Chapter 2

Lila's POV:

Slowly opening my eyes, I yawned, half awake. It was dawn, and the sun was already rising on the horizon. I looked around and realized where I had slept. Mrs. Stella had locked me out. Since it was already morning, maybe she'll let me. I struggled to stand up as my feet were already numb after being exposed to the cold last night. Rubbing my hands together, I pursed my lips and knocked on the door.

This time she opened the door, and I saw from her dressing that she was ready to go out. I quickly greeted her. As usual, she didn't reply but gave me a list of chores that I had to do before she came back, along with a stern warning in case I dared not finish them all. But I know better.

"I've put some ingredients in the kitchen. Make breakfast for you and Tessa. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She walked out of the house and I watched her leave. Then slowly I walked in and, after closing the door, sagged against it. Tessa came to meet me.

"Hey," she greeted meekly. "Sorry about last night."

"It's okay… It's not your fault. I shouldn't have burnt the food." I said, and she cocked her head to a side.

"Let's forget about that. What did Mom say?"

"As usual, a list of chores I had to do before she came back."

"Can I help?"

"You want to?"

"Sure."

"Okay… But once you get tired, rest, okay? I don't want to get another punishment for making you work when you clearly volunteered."

"Deal." She affirmed as we made a fist bump.

"Damn… Your hands are cold." She muttered. I chuckled bitterly.

"I'll have a hot bath later. But first let me make you breakfast."

"Okay…" she said as I walked to my room.

***

After making Tessa breakfast, I did a little of the chores I was assigned to and then had a shower. Coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body, I sat in front of my mirror and started combing out my hair. I didn't have a hair dryer and the only way to get it dry quicker is to keep combing. Takes a lot of time but I have no choice. My hair is actually the most favorite part of my body even though I look fantastic. So long and wavy, it complements my dancing every time it flips and sways. Reasons why I let it down when I dance. But that's not even the issue now.

The issue now is that I have a weird birthmark. I'll say it weird because I have seen nothing like it. It's just right behind my right ear, so most times it's being covered by my hair. Only very few people have seen it and if you were far from me, you wouldn't know that it was there. It's been there long ago, even before I got adopted by the Walkers. As I combed out my hair, I stared at the birthmark. Tessa had once said it looked like a tattoo, but who gives a really young child a tattoo right behind her ears?

'that person must be really crazy.' I thought to myself as I packed up my hair. I stared at myself and managed a small smile. Then I stood up and went to look for clothes to wear so I could continue the rest of my chores. I can't afford to get into another punishment. Of all the sicknesses in the world, the flu was the one I hated the most.

***

Author's POV:

Somewhere in the Beamlights Entertainment building, a group of girls were in a dance studio, rehearsing their latest choreography. Their names were Alya, Ivy, Tori, and Ximena. They are members of the famous girl group named beamer or otherwise called beamer girls with Ximena being the leader.

Ximena, who is also the daughter of the Nikita Turner, wife and manager of Beamlights Entertainment, is the absolute queen bee. A super classy proud bitch, she literally rules the land as she thinks she's the queen and there is absolutely no one that can question her. Why would they? She's CG's daughter! Everyone not only adores her but they fear her as well because one flick of her fingers and you're fired. Her girl members actually fear her more than they love her, but what can they do? She's the reason they are what they are today. Ximena knows this and isn't scared to use it to her benefit.

***

Ximena's POV:

"1, 2, 3,4 left, right, sway, point and boogie down." I lay out the instructions as we practiced. Even though I know the rest of the girls are tired, we have to get this choreography right.

"Do it again." I ordered. The girls mumbled a bit before doing what I asked them to do.

"No, no, no. You're doing it all wrong! How many times am I going to go through this process with you girls!?"

Tori was the first to speak up.

"I'm sorry, but can we get a break? I'm thirsty." She complained, and the rest mumbled in support. I scoffed, such knuckleheads.

"Okay fine…take five," I said and dismissed them. They hurriedly went to their water bottles and drank from it. I called on the assistant who was on standby and she hurriedly came with a bottle of water. I drank a bit from it before returning the bottle, and then she handed me a towel and my phone. I unlocked it and immediately went through my social media feed. I saw news concerning the Sparks' latest release. Their new song, 'Only You,' already had 50 million views on YouTube! Wow, I'm not going to lie; it took my crew a whole month to reach that feat and they already got it within three days. They sure have a lot of fans.

Dean Montero, leader of the Sparks boy band. Hmm, still as charming as always, I thought as I saw his picture. Maybe I should go check up on him later today. Ever since we broke up, we barely talked. I'd hate to admit that the reason our relationship ended was because of me. After a while of scrolling, I dropped my phone and stood up.

"Okay girls, break over. Let's continue with the rehearsal. Remember we're not leaving here until we've perfected the choreography so focus!" I spoke up, and we began dancing. After a while, our practice session ended and we walked out of the dancing room.

***

Author's POV:

"Okay, listen up girls. We'll be going out tomorrow to get our costumes, so get ready for that. In the meantime we'll all be going to our penthouse so you can help me out with my home spa treatment. Tori… You'll do my hair, Ivy… My facial treatment, and Alya will do my nails. This one is chipping off."

"I'm not doing anything." Alya mumbled, and Ximena stopped walking, then turned to Alya.

"What did you say?"

Alya pretended she didn't understand what Ximena said. "Nothing."

"Much better." Ximena said, and hissed. The rest of the girls rolled their eyes, but they didn't dare say anything. That's the way she uses them, even if they are supposed to be equals.

Ximena clicked her fingers and one assistant came rushing towards her with a bag in her hand.

"Give that to Alya." She instructed. The maid hesitated for a while before stretching the bag towards Alya. Alya scoffed and grudgingly collected it from her. Ximena smirked.

Pissed off by the treatment she gets from Ximena, she mumbled to herself, "Always treating us as slaves even when we are not. Just because her father owns the industry." Unfortunately, Ximena heard it and began fuming internally. She waited until they got to a flight of stairs and intentionally stuck her foot out so Alya could trip and fall down the stairs. Her plan worked and Alya tumbled down the stairs, the rest watched in shock, unable to do anything.

"Ximena! What was that for!" Tori spoke out, enraged.

"To teach her a lesson. She should learn to never mess with me." She replied and giggled wickedly. Alya kept rolling down the stairs until she got to the very end. The rest of the girls rushed to her, leaving Ximena alone.

"Alya! Are you okay?" They all chorused together as they saw Alya groaning on the floor.

"My leg…" she groaned, "it hurts."

"Quick, let's help her up." Ivy suggested, and they went to help her, but Alya only fell back onto the floor and yelped out in pain.

"Quick, call the ambulance!" Ivy yelled to the workers. They hurried to that. Tori looked up at Ximena and glared at her, but Ximena only looked away, clicking her tongue.

'serves her right.' she thought to herself as she hummed and then walked away, leaving the girls to themselves. No one dared stop her.