CHAPTER 1

In the midst of darkness, someone hooked me out of that shitty place. During the times when I thought the world had abandoned me, I can't imagine I could find solace in his company... not until a horrible episode happens.

I couldn't fully imagine that the joy I felt was short-lived. After he brought me out of sadness, he buried me back to hell.

He's the only person who pushes me to pursue my dream... he taught me that I'm a worthy person and that I also have the freedom to fulfill my objectives in life.

I reached my dream... It's just sad because the moment I finally obtain my victory… he’s gone.

"Are you even serious? I can participate in the taping even though I haven't experienced being a wedding coordinator! So, what's the use of me working for 1 month just for that?"

"You're the actress here, Corrine. You should be knowledgeable enough about the role you will play. The thing here is that… this is also for the sake of making the series outstanding. It's a big advantage for you if you have experience being a wedding coordinator... so you can play your role better. Experience is the best teacher. So, how would you be able to portray Alicia's role if you don't want to put your feet in hers?"

I rolled my eyes. "As if I have a choice," I said. "Where can I train?"

"We'll go with you to introduce you to the team."

From my comfortable sitting on the sofa, my manager, Theo, forced me to stand up to go to the workplace... that soon to be my workplace, also.

It's only for one month, so I'll just be patient. I also want to give my best for the fourth series I am working on.

My first three series, meanwhile, I was only holding a supporting role, but I started as an extra... and in this series, I was given a chance to hold the lead role.

As much as possible, I want to perform well in Alicia's role as a wedding coordinator. In that way, I can gain the trust of the viewers as well as their support.

It doesn't matter how hard it is for me... one month of sacrifice is no big deal.

When we finally got to the building, we went straight to a fairly large office. WEDDING TEAM QUARTERS. I read it hanging on the office door. That's why the office is a bit big. There’s another room inside. Maybe that was the office of this team’s leader.

Luh, why is there such a thing?

"Hi, Miss Corrine!" A woman we met inside the office greeted me.

She's not alone… she's with a man and another woman. And they are all tossing their gaze at me.

In response, I flash a small smile on my face.

"Allow me to lead the way." A man approached us inside, politely ushering us into the Wedding Team leader's office.

"They're here, Sir."

The man who had turned his back to us in the office slowly turned around... giving me a chance to see his face.

"It's my pleasure to work with you soon, Miss Corrine." As he finally reached me, he offered his hands for a handshake.

“Are you… really alive… Israel?”

His forehead creased. "Excuse me? What are you talking about?” He hummed a little. "I'm quite amused that this is our first time meeting each other... yet you already know my name."

I'm confused… Wait. Why doesn't he remember me? Is this really what I'm seeing or maybe it's just a dream?

"Because I told her about you while we were on the trip. So, she already knows your name," my manager politely answered.

While I was still staring at Israel, I could hardly believe that he was alive and energetic standing in front of me.

I should be happy to know that he's alive... but how? How could I be able to smile back at him when in fact, he no longer recognized who I was?

Has his mind completely forgotten the past?

—

COUPLE OF YEARS AGO …

"Don't cry, dear. Papa will come back, okay?" Using his palms, he wiped my tears. "Your Mama Gretchen is here to take care of you... so, you don't have to worry. I'm doing this for you, so hush now."

I bit my lip hard. I really want to tell my father about the almost four years of my stay in this hellish house since my father brought home his new future wife as well as her damn daughter, Stacy, my life has not been good.

I'm dying hard to tell him the truth, that I'm suffocated in this home. I no longer feel that it was still my home.

"Come back soon, Pa," was all I said instead of going through with my plan to tell him the truth.

How could I even do that? Her eyes, Aunt Gretchen,  were on me... and I'm sure I’m dead if I dared to do that.

"Take care of yourself there, honey! You don't have to worry about anything with Irene. I will take care of her and love her like my own daughter... as I promised you." She then gave my father a warm hug and they kissed swiftly before my father got inside the van, together with his luggage.

I no longer have allies in this house.

I was so close to kissing on the concrete road when Aunt Gretchen violently pushed my shoulder.

I looked at her... only to meet her evil stare poking at me. "W-Why?"

"You're still asking why? What else are you standing there? Prepare our breakfast now!"

I nodded nervously before entering the house. I went straight to the kitchen to cook breakfast for my dad's pet pythons.

My father wanted us to hire a maid here at home but Aunt Gretchen refused because she said it would be another expense we have to pay. She even told my father that she can do the housework... but it ended up like this.

She did not agree that my father would hire a maid because they would make me their maid.

I really hate that witch! If I wasn't afraid of being kicked out of this house, I might have told the whole truth to Papa a long time ago. I know that if I do report, my father will surely not believe me. Aunt Gretchen must have turned Dad around a lot. He's only believing in Aunt Gretchen's words.

Even though it hurts me to be in this situation, when in fact I have more rights to this house because I am my father’s daughter... his real family, because he and Tita Gretchen are not officially married yet, but still I'm scared of not being heard.

"You received your payment today from your job, right?" while serving the food on the table, Aunt Gretchen asked. "Irene, where's your income? You haven't given it to me yet."

"I haven't w-withdrawn-"

"What are you waiting for and why haven't you withdrawn yet?" Her words froze me for a second. "If we wait for your father to send money to us, we will starve ourselves!”

"There are still many stock foods-"

"Could you please shut up, Irene?!" Stacy raised her voice. "Just give my mom your salary. Don't plan to argue with her, understand?!"

"Withdraw all the money in your bank account, and then give it to me. It was also for your own sake, dear. Stop opposing my decision, or else..."

I clenched my fist, zipping my mouth to stop talking. She's ordering me to transfer all my money to her... without knowing how important that money was for me. I've been saving it for a long time because it's my dream to fly to another country to audition for various forms of entertainment.

Who are they to block my dream?

At the end of the day, these grievances of mine will only be heard by myself. What can a weak person like me do to fight for my dream with Aunt Gretchen? I know I can't do anything, I don't even have the right to talk back to her. As if she will spend at least a second of her precious time listening to me.

Just like what she told me, I withdrew all the money I saved from my bank account. Even though it was against my heart, I gave it all to her, trying to protect my dream that was slowly crumbling.

Maybe I'll just accept this is the kind of life that God gave to me.

“It is as if they are not allowing me to dream for myself. Such a bitches!” Apart from my father, the remaining ally I have by my side is Milo, my cat.

I remembered how I met him. While walking home to our house, on the side lawn I saw a poor kitten crying. He seems to be looking for care and hunger in the milk of his mother cat.

With great pity, I brought him home and took care of him. Aunt Gretchen would have objected to me taking care of a stray cat, but I said that I would feed him with my own money. Good thing she agreed.

We've been together for almost eight months, and Milo is already an adult cat. I'm glad I found him that day... 'cause thanks to him, I found a friend.

"Yes, you're hungry." I chuckled.

I went to the kitchen for a while to put dried fish in the rice, and I offered it to Milo. I didn't buy him cat food because it was too pricey. This kind of food is, I think, enough for him to live.