Chapter 2

"Gillian, you're such a disappointment. You're not even C-list, let alone A or B-list," Naomi snapped.

"There's nothing special about your looks or your figure, and even though you went to drama school, you can't compare to your naturally talented classmates."

"What do you have besides effort? Seriously, you're the one desperate to be famous, not me. If you don't even care about your own future, why should I bother worrying about you?" She just kept going, ranting on and on.

I listened in silence, and before I realized it, my sharp nails had dug into my palm. The pain snapped me out of it.

Yeah, she had always been like that with me.

She always said she was just being blunt, that no one else would dare point out my flaws, and that she was only doing it for my own good, even though it meant hurting my feelings.

At first, I'd get upset and angry, but after a while, she really got into my head. I started to believe I was just some ordinary actress with nothing special going for me.

But that was not true. I fought for plenty of roles on my own, and lots of directors and veteran actors praised me. I was not as useless as she said I was.

"Yeah, I'm just dragging you down. There are so many popular young actresses out there. Maybe you should go find yourself a new bestie," I said with a mocking tone.

Then, I hung up on her.

Beep. Door unlocked.

It was almost like Naomi and I were somehow synced. Just as I hung up, I heard the door unlock.

I knew it was my boyfriend, Andrew Paul, coming home.

"So you really are at home, Gillian," Andrew said, his tone cold and accusing.

He walked in with a stormy face, tossed his coat aside, and strode straight into the bedroom to confront me.

Clearly, Naomi had already tipped him off, and he was here to read me the riot act.

He must be fuming that he failed to get rid of me for cash.

"Seriously, how many chances have you thrown away?" Andrew demanded.

"Do you even get how many A-listers are in Toby's new film? This is the one shot you have to blow up.

"You need to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out your own worth. Quit acting like some pampered princess!" His face flushed with anger as he grabbed my wrist, yanking me to my feet.

"There's still time to switch your flight. Move it. Let's go!" Andrew was a model, six foot three and always hitting the gym. With his build, lifting my small frame was effortless.

But I was faster. I pressed down hard on the panic button by my bedside.

"Andrew, if you touch me again, I'll call the police," I shouted.

Luckily, my place was a villa in an upscale neighborhood, and every room had a direct line to security with a panic button.

If I pressed it, patrol security would be at my door in three minutes, and the police would arrive in ten.

Sure enough, Andrew froze for a second, then, with obvious reluctance, shoved my hand away.

"You're really not going? Why would you waste a chance like this?" he demanded.

He just wouldn't give up.

"It's nothing. I just remembered, Thainiland always messes me up. There are plenty of chances. Let someone else take this one," I replied coldly.

I shot him a glare so icy and full of hate.

I used to be a total simp for love.

Back in my sophomore year, I met Andrew and instantly fell for him. After that, I was his little girlfriend, always glued to his side.

Everyone called me a hopeless romantic, but I was so blinded by so-called love that I cared for nothing but him.

I spent money on him, did whatever he asked, and I never once looked at him with the kind of resentment I felt now.

Sure enough, Andrew's brows knitted together, and a flicker of unease and confusion crossed his face.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

I bit my lip, my voice coming out rough. "Andrew, I'm done with you. Let's break up."

He just stared at me, totally stunned for a few seconds.

Then, he suddenly cracked up, like I'd just told the best joke in the world.

"Gillian, are you seriously throwing another tantrum?" he scoffed. "How many times have I told you? I can't stand it when people use breakups to threaten me.

"I'm only letting it slide this time because it's you. But if you pull this stunt again, I'm gone for good. Even if you beg me, it won't change a thing."

He glared at me, his eyes burning with resentment.

That wasn't the look a guy gave the woman he loved.

It was more like he was looking at something he hated with every fiber of his being.