chapter 1: Her favorite celebrity crush

Mira Mira....."

Rosey voice tore through the house loud like a thunder.

Mira froze at the kitchen sink, her hands deep in soapy water.

she quickly turn off the TV in the kitchen, she didn’t even have time to answer before Rosey’s her wicked stepmother heels clicked hard against the tiled floor sharp and fast.

“Are you so deaf Mira that you can't hear me calling your name?”

Rosey her wicked stepmother barked,

stepping into the kitchen with a glass cup in her hand.

how many times did I call your name, "Rosey said, staring at her with a scaring look on her face.

Mirabelle was stunned unable to answer she stammer, "am...am... sorry ma she said."

she was previously lost in thought and watching De.king concert on TV her favorite celebrity crush she have been in love with him since the very first day she listen to his music.

She even wish that one day she could meet with him and tell him how much of a huge fans she was.

Rosey voice snapped her out of her thought to reality. How many times did I have to tell you?

Scrub these plates properly.

Look at this—” She held up a spoon, her lips curling.

“Do you want your father to think I keep this house dirty?

Do you want me to look like a useless wife?”

Mira bowed her head, her lips trembling.

“I’m sorry, ma.”

“Sorry?” Rosey scoffed.

You are always sorry, sorry for yourself useless girl.

She banged the cup on the counter so hard Mira jumped.

“Sorry doesn’t clean a house!

And don’t forget to clean the silver set spoon before your father returns.

If he comes home and sees one thing out of place, it’ll be on your head.”

“Yes, ma,” Mira whispered.

Rosey’s eyes narrowed.

“And don’t even think of sneaking off to that tiny room of yours until you’re done. Tina is busy with her studies.

She doesn’t have time for chores like you. Do you hear me?”

Yes ma, mira reply.

Mean while from the living room, Tina’s laughter floated through the air Tina was Mirabelle stepsister, her father mr Roland remarried Rosey after the death of her mother Mrs Stella, Rosey was Stella best friend a year after she die she married her best friend husband.

Her father is not always at home he usually traveled alot, his intention of marrying Rosey was for her to take care of Mirabelle.

Tina was a spoiled and pampered child she was not allow to do anything in the house all chores was done by Mirabelle.

Mira bit the inside of her cheek. studies", She could almost see Tina scrolling through her phone, showing off her expensive jewelry, painting her nails, living like a princess while Mira’s hands cracked from soap and water.

Rosey turned and walked out, her perfume lingering behind like smoke.

Mira’s chest burned. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and scrubbed the last plate with angry hands.

When she was done, she placed it carefully on the rack, dried her hands, and hurried upstairs before Rosey could find another chore to dump on her.

Her bedroom was small, the wallpaper faded, the curtains thin. But it was the only place in the house that felt like hers.

Mira closed the door softly, leaned her back against it, and let out the breath she had been holding all day.

Her legs gave way, and she sat on the floor.

“God,” she muttered, her voice hoarse, “how long will this continue.

Every day, the same thing. Work, insult, humiliation.” Her eyes stung with tears, but she forced the tears back.

“And Father never sees it. When he comes home, she acts like an angel. He thinks she loves me.

He doesn’t know what happens when he’s away.”

She pressed her palms to her face.

“I’m tired. I’m so tired…”

Her voice broke. For a moment, she sat in silence, listening to her own shallow breaths. Then, almost like instinct, she reached for her small earphones on the bedside table.

The moment the music started, the heaviness in her chest eased.

A smooth, deep voice filled her ears rich, powerful, and hauntingly beautiful. It was a voice the whole world knew.

De.King.

His real name was Derick Lingard, heir to the Lingard empire the richest and most powerful family in New City, maybe even in the whole country.

Everyone feared the Lingards. They owned oil companies, estate villas, luxury hotels, and businesses that stretched beyond borders.

No family dared to offend them.

Women dreamed of marrying into their name, and men wanted their sons tied to the Lingard daughters.

But Derick wasn’t just a Lingard. He was also De.King the famous celebrity the world adored. His face was on every billboard. His songs were played in every corner of New City.

Fans filled stadiums just to hear his voice, a voice people swore was like an angel’s.

Mira lay back on her bed, clutching her earphones as if they were lifelines.

She stared at the poster on her wall his sharp jawline, his deep eyes, the easy smile that seemed to see right through her.

Her lips parted, and a small smile touched her face.

“Derick Lingard…”

she whispered, almost like a prayer. “De.King…”

The chorus of the song swelled, his voice rising,

powerful yet soft, like it was meant only for her.

Mira closed her eyes, letting the lyrics wash over her. In that moment, the world outside her door disappeared.

There was no Rosey, no Tina, no heavy chores or insults. Just her and him.

Her heart beat faster. She imagined standing in a stadium filled with lights, thousands of fans screaming, but somehow his eyes finding hers in the crowd.

She imagined him smiling at her, reaching out a hand, like he had been singing only for her all along.

Her cheeks warmed at the thought.

“Someday,”

she whispered to herself.

“Someday, maybe I’ll see him in real life.”

The words hung in the air, sweet and fragile. But then reality slipped back in, sharp and cruel.

She let out a shaky laugh, shaking her head.

“Who am I fooling?

He’s a celebrity… a billionaire… a Lingard.

And I’m. Just me.

Just Mira.”

Her eyes burned, but she forced a smile anyway. A smile that didn’t reach her lips.

Still, as De.King’s voice poured into her ears, she couldn’t stop herself from whispering one more time, soft enough that even the walls couldn’t hear:

“Maybe someday.”