The Only Constant Thing in the World

“Good evening, everyone! We’ve been waiting for this all night, and the moment is finally here! Get ready to witness the incredible talent and energy of the boys who’ve captivated the world! I am absolutely thrilled to bring you, the phenomenal group, SoundBreak!” A lively and modern song was then played on the gigantic speakers of the stadium as five boys emerged from behind the stage. The first member, named Pablo, started to hum as an intro of the song. He is tall and has a distinct facial features, sharp almost commanding presence, while Stell, another member, with pale, soft yet striking and expressive face started to sing the slightly cheesy, cute pop love song. Their fans also started their yells and cheers as the group dances to the tune of the song with accurate timing and charisma. The next verse after the chorus was led by another member, Justin. He has a lean built, well defined features, highlighting his eyes that has a gentle upward curve and hints a unique warmth, makes him the crowd favorite. Stell sang the peak of the song which has a high tone giving impression to his wide vocal range, followed by a rap by another member named, Josh, who is a skilled rapper making the words flow smooth like silk over a beat with conviction and is crystal clear. You can understand every word and you can feel every emotion behind every word that he is rapping. The song is completed by the unique backups and ad libs of the last member, Felip. He has dark skin, a stylish image and professes a confident stage presence. As the song ends, the roar of the crowd was deafening, cheers and screams vibrated through the stadium. The crowd was a sea of faces with different colors, t-shirts with faces of the group members, waving banners with excerpts like Soundbreak Forever!, flashing lights, and a glow of a thousand cell phone screens illuminating faces from below the stage. I didn’t realize that the announcer ushered the group in a horizontal bee-line in front of a podium with a mic stand. The deafening crowd became silent. They were puzzled by what’s happening and worry were visible to their faces as concern and loving fans of the group. Few days ago, unsettling news resurfaced about the group. It was followed by a lot of t****k anonymous video compilations supporting the news and a lot of hate thread. They are scheduled to hold a press conference in this stadium. But compared to their many presscons before, when they are announcing their success, this time, they choose to become vigilant and discreet that they did not invited many media company to cover the said press conference. Pablo stood on the podium and tested the mic. I can see how perplexed he is. How he purposely maintains his focus to have a calm demeanor before saying something to their expecting audience. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me. It was because of this interview that I am here instead of enjoying my weekend in Azores Islands in Portugal where I plan to soak on one of its famous hot springs while drinking a glass of Vinho de Cheiro. This is more important than rest and relaxation. Pablo introduced the group and started his speech. “Good evening everyone. I am Pablo, the leader of Soundbreak.” He then looked at Josh for I don’t know, maybe for some kind of emotional support before saying what he previously prepared. I know their company. From the moment I signed a contract to their kneeling down, bawling his eyes out, foreigner manager, I instantly reviewed their company profile up to their trial balances, profit and loss statement to their balance sheets for the last five years. I know how their company is struggling. From their financial reports, I know their spending behavior, their financial planning capacity and their overall failed company structure. All of those and still nothing could’ve prepared me from what I will be hearing tonight. I am equally nervous about this interview but my body recognized anxiety as excitement. The two have a thin line correlation that I no longer know the difference between being quite often exposed to those emotions while working as an accountant in several top European companies. “Most of you have heard about an article released anonymously about SoundBreak Entertainment’s financial condition. As this became viral, we know, that our fans has been really worried upon hearing that news.” Again, he looked at Josh, then to other members before returning his gaze to the audience. I tried to examine his emotions while watching him speak and I can say that he is very nervous. But unlike me, it is a bad kind of nervous. He is about to lie to his fans. “Our finance team is with us tonight to explain and answer all probable questions the media have, to straighten the issue. But overall, I will leave you a word that all of those issues resurfacing our company having financial crisis were all not true.” I want to gag. This is not right. How can they have authentic support by giving false hopes to their supporters or by lying to them? A loud, screeching static sound was heard in the stadium. It was like a mic or sound system malfunctioning. I lowered my hat and hid my lapel on the wingtip collar of my jacket. “With all due respect, gentlemen,” I begin, with my usual calm but authoritative tone. “Your projections are based on fundamentally flawed assumptions, and your understanding of your current liabilities appears, optimistic, to say the least.” The group members quickly searched the room in bewilderment trying to search where the voice is coming from. Their manager frantically tries to mute the speakers but when I already started, nobody could ever stop me. “In March 2020, the company acquired an investment from another entertainment agency abroad amounting to 200 million pesos. Funded the starting group, your band, for promotions, concert tours, music releases on every platform across all Asia. But the funding is not enough. After draining the said investment, Soundbreak Entertainment has not just asked for another investment but solicited to local entertainment agencies which were all denied. That brought a decision to borrow money from banks to be able to continue funding the group. During this time, the group has already became viral on social media, X and they can’t afford to lose the spotlight just because they lack funds for their musical career. The loans continued on different banks and remain unpaid even today, May 4 2025.” I can’t help but became fully emotionally invested that I said those things loud and clear in my lapel. I can hear the gasps and feel the tension throughout the stadium. But to my defense, I only deliver the truth. I raised my head a little to see the stage and what served me are their dumbfounded faces. Pablo is the only one still intrigued and desperate to know me while the others are bowing their heads for I don’t know, if it’s shame or sadness. Pablo snatched the mic on its stand. He left the podium a while ago when I started speaking their truth. I was amazed that not one of them is searching the whole area for me instead of just doing their shame parade but maybe, when you think about it, this is also what they truly wanted. To stop the façade. Josh went to Pablo’s side making him lean his weight onto his shoulders because Pablo seems weakened by what he heard from me. He then murmur something in his ear before taking the mic on Pablo’s hand. “Who the hell are you?” Josh asked what supposed to be is Pablo’s words before collapsing on the stage. His voice full of depth and conviction just like how he sing and rap. “My name is Scarlett Salvacion. And contrary to what your accountants may have led you to believe, you are not ‘almost back on track’.” “You are hemorrhaging money, and unless drastic measures are taken immediately, Soundbreak will be bankrupt within six months.”