A Little Like Fate

Page 02

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"Isn't that Bea de Leon?"

"Bea! Hi!"

"Omg, nakasabay pala natin sa flight si Bea de Leon!"

"She's so pretty!"

"Look at her legs. It could literally go on for days!"

"Hi, Bea!"

"Bea, can we take a photo with you?"

These are just a few of the voices Bea and Mona heard as they found their way around the airport's arrival area. A lot of people came to say their greetings and asked for photos with Bea while they were waiting for their luggage as well.

It was 4pm when they finally landed and although Bea was tired from the 17 hour flight from New York, she still accommodated the fans who approached her and asked for photos with her. Flashing them genuine smiles and thanking them for their congratulations and compliments.

"Thank you, Bea! You're so approachable." Said the last person who asked for a photo with Bea while they were on their way out of the arrivals area. Bea just said her thanks in return and then started to walk their way outside where her family was probably waiting for them.

Mona was just walking beside Bea, the latter was wearing her sunnies but Mona knew Bea was sporting a tired look

"You okay?" Mona asked the youngest De Leon.

Bea glanced at her ate Mona, she knew the older woman would ask her this. Ganito kasi lagi ang nangyayari kapag umuuwi siya sa Pilipinas and she understood where the older woman was coming from.

"Yeah, ate. I'm used to it, ano ka ba." She said with a small laugh.

Mona kept silent for a moment, not buying what Bea said, "You can always refuse if you're tired, Bei."

Bea looked at her ate Mona again, "No, no. It's fine, really. Don't worry, Ate. I enjoy it din naman kasi I get to meet them. Tsaka, minsan lang naman ako lumalabas." She flashed her a soft smile before looking ahead.

She then saw familiar figures standing not too far from them. She took off her sunnies before squinting her eyes.

Her small smile turned into a grin when she realized it was her mom and brother.

"Mom! Kuya!" Bea immediately ran towards the both of them, and as if they could hear her despite the distance, they smiled and opened their arms to greet the youngest in their family who they have missed dearly.

"Beatriz!" Bea's mother, Det, greeted her and they hugged each other immediately.

"I missed you." Det hugged her tighter while Loel, Bea's older brother, hugged the two of them.

"I missed you, too, Mom." Bea replied. She turned to her brother afterwards with a smile.

"And you, too, kuya." She added which made Loel laugh. "Of course, I missed you more, baby sis."

They broke the hug and Bea kissed both their cheeks, "Thanks for fetching us." Bea said.

She looked behind her where her Ate Mona stood, smiling at the sight. She knew how the family missed Bea so much, she was the youngest and the baby and her presence always gave the family warmth and so much love.

"Tita Det," She greeted and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She also went to give Loel a hug, "Loel,"

"Mona, hello. It's been a while din, ha." Det smiled at Mona. She was happy to see her again, parang anak na rin ang turing niya rito dahil kilala na niya ito simula pa noong high school si Loel.