1 1. Our Cast

"Hmm..... Seems like this is enough for my look."

The woman in front of the mirror again smoothed her long red hair. She heard someone enter the room.

"Amy, Are you ready for... Haaaah? Amy!!!"

The woman who was called Amy immediately turned her head and smile at her.

"Yes, Mrs Fiona Lee, how do I look? Looking good right?"

With an angry face, the petite woman in front of Amy vented her emotions again.

"Amy Liu Smith, you want to be casting for a new film, not to seduce the crew there! Why did you dye your hair in red? Stop wearing coloring contact lenses.... Clothes too! Tank top with animal print with plaid mini skirt. Should you wear zebra pattern with polka dot? Make up too, can you do little bit natural Amy? Oh my God!! Amy, you will be at the head line again in all media.... Amy, scandalous actress join the casting just to find a sugar daddy... Amy sensational actress is back with her bad fashion style and..."

Realizing that Amy didn't hear her scolding, she eagerly pulled Amy ear.

"Ouch ouch ouch.... Okay! Okay! I heard you my dear. But breathe first, inhale..... Breathe out.... Breathe in... Breathe out..."

Seem like Fiona little bit calm and followed Amy instructions.

"Have you calmed down Fiona?"

Fiona was about to start yelling again to Amy. But Amy had already covered her mouth with Amy's index finger.

"Listen to my explanation, Mrs Lee. Okay?"

Fiona just sighed and listen Amy explanation.

"All of these because of my character, Juni is a model, likes challenges, never afraid to try anything and even tries to have an affair with someone's fiance, ha ha ha."

Amy stopped laugh when Fiona shoot a dead glare to her.

"You don't have to use red hair. Just use your natural hair color, light brown. Isn't it enough, right? Thanks for your mix blood. And they didn't ask you to have red hair."

Yes, Amy is a mix blood, her father is British, her mother as well as her, has British blood from her grand mother. So Amy, a blue-eyed girl with light brown hair.

Fiona just sighed again and can't complain anymore.

"Ah... This time Sherly Wang has been confirmed as the main character, as a hardcore fan I will support and be her co-star so that her character shines even more."

Fiona just shaking her head hearing Amy long admiration for Sherly Wang, The Beloved Princess of Drama Series.

"She has inspired me to act, her first film made me fall in love with acting. And I still remember when she encouraged me to keep practicing. Those were the most beautiful motivational words I ever got. Because my goal is to be her co star."

Fiona and Amy immediately turned to the direction of the voice. And shouted immediatly.

"Miley!!"

Miley just sighed and shaking her head.

"Now what kind of role that you will play? Bitch role, stepsisters who snatched her sister's lover, women who have an affairs with other people's husbands, sugar daddy's mistress?"

Amy look so happy hearing that question.

"Erick.... Your sister will be a model whose crazy in love with an outstanding heiress's fiance."

Amy nodded her head in high spirit hearing Fiona explanation to his brother.

"I've prepared lunch for both of you. Come on take a look."

Amy is dragging Erick and Miley to their kitchen.

"Miley, don't you wanna check on Amy's brain?"

Miley just sighed while looking at Amy who was still arranging Erick's lunch box.

"I'm still in my doctoral internship and haven't taken a specialist yet."

Fiona just find Miley serious attitude is cute. And she laugh a little bit.

"Please help take care of my sister, okay?"

Tired was seen from the brown eyes of the shoulder-length black haired girl who stood in front of Fiona. Her figure look so contrasts with the light brown hair and blue eyes of the two people who are busy preparing food in the kitchen.

"Don't worry Mil. I will protect her. If something goes wrong with your sister, you might give me an euthanasia. Ha ha ha."

Miley just smiled faintly, still staring at her sister and her little brother.

"Come on.... We will going to late for your casting Amy!!!"

Fiona is dragging Amy to get out and before they reach the front door she smiled at the big wedding photo that hanging in that living room. Then began to whispering something to that photo.

