How...how did you..."

Jack cut him off with a sharp laughter. "How did I know your name? Dumb question, Champ," He stood straighter, brushing invisible fleck from his suit. "The question should be 'why' "

He reached out to the desk drawer, pulling out freshly printed paper and pushing it towards him. "Sign it."

"I'm not going to do that. I told you I'm not interested. What's all this about?" Amos said firmly.

Jack tilted his head with a sharp dangerous grin. "You have family, don't you," He said. "If you value their lives, make a smart choice now, Champ."

Amos' heart dropped. This. It was all schemed. The messages. The offer. It all had a different agenda. A trap to bury him. But again, Why?

His emotion warred. Pride and decency battling the reality of Jack's threat on his family. His wife's words echoed again. But he was cornered. He wasn't going to risk their life knowing a jerk like Jack who made findings about him could do something dangerous.

His eyes shifted to Jack. "But why are you doing this?"

"Just sign the paper." Jack cut in impatiently, glancing at his watch with serious expression.

Amos looked down at the paper. It was an undertaking. Concealment of action. Legal backing. Amos was really concerned.

His finger shook as the pen inch to the paper to put his signature. The pen felt really heavy, but he had no choice now. He was coerced. His family's life is on the line. The ink bled at the first touch as he scribbled his signature after heavy hesitation.

Director Jack smirked and stood up as he grabbed the paper, nodding his head in cruel satisfaction.

"That's more like it," He shoved the paper back in the drawer and glanced at his watch again. "We better don't be late for the shoot. The star actress should be on her way."

Amos swallowed hard, trailing behind Director jack. The bag containing his video machines felt heavier like a curse.

*******

The fourth floor, last floor of Stellar was in a frantic mood as the elevator chimed open; Interns rehashing, conversations floating with laughter, make-up artists doing what they knew how to do best, shouting for mascara and concealer.

Amos trailed behind Director jack. The rhythm of 'good morning Director' filled the air.

Amos wondered what was happening there and why he was specified for he job.

Murmuring buzzed behind.

"I heard She's skilled...a maniac on the bed," One girl in a skimpy dress said.

"It's not new, Jade,' The next girl responded, tossing her hair behind. "Wonder why her networth is $5 million dollars. That's cos she's really one hell of a maniac."

"I'll be willing to lose my hand to have Lisa in bed just for once." One guy said with flirty intents.

Amos' glanced at the guy, but he didn't linger on him. That was his wife's name. Decent. Trustworthy. Whoever the person they were talking about is, it couldn't be his Lisa.

Lisa was an actress too. Upcoming. Full of aspiring energy. But she couldn't be in a place like this. Impossible is just the word. At least, that was what Amos thought.

Amos had swore to keep the secret away from her. He regrets taking the message now. But it is too late now. He had to submit to have his family safe.

Director jack stopped just before they entered the next door, his expression business firm. "Make it count, champ. She's the star of this industry and significantly more than million bucks is on the line. Every moaning matters." He tapped his shoulder, his grin sharp, mischievous. He moved again.

Amos didn't follow him instantly. He chuckled, amused by the last quote.

And the moment they entered the set room, Amos knew there was no going back. He set his bag down. The room was in full swing. Light spilled over the bed prepared for the shoot at the corner. The male actor grinned like a wolf as he gets ready, revising scripts like his life depended on it.

"Too much to lose one's decency." He muttered and focused on his work as he dragged down the bag zip to bring out his video machine.

Then, suddenly, the room shifted.

The hallway was abuzz with paparazzi. Frantic praises rippled the air.

"She's here." Director Jack grinned, stepping towards the door to meet the star. Amos was only focused on his job so he could finish the forbidden job and leave quickly.

Behind, heels clicked. One. Two. One. Two— Slow. Regal. Like a count down.

All heads turned to look at her. Murmuring floated with envious comments and praises.

"Wow, She's gorgeous!"

"The legend," Someone said. "Star on the screen!"

"Sexy Lisa!! I want to be like her one day." Another cooed in envy.

Amos' curiosity piqued, and so he turned to have a glimpse of the star. But what he saw shattered him completely.

"Lisa." His jaw hit the pavement in shock.

It was his wife.