CHAPTER 2

"Please take a seat," Lucius said, glancing down at the paper he was holding.

"Thank you," Estella replied as she sat down.

He didn't look at her when he asked, "Why do you want to be an actress?" Estella thinks he is a snob and has a hostile personality, despite his handsome appearance.

She sat properly before responding to the question. "Simple answer. I'd like to help my family get through poverty. I want to be known for my own talents, and capabilities and I want to make a lot of money. I'd like to get rich immediately." She answered confidently. 

The young man gazed at her for the first time, giving her a serious look. Estella had already seen Lucius' face at that point. His attractiveness stems from his wide eyes and lengthy eyelashes in a single setting. That appears to be flawless. He's God's personal favorite because he appeared to be a perfect human being.

She couldn't take her gaze away from Lucius' attractiveness. He's tall, and he's clearly a gym enthusiast. He had a body to die for, and she could feel her heart racing with excitement. She was drawn to him like a magnet, unable to control her attraction. His muscles flexed as he moved, and she felt a warmth in her chest as she looked at him. 

"Are you serious?" He asked coldly.

"Yes, I'm serious." Her response was self-assured. 

Lucius exhaled deeply and crossed his arms as he leaned his back to his chair. "So, are you saying that you only audition for money?" Lucius asked and laughed while nodding his head. Estella's body went frigid as she gulped hard. As a result, she felt a little self-conscious.

"Let me remind you that this isn't a bank, it's a building for auditionees who want to showcase their talents," Lucius said calmly.

Estella gasped in annoyance. She just stated the true purpose of her audition, but the young man laughed and humiliated her. She feels she's being insulted.

"You don't understand how poverty is killing me, my family, and my dreams because you're rich," she said, holding back tears. Because she was annoyed, she wanted to cry at such moments. This is precisely how the wealthy are. Looking at the destitute like her makes you feel insignificant.

Because of her answer, Lucius regained his wits and stopped questioning the young woman. "You're free to leave now; it's finished." He stated matter-of-factly. 

Estella walked out of the room without hesitation, cursing Lucius in her head.

Before the break time, he went through a slew of more interviews. He'll be one of the judges in the studio where the auditionees will prove their acting skills. He proceeded to the next studio after their short break and sat close to the other judges.

"You don't understand! I only did it because I love you, Joshua!" the young woman said as she performed a scene, which surprised the judges.

The woman played great, and Lucius locked his gaze on the name written on paper, which he read in hushed tones.

Estella Velazquez...

If he's not incorrect, this lady is the one who rebuked him earlier in the interview. In the interview, he gave her a poor score, but today, based on its proven acting, he rated it with a high score.

***

Despite his exhaustion, Lucius managed to attend a friend's wedding. Kian, his best friend with Sandra, his cousin. He did not attend the party after the wedding. He had to rest. There are too many projects accepted by his management, and he no longer has time for himself.

"My son, why don't you even say hello to Kelly? She personally came to congratulate you." Her mother greeted him as he walked into their home. He has a condominium property, but he prefers to stay at their family's home sometimes. He can't leave his bedroom because he misses it.

Lucius locked his gaze on Kelly for a second. He moved closer to his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you for coming. But I'll have to excuse myself since I need to take a rest."

“Lucius!” 

He ignored his mother's call and went straight to his room. Despite their wealthy state, he would rather do shows, showcase his talent, and spend his own money than be the boss of their own company. He and his father are at odds. His father wanted him to be the new founder, but he hesitated. Lucius also despises his father when he's secretly cheating on her mother.

He didn't want to be in charge of the corporation since it wasn't in his dignity to deal with jobs that aren't up to his standards. A wacky posse of porn stars, prostitutes, and other nasty work. For him, it's obscene. He despises them all.

***

Estella's aura brightened when a manager contacted her and mentioned that he wanted her to work as an actress. The manager will test her if she is well-liked by both the audience and the management.

"Mom! No! Mom! Wake up!” 

When she heard her siblings screaming, she ran fast inside their house. Estella appeared unhappy when she saw her mother lying on the floor with blood on her nose.

Her siblings approached her as soon as she entered the house.

"She just fainted out!" Her siblings screamed in terror. Even though she was at a loss for what to do, she must not be disheartened; her siblings rely on her, so she must be strong.

"Help! Our mother! " Her voice turned hoarse just to ask for help from their neighbors. Their neighbors came out of their houses right away to help them.

Several people helped in the lifting of her mother. They were sent to an ambulance. She prayed continuously while the ambulance was moving. She fights back tears while looking at her mother. Estella doesn't want to make her siblings think that she is weak.

Her two siblings were sobbing till they got to the hospital, and she was soothing them. Assuring them that everything will be fine.

"We are cash-strapped... I'm not sure how we're going to get Mom out of here. " Her younger brother stated. He may be young, but he understands how poverty affects their families.

"I'll take care of it, okay?" She said as she caressed her sibling's hair.

After a few moments, the doctor emerged from the emergency room and approached Estella.

"The patient must remain in this facility. She must be restrained." The doctor said, then paused. He sighed and took his surgical gloves off his hands

"I'd like to be straightforward. Your mother needs surgery due to a large lump in her belly. That's causing internal hemorrhage. There is no other option than surgery, so be prepared to spend a lot of money." The doctor added. Making Estella freeze.

