--Kai POV--
Ever since I can remember, life had never been easy for me. Some might say it was my fate, but I often wonder how different things could have been if my mother had stayed. According to Nana, my mother was a semi-famous model. She had the looks, the grace, and the potential to make it big in the industry. At least, that's how Nana described her. And that's where I inherited my love for acting and the entertainment world—through stories of her.
But I never knew my father. I often asked Nana, but she would always fall silent, her face clouding over as if there was a painful memory she wasn't ready to share. It wasn't that I resented her for it. I didn't. She was the one constant in my life, the one person I could rely on. But the absence of answers about my father always hung over me like a dark cloud. I never dared to ask my mother, even if I could have. She'd passed away when I was too young. Whenever Nana would ask my mother about my father, she'd just smile—a distant, almost bitter smile—and reply that he'd never be a part of our lives. Nana would shake her head, a fire in her eyes, and call him a coward for abandoning us. Perhaps, deep down, I started to feel the same way, a quiet resentment that grew with every unanswered question.
But despite the uncertainty surrounding my family, I was fortunate. I was blessed with a strong parental figure in the form of Nana. She was my everything. She taught me how to navigate the world, how to stay kind despite the cruelty that often came my way. She showed me how to persevere, how to rise above it all. Those lessons kept me going through everything—through all the lonely nights, the bullying at school, and the hardship of living on the edge. Nana was my guiding light, and when things got tough, I would hold onto her words like a lifeline.
I still remember the first time I stood up for myself, and how it marked the turning point in my life.
It was when I was ten, and Tony, one of the bullies, crossed a line. He was always taunting me, calling me names because of my old clothes, mocking my quiet demeanor. But that day, he went too far. He insulted my mum and Nana. I don't know what happened to me, but something inside me snapped. I didn't think. I didn't hesitate. The next thing I knew, Tony was on the ground, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle, and his lackeys were running for their lives. I stood there, trembling, watching as they disappeared into the distance.
But it wasn't the pain on Tony's face that haunted me. It wasn't the way I had gotten back at him. It was the look on Nana's face. She was disappointed—so disappointed that it broke something inside me. The hurt in her eyes cut deeper than any punishment could have. That moment changed me. I swore I would never let anger control me again. I would be better than that. I owed it to Nana.
Years passed. The older I got, the more responsibilities I took on. Nana fell ill, and her ability to move around was limited. I worked multiple jobs, did everything I could to keep things running. I even started cooking meals, cleaning, and taking care of the house while balancing school. It was hard, but Nana was always there, her words of encouragement a constant source of strength.
I still remember the last conversation we had.
Flashback
Heather Jones, 68, held her grandson close as he wept silently into her arms. She had lived a full life, a good life, but it seemed so unfair that she would have to leave him now. He was all she had left. She knew it was her time to join her beloved husband and her daughter, but the thought of leaving him behind made her heart ache.
"Kai, look at me, son," she urged gently, her voice a whisper in the quiet of the night.
Kai hesitated, burying his face deeper into her shoulder, reluctant to face the truth. She wasn't going anywhere, was she? But Nana knew better.
"Kai, look at me." Her voice was firmer this time, a quiet strength in it that made Kai lift his head slowly, his teary eyes locking with hers.
Nana kissed his forehead gently, her hand resting on his cheek. "Whatever happens, I want you to live your life the way you want to, okay? Whether I'm here or—"
"You're not going anywhere, Nana. Please, don't go," Kai whimpered, his voice breaking.
Even Nana couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. She pulled him into a tighter embrace, holding him close. She wanted so badly to see him grow into the man she knew he could be, but time wasn't on her side.
"Promise me, Kai," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Life is difficult. There will be challenges, times when you'll want to give up. But you need to keep moving forward, okay? Promise me you won't give up on yourself."
Through his sobs, Kai managed to nod, his words barely audible as he whispered, "I promise."
Nana smiled softly, brushing his hair away from his face as he finally fell asleep in her arms. That was the last thing he ever heard her say to him.
Flashback End
--Back to Kai POV--
Life fell apart after Nana. The world seemed so much colder without her guiding presence. But I kept moving forward, just like she had taught me. I buried myself in my studies, focused on my dream of entering the entertainment industry. I knew the odds were against me. I had no family connections, no support, but I worked hard—studied multiple languages, took on extra shifts, did everything I could to save up for my future.
I never partied. I never hung out with people. I couldn't afford the luxury of wasting time. All I wanted was to live my dream, to make Nana proud. She always believed in me, and I promised myself I would live up to her expectations.
But now…
Now, I don't know what to do anymore.