I Thought I Was A Devil

Season 7 Chapter 9

Mid-terms are finally over, I packed my luggage and returned to Japan for some days, it feels like, I am returning home quite frequently nowadays. Anyways, I just need to avoid troubles and maintain mental peace as much as possible, I thought to myself while braiding Angela's hair. Angela sat quietly hugging her teddy bear, as she stares at my reflection on the mirror.

Angela: Sis?......(she says hesitating as she tightens the grip over her teddy bear, as if contemplating to say something. Her face was slightly pale and filled with hidden anxiety that she tried her best to hide.)

Me: Yes? (I smiled looking at her face through the reflection.)

Angela: (she forced a grin over her lips and tilt her head slightly to the left) Missed you.

Me: (I smiled back and hugged her from behind) I missed you too.

Angela: Uhm…..sis…..(she hesitates and looked uncomfortable as she hugged her teddy tightly)

Me: Hm? (I frowned getting concerned) What’s wrong Angela?.....

Angela: Uhm nothing. (She smiles faintly before looking down) I was wondering…..if you can come to my set tomorrow, and uhm…..pretend to be my boyfriend?

Me: Huh? (I raised my brow getting confused and anxious at the same time) I mean yeah of course I will come to your set tomorrow, but what about this boyfriend thing?

Angela: (she forces a laugh as she speaks softly) Sis, you remember how people used to confuse you as my sweetheart, when we were small? Because you always preferred to dress up as a boy? (I nodded my head in silence) Well….I thought we don’t we recreate that scenario, to relive our memories? (She grins)

Me: (I smiled) Sure, I will do as my beloved sister says.

Angela: (she smiles brightly as if getting reassured) Thank you sis! You are the best!

Anna's voice: Girls! Come downstairs for dinner! (She calls from downstairs.)

Angela: Ah! (She springs up from her chair excitedly as she places her teddy bear down) Looks like momma is calling for dinner! (She says motioning towards the door before she turns around) You coming? (She smiles)

Me: In a minute. (I said with a faint smile) You go first.

Angela: (she nods in agreement) Come first sis. (She says before walking out)

As soon as she walked out of the room, I frowned, sensing she was hiding something. I wanted to confront her but couldn’t summon the courage. What was going on? Why were my siblings keeping secrets from me? Biting my lower lip, I realized there was an invisible distance between us that I needed to bridge.

As we all sat around the dining table, a surge of anxiety swept through me. I felt restless but tried to stay as calm as possible, though a frown lingered on my face as I ate my meal half-heartedly. Angela seemed lost in her own world, nervously shaking her legs and showing signs of reduced appetite. I noticed she had lost a considerable amount of weight and looked much more fragile than the last time I saw her—so much so that it seemed she might disappear if I turned away.

“Did our parents fail to notice these changes? Couldn’t they take care of one child?” I thought, growing more irritated with each passing second. As I was deep into my thoughts, I could feel my mother's eyes glancing at me, placing down the bowl of rice and chopsticks on the table, I looked at her, raising brow in a questioning manner.

Anna: (with a slight frown) Anne, when did you buy a new phone? You didn’t inform us about this. You could have at least asked before buying one. It's not like we would have dismissed your wishes.

Me: (sighing, irritated) Mom, I didn’t buy it. My friend gifted it to me. If I had bought it, you’d have seen the credit card bill. I broke my phone, and my friend gave me a new one with her own money.

Anna: (in disbelief) Anne, I’m happy you that you are interacting with people, but why would your friend need to buy you something so expensive? It’s not like we can’t afford your expenses.

Me: (shrugging) Maybe that's what you call friendship? Caring for someone without being asked? She bought it because she knew I needed it, even without me saying anything.

Anna: (taken aback) Anne!

Douglas: (glaring) Don’t talk to your mother in that tone. Do your “friends” know what kind of person you are?

Angela: (hesitating) Mom... Dad...

Me: I’m sorry I’m such a bad child. Thank you for the food. I’d like to go back to my room now. (gets up and turns around)

Anna: (agitated) Anne! What type of behavior is this?

Douglas: Ignore her. She’s just throwing unnecessary tantrums. (focuses on his food)

Angela: (getting up, following me) Sis, wait!

I don’t know if something is wrong with me, I feel strong resentment over the passing years, and it has become harder to control my emotions, especially my anger, small things turn into big arguments and make me feel agitated easily. It feels like either I should stab my ears or cut my tongue to avoid conflicts. I don’t know if its just my hormones or if I am drained out of patience, all I could feel that I am a bad child but am I really wrong?

Next morning, Angela left early in the morning, as a car came to pick her up. I dressed up like a guy, and used slight makeup to make my face more masculine, before putting on a wig on my head, and choose to wear a hoody, because you can never go wrong with hoodies. When I arrived at Angela’s set, I was immediately struck by the bustling activity. Crew members were hurrying back and forth, setting up equipment and adjusting lighting. Angela had already informed the security about my visit, so I was allowed entry without much hassle.

As I walked onto the set, I spotted Angela chatting with a group of people, her face lighting up when she saw me. She quickly excused herself and came over to me, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She grabs my hand and smiles trying to betray her nervousness, as she pulls me in a hug where everyone could notice us.

