Talented Me! 29

Derrick rubbed his head and drops of water fell down. "Could have waited for me at least."

He grabbed a bowl and ladle some stew for himself. The stew let out a steady stream of steam. A light fragrance wafted by his nose and his eyes glowed. Sitting down quickly, he wolfed the stew with some rice.

"Slow down," Mom said while patting his back. "There are guests here."

Swallow a mouthful, Derrick was about to reply but choked. He coughed a little before saying, "Sorry. I'll slow down now."

The others started to clear the table and wash the dishes. Plates clanged against it each as everyone joined. Some had suds all the way to their elbow, while others held a towel drying the dishes as they came.

With the combined effort of all of them, they finished quickly. Derrick was still sitting at the table eating his 3rd bowl, so everyone decided to move to the living room to continue talking.

"Are you prepared for the shoot tomorrow, Wilona?" Sandra took the opportunity to ask. Their cats had wandered off somewhere, so Sandra's only topic was the show.

Avina was about to reply, but Mom came into the room. She was folding her apron and looked puzzled at Sandra.

"What shoot?"

"Don't you know?" Sandra asked back. Her eyes widened a bit but continued. "Wilona is in a-"

"School play! I'm participating in a school play, but they're making it into a movie," Avina quickly said. She still wasn't prepared to break the news! The first episode was about to air, and if she didn't finish the show, it would all be worthless!

Sandra turned her head to Wilona. Her eyebrows furrowed and it was clear in her eyes she did not like how she was acting. What hasn't Sandra seen? She knew immediately what Wilona was doing!

Scooting closer, she leaned to Wilona's ear. "Did you not tell your parents about the show?"

Wilona pursed her lips and nodded.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Sandra said before sitting straight again.

Mom watched their interaction and had a small hunch Wilona was lying. Knowing her daughter well, Wilona would have never interrupted another while they were talking.

"Wilona," Mom sternly started. "What are you hiding from me?"

Wilona looked left and right and twiddled her fingers. She clutched her hands and decided to try and hide it again. "I-"

"And think about your answer. I don't want to hear another lie from you, young lady."

Wilona looked up and met the eyes of her angry mother. Mom had her hands by her hip coldly gazing at Wilona. Wilona gulped before sighing. There was nothing she could do. It would have been revealed one day anyways.

"I'm participating in a TV show."

"And you didn't bother to tell us? Isn't there something like parental consent for these things?"

Now it was time for Avina to be baffled. Seriously, why isn't there parental consent for this though?

'Why, 5025?' Avina looked around trying to find 5025, but it was nowhere in sight. It wasn't until it started to speak she realized that all she needed was to think to talk.

'The plot defies all rules, Host.' 5025 had listened to a lot of stories from its seniors. Many and often times, they all complained about one thing - the plot.

No matter how ridiculous or strange it may be, as long as the plot wills it, it will find a way. That is where most hosts find it tough to complete their missions. As long as the world decides their actions are world defying, the plot will be changed to continuously attack the hosts failing their mission. As complaints skyrocketed, headquarters created a code to protect hosts from the attacks as long as they did not majorly defy the world's law.

So no, there is not a clear defined answer to Mom's question.

"I really wanted to go, and I thought you might not let me."

"All the more reason to discuss it with us!" Mom raised her voice. "You may not know, but I've heard a lot of things about the entertainment world. All of them are conniving wolves ready to take a big bite out of anything!"

"Now, that's a little exaggerated," Sandra stepped up to help. She knew Wilona had a lot of potential, and she didn't want it to go to waste. "Yes, I agree, it's dangerous, but with the correct mentor, she won't be hurt."

"I'm not letting my child go into that industry at all."

"But-"

"And no buts!"

"Mrs. May, you really should think of it. I really do think that Wilona has a lot of talent well suited for the industry."

