CHAPTER 4

A troubled Deloise laid on her bed as she thought back on her conversation with Ann. The undiluted truth about her not doing anything realistic in pursuit of her desired career plagued her.

She picked up her phone and opened a popular microblogging app. Scrolling through her timeline, news of the arrival of the movie king Daniel Greenwood in New York City occupied the number one spot of what's trending.

Pictures of the Forty-year-old man flooded the internet showing the pack of fans who welcomed him into the busy city. How great would it feel to have such an impact? Deloise thought, sighing as she went through the pictures of the number of fans and gifts received.

Not wanting to spend more than the required time sulking over how pathetic her life was at the moment, she kept on scrolling and saw a post from the official handle of The Royal Arts Academy, New York. Which read;

_

SCHOLARSHIP! SCHOLARSHIP! SCHOLARSHIP!

Application to study performing arts in our prestigious institution and academy is ongoing. Are you interested in pursuing a career in the film industry? Are you talented and determined to take a shot at making a profession out of your passion?

TWO SLOTS LEFT!

Send in your audition monologue of the attached file below and you just might be one of the chosen candidates for this year' fully funded scholarship offer!

_

On reading the sponsored advert from Royal Arts Academy- the most prestigious institution for theater and performing arts in general. Her heartbeat felt laboured. She felt convinced that this was the opportunity she needed.

Herself and probably over one billion others!

With just two spots, her discouragement and lack of confidence in her ability to secure it grew. She remembered her conversation with Anna and knew if she wanted to live out her dream, she had to do something other than overthinking and dreaming of a life where it was possible.

Although the scholarship program felt impossible due to its high competition, she couldn't afford not taking action. If she tried and failed, then she'll be consoled from the fact she gave it her all.

As much as it would be a terrible experience if she wasn't selected, it won't be as destroying as knowing she never took any realistic shot at her desire and aspirations.

Years from now, she refused to add this to her possibly long list of regrets. And with a made up mind, clicked on the link, filled out the form, and downloaded the P*F of the audition monologue.

She glanced through it, and ideas on the best way to depict the character in the said monologue kept pouring in, she immediately logged offline and got to work on creating her audition video for the application, setting up to deliver her best acting yet.

******

It was Esther's birthday.

Deloise made up her mind to hatch things out with her mother. They had a birthday ritual of having dinner together. Being the only family the other had, it was easy to fall into the routine.

Occasionally, they had Anna and Karen over just to spice things up. But tonight, Deloise knew it was going to be just her and her mother.

With a father who rejected them before she was born, and an almost stepfather who betrayed them, she refused to be at odds with the woman who had always been there for her. She woke up with renewed determination to make her mother's Birthday the best one yet.

Deloise walked into her mother's room, holding her favorite piece of chocolate cake as a peace offering while she sang her awake.

" Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear mommy. Happy birthday to you." She sang softly, efficiently driving sleep from her mother's eyes- who felt unshed tears at the sight of her daughter.

Deloise' heart broke at the sight of her mother's tears. " I'm sorry about everything, I love you."

" My b-baby " Esther took the cake from her daughter' hands, dropped it by her lamp stand and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. " I love you so much, child. " She said, kissing her wavy hair.

" Unm, okay mom, I love you too!" Deloise squeaked out, lost for breath at the sheer power of the hug she was enveloped in.

Allowing her some air to breathe, Esther withdrew from her daughter and reached for her hands with a smile on her face. She spaced out for a second and immediately lost peace. Her grip on Deloise's hand tightened, " Promise me something,"

Esther said and Deloise felt worried. " Are you okay, what's going on?" She inquired, wondering the cause of her drastic change of mood.

" Just tell me that whatever happens today, You'll think about it and understand that everything I do, I do for you, my child." Deloise drew back in uncertainty at her mother's intent.

She shook off the odd feeling she felt at her mother's words and put on a smile. " I know you love me, but you need to get up, and get out of your room. It's your big day!" She said with a grin. " Remember our dinner date, and help yourself with some cake." Deloise dropped a kiss on her mother's forehead, " Have a great time out with Karen, and have a happy birthday! "

Deloise exited her mother's room, and immediately, Esther jolted towards the doors. She heaved a sigh of relief when she confirmed it was indeed locked.

She jittered with intent back to her bedside where the chocolate cake was dropped on an envelope that somehow managed to escape the eyes of her daughter.

Remembering the content of the envelope she heaved a sigh, grateful that her daughter was too occupied with her to notice the envelope.

She immediately opened and glanced through its content for the hundredth time since she received it the previous day. Afterwards, she returned into its envelope and securely locked it inside one of the drawers.

Esther anxiously waited for dinner to reveal the content to Deloise, hoping she received good feedback without having to take extreme measures to achieve her purpose.