"If death is the only way to be with you, then I shall gladly embrace it! Wait for me, Augustus!"

Once again, I heard the resounding applause of the audience as the red curtains fell down.

I peeked from the backstage and saw Rose, who's wearing an elegant scarlet gown, lying flat on the floor with a broken glass of wine beside her.

I sighed.

Her long eyelashes that were even more fascinating due her closed eyes, her perfectly sculptured nose, her porcelain white skin, and her bright red lips.

She really looked like a sleeping angel, like what others often complimented her.

The mere sight of her is truly powerful. It's as if I'm looking at a painting, calmly adoring each and every detail. Resting my eyes on her figure right now brings me tranquility. A sense of peace and fulfillment with a hint of joy.

"Well done, Rose," I whispered out of astonishment.

Rose was truly the personification of a goddess. Setting aside her striking visuals, her skills were pretty much on par with her face. With a crystal-clear voice that pierces through the hearts of people every time she delivers a line, an impressive body build that makes even ragged clothes decent-looking, and a face that expresses such intense feelings that will make you feel her sincerity, she climbed up her way to the top without a single sweat.

Yes, that was Rose.

And yet again, she made our performance successful.

In the theatrical performing arts society where I am part of, lots of effort are required to rise on the stage and be the apple of the eye of everyone.

Oh, wait.

Lots of efforts aren't enough. I have proven that since I became a theater actress.

A cup of beauty, a spoon of talent, and maybe a drop of effort. This is the 'correct' recipe to make a good career. Even if you are overflowing with talent and effort but lacking in beauty, it will only result to a failed recipe.

Rose? She can just stand at the front and smile, then she will receive appreciation and praises. But, what about me?

I think I've done everything that I can. With my undying passion to act and be applauded, I studied all essential rules in acting. Clear deliberation of lines, proper facial expressions, correct posture, everything I thought I needed to be given attention.

But still, Rose got everything.

What's lacking in me? Visual appearance? I even had my nose repaired and already changed into different hairstyles, hired a famous make-up artist and meticulously kept watch about my body measures.

But again, Rose got everything.

The play that we just performed? I asked the scriptwriter to make a main character fit for me so I can be chosen, but unbelievably— pretend to be surprised— Rose was still chosen.

Great! Rose received good feedback again and you know what happened to me? I became her maid who didn't even utter a word and just appeared when I served her breakfast and dinner. Oh, and did I forget to tell you that I am wearing a maid's dress right now?

It hurts.

It hurts that I cannot show my abilities. It hurts that even though I did my best, I will just be part of the rest and will never be noticed. It hurts that I am always the unimportant cast, the one who only portrays maids and one-line extras. It hurts that every time the spotlight will shine on me, Rose will step forward and cast her shadow on me.

Am I just a shadow?

Am I just a side character? Or maybe just a recurring character? Why am I not the protagonist of my own story?

But I realized something.

Am I too ambitious?

Am I too excited for something yet to come? A thought keeps on popping into my mind: my time to shine will eventually arrive, so I should prepare myself and wait for that.

Rushing does no good to people. Instead, it presents danger that if your foot slip while hurrying, it will make you injured, just dragging you away from what you desire.

Yes, I should not rush. I should not force my way into the spotlight and calmly wait for it.

But I can't wait.

I've already waited for too long and waiting again will just give me failure. Some people waited for how many years but still, they got nothing.

How can I achieve my dream then?

Initiate.

To get the ball rolling, I must be the one to initiate.

I needed to do something.

Something that will change the unfair treatment of this world.

Something that will surely give me the ladder to success.

Instead of waiting for the spotlight to focus on me, I should control it and fix it so that it will finally shine on me. It should shine only on me.

And now, it will.

Just like buzzing bees, people started to whisper to each other here in the backstage. From the triumphant atmosphere of having finished another great play, the ambiance suddenly became tensed.

I can see the panic in the eyes of the staff who are impatiently going in and out of the stage.

Through a slit in the curtain, I peeked at the stage again to see Rose.

She is still in the position I last saw her. But now, lots of staff who seem unable to calm their heads down are hovering around her.

Oh, what could have happened?

"Rose is dead! There's a real poison in her wine!"

A female cast hysterically announced that to the backstage, consequently adding noise to the commotion.

Oh, no.

I prevented my lips from curving into a smile.

Finally, the rose has wilted.

Its petals and thorns have completely dried up.

A new flower will bloom and take her place.

A new flower who desperately wanted to see the light of day and be adored by people.

A flower named...

.

.

.

.

.

Ivy.

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