“She knew she couldn’t compete. Now she’s
running away, so she doesn’t get hurt.”
<
“Good riddance. It’s better to quit than to get
fired. At least she knows what’s up.”
I’d already quit, so what they said online
didn’t matter anymore.
I packed my bags, ready to head to the
airport, when Jen sent me a video.
Chelsea was doing a live stream event,
putting on a show for the cameras.
“It was all a misunderstanding! I didn’t mean
to accuse Ashley of plagiarism.”
“Ashley is an irreplaceable talent in the music
world, and I desperately hope she
reconsiders!”
Chelsea cried on camera, bowing to the
く
camera. “Ashley, I’m sorry! If I did anything
wrong, I hope you can forgive me. I’m just a
newbie, so please go easy on me.”
“If you quit because of me, I’ll be the most
hated person in music!”
She acted so sorry, and the reporters around
her felt bad for her.
I didn’t know why Chelsea was doing this.
Music industry resources are limited, and we
were similar singers.
She should be happy I was gone.
I turned off the video, opened the car window,
and enjoyed the autumn breeze.
୮
<
A five–hour flight?
I’ll just sleep.
I grabbed my bags and saw my dad’s Rolls
Royce parked by the curb.
He shoved flowers into my hand, and my
mom gave me a big hug.
Feeling their love, all the pain from both
lifetimes rushed back.
I started crying in my mom’s arms.
“It’s a happy reunion! Why are you crying?”
Mom gave me a hug and wiped my tears.
“I knew there was something wrong Nobody
good comes from Hollywood. If they make my baby cry, we won’t play with them!”
I laughed and sniffled. “You don’t even know
what happened. How do you know I’m upset?”
Dad smiled. “Tell me, and I’ll know!”
He knew how to handle business.
A few words, and I was stuck.
After I ate, my mom hesitantly asked, “Ashley,
tell us what’s going on.”
I pulled myself together and told them
everything from both lives.
Mom held me, tears streaming down her face.
“Baby, you’ve been through so much!”
Dad threw his cigarette to the ground. “Those
bastards! They weren’t even born when I was
pulling shady deals! If they mess with my
daughter, I’ll destroy them!”
“Honey, your mom keeps saying I never take
her around the world. Can you take care of
her for a few months?”
“I’ll take care of this,” he said.
Three days later, my mom and I were on a
plane.
We went to Egypt, saw the pyramids and the
Sphinx, and then to Morocco to see
Casablanca.
In winter, we saw the Northern Lights in
Scandinavia.
The aurora borealis gave me inspiration, but I
was too scared to write.
Mom sensed something was wrong and held
me. “Life isn’t just about one thing.
Sometimes you have to look back. Honey,
remember that Mom and Dad always have
your back.”
After our four–month trip, I felt better and
joined Dad’s company.
I was busy all the time, but Dad was happy.
One night, Dad took me to an event, and Brad
called.
“Ashley, stop it and come back! Don’t make
me block you from working in this industry
again. You can’t come back.”
Brad pretends to be nice, but he’s obsessed
with money.
He thought I wouldn’t give up Hollywood.
I didn’t answer, so he softened.
“Chelsea apologized. You have to be over it!
Ashley, be good and come back.”
“Don’t you love hearing me play the piano?
Have you been writing? Play it for me.”
Brad’s two–faced personality made me
certain he and Chelsea were working
together.
I blocked his number.
Leaving the music industry, life was normal.
But Jen showed up.
“So, you’re a business owner now?”