Angela: Thank you, babe. I thought you won’t come today. (She says softly but making sure its loud enough for the nearby ears.)

Me: How can I not come, when my sweetheart called me? (I said kissing her cheek) Missed you.

Angela: Love you. (She says hugging me as her anxiety fades away)

Me: (I hugged her back) Yeah….(I said with a smile.)

Angela: (she breaks the hug and glanced around making sure that people have started whispering regarding our relationship) Just follow my lead. I need to introduce you to some people. (She takes my hand and leads me towards the group she was talking to earlier. As we approached, Angela's demeanour shifted, becoming more confident and composed as she addressed to the group) Everyone, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend. (She gestures towards me with a playful smile. The group looked surprised, exchanging glances before one of them, a tall guy with a clipboard, spoke up.)

Tall Guy: (raising an eyebrow) Really, Angela? Your boyfriend? (His voice was filled with curiosity and suspiciousness.)

Angela: (she nods in agreement) Mhm! David. (She looks at me.) Meet my director.

Me: (I was slightly taken aback that she even came up with a fake name, before smiling and playing along) Nice to meet you, Mr Director. I am David. (I said shaking hands with him.)

Director: (he grins widely shaking hands with me) Looks like our little girl has grown up.

Angela: hehe. (She grins happily but her happiness disappeared, as soon as the a black car parked near the set.)

Director: Ah. Looks like he is here. (He says smiling)

Me: Uhm…..who? (I noticed Angela's pale face as I got suspicious.)

Director: Our lead actor. (He smiles) He is playing as Angela's father, in this movie.

Angela: Y-Yeah….(she hesitates and gulps her spit before grabbing my head) Oh look! I am getting late! I should go and dress-up!

Director: Sure, take your time. (He smiles as he pats her head and walks off)

Without wasting time, she hurried towards her dressing room, and closed the door behind her back, she looked nervous and stressed out, as her body trembled in fear. She sits down on her chair waiting for her makeup artists, while trying to calm herself, as I grabbed a glass and poured water, giving it to her, she grabs the glass and drinks anxiously, as she almost chokes on the water. 

Angela: (taking a deep breath) Thanks, David—I mean, sis. (She places the empty glass on the table and looks at me with teary eyes.) I’m sorry for dragging you into this.

Me: (kneeling beside her, holding her hands) Angela, what’s going on? Who is that guy?

Angela: (biting her lip) He’s… he’s the reason I wanted you here. H-He is a famous actor, when I got selected i-in the movie, I-I was really excited to work with him. (She gulps her spit as her body trembles and words stammered) B-But…..H-He…..(tears rolls down from her eyes as she couldn’t fight courage to speak)

Me: (I placed a hand over her shoulder as I get on my knees before grabbing her hands) Does our parents know? (I said staring in her eyes, she shook her head scared) What about the team members? Your Manager, did you tell anyone?

Angela: N-No…..(she shook her head, tearing up and bit her lower lip) Who will trust my words? Everyone will think that I am lying.

Me: That’s not true. (I smiled warmly) Angela, there is no point in hiding anything. You need to stand up for yourself and discuss your issues.

Angela: (she withdraws her hand and looked away) Y-You don’t understand sis…..i-its really scary…..hehe said he will ruin me, i-if I open my mouth. He said that n-no one will believe my words, and call me a liar… (her eyes moved nervously, as she looks frightened.)

Me: I trust you. (I said hugging and reassuring her) Don’t be scared, your elder sister is here.

Angela: B-But sis…..what can you do? (She bit her lower lip and didn’t hug back) We both are just mere teenagers….

Me: Trust me Angela, (I looked in her eyes) I will make sure to bring you out from this nightmare.

Angela: But sis…..I don’t want you to cause any troubles. What if they kick me out from the movie? What if my image is ruined and I never get any work? (Tears rolled down from her eyes)

Me: Why are you so scared? I am sure you will get better opportunities later. Right now your life is much more important for us. (I asks getting more and more stressed out.)

Angela: (grabs my arms) Because I'm not a genius or multi-talented like you. Without this, I'm nothing. If I don't act or work in the entertainment industry, then what am I? Just a nobody—a burden.

Me: Who told you that you will be a burden to us, if you don’t work in the entertainment industry? (I frowned)

Angela: (she hesitates and looks away) Uhm….lets not talk about that anymore. I just……(she wanted to say something when her words trailed off and we heard a loud bang on the door, she flinched and hugged me tightly while trembling in fear.) D-Don't open the d-door……(she says covered in sweat.)

Me: (I bit my lower lip frowning) Are you going to hide here forever?

Angela: What else can I do??? (She says looking in my eyes) No one will believe me…..he will ruin my career…(her eyes were red with tears as she wipes her eyes with tissues) Don’t you feel that it is unfair? I need this work, to prove my worth….I don’t want to ruin my opportunity because of one person. I have been in this industry since last ten years and hardly ever faced something like this…..I am really scared sis…..please don’t do anything reckless that will cost my career. (She says grabbing my arms)

I frowned at her words. Why was she so afraid to leave this place when she had so many opportunities? No one was forcing her to work here. Our parents would support her no matter what decision she made. Many people don’t have that kind of support and are pushed towards their doom. But that wasn’t the case with Angela. So why was she choosing this path on purpose?

