CHAPTER 1: Sacrifices and Suffer

Nishane's Point of View

"COME ON, Nishane! Don't be a stubborn woman. I already talked to the directors to give you this assignment. This project belongs to you."

I was going to enjoy a calm supper when my domineering mother abruptly entered the mansion and made me do something I didn't want to.

I yelled, "Let me rest, will you! I have a lot of pending work to do!"

A brown envelope with the contract that I will sign after accepting the assignment was placed in front of me by the woman.

She is referring to a movie in which I shall play a role. Not because I dislike it. It's just that I work so much that I'm on the verge of illness. I don't get much rest now. She then requests that I work on an action series project. Oh, please!

Also, the management forbids me from having someone else act and edit it when it comes to action. I must thus pull that stunt. But how can I accomplish that if I'm not getting enough rest and sleep? If I'm so exhausted, how am I meant to behave properly?

Oh, God! Why can't they even comprehend that I'm a human too, and I need some fucking sleep!

I'm not even allowed to take a break by my own mother.

I used to, which is sad.

"You can rest after this big project. You can travel anywhere in the world if you want to, but please take the project because it would greatly advance his career." She begged.

Every time, she makes an effort to persuade me, and every time, I make an effort to stop her.

I was unable to control my rising voice as I asked, "Mom, my career is already on top! What else do you want?"

She doesn't want to listen to me and has deaf ears to my viewpoint since she wants everything she wants to be done her way. If she is the only one who will ultimately follow, why does she keep trying to convince me?

I got out of my chair in front of the dinner table and turned to face her. When I finished doing that, I turned away from her and was about to go when she spoke up.

The actress yelled, "Nishane! Why are you rejecting this extensive project? Do you want to lose your career? Do you want to be outdone by other artists and do you want us to suffer? This mansion, your cars, your business, everything! That's what you lose when you don't improve yourself as an actress!"

Because of my mother's strict temperament, I observed our servants huddling in silence. But, I noticed they were staring at me with compassion. I was indifferent.

I grinned when I realized what she said. Then, I turned to face her with a sarcastic smile on my face.

"Woah! Now, it already came out of your mouth. You don't want another artist to do the project because you're afraid that I'll be outdone. Why are you afraid? Are you the one who will be outdone?" I asked her, mockingly.

"It is not like that! You know I don't want everything you worked hard for over a decade of being an actress to be wasted!"

I closed my eyes in annoyance. "I can give up my acting, mom. Can you?"

"You will never do that." She pointed her finger at me. "I brought you into this world, so you owe me everything you enjoy today."

As I heard her say that, I tightened my fist. I forced myself to calm down by swallowing several times and taking long breaths since I felt like I was about to give up.

She doesn't deserve my tears, so I don't want to cry in front of her. After all, she simply created me in order to receive payment from me. She merely made me become an actor so she could keep playing the casino she was into.

Once again, I took a deep breath before I spoke. "How much do I owe you so I can pay you? You are the one who decided to get pregnant, so I owe everything to you? Did I ask you to carry me in your womb? Did I ask you to bring me into this world? I wish you had just aborted me when I was still a fetus!"

And after I said that, I left her presence. I continued to turn away from her and walked away from her with heavy steps.

"Nishane! Where are you going?!" I heard her follow me. The sound of her heels echoed throughout the mansion. "Nishane! Sign this contract!"

When I got close to our stairs, I turned to her. There were tears in my eyes but I didn't let them fall. I am in tears of anger towards her.

"Don't worry, I'll sign that. So you can shut up."

And after that, I finally went to my room to pour out all my frustrations, resentment, and self-pity.

"LET HIM know that I will pay. I am just waiting for my money— Yes, I'll take note of— No no no! He can't do that!— I will pay!"

I frowned when I heard my mother talking on her phone. We are currently in the dressing room to fix me because the shoot for the movie I will be playing will start at any moment. I just left for a while to go to the restroom and when I came back, my mom was talking to someone.

In a very low tone... as if they were talking about secrets. And I clearly hear her voice.

Him? Who is she referring to? Who will she pay?

When she finished talking, she looked at the big mirror in front of the big vanity table and saw me looking at her from the mirror's reflection.

"Who are you talking to?" I asked her with raised eyebrows.

She quickly got up from her seat and put the phone in the sling pouch she was holding then she faced me.

"That's none of your business," she said.

She walked closer to me but I knew she wasn't going to me but to the door next to mine.

"Do you owe money to your colleagues at the casino?"  I asked her when I stopped her from leaving the dressing room.

She took back the arm that I was holding and widened her eyes at me.

"I said, that is none of your business, Nishane. Don't mind that, it has nothing to do with you," she said but I didn't believe it because the panic on her face was obvious.

I smirked.

"As you say so." And then I let her go.

The shooting was over and I was exhausted to death. It is an action drama movie so I can still feel the pain in my body. I even had to roll on the grass and climb a tree to act.

I'm still in the dressing room but I'm done cleaning myself.

Wearing a big black hoodie jacket and white skirt, I'm ready to go home.

When suddenly my mother entered with a wide smile on her lips. I frowned and looked at her in the mirror reflection because I was still sitting in front of the vanity table while enjoying the frappe I was holding.

"My precious daughter," she greeted me with a fake smile on her lips. She even caressed my back which made me roll my eyes.

"What now?" I know that she just wants something from me. If it is not one of my properties... It will be plain money.

"You know that Mom loves you so much, right?" The tone of her voice was soft but I didn't believe it.

Never once did she make me feel that she loves me. Never took care of me when I was sick. Never check if I am still okay or not. Never ask my opinion. She never listened to me.

I rolled my eyes for the second time. "I have no money!"

I stood up so I could avoid her caressing that didn't make me feel better. That just makes me cringe because I know what she's doing to caress me is fake.

She only does that when she needs something or when she's drunk... and when she is acting in front of my fans.

"I don't need your money, okay? I just want you to know that I love you."

I smirked. "Come on! Stop fooling me with your acting skills. As if I didn't know you were a veteran actress in your generation!"

After saying that, I left the dressing room. I was surprised when there was no one in the shooting area.  The stuff is gone too. Even a single camera is not there.

They packed out quickly. Are they in a hurry to go home?

After all, it was too late at night.

I decided to go to the parking lot of this place which is almost a jungle. The surroundings are dark and the wind is strong.

I took a deep breath to embrace the coolness of the wind. I was suddenly stopped from thinking when a black van stopped in front of me.

My eyes widened when the men got off and they were all dressed in black.

They quickly grabbed both of my arms. And because of the shock, I couldn't resist anymore when they started dragging me into the van

"W-Who are you?! What are you going to do with me?! Where are you going to take me?!"