บท 18: interview

November 23, 2004

Broadway - Imperial building

Jaxon sat comfortably in the plush chair, the lights from the set casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern interview room. The interviewer, a polished woman with a friendly smile, leaned forward slightly, exuding a calm professionalism. They had already covered the basics—his recent performances, the success of his label, and his latest ventures. Now, it was time for the questions that went beyond the surface.

"So, Jaxon," she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Everyone's been dying to know—are you seeing anyone special these days?"

Jaxon chuckled softly, his fingers tapping the arm of his chair. "Well, you know, I'm always surrounded by special people. Life's been busy, and I'm just focused on the work right now."

She smiled but pushed just a little further. "I see you're dodging the question, but the rumors are swirling. Any truth to them?"

Jaxon grinned, flashing the kind of smile that had made fans adore him. "I guess some things are better left a mystery, huh?"

The interviewer laughed and let it go, sensing there was no more to dig into there, at least for now. She shifted gears, leaning back as she asked, "How's your family doing? It must be great for them to see you achieving so much."

Jaxon's expression softened, and his eyes lit up, a genuine warmth taking over his face.

"They're enjoying life, you know. Traveling with me, seeing the world, experiencing things they never thought they would." His smile broadened, clearly thinking of Leah and her family.

The interviewer tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Oh, I meant your real family… your birth parents."

The energy in the room shifted subtly. Jaxon's smile faded, though he kept his composure. "Ah," he said, after a moment, "you meant my birth parents." He hesitated briefly, then continued, "They passed away… a long time ago."

An awkward silence hung in the air, and the interviewer seemed to sense she had unintentionally struck a chord. She cleared her throat and quickly switched topics, her voice lightening.

"Let's talk about your business ventures! You've been making waves, not just in music but in real estate too. What's next for you?"

Jaxon leaned back, letting the tension of the previous question slip away. "Yeah, it's been a crazy ride.

I've got some more projects lined up, but honestly, I think I'm going to take a little break from the spotlight for a while."

The interviewer raised her eyebrows in surprise, her interest piqued. "A break? What are you going to do with your time?"

"Well," Jaxon said, leaning forward with a grin, "I've got to focus on school. I've been putting it off for too long, and it's time to hit the books again."

Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That's amazing! Where will you be studying, if you don't mind sharing?"

Jaxon winked playfully. "That's a secret I'll keep for now. You'll find out soon enough."

The interviewer laughed, charmed by his response, and the conversation moved back into lighter topics about his business and future plans. But as the interview ended, the brief, poignant moment about his family lingered in the air.

---

As the interview aired that evening, people across the country tuned in, captivated by Jaxon's charm, talent, and success.

Fans at home couldn't help but feel for him when he briefly mentioned his parents' passing.

One viewer, a teenage girl sitting with her family, whispered, "I had no idea… he never talks about them."

"Well duh" said her brother but was ignored.

Her mother nodded solemnly. "It must be hard for him to bring that up, especially in front of so many people."

Across town, a group of friends gathered in their living room, watching the interview intently.

One of them, a die-hard fan, commented, "That was sad, but he handled it so well. He's so strong. I wonder where he's going to school, though!"

Another friend laughed. "He didn't spill that, did he? I'm dying to know too!"

In households all over, the interview sparked conversations—about his resilience, his plans for the future, and his ability to stay grounded despite his fame.

---

The snow outside blanketed the ground in soft, white layers, creating a winter wonderland that made Leah's home feel cozy and warm.

Inside, the fireplace crackled and popped, filling the living room with a gentle heat. Leah sat on the floor near the Christmas tree, a grin on her face as she passed Jaxon a gift wrapped in silver paper.

"Merry Christmas, Jax," she said with a teasing tone, her eyes sparkling.

Jaxon smiled as he tore open the wrapping.

Inside was a pair of handmade wool gloves, soft and lined with fleece. He held them up, grinning.

"These are perfect! You know I'm always losing mine."

Leah laughed. "Exactly why I made them for you. No excuses now."

Sue and Harry sat on the couch, watching with fondness as Jaxon and Leah exchanged playful banter. Sue leaned over and nudged Harry.

"They're practically inseparable, aren't they?"

Harry nodded, chuckling under his breath. "Like two peas in a pod."

From across the room, Seth, Leah's younger brother, spoke up.

"Hey, Jaxon, think you'll still beat me at snowball fights tomorrow?"

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, a mock-serious expression on his face.

"Oh, Seth, you're going down. I've been practicing my aim."

The room burst into laughter, and even Seth couldn't help but grin. "We'll see about that!"

After exchanging gifts, the family gathered around the fireplace. Jaxon sat beside Leah, the warmth of the fire making his face glow. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Sue handed out steaming mugs of hot chocolate, the rich smell of cocoa filling the air.

"So, Jaxon," Harry said, taking a sip of his drink, "any big plans for next year? You're always up to something."

Jaxon smiled, looking into the fire for a moment before answering. "Honestly, I think I'm going to take things a little slower. Focus on school, spend more time with the people who matter. This year's been non-stop, and I think it's time for a little break."

Leah looked up at him, her eyes soft. "That sounds perfect."

Seth, always quick with a joke, chimed in. "You mean more time to lose snowball fights, right?"

Jaxon laughed, playfully punching Seth's Arm. "You wish, Dude."

As the night grew later, the family fell into comfortable conversations, sharing stories and memories from past Christmases. The air was filled with love and laughter, the kind of warmth that no fame or fortune could replace.

The evening ended with them all gathered around the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and laughing together, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with family.