"Mom... Dad wish me luck. And wish us all the best... See you... Love you..."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In that room, a man in his 30s was receiving a call from someone.

"Okay mom, next week I'll try to come home. Don't worry. Sherly is doing well too."

He heard his mom sighed and asked something again.

"Everything has been prepared, Mom. I have dinner with her tonight."

Seems like his mother teasing him.

"Yeah, yeah ha ha. We've known each other for a long time. Of course I'm not playing with her mom."

While twirling the ring on his finger, he tried to calm his mother. Silence made his mother's voice can be heard clearly.

"Keith, I don't wannna doubt your faith to her, but if you're not ready, don't be in a hurry. Just because of papa's challenge you'll take stupid actions."

His mom words made him remembering his argument with his father. His father ask if he is serious about Sherly. His father said that they had been dating for almost 5 years and that's enough to know each other.

Then his father challenged Keith to immediately marry Sherly if Keith is serious about her.

"Keith.... Keith? Hello?"

His mother's voice interrupted his thoughts. His thumb was still busy fiddling with his engagement ring. Ever since he wore the ring, when he was thinking or nervous he unconsciously twirled the ring on his ring finger. Hearing his mother calling repeatedly he tried to focus again.

"Mom, I love her. And Sherly is the perfect choice mom."

His mother did not respond for a long time.

"My baby K, sometime imperfection make your life perfect."

His mother word make him thinking. They relationship always been good. Too good actually there was no jealousy and childish fight.

"Mom.... I'm 35 years old, don't call me a baby. And papa was right I've to make a decision."

His mother laugh again.

"Ha ha ha. You're always be my baby....."

Keith look so annoyed with his mother words.

"By the way since when did you agree with your papa? Have you made up with him?"

Irritated showed in his face.

"Mom.... He's still the person I hate."

His mom sighed again.

"Mom.... You are just very forgiving, Papa had a lot of scandals with that one actress. And I'm sure they still see each other often."

Keith chuckled and didn't seem paying attention to his mother words.

"Keith.... How many times have I told you. Your papa didn't sponsoring anyone. And didn't have an affair too."

Sighing, Keith tried to remain calm.

"Haah..... Mom, You already knows everything right? But you didn't do anything because you didn't want papa's good name to be tainted right?"

His mother became silent. This made Keith further extend his argument.

"Come on mom. Wake up.... There is something about them. How long are you going to defend him. He was never there when we needed him. He left Karin when he needed her papa. He is too busy with a new project. What kind of dad is.... "

"KEITH HUANG!!"

Hearing his mother yell to him, Keith fell silent. Didn't expect his daily calls turn into endless debates. He just wanted to give a happy news to her but ended up fighting with his mother and that because of his father.

"Just like what I've thought, you still haven't forgive your papa about Karin."

Keith snapped out.

"I haven't and never will. He left Karin when Karin needed him."

His mother still defending his father.

"Keith.... You know the reason why your papa wasn't there right?"

Keith grip his ring harder, he looks so annoyed.

"Can we not talk about that anymore, Mom?"

Trying to lighten the mood, his mother looking for a new topic of conversation.

"Okay.... And about tonight, have you ever discussed it with Sherly?"

Keith seems a little bit calm when he hear his fiance name.

"Not yet mom, but all this time we didn't have a problem. So, wish me luck mom."

Keith put a faint smile at his handsome face.

"Always, you will bring us a beautiful daughter in law..."

Smiling slightly, he looked back at his watch. It seemed that he had been talking to her for a long time.

"Hmmm.. It seems just yesterday that you were heartbroken because you didn't find your little angel. Now you're about to propose a girl."

He shocked when he heard his mother's words. He didn't expect his mother still remember that story. It's true what people says, never underestimate a woman's memory.

"That was the past mom. When I was 13 years old. And I just wanna thank her for comforting me."

