Work ended and the trio came down to the parking area. Anne trudged along the way to their cars. Anne looked at the two happy people. 'These two traitorous snakes, they have the heart to starve me' Anne thought.
Several hours ago, upon learning about the good news, the trio decided to have a mini celebration and decided to have a seafood feast after work. Our foodie - Anne, was so happy about it but then her joyous moment was dashed because Maya and King reminded her about her 3 days liquid cleanse.
She is on day two and it would be a waste to break her fast when she was so close to the end. For the past years, cleansing became a habit of hers. She does it for fitness and health. Most importantly, she does it because she feels like it does good things for her. Now, she isn't saying cleansing does magical things and so everyone should do it… it differs from person to person. Some can have good results - fit-wise and health-wise, and some don't.
Despite them being on the side of body positivity, Anne is a model. Being a model is no easy walk in the park, she is responsible for her body's condition if she wanted to continue her career as a model and that is the harsh truth. Modelling isn't all rainbows and butterflies, some compromises should be made and one of them is being fit even if you have to exercise every day and fast sometimes. Although being… 'curvaceous' is gaining traction in the modelling world, it still isn't prevalent.
Noticing the slow and heavy steps of Anne, King looked at her. "What is that look?" King amusedly asked his pouting darling, Anne.
"Tsk… I'm not gonna talk to you." Anne sulkily told King. She turned her back on him to indicate that she is ignoring him.
"Well, that's ok. Please do drive yourself safely back home, while I and Maya enjoy our dinner." King can't help but tease Anne again. She just has this cute look on her when teased.
"You two are heartless." Anne's aggrieved look elicited waves of laughter from the two grinning people in front of her.
The two 'heartless snakes', according to Anne, looked at each other. Having enough fun teasing Anne, they tacitly agreed to end it. "We are just kidding. You can eat out with us. You've been more self-disciplined for the longest time and you deserve to break your fast early once in a while. Just don't overeat." Maya smiled and gave a condition to Anne. She was just looking out for her.
"Really?! I knew it! You two are angels." Anne elatedly hugged the two teasing culprits.
"I'll remind you again, don't overeat. You were just on a liquid cleanse and so eating a lot is not ok." Maya looked Anne in the eye and reiterates their condition.
"I won't. I promise." Anne raised her right hand and placed her left hand on where her heart is located.
"Uh-huh…" King raised his left brow at Anne, not believing her.
"Don't worry King. I will pay attention and heed you two's advice since I have this coming audition to ace." Anne patted her chest as if saying to believe in her.
"If you don't listen to us, on the low side - you might get fat, or worse… get hospitalized." Maya's concern for Anne is laid out in the open.
"Well, if she does get fat.. we can market her as a 'curvy' model. We won't lose out on anything." King told as a matter of fact but with a teasing smile on his face.
"You capitalist." Maya pushes King jokingly.
"Nah, it's ok if I do get fat. No matter what shape I have, I will still be beautiful." Anne smiled and winked.
"That is a good mindset. Who cares if you are fat, skinny, or what? The most important thing is being confident in your skin without stepping on anyone. The society's norm is outdated anyway." King couldn't help but agree more with Anne.
"Uh-huh. The more you become confident in yourself, the more you feel like the world is so much bigger. Confidence is really a wonderful thing that can uplift a person's outlook on life." Anne said.
"I do agree. Self-love and self-acceptance are some of the important ingredients to a happy life. But, you also need to think about your health. To me, health - emotionally, mentally and physically, comes first before anything else." Maya added.
"Because when you are healthy both in mind and body, then happiness will naturally follow next." The trio said in unison as if they have rehearsed this a thousand times.
"I really like that philosophy of your mom," King said as he looked at Anne.
"I know right? Her mom is a 'girl crush' of mine. Scratch that. She is a badass woman." Maya gushed.
"Tsk. You two are whipped for my mom."
Meanwhile, at the Tan Corporation, our dear president and secretary are still hard at work. After seeing the time, the duo decided to call it a night.
"See you tomorrow Mr. President. Here are the contracts that you wanted to take home with you. Have a good night." Rod handed the president's briefcase which was stuffed with contracts.
Angelo took it and bid goodnight to his secretary. "Mm. Goodnight."
The two parted ways for the night.
Back at home, Angelo did his usual routine. He went straight to his kitchen and decided to cook shrimp and couscous with yogurt-hummus sauce for dinner. With his expert hands, the meal was done quickly. It took him 20 minutes to prep and cook the dish. Our dear president took his time eating and took this moment to relax for a bit. After his main dish, it is time for dessert. He opened his dessert fridge, yup, you read that right. He has a dedicated fridge for his desserts. He took out a slice of his favourite chocolate mousse cake. To pair with the desserts, he brewed Japanese green tea. The natural slight saltiness helps the chocolate flavour to pop out.
After enjoying his dessert and tea, he watched the news on the television just to stay informed about what is going on in the world and to also have time for his food to digest before taking a bath. With the news done, he went to his room and took a bath.
When he was done bathing, he brushed his teeth and thoroughly flossed. Then he started doing his usual skincare routine. Yes, even a man like him needs to take care of his skin. He doesn't go to a dermatologist, but it is because of this, that he needs to take care more of his skin. Everyone shouldn't neglect themselves. After taking care of his skin, he chose a maroon cotton pyjama set to slip on. He went to his office and reviewed the contracts that he took home with him. He continued working for over an hour before he decided to call it a night. Angelo was about to sleep when he remembered that he still needs to call his brother.
Speaking of his brother, he is what you call a 'wander boy.' He doesn't stay for long in one place. You can say that it was so, because of his job as a photographer, but Angelo and the whole family think that he just loved travelling.
His brother is a freelance photographer/cinematographer and stands 6 feet tall. He has an attractive face and looks a lot older than his age due to him growing his beard. That was his appearance before he went to Africa. Who knows what he looks like right now? Although he looks wild, intimidating and dangerous because of his beard, his eye smile makes him look approachable and a nice person, which he is. He is playful and loves travelling the most.
Angelo and he have a harmonious relationship as brothers. They see each other as best friends. Seeing their closeness, Crystal sometimes felt left out. She complains to her brothers and parents when that happens. To defend themselves, his second brother would always tell Crystal 'because you are not as mature as us,' to which she would always sulkily reply, 'Well, duh?! You two are like fossils… very old. Do you think I can be as mature as you two?' Seeing their sister trying to look upset, the two brothers felt amused and would always treat her to whatever she wanted. They thought she is cute when mad. The two brothers have tacitly agreed that only they are allowed to bully...cough..cough...tease..... their sister. Yes, only they can tease their sister and no one else.
Their parents who saw them - their children, getting along could only feel much happier. Only a few families can truly say that they live together harmoniously.