Chapter 1: The hell do you think you are?

"Nothing comes without a price, Ms Lopez." He said in a low voice, flashing her a cocky grin.

"Are you willing to do anything to get the lead role?"

"Yes, I am."

Mia hoped he wouldn't say the words she had been familiar with over the years.

She chewed on her bottom lips nervously, and watched as the man leaned back on his plush chair, and Mia could feel his hungry gaze feeding on her delicate curves.

"Just one night with me.. Mia Lopez."

He dropped the words she had been scared of, and her head banged.

Not again!

"A night with you?" she spat, disgusted. "You're sick!"

The man's annoying laughter filled her ears, and she grabbed her bag, feeling suffocated in his office.

After trying so hard to show him what she got during the audition, this was all he could ask for, just like others.

"This is a lifetime opportunity. You won't want to miss it."

Mia glared at the slightly older man and he pushed a written piece of note to her.

Her eyes darted to the note and the steamy coffee on his desk.

"Sure, I won't want to miss this opportunity, Mr... Martinez." That was the name his assistant had called him earlier.

However, she picked up the piece of note, and shredded it to pieces.

"What the..." His eyes flashed with anger and his lips pursed in a thin line. "Bitch!"

Bitch? Mia lost it.

She threw her leg over the table and grabbed his collar forcefully.

"I am not some whore you can mess with, you dirty pig!"

"Let me go!" he grunted, struggling with her grip, but Mia wasn't done yet.

Picking up the cup of coffee, she emptied the hot liquid on his face and Mr Martinez let out a loud scream, piercing the walls of his spacious office.

She pushed him off when his assistant ran in, and she stormed out of his office hurriedly.

Just when she thought this time will be different.

"Shit!" she cursed, rage ripping through her body.

She hurried into an exclusive elevator, ignoring the warning that read, "Out of Limits".

Mia tapped her feet impatiently, desperate to leave here as soon as possible.

Her mind raced over all that happened.

X-World Entertainment has always been her dream over the years and no one could explain how excited she was, when she walked in through the large glassy door for this audition.

She had felt like one of her favorite celebrity, Harper Hernandez. The image of her appearing on TV and receiving the award for the best actress of the year had played in her head.

She wanted to make her sick mother proud. Her hopes of paying for her mother's surgery bills had been high but now, her dreams were shattered once again.

The elevator dinged open and Mia bumped into a hard wall, but there was no wall.

Wincing in pain and frustration, she slammed her fists on the hard and sturdy chest of the masculine figure.

"Watch where you're going!" she snapped, but he didn't bulge.

Immediately sensing the powerful aura around him, Mia raised her hazel eyes to meet a pair of piercing grey eyes boring into hers.

"You trespassed," his deep voice made her shiver.

"Excuse me?"

"How dare you?"

He looked at her with disdain and his voice laced with arrogance.

Mia twitched her lips, recognizing the CEO of X-World Entertainment, Xavier Singh. Heir of the Singh family, the wealthiest in California.

"How dare you bump into me?" Mia blurted, surprised at her own outburst.

His blank eyes flickered with something unreadable, then with a snap of his long and slender fingers, men in suits advanced toward Mia, grabbing hold of her.

"Take her away."

"Who the hell do you think you are? Let go of me!" Mia shrieked, struggling to wriggle out of their strong grip.

With her shrill voice piercing the air and attracting stares, the bodyguards threw Mia out of the huge, magnificent building.

Mia cursed and yelled, scrambling to pick her bag and other contents strewn on the floor.

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, as she glanced around. All attention fixed on her and she could hear the murmurs and giggles.

"What are y'all looking at?" she barked, and they diverted their gazes away from her.

Mia sighed exasperatedly and ruffled her disheveled chestnut brown hair.

Hastening her steps, she flagged down a taxi. "How can he be so mean?" She bit her lips, trying to fight back her tears.

She would never shed a tear for assholes like Xavier Singh and Mr Martinez.

*

The taxi stopped in front of her house and Mia paid the driver, taking slow steps into the house.

Her eyes locked with her mother's when she pushed the door open.

"Mia."

"Mom."

She quickened her steps, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight embrace.

"What happened to you?"

"I guess this didn't go well," Tammy said from the couch, watching Mrs Lopez caress Mia's hair fondly.

"He wanted to sleep with me."

Mia sat down beside Tammy, "And I can't.." her voice croaked and Tammy pulled her sister into a hug.

"It's okay, big sis."

"Why aren't you in school, Tammy?"

"Mom had a seizure, I had to stay with her." Tammy said and Mia sighed softly, looking up at her mother.

"It wasn't serious, Mia. I'm fine." Mrs Lopez assured her, entering into the kitchen.

"Mom isn't fine!" Tammy cut in. "And she's running out of medication."

Mia bit her lips hard, and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Mrs Lopez walked out of the kitchen, her voice soft and worried.

"I'll be back, mom. Tammy, stay with her."

Tammy nodded, and Mia walked out, slamming the door behind her.

*

Xavier's sharp jawline hardened for the umpteenth time.

"What did you find about her?"

"She was part of the selected list for the audition, Sir."

Silas said, dropping a file in front of his boss. "L-Galaxy Entertainment released a movie, just the same date as ours."

Xavier's lips curled into a dark smirk. What was in that fucking head of Lucas? His brother will always be his shadow in everything, no matter how hard he tries.

"Get me my coffee."

"Yes, Sir."

Silas bowed, and strutted out of the office.

Xavier leaned back on his chair and shut his eyes, his mind blank.

Then, her fierce words replayed in his mind. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Feisty. He thought.

His eyes fluttered open when his phone rang and his gaze darkened.

"Father," he breathed out.

"Come to the mansion, tomorrow."

Mateo Singh's voice boomed and Xavier's brow furrowed.

Why does his father want to see him?