Selira Wynne sat on the soft, cotton mat just outside the veranda, the sunlight resting gently on her shoulders. Her long, wavy black hair swayed as the breeze tickled it. She leaned her head onto her father's shoulder, her big brown eyes sparkling with a dream too long held in silence.
"Dad…" she whispered, "do you think I can really become an actress?"
Arlo Wynne, her loving father, smiled gently. He placed his calloused hand over hers, still smelling faintly of cinnamon and cloves from his spice shop. "Of course, dear. I told you, right? We will go to Los Angeles City very soon. That's where cinema lives. That's where dreams find wings."
Selira's heart fluttered like a butterfly. "Really, appa? You're not just saying this to make me happy?"
He chuckled softly. "Sweetheart, I've already spoken to one of my good friends there. He knows some casting directors. He said there's a chance. But first, we'll visit some studios and try to meet directors. Small roles first. Then heroine roles. That's how everyone starts. One step at a time."
Selira's eyes widened with joy. She threw her arms around him. "Thank you, dad! I didn't expect this! You are really my hero!"
He gently patted her head and whispered, "You're my little honeybun. My cutie pie. I'll support you till my last breath. That's what fathers do."
From behind the kitchen curtain, Mireya Wynne stepped out, drying her hands on her apron. Her soft face was full of worry. "You're encouraging her again, Arlo?" she asked, her voice low but firm. "You know acting isn't safe. Not for girls. I can't allow this."
Selira immediately rushed over. "Please, Mom… you know how much I love acting! I've watched thousands of videos, practiced daily, even learned expressions and dialogues from YouTube. Please don't take this away from me."
Mireya folded her arms, her eyes clouded with concern. "That's not professional learning, Selira. This field… it's not easy. What if—"
"She's not a child anymore, Mireya," Arlo interrupted gently. "She may look innocent and soft, but she's brave. Strong. She was born in this little village, but her courage is big enough for the world."
Selira looked at her mother with pleading eyes. "Please, Mom. Trust me. I'll be safe. I promise."
After a long silence, Mireya sighed. "Okay. But you must take care of yourself. No matter what."
"I will," Selira said, wrapping her arms around both her parents. "You're the best. Both of you."
They smiled together a snug, mushy-gushy family moment.
Later that night, as they sat on the rooftop under the stars, Arlo shared more news.
"I've planned something else too," he began. "I'm expanding our spice shop. I'm taking a small loan from the financer. But he needs a document. So… I'm planning to mortgage our house for a short time."
"What?!" Mireya gasped.
"Shh," he calmed her. "Listen. It's only for a while. Once the business grows, we'll repay and get it back. This house is a temple of our memories, I know. But our daughter's future is worth it."
Mireya looked uncertain. Selira held her hand. "Mom, let's support dad."
The next day, Arlo met the financer, submitted the documents, and within the week, the spice shop transformed. It had new shelves, fresh packaging, bright signboards, and even an aroma section. Selira and Mireya were amazed.
Selira stood in the middle of the store, twirling like a little girl. "This smells like success!" she giggled.
Her father laughed. "Ten more days, sweetheart. Then Los Angeles awaits."
Meanwhile, in his city mansion, Zavian Blackwood sat reviewing blueprints. His assistant stepped in. "Sir, the land project near Weed village… we need to wait two more weeks to begin. Local permissions are still pending."
Zavian simply nodded. "Fine. We'll go there next month."
Back in Weed, Selira's world took an unexpected turn.
Her friend Ira Danvers and her 'friend' Braylon Hart walked up to her porch. Braylon was tall, with sharp features and always a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. To her family, he was just a classmate. He always visited with Ira, so no one questioned it. But Selira had kept the truth from them he was her boyfriend. Kind of.
They had feelings. But she had told him clearly "Let me achieve my dream first." He agreed. Or so she thought.
Arlo opened the door, eyes narrowing slightly at Braylon.
Braylon stood up straighter. "Uncle… I have something to say."
Selira's breath caught. The air turned topsy-turvy. Her heart pounded.
Braylon cleared his throat. "You don't know this, but Selira and I… we're in love. Today, I've decided to tell you openly. We want our relationship to be known. Public. Official."
A chill swept through the warm afternoon.
Selira's face turned pale. Even the clouds seemed to pause.
"Daddy… that… I" she tried.
But Arlo raised his hand gently. "Selira, it's okay." He looked at Braylon. "If you love her, I won't stop it. But there's one condition."
Braylon blinked.
"She must first achieve her dream. Only after she becomes something on her own can she choose her partner. Until then, no relationship. No distractions."
Selira was stunned. So was Braylon. That wasn't the reaction he expected.
"Okay, that's final," Arlo said, and walked inside.
Selira ran to him. "Dad… I don't know what to say. Thank you. I didn't expect…"
He smiled. "I know what you want. I'll never stand in your way."
Braylon left shortly after, clearly annoyed. Outside, Ira caught his arm.
"You idiot! Your plan failed."
He gritted his teeth. "I thought her father would say no and forbid acting. That's what we wanted. Now she'll go to the city. And we'll lose her."
Behind the curtains, Arlo watched them walk away. His eyes didn't blink.
"I know this won't last," he thought. "When she reaches the city, she'll see him for who he truly is. Her future is not beside him."
He didn't say it out loud. But deep down, he knew his daughter's life was about to change. And he would protect her dream until his last breath.
Fate had written the first page.
Ten more days.
And in a sleepy village full of dreams and cinnamon scent… destiny quietly waited.