Me: What do you mean? (I raised my brow)

Angela: I know….that you will feel angry but please….for my sake, control your impulse. (She says pleading)

Angela's words echoed in my mind as I watched her trembling in fear. I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anger at the situation. It was clear she was terrified, and that angered me even more. But I knew she was right. Acting recklessly could indeed cost her everything she'd worked for. And I couldn’t let my sister suffer consequences of someone else's lust.

Me: (I nodded slightly in agreement while clenching my fist tightly and looking away reluctantly) I promise.

Angela: (she smiles brightly) Thank you sis…..

As we talked, there was another loud bang on the door, this time accompanied with some angry words. Angela flinched again, and I stood up, ready to face whoever was outside. But before I could open the door, it burst open, and a tall man with a menacing expression walked in. It was the lead actor, he looked tall, and was around our father's age. “disgusting….” I thought to myself, standing in front of Angela in protective manner.

Me: I don’t know where you gained your manners from, but you can’t enter a girl's greenroom without permission. (I said frowning.)

Lead Actor: Permission? (He asks with a smirk then ignored my presence) Little Angela, I was just worried about your safety, I was wondering whom you brought here, introducing your boyfriend. (He places his hand on her shoulder as I tried to grab his wrist but he pushes me away as I fell on the floor with a thud. He bents towards Angela and whispers in her ear) Little girls, shouldn’t lie.

Angela: (she tears up as she gulps her spit, looking down in fear as her whole body trembles as if she will faint at any moment) I-I am s-sorry……

Lead Actor: Good girl. (He smiles and pinches her cheek) You should always remember the consequences of your actions.

I glared at the man, feeling a surge of anger rising within me. How dare he threaten my sister like this? I got up from the floor, brushing off the dust and straightened my hoodie. Angela was visibly shaken, and it pained me to see her like that. I had to do something to protect her, but I had to be smart about it.

Me: (taking a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm) Sir, I would appreciate it if you could leave us alone. Angela needs to prepare for her scenes, and your presence here is making her uncomfortable.

Lead Actor: (smirking, looking at me with disdain) And who are you to tell me what to do? Her so-called "boyfriend"? (he scoffs)

Me: (maintaining my composure) Yes, I am. And as her boyfriend, it's my responsibility to ensure she's comfortable and safe. (I stepped closer to him, standing my ground)

Lead Actor: (laughs mockingly) You think you can protect her? How adorable. (He leans closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper) Do you really think that makeup and wig can hide your true self? I am an actor, and can see through fake asses. (He says grabbing my wig and pulling it away, then grabs my chin hard) Tsk, Angela, you should have atleast find a real guy. (He laughs) What will people think? That our innocent Angela is a little liar? Tsk tsk tsk…..bad girl Angela.

Me: Leave me. (I glared)

Lead Actor: (he leaves me) Ah, this one is spicy. I wonder how she tastes like. (He says licking his lip while staring at me lustfully)

Me: (A shiver runs down my spine, as I looked at him in disgust, my jaw hardens, and I clenched my fist) You! (I said raising my fist in the air, how can someone be so disgusting? He isn’t a man, he is a monster, he makes Karl look like an Angel. Adults are supposed to protect children from danger, but here, he was the danger. I failed to control my anger any longer, but before I could do something, Angela held me back with tearful eyes.)

Angela: Sis…..Please…..(she pleads, while her hands trembled in fear, she shook her head slowly trying to calm my anger. I stared at her in disbelief, what the heck was wrong with her? Why was she so afraid? Was she afraid of this monster? Or there was something deeper that failed to meet my eyes?)

Lead Actor: Little girl, you should listen to your sister. (He glared at me) Or else, you can’t afford the consequences. (He smirks) I wonder, how the people outside will feel when they find that Angela faked her boyfriend just to gain some attention.

Me: (I smirked) I am sure their reaction won’t be as worst, as when they discover that their respected actor, gets aroused seeing small children.

Lead Actor: (he grits his teeth hearing my words as he raises his hand on the air) YOU!! (He was about to slap me when we heard a familiar voice.)

Akari: What is going on here? (It was Angela's manager, the same hateful woman who complained against me to my father and tried to cause a rift between Angela and me, she hates me to the core of her heart and looks down on me openly.)

Lead Actor: (he hesitates then turn around and glances at Akari with a disappointed face) Miss Akari…..

Akari: What are you doing here? (She pushes her spectacle back while speaking sternly)

Lead Actor: I just came to meet Angela…..but….how to put this. (He hesitates) she tried to take advantage of me, I hope you will explain her, that she is too young to use such moves against an adult. (He says sighing in disappointment)

Me: What the fuck?! Who would even believe that?? (I said gritting my teeth while holding Angela's hand tightly)

Akari: I understood, you may leave now. (She says to him as he hesitates before leaving. She locks the door behind her back and walks up to us.) What's going on here? (She frowns folding her arms and staring at our faces.)

To be continued.....