Bound to Fall Apart

Prologue

I focused my gaze on the vanity mirror. I'm staring at myself, wondering if I'm still the same person I was two years ago.

I haven't changed anything about my appearance except my hair, which has completely transformed. My previous long straight deep brown hair and my current long wavy copper strawberry blonde hair are both flattering, but well, the latter suits me better... I think?

"Hey, Aria. Is my hair... okay?" I was skeptical when I asked that.

"Oo naman po, Miss!" Sagot nito agad. "Mahigit dalawang taon na po simula no'ng nagpa-blonde ka. Bakit ngayon niyo lang po natanong 'yan?" Medyo natatawa pa siya.

Bakit nga ba ngayon ko lang natanong 'yon?

I groaned. "Seriously, bagay ba?"

I intended to dye and curl my hair for a change when I came here. My emotions were overflowing at that time, so I decided to look different. When all went well, I chose to keep it that way. Then it eventually became my signature look here.

I like your hair. The sound of someone's voice echoed inside my head. That awakened me!

Will I still be complimented the same way by that someone now that my hair is completely different from before? I doubt that.

Why am I even thinking about it? I used to care for his opinion, but now I don't... Not anymore.

"Oo nga po, Miss. Ang ganda-ganda niyo nga po e," sagot niya. "Bigla po yata kayong na-conscious?" She gave me a grin.

Buti nalang pumasok sa kwarto sina Cindy at Mara kaya nakaiwas ako sa panunukso ni Aria.

"Cai!" Cindy yelled and ran over to where I was sitting to hug me.

"What's with the face, Cindy Pieterse?" I then chuckled. She seemed upset.

"What's with the formality, Cassidy Prim?" She mocked. "Anyway, I'd like to join you and Onyx on your trip. Sad to say, my manager, refused to give me leave. I was unable to convince her." She's like a kid who hasn't gotten what she wants.

Cindy is one of my closest colleagues here. She is a Dutch-born actress who grew up in Los Angeles. I understand she won't be able to join us due to her hectic schedule. I was as busy as her when I was still under the management's contract.

"Hey, it's okay! When Onyx returns, I'll simply hitch the souvenirs for you to him."

I'll just buy her whatever she wants there to make amends and stop making her feel discarded. We can't force her to come because of her tight schedule.

"No, it's not okay!" She hissed. "I also want to visit your home country! Onyx must be extremely fortunate to be with you."