Chapter 2 One

“Jasmine, you ready for work?” a redhaired woman spoke while walking out of her kitchen with two bowls of cereal. “Yes, I am ready, Morning babe” I greeted my best friend and housemate, Jennie. We ran away from our home in country C, my dad was an abusive father, I am not sure why. I do not have any memories before I was 6 years old. Jennie lost her parents last year. She decided to live with me in Country A. We are going to an audition in a hotel nearby. I was trying out for the supporting role. Jennie is my assistant; she loves helping me out. We decided on these roles, as she is smarter than me while I had the talent. We grew up leaning on each other for survival. “Let's go, the audition is starting in an hour, we will be there half an hour early” Jennie spoke while she drove us there. I was rereading the scripts, imagining how the character will feel if she was real. “I am nervous, I am worried they will notice me when I am famous,” I spoke, “Do not worry, by then we will be high up and they will not be able to touch us,” Jennie comforted me while we were walking to the audition area. We discuss about the role and other stuffs. “Did you hear that the lead male actor will be joining the judging panel today. The three brothers cannot stay in the same room without a fight. But when the oldest brother heard that Jay will be in the movie, he invested millions into the movie to show support for his brother. They family story is complicated” I heard other actors and actresses gossiping about the lead actor, Jay. “Shh, he is here” Someone spoke hushing the girl who was speaking. I turn to see the guy who gained lots of attention. He was dressed in light blue sweater, white jeans, with a white scarf wrapped lightly around his neck, black boots with shades. He is playing with his phone while talking to his assistant, not looking at anyone. I did not see anything attractive in his looks. He looked like a normal guy to me. “Babe, his is too hot, I wish I could die in his arms” Jennie gushed while I looked at her. “What?” She asked when she saw my stare, “He is not that attractive” I told her, suddenly the room turned silent. I could not hear a single breath. I looked around in confusion, I saw everyone looking at me with their mouth wide open. I heard someone chuckling, I looked behind me to see the actor smiling. He looked nice smiling. But still not my type. “You are something different,” he spoke while I pointed at myself in confusion, he nodded. “For the first time in a while, I hear a lady calling me normal looking,” he continued talking to me, “I was being honest. Maybe you are not my type” I commented, “Maybe not. Can I be your friend?” he asked me, “Why not” I shrugged, I do not feel any dangerous vibe from him, instead I feel safer with him. I exchanged phone numbers and follow each other on the social medias. “Let’s catch each other for a meal soon” he started to walk away. “You are so daring; I did not know you can speak to a man without stuttering” Jennie looked at me in shock. I looked at her in surprise, she was right, since the abuse, I have a fear of men. I will always stutter when talking to any male gender. That was the first time, I had a conversation with a man without stuttering in fear. “Maybe I am recovering. I mean it has been a year away from it all” I try to convince us both. Jennie nodded at my explanation with disbelief, why would she trust my words when I, myself, am in doubt of how I talk to a male normally. We carried on with our rehearsal. 1 hour later my name was called, Jennie wished me luck while I walked into the room. “Jasmine, right? You are trying out for the supporting role, the lead male’s sister,” the director confirmed the details with her. “Yes, I am” I answered him confidently. “Alright, please play Act 1 scene 3,” the writer requested, I nodded. I took a deep breathe getting into the role, “No! Save me brother. He is trying to take me away. I do not want to leave you" I cried while slowly sinking to my knees. “I want to stay with you and all of our brothers, don't let me go” I sobbed. Then I stopped at looked at the judge panel, waiting for their comments. “Wow," the spoke together, but Jay was unusually quiet compared to previous candidates, no one comment on his behavior. “You got the role; we will send the contract to your company” the director spoke. “Yeah, about that, I am not signed to any company, you can speak to me and my assistant directly” I spoke softly while not having any eye contact with the males. “Call her assistant in, we can discuss the contract with them now,” the director informed his assistant who went out to call Jennie. The rest of the crew left the room leaving the director, writer, producer, and Jay behind. “Jay, you have anything to input?” the director asked him confused when he did not leave the room. “Oh, I have decided to scout her to my entertainment company” Jay smiled. I was shocked, it seems like my luck was high today. Jennie came in and greeted everyone, and she discussed the contract seriously. After ensuring that there are no loopholes in it, she allowed me to sign the contract. “You ladies free now? We can go to my office to discuss our contract over lunch” Jay asked while walking out of the room. “Sure, we will be there. We must drop by a place first. We will meet you at the office after we are done,” Jennie replied for us. I had a doctor’s appointment today for my last treatment. “You need to go for a surgery tomorrow to remove the blood clot in your brain. I can ensure that you will recover in time for your shooting” the doctor informed us. “Alright, we will admit her tonight to prepare for the surgery,” Jennie informed Dr. Angela.