He suddenly change his conversation.

"Mom, I want to take Sherly to the casting location. It's time to go. See you, Love you."

Without waiting for an answer from his mother, Keith hung up the phone. Suddenly he remember the incident when he was 13 years old.

While he was crying because he lost his sister forever, he met that little girl. She hugged him tightly while stroking his head.

"Good boy, everything will be fine."

Those words always ring in his ears whenever Keith is at his lowest point. He vaguely remembered her looks, all he remembered was her long wavy hair and the white shirt she was wearing.

***

"You fight with your son because of me."

His wife just sighed.

"Honey.... I only wants Keith didn't think so badly about you."

He smiled and trying seduced his wife.

"Indeed, you are the only one that always understands me. Love you my dear.... Hiks."

He grabbed her hand and showed his fake cry.

"Stop joking... Aren't you feel sorry for Amy? Keith misunderstand everything...."

Still holding her hand while fiddling the wedding ring on her finger, he replied calmly.

"Amy is a strong girl. Every bad news that comes to her, will become her weapon to work harder. You didn't have to worry, just worried me ha ha.."

His wife became silent and he suddenly came up with a crazy idea.

"Dear, I have an idea. To help improve Amy's image. How about we ask her to marry Keith. The media will report that what I'm doing is to help my own daughter in law. And Keith can find out the truth from Amy herself."

Annoyed by her husband's crazy idea, she pinched her husband's hand.

"Honey, she will be reported stealing someone's fiance. Besides, Keith is planning to propose to Sherly tonight."

Surprised after hearing her words he held his chest that feel a little pain. So, his son called today for getting her blessing. He hated himself because his son's hatred toward him. The more he thought about his son's hatred the more it hurt his pain he felt. Until he felt his grip getting stronger.

"Honey.... Honey...."

Little by little the pain disappeared. He looked at his worried wife.

Not wanting to make her worry he trying to flirt again.

"Awwwww, you really cares about me."

Angered by her husband's jokes, she threw her husband's hand and left.

"BENNY HUANG, I HATE YOU."

He smirked and shouting.

"BUT I LOVE YOU, KAITLYN HUANG HA HA...."

Still clutching his chest he hoped it was just exhaustion.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Mom, please don't ask him to pick me again. Even though it's weekend, he usually has to visit his patient. And, we are having a dinner tonight."

Taking the comb in Sherly's hand, her mother then continued combing Sherly's hair.

"I think you are more suitable with long hair, like when your first debut."

"Mom..."

She stopped combing her hair and grip Sherly's shoulder tightly.

"You saw today's news Sher?"

Sherly knew very well about the news from not so famous media that stated she had broken up with Keith, the son of a famous producer.

"It's just a small media mom, no big deal."

"Sherly... No matter how small it is, they still has a loyal reader. You know the old proverb that a drop of ink could spoiled a whole jar of milk."

The grip of her mother's hand made her whinced. She knew very well that her mother would not tolerate slanted gossip.

"Yes mom.... Don't worry we are fine. I will upload photo dinner tonight. You can take care of it on the fan page."

Smiling satisfied, her mother released her grip and then moved to choose accessories for her.

Her mom was a former actress before she got marriage. Although not so famous, at least there are several films that she has played. And now she became her manager, who manages all of her need. So she didn't need join in any agency.

Her mother hard work was not in vain, Sherly became a top artist who has been titled as a Beloved Princess of Drama Series. Her mother didn't tolerate anything that would tainted her hard work. She will do anything so that Sherly can be number one and her image as a dream princess is maintained. Even when it comes to her partner, her mother is very selective.

"Nice job sweety. You should keep your relationship with Keith as good as possible."

Sherly sighed and sinking her head.

"Mom..... There is something that still bothering my heart. I feels that our relationship is too good as if we are just a good friend."

Her mother chuckled.

"Isn't that fine dear. Everything will go well and your career will be smooth too."

