And my happiness ?

The sound of my phone ringing broke the peaceful silence of my room.

For a brief moment I wanted to pretend not to have heard anything but the incessant ringing gave me no respite. So I opened my eyes with great difficulty, greeted by the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains.

My mind was foggy, and a searing pain pounded my temples.

I picked up my phone and answered.

-Hello?, I said in a groggy voice

-What's going on with your voice?, my manager asked me worriedly, did you get sick?

-No, I just don't feel well, I replied.

-Is it serious?, he asked me

-Don't worry, I'll come to work, I told him amusedly

-You know very well that I'm not like that, he said to me, your health is more important than this work

-Hmm, I replied, yawning, don't worry, you can come and pick me up

-Okay, he said to me,

-What do I have to do this morning?, I asked him

-This morning you have a photo shoot, he explained to me, it's for a perfume brand

-It lasts all morning?, I asked him in a still groggy voice.

-Yeah, but don't worry, I'll tell our team to bring food for the photo shoot, my manager reassured me

-You know me too well, I said to him, smiling tenderly.

-I know that only food can really give you motivation, my manager said to me in a mocking tone.

I think you're the only one who knows me so well, I thought sadly

-I'll leave you, I'm on the road, he finally told me

-Okay see you later, I replied as I hung up

I looked at the time on my phone and sighed with relief knowing my parents wouldn't be home. I then threw my phone on my bed before bringing my hand to my cheek, where a warm feeling persisted, and I winced in pain as I touched the sensitive area.

I was still reliving the scene from the day before, incredulous. My own mother had slapped me, an unthinkable reaction coming from her.

All because I had announced my decision to break off my engagement.

Disappointed, I got up from the bed, my legs feeling heavy like lead. Every movement resonated in my head like a painful echo. I took a deep breath, trying to chase away the oppressive feeling that was overwhelming me. Then I headed to the bathroom, hoping the hot water would soothe both my tormented mind and aching muscles.

In the shower, the scalding water glided over my skin, giving me slight comfort. But even that moment of calm was fleeting, as thoughts swirled through my head as mercilessly as the steam rose around me.

What to do now ?

How did I explain to my mother and father that my happiness was more important than whatthought others and the media?

After finishing my shower, I quickly got dressed and walked out of my bathroom.

I had chosen to wear a long black dress, close to the body which perfectly hugged every curve of my figure, it had a slight subtle slit on the side which added a touch of sensuality to my approach.

I have to hide the bruise on my cheek otherwise the paparazzi will be happy to write it in their newspapers, I muttered.

Very quickly I heard a knock on the door, so I rushed to open the door.

- Huyn your cheek!, exclaimed my outraged manager, noticing the state of my cheek while remaining in the doorway

-Come back, I told him

-What happened? He asked me worriedly as he entered my house.

-The state of my cheek tells the sad story that happened to me, I laughed with sad eyes

-Who dared to hit you?, he asked in a severe tone.

-What are you going to do? I asked him, rolling my eyes to the sky.

-Go and hit him, he said to me, rolling up his sleeves furiously.

-It was my mother who hit me, I admitted to her amusedly, so are you going to go and hit her?

-Sorry I can't hit women, he sighed before looking up in my direction, but I can hit your father

-No, it's going to be fine, I replied, shaking my head vigorously.

-You're right, let's not use violence, my manager said to me, shaking his head, let's use the cold war instead.

-Actually I want to hide my bruised cheek with makeup before you come but I didn't have time, I suddenly admitted to him

-Don't worry about that, my manager reassured me, there's makeup in the car

-Okay, I replied, it's okay, we're not late

My manager looked at his watch before shaking his head.

-We'll be right on time, he reassured me

I went to put on my shoes, my coat, take my keys before leaving the house. We get in his car and he starts driving.

-Why did your parents hit you?, he asked me

-They don't want me to separate from Donovan, I admitted to him, looking out the window.

I didn't want him to see my sad eyes.

-Did you explain to them everything he did?, he asked me

-The words didn't want to come out, I admitted to him with a sigh, I just managed to tell them that he was making me suffer

-You should talk to them in more detail about it, my manager advised me in a gentle voice.

-Even if I told them, I replied, he wouldn't care

-They are your parents so maybe they will understand, he told me

-I remind you that my mother slapped me just because I told her I wanted to break off my engagement, I reminded her bitterly, all they care about is my career and my relationship with Donovan