Back to You || Maiden/Aldub

e p i l o g u e

2020

He took one last glance at the mirror, adjusting the collar of his white shirt - debating whether he should unbutton the top button or not. It was far too tight for his liking but he also didn't want to look underdressed for tonight's event. Considering he already passed up the tie option, hating the feeling of yet another thing constricting his neck.

The network was holding it's 70th year anniversary, a ball to be exact - inviting all of it's past and current talents for the one night of celebration.

Finally deciding with leaving it buttoned, he grabbed his keys on from the table, calling out to his father that he was going to head out.

But as he neared the venue in which the party was going to be held, he became more and more nervous - instantly regretting for not going for the much lighter blazer he originally planned on wearing once he felt the first bead of sweat form on his forehead.

She was going to be there and it has been exactly one year, and ten months since they've last talked.

Not that he was keeping track, of course. No, not at all.

Should he speak to her?

Would she even come near him?

He was a mess.

Pulling in to the driveway of the hotel, Alden gladly let the valet worker open the door for him - instantly being blinded by the flashing lights of photographers that lined up across from the entrance.

He took the time to smile for them, even mumbling a few answers to their unnecessary questions - all so he could delay the time so that he would not enter the building jus yet.

He wasn't sure if she had arrived or not and with how out of control his head was at the time, he didn't want to find out.

"Den!" A sweet voice called out from behind him.

Oh, thank God. He thought to himself, instantly letting out a sigh of relief once he realized who it was.

"Hey!" He beamed making his way over to her.

She looked beautiful in her long black dress, cutting deep enough to show some skin as well as keeping it classy. And as she made her way to meet him halfway, Alden took notice of how the heavy the material of the skirt of the dress seemed to be - her hands constantly adjusting as she tried to walk on the cobbled path as well as keeping the tule from dragging too much on the ground.

He reached out to give her a quick hug and beso - wiping his sweaty hands on his dress pants before doing so.

"Okay ka lang?" She eyed him as they pulled away, noticing how uneasy he seemed to be.

"Yeah." He forced a smile on his lips.

But she knew him far too well to believe this and gave him a look. "Serious ako."

"Let's go na?" He nodded over to the sliding doors where other stars have slowly started to go in, avoiding her question.

"It's because she's here, isn't it?" She asked lowly as he helped her up the ramp that lead to the entrance.

Alden pursed his lips, once again choosing to ignore her question. "Ganda ng dress mo."

"Kailan ka pa naging interested in women's fashion?" She rolled her eyes at her previous love-team partner.

"Nung naging etchusera ka."

"Sabi ko na nga, eh." Rachel shook a finger at him, a smile forming on her lips. "Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ka ganyan."