Singing has been a part of Jude's life since he was young. Even before he sang professionally, as he does today, he was already singing. He would sing at the bar next to his house. Many people would come to see him because they liked his singing. While people enjoyed their drinks and food, he would sing for everyone, creating a very welcoming atmosphere. He also often brought an accordion he owned and played it while he sang. The bar owner didn't pay him anything; he depended entirely on the tips people gave him. Many times, when he received little money, it wasn't enough for food, and he had to play on the street.
He would play outside airports and bus terminals where he knew there was a lot of foot traffic. He had to do all this because his aunt, his only living relative, was a drug addict and spent all day at home. So, because of this, he had to work to buy food for himself and for her. Many times, she would scold him for not getting the things she wanted. She even stole the money he'd earned to buy more drugs. She was a truly wicked woman who took full advantage of his innocence.
When he was finally able to break free from her, he left her for good. In the end, she hadn't cared for him at all. She had only exploited him his entire life. He vowed never to let anyone take advantage of him again. To escape that life of darkness, he had to sing, but now he was aiming for more, for greater heights. He used everything he had to create music. He left the bar and his life on the streets.
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Since he was new to this, he needed someone to guide him in music, a manager to handle everything so he could focus on what was most important: singing. With the help of several contacts, he found the right person: a manager named Esteban. This manager was quite peculiar; he only worked with those he chose and wasn't easily hired. He also didn't charge too much at the beginning, being flexible with those starting out. His contacts had told Jude that Esteban was very good and had led several artists to fame, yet for some reason, they were always fired despite his good management.
Those mysterious details didn't bother Jude much; he only saw the positive side. When they met, Esteban saw how well Jude sang, immediately recognized his potential, and said yes, he would be delighted to work with him. In fact, he wouldn't have to pay him anything initially to help him save money and use it to create the foundation of his music. That was strange, but Jude was fine with it.
Esteban had experience in music, so he used all his knowledge to guide Jude down the right path. Before long, Jude was singing at the top of his game and releasing songs constantly. With Esteban's help, Jude achieved rapid success. Despite this success, something still puzzled Esteban. He couldn't understand why Esteban was paid so little compared to other managers. He worked incredibly hard, handling bookings, directing musical projects, and meticulously managing the finances and all the money Jude earned and generated. Esteban found it strange that he could live so well and so luxuriously on such a low salary. That level of spending would leave him penniless in no time.
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Seeing those suspicious things sparked Jude's doubts. And when he investigated, he uncovered everything. It turned out Esteban barely charged because he didn't need to. Since he managed his clients' finances so they could focus on their music, he took advantage of this oversight to manipulate the figures and pocket millions. That's why he was always fired, and why he was the one who chose who he worked with, selecting only the most unsuspecting but talented. Once again, Jude felt abused and betrayed, just like his aunt had been years before.
He fired Esteban with great sorrow, because he had been his friend and mentor. But he didn't forgive the betrayal at that moment, remembering the promise they had made years before. To prevent anyone else from falling into his traps, he made the betrayal public. And so Esteban's reign of theft came to an end. With so much abuse and backstabbing, Jude will continue singing, to bury the past and give meaning to his mind. The reality is that life is full of betrayal, but if you give in to it, you betray yourself by abandoning your dreams. He won't.
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