Fatal Spotlight

Chapter 1

Curse.

"You didn't agree to do the series?" my brother asked, raising a brow. "Sayang naman," he muttered, clearly disappointed.

"The management said they wouldn't pressure me," I replied, my tone cool and detached.

"It's an action romance, right?" he continued. "Just tell them to drop the romance part and make it pure action. It's a big adaptation, and it could benefit you."

He loves meddling in my career, always eager to dictate what I should and shouldn't do, as if my success is his personal project—and, of course, he's always after the money.

"The adaptation wouldn't work without the romance angle," I explained. "It's important to the story, and the author wouldn't agree to change it. So I dropped the series."

"Just do it," he huffed, rolling his eyes.

"What happened to Therese still haunts me. I don't think I can keep doing this," I whispered, feeling my hands tremble.

"Hindi ka naman nila sinisisi, 'di ba? You still have supporters, and you're still a big star," he said in a mocking tone, dismissing my concerns.

"First Raine, then Sofia, and now Therese," I said, frustration tightening my voice. "And it's not just them, I even lost my girlfriend. I can't bear the thought of putting anyone else in danger." I shook my head.

It feels like a curse—that every partner I've had ends up in a dark place. Everyone says I'm cursed, and part of me can't shake the feeling that I am somehow responsible for their fates. It haunts me constantly.

"You actually believe those things people say?" he snapped, his voice rising. I ignored him and kept packing my things, unwilling to engage in yet another argument.

He's always been like this, showing no empathy for what I'm going through. He's only interested in the money my career brings in. Sometimes, I wonder if he even sees me as his brother.

"Bakit ba iniisip mo pa yung mga tao sa paligid mo?!" he shouted. "Think about yourself for once. Remember where we came from before you act recklessly."" He's always there to remind me of that.

"I'll keep working, and I'll stay dedicated to my craft," I said firmly, "but I won't do romance anymore."

I feel a sense of dread every time a project with romance comes my way. Luckily, the management understands my hesitations and mostly assigns me action roles or other genres no—anything but not romance.

Many of my co-stars, especially female leads, avoid working with me. Maybe it's because of the rumors, but I don't mind.  If they steer clear of me, maybe they'll be safe.

After all that's happened, I fear romance projects more than anything. I know how it could end, and I can't face reliving that nightmare again.