Let Me Shine

"This is unfair! I passed the audition and now you're cancelling me?" Francesca Rocci asked as she slammed her hands on the table in front of the casting director.

"Miss Rocci, there were other factors to consider." The director said as he eyed Francesca.

"Who spoke to you?" Francesca asked as she narrowed her eyes at the man. She knew there had to be an outside influence. She acted well and she knew she was pretty, she even had professional critics guide her.

"No one Miss Rocci, we just don't think you are a fit." The director said, standing his ground.

Francesca could do nothing but turn around and march out.

Outside the venue, her driver held the door open for her as she climbed in a sleek black car.

"Take me home." She ordered.

Francesca Rocci was tall, slim, and curvy. Her features fit her well and many people had approached her in the past asking if she could be a model. Back when she was in highschool she had turned most of them down, at the time she wanted to focus on her studies.

She was now a university student and wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, she wanted to act and model.

When her car finally stopped in front of an old lavish mansion at the outskirts of the Capital, Francesca stepped out not waiting for her driver to open the door. She slammed it hard and walked into the house as a maid announced her arrival.

"Master, Miss Francesca is back." The maid announced as Francesca walked into her father's study where he was leaning back, talking to her brothers.

"Where did you go?" her father, Martin Rocci, asked as he looked up from the documents he was reading. "You don't have class today and all your friends were at home."

The Rocci family owned one of the largest metal production companies in the country, their clients spanned all over the globe, but their largest client was the government and several larger companies in the country. Aside from their legal enterprise, the Rocci family also led a part of the mafia and had a large personal army.

Her father was the current head of the Rocci family and her eldest brother would take his place someday in the future.

"Can you stop spying on my friends?" Francesca angrily asked. "And don't pretend not to know where I was. You deliberately blocked my opportunity to be part of Stars' Talent Show and to act in their latest drama! I passed that audition all on my own and now just because some hot shot investor tells them not to cast me they cut me out!" Francesca who had been taking a step closer at every statement was now standing directly in front of her father's desk.

"It's not appropriate." her father plainly said.

"Not appropriate?" Francesca asked as she raised an eyebrow at him. "I never used your name to get a role! I can hide my identity! People don't need to know that I belong to this family." Francesca told him.

"Sister, it might be acceptable for us, but your future husband's family might not be as accepting." her older brother Matteo said as he held on to her wrist.

"My future husband? Is that all I am to the three of you? Some merchandise to be bargained!" Francesca shouted.

"You know that isn't true little sis." her second elder brother, Andres said in a calm voice. "We are just worried that you won't find a good match if you enter the entertainment industry."

"That place is full of scandal, it is not proper for the daughter of the Rocci family." Her father added. "I have given you the opportunity to pursue any field, you can go into business, or the sciences, even fashion, but not the entertainment industry." her father warned.

"Do your business partners, the Abads, know that this is how you think of them?" Francesca threatened.

"The Abads are different." herr father calmly said. "None of their children entered the industry as actors, they are business people through and through."

The Rocci family was rich, but they were nothing compared to their business partners, the Abad family.

The Abads owned and managed the largest TV network and talent agency in the country, as a matter of fact, a few years ago they debuted one of the most popular actors in history, Eric Chan. It was this family that Francesca was talking about.

"There is nothing wrong with the industry. If you let me sign with the Abad's agency, Lights Entertainment, I'm sure I would be safe and I won't have to do any of the things you are worried about." Francesca attempted to explain to her father.

"The Abads might have a strict order to adhere to their principles, but their managers and staff do not. You will not enter the entertainment industry." her father finally said.

Francesca was mad, she was too mad, she ran out of her father's office and up to her room to cry.

After a while, she heard a soft knock.

"Francesca, can I come in? I just want to talk." It was her second elder brother Andres.

"Fine." Francesca said as she whipped the tears and sat up.

"Look, I know dad is being unreasonable, but he is just looking out for you." Andres said, as he sat next to his sister.

"But Andres, I won't do any of those things dad is afraid of. I'll be good." Francesca promised.

Andres sighed and shook his head. "There is no changing your mind, is there?" Andres asked.

"No. I want this." Francesca said stubbornly as she looked her brother in the eyes.

"Alright. I have a friend, their family owns a small agency called Ver, he should be able to help you get some auditions." Andres said shaking his head.

Francesca was so happy that she hugged her older brother and thanked him repeatedly.

Andres quickly called up his friend who arranged for an audition for Francesca the next day.