Déjà Vu

Chapter 8

It had been 7 days since I got back home to my sister. She had immediately welcomed me by hugging me as tight as a python does when it tries to kill someone. I really had missed her rosy scent and the cozy aura she spread, not including her annoying attempts to wake me up in the morning, of course.

"I can't believe you're already leaving me again tomorrow", Ann cried muffling into my shoulder. She had been sitting so close to me since hours, thinking she would lose me if she moved just an inch away from me. "Yeah, I know but I'll be back in a few days because the pre party in London lasts only one day. However I've to stay a little longer because we will do some marketing there", I replied and I felt her nodding silently. "You're famous now. Seriously what am I doing with my life, even my little sister is more productive than me." I softly pushed her away from my shoulder, looking her into the eyes. "Ann, you're actually so dumb. Girl, you're a model, you work for famous brands and companies. Like what are you even complaining about?!",I countered with a confused expression. "When brands are writing me to model for them, they're also always asking for you to accompany me. I'm not the only famous person in here!", I added. "Wait, what?! Why didn't you tell me?!" I rolled my eyes. "You know exactly why. I don't like being photographed, so I said almost every time "no" to photo shootings." "That's no excuse. You're getting filmed every day, you have paparazzi and there are a lot of photos of you on the internet. While we're at it, when did you plan on telling me about your secret relationship?" Her last sentence made me narrow my eyebrows. "What do you mean?", I asked, my heart speeding up. "Nah, don't you dare playing dumb now." I grabbed her shoulders, my expression serious. That was the point where I realized something was wrong. "I'm not playing dumb, Ann. What.Do.You.Mean?!", I asked again. "It's on the news", was her only answer before she searched for something on her phone and handed it to me. My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. A chill ran down my spine when I read the headline: "Are Celestia Danz and Marko Purišić alias Baby Lasagna having a secret relationship?" "Oh god, no...", I whispered. Somebody had seen us at the beach, him hovering over me. They made photos and put them on the internet. "Wait- You didn't know about that?", my sister asked me carefully and I shook my head. "But is it true? Like are you really together?" I shook my head a second time, not being able to say anything. "Then why were you lying in that position?", she continued asking. Finally I looked up. "Well, that's a long story..." I started telling her about everything connected to Marko and our silly encounters. "Okay, that really is a long story... I've got the feeling you both like each other but you are both too shy to commit it", she said in the end. "No, I don't think he likes me... I mean, he also gets along with the other feminine competitors, that means nothing. Besides he told me we are friends." "Celestia! Are you blind?! You nearly kissed! He doesn't do that with the others, right?!", Ann raised her voice which made me wince. "I don't know, maybe he does. I don't even know him! He could be a complete asshole!", I also raised my voice frustrated and angrily. Ann sighed. Her fishy breath hit my face and I wrinkled my nose. "Girl, when was the last time, you brushed your teeth? You're smelling like you just ate a whole trout", I snarled. Ann hit me aggressively on my shoulder and showed me her middle finger. "Ow!", I screamed when she continued hitting me. She actually managed to kick me off the couch we were currently sitting on. When I started defending myself, it escalated. Our violent behaviour led to a few bruises and my nose bleeding. I moaned out of pain and crawled back onto the couch. "Now, I give to give it to you, Ann, you really are stronger than me." Ann scoffed proudly, patting my bruised shoulder. Suddenly I got a call. First, I didn't find my phone but when I did I wished I had not. "Hi, Rosanne! How are you?", I greeted her with my sweetest voice I could speak with. "You know exactly how I am. Did you read the news?! Everybody's talking about your secret relationship, Celestia! Remember when I told you to be careful because you're standing in the spotlight?", she asked, the tension in her voice thick. "You actually didn't tell me to be careful, you kicked the door open and chased me-" "Celestia, if you're not quite in a second, I will kick YOUR door open and kick YOUR ass!", she whispered, the tension now unbreakable. Rosanne wasn't just mad, she was furious. I remained silent and waited for her to speak up again. "Okay. It happened. The plan is now: You'll explain the pictures in the upcoming interview by saying you slipped unintentionally and pulled him with you without a purpose, you'll stay away from Marko until the rumours get boring for people and you'll answer no questions about your relationship, the explanation will be enough. Understood?" I nodded but then I realized she couldn't see me. "Understood", I replied quietly. "Look, Celestia. I don't know what really happened but I actually don't want you to tell me. It's your life and your decision but I am your manager and I don't want you to get destroyed by rumours because that's what happens in most cases", she explained afterwards with a softer voice. "I know, Rosanne. It was my fault, again...I'm sorry." She was just doing her job and I couldn't blame her. Besides it was really my fault. "It's okay, honey but I just want to ask you one question." I was curious but I had a feeling about which question she meant. "Go on." "Celestia, I want to be honest because your answer matters. It is important for me to know." Now I was scared. Was it really that serious? My sister continued staring at me. She didn't understand a word about what that conversation was about. "Celestia...Do you love him?"