Mom turned her gaze at Sandra. A while ago, she liked her very much, but the more she looked at that smiling face, the more she wanted to smack it. That is my child! I am not letting her get herself in danger ever again! Adi was one thing, and this is another.

"And how would you know? Are you a bigshot?" Mom sarcastically said. "Will you protect Wilona?"

An awkward silence filled the room. Sandra looked stunned at Mom's words, but not because it was sarcastic but what it implied. Mrs. May absolutely did not know who Sandra was!?

Sandra was thinking to herself, 'Although I hate to admit, I can't believe there's actually someone who doesn't know my name.'

All this time, Sandra thought Mrs. May was calm and collected even against stars, but never did it cross her mind that she didn't even know who she was.

"What? Why are you guys all looking at me like that?" Mom confusedly asked. Her stance started to slacken at everyone's weird gaze.

"While I hate to break it to Mrs. May, I am a celebrity. A bigshot as you say," Sandra kindly stated.

Mom looked even more puzzled. What did she mean? That she was a star?

Daisy pulled out her phone and searched for Sandra's name. "Here. Sandra is really a star, Mrs. May. You can place your trust in her."

Mom took the phone and carefully scrolled through. Numerous awards and movies flashed between her fingers, and the more she looked, the more she was surprised.

"Gosh." Mom placed the phone down. "I didn't know that. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine Mrs. May. So now do you have a little more confidence having your daughter on the show?"

Mom went silent. There was a lot to think about and not one of them was something easy to answer in a few seconds. She didn't know what to do. On one hand, she knew Sandra had some capabilities, but on the other, she didn't feel like it was a safe choice.

Wilona was in school and had to prioritize her education. The whole family sacrificed so much hoping that Wilona could escape this life of poverty. Despite their house being decent, she knew that there could always a better environment for the kids. One where Derrick could go to college and pursue his dreams. One where she could be a housewife and Dad could go home earlier. One where Wilona didn't have to be trapped.

"The show is safe, Mrs. May. If you're still worried, I can ask some of my friends to help out too," Sandra said. She knew how deep a mother's worries can go. "After all, I can still feel confident in my power. Being a bigshot comes with a couple of benefits."

Mom looked into Sandra's eyes trying to find that small ray of trust to reassure herself it would be fine. Instead of a ray, she found a whole sun of trust. Sandra knew their struggles to a degree and even more, her worries. She felt safe placing her trust in Sandra.

Mom sighed in defeat. "Fine. You can go finish the show. Although I wished you told us before. Hiding such a big thing, when did you plan on telling us? When you were done and our colleagues told us?"

Wilona hopped off the couch and hugged Mom. "Thank you! And I'll try not to lie next time."

Mom booped her nose, "Try? Next time? There should be no 'just-trying' or next time."

"Yes, yes, I promise. I won't do it ever again." Wilona nodded her head like a chicken pecking corn. She smiled and promised her mom. Mom smiled in defeat against her daughter. She could never seem to win against Wilona.

"A show? And Sandra is even a star?" Derrick asked. He was eating dinner when he overheard the small drama in the living room. His chewing significantly slowed down, and at every word, it was as if he was struck by a thunderbolt.

"And here I thought it was a good day to see a pretty lady. Didn't expect to actually meet a celebrity in the flesh!"

Mom glared at Derrick. "Watch your words. You sound like a hooligan."

Derrick sheepishly scratched his head. "Sorry, sorry. I just mean you are very pretty Sandra."

Sandra chuckled at their interaction and said it was fine. "It's a nice compliment."

What a warm family they are.

"Now that I think about it," Mom started to say. "Sandra isn't a boy."

Everyone turned over to Mom completely confused by what she was talking about.

"Such a shame. Here I thought Wilona finally found a boyfriend." Mom placed her hand by her cheek and shook her head.

Avina looked up and couldn't comprehend what was going on. That is, until she remembered that wink. Was that wink because she thought she had a puppy love!? But why didn't she think anything of it when Eli and Ben were here!?