A Star in New York

Prologue

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, character, business, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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"I'm almost there."

I put my phone back in my bag after I finished the call with my mom. She called me together with my siblings for this so-called important meeting na hindi ko sure kung important ba talaga. Dumiretso na ako sa office ni mommy kahit kakalapag pa lang nung eroplanong sinakyan ko galing New York. May jetlag pa ako and for sure I look like a terrible mess right now!

Sasaglit na sana ako sa cr para magretouch, nang makita ko ang kapatid kong nakangising kumakaway sa lahat ng madaanan niyang mga empleyado habang papunta sa conference room.

Nangangampanya ka ghorl. 

Lumapit muna siya sa akin nang makita niya akong nakatayo malapit sa cr. Agad na nabura ang ngiti niya nang makalapit sa akin. "Oh my god, Astraia Zoren Leitz! Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo? You look bad, what happened to your face! Kailangan mo nang gamitin 'yung mga products na binibigay ko sa'yo, gosh!"

Inirapan ko siya. "Calm yourself ate, kakarating ko lang dito galing NYC kaya natural na haggard ako. You know jetlag? Now will you excuse me, magreretouch lang muna ako bago pumunta sa conference room,"

"Okay, take your time nang magmukha ka namang tao sa paningin ng mga tao na nasa meeting," for the second time, inirapan ko ulit siya bago pumuntang comfort room.

"Sorry, we're late."

I froze at my seat upon hearing that familiar voice, thankful that I positioned myself facing the other side of the door. With sweaty hands starting to tremble, I slowly faced the direction where his voice is coming.

Damn, I didn't know that he is going to be here! But then I still managed to look like I'm not surprised with his sudden appearance. 

 At talagang magkasama pa sila ni Zyanna, kapatid niya. Kung alam ko lang, edi sana hindi na ako umattend sa important meeting na to.

I hate them.

Nagulat siya nang nagtama ang mga mata namin. Hindi ata siya informed na kasama ako sa meeting na 'to. Why do I care anyway? 

Binawi niya din agad ang tingin niya at nagsalita, "I'm here to accompany my sister, in behalf of her manager who is sick right now."

I hate that he still has the audacity to face my family after everything that happened to us.

Mom nodded, then motioned them to seat on the seats available. And a sudden realization hit me.  The only vacant seat left for them is in front of me! At mukhang binabalak niyang umupo sa tapat The nerve of this man!

Sinimulan na nila ang meeting nang lumilipad sa kung saan ang utak ko, I know I shouldn't mind him seating in front of me but what can I do? Memories of him during our last encounter is hunting me. 

Akala ko okay na ako.

Nahuli ko siyang sumulyap sa akin, tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Nang mapansin niyang alam kong tiningnan niya ako ay agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

Akala ko kaya ko na siyang harapin.

Napatingin naman sa amin si Zyanna nang mapansin ang nangyaring sulyapan sa amin dalawa ng kuya niya.

I thought I wouldn't be this hurt, now that we've met again after all those years. 

She smiled at me.  Nginitian ko siya pabalik. Isang tipid at puno ng sakit na ngiti, I couldn't hide it anymore. But it's a good thing that I'm used to hiding the emotions in my eyes, right? 

Akala nila wala akong pinoproblema, sana nga.

Gusto kong palakpakan ang sarili ko, na nagawa ko pa siyang ngitian pabalik kahit na ang totoo ay kanina ko pa siya gustong irapan.

Akala ko, puro akala. Umasa ako.

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Di ko alam kung magandang simula ba 'to, pero yeah, happy reading! Hintay hintay nalang sa next ud :D