"You must sign this waiver before we begin the operation." She was handed a piece of paper by the doctor. "I'm also reminding you of something. The patient's health is under threat. She only has a 50% chance of surviving. So. We're speeding up the process, and you'll make your decision tonight. " Even though she didn't have the money yet, she undoubtedly signed it.

She'll also figure out a method to make a lot of money tomorrow. She'll talk to the manager and give her a lot of projects just to have money for her mother's operation. She'll beg for projects in desperation and she'll do whatever it takes to make money.

When Carla heard the news, she went to the hospital right away.

"What are you up to now?" Carla asked Estella.

"I'll talk to the management about giving additional projects, so I can pay for Mother's surgery."

Her friend regrettably averted her gaze. "If I had money, I would have lent it to you. This is why-"

"I understand you have a family as well; as long as you support me, that will be enough."

They exchanged a friendly smile. "You'll be able to get through it all. You're strong." Carla's words of encouragement made her cry, and tears welled up in her eyes.

***

She left the hospital as soon as she saw the sunrise in the morning. Her sisters were in the care of Carla, a friend who was staying with them all day.

"Please, no acting practices for me. I need projects that can be completed quickly. " Estella is like a dog, crying for a manager to accept her, but the management refused since she needed to go through rehearsal acting first.

"I'm so sorry, but-"

"As long as I have projects, I'll do anything, in whatever role. Just please help me," she pleaded as she knelt. Her eyes welled up with tears.

The manager took her hand and helped her stand. "Fine, I'll figure something out. Just make sure you don't let me down," said the manager. 

Estella's lips curved into a smile. Her grin was contagious. "Yes, yes. Promise! Thank you very much."

Estella sat in her manager's office, waiting. She wandered across the office. She stood in awe at the portraits of well-known artists in the entertainment industry in her manager's workplace, until the manager arrived. She and someone with her who looked decent, so she was happy to greet the lady. 

"Good morning," she greeted.

The lady gave a forced smile before speaking. "I spoke with the Chairman. Vanessa from Skyrim Entertainment has returned, according to the Chairman. As a result, Lucius has a partner and there are no open projects for a beginner. Because you're a newbie, you won't get anything right away. So, no more explanation. Please excuse me, I have to go."

She can't return to the hospital since she doesn't have enough money to pay for her mother's surgery.

"Estella-"

She ran away, crying, and didn't know what to do. She has no idea where to go as long as she runs while shedding tears in her eyes. Estella doesn't know what to do next. She was slowly losing hope.

Her cellphone, which had a keypad, unexpectedly rang as she was running. She stopped in the park and sat down. Only numbers were revealed. She felt a little jittery and hesitant to pick up the phone. But, in the end, she answered.

"Hello, Estella. I'm Delia, one of the best managers in Skyrim Entertainment. Someone will pick you up there in the park, just wait for a moment, and we can talk about your price. "

And then the call ended.

When the call abruptly stopped, she would have responded. She felt jittery and unsure. She didn't know where she got her number or even who she was. There are questions banging in her head. Her mind wanders to the question, but she needs money. The van sped away and was parked in the large parking lot in a matter of minutes.

"Good morning, Ms. Estella Velasquez. We can discuss my offers here," a woman said as she walked inside the van.

"W-Who are you?" She stuttered while asking due to nervousness.

Delia gave a big smile. "My name is Delia. I heard you need money, a lot of money for your mother's operation, am I correct? "

"What do you want from me? Why do you know those things, who told you these?" she asked the lady, her expression astonished. She didn't know the woman, and Delia didn't know her at all, but why did she know these details?

"Are you looking for fast cash?"

"Yes, you are correct; I need immediate funds; do you have an offer for me? I can do anything as long as the exchange is big money," she stated. The woman smiled and handed her an envelope, but Delia acted quickly and snatched the envelope out of her hands as if she were playing a silly game.

She was going to take up the envelope when the woman took it. Delia, on the other hand, snatched the envelope again, as if she were toying with her. "Easy. Being an artist is not what I'm offering to you. I'm offering you a project that has the potential to derail an artist's career. Still interested?"

"Let's go right to it. What is it?"

Delia slightly chuckled. "All you have to do now is to smear Lucius Hudson's name and reputation in public. I want you to destroy him but don't worry, scripts are provided. It can be your training ground as an actor," Delia said, then smiled.

She was speechless. She was taken aback by Delia's offer, which piqued her interest.

"Why? Why do you feel tempted to wreck his life? "

"It's none of your concern. Do you accept my offer, or are you going to back off?"

She can't afford to damage someone else for the sake of profit, yet her mother's life is at stake. In exchange, she must get it before others do, even if it is against her will.

"Fine. I'll accept it as long as that money is exactly 200 thousand pesos." Estella said while pointing at the envelope that Delia was holding.

Delia gave a devilish grin. "There's more money in this envelope than you're asking for.

There's nothing to be concerned about." Delia stated and offered the envelope. She promptly accepted it without a doubt.

"Tomorrow morning. Someone will be interviewing you here in the SKYRIM Building. Good luck!" She added. The woman exited the car and demanded that the driver take her to the hospital. She knew it was wrong to damage someone's reputation, but she didn't have a choice. For the sake of her mother's surgery and her family's future.