Juliana walked to her neighbor's house early in the morning. She wore her simple cotton dress, her hair tied in a loose braid. Her face was calm but her heart was heavy. She had to make a big decision, and she needed the support of her village.
Her neighbor, a kind middle-aged woman, opened the door and smiled warmly. "Juliana, come inside, dear."
Juliana sat down on the wooden chair. Her voice trembled a little as she began to speak. "Aunty, you know my dream. I want to go to the city. I want to act in movies. Shilpa, my friend, will help me. But I am worried about Grandma. I don't want to leave her alone. I know you love my grandma. Can you please take care of her?"
She paused and pulled a small cloth bag from her side. "I have some savings. I will give you money for food and medicine. Please look after her until I can come back and take her with me."
The neighbor woman's eyes softened. She reached forward and held Juliana's hand. "Oh child, don't worry. We already know about your dream. We all know you have a special gift. One day, we want to see our village girl shining on the big screen. We will support you. You don't need to give me money. You and your grandma already helped us many times. We must repay that kindness. Don't worry, we will look after your grandma as if she is our own mother."
Juliana's eyes filled with tears of relief. "Thank you, Aunty."
Just then, a middle-aged man entered the house. He had heard their talk. He stood by the doorway and said, "She is right, Juliana. We will take care of your grandma. She is like our mother too. Your father helped all of us in this village. We cannot forget it. When we needed to go to the city, he was the one who drove us in his car. At that time, he was the only man here with a vehicle. He never asked for money. Sometimes he even paid the fuel himself when there was an emergency. He was always ready to help anyone."
The man's eyes grew wet as he remembered. "Your father was a good man. Now, it is our turn. We will take care of your grandma. Don't think twice about it."
Hearing these words, Juliana felt her chest lighten. She left the neighbor's house and walked back home quickly. She rushed to her grandma and hugged her. "Grandma! Everyone promised to take care of you. Aunty said she will support you. Uncle also promised. They all remember Dad's kindness."
Her grandma smiled softly. "I told you, my child. This village is like one family."
That afternoon, several people from the village came to Juliana's house. They carried small bundles of money and placed them on the table.
"Juliana," one of them said, "we know city life is expensive. Your savings may not be enough. Here, take this money. Use it for your food, travel, and rent. When you start earning, you can return it. If you cannot return, it is no problem. Your father and your grandma helped us for many years. This is our way of blessing you."
Juliana quickly shook her head. "No, I can't take your money. I don't want to be a burden."
But they gently pushed the money toward her. "This is not a burden. This is love. You are going to chase your dream. You carry our hopes with you. We want you to shine. Please take it."
Finally, with tears in her eyes, Juliana accepted the money. She bowed her head. "Thank you. I will never forget this kindness."
The villagers also told her, "Your train ticket is ready. After two days, you will leave. Prepare your bag and be ready."
That evening, another woman from the village came with a big cloth bag. She placed it in Juliana's hands.
"These are clothes," the woman explained. "They belonged to my brother's daughter. She lived in the city. Most of these dresses were worn only once or twice. They are modern clothes. You cannot wear your simple village dresses in the city, especially if you want to act. We cannot afford to buy you branded clothes, but these are still new and good. Please take them."
Juliana opened the bag and saw skirts, tops, and even some stylish dresses. They looked almost new. She was touched deeply. She hugged the woman and said, "Thank you so much. I will wear them proudly."
That night, as Juliana packed her bag slowly, she thought deeply. "Everyone trusts me. They gave me money. They gave me clothes. They believe in me. I cannot fail. I must achieve my goal. I must keep their trust."
Her eyes shone with determination.
Meanwhile, in the city, Richard leaned back on his chair and spoke with a sly smile. "Shilpa, after Juliana comes here, we must take her to the hospital first. We have to check if she is truly a virgin. We cannot just believe what she says. We need official papers. If she is pure, then we can sell her one night for millions. That is our chance to make big money."
Shilpa nodded calmly. "Don't worry, I will handle this." She then tilted her head and asked, "But what about the shoot? What is the plan?"
Richard smirked. "Everything is ready. Tomorrow evening, we will shoot in our indoor swimming pool. I want to try something fresh. Customers are bored with the same old style."
Shilpa clapped her hands happily. "Good. But then, we must buy the right clothes. For the first scene, the girl must wear something attractive. Maybe a two-piece swimsuit. Something that will catch attention. Let me go shopping tomorrow. I will find the perfect one."
Richard grinned. "That is why I love you, baby. You are brilliant. You go buy the dress. I will arrange the underwater cameras. The video must look perfect."
He kissed her cheek, his hand sliding along her waist. Shilpa giggled and stood up. "I'll go tomorrow."
At the same time, in a tall office tower, Remian sat in his private room. The city lights glowed through the glass windows, but his face was full of worry. He stared at the table, his mind restless.
He had already caught one traitor in the company, but he knew there were more. "Three, maybe five people," he whispered to himself. "But I don't have proof. Not yet."
Lovian walked in and saw his friend's serious face. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Remian, don't drown yourself in stress. We will find the truth. But right now, you need to relax."
Remian shook his head. "I'm not in the mood. I can't enjoy anything."
Lovian laughed lightly. "Come on, brother. Let's go to our beach house. I have arranged something for you. There will be drinks, music, and some dancers. Just enjoy the party for one night. Forget your worries."
Remian raised an eyebrow. "Dancers? Why did you invite them?"
"Just for fun," Lovian said with a grin. "I know you always want virgin girls for your bed, but don't worry, tonight I didn't arrange that. These dancers will only entertain us. Just some fun, nothing more."
Finally, Remian gave in with a sigh. "Fine. Let's go."
The beach house stood near the sea, its lights glowing in the dark night. Music floated in the air. Inside, five or six girls dressed in sexy clothes stood waiting. When Remian and Lovian entered, the girls welcomed them with smiles and soft laughter.
Soon, the hall filled with music and bright lights. Drinks were poured, glasses clinked, and laughter rose. The dancers swayed to the beat, their dresses shining under the colored lights.
Some girls walked to Remian and Lovian. They massaged their shoulders and hands, speaking gently.
Lovian leaned back, enjoying their touch, smiling at their playful moves. Remian, however, stayed calm. He drank quietly, his eyes dark, his thoughts still stuck on the betrayal in his company.
The girls knew his nature well. Remian never touched them. He always demanded something different—virginity, purity. Since they were not that, they didn't disturb him. They only sat by him, offering light comfort.
Lovian, on the other hand, was different. He laughed loudly, joked with the girls, and pulled one of them close. After some time, he stood up and walked to his room with one dancer, ready to spend the night with her.
Remian also left the hall, but instead of pleasure, he went to his room alone. He placed his glass on the table and leaned back, his mind still circling around the same thoughts. "Who betrayed me? How can I find them?"
The music from the hall faded as he closed his eyes. His body was tired, but his heart carried a storm.
Back in the village, Juliana folded her clothes neatly into her bag. She placed her savings, the money from the villagers, and the gifted dresses carefully inside.
Two days later, she would leave for the city. Her new life would begin.
She looked at her grandma, who was already asleep on the cot. A soft smile touched Juliana's lips. "For you, Grandma. For Mom and Dad. For my village. I will not fail."
Her journey had already begun.