Chapter Two: The Illusion of Happiness

The early morning sun streamed through the lace curtains, casting a warm, golden glow. I sat before an ornate, vintage vanity mirror. My reflection, a portrait of youthful elegance, drew me into a world of reverie. My almond–shaped eyes, like pools of liquid amber, glistened with a luminous intensity that hinted at both innocence and wisdom. My raven–black hair framed my face; it flowed like a silken waterfall, caressing my shoulders with an air of understated sophistication. Each strand seemed to sparkle in the gentle light, making my locks resemble the night sky studded with stars.

God did a great work of art on me. My facial features were a masterpiece of symmetry and grace. The curve of my nose, the gentle arch of my eyebrows, and my cupid's bow lips, all played their part in creating an image of breathtaking allure. I had the kind of beauty that whispered of eternal grace and a sparkle, youthful charm.

As I sat in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection, a message beeps from my phone, its call pulled me back to reality. However, I choose not to oblige, holding onto the ephemeral seconds of my high school years.

My heart, once alight with the promise of stardom, now held the weight of memories that threatened to extinguish my inner glow. My almond-shaped eyes, once vibrant with ambition, glistened as I surveyed my reflection. They were pools of unfulfilled dreams, glimmering with both the innocence of a teenager and the profound pain of loss.

The memories of my parents, who had envisioned this very moment, shattered the illusion of my radiant beauty. My raven-black hair framed my face, like a dark river of sorrow flowing into my very being. Each strand, once vibrant with life, now bore the weight of a promise unkept, a dream unrealized. My locks, like tendrils of darkness, framed a face that had lost its sparkle.

As I gazed at my reflection, tears welled up in those once hopeful eyes of mine. The tears, heavy with the burden of my unfulfilled promise, rolled down my cheeks, trailing a path of devastation. They divided my makeup, like a deep chasm in my soul, and tasted salty on my lips, reminiscent of the bitterness that had seeped into my heart.

My room, once filled with an atmosphere of delight, was now a mausoleum of dreams unfulfilled. The photos on the walls, a visual testament to my parents' hopes, were like silent specters that haunted me.

I recalled my father's question, a memory that now felt like a dagger in my chest.

"What do you want to be in the future, sweetheart?" he had asked.

I had told him cheerfully that I would be a superstar actress, that I would fulfill our shared dreams by seeing myself shine on stage and screen. But that dream, once like a beacon of hope, had dimmed into a mere flicker.

The weight of my boyfriend's expectations, the anchor of complacency, had held me back. The dreams that I and my father had nurtured together, like fragile flowers in a garden, had withered and died. For a moment, I blamed myself for our loss, for not having fulfilled the promise I had once made to my father.

As my room seemed to close in around me, and the weight of my choices bore down on me like an anchor to a ship, I broke down in tears. My grief was a tempest that raged within, a reminder of dreams unfulfilled, and a painful realization that my journey had strayed far from the path I had once envisioned with my parents.

Hesitatingly, not without trepidation, I reached out for a tissue in the drawer beneath and wiped my tears dry.

With a sigh of contentment, I stood up gracefully, my heels gently resonating on the hardwood floor as I moved towards the grand spiral staircase. My long black dress with a slit up revealing my right thigh, swayed in response to my every step. It moved with an airy grace, mirroring the beauty of its wearer.

As I descended the curving staircase, each footfall was a gentle percussion of anticipation. With each step, my dress swayed like a delicate waltz, orchestrating a symphony play.

Almost at the door, I heard the distant car horn, a gentle reminder that the next chapter of my life awaited. At the front of the car, my older sister, Lisa, waited patiently. We exchanged a quick, knowing glance.

"Here comes Her Majesty!" My sister said teasing.

I only chuckled.

We both headed out to the sleek, black car parked in the driveway.

"You look good, Alex". David said.

"I took my time", I responded.

He started the ignition of the car and the car purred to life and smoothly accelerated, carrying us on the journey to the most critical audition of my life.

After minutes of silence in the car, Lisa decided to break the aura

"I will go bananas if you get the lead role, Alex. I trust you, you will. After all, you deserve it, sis". She spoke with optimism.

But my distant gaze and subdued responses indicated my preoccupation. I was floating in my thoughts, my heartbeats echoing in my inner turmoil.

David adjusted the front mirror just to observe me. He knew what was going on in my head but he rather chose to stay mute and keep his eyes fixed on the road.

Finally, we arrived at the prestigious audition center, a smooth, modern building adorned with polished glass and glistening steel.

The moment of reckoning had arrived.

I stepped out of the car, and within seconds, a swarm of journalists rushed towards me, cameras flashing like fireflies on a summer night. Fans who idolized me clung to the fence, reaching out for autographs, only to be held back by vigilant security personnel.

I gently extricate myself from the crowd, my mind now firmly focused on the challenge ahead. I made my way inside, leaving my sister and boyfriend in the reception area. Lisa watched with hopeful, wide eyes, her belief in her sister's talent shining through as she anticipated my meteoric rise.

"All the best, sis!" She exclaimed behind me as I got out of sight.

"Come, Lisa, let's go sit in the front. That way, we can see her". David whispered to my sister.

I entered the dressing room, my heart aflutter, nerves gnawing at me like never before. I sat in front of the makeup mirror, contemplating the decision I had made to reject an offer that felt wrong. A performance for a lead role in a movie that would've rocketed me to the A-list. Doubt and uncertainty swirled around me like a storm. In the next few minutes, I will destroy my dreams with my own hands. This is not what I dreamt of. This is not the dream I promised my parents. But this was only what my boyfriend wanted.

Amidst the storm of thoughts, a voice crackled through the room's speakers, announcing my name, Alexandra Finnman.

My heart skipped a bit as the realization hit me—it was my turn to perform. I had always been fearless on stage, never one to succumb to stage fright. But now, I felt a tremor of anxiety.

I rose from my seat, took a deep breath, and walked slowly to the podium in the audition room where my judges and directors sat. My gaze was fixed firmly on the judges, my head slightly bowed a stark contrast to my usual confident demeanor.

My sister and David, back in the reception area, joined the crowd gathered around the massive television, their collective breath held as they watched me on screen.

The next few minutes will determine whether I'd soar to stardom or face the harsh reality of rejection. In that charged moment, the air was filled with suspense and hope, as everyone watched, waiting to witness the birth of a new star or the agony of dreams deferred.

However, the decision of my judgment wasn't for the judges and directors to make. It was for me to make.