While choosing which lipstick to wear, Sherly replied her mom.

"Mom, I'm not sure about my feelings. It was you who convinced me that I fell in love with him....."

Taking red lipstick, Sherly was silent for a moment. Her mom, who knows very well what her daughter worried about, is about to say something but Sherly cuts her off.

"Mom... I wants to break off for awhile with Keith. I'm doubting my feeling. Maybe if I take a distance and take a break I will know how I truly feel."

BRAAAK....

Unexpectedly, her mother grabbed the red lipstick in Sherly's hand and threw it on the floor. Sherly, who was shocked, could only stare at her broken red lipstick without daring to look at her mother.

"Sherly.... He is the perfect match for you. Childhood love that become fated love. Isn't it lovely honey?"

Sherly trying to calm and answer her mother.

"Mom... Can I decided for myself this time?"

Still not daring to look her mother in the eye.

"Sweety, remember the last time you made your own decision?"

Sherly's calm face instantly turned into fear. Her confident eyes slowly glazed over.

Her mother could see Sherly was trying her best to hold back the tears. Flash memory running in Sherly mind.

"Dad.... Daddy..... Wait me dad..... Mom.... Why did daddy go mom?"

Sherly cried while tugging at her mother's arm, hoping that her mother could bring her dad back.

"Sherly? Didn't you promise to keep our secret?"

Without turning her head and still looking at the open door of her house, Sherly's mother tried to remain calm speaking at her daughter.

"I thinks.... I thinks that by telling dad, dad will be proud mom..."

This time her mother looks at Sherly with anger. Sherly's small hand, which had been holding her mother's arm tightly, slowly loosened. The cry of a 10-year-old child that had been echoing in the room was silent for a moment.

While closing her mouth tightly to hold back her tear, Sherly looked at her mother's face trying to find the calm and loving eyes that she used give to her. But what she found was eyes filled with anger with no warm on it.

Sherly's mother was silent for a long time then lowered her head and held Sherly's shoulder tightly. This time her mother smiled bitterly.

"But daddy didn't like it. Mommy said you had to keep it a secret until mom could convince dad. But now dad is leaving because we've lied to him. If you didn't tell dad maybe he would still be here."

Full of fear Sherly cried loudly again. Her little body shaking. Her mother who was holding her shoulder just looked at her coldly.

"I'm sorry mom. I promises to always obey mom. I apologizes mom. I.... I...."

"Sweety.... Remember something?"

A flash of memory that she would never forget left her speechless for a long time.

This time her eyes fell on a photo on her desk. There, a young version of her mother and child who can be sure is Sherly, beside her mother is a man with glasses with a big smile on his face. They look happy there.

Her mother, who had been choosen accessories for a while, now taking the nude lipstick for Sherli and then she just flip the photo that Sherli has seen.

"Unfortunately there are many artists who do various ways to become the main character. But you don't have to worry because your talent will beat them. You just need to maintain your image."

Her mother throw her eyes at the back of the frame.

"If you want... I can make a gimmick with that scandalous actress. Amy... Amy whatever it is...."

Sherly shocked a little hearing her mother idea.

"We can make it look as if you are the one who has been harmed by her, I will try to talk to her manager. I don't really like dealing with troubled artists like her but she seem useful."

Shocked by her mother's words, Sherly spoke rather loudly.

"Enough! Give me one more chance to make up my own mind."

Her mom was quite surprised by Sherly's words. But only smiled faintly and then walked away, raising both her hands.

"Okay.... Okay... Whatever. I will give you this chance. We'll see what will happen."

Sherly's face looks a little calm. She knows her mother loves her very much and only does the best for her but sometimes she is going too far.

"Thanks mom, I won't disappoint you."

Just grinning and getting ready to leave the room, her mom turned back.

"And by the way, red lipstick will not match with your innocent and natural image. Wear what you usually wear."